James Rush Manley – Writer

Dark matter and dark energy make up most of our universe but elude detection, neither seen nor measured. Only their effect on surrounding galaxies betrays their presence. The morning breeze passes through open windows, invisible. Only billowing curtains and wet field smell translate its call of faraway adventure.

God’s favor flows around us continually, soaking everything with His goodness, yet, like a symphony to the deaf, passes unnoticed. Nor would any even suspect what they miss except for His distributors. He designed each of us to receive a specific piece of that blessing and then, in turn, dispense our unique portion. No two are identical, but together, we administer His grace in its various forms. read more ...

 
God says, “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.” Sounds good, especially for encouraging others setting out on grand adventures and hopeless quests. But why does our response to His call often leave us feeling rolled, spindled, and mutilated? What happened to supplying all our needs? Or granting wisdom, comfort, or money enough to do what He told us to do? read more ...

In the air, pilots survey vast panoramas, confident of encompassing perspective. But they miss the approaching storm, invisible behind the overcast. Mothers, outfoxed by precocious toddlers, believe life consists of jelly-smeared CDs and melted crayons smashed into wads of unmatched socks. They forget the world of humans taller than three feet, who speak in whole sentences. From the valley on the west, the snow-covered volcano Cotopaxi stands almost pastoral. Cultivated fields surround its base and climb its sides. From the high mesa on the east, however, it resembles a Mars probe photo—same mountain, different points of view. read more ...

Sometimes good captures us—the partner mission’s success; a neighbor’s new car and paid-off mortgage; a coworker’s great health, a clean house, and well-behaved kids; a wide-screen, high-definition, surround-sound home theater system. God gives good things, but the fight begins when the cute singer on the worship team expels the song from imagination’s space. Wrestle the thought and smash temptation to the floor. Don’t look there, turn the other way. But the other way is not like the other cheek. The beautiful monster escapes the restraining grasp and dances before our hearts with easy insolence—again and again and again. read more ...

We live within creation’s cage: the double twins of space and time, matter and energy. Their impartial rule treats us all alike. Money, hours, and strength go only until spent. Do the taxes, wash clothes, or hold your honey? Choose one. You can take enough fuel to go the distance, but what cargo stays behind? You can make the extra landing for the patient, but sunset will stop the flight short of the hospital. Limits dog life. Neither desire nor worthy need gains their attention. Their hard places define humanness and teach the brutal lesson quickly: There is not enough to go around. Get yours while you can. read more ...

We know the secret to success: pick up good pieces, assemble correctly, and point in the desired direction. Every action results in something. Choose the right effort; reap a good reward. Archimedes taught us that, given a big enough lever and a place to stand, we could even move the Earth. The proper combination of cause and effect works for everything—Legos®, houses, quilts, money, and life. But secret knowledge addicts us to success. We demand it as our right and then rage at God’s injustice when we fail. We manipulate universal building blocks but forget that batteries do not power creation while God sits back, watching it scoot about heaven’s floor. read more ...

Two pursuits require constant practice, three never rest: Flying airplanes in the bush, playing musical instruments for an audience, and walking with God.

Remembering that final airspeed varies between 55 and 60 knots, depending upon gross aircraft weight, is not the same thing as recognizing the edge of ‘the settle’ while playing the throttle on a bumpy approach. Reaction trails need, and wheels touch only in the general vicinity of the target spot. Amateur hides professional.

Remembering Beethoven’s “Fur Elise” is not the same thing as producing a smooth parade of notes up and down the keyboard. Nervous fingers hesitate, forgetting their path. They arrive only more or less on time. Parody eclipses masterpiece. read more ...

He shook a finger straight at the pocked face across from him and said, “Look at you, the big man! You’re bankrupt. You lost your family. You’re covered with scabby pus. You’re a mess! And why? Everyone knows that God works according to one simple rule—do right things, receive good; do wrong things, receive bad. Yet you keep moaning that it’s not fair. Give it up already! It’s plain to everyone but you. If you mess up, you pay the price.” He paused, overwhelmed again by his friend’s grief. “Look,” he said softly, “confess whatever it is you did, and God will forgive you. You don’t have to stay like this, Job.” read more ...

Longing fingers, sore from clutching airport fence, at last became trembling hands gripping first solo flight controls. New ability didn’t just demonstrate new knowledge. It marked the birth of a sky-creature, sibling of the wind, at home with the clouds. Then, too many days plodded between flights while too few moments raced between propeller’s first and last turns. Continually freshened, joy revealed deeper meaning. Like new love’s desire, flying threatened to fulfill and consume everything at once. The one certainty became that there could never be enough, let alone too much. read more ...

Sometimes, we think of heaven as a better version of here. And we regard Jesus as ourselves, only kinder, stronger, and generally better. We speak glibly, claiming that our sight of mystery’s visible edge equals understanding. Actually, the revelation He permits nearly drowns us. More would destroy us. He warned Moses, “You cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.” How then can He promise that the pure in heart will see Him? After death? Sure. But what about exhortations to seek His face now? Sounds like telling kids to play with matches in the fuel shed. read more ...