November 11 (yesterday) is the day we remember the end of World War I and, in the process, all other conflicts that have taken place as well over the years. That includes World War II and on Sunday just gone, in our online service from the upper room, we mentioned my wife’s great uncle, Leslie Whitehouse, who was killed in 1943.
The Lancaster bomber that he was in was shot down by a famous German fighter pilot, Heinz Vinke. Ten months later, he himself was killed, when his plane was taken out by the allies over the English Channel.
Although that is a story from history and, due to its background, not necessarily one that any of the characters involved could do anything about, the reality is that all of us can make choices as to whether we live by the sword or not.
If we do though, be prepared to die by it as well. The words of Jesus, in Matthew 26:52 are so true: “Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword.
The Church at Hiraeth 