Thursday, March 14, 2019

JOHN Good Morning! I’m John Branning the Lead Pastor of Central United Methodist Church. During the American Civil War in the 1860's, a fierce battle took place at Altoona Pass. It was a key supply point for the Union Army, so the Confederate Army led by General Hood sought to take Altoona Pass, which held over a million and a half rations. When Union General Sherman realized Hood's plans, he dispatched General Corse along with 1,500 men to hold the city. As the battle ensued, General Corse and his forces were forced into a small fort on a crest of a hill. The Northern army was being overwhelmed with nearly half the men either killed or wounded in the battle. Things were looking extremely bleak, when in the distance from a mountain top twenty miles away a flag was being waved, and those in the fort knew the message being sent, "Hold the fort; I am coming. W.T. Sherman." This sign gave the beleaguered army renewed strength to continue fighting the battle for another three hours until reinforcements finally arrived. From this battle, a famous Christian song was written, and its chorus is so eloquent for us today, "Hold the fort, for I am coming, Jesus signals still; Wave the answer back to heaven, By thy grace we will!" In the midst of spiritual battles, we can often feel besieged on every side – but HOLD THE FORT! Get some rest this weekend and renew your strength in the Lord for the victory is already won – we just need to continue fighting because He is coming!