Morning Musings

Ambiguity Unchecked

renda@rendabrumbeloe.org (Renda Brumbeloe) — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 19:42:41 GMT

                                                                        Morning Musing
                                                      Ambiguity Unchecked
                                                         Renda Brumbeloe

Would you agree with me that you would never get on an airplane if you thought the flight crew was ambiguous to the flight? Ambiguity must be solved. It simply cannot be tolerated.

If I may give an extreme example, it’s like saying it doesn’t matter where a plane lands. Just take off, fly a while, pick an airport and land. No. We would not tolerate such an ambiguous attitude from the pilot crew. If for no other reason, many airports are prohibited.

Yet we live our lives in an ambiguous age. Perhaps our tolerance has gone mad.When ambiguity turns into ambivalence, nothing matters. An airline captain cannot afford to be ambivalent.

I once had an aloof flight attendant on a flight delayed at the gate. She came to the flight deck and sat down where she proceeded to do her nails. I had already informed the passengers that we had a mechanical delay for a yet undetermined amount of time and would keep them advised as to the nature of the delay.

I looked back and saw a first class passenger (a frequent flyer) go into the flight attendant’s galley and proceed to look for a cup of coffee. There was none brewing. I suggested to the flight attendant that since we were delayed she might attend to the first class passengers’ needs. She never looked up but replied that she had decided not to serve drinks until after takeoff. It raised my eyebrows a bit.

I got out of my seat and went to the galley to assist the gentleman. He said, “Captain, I see that you have more than a mechanical problem here.” I thanked him for his patience and told him I would take care of it.

I suspected there had been some relational problems. I proceeded to the rear of the aircraft to confer with the other flight attendants and discovered there had been a big unresolved conflict on an earlier flight. By this time, everyone in the first class section knew what was going on. I took my time and returned to the flight deck. The flight attendant was still doing her nails.

I approached her and said, “Madam, we need to talk. I am not going to address the differences with your crew that you brought on board today. But I cannot accept your ambivalence to your fellow crew members and to our passengers. I need you on the team back there.”

She responded, “Captain, I don’t need you to tell me how to do my job.”

That was enough discussion for me. I stepped out to the phone on the jet bridge, called zone operations and requested a replacement flight attendant. I explained that I could not trust my passengers’ safety to her ambivalent attitude and to my Captain’s authority should we experience a problem in flight. I returned to the flight deck and suggested the flight attendant take a reassignment. She was off the flight. It was not a pleasant experience and one I was glad to never have to repeat.

There is simply no place on the flight deck of our lives for ambivalence to take root. And it is dangerous to compromise right principles for any desired unity.

We all experience ambiguity. But we must not let the ambiguity of this age turn into ambivalence in our lives. We all have family and friends who are depending on us. Truth matters. We do not proceed to our destination by default.

Ambiguity and temptation in itself is not a sin. But ambivalence is a step beyond ambiguity, one of yielding to temptation, and is worse than being lukewarm. And we all know that Jesus did not like the taste of lukewarm.

James 1:15 says, "Then when lust hath conceived, it brings forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, brings forth death."

In other words, ambivalence, when it has conceived, turns into ‘nothing matters,’ and ‘nothing matters’ brings the death of truth and relationships in our lives.

It does matter where we land . . . where we come down on matters of truth. Don’t let the desire for unity compromise flight operations.

Ambiguity on the Flight Deck

renda@rendabrumbeloe.org (Renda Brumbeloe) — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 10:34:47 GMT

                                                               Morning Musing
                                 Ambiguity on the Flight Deck
                                        Renda Brumbeloe

Ambiguity is defined as doubtfulness or uncertainty of meaning or intention. It also means an unclear, indefinite or equivocal word or course of action in the face of conflicting information.

