This story is not from the days of yore, but with everything that is, this story goes beyond yesterday through today and into tomorrow. God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. Amen

"Moon Base Alpha! This is Zebra one, over" Steve Adams, astronaut called to the new outpost on the surface of the moon. He would spend the next six months here as the first American to occupy the permanent station on the moon. The year is 2020 AD, not far from today but far enough to let our imaginations take hold a little. NASA in cooperation with several other nations had built a research station on the surface of the moon. It was with mutual agreement that the USA had the first occupant.

"Uh Roger Zebra one, this is moon base alpha, over" the construction crew was now finished and was waiting for Steve to arrive. Although they would remain for another seven days to get Steve settled in, they still were anxious to see the new resident.. Because that meant they only had a week left. "Good to hear your voice Zebra one, everything is AOK you are cleared to land at Pad A, over" said the communications officer.

"Roger moon base , Pad A confirmed, it’s good to hear your voice also, it’s been a long trip here alone in a six-seater, over" Steve was bringing the crew their ride home. "Hope you guys appreciate this, over?" said Steve. "Roger, Zebra one, you’ve no idea just how much. You only have to stay six months, we’ve already been here over eight and we’ve still a week to go. In fact my second is starting to look kinda pretty to me – ha ha!" said the chief." " OK, OK guys" said Steve. "I get the message, now if you’ll please activate the guide beacon, I’ll put this thing down." Just as quick as Steve released the mike button a green and yellow beacon was shining brightly directing Steve to the proper landing Pad. "Thank you" said Steve. Steve now executed a 40-degree swing of the vessel in the yaw mode to fire the retro rockets. This done Steve turned on the rear cameras and guided the ship to a pin perfect landing. The securing straps came out automatically and secured the vessel to the pad. "Welcome home Zebra one!" said the voice on the radio.

Steve had several reasons for wanting this assignment. He was a captain in the Air Force, spent time as a combat fighter pilot and also as a test pilot. A couple of years ago Steve got a call from his mother to say his father had died quite suddenly. His dad was not a Christian and did not know God. Steve had always wanted to talk to him about the Lord, but he never got the chance. Now it was too late. Steve became so involved in his work that he was drawn away from his church. He missed almost six months of services before the pastor came to call.

"Steve", said the pastor. "We’ve really missed you at the church lately". "I know pastor," replied Steve, "I’ve been meaning to come back I just haven’t had the time lately…" "Yes, I know " said the pastor. "Steve, I know about your father and I know how you felt because you couldn’t or didn't get a chance to talk to him about the Lord".

Steve was ashamed, he didn’t think anyone else knew about his dad. He was about to question the pastor about this when all of the sudden he held up his hand and said, "Never mind how I know, let’s just say for now that I know?" How’d he do that thought Steve. "Now here’s the real reason I came to see you today", started the pastor. "Oh we indeed do miss you, but we’re expanding into a program which everyone questioned agreed that you’d be a natural to head up." Steve motioned for him to go on, and he did with only a slight pause. "You know of course that we have a very active Royal Ranger outpost in the church", asked the pastor. Steve nodded, they had tried to get him involved several times, but he was not that much of a camper and he didn’t care for the outdoors much. "Well", continued the pastor. "Davis aircraft has gone out of business due to the death of old man Davis, he left the company to the Church with the stipulation that it be used to help the youth.. We’re now the proud owners of six aircraft complete with service equipment, tools, hangers, communications and more." Steve remembered old man Davis, in fact he helped him pick out those aircraft. In fact they were some of the best built two seaters that Steve had ever flown in.

He was really surprised that Mr. Davis had left all this to the church. He didn’t think that he was a religious man. He asked the pastor about it and the pastor responded, " I was afraid that you were going to ask me that and I prayed all night about it, but the Lord told me to go ahead that you’d understand in the end, so here goes." Steve, was all ears and he listened very closely as the pastor went on. "Maybe you met Mr. Davis’ son Jim?" asked the pastor. Jim shook his head no, "I mean I never even knew he had a son", replied Steve. "Yes ", said the pastor. "In fact he too is a pilot like yourself, and he is a Royal Ranger commander as well, you two have a lot in common".

