I even amaze myself at how many ways I can procrastinate when a task needs to be done.

This afternoon, a writing project is on the agenda.  I have established a command post on the dining table and reference papers are stacked and ready.  Supper is done as is the laundry.

But - just before I commence writing, an internet-itch yearns for a quick scratch.

After blasting through some of my standard domestic news sites, I look across the pond to the  bbc.co.uk site.  This reminds me of when I used to live in England - which reminds me of when we arrived in London seven years ago this week- which reminds me of visiting All Souls Church, which is right beside the BBC headquarters.  Since I hadn't looked at the All Soul's web-site in some time, I decide to take a quick glance.  A few clicks away, I came across a tribute to John Stott by the current rector, Hugh Palmer.

After reading the  first paragraph, I was in tears.

I knew that John Stott,at the ripe old age of 90, passed away this summer.  What touched me was the description of his home-going.

He was surrounded by family and a number of good friends....They were reading the Scriptures and listening to Handel's Messiah when he peacefully went to be with his Lord and Saviour.

Who wouldn't want such a send off? 

Although his books sold in the millions, John Stott lived humbly in a tiny two room apartment. Though it was burgled a few times, nothing was taken because, "in reality, there was nothing to steal."  The untold book royalties went toward training church leaders in developing countries.  (See johnstottministries.org for details.)

Others have recorded his writings, sermons, controversies, and global impact. Wikipedia gives a nice summary of his work.

 I will end with a brief recollection of my "close encounter" with him in November 2004.  The All Souls church bulletin advertised a lecture on how to share Christ with members of the New Age community.  As the speaker discussed setting up prayer stalls at festivals and using Tarot cards to present the gospel, I became aware of a group of late-comers, making their way down the row behind me.  I turned around and saw several gentlemen including John Stott.  I suppressed my urge to make a disturbance by speaking to him and continued listening to the lecture, thinking all along, "You know, as smart and talented and blessed as John Stott is, he has no idea that he is sitting behind me."

Hope you have a chance to read about this good and faithful servant who apparently was disciplined enough that procrastination was never a problem.