It’s been ten years since an incident involving US Airways Flight 1549 was called “Miracle on the Hudson.”
“On January 15, 2009, US Airways Captain Chesley ‘Sully’ Sullenberger became an overnight hero when he and his crew safely ditched a commercial airliner in the freezing waters of the Hudson River after an unlucky encounter with a flock of geese. All 155 passengers and crew aboard survived….” (Conde’ Naste Traveler)
It’s been the subject of countless news stories, books, and a Clint Eastwood movie, “Sully,” starring Tom Hanks and Aaron Eckhart, and is still remembered by many of us. True stories with life-and-death drama and real-life heroes usually are memorable.
Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger and first officer Jeffrey Skiles had precious few seconds to plan and execute a safe landing of the plane. A portion of the Hudson River between Manhattan and New Jersey was quickly deemed the best choice for an emergency landing. Miraculously all on board survived (with only five serious injuries).
“What’s remarkable is how quickly everything happened, especially given the outcome. Two minutes after taking off from LaGuardia airport, the plane ran into the flock of Canada geese. The birds hit both engines, creating the near total loss of thrust…. The plane was just 2,800 feet up and nowhere near its cruising speed — meaning the pilots had, maximum, a few minutes to find a safe path to the ground.
That left the river below them, which was in fact a rather fine choice. That part of the Hudson is about 4,000 feet wide, so the pilots didn’t have to come down perfectly parallel to the waterway like they would on a 150-foot-wide runway. It’s a whole lot longer, too, so they wouldn’t have to worry about overrunning it if they came down too late. And while water’s not as smooth as a paved runway, it’s an acceptable place to touch down in a pinch.”
(Alex Davies, “Wired”)
“The NTSB concludes that the captain’s decision to ditch on the Hudson River rather than attempting to land at an airport provided the highest probability that the accident would be survivable.”
I have hope when heroes like “Sully” Sullenberger and Skiles are identified. They did their best that could be done, and lives were saved. It’s been called a miracle, and I agree. I think it was a beautiful and providential pairing: divine assistance with two people ready to participate in the miraculous during a fleeting moment in time.
Surely survivors were thankful, and they may live with more hope than before they experienced the miracle up close and personal. Considering how a seemingly ordinary event on an ordinary day with ordinary people can in seconds turn into an extraordinary need for a miracle, I’ll try to live in hope and will continue to pray.
I’ll place my hope in Sovereign God as my pilot and pray for a miracle. Then if I survive may I be faithful to abide in the Creator and Sustainer of life. If I don’t survive, then He’ll take me home, and either way it’s a win for me.
“The LORD has established His throne in the heavens, and His sovereignty rules over all.”
(Psalm 103:19)
“The Spirit of God has made me, and the Almighty gives me life.” (Job 33: 4)
“Yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from Whom are all things, and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by Whom are all things, and we exist through Him.”
(I Corinthians 8: 6)
“He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.”
(Colossians 1: 17)
It gives comfort and hope to trust promises from Creator God. One such comforting and hopeful promise was proclaimed by the Prophet Isaiah of Old Testament times. I especially like Isaiah 40: 31, the verse that provides a visual for my mind’s eye.
“Do you not know? Have you not heard?
The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power. Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly, Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired,
they will walk and not become weary.”
(Isaiah 40: 28 – 31)
Our Great God helps the helpless, gives hope to the hopeless, and strengthens the weak. His promises give comfort as well as hope. They are true for all believers whether young, adult, or even mature Christians. His promises give hope even when we are weary. Notice I said when not if.
Eagles are majestic creatures especially in flight. I remember the first time I saw an eagle in nature. I watched in awe as it flew directly overhead. The experience was memorable, and the word that came to my mind at the time was “majestic.”
Since then my family has visited viewing sites where eagles nest during the winter. We’ve observed them in their nests on rocky cliffs, sweeping down to catch fish from a lake, and soaring majestically on air currents.
Have you considered that eagles are designed with characteristics that allow them to do what they do? They are known for their exceptional vision and keen ability to focus long distances. In fact an eagle may have the sharpest vision of any bird. Also eagles alone have the distinction of flying at the highest altitudes.