Steve knew where this conservation was heading. The pastor went on, "When he got the news that his dad was very sick he flew in and spent some time with him, and before he passed away he led his father to the Lord." Steve held his head, for he knew that he had failed his own father. He wished everyday that things could have been different. But he knew that he must accept his failure, not only for his father but for his Holy Father as well. The pastor sat waiting, watching. Watching and waiting for just the right moment. "Steve?" he asked gently. Steve looked up, his eyes were filled with tears and they started streaming down his face.

"Steve", began the pastor, "I’ve something to tell you" The pastor reached into his coat pocket and pulled out two envelopes. One opened already and one still sealed. The pastor laid the sealed one on the table before him. Steve’s eyes opened wide, he recognized his father’s handwriting. The pastor began again, "Your father wrote me a few days before the end" holding up the opened one. "In it he enclosed this letter to you, I know what it says because he told me here", he said tapping the envelope on his knee.

Steve’s hand shook as he bent and picked up the letter, he sensed his father’s cologne on the paper and the memories flooded back again. Nevertheless Steve to a deep breath and opened the letter, silently he read:

My Son,

The time has come for me to leave you. I feel that I haven’t many days left.Son, I have always loved you, probably more than I’ve ever shown you. But I wanted you to know something very special. Even though we didn’t spend all that much time together, I have followed you and your career all your life. I have never been so proud of anything or anyone as I am of you. But more importantly, I have followed your life as a Christian from the beginning.

Steve looked up questioning the pastor. "Read on" said the pastor, Steve read:

Yes, that’s right. I knew you were a Christian, and I’ve followed everything you’ve done. I called your pastor and have had several talks with him about it. I realized that you had something I wanted and needed. But I didn’t know how to go about getting it. Your pastor helped me and because of you, I now know that soon I will be with Jesus in heaven! Thank you my son for being the example this old sinner needed. Remember always that my love for you was and always is forever.

I love you,

Dad

Steve was dumbfounded, he didn’t quite know what to make of the situation. He read the letter again. All this time he thought that he did not talk to his father about the Lord. In fact his actions did indeed speak louder than his words could ever do. Now his heart was filled with joy because now he could be assured that his earthly father was now with his Heavenly Father. "Steve", said the pastor. "Are you alright?" he asked with a smile so large he could hardly contain himself. Steve looked up and slowly nodded that everything was now finally AOK. They talked for a time and finally he asked again. "Steve, how about that position with the Rangers?"

"Outpost Attention!" Commander Steve yelled. Twelve boys all dressed in Royal Ranger flight suits snapped to attention. A round of applause rippled through the crowd sitting in the stands watching. The entire church congregation was here today. In fact pastor taught his lesson from this very spot. Lined up also on the tarmac also were six shinny two seater training planes. Every rivet polished to a brilliant gloss. The next command put a pair of pilots next to each plane. "Outpost, to your stations, post!" Instantly the column started to move with military precision. Each ranger peeling off with an exact military turn next to his plane. As each pair arrived they did an about face and faced the crown still at attention. "Mount up!" came the command. Youthful pilots climbed into the cockpits and waited. Speaking through the radio system, which was also broadcasting over the loudspeaker so that the crowd could hear Steve gave the next command,"Gentlemen, start your engines! " The roar was deafening as the powerful engines leapt to life. After they all came up to speed the noise settled to a steady drone of power ready to be unleashed. "Move out!" was the final command.

