Thought for the Month - February/March 2007

Princess Victoria - By Pastor Ian Wilson

A news story that didn’t receive much coverage recently probably, because of the execution of Saddam and our interests being focused very much at home, was the sinking of a ferry in Indonesia. The vessel capsized in stormy seas off Java, Indonesia.

Officials say at least 157 people have been found alive. They're either packed on lifeboats, clinging to debris or on beaches after swimming ashore. 400 people are still missing. Dozens of bodies have been spotted or retrieved since the ship sank during a violent storm. Among the survivors was a 50 year old man who watched two of his children drown. He says he hung on to a large tyre for 17 hours in rough seas.

Disasters far from home very often don’t get much attention. It was very different on the 31st January 1953. The headlines read as follows “A car ferry has sunk in the Irish Sea in one of the worst gales in living memory claiming the lives of more than 130 passengers and crew. The Princess Victoria, a British Railways car ferry, bound for Larne in Northern Ireland, had left Stranraer on the south-west coast of Scotland an hour before when the stern gates to the car deck were forced open in heavy seas.”

Only 44 of the 177 people who set out on the crossing are known to have survived. The captain went down with his ship.

I was interested to discover the following about a man called David Broadfoot. The highest civilian award for bravery, the George Cross, was given posthumously to David Broadfoot. He was the ferry's radio operator and he remained at his post sending out messages for assistance until the ship sank. He give his life that others might be saved.

I have no doubt all those who were rescued on that terrible January day were very appreciative of his heroic deed.

How much do you appreciate Jesus Christ? From our childhood days we remember the stories of his birth in a manger because there was no room in the inn. Many people still have no room for Jesus in their lives in spite of the fact he died to save them.

Jesus Christ performed many might deeds whilst on earth but he was not offered the George cross rather he was nailed to a wooden cross. How much do we appreciate him?

John 10:10 "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly"

Have you accepted the life that he offers?

Are you SURE that you have your place booked in Heaven? Read this if you're not!