LST’s # 66,67,18,245,102 on 20 October 1944

While the Imperial Navy was floundering in their attempts to halt the persistent invasion of Leyte, Gen. Yamashita was in his headquarters at Fort McKinley on Luzon. He was receiving very little information from his own people and upon hearing of the US landing, he was heard to say, “Very interesting. But where is Leyte?” [The Japanese general had only just been transferred from Manchuria.]

Yamashita did not feel that the Japanese all-out standing defense should be on Leyte and he refused to supply more troops to the island. But he was overruled. Gen. Terauchi, knowing that the island’s occupation by the Americans would divide their bases, so reinforcements would be sent in.

Yamashita Tomoyuki, 1945

21 October – Most of the Japanese beach defenses had been shattered by bombing and strafing and a majority of the 1st Battalion/16th Division had been wiped…

None but the dauntless,
the bold and the brave
will be to fear . . .
its victim or slave.

For they know God,
goes where they go
no matter which way
the winds may blow.

None but the powerful,
the robust and strong
will be to dread . . .
led or steered wrong.

For they know Jesus,
will forsake them not
no matter the gusts
that may come about.

None but the courageous,
the strong and the bold
will let fear and dread . . .
take on their heart a hold!

~~~~~~~~

Deuteronomy 31:6

Be strong and of a good courage,
fear not, nor be afraid of them:
for the Lord thy God, he it is that
doth go with thee; he will not fail
thee, nor forsake thee.

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2021
Deborah Ann Belka

~ to GOD be the GLORY ~

Lord, keep me steadfast,
in my pursuit to abide in Thee
keep my heart faithful
so Your love will dwell in me.

Lord, keep me patient,
in my quest to walk like Thee
keep my feet established
so Your Spirit can lead me.

Lord, keep me faithful,
in my search to become like Thee
keep my branches trimmed
so Your fruit will mature in me.

Lord, keep me loyal,
in my endeavor to follow Thee
keep my mind established
so Your peace will be seen in me.

Lord, keep me steadfast,
so my works will glorify Thee
keep my faith abounding
so Your Spirit can encourage me!

~~~~~

1 Corinthians 15:58

Therefore, my beloved brethren,
be ye stedfast, unmoveable,
always abounding in the work
of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know
that your labour is not
in vain in the Lord.

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2013 Revised 2021

Establishing my faith,
pressing on into . . .
the higher calling
found Jesus in You.

Gaining a perception,
of godly discernment
giving understanding
my full commitment.

Striving for perfection,
growing spiritually
working out my faith
uncompromisingly.

Holding on to my hope,
trusting You for all things
letting Your Word
pull on my heart strings.

Establishing my faith,
going for the goal . . .
the hope of Your glory
propelling my soul!

~~~~~~~~~~

Colossians 1:27

To whom God would make
known what is the riches of
the glory of this mystery among
the Gentiles; which is Christ in you,
the hope of glory:

Philippians 3:13-14

Brethren, I count not myself
to have apprehended: but this
one thing I do, forgetting those
things which are behind, and
reaching forth unto those things
which are before,

I press toward the mark for the
prize of the high calling of God
in…

leaves of many colors mingle to disperse
a steaming bowl of porridge to feed the craving earth
rain turns directions, as limestone clenches sea flowers
our love flying with the peregrine falcons by the cliffs of moher
using night writing, molds of movement, on the blanket we once did share

I know and believe,
God loves me . . .
that is why my eyes
are open to see.

See how His mercy,
comes alive each day
see how His Word
will show me the way.

I know and believe,
Jesus lives in me . . .
tis why I trust Him
in what I can’t see.

See how His grace,
in me keeps growing
see how He is worth
my closer knowing.

I know and believe,
God dwells in me . . .
as more of His image
I’m able to see!

~~~~~~~~

1 John 4:16

And we have known and believed
the love that God hath to us.
God is love; and he that dwelleth
in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2021
Deborah Ann Belka

~ to GOD be the GLORY ~