Exploring Christ’s perspective

Science and Faith complement each other.
Faith tells us who created everything.
Science tells us how it works.
I write SciFi and commentary to explore how they relate.

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Thu, 27 Apr 2023
cockpit view from a single engine flying in a graceful attitude

We pilots train to recognize and control three aspects of ‘attitude flying:’

  1. Nose position above, on, or below the horizon
  2. Wing bank left, center, or right of vertical
  3. Amount of power between idle and full

We quickly learn that even small attitude variations produce large performance changes. Exceed the specified pitch angle for a maximum-angle climb, and the airplane stalls and falls. Exceed the critical bank angle in a tight, level turn and pull the wings off. Discerning the difference between a maximum performance attitude and disaster demands hours of practice.

As successful missionary candidates, we demonstrate attitudes with focus, determination, and diligence. We consistently control our time, finances, knowledge, skill, and natural impulses. But only a few degrees separate this maximum performance configuration from calamity. The counterfeit distorts the correct attitude ever so slightly. Our old nature embraces the lie, then religion rewards us. The subtle forgery adds the thought, “God owes me something for services rendered. I deserve His favor because I’ve been good. I should be blessed because I’ve followed the rules.” read more ...

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Fri, 21 Apr 2023
Tyrannosaurus Rex often acted as glory hogs

There’s no manna!” Tira burst into the tent, breathless.

What do you mean, there’s no manna?” she asked, annoyed, without looking up. This girl would tell her the sun was missing if she could get out of work.

I looked everywhere. We all did. It’s just not there. What are we going to eat?”

Her daughter’s trembling question sank doubt’s claw into her own heart. What’s wrong? They walked across the river, and no one got wet. As soon as they were out of the channel, back came the water, high and furious. Then, all the men… What a bloody, messy affair. At least they’d quit moaning and were walking again. They ate the Passover the day before yesterday. Surely that would satisfy Him. What now? She sighed, turned towards Tira, shook her head slightly, and then looked down again at the roasted grain. Wonderful stuff. It was so good to taste something new, different. But was God mad? Weren’t they supposed to eat it? The Levites said it was okay … What was going on? read more ...

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Fri, 14 Apr 2023
No illusion obscured the pilot's expected view of final approach to the Quito, Ecuador airport
He expected to see the airport in front of him

The pilot pushed the Saberliner throttles forward and relaxed only a little. The Army’s Commanding General stayed too long. Now he, the aerial chauffeur, had to turn this jet into a time machine. Okay, what can I do? he asked himself. Let’s see … skip the fuel stop; there’s enough. Forget the airways; fly direct. They could still make the meeting if everything went right. Later, still making it and only twenty-three miles from the capital city, he called approach control with his deepest, in-complete-charge voice. Earlier, the en-route controller had mentioned something about weather. But he didn’t need any holding delays. And, he realized, he didn’t have enough fuel for a missed approach or flight to an alternate field. This one had to count. read more ...

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Fri, 31 Mar 2023
man trying to put out computer fire with sledge hammer doesn't use the right tool

Right tools bring joy, but wrong tools fail. Dust china cabinets with feathers, not brooms. Pound nails with hammers, not screwdrivers. Wash dishes with sponges, not grinders. Eliminate flies with swatters, not shotguns. God’s kit includes every tool we need for life.

So, for example, we manipulate creation with strength, not wishing. Twist a lid, open a jar. Burn gasoline, fly a plane. Keep running, complete a race. Work hard, make money. Outmaneuver the competition, win a lover. If we change things by strength, can we change more things with more strength? Christ our Lord is strong, but so is our enemy, Satan. If the stronger devil beats us, does Christ beat him by even greater strength? Even God says, “Go in the strength of the Lord.” read more ...

