World Wars I-IV

By REV. KNOX HERNDON
Pastor

I was listening to a conservative talk show host the other day as he claimed that we had won World War III, which was the Cold War. I believe he was 100 percent on target although the media has not yet picked up on this obvious idea. I served most of my 30-year military career facing off the Russians to the East in Berlin, and Cuba to the south, and North Korea to the north.

I was talking to my good friend, Nick Snyder, who heads up the National Museum of Patriotism on Spring Street in downtown Atlanta. They are across the street from the Puppet Museum. They will be opening at a future date to be determined. Nick was in Germany the same time I was and we spent a good time swapping East German “autobahn” stories of how very brave and, often scared Americans, would drive from the then West German border into the Communist zone into the walled city of Berlin. This trip was 110 miles long through enemy territory. This was done on a frequent basis to keep the autobahn access open to the West.

Those were scary and dangerous times. Most people don’t know that in those Cold War days we had causalities all along the border that never made the media. Many a brave soldier faced off the East Germans and Russians along a very long dangerous border. In my whole military career, the coldest and most lonely duty was the border patrol facing off the numerically superior Communist hordes on the other side of the border.

I shall never forget when Dee and I were serving in the Berlin Brigade, 110 miles inside East Germany from 1977-1980, “B.C.” (before children) when we were awakened at about 3:30 a.m. one morning with the roar of tanks all over the streets. Roaring tanks below your window is an unmistakable sound you will never forget. The rumble of those steel monsters on the cobblestone streets would shake the very foundations of the buildings we were living in.

I immediately dropped to the floor and crawled to the window with Dee doing the same. I told her to focus on the whip antennas to see if they looked like ours or theirs. Fortunately it was just an alert and the commander of the Berlin Brigade had mustered our tanks. This may sound dramatic, but when you are 110 miles inside the jaws of the dragon and you are completely surrounded and highly outnumbered, whatever happens to you would come very quickly.

America and her allies won World War I, World War II, World War III and I feel we are currently involved in the beginnings of World War IV. I certainly hope I am wrong here but I don't believe I am. This is why the liberals who oppose President Bush have their heads in the sand and obviously have never read history. I strongly believe that it has started and we need to support our President and hold it off as long as possible. The Democratic Party has chosen to try and make political points on this issue and are, in my opinion, aiding and abetting world terror under the misguided opinion of stopping it.

Printed below is a meeting with a Muslim Inman and a Christian. I am in no way bashing the Muslims as people but I think it extremely important to point out some doctrinal issues that are very fundamental to Islam and issues that we all need to totally understand. I like what FOX Radio and TV state as a slogan, “We report, you decide.” I print this report as I received it.

"Subject: Christian vs. Muslim

“This gave me further insight into the Muslim religion. Thank goodness we worship a God of love.

“Last month I [someone in the Colson Prison Ministries??] attended my annual training session that's required for maintaining my state prison security clearance.

“During the training session there was a presentation by three speakers representing the Roman Catholic, Protestant and Muslim faiths who explained their belief systems. I was particularly interested in what the Islamic Imam had to say. The Imam gave a great presentation of the basics of Islam, complete with a video. After the presentations, time was provided for questions and answers.

“When it was my turn, I directed my question to the Imam and asked: ‘Please, correct me if I’m wrong, but I understand that most Imams and clerics of Islam have declared a holy jihad [Holy war] against the infidels of the world. And, that by killing an infidel, which is a command to all Muslims, they are assured of a place in heaven. If that’s the case, can you give me the definition of an infidel?’ There was no disagreement with my statements and without hesitation he replied, ‘Non-believers!’

“I responded, ‘So, let me make sure I have this straight. All followers of Allah have been commanded to kill everyone who is not of your faith so they can go to Heaven. Is that correct?’

“The expression on his face changed from one of authority and command to that of a little boy who had just gotten caught with his hand in the cookie jar. He sheepishly replied, ‘Yes.’

“I then stated, ‘Well, sir, I have a real problem trying to imagine Pope John Paul commanding all Catholics to kill those of your faith or Pat Robertson or Dr. Stanley ordering Protestants to do the same in order to go to Heaven!’ The Imam was speechless.

“I continued, ‘I also have a problem with being your friend when you and your brother clerics are telling your followers to kill me. Let me ask you a question ... would you rather have your Allah who tells you to kill me in order to go to Heaven or my Jesus who tells me to love you because I am going to Heaven and wants you to be with me?’

“You could have heard a pin drop as the Imam hung his head in shame.

“Chuck Colson once told me something that has sustained me these 20 years of prison ministry. He said to me, ‘Rick, remember that the truth will prevail.’ And it will."

(Dr. Knox Herndon is the pastor of His House Community Church (SBC). Rev. Greg Mausz is Sr. Assoc. Dr. Lydia Herndon is the Sunday School Superintendent, Bible study coordinator and teacher. The church is on Ga. Highway 85 in Senoia, a mile south of Ga. Highway 16 and just past the firse station on the right. Visitors welcome. Church office and Prayer line 770-719-2365 E-Mail KHERN2365@aol.com. Web address is www.hishousecommunitychurch.com.)