Monday, November 15, 2010

Fasten Your Seatbelts

Greetings, to everyone who is taking the time to read this blog. As you are aware Jill and I have been on holidays for the past few weeks. Actually, we were not only vacationing but we also attended a fantastic Leadership Conference at Ligonier Ministries in Florida. It was while we were in Florida near the end of the conference that we received word from Canada that Jill’s father was not well. We changed all travel plans and flew back to Ontario not knowing what to expect.

Jill’s dad (Bill) was in hospital and initially things did not look well. However, Bill is now at home where he enjoys some freedom of movement while under daily nursing care. We are very thankful to God for hearing our prayers for a man (age 94) whose mind is clear and whose faith is intact.

Besides the emergency flight from Florida to Ontario let me share with you about what took place on another flight. We were flying from Atlanta to Orlando where we were to attend the Leadership Conference. The flight was full as Jill and I took our seats at the back of the plane. Jill took the window seat I took the middle and a gentleman (originally from India) took the isle seat. While the plane was preparing to take off I glanced over at my friend and noticed that he was reading a book whose author was to be the lead speaker at the conference we were about to attend. When I brought this to his attention he closed the book and for the rest of the flight we enjoyed a great conversation.

He shared with me that his grandfather had converted from Hinduism to Christianity and that his father was a minister! He was a member of a Lutheran congregation in Atlanta whose men’s group were using literature from Ligonier Ministries the same source as we use here in Bermuda. The “icing on the cake” came when he told me his vocation. He was a Nuclear Scientist who was on his way to Orlando to give a lecture on the effects of radiation. When I found this out our conversation was good for the rest of the flight! He shared with me that all of his scientific studies gave credence to his faith. “Science,” he said “can only go so far until you reach the point where the only explanation is God.” Before I realized it they were announcing our landing in Orlando and I had to say good bye to my friend.

I am now back in Bermuda (Jill is still in Ontario with her parents) enjoying the weather and the awesome privilege it is to minister in the name of the Living God.

Blessings to all.
Rev. John