Eagles are designed with very long and large wings. Their wings are long and wide to bear their own body weight and additionally the weight of fish they catch and carry with their sharp and powerful talons.
According to scientists who studied eagles, Jon Gerrard and Gary Bortolotti, “Eagles are capable of sustained flapping flight, but they usually spend little time doing it.”
One eagle observed intensively in flight averaged less than 2 minutes per hour flapping. It’s understandable considering the large expenditure of energy required by the pectoral and supracoracoid muscles to power their huge wings. The energy needed to maintain a bird in soaring or gliding flight is much less (perhaps a 20th or even less) than the power needed for flapping. Eagles always choose to soar or glide when possible.
“That is why when eagles are flying long distances, especially on migration, they often soar on thermals until they reach a great altitude, and then use the gliding/soaring method of flying to cover the longest distance using the smallest amount of energy.”
(Journey North, University of Wisconsin – Madison)
Just like the air currents provided for eagles that allow them to soar high and majestically, our God provides that which is needed for us to soar above the mundane and negative constraints of life. We may soar into abundant living when we appropriate the gifts and provisions that God wants to give us. How much we miss when we depend on our own power and fly (or fall) in our own strength (or weakness)!
I believe God designed us to soar high like eagles. He is like the thermals on which we soar highest as we rest in Him and depend on Him. He is the power to gain new strength and not become weary. Let’s trust Him, rely on His promises, find hope, then get ready to soar like eagles!
“Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired,
they will walk and not become weary.” (Isaiah 40: 31)
It has been called “the greatest verse in the Bible.” If you are familiar with Scriptures then you may quickly think I refer to John 3:16. You’re right.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
Now let’s look at this verse more closely part by part as a way to study it. This is a suggestion from “How to Study the Bible” included in The Open Bible (Thomas Nelson Publishers).
(FOR) GOD — the greatest person;
SO LOVED — the greatest devotion;
THE WORLD — the greatest number;
(THAT) HE GAVE — the greatest act;
HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON — the greatest gift;
THAT WHOEVER BELIEVES (IN HIM) — the greatest condition;
SHALL NOT PERISH — the greatest mercy;
(BUT) HAVE ETERNAL LIFE —
the greatest result.
There definitely are great ideas revealed in this one verse. John 3:16 is likely the one verse best known by the most people. It is even more important to be known in the heart than in the head only. Do you understand the difference?
Of course, if we have opportunities to read… study… learn… meditate on additional verses then we should and will benefit. John 3:16 is a great verse with which to start.
It’s rich in its message. It’s deep in meaning. It’s great in its life-changing revelation. It’s a source of hope. May we learn it. May it lead us toward a lifelong love of the Word of God and of the God of the Word.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world but that the world should be saved through Him.” (John 3:16, 17)
“All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16, 17)
Veterans Day is an important time to honor and celebrate our veterans’ sacrifices, honorable deeds, and acts of service. Thank you, Veterans!
Today I recommend an unforgettable book I discovered approximately 20 years ago that is worthy to be read again and again. From this powerful book we learn about ordinary humans who performed extraordinary deeds. I think reading it is a perfect way to commemorate Veterans Day.
BEYOND THE MEDAL by Peter C. Lemon is a compilation of true stories by Congressional Medal of Honor recipients in their own words. Their stories, full of hope and inspiration, are by real people whose real situations compelled them to act heroically. Their choices and actions resulted in their receiving America’s highest honor.
Lemon’s book gives us opportunity to ponder the dependency on God by so many of the recipients who credit Him with giving them strength for the task. That gives me hope that God guides and provides even in the darkest situations.
In today’s world of superficial heroes I find hope in knowing our nation has produced worthy examples to honor. BEYOND THE MEDAL offers more than 90 such heroes, of which author Peter Lemon is one. Thanks again, Veterans.
During the last century sounds so long ago, but today’s blog post comes from a time more than three decades ago. However it is said it still seems a long time ago, but the message is timeless.
My family knew an old retired pastor, B. John Trantham, who loved God and sharing the gospel of hope in Christ. He did those things well with the helper God had given him when he was a young man, the sweet and (in my memories) always smiling Mrs. Trantham.
