GORDON McPHERSON, SERVICE TO COUNTRY AND GOD

Gordon McPherson

"If only I had known Christ sooner!"

Gordon McPherson wrote:

I served 23 years with the Marines, and my only regret is that I did not come to receive Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Saviour until many years after I retired. Before that Alcohol was my Master!.

I particularly note that you and I had similar experiences in a "False acceptance of Jesus Christ".

Right after I came home from Iwo, they had an Evangelical substitute preacher in our local Presbyterian Church that I had been attending all my life. I was overcome emotionally by the message he gave and went forward at the invitation. Several of the Deacons met with me into the little Anti-room and I prayed with them to receive Christ. I felt that I was sincere in my prayer, and left the Church feeling that I was saved. It turned out that I never had the feeling of repentance and that night continued my drinking and sinning. Here I was a young 2nd Lt just home from Iwo and everyone treated me like a Hero. Temptation is hard to resist when you aren't Born Again, isn't it??

I continued my life of sin throughout the remaining years of my service and after retirement in civilian employment. Then, in 1964 I believe it was, when Billy Graham came to San Diego on one of his crusades, I went forward to recommit my life to Christ. As I prayed there on the field at the Old Balboa Stadium with Billy Graham, a feeling of really being born again came over me. From that minute on, I was a changed man!! I wanted to tell the whole world that Jesus Christ was the answer!!!!

Prior to my Heart condition, I served the Lord in many ways, trying to Evangelize the unsaved. Was President of one of the local Gideon Camps here in San Diego and active with the SD Servicemen's Center in downtown San Diego.

What a difference there would have been in my life had I known the Lord in the Marines. I will be 81 in Sept. and the wife and I will be celebrating our 60th wedding anniversary in Oct.

The Lord is Great!!

In Jesus Christ and Semper Fi!!

Gordon Mc Capt. USMC (ret)

Gordon

Gordon and his bride of 60 years at the WW2 Navy Nurses Ntl. Convention held in San Diego recently.

Editors note: If I have my facts correct, Gordon served as a Company First Sgt, as a 2nd Lt on Iwo Jima and retired in 1959 as a Captain. He will celebrate his 83rd Birthday on 10 Sept 1999 and he and his wife will Celebrate their 62nd Wedding Anniversary in October 1999. Pls send the "Gunner" an e-mail (gmcpher1@san.rr.com) to say hello!!! and be sure to visit his great web site at: http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Trail/9498/