The congregation watched in amazement as one by one they flew into the sky. What followed was precise arial maneuvers, that even the most skilled pilot would have been proud to perform. Pastor led a standing ovation after the planes landed and once again the pilots stood before the crowd. "Pastor, Ladies and Gentlemen", started Commander Steve. "May I present to you your Air Ranger Outpost!" Steve left the podium, marched down the stairs, over to the boys stood in front of them and snapped a salute to them. They responded in like manner with just as much military likeness as Steve himself. He then executed an about face and the entire unit saluted the pastor and the church congregation.

Steve now hung a picture taken that day over his desk. Each member had signed next to his image. Commander Steve and pastor also were in the picture. Steve stared at the picture and smiled. He was so glad that he had taken the position of Air Ranger Commander. The next picture brought tears to his eyes. It was him with his arm around his dad’s shoulders. It was taken on one of the last days that his dad was able to get out and about. Steve now stopped and said a prayer of thanks to God for letting him lead a Christian life.

"Excuse me Commander" said the head of the moon base construction team. "There’s a message for you in the com center." "Right away" replied Steve as he followed the man into the radio room. He noticed that he had used his new rank title when he addressed him. He didn’t think anyone had heard the news yet.

Steve picked up the microphone, he keyed it and said, "Moon base to Alpha central, over" Static, and then the airwaves cleared and Steve heard the voice of the United Space Unified Organization’s director and mentor Jim Owens. "Moon base this is Alpha Central, good to hear your voice Steve. I hope your trip was uneventful " said the director. "Roger" replied Steve, everything was A OK, over" "Steve", said Jim, "We’ve had some bad news. Pastor Dave from your hometown church has passed away, I’m sorry to have to tell you this on our first communication. It was quite sudden, the doctor said there was no pain, he went to sleep and never woke up, over". Steve felt empty inside, somewhat like he felt when his father had died, and yet he knew without a shadow of doubt that pastor Dave knew God and he was with him now. Jim continued, "Steve we’ve also had a request that you do the eulogy for his funeral. Due to your situation and unusual location, I’ve OK’d it with the higher ups to let you broadcast a video relay from there at moon base. Actually it’s better than that, I’ve sent the telecom crew out and it’s going to be a video conference." "Thanks Jim," replied Steve. "How long do I have to prepare for it, pastor was my mentor and also my best friend." "Well….", came back the response. "About as long as it takes you to get in your dress uniform!"

Steve dressed in his best uniform and then stood in front of the big observation port which showed the earth like the "big blue marble" in a black sky. He could see on his monitor those who had gathered to say their final farewell to their friend and pastor. Steve had no idea how well Jim had set everything up. They had set up a large viewing screen for the occasion. The view the congregation had was larger than life. Despite the somber occasion it was very exciting for them.

""This is Commander Steve Adams, speaking to you from the surface of the moon. I am standing in the United Space Unified Organization’s first manned moon base. I am sorry that I could not be there to personally say good-bye to our friend and pastor. But I know that I will see him again shortly in heaven…"

….."Amen" Steve had just finished with a prayer, his eulogy lasted about 30 minutes. He had told everything about pastor, his father and the Air Rangers. Steve now saw through the monitor his Air Rangers standing at the back of the room in formation. As one they came forward, a Royal Ranger flag spread between them. As they approached the casket, they draped the flag over it. On this they placed a small velvet pillow, in the middle was Steve’s solid gold aviator’s wings that he had presented to the outpost. The group now made a straight line in front of the casket and in unison executed a precise military salute. On the moon Steve also stood at attention and saluted his friend.

Later as the procession was on the way to the cemetery, Steve watched as the cameraman filmed it all. At the graveside Steve again said a few words and then prayed. After the prayer a dull roar could be heard, it grew louder and louder. As everyone looked up and the cameraman swung around so Steve could see, his Air Rangers flew the missing man formation at low level. Tears filled Steve’s eyes, not tears of sadness but tears of pride. Proud of his Rangers, proud of his pastor, his father and most important proud of his God.

See ya next time!

Song: "Angels in the Wind"