I'm glad scripture says in Romans 10:9-10 that we only need to declare/confess with our mouth and believe in our heart that God raised Jesus from the dead to be saved. If it had involved a relationship like I have with Him now, I'd have been up a creek without a paddle. Many who have been "saved" (in other words, they have decided to believe by faith that Jesus Christ is indeed the very Son of God, and that His death on the cross and resurrection that followed paid the sin debt of death for them) would say that making that decision is the same as having a relationship with Jesus. While it does, in fact, introduce you to Jesus, and open the door for relationship, you don't automatically just "know" your Savior in all His glory. That would be like jumping from being introduced to the person who will be your spouse, to being married with a family a few seconds later. No relationship works like that. Jesus is no different.
Maybe this disagrees with your theology some, but hang with me. I really believe that we will end up in the same place if you will continue with me here. If you're one of those that has tried to have a relationship with Jesus, or you're just wondering what one looks like, read on too.
The absolute first step in having any relationship, as described above, is being introduced to the person with whom you desire relationship. This happens at the point in your life where you make the decision to follow Jesus by confessing that decision with your mouth, and believing in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead. At that decision crossroads, you change your eternal destination to heaven in the presence of God, forever and ever and ever (per Romans 10:9-10 listed above). But what about the relationship that follows? Let's look.
The Bible speaks primarily in the Old Testament of God audibly speaking to mankind. He used judges and prophets to do this most of the time. It normally wasn't to everyone who said they believed in God. Let me bring you some comfort right now and know that in my relationship with Jesus, I have never audibly heard His voice. You do not need to worry that someone will put you on an episode of Dr. Phil because you are hearing voices inside or outside your head. This is not some spiritually induced schizophrenia.
Growing up in the church, as I did, I used to believe that a relationship with Jesus was dedicated on what I did to instigate it, or to keep it going once it started. The things I thought I had to do was, of course, go to church, serve others, worship, read my Bible, etc. My list of things was probably no different than yours in most ways. I heard the scripture quoted many times, which is true, "come near to God and He will come near to you." (James 4:8) The only things that I could think of to draw near to God were the things in my list. I determined to get busy doing what I thought God would be doing or would want me to do, and surely He would then come near to me. I was wrong.
It wasn't until my life fell apart in 2011 and God started putting me back together again in 2012, that I realized what a relationship with Jesus/God really meant. What does it look like? Not much different than any of m other relationships. Let me explain.
I remember being in the altar in early 2012 and I was extremely broken. I was pouring out my heart to God and asking Him what was going to happen to me. I'd made some terrible choices, gotten involved in sin, and was reaping the benefits of my stupidity. Then in an altar in Texas, not audibly, yet clear as day, I heard the voice of God. It was more of a thought than anything. I knew the thought wasn't mine, though, because it wasn't saying anything to myself that I believed to be either true or possible. God only said, "Let me love you." Here I was crying and blubbering and trying to give Him a list of all the reasons why that couldn't happen. After all, because of what I had done, I viewed myself as unloveable. But love me He did and does.
I have an app on my iPhone called the Bible App. It posts a "Verse of the Day" each night at midnight. I have no way to properly explain it, but I chose to read those verses almost every day, and almost every day each one seemed as though God was speaking directly into my heart. Sometimes, it even got almost to the eerie point because the verse would be so on target. Those verses still say something to me most of the time. I have come to believe that it is simply because I make myself available to hear what God has to say. I tune out the noise of my day, and allow God to speak. There's no magical time of day to do it. Actually, I enjoy keeping the conversation going throughout the whole day.
See, here's the thing. All my lists of things that I thought I needed to do to draw near to God were actually things I was supposed to do because I had already drawn near to God. The list was supposed to be a result of my relationship, not the relationship itself. The lists, the details, the commandments, the rituals, were never intended to be my relationship with God. Yet, I had made them such. But what I've found is that God, the Creator of the universe, desires to sit down and talk with me all the time--daily. The biggest change in my prayer life if that I'm still and quiet long enough for God to talk back. Before, my prayers were my lists to God in response to the lists of things I brought to Him through my actions. It was a very warped way to have a conversation. Now, it's not like that at all.