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Fri, 17 Mar 2023
aerial view of jungle airstrip helps me not get lost

Life seems simple when you fly. Takeoff, turn to 135 degrees, and climb to 5,500 feet. After thirty minutes Copataza slides under the left wing. Turn right, follow the river, and in another five minutes, pass over Mashient. Gently lower the nose until the vertical speed indicator settles on a 500-foot-per-minute descent, and clock nine minutes more. Voilá, Charapacocha appears magically out of the jungle with the plane at pattern altitude. A clear lesson emerges. Fly straight enough to hold heading, climb high enough to miss hard things, keep track of the time, and you will reach your destination. You can’t get lost. read more ...

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Fri, 10 Mar 2023
boy looking out from safe hiding place

Hiding places abound. Samuel anointed Saul as king of Israel. God gave him free rein saying, “Once these signs are fulfilled, do whatever your hand finds to do, for God is with you.” Saul clearly saw God’s certain ability and purpose. Did Saul hiding among coronation-day’s baggage reveal humility or unbelief? Neither. God gave Saul victories, but also granted the deepest desire of his heart—his own way.

Rahab hid three times. She covered the spies and then concealed family while her Jericho life fell around her. She, too, saw God’s plan, when she confessed to her guests, “The Lord your God is God.” Then, He gave her freedom to expose her heart. She rejected her experience with fierce, lusty warriors and the solid, unassailable might of their stone walls. Instead, she chose to hide in the promise of a God she’d never seen. read more ...

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Fri, 03 Mar 2023
A Cessna C-185 that requires a lot of knowledge sits on airport ramp
This Cessna C-185 demanded knowledge, skill and good judgement to serve thousands of people living in the Amazon Jungle.

The pilot finally had his chance. The fresh brake pads on the C-185 needed a “burn-in” before earnest use at a short strip. He’d seen others dance power and brakes, taxiing with tail in the air. He knew that too much brake would push the prop into the ground, not enough and the tail rolled boringly on the ground. He also knew that too much power pushed the plane too fast and not enough left the plane sitting there. After trial waving up and down he found the sweet spot and taxied, tail high to the far end of the 3,000-foot runway. The professional felt good mastering the esoteric heights of his trade. He turned and finessed the throttle and pedals to return on just the two main wheels. read more ...

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Fri, 24 Feb 2023
a man climbing sheer rock face who will never surrender to fear

Stick to it. Don’t give up. Never surrender. Inspiration’s words sound good for fights and messy trials. But to what, exactly, do we stick? The high goals defend the charge of stupidity easily enough—stand to the last man, repel the invader, or stay in the fire to rescue the doomed child. But what about living in politically crazed nowhere-bovia when safety’s country sits only a choice away? Why raise your children in diseased jungle obscurity when clean opportunity waits at the other end of an airline route? What answer comforts a slandered heart whose faith is labeled obstinate and blind? read more ...

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Fri, 11 Nov 2022
Monster in a cave staring at unsuspecting knight

A monster lives in my closet; that one over there, behind the drape. I’d like to get rid of him, but he breathes fire, and his claws would rip me to shreds.

A monster lives in my closet. He roars, curses, and his smoke stinks. I’d like to get rid of him, but he’s kind of big, and he might bite me.

A monster lives in my closet. He bangs on the door, scratches the paint, and, yesterday, dented the wall. I’d like to get rid of him, but I can’t find the exterminator’s number.

A monster lives in my closet. He makes rude noises, interrupts, and has lousy table manners. I’d like to get rid of him, but I don’t know where to send him. read more ...

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Fri, 05 Aug 2022
Close up of sword wielding dirty and bloody warrior trying to trust God

Slick leather sandals slipped on slimy mud. David’s knee struck the cave floor, but he bit his tongue. The other men pressed close in the dark, listening for pursuit. They waited, silent for a long time except for tight, panting breath.

Finally, he commanded, “Abishai, Ethan, check the way—carefully.” The two scouts nodded, turned, and disappeared around a corner, more felt than seen.

Joab, tell them we spend the night here,” he said. Then, forcing a straight step, he added, “I’ll be back.” Taking a newly lit torch, he climbed farther in. read more ...

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