Even at an advanced age this Christian brother still had powerful thoughts and messages to share. I remember one in particular that he called Fourfold Foundation of Faith. It neatly presents John 3:16, a summary of the gospel of Jesus Christ. If any one verse could be the foundation of Christian faith, then surely it could be this one.
John 3:16 offers four important aspects: God’s Love, God’s Gift, God’s Gracious Condition, and God’s Great Salvation. This Bible verse says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
“For God so loved the world” presents the first foundation part of GOD’S LOVE. “That He gave His only begotten Son” shows the second foundation part of GOD’S GIFT. “That whoever believes in Him” is the third foundation part of GOD’S GRACIOUS CONDITION. “Shall not perish but have eternal life” offers the fourth foundation part of GOD’S GREAT SALVATION.
Together these four aspects of faith are one firm foundation upon which the Christian faith can be built. Together they explain enough of the gospel for one who believes to know the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
One doesn’t have to know it as Fourfold Foundation of Faith. Know that trusting John 3:16 as the foundation of faith makes an eternal difference. Ponder that verse, and trust God’s Love, Gift, Gracious Condition, and Great Salvation. Do it today!
Michael Cochren of Cochren & Company is a singer, songwriter, and worship leader. It’s been said that his music represents hope, grace, and second chances.
One of his songs speaks to those who are in a common place. It’s a place from where they need to return… to church. If these lyrics don’t speak to you, then they may to your brother, sister, or neighbor. Make the opportunity to share it.
If you’re not in church, then I pray Cochren’s song will lead you there whether for the first time or the first time in a long time. You may find it’s right where you belong!
Listen to “Church (Take Me Back)” by Michael Cochren, Bryan Fowler, and Micah Kuiper. Lyrics are included below.
See ya in church!
CHURCH (TAKE ME BACK)
There was a time that I swore I would never go back.
I was blind to the truth; didn’t know what I had.
I was running, I was searching,
But every place I turned for healing
Left me more broken than the last.
Take me back
To the place that feels like home
To the people I can depend on
To the faith that’s in my bones.
Take me back
To a preacher and a verse,
Where they’ve seen me at my worst
To the love I had at first.
Oh, I want to go to church.
Tried to walk on my own, but I wound up lost. Now I’m making my way to the foot of the cross.
It’s not a trophy for the winners.
It’s a shelter for the sinners,
And it’s right where I belong.
Take me back
To the place that feels like home
To the people I can depend on
To the faith that’s in my bones.
Take me back
To a preacher and a verse
Where they’ve seen me at my worst
To the love I had at first.
Oh, I want to go to church.
I want to go to church.
Oh, more than an obligation,
It’s our foundation,
The family of God.
I know it’s hard,
But we need each other.
We’re sisters and brothers.
Oh, take me back
To the place that feels like home
To the people I can depend on
To the faith that’s in my bones.
Take me back
To a preacher and a verse
Where they’ve seen me at my worst
To the love I had at first.
Oh, I want to go to church.
Yeah, I want to go to church.
Oh, I want to go, want to go, I want to go.
Oh, I want to go to church.
Oh, I want to go to church.
(Cochren, Fowler, Kuiper)
“And let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:24, 25)
“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity!” (Psalm 133:1)
Although the percentage of people identifying themselves as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender is relatively low (according to Gallup Poll), they receive frequent press in both positive and negative ways. It is a sensitive topic to consider since many of us are impacted by at least one LGBT individual that we know, love, or identify with.
I think most Christian believers agree with a biblical view of sexuality. Brian Hobbs, Editor of “The Baptist Messenger,” wrote that it’s important that Christians are prepared “to uphold biblical sexuality but also minister with the Gospel.” *
Hobbs recently interviewed Laura Perry of Oklahoma, who lived almost 10 years as a transgender male before becoming a born-again Christian. You may go to www.baptistmessenger.com to hear that interview.
Laura also shares her story of redemption in her new book, TRANSGENDER to TRANSFORMED. She shares her past struggles and confusion, and she admits she did not find peace in the transgender life. What Laura did find was that only Christ brought her peace.
