Responding to Jesus' Authority

 

Edward F. Lundwall, Jr.

The Marine drill instructor repeatedly said: "I don't hear you!"

The trainees responded with louder voices. Military training teaches us to respond appropriately to authority.

How does that work for soldiers of Jesus Christ?

His followers hear and recognize His voice. To them He promises: “...I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” (John 10:27, 28)

They take up the cross and follow where He leads. They comprize the Church Militant.

They put on the armour of God. Ephesians 6:11: "Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil."

At the end of their days on earth, they are assured by His words: "Well done, good and faithful servant," which is Jesus' gracious acknowledgement: “I heard you! You followed as my disciple!”

Related reading: Get a Grip! Be Steadfast; Contending for the Faith; Divine Authority in the Church

Remembering the Vietnam War (Part 1)

We are thankful for Ed's service to God and Country.

Edward F. Lundwall, Jr.

Army Chaplain, Retired

Few people understand the Vietnam war. Most veterans lament the suffering and say with many others: “Why? It was useless!” They find fault with both the leadership and the way the war was fought. Over a million people either died or suffered physically and emotionally.

To understand the Vietnam war the wider picture must be considered. It was as much a conflict with China and Russia as with the Viet Con. The Vietnamese enemy received substantial supplies from China and Russia. Very few weapons were made in Vietnam.

One of the driving emotional forces that made the Vietnamese fight was their resistance to occupying foreigners. Before the French, the Chinese. The Chinese occupation is seen in the remnant Chinese population living in the Cholon area near Saigon. The Vietnamese resisted the Chinese attempts to take the northern portions of Vietnam.

Communism was a tool of those who wanted to dominate and rule. In a sense, the conflict in Vietnam shows that self government won the day in Vietnam. Communism can't be sustained unless it controls the whole world and most nations and peoples seek to have control of their own lives and futures. So the war in Vietnam was a conflict of ideologies, a clash of national self interests, the global ambitions of Communism, and the ideal of democracy.

The Vietnamese have their own language, religion, and national identity. They sought to preserve it during the occupations. Today the economic culture of free enterprise dominates in Vietnam as “market centered” economy.

Even during the war the French rubber company still operated freely. I remember a visit from their company representatives. The came to ask us not to harm their rubber trees with artillery fire.

Related reading: Mercy in the Midst; Military Service in Vietnam; The Lieutenant’s Godly Prayer

Why I Volunteered

Excerpt from the Reverend Edward F. Lundwall’s 

Memoirs as a Combat Chaplain

Vietnam. Why would anyone leave a comfortable pulpit to participate in the Army Chaplaincy in those troubling times? Why put one’s self in harm’s way facing death and the difficulties of combat conditions in a steamy, booby-trapped jungle of Southeastern Asia?....I was overwhelmed with compassion for the soldiers who were or would soon be facing death to stop the spread of atheistic Communism which threatened both our country, and the Christian faith.

Many people possess a generalized, cultural faith which lacks both the biblical content and heartfelt commitment necessary for a certain salvation. Jesus said, "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does (lifestyle practice) the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter" (Matt 7:21 NASU); and again, "Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:31, 32 KJV). My heart’s desire to proclaim God’s Word in such a way to our troops that they if they should die, they would face the Lord as their Savior, and not as their Judge. I wanted them to have the peace available to all who sought forgiveness of sins and eternal life in Christ. 

Related reading: Military Service in Vietnam; Walking With Christ Through Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome; Mercy in the Midst

Walking with Christ through Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome

“As awesome as the war weapons are, they cannot compare to the suffering men experienced! Not only from the physical suffering, but both psychological and spiritual. Even as I write these reflections, current reports tell of an increasing rate of suicide, not only among troops in active combat, but among veterans. Not long ago, I had the privilege of helping two who were suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome (PTS) to the extent of making attempts to take their own lives. Only spiritual tools made the difference then, and will in the present or the future. I pray they remember what helped them then, so that they can continue in their journey of faith.”

From the upcoming book Reflections of a Combat Chaplain by Edward F. Lundwall

Psalm 20: Personal and National Revival

Edward F. Lundwall Jr.

Psalm 20: Personal and National Revival

Theme Verse: “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; 

but we will remember the name of the LORD our God” (Verse 7).

