This is a story about a soldier in the North Africa
Campaign in World War II.
After heavy fighting, the man returned to camp.
The next day being Sunday,
the Chaplain had set up church service. � The men
were asked to take out their Bibles or�Prayer Books.
The Chaplain noticed one soldier looking at a deck
of cards.
� After service,
he was taken by the Chaplain to see the Major. The
Chaplain explained to the
Major what he had seen. � The Major told the young
soldier he would have to be
punished if he could not explain himself. The
young soldier told the Major
that during the battle, he� had neither a Bible or
a Prayer Book so he would
use his deck�of cards and explained:
'You see, Sir, when I look at the ACE, it tells me
that there is one GOD
and no other.
When I see the '2,' it reminds me that there are
two parts to the Bible, the
OLD TESTAMENT and the NEW TESTAMENT.
The '3' tells me of the TRINITY OF GOD THE FATHER,
GOD THE SON and GOD THE
HOLY SPIRIT.
The '4' reminds me of the FOUR GOSPELS, MATTHEW,
MARK, LUKE and JOHN.
When I see the '5,' it tells me of the FIVE UNWISE
VIRGINS � who were lost
and that five were saved.
� The '6' makes me mindful that GOD CREATED THE
EARTH IN JUST SIX DAYS, and
GOD said that it was good.
When I see the '7,' it reminds me that GOD RESTED
ON THE SEVENTH DAY.
As I look at the '8,' it reminds me that GOD
DESTROYED� ALL LIFE BY
WATER EXCEPT FOR EIGHT PEOPLE, Noah, his wife,
their three sons, and their three son's wives.
When I see the '9,' I think of the NINE LEPERS
that GOD healed. There were
ten lepers in all, but only one stopped to thank him.
The '10' reminds me of the TEN COMMANDMENTS carved
in stone by the hand of GOD.
The 'JACK' makes me remember the Prince of
Darkness. � Like a roaring lion,
he devours those that he can.
When I look at the 'QUEEN,' I see� THE CHURCH, THE
BRIDE OF JESUS.
As I look at the last card, 'THE� KING,' it
reminds
me that JESUS IS LORD OF
LORDS and KING OF KINGS.
There are 365 spots on a deck of cards, and that
is the� number of days in each year.
There are 52 cards to a deck� and that is the
number of weeks in a year.
There are 12 picture cards and that is the number
of months in a� year.
There are 4 different suits in a deck and that is
the number of seasons
in a year...
And so, the young soldier then said to the Major,
'You see, Sir, my
intentions were honorable. My deck of cards serves
as my BIBLE, my PRAYER
BOOK and my ALMANAC.
Most importantly my deck of cards reminds me that I
need JESUS 365 days, 52
weeks and 12 months a year and that�I should
always
PRAY 4 others.'
May you never look at a deck of cards the same
way.