I remember seeing this years ago on a video show. Delightful. I dare you not to smile.
Nazi Stealth Jets and the Sovereignty of God
You know, I saw this article today about the re-creation of the Nazi Stealth Jet by Northrop Grumman Corp (there is even a video link with this Fox news article). National Geographic Channel is airing a special about this on Sunday. My husband is a big WW2 buff (as is my son, who got a set of DVD’s on D-Day for his 9th birthday), so we look at lots of films about that time period, and documentaries, etc. When you consider Hitler and the many failed attempts there were (even from inside his closest ranks) to take his life, and couple that with the wickedness, depravity and disregard for the sanctity of life that characterized his rule, you begin to wonder (not really) who was truly the power at the top of the Third Reich.
Then you see this article, and read interviews about what others project would have been the result if this stealth craft–very similar to our B2 Stealth Bomber–had been mass produced before the surrender of Nazi Germany in 1945. Some say we’d have been toast (a larger version called the “America Bomber” –designed for an east coast attack– was in the works). Others say we’d all be speaking German today. I say, “Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world.” Our Almighty God simply said, “Thus far, and no further.”
411God
You can now arrange to get a “phone call from God”, every day, free of charge. If you sign up at this web site, you can even choose what time of day you’ll receive your 1-minute phone call to listen to God’s Word. What you can’t choose is what translation…New Living Translation only.
The service, a ministry of “Back to the Bible,” intends to use this to minister to busy people. One minute of scripture? On the fly? While you are going through McD’s drive thru for your sausage biscuit on the way to work? Dunno.
I guess some is better than none. And, if you want, you can upgrade to their “Powered by 4” plan, which encourages being engaged in Bible reading at least 4 times a week.
Mystery
I tried my hand at creating my own “De-Motivator” (but it is not one in the truest sense, probably). Like it?
Go to the web site to upload a photo and make your own, or to see what they call “motivational products and services for pessimists, underachievers, and the chronically unsuccessful.” In an odd sort of way, you leave feeling uplifted…perhaps because there’s a little bit of Charlie Brown in all of us. 
Cowper on Trusting
“Many will say with David, that God is their portion; but here is the point: how do they prove it? If God were their portion, they would love him; if they loved him they would love his word; if they loved his word they would live by it and make it the rule of their life.”–William Cowper
Here is a poem from the heart of this same gentleman, which is worth pondering:
Oh! for a closer walk with GOD,
A calm and heav’nly frame;
A light to shine upon the road
That leads me to the Lamb!
Where is the blessedness I knew
When first I saw the LORD?
Where is the soul-refreshing view
Of JESUS, and his word?
What peaceful hours I once enjoy’d
How sweet their mem’ry still!
But they have left an aching void,
The world can never fill.
Return, O holy Dove, return,
Sweet messenger of rest;
I hate the sins that made thee mourn,
And drove thee from my breast.
The dearest idol I have known,
Whate’er that idol be;
Help me to tear it from thy throne,
And worship only thee.
So shall my walk be close with GOD,
Calm and serene my frame;
So purer light shall mark the road
That leads me to the Lamb.
Remember Not the Sins of My Youth…
This was in my ESV “Daily Light on the Daily Path” this morning. What a balm it is. I left quite a mess in my wake as a teen (I was saved at 17); but though I may have regrets and waves of remorse that wash over my soul when I look through human eyes at that pit from which I was digged, my God sees me clean–because He is Jehovah Tsidkenu (”the LORD, our righteousness”). He knows all of my sins–even the ones I am unaware of–and He understands that they all are the result of being born as a sinner (I never understood Ps. 51 until I was saved, even though I would recite it from memory every Sunday in our Lutheran church growing up). This is all amazing enough until I consider: “And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” (1 John 2:2)
Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions.
I have blotted out your transgressions like a cloud and your sins like mist.—“I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins.”—“Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.”—“I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.”—You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.
