4/28/10
4/26/10
A Vapor That Leaves A Trail
As I looked into a perfectly cloudless sky, I was captured by the deepest, most perfect shade of blue. I tried to decide the hue it should be called....periwinkle, azure, iris, royal...yet it seemed too perfect to be anyone of these. I suddenly noticed two airplanes in the distance, both seemed to be soaring high but one looked much different than the other. One plane seemed to be gently gliding, leaving no streak or mark as it slowly moved across the sky. The other plane quickly drew my attention and left me agasp!! This plane reflected the light of the Sun and it appeared as though it was glimmering. Though it also seemed to be gliding ever so smoothly, it was climbing upward as though it sliced the sky in two! From behind the jet streamed two fluffy streaks that extended to the edge of the horizon. It seemed to hang frozen in mid-air. I watched this plane until it disappeared to... I’m not sure where. As I looked back to find a glimpse of the first plane, I could neither see where it went or where it had been. Looking into the sky, my mind raced in wonder as to what made one plane leave a trail yet the other never left a mark. I am always looking to compare seemingly simple facts to express my life in Christ, therefore, I came up with the following analogy:
The white clouds left behind an airplane is known as “contrails” or “vapor trails”. Exhaust from the aircraft emits moisture that is frozen and creates ice crystals. The aircraft pushes the air out of the way, disturbing the air, causing it to rotate. The length of time the trail remains visible depends on the humidity level, temperature and wind. If our lives are but a “vapor”, what type of trail will I leave? For scripture says:
“you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life?
It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes
away” (James 4:14).
Breath-taking isn’t it?!? So why then would an airplane leave no “vapor trail” at all? The answer is, because it is gliding along at cruising altitudes! When an aircraft is at cruising altitudes (lower in the altitudes where the temperature is higher, between 38-76 degrees), the wingtip vortices decrease and there is no ice crystal formation. How many times do we as Christians, cruise along, just gliding through life, not causing any disturbance to the environment around us? Truth is, when we are just cruising through life, we most often are not leaving any mark at all on the lives around us. But when we are climbing to greater heights, reflecting the Light of the Son, the wake behind us is deep and wide. It lingers as a sign for all that is left behind. Better yet, it points heavenward!! What kind of trail will I leave......will you leave......and to whom will it point?? My desire is that the trail of this vapor will point to Jesus Christ and that it will reflect the Son!!!
I had to add the following points to connect to this analogy:
1) All different types of aircraft and rockets leave “vapor trails” but even geese have been known to leave these same “vapor trails” (though smaller) as they fly over the Canadian Rockies. So whether you are a rocket ship or something on a smaller scale, you can always leave a trail.
2) If the “vapor trail” behind an aircraft does not undulate or dissipate rapidly, you can be sure it is experiencing a smooth ride. Smaller aircraft, often read these “contrails” to let them know which altitudes are choppy and help them decide whether to climb or descend. We sometimes serve as examples to those who are watching the paths we take.
3) Sometimes “vapor trails” make aircraft easily visible for attack. An aircraft that may not be visible on radar can often be seen by the trails it leaves behind. Be ever ready and aware that we are a target for the enemy, especially when our lives are leaving a legacy to the glory of Christ!
So fly high, fly strong, leave a trail, reflect the Son!
Hmmm......I wonder why the flight of birds seem so different....... :)
The white clouds left behind an airplane is known as “contrails” or “vapor trails”. Exhaust from the aircraft emits moisture that is frozen and creates ice crystals. The aircraft pushes the air out of the way, disturbing the air, causing it to rotate. The length of time the trail remains visible depends on the humidity level, temperature and wind. If our lives are but a “vapor”, what type of trail will I leave? For scripture says:
“you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life?
It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes
away” (James 4:14).
