Random thoughts on the Space Program

My wife loves the movie Apollo 13.  We have seen it many times through the years and it never stops inspiring us.  Ok, we know how it ends and yet we sit at the edge of our seats as we watch the events re-enacted.  We are there with the brave men in space.  We are there with the brilliant engineers on land.  We are there with the family as they agonize over what is taking place in front of the nation. 

The movie captivates us because it brings out the best in everyone.  The reason I'm reflecting on this now is that I pray our nation is not "Melting into Mediocrity."  Have we stopped dreaming of greatness.  According to http://www.jfklibrary.org/ "In 1961 President Kennedy understood the need to restore America's confidence and intended not merely to match the Soviets,[who had just launched Sputnik] but surpass them. On May 25, 1961, he stood before Congress to deliver a special message on "urgent national needs." He asked for an additional $7 billion to $9 billion over the next five years for the space program, proclaiming that "this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before the decade is out, of landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to the earth." 

Although I wasn't born at the time I can hear the skeptics now because Mediocrity by nature doesn't change. "There are more important things in which to spend the money."  Or the oft repeated, "It can't be done."  Yet because of this dream of rising above mediocrity, less than a year later, John Glenn (from Ohio!) orbited the earth.  "Glenn's success helped inspire the great army of people working to reach the Moon. Medical researchers, engineers, test pilots, machinists, factory workers, businessmen, and industrialists from across the country worked together to achieve this goal."

On July 20, 1969, the Apollo 11 astronauts—Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins, and Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin Jr.—realized President Kennedy's dream.

I know things are different now.  But I have to ask, Where are the dreamers?  Have the needs of today so burdened us we cannot dream of the impossible.  Have we, have I, melted into mediocrity?  I want to spend more time dreaming.  Then I want to inspire others to dream.  It costs nothing to dream, it costs everything not to. 

What a Week!!

We live in South Jersey.  It is different than what most people think of Jersey.  Those outside the "Garden State" only know North Jersey.  We live in South Jersey and are proud of it!  We have small towns, farms, people who have lived in the same town their whole lives, (I say that in a good way) and friends who have known each other for years.  It is a great place to live and raise a family.  

What we don't have is EARTHQUAKES!  That is until last week.  Where were you when the ground shook?   But, by the end of the week that too was old news because we then had a HURRICANE with a TORNADO that touched down in a neighboring town.  Now we have people who had to evacuate and others who basements are flooded.  Some are still without electric and normal routes of travel are roadblocked and detoured.  What a Week!!

It will be nice to be back to normal, whatever that means.  Our prayers go out to those who are still suffering the consequences of this past week.  An old song I love has been coming to mind this week.

Through it, through it all, I've learned to trust in Jesus, I've learned to Trust in God, Through it all, Through it all, I've learned to depend upon His Word.    

An even older song says,

On Christ the Solid Rock I stand all other ground is sinking sand, all other ground is sinking sand!  

The storms come to everyone.  The difference is in the foundation.  What A Week to trust in God!

VBS at MAG

Last week we had our Annual VBS .  VBS can conjure all sorts of ideas and memories.  When I was growing up, our church had Kids Crusades.  They were large meetings with kids of all ages in one large room.  It was more of a church service for kids.  I remember them as good times with games and prizes, mostly what I remember is the memory verses we were taught.  Of course we learned John 3:16 - For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believes in him shall never perish but have everlasting life.   We memorized in the King James Version back then.  
But, the one verse that really sticks out was taught by a lady from my home town named Helen Holden, who taught us this verse.  John 3:3 Verily, Verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.
I have never forgotten that verse.  I recently taught through the Gospel of John and was reminded all over again of its importance.  We all MUST be Born Again. 
Here is another part of that story.  Years later I was either going or coming back from Bible School in my car and my parents were following  behind in their car.  I decided to pick up a hitch hiker.  Don't do that!  I was young!  I remember him as an older man, although at that point in my life I thought 45 was old.  We got talking and it turns out he was related to Helen Holden the Kids Crusade leader who taught me that verse.  I had the opportunity to share it with him, I gave him a Bible, prayed with him and parted ways.  I have no idea what ever happened to him but I was able by God's Grace to plant a seed in this man's life because of the seed that was planted in my life many years earlier.  You Must Be Born Again. 
Here is my point, to the leaders, teachers, helpers and all volunteers, you never know when seeds are planted how they will grow and be passed to others.  What the children and the adults learned this past week can produce fruit many years later.  
Great JOB!  Special shout out to all the youth who helped, incredible!!  Keep serving Jesus!  He is Worth It!!