Through reading those verses, I've learned more of the character of God. I've learned to discern His voice among all the other thoughts in my head. On top of that, I've seen the things He's told me revealed in my life. If not for revelation, I might consider contacting my straight jacket tailor and setting up a fitting. Where at first, most of His communication to me was through the Bible, now it's as much in my thoughts as it is reading scripture. Sometimes He even speaks to me through others who are also Christians and I recognize His voice in their words.
There is indeed a relationship to be had. It is God's wish for all mankind. But now do you see the difference I was speaking about in the first couple of paragraphs? Our confession and belief changes the eternal destination, but it's the relationship that changes the journey getting there. Try it. Make yourself available. It may seem awkward at first, but that's ok. The benefits of your perseverance will be absolutely amazing!
Don't forget to use the social media just below here to share to your Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ accounts directly. I welcome your comments! PLEASE leave one!!! Here's how:
1. Click on the words "No Comment" or " (#) Comment" (whichever is listed just to the right of the posting time directly below this paragraph)
2. Write your comment in the box provided.
3. You must also choose a selection from the COMMENT AS drop down list. If you have a Google+ ID, AIM, or other you wish to use, choose that. Most of you should choose the NAME/URL option and leave your name in the space provided. You do NOT need to leave a URL unless you wish.
4. Click the PUBLISH button. THAT'S IT!!!
THANK YOU for stopping by! Till next time...
Showing posts with label pledger. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pledger. Show all posts
Thursday, May 28, 2015
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
What's My Name?
I am a student of leadership. The study of leadership and bettering myself so that I can in turn better others around me is a passion of mine. One thing that is HAMMERED into your head in almost any basic leadership class is to use a person's name as much as possible. Why? Because people feel special when their name is used. They recognize that to the one calling them by name, they are more than a number, a demographic, or an employee. Names matter.
Any company that has survived years of building a brand around a name will tell you, names matter. There is a lot riding on a name. Reputations, lawsuits, promotions, guilt, and innocence can ride on a name. One of the first responsibilities ever given to man by God after creation was naming the animals. God gave Adam and Eve their names. Your parents probably named most of you! Names count. They matter. People, organizations, countries all respond to a name.
As I look through and read scripture, I see this fact drilled home as I see those whose names were changed after significant events in their lives. Here's a short non-exhaustive list:
Jacob - Genesis 32:27-28
Paul - Acts 13:9
Abraham - Genesis 17:1-5
Gideon - Judges 6:31-32
Each of these men had something significant happen in their lives and their names were changed as a result. And their new names reflected the events for which they would be known.
As a leader, when I'm coaching someone else, I've started doing something that I've seen a mentor of mine do with those whom he is helping to develop a God-centered vision for their lives. I now have people write out their own obituary and their own epitaph. Macabre? Maybe a little. But see, these two things are how those who come behind you who may not have known you or anything about your life will remember you. They will look you up on the Internet, or they'll pass by your headstone in a graveyard somewhere, and there engraved in marble will be the one phrase summation of what you meant to the world while you were here.
Take a moment. Try it. Your obituary can be a little longer - a paragraph maybe. Your epitaph, what will be written on your headstone, must be much shorter. How do you want those who follow you to remember you? What do you want said about your life in one simple phrase? What difference do you want to have made when you breathe your last?
Gideon was the last name I listed above. I recently did a study on the few chapters in Judges that record for us the life of Gideon. There's not much there. But what is, is powerful! He was raised in a society that worshipped an idol named Baal. There was an altar to Baal in Gideon's parents' home where he had grown up. As a matter of fact, Gideon's first act of obedience to Jehovah God was to go to the home of his father and tear down the altar of Baal! The verses above pick up right after this event. We see the people calling for Gideon's life! Yet the name that he ended up getting was one that meant "let Baal contend for himself." Basically, "Baal Fighter."
In Revelation 2, we see the letter to the Church in Pergamum. At the end of this brief letter, click on the reference link that follows and read what is written. Revelation 2:17
Does this mean that all of us who claim the name of Christ, who have placed our faith and trust in Him as Savior, who devote our lives in the pursuit of holiness have received a "new name" that only we will understand? I think it just might.
