Thursday, August 16, 2012

The final on romance.







Back in 2000 Pauline and I were very close to a beautiful young lady in the church that we were attending. She was beautiful and, at twenty nine years old, was still single with a responsible job in upper management.

Listen to what she said when I was about to leave on trip to Australia and South Africa.

"Pastor Wilson, I really do trust your judgement. If you meet a man who you feel would be God's chosen partner for me, then by all means ask him to call me."

Two months later I was preaching in Williams town and I met Andre. He was a lawyer, a fine, good looking young man who just happened to be single.

After speaking to his pastor I forwarded Giovanna's number to him.

For the next six months they corresponded  by phone and email, racked up astronomical bills and finally met for the first time when Andre came to Toronto for a week.

Love was sealed at first sight and when Andre returned the following April it was for his wedding.

Then back to South Africa for them both and the surprise of red convertible car for Giovanna.

Where are they now? Pastoring a church in Capetown and parenting two lovely kids.

All because a young lady trusted that God would make the right choice for her.

Jubilate.

Ian.......... off to London, U.K. tomorrow. Back in ten days.








Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Romance is still in the air.














I came to Canada back in 1973.

One of the first families to join my church was the England family. 

Within a year I was praying for father Andy who had suffered a massive heart attack. He is still chugging along in his eighties. About five years later daughter Darlene was diagnosed with cancer of the lymph glands.

More prayer and anointing oil.

 Six years after that I officiated at the wedding of Darlene and her husband,Norville.

Now, twenty two years later, I receive a phone call from a young man who says:

 "It was you who prayed for my mom when she was sick. It was you who married her to my dad. Now I'm getting married and I want you to officiate at my wedding. I want to continue the  family tradition."

O.K. Nathan, I'll be there but don't call on me to marry your son.

I'll be retired.

Jubilate.

Ian


Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Destin, Florida














Here's another wedding story.

Above twenty five years ago I was at my desk in Barrie when the phone rang. It was a member of my congregation in great distress.

"Pastor Ian, please come to the Soldier's Memorial Hospital. Joel is dying."

I didn't waste time asking for details. In 25 minutes I was at the bedside of a nine month old baby with viral meningitis, not expected to live till the next morning.

Together with the parents and a nurse I prayed. Suddenly I turned to the mother and said:

 "Don't be afraid, God has healed your baby. He will live to be married and when that day comes call me and I will officiate at his wedding."

Twenty two years passed. One morning the phone rang and a voice asked
 "Are you Pastor Wilson?"

 I agreed that I was. The young man then said "I'm Joel Smith. 22 years ago you prayed for me when I was going to die. Now I'm getting married. I want you to officiate."

I asked "Where are you living?"

He said "Florida."

I replied "Then tell your Dad to send the ticket and I'll be there."
 And I was.

Five years later Joel and his wife are doing just fine, running their own business and praising the Lord who does all things well.

Anybody else out there who wants to tie the knot?

Jubilate

Ian

Monday, August 13, 2012

Dallas




I've come back from Dallas with a good story.

I was officiating at the wedding of a truly unusual couple.

They are now Mr and Mrs Nick Born. For their first date a year ago they went out kayaking on Chesapeake Bay

In boisterous seas their kayak overturned and drifted off leaving them to stay afloat by clinging on to an ice-chest.

In the darkness with dwindling energy they found themselves near a barrier island.

Nick abandoned the cooler and swam to shore but heard feeble shouts from Kathryn who was going under. In true Marine spirit Nick dived back in and with his last breath landed them both back on the beach.

What a first date.

 Meantime news of their disappearance had spread and desperate prayers were being said. They were answered at midnight when a coast guard helicopter discovered them through thermal imaging. Within an hour they were delivered safely ashore.

When I finally tied the knot in the Wedding Chapel in Texas and said "Until death do you part." They said "We've got that bit down. Now we'll have to work on the rest."

Jubilate.

Ian