The greatEST Rescue!
There have been many famous and brave rescues in history, but I wonder of all the many attempts, failures, and the successes, which one would be considered the greatest rescue of all?
Watchman--- Billy Blankenship---6/3/2010
**************************************************
I am considered a "Senior Citizen", and being so over the years, I have seen many things, and, have heard of many things. War movies have always intrigued me. I have been through all the combat scenes,with the "Frog Men", "Seals" "Green Berets"," Special forces", and, in the last wars, Vietnam, and Boznia, where there have been special rescue units.
I have agonized (on my couch) as I would see our service men shot down in enemy territory, and watch while they hid in the woods, or grasses to prevent being captured. Then come the "good guys" the Helicopters, flying through heavy fire, and every second the possibility of getting blown out of the sky.
Many times, for "only one man"! The great risk of life, and risking the lives of many just to save one person! How I would thrill as I watched them land, the men giving cover with heavy fire, as the Pilots made a desperate run for the Helicopter. After making it safely on board, I can finally relax a little on my couch. I perhaps have seen the same movie (only five or ten times)!
But there is something about a rescue, that catches the attention of the world. Many have been the stories of heroism, as a Marine, or Soldier, pulls his buddy to safety. With tears in my eyes I watched on television a few years ago, of a house that was on fire. Nothing unusual about a house burning down, but, in this house, "a Mama cat had her kittens", and, they were all in danger of being burned up!
People watched in amazement on TV, as out she came out with one kitten, then darted back into the house for another one. As she brought this one to safety, the house was really blazing! She still had one more kitten in the house, so back she went. Coming out for the third time, she had been caught in the fire, and, was literally on fire!
To every one's surprise, the Mother cat ran back into the house "again", for she had "four" kittens, and one of them was still in danger! When she came out again, burning from the fire, even her ears had been almost burned off, "but her babies were safe"! Mama cat was on television, and, was shown all the love that you could give a cat, for both she and her four baby kitten's were all safe now. Such love and unselfishness! What a rescue!
STORIES OF GREAT HEROISM!
Getting more personal, on September eleventh, 2001, the day our "Nation shook", as the deadly acts of the "terrorists" hit the New York, Trade Center Towers, and, with our own passenger planes!
The destruction was unbelievable! The pain and anguish to much to describe. Where once was life-now was a carnage of death. The screaming and confusion was mind boggling. As the hours dragged on, and, after both buildings had collapsed, the stories began to emerge of such brave and unselfish rescues!
Thousands lost their life, as those still living began trying to make some plans, how to at least try and rescue some of theremaining victims. I heard so many stories of bravery, that it would take a publisher months to recap many of the rescues. I recall one lady saying: that the firemen kept telling her "you can make it" keep moving, keep going! She said they carried her over beams of steel, injured themselves in the process, but, still trying to encourage her to keep calm. She finally made it to safety.
She was asked the question by a reporter, (which gave me the idea for this message) what would you say to those men who risked their life for you and finally brought you to safety, what would you tell them?
I would say THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! for caring enough to risk (your own life) to save mine! The stories of rescues at the WTC, will go on for many years, as men and women placed their own lives in "harms way" trying to reach others, as the buildings continued to crumble and burn. To all those involved we salute you gentleman: fireman, policeman, doctors, and thousand's of others who gave, and helped. In the country of Iraq, we have been fighting a war with one of the most "evil" regimes on the planet. We have lost many men, and, some women,, in the battle (which is still going on, and seems to never end)! Some men were killed in the rescue of a young girl who had been captured, and was being held in an Iraqi hospital. She was wounded, but safe. It took the lives of some, to save one! I am sure she has said over and over again: Thank you- Thank you-Thank you! She will ever be grateful for the risking of their own lives, just to save her! WAS THAT THE GREATEST RESCUE?
ONE WHO DIDN'T RISK HIS LIFE!
Some two thousand years ago, The God of all the Universe looked down on our world, and saw that man was becoming more wicked every day. Something must be done! Some of the songs that we sing, say: That God searched through heaven, and couldn't find one willing to be, the supreme sacrifice that was needed, to bring eternal life to you and me. Let me tell you dear one, none of this song is true! God didn't search anywhere for a sacrifice! In the fullness of time, God sent forth His Son, of which He had ordained from the beginning of this old world, to die for you and I.
We celebrate Christmas as His berth, as He was born of a Virgin, born in a stable, grew up in a Carpenter shop, and, began doing the work his heavenly Father had called Him to do. He healed the sick, gave sight to the blind, raised the dead, made the lame to walk again, and, He came to destroy the works of the devil. He also gave you and I the opportunity to spend all eternity with Him in Heaven, if we would only repent of our sins, and, be "born again'.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Throughout the Old Testament, God has always required a "sacrifice" as an atonement for sin. Sin, had to be dealt with. For this was the main reason that God sent His Son into the world, to be a "sacrifice" for sin. No; God didn't search all through Heaven, He already knew who the sacrifice would be. His only begotten Son! As the time came closer that He must die, the devil stirred up a religious mob to falsely
accuse him. As the witnesses perjured themselves, the mob said: Crucify him! Crucify Him! Dear friend, Jesus didn't RISK HIS LIFE, HE GAVE IT!
NO RESCUE!
The disciples all fled, or followed afar off. The time came to obey the Father.
Matthew 26: 39 O my Father, if it be thy will, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not my will, but as thou wilt.
Was there not some way out? Could not Jesus have someone to help him? Was there a way to be rescued? After the mob took Jesus, Peter drew his sword, and cut off the ear of the High Priest's servant. Here was help now, if Jesus chose to use it. Listen to what Jesus said:
26:52-54... put up thy sword again into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.THINKEST THOU THAT I CANNOT NOW PRAY TO MY FATHER, AND HE SHALL PRESENTLY GIVE ME MORE THAN TWELVE LEGIONS OF ANGELS? But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, and thus it must be?
No dear friends, there was no RESCUE that day for our blessed Savior. He could have called "legions of Angels" to RESCUE Him, but he didn't! THANK GOD He refused to be rescued that day, so you and I could be rescued now! The millions of lives that will go into eternity (sins forgiven) because he refused to save his life that day at Calvary. I am so glad tonight as I write this message, that the Son Of God refused to save His life, so that I might find mine. 35 years ago, I was rescued from a life of pure Hell on earth! I was an alcoholic, and many other things that went with it. In a moments time I was forgiven, my sins forgotten, and a new name written down in glory, and (its mine, I know it's mine).
