Gene Saur, U.S. Navy Pilot

LCDR Gene Saur, U. S. Navy pilot:


One dark, dreary day I taxied my Navy jet fighter onto the aircraft carrier's catapult to be launched. Although it was daytime, the overcast was so heavy with dark clouds that it appeared to be night. My aircraft was suddenly propelled from zero to 165 miles per hour in 178 feet, and I was flying over the water. I entered the clouds at one thousand feet. It was as black as night. As I climbed through 15,000 feet, I broke out on top of the clouds. The sunlight was brilliant. Not a cloud was above me, only the beautiful blue sky of God's creation. I said to myself, "Let there be light!"

During my life's journey, there was a missing link that I could not find. Then God led my wife and me to a Sunday School class where His Word was taught by a faithful, godly man. After that, I began faithfully to read through the Bible, a few chapters each day. As I continued to read, suddenly I broke out into God's brilliant spiritual light. It was as real as it was that day in the jet fighter. This was the missing link -- His Word spoken directly to me. God could only go so far speaking to me through others. Prayer, memorizing scripture, Christian fellowship, Christian leaders, and worship are vital. All are essential links in the chain from God to man. However, my missing link was going directly to His Word. Daily as I read systematically through God's Word, I break out into His Light. Second-hand knowledge of God's Word is not sufficient. A first-hand experience is absolutely essential. I will be eternally grateful to God for directing me to reading and memorizing His Word.

Gene Saur
1905 Valley Oaks Court
Irving, TX 75061-2164