Trust the Instruments

by Larry Stallard

Most of us who flew for the 225^th Aviation Company never had to actually experience something that did often intrude upon our thoughts.  What would it be like to be shot down and have to parachute into the triple canopy jungle?  Then, if one made it safely to the ground, to deal with enemy soldiers or wild creatures?  As the much loved British writer, C.S. Lewis, observed, “It is not given us to know what might have been.”  As so we can be grateful and appreciate the Devine Providence at work then and now in our lives.

One priceless life-lesson hammered again and again into my thinking came from flying experiences, and especially so with Mohawk missions during the tour in RVN.  That is to always trust the instruments.  Those soldiers who maintained our aircraft and equipment did a wonderful job in giving us pilots strong confidence in our Mohawks.  They wanted the equipment to always work at its peak performance.  That helped us to trust the instruments.  No feelings, not preferences, not second guesses.  Always, the instruments.  That saved the day for me on every flight.

That life-lesson arising from flying on instruments (IFR) has a parallel in the life of faith.  In our spiritual life we cannon go by subjective feelings, personal preferences, or changing ideas of people.  Our Creator and Lord has made it crystal clear that in order to successfully live our spiritual lives of faith, we must trust His greatest and absolutely reliable instrument, His Word the Bible.  This alone will assure us of making a safe and secure Life-Flight to that ultimate destination the Bible reveals as heaven.

Are we trusting the instruments?  Reflect upon the totally trustworthy truths of the Book of Life, and press on in the adventurous, challenging and eternally significant life of faith. 

(Larry was a pilot with the 225^th in 1970.  He is now retired and now lives with his wonderful wife Jan in Tennessee where he is the former pastor of Edgemont Presbyterian Church in Bristol.)

   

"How Great Thou Art"

Our friend Larry Stallard sent one-man quartet singing “How Great Thou Art” this to me a couple of days ago and I thought you’d all like to see and listen to it also.  He wrote “I sure wasn't expecting this!!!  Amazing what folks are able to do these days with computers!!”

Take 5 minutes and listen and watch and enjoy…

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=dxCRIF0m79w&feature=related

More "High Flight"

Our friend Jim Thomas wrote to me recently:

"In the 225th History someone added to the High Flight poem,

        Take me Oh Lord, if it be thy will, for I am ready.

I've always found strength in the addition of that last line. Any idea who made the addition? I'm sure it has touched more than me."

Thanks Jim!

My Adventure After Surgery!

As you might be aware from reading my other blog The 225^th Observer, I am now in my 4^th week of recovery from having a robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy.  You can go to the Observer to see the whole journey so far, but I wanted to elaborate a little more on the spiritual side of what I have chosen to call “my adventure.”  The recovery is going well, and I think I am on track to return to work at Seattle Children’s Hospital first week of April.

I really became a believer in Jesus Christ in August 1971 having returned the previous year from duty as a soldier in Vietnam, although I was introduced to him while I was in high school in 1964.  To make a very long story short, I went through all the motions of being a Christian for a long time afterward, but not actually believing deep down that anything was different or better as a result of making that commitment.

Fast-forward to September 2011 and the diagnosis that I had prostate cancer, because of a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test that my doctor ordered.  As I wrote in a blog posting, the “c” word is a devastating diagnosis for anyone who has experienced it.  The diagnosis of having Type 2 diabetes a couple of years previous in a way prepared me for the cancer news.  I had decided then that I had to change my life style to adjust to not eating all the things I loved that were not good for a diabetic.  At that time I asked God to help me adjust; he did just that; he helped me and continues to do so.

I wrote earlier that there were 2 important “c” words in my life:  the little “c” word is “cancer” and the big “C” word is “Christ.”  Well, when the little “c” word reared its ugly head I decided that no matter the outcome, God was in control of my life…I needed, however, to acknowledge that fact and actually believe it.  I have really believed, and still do, that Jesus Christ (the big “C” word!) is in the middle of this part of my adventure.  He has made this evident in any number of ways:  through music I have heard on the radio and at church; in scripture that I have come face-to-face with unexpectedly; with so many people praying for me and encouraging me as I went into surgery and during my recovery (how can I thank you all?!).

Regarding music…after the biopsy revealed that I in fact had prostate cancer, I was in the car and heard Laura Story’s song “Blessings”.  The chorus says “'Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops /
 What if Your healing comes through tears /
 What if a thousand sleepless nights 
Are what it takes to know You’re near 
/ What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise.”  I heard those words as if they were written for me, and my eyes welled up to the point that I had to stop and wipe them so I could drive.  I believe that my trials really have been God’s mercies in disguise!

In church on March 4^th we sang a new song (at least new to me) called “A Mighty Fortress” by Christy Nockels.  The lyrics say in part

Our God is, a consuming fire,

A burning holy Flame, with glory and freedom

Our God is, the only righteous judge,

Ruling over us with kindness and wisdom

We will keep our eyes on You

We will keep our eyes on You

He is ruling over me with kindness and wisdom, and day-by-day I am trying to keep my eyes on him more than ever before.

