Stephen Bailey, (Associate minister at Lake Cities) opened the door to some interesting thoughts Sunday. He talked about when our childhood dreams come face to face with reality.
How do we react as the dawn breaks exposing how the dream we had since childhood is not going to come to fruition. We can become despondent and depressed. Making life miserable for ourselves an all those around us.
Or.
We can realize that the creator of the world has a plan. How we fit into His plan can be rather remarkable. Being ready to be used by God takes preparaton. Spend time in the Word and in prayer.
Have an excellent New Year!
Blessings
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Old Dog - New Tricks
Many of you know, I have been training the last half of this year on a new aircraft, a Boeing 757. After several years on the 727, this old dog is learning some new tricks. Going from a three member crew to a two man operation requires the use of some reformatting of how things get done. More automation, allowing us to spend less time with systems and more time on flying.
In addition, I am a first officer again. But, I am flying with a great captain who was my first officer on the 727 a couple of years ago, (It pays to be nice to people under you...never know when they might become your boss).
God continues to bless me in so many ways, to Him be Glory and Honor!
Look for a way God has blessed you today.
Blessings!
In addition, I am a first officer again. But, I am flying with a great captain who was my first officer on the 727 a couple of years ago, (It pays to be nice to people under you...never know when they might become your boss).
God continues to bless me in so many ways, to Him be Glory and Honor!
Look for a way God has blessed you today.
Blessings!
Monday, December 3, 2007
Ready for today?
As you can tell from my photo I am a pilot. Have been for about 30 years.
One truth in flying is no two flights are the same.
This can be both good and bad. Good because you have to be prepared for the contingencies of the next flight. Bad because you never know what contingencies the next flight will bring.
The same can be said of life. So how do we prepare for the contingencies?
Here are three ways to prepare for each day.
1. Open your Bible. Yes, check out the owners manual. Just basic reading to gain knowledge and understanding of ourselves and God.
2. Open your hands. We often clench our fists – either to hang onto something ‘precious’ or to hit something. Neither are usually beneficial. And, when our hands are squeezed tight, there is little room for God to place anything in them.
3. Open your heart. Others benefit from our generous spirit. Not necessarily money. Give your talents, time, trust. Giving to others provides opportunity to have a positive factor in another’s life.
More to come…
Blessings
One truth in flying is no two flights are the same.
This can be both good and bad. Good because you have to be prepared for the contingencies of the next flight. Bad because you never know what contingencies the next flight will bring.
The same can be said of life. So how do we prepare for the contingencies?
Here are three ways to prepare for each day.
1. Open your Bible. Yes, check out the owners manual. Just basic reading to gain knowledge and understanding of ourselves and God.
2. Open your hands. We often clench our fists – either to hang onto something ‘precious’ or to hit something. Neither are usually beneficial. And, when our hands are squeezed tight, there is little room for God to place anything in them.
3. Open your heart. Others benefit from our generous spirit. Not necessarily money. Give your talents, time, trust. Giving to others provides opportunity to have a positive factor in another’s life.
More to come…
Blessings
Monday, November 26, 2007
Thanks
Who did you remember in your 'Thanks' giving?
Yes, it is important to give thanks for the food and stuff we have. And, it is imperative we give thanks for the people in our lives. Moms, dads, sisters, brothers.....and our mentors. People who have given of themselves so we might benefit. Letting them know how they affected our lives is gratifying for them and a reminder for us, we all need help and to help.
Of course the original giver should be the recipient of thank you upon thank you. God gave the breath of life to start it all,
and the gift of his sacrificed Son for eternal life to end it all.
Give Thanks!
Yes, it is important to give thanks for the food and stuff we have. And, it is imperative we give thanks for the people in our lives. Moms, dads, sisters, brothers.....and our mentors. People who have given of themselves so we might benefit. Letting them know how they affected our lives is gratifying for them and a reminder for us, we all need help and to help.
Of course the original giver should be the recipient of thank you upon thank you. God gave the breath of life to start it all,
and the gift of his sacrificed Son for eternal life to end it all.
Give Thanks!
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Confidence
Where does it come from? How do we develop it?
We all second guess ourselves. When second-guessing begins, the mind wraps up in itself - rather than solving life’s conundrums. Getting yourself out of the picture is key. Narrow the view to tasks at hand and priortize them into controllable steps, creating a ‘can do’ atmosphere.
Doing well in a recent predicament can open the door for your confidence. Sometimes a mentor may lay the ground work for a healthy dose of it. Or, a simple comment from a collegue can provide the stepping stone. Knowing that God is in control and is able to use you and your efforts to bless others should move your confidence level up a notch.
Understanding you are capable, able to meet and conquer challenges, allows you to know you can handle situations as they arise, and gets rid of the panic riddled ‘what am I going to do now?’ feeling.
Young, old, or inbetween, having confidence allows us to excel. Even with confidence we may suprise ourselves when we go beyond our own expectations.
Blessings of Confidence
We all second guess ourselves. When second-guessing begins, the mind wraps up in itself - rather than solving life’s conundrums. Getting yourself out of the picture is key. Narrow the view to tasks at hand and priortize them into controllable steps, creating a ‘can do’ atmosphere.
