Air Prayer

Just got back from an overnight camping trip with my family. What made this particular trip fun was that we camped in the front yard of some friends from church. What was particularly fun about camping in our friend’s front yard is the location of that yard. They live just up the hill from Mountain Ranch in the Sierra Nevada foothills, what’s known as gold country to the tourists. The views from their property are stunning. About 10 families fom showed up for the evening bonfire and then to camp overnight.

Dinner consisted of potato salad and hot dogs. Hot dogs were cooked by holding your dog over the flames with a stick or coat hanger. Of course the obligatory smores were served after dinner. The kids ran around in the dark playing capture the flag while the adults crept closer to the fire to keep the evening chill off and talked well into the evening.

The next morning I took a walk down to the lower portion of the property. It’s a grassy meadow strewn with rocks. I stumbled upon about 20 deer who slowly started ambling away after they noticed me. All those who had stayed were treated to a hearty breakfast cooked by our hosts. Pastries, muffins, home cooked biscuits with butter and honey, and a turkey and egg quiche. There was more than enough for everyone. Breakfast was eaten on our hosts deck overlooking the above meadow and looking up at the craggy bluffs above their home. The only sound was the chatter of the children and birds.

All this peace and quiet and all it cost was food for the potluck and gas to drive up to Mountain Ranch.  What this weekend did for my family was priceless.  An evening with some wonderful people, spending the night with my wife and children in a tent, listening to the birds in the morning.  Experiences that are absolutely priceless.  What a wonderful peaceful place. Thank you so much Dave and Jean for opening up your home to us this past weekend!

Up to visit the Indian Head.  This was also our camping spot:

THE, that’s right, THE Indian Head:

There is a certain peace I feel as I stride through the early morning air toward the hangar. There air is cool with just the faintest hint of sage and honeysuckle.  I can hear the sounds of early country morning all around me. A horse snorts through the grass just on the other side of the fence. Farther out in the pasture the cattle call to one another. The birds sing their joy in the sunrise of a new day. Maybe they, like I, look forward to a day when all will be new.

“For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; And the former things will not be remembered or come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create;”
Isaiah 65:17-18

The hangar doors yawn widely and allow the sun to reflect off the tiny aircraft waiting inside. I look at it and temper my pride with comparison to God’s handiwork.  Aircraft are only a cartoonish reflection of the creatures God created for flight. Their sleek lines and perfect symmetry have yet to be aptly duplicated by man. Nor do I suppose they ever will be. However, I am glad God has gifted man with flight and further blessed me with His generosity. I don’t even deserve to live much less enjoy such a wonderful gift as flight! Thank God for His mercy and generosity!

The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God,” They are corrupt, and have committed abominable injustice; There is no one who does good. God has looked down from heaven upon the sons of men To see if there is anyone who understands, Who seeks after God. Every one of them has turned aside; together they have become corrupt; There is no one who does good, not even one.
Psalms 53:1-3

My plane is ready and roars to life. I make my way to the end of the runway to perform my pre-flight checks. I radio my intention to leave the earth if only breifly. I hesitate for only a moment as I pull out onto the runway. I stare into an azure blue sky. The white clouds strewn about give this blue canvas texture and majesty. I gaze at the clouds hoping to see a sight I long for.
 
“Then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.”
Mark 13:26

I advance my throttle and my plane races forward to my skyward goal. As I am lifted into the air I enjoy a small taste of that joy that is to come. A small joy that only a chosen few enjoy in this day. A joy that all who are chosen will one day enjoy.

Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.
1 Thessalonians 4:17

And then I find myself suspended upon the breath of God. All around my pathetic little craft I hear the roaring wind…

And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.
Acts 2:2

Is it only the relative wind careening past me or is the Spirit of God surrounding me, holding me aloft by His very breath? The invisible holding up the visible.  Around me the clouds testify to the glory and majesty of God. Painted in hues of fire by the rising sun.

Now on the day that the tabernacle was erected the cloud covered the tabernacle, the tent of the testimony, and in the evening it was like the appearance of fire over the tabernacle, until morning. So it was continuously; the cloud would cover it by day, and the appearance of fire by night.
Numbers 9:15-16

The light laden clouds are only shadowy portals to my glorious future, chosen by God to gorify and enjoy Him forever. One day to pass through the clouds never again to set foot on earth until all things have been made new by our creator.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to {obtain} an inheritance {which is} imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
1 Peter 1:3-5

Amen! Come Lord Jesus!