Psalms 91 has crossed my path several times since January.  I have been amazed how many times this particular passage has caught my attention since then!  Take a moment and click on the link and see what great encouragement and promise God gives us in this Psalm!

And there have been so many people around the country who have been praying for Karin and me.  I have no idea who has prayed, but I have been so encouraged that people care so much for us!

On the Sunday after we found out that I had cancer, I went up to our pastor after church and said “Phil, God has given me the greatest opportunity!”  “Tell me about it” he said.  “I have been diagnosed with prostate cancer.”  He literally took a step back with a shocked expression on his face.  And I continued “This is the greatest chance I have to tell people about Jesus and the difference he has made in my life!” 

And I have taken this opportunity to heart, not holding back like I did for the first four decades of my new life in Christ.  Many years ago I was introduced to the Four Spiritual Laws that are not laws per se (life as a Christian is not a life of laws), but rather principles that are true.

#1 God loves you and offers a wonderful plan for your life.

#2 Man is sinful and separated from God. Therefore, he cannot know and experience God’s love and plan for his life.

#3 Jesus Christ is God's only provision for man's sin. 
Through Him you can know and experience God’s love and plan for your life.

#4 We must individually receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord; then we can know and experience God's love and plan for our lives.

If you don’t know Jesus Christ I encourage you at least investigate who he is (the Gospel of John is a great place to start).  Or feel free to contact me by phone or email.

These are only two of those mercies that have come as a result of this trial in my life; being blessed by others and freedom to share the Good News of Jesus with others.  May God bless you this week!

That All May Know Jesus!

In February I wrote on this blog the following:  “I know I have been concerned about men I have a service-related relationship with, but I don’t know if they know Jesus or not, and sometimes don’t know how to approach them.  It’s a little easier now that I am a little older, I am at the point of not worrying much about the approach and just ask them in some way if they know Jesus.”

Well, I’ve put together a list of those guys who are actively on my mailing list, most of who I am fairly sure don’t know Jesus Christ in a personal way.  I’d like you all to pray for them on a regular basis that they would encounter God in a personal way.  After all, we aren’t getting any younger!

If you would write me at mohawkbeliever@gmail.com and let me know that you’d like to get a copy of the list, I’d be glad to send it to you (I don’t just want to put it up on the web because I am concerned about our friends’ privacy).

In the meantime, have a great upcoming weekend my brothers and sisters in Christ!

Easter 2011

(The following story was borrowed and adapted from our pastor’s sermon this morning.)

The announcement that came over the store’s PA system is one that no dad in the world ever wants to hear. “We have a little boy who seems to have lost his daddy. He’s about 3 and a half feet tall, has red hair, and says his name is Red. If you’re his dad, please come to the customer service counter at once.”

Dad hears this as he is frantically looking for his son and goes to the customer service counter as fast as he can. Out of breath and almost at his wits end, he arrives to see little Freddy (the store’s security person thought his name was “Red” because his hair) waiting for him with the store manager. As soon as little Freddy sees daddy, he runs and jumps into his arms. And the expression on Dad’s face is one of overwhelming joy!

Well, that’s what Easter is all about. God’s one and only Son Jesus came to earth (that’s the Christmas Story), grew up and eventually gave his sinless life for anyone who would believe he’s the Son of God, to pay the penalty of eternal death for our sinful life by being executed on a common criminal’s cross. When I met Jesus many years ago after I returned from Vietnam, God Himself repeated the story of the little red haired boy as I figuratively came running and jumping into His outstretched arms. And, although I didn’t actually see his face then, I knowthat He had a big smile on His face, because I would literally be his adopted child forever!

If you have never read this amazing true story in the Bible, please take a look at the Easter Story (click on the link). If you have known this story and Jesus for many years, take a look at it again. The Lord will show you something new in it!

I hope you all had a great holiday this weekend. May God bless you this coming week!

When I Say "I'm a Christian"

John Ferguson sent this to me.  It possibly might be worth sharing with a friend who is questioning the validity of the faith we have as Christians because of someone's thoughtless words or actions.

When I say that 'I am a Christian', I am not shouting that I am clean living.  

I'm whispering 'I was lost, but now I'm found and forgiven.'

When I say 'I am a Christian' I don't speak of this with pride.  

I'm confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide.

When I say 'I am a Christian' I'm not trying to be strong.  

I'm professing that I'm weak and need His strength to carry on.

When I say 'I am a Christian' I'm not bragging of success.  

I'm admitting I have failed and need God to clean my mess.

When I say 'I am a Christian' I'm not claiming to be perfect.  

My flaws are far too visible, but God believes I am worth it.

When I say 'I am a Christian' I still feel the sting of pain. 

I have my share of heartaches, so I call upon His name.

When I say 'I am a Christian' I'm not holier than thou,  

I'm just a simple sinner who received God's grace, somehow!