Father, as I begin each day, help me to remember yesterday’s blessings pronounced in the benedictions from worship services, or found in the encouraging devotions of the past. Let me not forget what you have done for me and for your people throughout the ages, for all your doings are worthy of remembrance. I thank and praise you for this Psalm’s call to the Israel to remember the benefits of true worship. Along with ancient Israel, how much trouble I get into when I try to approach you with my problems in mind rather than an attitude of thanksgiving, faith, and hope.

Indeed it is the pattern that our Lord Jesus taught us to follow, “Our Father Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy Name.” To honor your name as holy is to pray with a heart stirred with remembrance of all the things you have done. Without this, my desire to show you my devotion dwindles, and my times of worship become mere ritual. As I keep in mind past blessings and victories, I can face the outside world’s threats to both my personal life and that of my country; I can find peace. Then I can intercede in faith remembering that while many others trust in brute weaponry, the true defense of a nation is its people trusting only you.

Remembering the frailty and failures of Israel that led to their collapse, empower me to seek your face for the revival of my nation. Be my defender and the source of peace for those whom we cherish. Continually renew and restore me, as well as our country, that I and my nation can progress the work you have called us to do.

Bless the LORD, O my soul,

And all that is within me,

Bless His Holy Name,

And forget not ALL His benefits!

Related reading: Praying Psalm 1; Praying Psalm 2; Praying Psalm 3; Praying Psalm 4; Praying Psalm 5; Praying Psalm 6; Praying Psalm 7, Praying Psalm 8; Praying Psalm 9; Praying Psalm 10; Praying Psalm 11; Praying Psalm 12; Psalm 13; Psalm 14; Psalm 15; Psalm 16, Psalm 17; Psalm 18; Psalm 19

On Mercy and the Number 13

What follows is a small excerpt from Edward F. Lundwall's forthcoming book on his experiences as a combat Chaplain in Vietnam.


Chaplain (Ret) Edward F. Lundwall, Jr.

Chapel #13

Although I don’t believe that numbers in life have much more than curious significance, they do have that. While in the United States Army as a Chaplain, I was assigned to Chapel #13. As a humorous observation of popular cultural anecdotal thinking, the number 13 is usually considered the number of bad luck. Some buildings don't even have a floor numbered thirteen. When strangers and compatriots frequently mentioned this, I would quip, “Well, in a chapel with a number like that we will just have to rely on the grace of God!”

However, the general belief prevailed that there was a definite reason for numbering that chapel thirteen. It was located in that part of the Personnel Center where draftees got off public transportation to be inducted into the Army. Furthermore, it was war time…Vietnam… and coming into the United States Army could mean a death sentence in jungle combat.

Praise the Lord! General belief does not hold, but the grace of God is undeniable and always reliable. My ministry there was blessed with 313 professions of faith and commitments to Christ as Savior! 

Related reading:  Letter to Christian Service Person in Desert Storm; Mercy in the Midst

Letter to Christian Service Person in Desert Storm

A Letter written on December 19, 1990

Edward F. Lundwall, Jr., Retired Chaplain

Dear Brother in Christ,

Greetings in our blessed Savior’s Name!

I have felt impressed to write to you as you face possible combat in Saudi Arabia, because I want to share some things that I learned while ministering as a Chaplain in Viet Nam, with the 1/27th Infantry Battalion, 25tn Division.

The words of Mordecai to Esther come to my mind that could be applied to your mission: “…who knows whether you have come to the kingdom (opportunity) for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:15). You will have opportunity to witness and perhaps lead many to Christ. When I was at Ft. Dix as Chaplain at the Reception Station where the draftees got off the bus, I had the greatest evangelistic experience of my life. The men were more fearful then than at any other time; they didn’t know what to expect. They only knew that many had been killed or wounded.

I volunteered during the Viet Nam war, because I felt compassion on those who might seek the Lord in the hour of their distress. I would encourage you to feel God’s call also. I knew that it might be God’s will that I not return, but I committed that into God’s hands. Of the messages that I preached, the one that the men most responded to was that Christ would stick closer than a brother. To those who would trust Him, He would save and care for them forever, even beyond this life.

The most important thing is to trust Him in general and during the times of fear. Job said: “For the thing I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me” (Job 3:25). This verse was meaningful to me the first time I was in the field with Charlie Company. I had heard about all the bugs and creepy insects that could bit me in the rice patties. I was told to button up at and night and to put insect repellant around the openings of my uniform. I did. However, before I could get to sleep, a centipede 4-5 inches long crawled into my shirt and stung me. After that I remembered this verse and just trusted the Lord about it. Even though I heard mice playing around me as I went to sleep, I never had any more problems with insects or snakes or anything else.

