Fall Banquet Archived

We thank the Lord that God has allowed us to continue classes at the college this semester. No coronavirus cases have shown up at the school.

We constantly think of our students and faculty, and we decided back in September, that the holding of a our annual Fall Banquet would be a risk that was not worth the exposure to the friends of Heritage. We would feel very sad if any of our Heritage family became seriously sick because of attending our annual indoor Fall Banquet.

Much prayer led us to change the format for the Fall event. We have recently mailed out CD’s and information presenting the need for the Fall Goal of $12,000. I am happy to report that $6,000 has come in so far. Please pray with us as we trust the Lord in reaching this needed goal.

Please also mark your calendar for the next Heritage banquet. The annual Graduation Banquet is scheduled for Tuesday evening, May 4, 2021.

What’s in the Barrel

Israel Putnam was a colorful patriot of the American Revolution. Because of his earlier experience in the French and Indian War, Putnam, known as “Old Put,” was made a brigadier-general by the Connecticut legislature. The British Army also offered him a commission and benefits, but he emphatically chose to side with his countrymen.

A story is told how during the early weeks of the rebellion in 1775, an English officer on parole, took offense to some of General Putnam’s comments on the British character. The British officer demanded satisfaction in a duel.

“Certainly sir, I will grant your request,” said the American. “But, as you have challenged me, I have the choice of weapons. I will meet you tomorrow in a clearing in yonder woodland, where – by all that is true – you will rue the day that ever you challenged me.”

The next day, when the time for the duel arrived, the Englishman found Putnam at the appointed spot. The general was unarmed, save for his sword, and calmly sitting upon the side of a powder barrel. There was a small opening in the top of the barrel, in which was inserted a fuse.

“Pray seat yourself here,” said the General, pointing to his side, and his challenger sat down. “Old Put” lit the fuse. “I reckon that our chances are about equal,” the American said.

For a moment, the Englishman watched the burning fuse. Then, as it crept down to the powder, he jumped up and ran headlong into the forest.

Putnam bursts into a hearty laugh.

“You are just as brave as I took you to be,” said Putnam, as he strolled towards the pale-faced British officer, who had now halted. “That is nothing, my bold soldier, but a barrel of onions, with a few grains of powder scattered over the top in order to try your nerve.”

Thus, satisfying his honor, Israel Putnam walked off. (Johnston, Charles. Famous Scouts. Boston: L.C. Page Co. 1910. p. 33)

I am reminded time and again, to always “check the barrel” before making a snap decision. The best wisdom is found in the Word of God.

A Lasting Witness

Seventy years ago, November 27, 1950, the army of communist China attacked into North Korea. Until then, it looked like the Korean War would be over by Christmas, as the North Korean Army had been handily beaten over the previous few months. To add to the difficulty was a cold front that had descended out of Siberia, plummeting the temperatures to -30˚ F.

Then came the hoards of Chinese, 120,000 soldiers dressed mostly in white, running across the frozen land. Eventually millions would join the fight. The 1st Marine Division was posed to defend the initial attack, but the odds against them were alarming.

Ninety miles north of the Chosin Reservoir, two Marines shivered. Charlie Kline was a Christian, and he had often witnessed to his friend, Red Parkinson. Both were celebrating their birthday. Red at twenty-two and Charlie at twenty-one ate their C-rations as their birthday meal.

Then the enemy attacked. The Chinese Army had encircled the Americans and launched a huge attack. The sheer numbers of the advancing, Chinese soldiers overwhelmed the American positions.

In the second wave of the attack, the Marine defense was penetrated, with hand to hand fighting all along the line. During that battle, the two friends became separated. Red later searched among the wounded, the living, and the dead, but his friend was nowhere to be found.

The next day, November 28, 1950, Red Parkinson opened his pocket New Testament. Overcome in this desperate situation, Red turned to Jesus. He bowed his head and accepted Christ as his personal Savior. Red marked down the event and the date in his New Testament. The shifting battle continued for 17 days, as the Allied troops sought to reach safety. All that time, Red hunted for his friend, but to no avail. Red left Korea believing that his friend Charlie lay dead on a frozen hillside.

Returning to the United State, Red Parkinson, married, and started a dairy farm. In tribute to his friend Charlie, who had pointed him to Christ, Red began volunteering with the Gideon Bible Society, the group that had given him his Marine New Testament.

The shock came three decades later at the 1985 Gideon’s convention in Philadelphia when Red’s name was introduced. In the back of the hall, a man stood up and yelled, “We finally got ya!”

Red looked closely and saw the wide grin of his 56-year-old Marine buddy. It was Charlie Kline, whose unknown escape and hospitalization had separated them. In the middle of that large convention hall, the two men embraced to a thunderous applause. (Makos, Adams. Devotion. New York: Ballantine Books. 2015. p.271ff, 302, 406)

Helpful Chapel Quotes

Use the Weapon that the Devil doesn’t have – Prayer!

The measurement of your strength is what it takes to stop you.

What you believe matters. Your beliefs shape your actions, and eventually the outcome of your life.

To be a success, you need to show up on time and be teachable.

The peace that God gives is not based on circumstances.

Pray, and count on God doing more than you asked. – Eph. 3:20