PODCAST
The author of the book, Erich Theodor Laufersweiler († 2023), lived in the Czechoslovak Republic for 36 years, from 1945 to the end of 1981. In January 1982, he moved with his family to the Federal Republic of Germany as a German ethnic German resettler. He was a trained watchmaker. He had been a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church (SDA) since 1975 and completed the SDA preacher’s seminary in Czechoslovakia by correspondence. He was the father of three children and one foster child and had six grandchildren. In earlier years he was intensively involved in the youth work of the SDA, which was very close to his heart.
The author recounted his experiences during his involuntary military service in the People’s Democratic Army of the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic in the 1950s in an authentic and exciting way – without embellishment or overexposure. At a time when faith in an authoritarian state demanded great personal bravery and it was anything but easy to remain faithful to God and one’s conscience.
In this biographical narrative, the reader found wonderful interventions by God in our human existence, especially in connection with the Sabbath commandment, and gained an insight into the souls of the central players in the struggle for the right to religious freedom in an absurd system that suppressed civil rights.
Interestingly, the author not only talked about his military service, but also went back in his memoirs to dramatic events that had shaped his faith during his childhood in Nazi Germany, and also recalled a number of young men who had been imprisoned by the totalitarian Czechoslovak regime for their Sabbath observance.
Miloslav Žalud
Dear reader, perhaps you are familiar with the song and if you are not, you may be able to memorize it once you have read through the book.
The song describes a believer, his personal experiences in the struggle of life, who leads his life in close connection with God.
His trust in God’s protection and care gives him security and courage in his daily mastery of life’s problems.
If something sometimes seems too difficult for you in your life, know that it is all for our education and for our own good.
May the song permeate the whole book with its spirit.
1. when the storms of life roar, when the strongest can hardly stand,
I will confidently take refuge in the shadow of his hand.
Chorus: He covers me, he covers me, so that no storm will ever disturb or frighten me; he covers me, he covers me with the shadow of his hand.
(2) When the burden of affliction bends me, by this also I know him;
For affliction shall try me, shall draw me closer to him.
Choir …
3. when temptation lures me all around, when the enemy cunningly threatens me, he only creates greater strength and joy for me out of the dangers.
Chorus …
4. may therefore the storms roar and the waves roar,
my soul shall not fear, shall confidently look to Jesus.
Choir …