Those of you who know me personally call me, Kevin. It is how I am known and the name to which I respond. But I believe with all my heart that there is another name. I believe it may even be the name referenced in Isaiah 43 (and surrounding chapters) when the scriptures continually remind us that God has "called you by name." (Isaiah 43:1) "I have called you by name and you are mine." It tells of how when we are overcome by waters, we won't drown. Or when we find ourselves in the fire, we won't be burned up. We are HIS and He has a name for every one of us!
So if our names represent who we were while here on this earth, what great things we did for the cause of Christ, what do you want your name to be? When you walk through the gates of heaven and you look your Savior in the face for the very first time, and He says, "Welcome home, _________." FILL IN THE BLANK! I'm afraid for so many of us, we may be trying to leave Jesus at a loss for words because we're not doing anything to earn a name greater than "Warmer of Many Seats!" As a matter of fact, when I'm coaching people in the future, I may add this to the list of assignments. Write out the name for which you want to be known by your Heavenly Father.
For me? Messenger of Hope, or Hope Bringer. That's not a very pretty name in English, but it really is how I want to be remembered! Whatever my name is that is waiting for me, aside from seeing Jesus, it'll be the best moment of the beginning of my eternity... when I get to hear my name for the first time. What's your name?
Don't forget to use the social media just below here to share to your Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ accounts directly. I welcome your comments! PLEASE leave one!!! Here's how:
1. Click on the words "No Comment" or " (#) Comment" (whichever is listed just to the right of the posting time directly below this paragraph)
2. Write your comment in the box provided.
3. You must also choose a selection from the COMMENT AS drop down list. If you have a Google+ ID, AIM, or other you wish to use, choose that. Most of you should choose the NAME/URL option and leave your name in the space provided. You do NOT need to leave a URL unless you wish.
4. Click the PUBLISH button. THAT'S IT!!!
THANK YOU for stopping by! Till next time...
Any company that has survived years of building a brand around a name will tell you, names matter. There is a lot riding on a name. Reputations, lawsuits, promotions, guilt, and innocence can ride on a name. One of the first responsibilities ever given to man by God after creation was naming the animals. God gave Adam and Eve their names. Your parents probably named most of you! Names count. They matter. People, organizations, countries all respond to a name.
As I look through and read scripture, I see this fact drilled home as I see those whose names were changed after significant events in their lives. Here's a short non-exhaustive list:
Jacob - Genesis 32:27-28
Paul - Acts 13:9
Abraham - Genesis 17:1-5
Gideon - Judges 6:31-32
Each of these men had something significant happen in their lives and their names were changed as a result. And their new names reflected the events for which they would be known.
As a leader, when I'm coaching someone else, I've started doing something that I've seen a mentor of mine do with those whom he is helping to develop a God-centered vision for their lives. I now have people write out their own obituary and their own epitaph. Macabre? Maybe a little. But see, these two things are how those who come behind you who may not have known you or anything about your life will remember you. They will look you up on the Internet, or they'll pass by your headstone in a graveyard somewhere, and there engraved in marble will be the one phrase summation of what you meant to the world while you were here.
Take a moment. Try it. Your obituary can be a little longer - a paragraph maybe. Your epitaph, what will be written on your headstone, must be much shorter. How do you want those who follow you to remember you? What do you want said about your life in one simple phrase? What difference do you want to have made when you breathe your last?
Gideon was the last name I listed above. I recently did a study on the few chapters in Judges that record for us the life of Gideon. There's not much there. But what is, is powerful! He was raised in a society that worshipped an idol named Baal. There was an altar to Baal in Gideon's parents' home where he had grown up. As a matter of fact, Gideon's first act of obedience to Jehovah God was to go to the home of his father and tear down the altar of Baal! The verses above pick up right after this event. We see the people calling for Gideon's life! Yet the name that he ended up getting was one that meant "let Baal contend for himself." Basically, "Baal Fighter."
In Revelation 2, we see the letter to the Church in Pergamum. At the end of this brief letter, click on the reference link that follows and read what is written. Revelation 2:17
Does this mean that all of us who claim the name of Christ, who have placed our faith and trust in Him as Savior, who devote our lives in the pursuit of holiness have received a "new name" that only we will understand? I think it just might.
