James Rush Manley – Writer

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 ...

The pilot stared hard at ambiguous gray overhead. Systems like this one—from the south—often meant two to four weeks of rain and caught-up maintenance. Their route lay to the south, towards deteriorating weather. Could he get this missionary there before the jungle closed down? Then, inspiration. Instead of flying the regular dogleg route south to Huasaga and then a hard left for the quick descent into Surikenza, he could go direct. Finding it shouldn’t be that hard, just hold heading like a Pharisee and keep track of time. read more ...

Remodeling takes work. Pull up flooring. Pry off molding. Remove cabinets. Cut through wall sheetrock. Curl hands around the exposed edge and pull hard. Large chunks fall with a satisfying crash, and lots of dusty pieces. The walls’ bones lie bare and exposed. Remove the wires and stub off plumbing. The quick, fun, brute-force method uses the inelegant but effective sledgehammer. Swing hard. Knock the studs free; remove the nails later. Run wires for new lights and fill gaps in the ceiling. Then tape, texture, and repaint. Install new flooring and cabinets. Clean up the mess, and, behold, an open, fresher, much nicer room. Your sweaty effort earned a place of rest and beauty for friends and family. read more ...