Fresh Mannaby Pastor Tim BurtA Perfectly Imperfect Trip! Part One: An Inspirational StoryOn a chilly mid-December day, Tim eagerly headed off to work, excited to escape the snow and cold of Minnesota winter. He was a flight attendant heading out to the airport to begin a 10-day trip from Minneapolis to Hawaii to Japan and back. Tim was excited because he had precious layover time for relaxation and exploration in both Japan and Hawaii.Tim checked in at the office for his flight and then headed off to his gate with luggage in hand. As he approached the gate, he introduced himself to the crew and to a few unfamiliar faces. As they were chatting, an agent informed them that the aircraft was running late and would not be in for an hour. Many of the crew decided to head off and get a coffee or something to eat. Tim found an open seat in the gate area, opened his Bible, and immersed himself in its words.
Just minutes into his reading, a fellow flight attendant walked up to the gate, was informed of the delay, and was told that most of the crew left to go grab a bite. Kathy noticed Tim in uniform sitting down and walked over to introduce herself. The seat next to Tim was open, and Kathy asked if she could sit next to Him. "Of course!" said Tim, and they exchanged pleasantries. As they were talking, Kathy’s gaze fell upon the Bible in Tim's lap. "Are you reading the Bible?" Kathy asked. "I am," responded Tim. Kathy confessed that though she grew up Lutheran and was given a Bible at her confirmation, she never read it. "Do you like reading the Bible?" Kathy asked. Tim, sensing Kathy’s curiosity, said, "Kathy, if you knew how this book changed my entire life from a path of destruction, you'd read it too!" "What do you mean by that?" Kathy asked. Tim went on to share how he had been on a destructive path of alcoholism and drugs and how the Bible miraculously steered him away from all that to a beautiful life, the wife of his dreams, and his first child, a beautiful little girl named Stephanie!As Tim was showing Kathy a picture of his wife Renee and 2-year-old daughter Stephanie, Kathy was captivated and probed further, prompting Tim to unveil his tale of transformation and redemption. The climax was reached when Tim revealed the core message – the forgiveness of sins and the promise of eternal life through Jesus Christ. Kathy, riveted by this revelation, expressed her desire for forgiveness and a connection with God. Tim asked, "Would you like to know that Heaven would be your home when you die?" "Who wouldn't?" Kathy replied. "But how can I know that for sure?"Tim, sensing the sincerity in Kathy’s plea, offered to guide her through a prayer of salvation—asking Jesus to come into her heart, forgive her sins, and be her Lord and Savior. As Tim led her in that prayer, tears of joy spilled from Kathy's eyes. Overwhelmed by a newfound sense of joy, Kathy realized the depth of her need for Jesus despite lacking the tumultuous past Tim had endured. Tim continued to explain that this was her new Birthday in the Lord. Tim turned to his Bible and asked her to read from 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT). Kathy read the words out loud! "This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!" "That's you, Kathy! You are a new person in Christ, and His Holy Spirit has come to live in your heart! You will never be the same!" said Tim with an immense smile.As they looked up, the aircraft rolled up to the gate, Tim knew this was the beginning of an adventure and a newfound friend in Christ! With tears of joy still in her eyes, Kathy asked Tim, "Would you teach me more about the Bible during the quiet stretches of our flight?" Tim, grateful for the honor of sharing and teaching God's word, eagerly responded, "Absolutely!" He now envisioned the trip as not just great but extraordinary.While Kathy prepared to board the plane, Tim sat alone for a moment and offered a heartfelt prayer to the Lord, expressing gratitude for the unexpected opportunity to share the gospel. He sought guidance for the journey ahead, recognizing the divine orchestration of this unfolding adventure. Tim knew that this was just the beginning. And it was just that! There is more to this adventure you'll hear about next Friday.
1 Peter 3:15 (TLB) "Quietly trust yourself to Christ your Lord, and if anybody asks why you believe as you do, be ready to tell him, and do it in a gentle and respectful way."
In His love,
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