Those of you who know me personally call me, Kevin. It is how I am known and the name to which I respond. But I believe with all my heart that there is another name. I believe it may even be the name referenced in Isaiah 43 (and surrounding chapters) when the scriptures continually remind us that God has "called you by name." (Isaiah 43:1) "I have called you by name and you are mine." It tells of how when we are overcome by waters, we won't drown. Or when we find ourselves in the fire, we won't be burned up. We are HIS and He has a name for every one of us!
So if our names represent who we were while here on this earth, what great things we did for the cause of Christ, what do you want your name to be? When you walk through the gates of heaven and you look your Savior in the face for the very first time, and He says, "Welcome home, _________." FILL IN THE BLANK! I'm afraid for so many of us, we may be trying to leave Jesus at a loss for words because we're not doing anything to earn a name greater than "Warmer of Many Seats!" As a matter of fact, when I'm coaching people in the future, I may add this to the list of assignments. Write out the name for which you want to be known by your Heavenly Father.
For me? Messenger of Hope, or Hope Bringer. That's not a very pretty name in English, but it really is how I want to be remembered! Whatever my name is that is waiting for me, aside from seeing Jesus, it'll be the best moment of the beginning of my eternity... when I get to hear my name for the first time. What's your name?
Don't forget to use the social media just below here to share to your Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ accounts directly. I welcome your comments! PLEASE leave one!!! Here's how:
1. Click on the words "No Comment" or " (#) Comment" (whichever is listed just to the right of the posting time directly below this paragraph)
2. Write your comment in the box provided.
3. You must also choose a selection from the COMMENT AS drop down list. If you have a Google+ ID, AIM, or other you wish to use, choose that. Most of you should choose the NAME/URL option and leave your name in the space provided. You do NOT need to leave a URL unless you wish.
4. Click the PUBLISH button. THAT'S IT!!!
THANK YOU for stopping by! Till next time...
Saturday, November 2, 2013
"They will act religious..."
As we were closing tonight, I was talking with a coworker about today's church. We were speaking about the authenticity of the average modern day Christian. Understand, we weren't passing judgement and stating that anyone wouldn't deserve heaven or anything of the sort! It was simply a discussion on whether most of today's church-going Christians "get it."
I can already hear someone from the back row stating piously in his best religious tone, "Son, we're not going to 'get it' till we get to heaven one day and see God for all that He is in all His glory." You know, you're right. We won't. But see, Jesus didn't come to tell us what we had to wait for so much as He came to redeem us to Himself and bring His kingdom to us so and establish His kingdom NOW! I don't mean the environment of the place called heaven that we will occupy for eternity, but I speak of the relationship with/to the God of heaven, Jehovah. In relationship TO God, means to be children OF God and therefore be WITH God in His kingdom.
Take a moment to read John 14:9-14 (NLT) (click on the scripture reference to the left and you will be directed to the passage). Jesus says that if we have seen and know Him, we have seen and know the Father. He also says that we will do "greater works" that what HE did!!! He even ends that paragraph by telling us that we can ask for things in His name, and it will be granted to us! Now please note that I don't believe that means asking for a Mercedes, unless somehow that car would glorify God and not YOU! The "yes" to these asks come with a expectation that the affirmative answers bring glory to the Father. How do we know what brings glory to Him? We know Him. How do we know Him? According to John14, we get to know His Son, Jesus. We get to know Jesus by surrendering our lives to Him, believing in His work on the cross to take our place for our sin. When we do that, we are adopted into the family (kingdom) now, and immediately become heirs to the throne of, and friends with God, and brothers and sisters to Jesus Christ. Jesus said that all that His Father has given Him, He gives to us. God's kingdom - here and now.
Let's read one more passage (you can click on this reference too to be taken directly to it) and then we will get straight to the point. Read 2 Timothy 3:1-5. Pay close attention to verse 5. All through this passage, Paul is talking about church-going people! He's not talking about the crowds that we're needing to tell about Jesus, he's talking about the ones who should know better! Me and you!!! Look around you. Close your eyes and imagine you are where you normally sit on Sunday (yes, I know you have "your seat" in church). See those people around you in your mind. You think they "get it?" Do YOU?!? Are we living lives of authenticity?
