In His Own Words

CONVERSATION WITH DOUG BIDEN - December 10 - 11, 2009

Now, decades later, I would like you to consider the possibility that God is calling you to
display similar ‘courage under fire’ by making another step of faith that will see you
through to the ultimate safe landing.

My point is simply this, Doug....you can still “call Darky” for a reliable bearing to the
safety of “home”. At this point in your journey, there’s no need to start from square one
and examine all the evidence, pro and con, about the existence of God, and the merits
of one religion or the other. It is only prudent....and necessary, to put your faith in the
only source of hope when faced with our mortality...because we choose to believe, or
not to believe.

I suspect you and I share the same inclination to be skeptical about that which we
cannot see, hear or touch with our physical senses, and as pilots we also like to be “in
control”. For many, to suggest that those who believe in Jesus Christ will be “saved”
sounds like so much hocus pocus......and a fantasy that can’t stand up to the demands
of our intellect.

My own decision was helped when a young pastor explained to me years ago exactly
what is meant by the word “believe”. Contrary to my assumption, it’s not suspending
disbelief, or irrationally placing one’s faith in something that can’t be true.

In the context of the biblical imperative that we must “believe”, the original translation of
the term is, “To lean hard upon”. It’s not about blind faith, but trust. Going back to your
actions in the Lancaster that night, it would never have occurred to you to not try
“Darky” out of fear it might fail; you rather “leaned hard upon” the device hoping it would
work as advertised. Had it not, your prospects would have been considerably dimmed,
but you would have been foolish not to try it.

Likewise, as we contemplate our mortality we would be foolish to choose not to “lean
hard upon” a promise that if true, results in eternal life. A proverb states, “The fool says
in his heart, there is no God”. That’s not an opinion, it’s a fact. God, in his wisdom, has
given us the freedom to choose, and the wise and prudent man will lean hard upon the
promises of his Creator and hope they are true, as opposed to leaning hard upon
unbelief and hoping they are false.

Put another way, it’s better that we choose to believe (lean hard upon) the promises of
God, and step through death’s door with the hope he gives. If it turns out to be false,
we’re no worse off for it.

You remarked to me that, “I’m not very religious”, and Doug....that’s o.k.! As I said, it’s
not about being religious or how much you go to church. In fact, Jesus himself had
some harsh words for those who are simply “religious”, thinking their feigned piety will
fairly compel their salvation. This is not to denigrate those who are religious and go to
church, but rather to point out that none of us can do enough to earn salvation; Christ
did it all for us on the cross and we need only to trust Him; as he said, “I am the way, the
Truth, and and Life, no one comes to the Father but through Me.”

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CONVERSATION WITH DOUG BIDEN - December 10 - 11, 2009

Finally, as a pilot you know the importance of a good checklist, complete with
emergency procedures, that can be relied upon to maintain safe operations. Happily,
unlike the complicated procedures that must be “religiously” adhered to in the aircraft,
God has made our checklist as simple as can be:
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes
in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
In a nutshell, belief in God requires no irrational thinking; in fact, the opposite is true.
The wise man understands that it is foolish not to accept the gift that is being offered,
especially when it requires nothing from us except our humility, and trust. God will hear
our prayer, even one that is clouded by doubt and uncertainty.
Doug, I hope you will choose to lean hard upon Jesus Christ. Not only will it give you
peace deep in your soul, it will encourage and strengthen your family as they mourn
your passing, and beyond. For them to know that before their husband / father /
grandfather died, you made your peace with God, will be enormously comforting for
them. And as they live out their lives and ultimately face their own death, it will be much
easier for them knowing you left them with a hope they too can believe in.
Finally, as a pilot you’re well familiar with one of the first lessons learned, “Always leave
yourself an out”. I pray you will observe that counsel once more, but with a small twist,
“Always leave yourself an in”.

With much respect, admiration and love,

Gerry

P.S. Remember, Doug....thumbs up!
__________________________________________

Postscript: Bill told me afterward that he felt his dad heard and understood the
message, but he read it to him twice, just to make sure. He added, “And we got
a thumbs up!”

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CONVERSATION WITH DOUG BIDEN - December 10 - 11, 2009

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ISBN 28177 7-70 / 71
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