The White Falcon - 17.11.2005, Side 6

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by Chaplain Richard Roe
This Holiday Season Is About Me?
A guest minister was introduced before he began to speak
as one of the pastor’s dearest childhood friends.
The elderly man began, “A father, his son, and his son’s
new friend were sailing just a ways from the Pacific coast
when a storm approached blocking any attempt to reach
shore. Even though the father was an experienced sailor the
waves were too high and the boat was soon capsized.
“Grabbing the rescue line, the father had to make the most
excruciating decision of his life: Which boy would he throw
the lifeline to.
“He only had seconds to make the decision. The father
knew his son loved God and that his son’s friend did
not. The agony of the decision matched the torrent of the
waves.
“Decision made, the father yelled out, I love you son and
threw the line to the friend. By the time the father had pulled
the friend back to the capsized boat his son had disappeared
beneath the raging water and into the black of night.
“You see, the old man continued, the father knew his son
loved God and would step safely into God’s loving arms
that night. He could not bear the thought of the friend being
lost for all eternity. Therefore, he sacrificed his son to save
the friend’s life.”
With that, the old man turned and silently sat down in his
chair. Silence filled the room.
Several minutes later the service was over and people
began to file out of the building.
A teenager approached the old minister and said politely,
“That was a nice story, but I think you just made it up, it is
not very realistic to imagine that a father would give up his
own son’s life in hopes that the other boy would live.”
The old man replied, “Well, you’ve got a point there.”
Glancing down at the old, tattered book in his hand he
concluded with a broad smile on his face,
“It sure isn’t very realistic, but I’m standing here today to
tell you that the story is quite true. You see — I was that
father — and your pastor is my son’s friend.”
How great is the love of God that He should make the
same sacrifice for us. Our heavenly father sacrificed his son
that we could be saved from certain destruction.
I urge you during this holiday season to accept the lifeline
God still offers to us all. Take hold of the line and let him
pull you to safety.
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only begot-
ten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish
but have eternal life. ’’
John 3:16
Be blessed.
Commander, Iceland Defense Force
Col. Craig Croxton, USAF
Public Affairs Officer
Frid|xSr Kr. Eydal
Assistant PAO
JOC(SW) James Junior
Administrative Assistant
Sigridur Svansdottir
Journalists
J01(SW/AW) Mat Sohl
J02 Matthew Bradley
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Page 6
The White Falcon
November 17, 2005