FORGOTTEN HISTORY: The Secret War Of Sir Christopher Lee

 

 

 

 In this episode of FORGOTTEN HISTORY host Colin Heaton takes a 
 look back at the intriguing life of English-born actor Sir Christopher Lee.

Before his legendary roles as Count Dracula, Saruman the White in the
Lord of the Rings, James Bond villain Scaramanga, and Count Dooku,
   Sith Lord and central figure in the Clone Wars of the Star Wars franchise,  
Christopher Lee played a significant part in a real-life battle that was far more
 dangerous than any of the characters he later portrayed on the Big Screen.

A highly decorated war hero of World War II, Lee served in the 
Royal Air Force and was quietly recruited into Britain's elite special
forces-the SOS and SOE- in which he was sent on daring missions
behind enemy lines-some of which remain classified to this day. 

From hunting Nazis to inspiring Ian Fleming's famous character
James Bond,  Sir Christopher Lee not only remains one of the most
fascinating men of the 20th century, but the first successful 
geriatric heavy metal music artist in world history!

The Secret War Of Sir Christopher Lee
FORGOTTEN HISTORY
(May 26, 2025)

 

Monday Meditation: Be Strong In God's Grace

 

 

 

"You therefore, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus."
(2 Timothy 2:1)

 

 

 

After 444 days in Iranian captivity, American State Department officer 
 Gary Lee returns home to Los Angeles, California in January, 1981
Image courtesy/Calisphere

 

After a long and terrifying captivity, Iranian hostage Gary Lee was home.
It was a Sunday morning in February, 1981 and I joined with others 
in his father's church to welcome him home. 

Celebration filled the air as joyful voices sang, "Amazing Grace".
From my seat I noticed the bearded young man smile and shake his head
as though in wonder at the miracle of his safe return.  Months earlier,
however, he had experienced another miracle. Shortly after his capture
 he was allowed to have a Bible and one day he read Isaiah 43:5:

 

"Do not be afraid for I am with you; I will bring your children 
from the east and gather you from the west."

 

"When I read those words," he told his father later, "I felt God was making
me a promise. Somehow I knew I would reach home safely. The whole
experience became a lot easier after that."

 

How much lighter trials become when we realize God's grace is twofold.  
It is not only the happy ending. It is also the peace we can feel during
a painful journey, when we trust in God-all the way.

 

 

 

 

"Be Strong In God's Grace"
A devotion by Doris Haase 
The Women's Devotional Bible
New International Version
With Daily Devotions From Godly Women
 Published by Zondervan
(1990)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday Night In Uncle Walt's Vault: Music Land

 

 

 

  

 

 The lore of the ancient fable has no equal to the jolly Land of Jazz,
 within the wild, Discordant Sea, across the way from the long-haired
Land of Symphony, where two star-crossed lovers face adversity in this
whimsical Walt Disney Silly Symphony cartoon from 1935. 

Music Land
(1935)
A Walt Disney Silly Symphony
Uploaded by Walt Disney Animation Studios
(October 15, 2015)

Dr. Charles Stanley: Looking Deeper Into The Will of God

 

God's sovereignty over the affairs of the world is a reassuring reality.

In this classic teaching, Dr. Charles Stanley (1932-2023) founder of
In Touch Ministries, guides us through the verses of Scripture which
establish God's authority and how the same influence over global
matters also reaches down into our everyday lives.

Understanding his power and plan leads us to greater obedience
and the trust due our faithful Father.

Looking Deeper Into The Will Of God

Dr. Charles Stanley

In Touch Ministries
(October 17, 2020)

Saturday Poetry Corner: I Know My Faith Is Founded

 

"For this reason, even though I suffer as I do, I am not ashamed; for I know whom
I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have
entrusted to Him for that day."
(2 Timothy 1:12)

  Hydrangea Bush In Bloom
Image courtesy/ dreaming 2004//Getty Image

I know my faith is founded

On Jesus Christ, my God and Lord;

And this my faith confessing,

Unmoved I stand upon His Word.

