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"The cords of the grave coiled around me;
the snares of death confronted me. In my distress I called upon the Lord; I
cried to my God for help--He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he
drew me out of deep waters" Psalm 18:5, 6, 16, NIV
"SURVIVAL AT SEA"
From the Ocean Depths
Saved From Perishing
A Miracle of God
 My parents dreaded the day that word might come telling
them that I had been lost at sea or a torpedo had hit my ship.
They never dreamed that an accident involving two American
vessels would nearly take my life.
Then came the telegram from Vice Admiral Randall Jacobs, Chief
of Naval Personnel. "A report just received," the message began,
"shows your son , Lawrence E. Mundt, U.S. Navy, has been seriously injured
as a result of a collision in a motor launch on July 17, 1945."
My parents read on. "Your anxiety is appreciated, and you
will be furnished details when received. You are assured that he is receiving
the best possible medical care and I join in the wish for his speedy
recovery."
I'll never forget that moment thousands of miles from home.
A fast-moving amphibious landing ship and our motor launch were
on a collision course. The amphibious ship was cruising at high speed toward us
from the port (left) side. I saw from my position that I would be crushed in 10
seconds, so I leaped over to the opposite side of our launch.
Then the terrifying crash! We were hit broad side and run over
by the ship. Sailors were hurled in all directions. Finding myself in the water,
I was being pulled under the wreckage by a powerful force and right into the
propellers. the impact of the propeller nearly severed my left leg and both legs
were partially paralyzed.
I was losing strength rapidly in my struggle for survival. No
help was in sight. I realized that my life was coming to an end. All hope seemed
to vanish.
"O Lord, God help me!" I cried. Then it seemed as if
the Almighty hand of God was at my side to lift me. I am now reminded of a
favorite verse, "He giveth power to the faint, and to them who have no
might he increaseth strength" (Isaiah 40:29). The Lord enabled me to swim
until I reached a rescue craft.
I was a survivor!
After my rescuers took me to the hospital ship, corpsmen rushed
me into surgery where two surgeons discussed whether to amputate my leg. The
conclusion was to save my leg if at all possible. I know someone was praying for
me, for God helped men to make that decision. Then the Great Physician guided
the skilled surgeon, and my leg was spared. In time it was restored by God's
healing power.
"His goodness and mercy has followed me all the days of my
life." Psalm 23:6
Many times I have thought back on His goodness and mercy, and I
am reminded of that old song I have sung since I was a child:
Souls in danger, look above, Jesus completely saves;
He will lift you by his love, out of the angry waves.
He's the master of the sea, Billows His will obey.
He your saviour wants to be--Be saved today!
Love lifted me!
Love lifted me!
When nothing else could help!
Love lifted me.
Tragic War Memories
As a hospital corpsman, I have
vivid memories of World War II in the Pacific Theater. Our hospital
ship the U.S.S. Relief, evacuated thousands of wounded from battle.
As the fighting raged on beyond the beaches, I remember when our
ships were under heavy air attacks. In one aerial attack, two bombs
were dropped close to our ship, causing minor damage.
I'll never forget that night
when a bomb exploded on the flight deck of a nearby aircraft
carrier.
Several other ships were
hit--one sinking. Rescue efforts were underway from our hospital
ship. It was a horrible nightmare as the boats brought casualties
aboard, many of the men in agony with third degree burns.
Casualties were heavy in the
Okinawa campaign. Because our hospital ship was filled ahead of
schedule, we left the area early, and the U.S.S. Comfort, another
hospital ship, moved into our position. While we were underway that
evening, a radio report came that the Comfort was bombed, and the
top of the ship was blown away. A number of men were killed and
injured.
As a believer in Jesus Christ,
I could put my hope and trust in Him: "Yea, though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for
thou art with me." Psalm 23:4.
 During those awful days of
World War II, I remember participating in burial ceremonies for some
mother's son or a husband on a remote island in the Pacific.
We all wanted to live. We
loved life. And it is no different today for you and for me. Death
is not a very pleasant subject to talk about. But it is a grim
reality we all must face someday. The Bible makes it plain:
"And it is appointed unto men once to die, and after this the
judgment" (Hebrews 9:27).
Two Important Questions and
a Wonderful Promise
I am asking you the most
important questions you will ever answer, "Are you ready to
meet God? Where will you spend eternity? The fact is you will either
enter the glorious gates of heaven, or face the awful flames of
hell.
Jesus said, "He that
heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting
life, and shall not come into condemnation, but is passed from death
unto life" (John 5:24).
My friend, you can have
eternal life now! Just as he rescued me from that collision at sea.
He'll reach into your world and save you and give you eternal life.
Think about this promise: "If we confess our sins, he is
faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all
unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9).
Isn't that what you want? Now
look at this promise--just for you:
"For whosoever shall
call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Romans
10:13).
God's call is to you. His
offer of salvation is true, my friend, if you but knew God's final
call.
Jesus is merciful and full of
compassion. His arms are open in love and forgiveness. If you have
not received Christ, accept Him today as the Savior and Lord of your
life.
Right now, before you lay this
tract aside, bow your head and pray, asking Jesus to come into your
heart and save you! He will do just that as you pray sincerely from
your heart. His arms are wide open to you in love and forgiveness.
When you've prayed this
prayer, begin to thank Him for His love to you. You too can sing
with all you heart,
"Love lifted me!
Love lifted me!
When nothing else could help,
Love lifted me."
| "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will
rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord,
"He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I
trust." Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare
and from the deadly pestilence.
"He will cover you with his feathers, and under his
wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your
shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that
stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at
midday.
"A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at
your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will
only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the
wicked. If you make the Most High your dwelling--even the
Lord, who is my refuge--then no harm will befall you, no
disaster will come near your tent"
"For he will command his angels concerning you to
guard you in all your ways"
(Psalms 91:1-11, NIV). |
LAWRENCE E. MUNDT
3957 N. Stewart, Springfield, MO 65803
"Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to TRIUMPH in Christ..."
II Corinthians 1:14
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