Let's look at some of the works that Jesus did: healed the sick, made the lame to walk, made the blind to see, brought back Lazarus from the dead, fed 5,000 men and their families from a few fish and a couple loaves of bread, calmed stormy seas, walked on water, and the list goes on. Now Jesus said that we would do even greater works than HE! What have you done? Made the toast without burning it? Got the kids to soccer only ten minutes late this time rather than the normal fifteen? Fixed the broken windshield wiper on your own? NOW go back and read 2 Timothy 3:5. What if we were so busy with verses 2-4, that we ended up like verse 5? The great toast, the lack of tardiness, the working wiper while all good, mean nothing to eternity! God takes more care of us than just providing a close parking space at Walmart!!! There is POWER given to us!!!
I don't believe that it will be long till Jesus returns. And when He does, I think there are going to be many of us Christians who look at Him and say, "Whoa! Preacher wasn't kiddin'!" We will be caught off guard at the fact that being godly is more than a good idea or a mantra by which to live. The Bible, Jesus, our Heavenly Father - are all more than a good idea!!! They are REAL! Yet we treat it like we've joined a fraternity or a sorority, learned the secret handshake, the code words, the key gestures, and now we're part of the club! All that religious hokey pokey stuff will work it's way out, we just want to go to heaven and be a part of something and this is an easy one to join! We use the stuff we've learned when appropriate, but never tap into the full power that lives inside of us. We are living 2 Timothy 3:5!!!
Then on top of all that, we spend so much effort every four years trying to push for the "right man" in the White House. BTW, if you're just joining us, "right man" means Christian man. It's Christianese. But can I actually get someone out there to agree that the Christian one isn't always the best LEADER?!? We need BOTH. We need a Christian who is also a good leader. Not one or the other! Yet seemingly we need that person (President) to blame when things don't go as they should. "Well, if the 'right man' had been elected, it wouldn't have been like this!" Can I just throw the BS flag right there?!? I firmly believe that Jesus isn't as concerned with having a Godly leader in the White House as he is having a Godly leader in YOUR house!!! Let's stop blaming others for our lack of faith and courage!!! If it's not the President, it's someBODY or someTHING else! The real reason that things are the way they are looks back at you with a haunting stare every time you face a mirror. The church hasn't been the Church for years now!
I believe God is looking for His children to RISE UP! We wear HIS name! We are HIS people! We carry HIS power, HIS love, HIS salvation, HIS hope to a hopeless world. Let's quit GOING to church and let's BE the church. Let's no longer deny the power of the God whom we declare we believe in and worship. Our enemy is playing for keeps! It's real!!! Let's get real ourselves.
I'm going to pray here. Feel free to make this prayer your own.
Jesus, I'm sorry for making Christianity more of a good idea than a reality. I'm sorry for not acting like the child you chose to make a part of Your eternity by sending your Son to die in my place. Prompt me with the Holy Spirit to act when I should act, listen when I should listen, and fill me with wisdom for every decision I make every day I live, starting right now. Empower me and help me to act in that power with FULL FAITH!!! Knowing that Your promises are true and that whatever I ask in Your name, if I am in line with Your will, it will be given to me so that You alone may receive glory! Thank you for Your forgiveness and Your promises. In Jesus' name, amen.
Please leave comments below! Ask questions! Tell your friends by clicking on the social media links and posting on your Facebook or Twitter or Google + accounts. It helps to know that these are being read and even helping YOU! I never know that unless you're doing these things and ESPECIALLY leaving comments!!! Thanks for sharing a few moments with me!
I can already hear someone from the back row stating piously in his best religious tone, "Son, we're not going to 'get it' till we get to heaven one day and see God for all that He is in all His glory." You know, you're right. We won't. But see, Jesus didn't come to tell us what we had to wait for so much as He came to redeem us to Himself and bring His kingdom to us so and establish His kingdom NOW! I don't mean the environment of the place called heaven that we will occupy for eternity, but I speak of the relationship with/to the God of heaven, Jehovah. In relationship TO God, means to be children OF God and therefore be WITH God in His kingdom.