While no one knows the time of our home going to Heaven, yet we know that our times are in His hands (Psalm 31:15). As with the Psalmist, this promise gives us reason to pray for deliverance from our enemies; and He had war specifically in mind Having fear in the face of danger does not mean that a person is unspiritual for I comforted myself often with the verse: “What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee” (Psalm 65:3). I used it often when the enemy was especially aggressive. The point is that when in danger we all face fear, but the godly overcome fear by faith and prayers of faith. When we do this often enough, danger no longer terrifies us.

But neither fear nor past faith should keep us from praying through at specific times of danger. I remember a Christian soldier that had been delivered three times from circumstances of certain death in assaults upon Fire Support Base Mahone II. A 57mm recoilless rifle round went over the base into the back of his bunker. Three others with him were not killed. This was especially distressing to me because I had just preached Psalm 91 to him the day before.

But as I investigated the circumstances, there was indication that he had been trusting in being near me instead of claiming the promise: “He shall call upon me, and I will answer him. I will deliver him, and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him, and show him my salvation (deliverance)” in Psalm 91:15 and 16. “…Ye have not, because ye have not” (James 4:3).

Yet, you need to tell your friends, that prayer without salvation and a conscience free from unrepentant sin will not bring God’s deliverance: “Behold, the LORD’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you, that he will not hear” (Isaiah 59:1, 2). Effectual prayer brings results when a person reasons with God (Isaiah 1:8, I.e. where we let God speak to us while we plead our cause.

I recall one time following Tet 1969 in Viet Nam when intelligence indicated that we were the target of 2 North Vietnamese Regiments. We kept only one company for perimeter defense. So I prayed, reasoning with God for my life. I prayed for Him to save my life, first because I was a Christian, and then because of my wife and children, but received no peace, because others died while being married Christians. However when I sought the Lord that I might glorify Him more by living than dying, I got peace.

Two weeks later, the enemy bombarded our base, but were turned back, not because of our fire, but because their own mortars hit the assault troops. They left nearly thirty dead and many blood trails. In their retreat, they abandoned several of two kinds of rocket propelled grenade launchers with many rounds, 57 mm recoilless rounds and a Russian flame thrower. I believe that this was an answer to prayer for my deliverance. It corresponds to God’s ways as revealed in the Old Testament in which He would deliver His own by causing His people’s enemies to destroy themselves (2 Chronicles 20:1-26).

So be on the spiritual offensive, both in prayer and witness; if you do, I know that He will be gracious to you. Thereby, you can be sure you will live until your calling is fulfilled. You must trust the Lord actively and rest in His love and provisions along with prayer: “Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established;” (2 Chronicles 20:29). “If ye will not believe, surely ye shall not be established” (Isaiah 7:9).

Our prayers will be with you and your families.


Edward F. Lundwall, Jr.
Chaplain CPT, Reserved Retired

Related reading: The Lieutenant’s Godly Prayer; Mercy in the Midst

A Letter of Comfort

Dear Betsy,

When my wife, blessed Marion, died, yes, I had grief, but joy at the same time. I was in the Chattanooga Eye Institute when I got a message from our oldest daughter that Marion only had hours to live. Debbie has her BSN degree from Bob Jones University, so she spent the night with Marion. During the night, Marion had thrown up several times. Also, she had to have her oxygen turned up to the hospital maximum, but that still wasn't enough. She was gasping for breath. Marion was always in a hurry. When Debbie told her that she was shortly going to go into the presence of our Lord, she replied: "How long will that take?"

As I drove to the hospital, 2 Corinthians 5:1–8, (especially verse 8) came to my mind: "We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord." What is it like to be in the presence of the Lord? Psalm 16:11 says: "Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore." I meditated on the fact that only moments after her death, Marion would have the joy of looking on the Lord Jesus who died and rose again for her and interceded for her ever since she accepted Him as her Savior. She would see in His face infinite love and experience the fullness of joy that passes understanding! She would be in His presence, not only with joy, but also see our parents in that heavenly home that Jesus went to prepare and Paul describes in 2 Corinthians 5.

As I drove and thought about these promises, I had to shout to the Lord: "Thank you, thank you!" for the experience she was about to have! As the Apostle Paul said: in Philippians 1:20-26: "According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labor: yet what I shall choose I know not. For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better; nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith; that your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again."