Breath-taking isn’t it?!? So why then would an airplane leave no “vapor trail” at all? The answer is, because it is gliding along at cruising altitudes! When an aircraft is at cruising altitudes (lower in the altitudes where the temperature is higher, between 38-76 degrees), the wingtip vortices decrease and there is no ice crystal formation. How many times do we as Christians, cruise along, just gliding through life, not causing any disturbance to the environment around us? Truth is, when we are just cruising through life, we most often are not leaving any mark at all on the lives around us. But when we are climbing to greater heights, reflecting the Light of the Son, the wake behind us is deep and wide. It lingers as a sign for all that is left behind. Better yet, it points heavenward!! What kind of trail will I leave......will you leave......and to whom will it point?? My desire is that the trail of this vapor will point to Jesus Christ and that it will reflect the Son!!!
I had to add the following points to connect to this analogy:
1) All different types of aircraft and rockets leave “vapor trails” but even geese have been known to leave these same “vapor trails” (though smaller) as they fly over the Canadian Rockies. So whether you are a rocket ship or something on a smaller scale, you can always leave a trail.
2) If the “vapor trail” behind an aircraft does not undulate or dissipate rapidly, you can be sure it is experiencing a smooth ride. Smaller aircraft, often read these “contrails” to let them know which altitudes are choppy and help them decide whether to climb or descend. We sometimes serve as examples to those who are watching the paths we take.
3) Sometimes “vapor trails” make aircraft easily visible for attack. An aircraft that may not be visible on radar can often be seen by the trails it leaves behind. Be ever ready and aware that we are a target for the enemy, especially when our lives are leaving a legacy to the glory of Christ!
So fly high, fly strong, leave a trail, reflect the Son!
Hmmm......I wonder why the flight of birds seem so different....... :)
4/24/10
4/20/10
4/17/10
From Wonder To Worship
In awe of the veil removed, each sense and emotion draws me heavenward.
To see a star so vivid, it's points stretch long and wide,
I feel myself brought low though my eyes lift high.
To smell wisteria drifting on the gentle breeze of night,
raises my soul as on wings of flight.
To feel the rays of the sun warm on my skin,
kindles a fire of the Spirit within.
To hear the heavenly song from the bird on the bough,
stirs in my heart unknown until now.
He sparked my passion, for my created desire.
To show forth His glory and bring His Fresh Fire.
From what once was plain wonder, Pure Worship transpired.
Amy Rainey
4/17/10
To see a star so vivid, it's points stretch long and wide,
I feel myself brought low though my eyes lift high.
To smell wisteria drifting on the gentle breeze of night,
raises my soul as on wings of flight.
To feel the rays of the sun warm on my skin,
kindles a fire of the Spirit within.
To hear the heavenly song from the bird on the bough,
stirs in my heart unknown until now.
He sparked my passion, for my created desire.
To show forth His glory and bring His Fresh Fire.
From what once was plain wonder, Pure Worship transpired.
Amy Rainey
4/17/10
"Little Miss Flawless" by Me
One afternoon as I drove home feeling so defeated, I was cut off by a little white car that displayed "Little Miss Flawless" in large letters across her back window. I instantly felt it was so appropriate that I should be driving my BIG BLACK SUV. I wondered if someone had plastered "Miss Flawed" across my back glass!! Many times in my walk, I am discouraged by this ever-present awareness of sin in my life. As I prayed to God about this in my quiet time, He allowed me to see it as a new abundant grace! For those that view themselves as flawless or righteous according to their own understanding, are in as much danger of hell fire as the Pharisees were. Jesus described their condition as, "ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!" (Mark 4:12) (Wow! Don't you love to see exclamation points in scripture?!? I take these as moments that Christ is saying, "I want you to hear this loud and clear!") The grace that I have come to know just in being able to see unrighteousness (however, little the world says it may be)in my life is a God-given grace. And then when God takes scripture and "penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." (Heb. 4:12) I see my sight into spiritual things as evidence of the love of Christ and His Lordship in my life. Even by grace, is my desire to honor, please and glorify God. "Despair turns quickly to victory when a broken heart is laid on the altar before God." (C.S.Lewis) And that is worship!!!
4/16/10
Next On The List
My Heart's Desire by David Jeremiah
Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire by Jim Cymbala
Taking Back The Gospel by Bailey Smith
If there are any books you would like for me to read and review, please post.
Review to follow!!
Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire by Jim Cymbala
Taking Back The Gospel by Bailey Smith
If there are any books you would like for me to read and review, please post.
Review to follow!!
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