Take a moment to read John 14:9-14 (NLT) (click on the scripture reference to the left and you will be directed to the passage). Jesus says that if we have seen and know Him, we have seen and know the Father. He also says that we will do "greater works" that what HE did!!! He even ends that paragraph by telling us that we can ask for things in His name, and it will be granted to us! Now please note that I don't believe that means asking for a Mercedes, unless somehow that car would glorify God and not YOU! The "yes" to these asks come with a expectation that the affirmative answers bring glory to the Father. How do we know what brings glory to Him? We know Him. How do we know Him? According to John14, we get to know His Son, Jesus. We get to know Jesus by surrendering our lives to Him, believing in His work on the cross to take our place for our sin. When we do that, we are adopted into the family (kingdom) now, and immediately become heirs to the throne of, and friends with God, and brothers and sisters to Jesus Christ. Jesus said that all that His Father has given Him, He gives to us. God's kingdom - here and now.
Let's read one more passage (you can click on this reference too to be taken directly to it) and then we will get straight to the point. Read 2 Timothy 3:1-5. Pay close attention to verse 5. All through this passage, Paul is talking about church-going people! He's not talking about the crowds that we're needing to tell about Jesus, he's talking about the ones who should know better! Me and you!!! Look around you. Close your eyes and imagine you are where you normally sit on Sunday (yes, I know you have "your seat" in church). See those people around you in your mind. You think they "get it?" Do YOU?!? Are we living lives of authenticity?
Let's look at some of the works that Jesus did: healed the sick, made the lame to walk, made the blind to see, brought back Lazarus from the dead, fed 5,000 men and their families from a few fish and a couple loaves of bread, calmed stormy seas, walked on water, and the list goes on. Now Jesus said that we would do even greater works than HE! What have you done? Made the toast without burning it? Got the kids to soccer only ten minutes late this time rather than the normal fifteen? Fixed the broken windshield wiper on your own? NOW go back and read 2 Timothy 3:5. What if we were so busy with verses 2-4, that we ended up like verse 5? The great toast, the lack of tardiness, the working wiper while all good, mean nothing to eternity! God takes more care of us than just providing a close parking space at Walmart!!! There is POWER given to us!!!
I don't believe that it will be long till Jesus returns. And when He does, I think there are going to be many of us Christians who look at Him and say, "Whoa! Preacher wasn't kiddin'!" We will be caught off guard at the fact that being godly is more than a good idea or a mantra by which to live. The Bible, Jesus, our Heavenly Father - are all more than a good idea!!! They are REAL! Yet we treat it like we've joined a fraternity or a sorority, learned the secret handshake, the code words, the key gestures, and now we're part of the club! All that religious hokey pokey stuff will work it's way out, we just want to go to heaven and be a part of something and this is an easy one to join! We use the stuff we've learned when appropriate, but never tap into the full power that lives inside of us. We are living 2 Timothy 3:5!!!
Then on top of all that, we spend so much effort every four years trying to push for the "right man" in the White House. BTW, if you're just joining us, "right man" means Christian man. It's Christianese. But can I actually get someone out there to agree that the Christian one isn't always the best LEADER?!? We need BOTH. We need a Christian who is also a good leader. Not one or the other! Yet seemingly we need that person (President) to blame when things don't go as they should. "Well, if the 'right man' had been elected, it wouldn't have been like this!" Can I just throw the BS flag right there?!? I firmly believe that Jesus isn't as concerned with having a Godly leader in the White House as he is having a Godly leader in YOUR house!!! Let's stop blaming others for our lack of faith and courage!!! If it's not the President, it's someBODY or someTHING else! The real reason that things are the way they are looks back at you with a haunting stare every time you face a mirror. The church hasn't been the Church for years now!
I believe God is looking for His children to RISE UP! We wear HIS name! We are HIS people! We carry HIS power, HIS love, HIS salvation, HIS hope to a hopeless world. Let's quit GOING to church and let's BE the church. Let's no longer deny the power of the God whom we declare we believe in and worship. Our enemy is playing for keeps! It's real!!! Let's get real ourselves.
I'm going to pray here. Feel free to make this prayer your own.