For the faithful that hold these promises and have this prospect, death is something to look forward to, especially if we have exercised a good stewardship in this life. To me the greatest reward and blessing possible will be to hear from the lips of my beloved Savior himself: "… Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord" (Matt. 25:21). With this steadfast hope, my former executive officer in Viet Nam, who credited my testimony as instrumental to leading him to faith, said to me that death was what he looked forward to and was more exciting than jumping out of an airplane. (He had been in Special Forces!)

I didn't feel deep sorrow that she died, but rejoiced that the Lord felt that her life had fulfilled the purpose for which He called her. Years ago at the funeral of a pastor's wife, she wanted the Hallelujah Chorus played at the conclusion of her funeral. For she wanted not sadness there, but a note of triumph! Therefore, after I preached Marion's funeral message and eulogy, and my concluding words were to her, as it was at my parents’ funeral: "See you in the rapture!” (1 Thess. 4:13–18). Then, as she requested, the Hallelujah Chorus was played at the conclusion of her funeral, also.

Yes, I shed tears, especially in the funeral home after I put a Bible and my wedding band into her lifeless hands. After all, I loved her and our life together was over. Now, while she is living in that spiritual body prepared for her and all believers (2 Cor. 5:1–4), she is having a great time in Heaven with our Lord and her loved ones that have gone before. I am still here laboring to fulfill His mission for me to be fruitful in serving Him and edifying the body of Christ. She is out of her pain and sicknesses and into a place of peace and joy.

I believe that you believe all these Scripture promises, but nursing Joe through so many sicknesses, and continually being concerned about whether he was going to die has shaped your emotions and kept you from experiencing the joy of faith that has comforted me. Also, your love that made you so faithful in caring for him and others, you are depleted and left with a great void and emptiness. I believe that you will be comforted as you picture the comfort what I have experienced and shared in this letter. Rejoice in Joe's joy in the Lord's presence and for all the other believing loved ones that have gone ahead. It will give you peace. Then, you can press on in the callings that the Lord has given you.

Oh, there was a time that I wept like a baby. It was after the memorial service for about fifty of the men that our battalion had lost during Tet Offensive of '68 in Vietnam, and later. I had no assurance about many of them being born again, and it broke my heart. I wept also because I knew that fully forty per cent of those that died, while in Vietnam, did so because someone had not done their duty. I especially grieved for a Southern Baptist boy who lost his faith reading the book, The Passover Plot, and for the medic that wen back to get some of the supplies he had left behind after treating a wounded GI. He me an enemy soldier who shot him down, even thought he was unarmed.

As I told a widow Katy, a great soul winner, who had a pancreatic cancer operation which she wasn't supposed to survive: rejoice! For the Lord still has something for you to do. Shortly, another lady called Katy, who also had only had a short time to live, heard her testimony, and Katy was able to lead her to Christ. Therefore, Betsy, lay these promises God gave me for my comfort to heart by picturing what Heaven is like for Joe and the others, and rejoice that the Lord has given you opportunity to bear more fruit for Him, either in leading more people to Christ or in some other way to bear fruit for Him and look forward to His saying to you: "Well, done good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Lord!" Christian philosophy is good, but God's promises are infinitely better!

In Christian love, and hope that this long letter will give you the comfort that I have!


Ed Lundwall


P.S. Read Proverbs 3:5, 6 and Romans 8:28, 29 in the New American Standard that says: "God works all things to our good..." Also, 2 Corinthians 1:3–9 characterized what I have been trying to do for you and you can do for others as you accept this comfort.

Mercy in the Midst

Chaplain (Ret) Edward F. Lundwall, Jr.


Jesus often spoke about how that a little good done in faith brings about wonderful things. Although a soldier might have small amount of faith, the Holy Spirit can use it to perform a Christ-like act of mercy. In the two stories below, it resulted in the reconciliation of enemies that came to love one another…a truly wonderful thing! May we not be satisfied with a little faith, but let it grow to illustrate the miracles that obedience to God’s direction can do.

During an air raid over Germany in World War II, a B-17 was damaged and fell behind the formation. This was normally an invitation for German fighters to attack the largely helpless bomber that had and in the future would drop more bombs on their homeland. The bomber pilot was desperately trying to return to England when one German ME 109 fighter approached. Instead of firing on the bomber, the German pilot felt compelled to be merciful, and instead of firing, he escorted the B-17 to the English Channel where the crew could safely get to their home base. Since the Germans had pieced together and used downed bombers, observers just thought the ME was just escorting one that belonged to the Nazi military. Somehow, both pilots survived the war and found each other, cultivating a friendship for many years after the war.