In love you have delivered my life from the pit of destruction, for you have cast all my sins behind your back.—Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity? . . . He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in steadfast love.—To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, . . . to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Ps. 25:7; Isa. 44:22; Isa. 43:25; Isa. 1:18; Jer. 31:34; Mic. 7:19; Isa. 38:17; Mic. 7:18; Rev. 1:5
And this is not including one more of my favorite passages on this topic:
As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Psalm 103:12
This is amazing grace, folks.
Sunday Hymnary: “One There Is Above All Others” by John Newton, 1779
One there is, above all others,
Well deserves the name of Friend;
His is love beyond a brother’s,
Costly, free, and knows no end:
They who once His kindness prove,
Find it everlasting love!
Which of all our friends to save us,
Could or would have shed their blood?
But our Jesus died to have us
Reconciled, in Him to God:
This was boundless love indeed!
Jesus is a Friend in need.
Men, when raised to lofty stations,
Often know their friends no more;
Slight and scorn their poor relations
Though they valued them before.
But our Savior always owns
Those whom He redeemed with groans.
When He lived on earth abasèd,
Friend of sinners was His name;
Now, above all glory raisèd,
He rejoices in the same:
Still He calls them brethren, friends,
And to all their wants attends.
Could we bear from one another,
What He daily bears from us?
Yet this glorious Friend and Brother,
Loves us though we treat Him thus:
Though for good we render ill,
He accounts us brethren still.
O for grace our hearts to soften!
Teach us, Lord, at length to love;
We, alas! forget too often,
What a Friend we have above:
But when home our souls are brought,
We will love Thee as we ought.
Vote for Chris
My friend Pastor Chris Anderson has a rapier wit. He is also approaching mid-life. These two things considered (sorry, I just couldn’t resist! 
), he is a finalist in a caption contest at despair.com (I know, the name threw me too…what kind of contest could you have at such a place? Sounds like a country music blog…”my dog died, my woman left me, my gun rack is empty and so is my can of Skoal”)–but it’s actually kinda fun. Show your support (before 3 pm EST), and enjoy some grins by voting for his “Optimism” caption. For instructions, go here.
Mid Life Crisis Resources
There have been many hits on the blog by folks looking for information, resources and encouragement regarding mid-life crisis, as a result of this original post concerning how wives can help their husbands through the considerations of mid-life.
In an effort to give further help, I scooted around the web a bit. I learned about this resource from David Tripp, entitled “Lost in the Middle.” This was recommended in a forum I trust. And here is a web site for “Lost in the Middle” conference, with some helpful links.
Another book that has popped up numerous times in my surfing is “Men in Mid-Life Crisis” by Jim Conway. He has his own web site on this topic as well here. I do not know much at all about this person. He has been featured by Focus on the Family and some other recognizable media venues.
You may be interested in looking at this brief discussion on the topic as well, at the Sharper Iron blog.
Some sermons on Sermon Audio would include: “I Am Content With My Inheritance” by Pastor Alan Dunn (Cedarville grad), which is part 2 of 4…the other sermons can be found here. Another sermon worth your time is this one by Pastor Dean Taylor (BJU grad–pastor of Calvary Baptist in Simpsonville, SC).
Another blog post here for women in mid-life crisis. Here is another for women, entitled “A Woman, Her Mid-Life Crisis, and the Bible”.
I was also emailing Dr. Jim Berg about this issue, and he suggested the first chapter of his book, “Created for His Glory,” which addresses despair and mid-life crisis. Here is the link for the free download.
As always, be good Bereans and discern these items through the eyes of scripture.
Spinning Plates With Nails in Your Pockets
Spinning plates is a favorite metaphor of mine. I have never enjoyed (sort of a painful humor) its application more than I did today, though. I was reading a discussion on legalism this morning, and subsequently, by poking around, found this sermon (a free download) by C. J. Mahaney (no, I am not charismatic), entitled, “Enjoying Grace and Detecting Legalism”. Good stuff. A stiff, spiritual uppercut… with a smile.
