Megan and I were blessed to spend the last week with my mom and Kathy (Megan's mom) was able to come up and visit this weekend as well. It was so good to spend some time with them, talking about life, praying for people and discussing the greatness of God and what He has done in our lives. Many of you know that there is nothing harder for me about leaving the states to serve God overseas than to leave my mother here. This week just affirmed that. Jesus said, "Everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name's sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life." Matt 19:29. That is the promise I cling to. I want eternal life and I want others to have it as well. I have been wrestling with the fact that the apostle Paul was willing to give up even his own salvation from his sins so that the Israelites could inherit it. It wasn't possible because it is only by faith in Christ that we are saved from our sin. It absolutely blows me away that a guy that understands the worth of Christ so much more than I do, was willing to give up his salvation even though he loved God more than his own life. The only thing I could come up with is that Paul is a lot more like Jesus than I am. Jesus was willing to lay it all down for sinners. Thank you Jesus! I have committed so many horrible sins against you and others in this life. For you to be so perfect and love such an awful man like me makes it all worth it. I love you mom....so much....yet Jesus is worth it. Somebody dies every couple seconds and the stats aren't good for them.
People that read this blog and love Christ, pray for the nations...earnestly pray. Don't give up on your neighbors, co-workers, family members, Iraq, Osama Bin Ladin, Israel, the grocer, banker, pastors, your doctor and the other thousands that you come in contact with. Paul said, "Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory." That is what it looks like to not give up. Oh may our hearts break for the lost the way Christs did when he came into Jerusalem. More than that, may we be willing to do something about it.
A Little About Airplanes
Well it has been a couple weeks so I figured I ought to update everyone. School has been awesome. There is so much information about regulations and requirements that the aviation industry becomes very complex. Planes on the other hand are very simple. A car has more technology built into a power seat with memory control than a plane may ever see. They are built very simple. There is much room for improvement but plane manufacturers don't want to take the risk and carry an ounce more of liability than they have to since America is so sue happy. "If it works, why fix it," is the most common phrase I hear when I suggest that there may be a better way to do things.
On Thursday, our class weighed a single engine Cessna 172 which is a four seater. It was interesting to see that my tool box weighs at least twice as much as that plane. Last week, we were moving a 152 two seater and needed to move the plane over a couple of feet so I just picked up the back end of the plane and moved it over. How's that make you feel about flying in a small plane? As incredibly light as it may be, the plane is very durable. Again, the regulation is brutal. The FAA is so stringent that I couldn't change oil without a certification. Every incorrect diagnosis or repair no matter how simple or complex, has major consequences. So there is little to no room for error. The scary thing is, I am not perfect. No matter how hard I try, I will make mistakes. Thank God for His grace. I will need it if I will be spending a great amount of my time repairing the planes that carry the precious servants of God to tell people of His greatness.
More to come as it comes.
On Thursday, our class weighed a single engine Cessna 172 which is a four seater. It was interesting to see that my tool box weighs at least twice as much as that plane. Last week, we were moving a 152 two seater and needed to move the plane over a couple of feet so I just picked up the back end of the plane and moved it over. How's that make you feel about flying in a small plane? As incredibly light as it may be, the plane is very durable. Again, the regulation is brutal. The FAA is so stringent that I couldn't change oil without a certification. Every incorrect diagnosis or repair no matter how simple or complex, has major consequences. So there is little to no room for error. The scary thing is, I am not perfect. No matter how hard I try, I will make mistakes. Thank God for His grace. I will need it if I will be spending a great amount of my time repairing the planes that carry the precious servants of God to tell people of His greatness.
More to come as it comes.
Weekend
This weekend, Megan, Catelyn and I had an opportunity to visit Columbus. For all of you that we had the chance to visit with, thank you for your love. We were so blessed to come down there and see so many people that we love. Our hearts are filled with excitement for Cornerstone. In fact, I couldn't sleep last night because I couldn't stop thinking about and praying for you all. To see so many new faces and see the war room was very encouraging. Know that we will be praying for the faithfulness and ministry of Cornerstone Church. God is good and He alone brings joy to the soul. May we bring Him the glory due His name.
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