A few months ago I authored a post on this site about the Flying Dutchman’s father whom I lovingly refer to as the man of sorrow. When I refer to him as the man of sorrow it is not meant to relate to Jesus being called a Man of Sorrows. I call him the man of sorrow because I can’t think of what else he could be called. What would you call a man who has studied and knows scripture yet doesn’t believe in God? What would you call a man who believes firmly in there being no life beyond this one nor indeed in any supreme deity at all?

I spoke to the man of sorrow today on the phone. He indicated that his wife’s great-grandchildren would be coming to live with them so that they would have a more moral environment to live in. They would be taking them to church and encouraging Bible study. There was a brief pause while the incredulous Dutchman pondered the gravity of this statement. I then asked him in as straight a voice as I could muster, “Uh… you’re not going to be leading that Bible study are you?”

For the first time in a while I heard genuine laughter from the man of sorrow. He then informed me with mock indignation in his voice that he remembered many subjects and facts from the Bible. “Name me one thing you remember from the Bible” the Dutchman countered.

The man of sorrow parried, “The sins of the father shall be visited upon the children…” Well, he got that one right. We had only one believing parent in our family, my beloved mother. In my family half believe, the other half just want to feel spiritual, whatever that means. The sins of the father have been visited on half the family, and at times on the other half in some fashion.

I took this opportunity to assure him that I would not attempt to convert him as my brother and sister-in-law had tried on their recent visit. He was very relieved. At this point the Dutchman decided to go for broke. I explained to him that he had helped me come to a realization about God’s plan for salvation of mankind. I proceeded to explain that God had elected certain people for belief in His Word and others for unbelief, that it was the only reasonable explanation that completely agreed with scripture that two intelligent men would have such opposite views on the belief in a supreme deity.

I would like to say I was shocked when he agreed with me. Unfortunately, I was not. He can’t fully comprehend the doctrine of election. Anyone who truly came to understand the doctrine of election and realize he was not in the elect would be the most sorrowful person on the planet. God in His mercy does not allow that to happen, at least I’ve never met the person. I explained to the man whom I will now call the agnostic Calivinist that this view was discussed at length by John Calvin and…

“Oh yeah, Calvin, he’s Methodist.” interrupted the agnostic Calvinist.

“Huh??” My thoughtful rejoinder.

“You know… John Calvin, he started the Methodist church.”

He may or may not know scripture but we’re definately going to have to work on church history.

Seems like I just took my BFR (Biennial Flight Review) but it’s already that time again.  Pilots are certificated to fly for as long as they are physically capable.  A pilot’s license isn’t a license at all but a certificate of “demonstrated ability.”  As such, we are required to demonstrate our ability to safely pilot an aircraft on an on-going basis.  For a pleasure flyer like myself it’s every two years.

Since I’m a cheap pleasure flyer I’m heading down to Fresno Chandler Airport (KFCH) for a free Wings seminar and free flight instruction both of which will satisfy my BFR requirement.  The Wings program is a series of free safety seminars sponsored by the FAA.  It promises to be a fun day that will help make me a safer pilot all around.

Here’s some information on Wings Weekend 2006.

*** UPDATE ***

The flight was a no-go because of weather.  Guess I’ll have to pay for my BFR like everyone else.

I may be witnessing the prayer being answered.  My manager has accepted a position in another city.  I am considered by many to be a good candidate for his soon to be open position.  I am by no means a shoe in but I do have previous management experience which is a plus. My manager leaves in two weeks.  It is most likely that the opening will be posted at that time.

I’ve been praying to God for ways to help me increase my giving ability.  I’ve been researching jobs,  looking into moving into smaller more affordable housing, even considering starting a new life in another state.  Doing any of that would be exciting but would it bring me the kind of joy I now have?  For the first time in my life, I actually work in the town in which I live.  I recognize people on the street that I’ve known for years.  I have a circle of friends.  Most important of all I’ve found a good church full of like-minded Christians who strive to be holy and encourage one another.  My gypsy life has never allowed me such joy.

I certainly could achieve my financial goals by moving or changing jobs.  However, God is wise beyond understanding.  He has placed the answer to my problems right in front of me.  As scripture states:

“The Lord is fighting for you! So be still!” Ex 14:14 God’s Word

So I think I’ll just stand still and see what God’s will for me is.