Several years ago, my uncle, Allen Dixon, relayed some
thoughts shared by Dave Simpson, a pilot and a trainer of pilots for
Fed-Ex. Simpson had shared the thoughts in a devotional on a Wednesday
evening with the Germantown church of Christ in Memphis, TN. Here is my
uncle’s summary of Simpson’s anecdote along with some additional
insights:
In a past
year, Dave was flying over Greenland on an especially spectacular night
for Aurora Borealis. The brightness was such as to create an illusion
that one could reach out and almost touch some of the glowing,
flickering lights.
He and his
co-pilot on that flight were discussing some spiritual matters. Dave
learned that the co-pilot had grown up “in church,” but, as an adult,
had drifted away toward unbelief. At one point Dave exulted over the
Northern Lights display: “How can there not be a God?”
After a
moment of silence, the other pilot responded: “You know, I think you
must be right!”
A somewhat
similar scene is in a 2008 move: “The Bucket List.” The lead actors are
on a flight together. One, a man of faith, sits next to a cabin window,
viewing what appear to be Northern Lights.
The other
man’s world view does not include God nor life after death. His friend
asks him, in effect, what might result if he should find out he is wrong
about his atheistic viewpoint. The unbeliever thinks for a moment, then
replies: “If I’m wrong, then I win.” If eternal life happens to exist,
he seems to assume that it will be a universal gift. His friend follows
with a thought-provoking answer: “I’m not sure that it works that way.”
In the movie
storyline, such statements by the believer, along with his
integrity/manner of life; in time have a profound, life-changing effect
on the unbelieving friend.
At the close
of the article, which Allen had printed on a 4x8.5 inch slip of paper
that could be easily shared with others (his intention), he encouraged
the reader to “read in your Bible: Psalm 19:1-2; Hebrews 11:6; John
12:44-50.” Allen also included an invitation to meet with the
Germantown church and information regarding some television productions
in which a viewer can “study and search the Scriptures.”
My uncle Allen was keenly interested in
pointing others to God. He would write articles based on current events
or historical anecdotes and make application to the Good News of Jesus.
He printed the articles and shared them with
others in different settings: at restaurant tables for his waiter or
waitress, in the hands of grocery store cashiers, and other unique
places.
Allen wanted nothing more than for others to know that
Jesus, God’s Son, died on the cross for our sins so that we can be saved
and live eternally with Him in heaven. Allen wanted others to know how
to respond to God’s offer of salvation and eternal life by: placing
their
faith
and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turning from sin in
repentance
(Acts 17:30-31),
confessing
Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and being
baptized
(immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts
2:38). My uncle encouraged Christ followers to continue to live
faithfully to the Lord (Revelation 2:10).
With his words and with his profound manner of life, my
Uncle Allen pointed others to Jesus. Because of him, many – including
me – have seen Jesus more clearly.
My prayer is that others – including you – may be
influenced by his example and others to examine the evidence, search the
Scriptures, discover the Savior, and follow Him.
--
David A. Sargent
* In loving memory of my uncle, Allen Dixon (January 29, 1932 - December
8, 2021). Until we meet again.
David A. Sargent,
Minister
Church of Christ at Creekwood
1901 Schillinger Rd. S.
Mobile, Alabama 36695
Archived
issues of Living Water
can be viewed and
accessed from our website at:
www.creekwoodcc.org
Please
visit our Web site AND share a drink of Living
Water with a friend!
Searching
For Truth??? Learn more about God and His will for your life!
Download Searching
For Truth
videos. They're
FREE
-- visit: www.searchingfortruth.org
To Subscribe
to Living Water, simply Click-n-Send an e-mail
to:
HTML (graphics) version: Subscribe-html
TEXT version: Subscribe-text
Follow
this link to locate the church of Christ nearest you: www.churchzip.com
If you received
this transmission in error or want to leave
Living Water just Click-n-Send to unsubscribe.
