Hot Rods and Spaceships

Who doesn’t love a cool hot rod? Come on now, admit it. When you see one driving down the street, don’t you have to look? I do and I’m not a car fanatic, but my husband Tim is one. I don’t know how many car shows we’ve been to over the years or how many times he has slowed the car down so he could listen to the sound of a car or a truck going by. He’ll even turn down the radio. I don’t mind unless it’s a song I like.

As much as I am not interested in cars or most other vehicles, I love my husband more. I’ll put up with the cars, the races, the tractor pulls, and the slowing down because all that stuff makes him happy. And you know what? It’s a two way street. Tim has set through many Star Trek movies without complaint. And I just recently found out he can’t stand Captain Kirk. But he does like Captain Picard.
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” Philippians 2:3 (NIV)


When you truly love somebody else, their happiness is more important than yours. Their safety and wellbeing are also more important than yours as well. That is also why Jesus went on to the cross. We were more important to Him than His self. To continue His work, we as Christians should value other people above ourselves, even strangers. This verse doesn’t say, “Just the others you know.” It means everybody, even if you have to be around hot rods and spaceships. J

Crooning Cosmo

I’m going to let you in on a little secret. Now don’t tell anybody, but I’m a Space Cadet Extraordinaire. To some of you that’s no surprise. Stars fascinate me. They are beautiful and mysterious. I can spend hours and hours staring at them. But to God, stars are more than fixtures He places in the Heavens for us to ooh and aah over.

“He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name.” Psalm 147:4(NIV)
“while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?” Job 38:7 (NIV)

According to Psalm 147:4, not only does God know how many stars there are, but He calls them by name. By giving them a name, He gives them significance. They are important to Him. They are His awesome handmade creations. And the stars sing together. Yes, they really do. Ever hear of radio astronomy? Each star makes its own distinct noise. Even Jupiter and Saturn make static you can hear on your radio.

So what’s my point in all this? If God knows the stars and they sing to their creator, then what does that say about us as humans? Stars sing praises without thought, but we who have thought struggle with that. How much more does God love and adore us that He sent Jesus to die for our sins? We all need to sing praises to our creator, but the way I sing, I’m sure the stars’ static sounds better.

Waterfall

Who doesn’t enjoy a waterfall? That’s almost like not enjoying rainbows. Seriously! They are a special beauty of God’s nature. Waterfalls are magnificent to watch whether it’s a huge one as in the Niagara Falls or the small trickle in a branch. They fascinate me. I even did a little research (remember-I’m a geek.) * “3160 tons of water flows over Niagara Falls every second.” Wow! What tremendous power!

Wanna know something else that is cool? We as Christians have access to as much power if not more. I realized this one day while e-mailing my friend Paula, who is also a writer. I told her it was cool how the words flow from God, to your soul, to your brain, to your hands, and then out to the world. Kinda like water coming down a waterfall. Sometimes it's a slow drip and at other times it's a torrent. It doesn’t have to be words. Whatever your spiritual gift or talent is, open yourself up to allow God’s power to flow through you. When you do, your influence will flow out into the world.

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.” Ephesians 3:20 (NIV)
“for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” Philippians 2:13 (NIV)

　
* Niagra Falls State Park. Niagra Falls facts Niagra Falls State Park Inofrmation. Niagra Falls Facts. [Online] 2012. [Cited: April 5, 2013.] http://www.niagrafallsstatepark.com/amazing-facts.aspx.