Laura shares that while her parents did not compromise biblical teaching, they maintained a loving attitude toward her. By sharing God’s grace and truth, Laura’s family was an example of Jesus Christ, Who is “full of grace and truth.” **
Her parents’ attitude helped make it easier for Laura to choose new life in Christ and freedom from the transgender lifestyle. When Laura came to Christ she came spiritually and physically and found the Peace she had been looking for all along.
If you are tempted to think that I’m a hater, notice I’m only sharing what the Bible says and sharing a real person’s transformation experience. Laura’s conversion brought her real peace and a healthier lifestyle (according to statistics). Where’s the hate in that?
God offers redemption in Christ for all, because He loves and not because He hates. I write this blog post not condemning but confessing I am “a sinner saved by grace.” ***
I find great hope in God’s power to transform any of us when we come to Him just as we are.
* The Gospel is the good news in the Bible that tells of our Hope in Jesus Christ that saves souls and transforms lives.
** “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)
*** “Sinner Saved by Grace” (lyrics by Gloria Gaither; music by William Gaither and Mitch Humphries).
“You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination.” (Leviticus 18:22)
“Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolators, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals.” (1 Corinthians 6:9)
“Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)
Bella, Ciao! Buon Compleanno! Ti Amo! Abbi Sempre Speranza! Ciao, Bella Bella!!!
You may think it’s rare to see a hopeful event in our world especially in the political realm. When it does happen, I want to be thankful and be hopeful. Maybe you, too, will respond with thankfulness and hope. Today I’m glad to share the following info.
Last month US President Trump took a stand at the United Nations to promote an initiative to protect workplace religious freedom.
“This initiative will encourage the private sector to protect people of all faiths…. True tolerance means respecting the right if all people to express their deeply held religious beliefs,” said Trump.
He shared statistics of less than 20% of people in the world live in countries with religious freedom. He also pledged funds to protect religious sites and relics from criminal attacks.
Trump also declared, “These evil attacks are a wound on all humanity. We must all work together to protect communities of every faith…. Today with one clear voice the United States of America calls upon the nations of the world to end religious persecution; to stop the crimes against people of faith; release prisoners of conscience; repeal laws restricting freedom of religion and belief; protect the vulnerable, the defenseless, and the oppressed. America stands with believers in every country who ask only for the freedom to live according to the faith that is within their own hearts.”
It gives me hope that religious liberty is a priority for this President. I think these initiatives are worthy of his time and attention. May other nations follow his urging to increase prosecution and punishment of crimes against religious communities.
May we remember to pray for those in power who can lead us toward unity and peace.
“First of all then I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority on order that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior.”
(1 Timothy 2: 1-3)
“Do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:21)
You may know the poem entitled “FOOTPRINTS IN THE SAND.” It is beloved by many and has offered hope during past decades. It likely inspired the song, “FOOTPRINTS IN THE SAND.”
Whether I hear the poem, sing the song, or read Scriptures that remind me that I have a comforting Presence with me always, I find that His footprints fill me with hope. May they do the same for you.
FOOTPRINTS IN THE SAND (the poem):
“One night a man had a dream…. He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the LORD. Across the sky flashed scenes from his life. For each scene he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand: one belonging to him and the other to the LORD.
When the last scene of his life flashed before him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that many times along the path of his life there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times in his life.
This really bothered him and he questioned the LORD about it: ‘LORD, You said that once I decided to follow You, You’d walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life, there is only one set of footprints. I don’t understand why when I needed You most You would leave me.’
The LORD replied: ‘My son, My precious child, I love you, and I would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you.'”
(Author Unknown)
Even if His footprints are unseen, His presence is felt, and it gives me hope to trust in the Omnipresence of One Who never leaves nor forsakes me. He is also omnipotent (all-powerful) and omniscient (all-knowing), so I can totally rest in Him and trust His unfailing grace to carry me through life’s greatest difficulties.
I think the FOOTPRINTS poet understood this truth well and expressed it beautifully. Because of my own experiences I can add a sincere “Amen.”
“Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen.” (Psalm 77:19)