Jesus, I'm sorry for making Christianity more of a good idea than a reality. I'm sorry for not acting like the child you chose to make a part of Your eternity by sending your Son to die in my place. Prompt me with the Holy Spirit to act when I should act, listen when I should listen, and fill me with wisdom for every decision I make every day I live, starting right now. Empower me and help me to act in that power with FULL FAITH!!! Knowing that Your promises are true and that whatever I ask in Your name, if I am in line with Your will, it will be given to me so that You alone may receive glory! Thank you for Your forgiveness and Your promises. In Jesus' name, amen.
Please leave comments below! Ask questions! Tell your friends by clicking on the social media links and posting on your Facebook or Twitter or Google + accounts. It helps to know that these are being read and even helping YOU! I never know that unless you're doing these things and ESPECIALLY leaving comments!!! Thanks for sharing a few moments with me!
Sunday, September 8, 2013
LIFE: Funny Things About Airline Safety Videos
I love my visits to The Villages, FL!!! If you've never been there, you ought to go at some point. The Villages is a retirement area about an hour north of Orlando, FL. You think "retirement," your mind does not go to "super active!" But these people are VERY active!!! More so than most teenagers these days! My Dad, Ron Pledger, is a Pastor there and his church people are among the finest people anywhere. I love them and love being with them.
This last week, I flew down to The Villages, not for a fun trip, but to be with my Mom, Linda, as she underwent a heart cath. The news was great following the cath, thank you for asking. :-) She will do some minor treatments, and with diet and exercise, all should be well. I flew Delta Airlines and had a wonderful experience on the airline. They took great care of me and my fellow passengers. But the safety videos they use contain information that just isn't practical. Let me explain.
First of all, as the video started, it got about a minute or so into it, just past the part explaining the wonder of the fine aircraft we are about to embark our journey aboard, when the video goes BLACK! Gone. Nothing. Nada. Ka-put. The captain comes on the speaker, "Ladies and gentlemen, we apologize for the interruption of the video, but engine #2 has had a power fluctuation and it killed the video feed. It will resume momentarily." I'm sorry, but the VIDEO is NOT what I'm concerned about at the moment!!!! Can we just make sure ol' trusty #2 there doesn't fluctuate anymore?!? ESPECIALLY after takeoff!!! I'm happy that you want to tell me how to fasten my already fastened seat belt, but can you just concentrate on keeping the engine going, maybe?!? Call me crazy, but THAT seems a WHOLE lot more important than me knowing how to "lift and release!"
Well sure enough, in just a moment or two, ol' #2 started again and the video picked up where it left off. After the seat belt demonstration came the "little yellow cup." I know. We've all seen it many times if we've flown. "In the unexpected loss of cabin pressure, a cup will drop down from the compartment above you releasing an oxygen mask. Pull on the tube to start the flow of oxygen. Place the mask over your nose and mouth. Extend the elastic band around your head, adjusting the tightness by pulling the straps on the side, and BREATHE NORMALLY. Know that oxygen is flowing even if the bag doesn't inflate." Excuse me, but if we lose cabin pressure, there's going to be things flying around all over the cabin, the plane will tilt downward in a nose dive while the captain tries to get us all at an altitude where we can breathe oxygen, people will be screaming, and you're wanting me to put a little yellow cup over my face, go to my happy place, and breathe normally?!? NOT GONNA HAPPEN, LADY!!!! First, that thing will probably be swinging all over the place in that nose dive and air swirling that I'll probably never even catch it! Second, if I do get lucky enough to grab the thing, I'll probably go to pull the tube to start the air and pull so hard with the adrenaline that will be pumping that I'll yank the thing right out of the ceiling. If I'm fortunate enough to complete steps one and two, I will not be worried about an inflated bag! I will be scrambling for the little paper bag in front of me to put over my mouth and do some "inflating" of my own since I would have left my stomach somewhere up around 30,000 feet or so! And if I do ALL of that and I actually get to the point where I CAN breathe, there will be nothing NORMAL about it!!!
