"The Ghost of Flight 401"

After graduation from High School in 1985 I had a trip planned to Tuscon Arizona to visit my sister and her family for three weeks.  This would be my first time on a commercial airline having previously only flown in smaller aircraft.

A few weeks before going on my trip a movie was playing on television that captured my attention.  It was a movie in which an aircraft crashes in the Florida Everglades killing 103 passengers.  The movie starred the wonderful Ernest Borgnine who was one of the passengers killed in the crash.  His ghost appears on other planes throughout the remainder of the movie warning folks of impending danger. 

As I boarded the plane from Nashville to Dallas on the first leg of my trip, I made my way through the 1st Class seating on the American Airline flight.  There was a familiar face sitting in one of the seats in 1st Class and at second notice I realized it was Ernest Borgnine.  To be honest as I made my way back to my seat I found myself asking was that really him or was it the "Ghost of Flight 401" making an appearance...haha

As our flight began one of the attendants came by and asked if I needed anything.  I responded and asked if she'd do me a favor.  I told her that I thought Ernest Borgnine was on the plane and wanted to see if she would find out.  To my suprise she didn't even know who Ernest Borgnine was.  I explained to her which seat he was in and she made her way to the front of the plane.  In a few moments she came back in all seriousness and said, "I asked that gentleman and he said no his name was Jimmy Stewart." 

RIP Mr. Borgnine and thanks for a wonderful memory and a great laugh.

Sabbath Moments

Well it's been a busy few days.  I suppose my days are not so unlike anyone else's though.  It's no unique revelation that we live hectic lives, and our busy schedules sometimes overwhelm us.  My past few days have been filled with funeral services, work, and preparing sermons for different worship services. 
I have to admit I'm pretty drained. 
It seems we live in a time though when if we aren't busy then there's something wrong.  I saw a baby walker the other day with all kinds of rattles and buttons on it.  There was even a mobile overhead that was filled with other gadgets as well.  Now don't get me wrong, I believe children learn by exploring all of those things but it just reminded me that "busyness" begins early on and it never seems to end.
But if I could give a little advice or maybe even just permission; find time for a Sabbath.  In fact I want to encourage you to take a Sabbath "moment" every day.  For some that may be a nap, for others it may simply mean a few minutes to read or simply to sit in silence.
I know, silence is scary.  It's in silence that we might have to confront some true feelings, or we might even hear from our Maker.  But being still, having a Sabbath moment, may be the way that we truly experience a holy touch.  The 46th Psalm says, "Be still and know that I am God!"
If you are too busy for those type "still" moments then I would say that you are too busy!  And if you continue on not only is your physical health likely to suffer but your spiritual health will also decline. 
Indeed the Sabbath was made for man and for me that's permission from the Creator to slow down, be still, breathe, and for goodness sake relax.

First Entry

This is my first attempt at a blog.  I have friends who blog, others who like to reply to someone else's blog, and some who have even tried to get me started before..(you know who you are).  Finally I thought I'd give it a try. I'm not sure how often I'll post my thoughts about who knows what but I thought it might be fun and another opportunity to hear from others and what they might think about any number of topics.  Maybe I'll post something that will inspire you, challenge you, anger you (that won't be my intention), or maybe just get you thinking.  Whatever the case I hope you'll pop by on occasion and let me know that you're reading.  See ya soon.