Man's reason cannot fathom

The truth of God profound;

Who trusts her subtle wisdom

Relies on shifting ground.

God's Word is all sufficient,

It makes divinely sure,

And trusting in its wisdom,

My faith shall rest secure.

Increase my faith, dear Savior,

For Satan seeks by night and day

To rob me of this treasure

And take my hope of bliss away.

But Lord, with Thee beside me,

I shall be undismayed;

And led by Thy good Spirit,

I shall be unafraid.

Abide with me, O Savior,

A firmer faith bestow;

Then I shall bid defiance

To every evil foe.

In faith, Lord, let me serve Thee;

Though persecution, grief, and pain

Should seek to overwhelm me,

Let me a steadfast trust retain;

And then at my departure

Take Thou me home to Thee

And let me there inherit

All Thou hast promised me.

In life and death, Lord keep me

Until Thy Heav'n I gain,

Where I by Thy great mercy

The end of faith attain.

"I Know My Faith Is Founded"
(1718)
Erdmann Neumeister
(1671-1756)
German Lutheran pastor and hymnologist.

Did The Ark of the Covenant's Capture Predict Hamas' Demise?

 

Did the Philistines capture of the Ark of the Covenant parallel the mystery
of Israel's future... or the coming judgment of America?

Joshua and Caleb, a.k.a. The Bearded Bible Brothers, speak with
Israel Hanna of Wisdom that Heals Ministries to learn more about
this important Biblical story.

Did The Ark Of The Covenant's Capture
 Predict Hamas Demise?

The Bearded Bible Brothers/Our Jewish Roots

(May 30, 2025)

Flashback Friday: Double Shot Denver

 

While writing "Flashback Friday" I am often searching for just the right song, 
or what could be considered the featured artist or group's "signature song".

  American singer/songwriter and 1970's music icon John Denver has 
several songs which could be considered his "signature songs", including
 "Sunshine On My Shoulders" "Back Home Again" and "Country Roads".   

One of my favorite Denver classics is the beautiful ballad, "Annie's Song".

Released as a single from his eighth studio album, "Annie's Song"
was written for Denver's wife at the time, Annie Martell Denver.

According to him, it was penned in about ten and a half minutes one day while
  he was riding on a ski lift to the top of Aspen Mountain in Aspen, Colorado.
John seemed to capture the feeling he felt while surrounded by the beauty
of the snow-capped mountains, "filling up his senses" all around him.
This, and the love he felt for his wife inspired him.

 "Initially it was a love song," recalled Annie Denver.  And it was given to
  me through him, and yet,  for him, it became a bit like a prayer."

Annie's Song

(Live at the Universal Amphitheatre Los Angeles CA  1974)

John Denver

"You can talk to God and listen to the casual reply..."

"Rocky Mountain High" which is one of the two state songs of Colorado, came 
 under scrutiny after being released, when the FCC deemed, erroneously so, that
the phrase "...friends around the campfire and everybody's high"... promoted
the usage of drugs.  As a result, certain radio stations refused to play the song.
 John Denver publicly defended the song, claiming, "everybody's high"
was an innocent reference to the sense of peace that he
 found within the Rocky Mountains.

In 1985, Denver testified before Congress in the Parents Music Resource
Center hearing about his experience: "This was obviously done by people
who have never seen or been to the Rocky Mountains and also have never
experienced the elation, celebration of life or the joy of living that one
feels when he observes something as wondrous as the Perseids meteor
shower on a moonless, cloudless night, when there are so many stars
that you have a shadow from the starlight and you are out camping
with your friends, your best friends, and introducing them to one
of nature's most spectacular light shows for the first time."

Cash Box agreed, claiming that the song, "sparkles with sincerity
and beautiful lyrical images."

I think most people listening to this lovely song will agree!

Thank you for your beautiful music, Mr. Denver! 

Rocky Mountain High

(Live at the Universal Amphitheatre Los Angeles CA  1974)

John Denver