Conversion

The world was shocked when popular NBC newsman, David Bloom, died while covering the Iraq war. Some thought if he died it would be from hostile fire, but he died from a pulmonary embolism. Bloom had been a White House correspondent and popular host of the "Weekend Today Show" before he volunteered to be an imbedded reporter. What a lot of people didn't know is that David had experienced a spiritual Awakening before leaving for the war. A friend would call him daily and they would share devotionals with each other from Oswald Chamber's, My Utmost for His Highest. Moments after sharing his morning devotional, Bloom collapsed and died. What was most touching was the last message he wrote to his wife. No doubt recognizing the risks he was facing Bloom wrote, "When the moment comes in my life when you are talking about my last day, I am determined that you and others will say, 'He was devoted to his wife and children; he was admired; he gave every ounce of his being for those whom he cared most about — not himself, but God and his family.'"

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J. Michael Shannon is professor of preaching at Cincinnati Bible College in Cincinnati, OH.