James B. Irwin was a remarkable and an interesting man. Born in 1930 in Pittsburgh.....he was the pilot of Apollo 15....and the 8th astronaut to have walked on the moon. It was he that stooped over and dug out what was later to be called....The Genesis Rock. That flight stirred something in him about God....and very similar to Pete Maravich after leaving the NBA....he became a Christian after leaving NASA and committed his life to the things of God.
Among those commitments was his search for Noah's Ark. In one of his many expeditions to Turkey his team discovered an interesting land formation that looked like it could be the Ark....but nothing could be proven. I remember those days....and the photos....the same photos that are in the news today as it appears that Noah's Ark may indeed have been found....and that that land formation that was in the shape of a boat....of the correct dimensions....could very well be it. We will have to wait for more scientific evidence....but right now it is looking pretty good.Colonel James Irwin had heart issues while on the Apollo 15 mission. A lack of sleep and heavy physical work showed up on his heart monitor back in Houston. The doctor said that if he was on earth he would be in ICU....but the 100% oxygen atmosphere and zero G in space was as good as being in ICU. James Irwin died of a heart attack at sixty-one years old....after heartily declaring the glories of God in what was the remaining years of his life.
I was this morning listening to a sermon by Jonathan Edwards....and in that sermon....the title of which was....The Manner in Which the Salvation of the Soul is to be Sought....he spoke at length about Noah. His message could have been to James Irwin....being a follower of Christ is going to cost you all you have...bring to you great ridicule,....and take you through the end of your life.
We have lost today the gravitas that is demanded of the disciple of Christ. The gospel seems to be but a part of who we are. We seem to have lost the concept of the holiness of God....and the glory of God has certainly departed the sanctuary.