During the American Civil War, Joshua Chamberlain, a theological professor who felt led to join the Federal Army to save the Union, was given the command of a regiment from Maine. He became notably successful in defending the Federal Army's flank at the great and decisive Battle at Gettysburg for which he was given the Congressional Metal of Honor. His unit was involved in many successive battles and was the blocking force that compelled General Robert E. Lee to surrender at the Appomattox Courthouse even though Chamberlain had been wounded six times.

After the war, a Confederate sniper came to him relating that in one of those battles, he had Chamberlain square in his sights and was about to shoot, when an overwhelming compulsion came over him NOT to shoot and kill Chamberlain. God spoke to him to have enough faith to NOT pull the trigger. This act of mercy done in faith produced rejoicing and friendship.

Each of these Civil War and World War II stories, displays God’s ability to give the impulse to be merciful in the midst of even savage fighting. If you are a veteran or an active troop, who has experienced God’s prompting for mercy in the midst of battle, please share it in the comment box below.

Related reading: Military Service in Vietnam; The Lieutenant’s Godly Prayer

When the Mortars Fell

Chaplain (Ret) E. F. Lundwall, Jr


I was the Protestant Chaplain of the 1/27th Infantry Battalion, 25th Infantry Division, in 1969 in Vietnam. Our battalion was located at Fire Support Base Mahone I, operating out of Dau Tieng. 

One time the Brigade Catholic Chaplain visited us during a time when there was intermittent enemy active. While he was visiting the troops on the other side of the fire support base, the VC hit that side of the base with an intense mortar barrage.

After things quieted down and the Catholic Chaplain had left, I visited the troops on that side. As I talked with them, my sense of humor got the best of me, and I asked: "Did the Catholic Chaplain pray Hail Mary's like a machine gun?"

The guys replied with a glint in their eyes: "No, he just prayed like the rest of us... 'Lord, help!'"

Thankfully, the Lord heard prayer. None of our men were hit.

Related reading: The Lieutenant’s Godly Prayer

Military Service in Vietnam

Why Volunteer?

Chaplain (Ret) Edward F. Lundwall, Jr.

Vietnam. Why would anyone leave a comfortable pulpit to participate in the Army Chaplaincy in those troubling times? Why put one’s self in harm’s way facing death and the difficulties of combat conditions in a steamy, booby-trapped jungle of Southeastern Asia?

A social worker in the Medical Service Corps felt he could be more effective as a Chaplain. Others wanted to provide for preferred religious needs. Many sought to further ecumenicity in American religious life. Indeed, one supervisory Chaplain claimed that the Armed Forces Chaplaincy was “the Mother of American Ecumenicity.” I was overwhelmed with compassion for the soldiers who were or would soon be facing death to stop the spread of atheistic Communism which threatened both our country, and the Christian faith. 

 
Many people possess a generalized, cultural faith which lacks both the biblical content and heartfelt commitment necessary for a certain salvation. Jesus said, "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does (lifestyle practice) the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter" (Matt 7:21 NASU); and again, "Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:31, 32 KJV). My heart’s desire to proclaim God’s Word in such a way to our troops that they if they should die, they would face the Lord as their Savior, and not as their Judge. I wanted them to have the peace available to all who sought forgiveness of sins and eternal life in Christ.

The Lieutenant’s Godly Prayer

Chaplain (Ret) Edward F. Lundwall, Jr.

Prayer is not usually associated with an infantryman’s life until he gets into combat. Remember the old saying that “There’s no atheists in foxholes!” Stories about prayer in the midst of combat are legend. Most of these have to do with getting out of personal dangers.

While a GARBC Chaplain with the 1/27th Infantry Battalion, the most memorable prayer that I heard was in the medical aid station of the 3rd Brigade of the 25th Infantry Division at Dau Tieng, Viet Nam.

As I was trying to comfort the wounded, I stopped to talk with the platoon leader of the recon platoon that had been guarding the bridge. It was during the ‘69 VC Tet offensive. The men in one of his bunkers signaled that they were running out of ammunition, so he tried to run over there with a resupply. Unfortunately, our supporting helicopter gunships couldn’t tell if he was the enemy with satchel charges, so they laid grenades on him. 

After hearing his story, I prayed for him. But as I finished, he began praying for his men until he lost consciousness. To this day I don’t know whether he lived or died. But in godly military terms, how better to enter into the presence of the Captain of our salvation, praying, not for self, but for his men in the shadow of death!



This is reprinted from Regular Baptist Press, Illinois.