Doing well in a recent predicament can open the door for your confidence. Sometimes a mentor may lay the ground work for a healthy dose of it. Or, a simple comment from a collegue can provide the stepping stone. Knowing that God is in control and is able to use you and your efforts to bless others should move your confidence level up a notch.
Understanding you are capable, able to meet and conquer challenges, allows you to know you can handle situations as they arise, and gets rid of the panic riddled ‘what am I going to do now?’ feeling.
Young, old, or inbetween, having confidence allows us to excel. Even with confidence we may suprise ourselves when we go beyond our own expectations.
Blessings of Confidence
Monday, October 29, 2007
Togetherness
Do you want to get close to someone?
Spend some time together in the dirt. Two people making a hole in the ground. Planting seeds and plants that bring the promise of beauty and shelter. Even the dreaded 'weeding' can be a time of quiet togetherness.
When you are in the dirt, change the subject from the weather or work. Talk about something interesting such as 'How many days was Noah in the ark?', or 'Why did Jesus put the ear back on the servant of the high priest?', or 'Why did Herod get eaten by worms and die?
Get the conversation centered on God and be surprised by how well you get to know your fellow human being beside you.
Blessings
Spend some time together in the dirt. Two people making a hole in the ground. Planting seeds and plants that bring the promise of beauty and shelter. Even the dreaded 'weeding' can be a time of quiet togetherness.
When you are in the dirt, change the subject from the weather or work. Talk about something interesting such as 'How many days was Noah in the ark?', or 'Why did Jesus put the ear back on the servant of the high priest?', or 'Why did Herod get eaten by worms and die?
Get the conversation centered on God and be surprised by how well you get to know your fellow human being beside you.
Blessings
Monday, October 22, 2007
Montreal - Warm & Peaceful
Today Montreal is basking in an unusually toasty fall day. The date is Oct 22 and it is 77 degrees, soft warm sunshine and barely a breath of breeze. Strolling by the river near city center was almost uncomfortably warm. Definitely not the chilling cold fall I was expecting. The foliage is arrayed in a full gamut of fall splendor.
French is preferred and English is definitely second language here. It is fun to attempt ordering food without asking or checking the English version. (I am pretty good at most menu items.)
Observing folks along Rene Levesque, the street by the hotel, most people fall into a French European stereotypical appearance. Smoking is very commonplace among all ages. Few acknowledged greetings on the sidewalk, and eye contact was only occasional. Maybe that is the european influence or, perhaps just surviving a big city.
This was my peaceful and restful day in Montreal... May yours be the same.
Blessings.
French is preferred and English is definitely second language here. It is fun to attempt ordering food without asking or checking the English version. (I am pretty good at most menu items.)
Observing folks along Rene Levesque, the street by the hotel, most people fall into a French European stereotypical appearance. Smoking is very commonplace among all ages. Few acknowledged greetings on the sidewalk, and eye contact was only occasional. Maybe that is the european influence or, perhaps just surviving a big city.
This was my peaceful and restful day in Montreal... May yours be the same.
Blessings.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Hope
That stirring from deep within, brightening the horizon, sometimes just a thin thread - yet there it is a ray of light shining through the darkness.
Watching the movie, 'Joan of Arc' brought to mind how hope can create a determination in people who have been downtrodden.
When you feel overloaded - downtrodden and need a ray of hope, remember we have been given a hope from God. Take hold of it and claim it as a gift to you. Live life with the light of hope illuminating your path as you work your way out from under your heavy load.
Blessings
Watching the movie, 'Joan of Arc' brought to mind how hope can create a determination in people who have been downtrodden.
When you feel overloaded - downtrodden and need a ray of hope, remember we have been given a hope from God. Take hold of it and claim it as a gift to you. Live life with the light of hope illuminating your path as you work your way out from under your heavy load.
Blessings
Sunday, October 7, 2007
Decisions, Decisions, Decisions
How many decisions did I make today? Well, I didn’t decide to breathe, that one was taken care of for me. What time to get up? Whether to get up when that time came? Which socks, shirt, the whole clothing thing? What to read this morning? How much quiet time today? Whew! I am not even out of bed yet.
What do we use to make our decisions in life? Peer pressure? Culture? Belief system? Concience? Gut feelings? Some decisions are no-brainers, not worth agonizing over. Others are those gut renching, lost sleep, deep-deep prayer kind of decisions.
Whatever decisions you have to face today, I pray you decide to be a Christian in all that you choose.
God bless you today!
What do we use to make our decisions in life? Peer pressure? Culture? Belief system? Concience? Gut feelings? Some decisions are no-brainers, not worth agonizing over. Others are those gut renching, lost sleep, deep-deep prayer kind of decisions.
Whatever decisions you have to face today, I pray you decide to be a Christian in all that you choose.
God bless you today!
Thursday, September 20, 2007
The Original
Life often moves in waves. The last few months we have been working our way up the wave. Guess what that means...the crest of the wave is just up there. The challenges are good for us, James informs us we build endurance from them. So, you see I am not feeling down. No, I am finding joy - not giddines, just good ole deep down joy.
God is in control.
Jesus is our salvation.
We know how the story ends.
Blessings to you.
God is in control.
Jesus is our salvation.
We know how the story ends.
Blessings to you.
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