Then finally in the video, we reach the part about the floatation devices. You know, in case of a water landing. "In the event of a water landing," (let's just stop right there. I saw no boat parts on this plane outside. No big skis like on them water planes you see in Alaska. We shouldn't be in the water!), "this aircraft is equipped with floatation devices for your safety. In the economy cabin, they are located under your seats. In the executive cabin, they are either under your seat, between your seats, or in the armrest of your seat." I'm thinking, "WHEW! Glad I'm in the economy cabin!!! I'd die just trying to FIND my floatation device!" No wonder the statistics say that doctors, lawyers, investors, and the like all have stressful jobs. It's because they know that they're the only ones who can afford to fly first class and nobody is telling them where the floatation devices are!!! It's a rough life being rich!!! I can see their tombstone now... "Thanks to the video, they knew how to use it, they just couldn't find it!" :-)
I'm outta here!
This last week, I flew down to The Villages, not for a fun trip, but to be with my Mom, Linda, as she underwent a heart cath. The news was great following the cath, thank you for asking. :-) She will do some minor treatments, and with diet and exercise, all should be well. I flew Delta Airlines and had a wonderful experience on the airline. They took great care of me and my fellow passengers. But the safety videos they use contain information that just isn't practical. Let me explain.
First of all, as the video started, it got about a minute or so into it, just past the part explaining the wonder of the fine aircraft we are about to embark our journey aboard, when the video goes BLACK! Gone. Nothing. Nada. Ka-put. The captain comes on the speaker, "Ladies and gentlemen, we apologize for the interruption of the video, but engine #2 has had a power fluctuation and it killed the video feed. It will resume momentarily." I'm sorry, but the VIDEO is NOT what I'm concerned about at the moment!!!! Can we just make sure ol' trusty #2 there doesn't fluctuate anymore?!? ESPECIALLY after takeoff!!! I'm happy that you want to tell me how to fasten my already fastened seat belt, but can you just concentrate on keeping the engine going, maybe?!? Call me crazy, but THAT seems a WHOLE lot more important than me knowing how to "lift and release!"
Well sure enough, in just a moment or two, ol' #2 started again and the video picked up where it left off. After the seat belt demonstration came the "little yellow cup." I know. We've all seen it many times if we've flown. "In the unexpected loss of cabin pressure, a cup will drop down from the compartment above you releasing an oxygen mask. Pull on the tube to start the flow of oxygen. Place the mask over your nose and mouth. Extend the elastic band around your head, adjusting the tightness by pulling the straps on the side, and BREATHE NORMALLY. Know that oxygen is flowing even if the bag doesn't inflate." Excuse me, but if we lose cabin pressure, there's going to be things flying around all over the cabin, the plane will tilt downward in a nose dive while the captain tries to get us all at an altitude where we can breathe oxygen, people will be screaming, and you're wanting me to put a little yellow cup over my face, go to my happy place, and breathe normally?!? NOT GONNA HAPPEN, LADY!!!! First, that thing will probably be swinging all over the place in that nose dive and air swirling that I'll probably never even catch it! Second, if I do get lucky enough to grab the thing, I'll probably go to pull the tube to start the air and pull so hard with the adrenaline that will be pumping that I'll yank the thing right out of the ceiling. If I'm fortunate enough to complete steps one and two, I will not be worried about an inflated bag! I will be scrambling for the little paper bag in front of me to put over my mouth and do some "inflating" of my own since I would have left my stomach somewhere up around 30,000 feet or so! And if I do ALL of that and I actually get to the point where I CAN breathe, there will be nothing NORMAL about it!!!
Then finally in the video, we reach the part about the floatation devices. You know, in case of a water landing. "In the event of a water landing," (let's just stop right there. I saw no boat parts on this plane outside. No big skis like on them water planes you see in Alaska. We shouldn't be in the water!), "this aircraft is equipped with floatation devices for your safety. In the economy cabin, they are located under your seats. In the executive cabin, they are either under your seat, between your seats, or in the armrest of your seat." I'm thinking, "WHEW! Glad I'm in the economy cabin!!! I'd die just trying to FIND my floatation device!" No wonder the statistics say that doctors, lawyers, investors, and the like all have stressful jobs. It's because they know that they're the only ones who can afford to fly first class and nobody is telling them where the floatation devices are!!! It's a rough life being rich!!! I can see their tombstone now... "Thanks to the video, they knew how to use it, they just couldn't find it!" :-)
I'm outta here!
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