Ambiguity on the flight deck results because of the loss of situational awareness, and once detected, it is a very uncomfortable thing to well-trained pilots. The natural human response is to try to ignore it, but airline training programs clearly teach all pilots to confront it quickly and make a book based decision. It is important for someone to speak up and say, “Hey, let’s talk about this.”

Sometimes, ambiguity shows up as conflicting aircraft system indications, aircraft performance, navigation or instrument errors. But the most subtle ambiguities in the cockpit come from induced human sources requiring interpretation. For example:

• An unclear ATC clearance
• Flying in dynamic weather conditions
• Interpreting the weather radar
• Intentions of a fellow crewmember in flight decisions

Good communications on the flight deck are imperative in solving ambiguity. Fortunately, one statement I’ve never heard in the cockpit is “I told you so.” We must lay aside personal differences and disagreements and fly by the book.
We will talk about it after we safely land.

Pilots are quick to forgive and move beyond mistakes. No one likes to hear “I told you so” even though it seems to bring pleasure to utter those words.

It’s much better to say, “Hey, let’s talk about this before we get ourselves into a predicament.” Solving ambiguity before takeoff is always the better course of action.

Back on the ground, how often we accept ambiguities in our lives with little concern until a major problem arises and catches us unaware. Our immediate response is to pass the blame or take inappropriate action making matters worse. It is not possible to be ambiguous about God’s laws without consequences.

However, we often choose to ignore ambiguity and live our lives, making no clear choices until the choice is taken away.

Ladies and gentlemen, we have arrived at that gate. We must pay attention now.

The age of information has become the age of ambiguity.

We have allowed social justice and morality to be confused. But there are no moral second considerations with God.

Politicians often speak ambiguously . . . uncertain, unclear, with indefinite words. They equivocate. But followers of Christ are without excuse.

God speaks clearly. His Word is specific. His Word is Truth, no ambiguity.

God’s Word speaks clearly on the flight deck of our lives. His justice and righteousness will reign. We can live with hope and certainty.

We will talk about it endlessly . . . after we land.

Knowledge Dedicated To a Smaller Framework

renda@rendabrumbeloe.org (Renda Brumbeloe) — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 17:11:38 GMT

                                                                    Morning Musing
                               Knowledge Dedicated to a Smaller Framework
                                                    Renda Brumbeloe

What I am about to relate to you is a bit difficult for me. Over a period of time, I realized that developing a personal culture of flight safety was learning not to push the parameters of flight even though it fell within legal limitations.

This event happened almost two decades ago when I was a first officer. But as I have relived some of my flying memories the question still haunts me. We’ve all experienced that confession is good for the soul. Well, here goes.

This is how it happened. We were flying into National Airport D.C. (now Reagan International) and the landing winds were at max demonstrated crosswinds limit.

The Captain had asked me if I was comfortable to execute the landing. I knew that a strong left cross-wind landing executed from the right seat (first officer seat) provided better visibility of the runway from the flight deck because of bank and crab angles required in those flight conditions.

I told him, “Yes sir, no offence to you, but I’d rather do the landing than watch the landing.” I think he was relieved.

We told the passengers that we might have to divert to Baltimore because of high winds as we watched an American flight execute a go-around in front of us. With the winds from 270 degrees at 35 knots with some gusts to 42, I suggested we change to runway 33, the short runway.

I re-briefed the approach and landing and made it very clear that I had no expectation of touching down but just to shoot the approach to take a look. I knew at the last second we might continue and land. (In reality this is called flirting with temptation because that’s what pilot’s do) . . . WE LAND! Pilots defend this thinking because all landings have the mentality of a go-around even in normal conditions.

All the way down final approach we were buffeted by the swirling winds. Eighty feet above the runway, I added power and kicked right rudder to align the 727 nose with the runway and announced “I’m at right rudder limits.” It was momentary so I continued the approach. We were lined up on the runway center line at near maximum left bank. 50-30-10 sang out the radar altimeter; we touched down. It was hard work but worked out well.

I released back pressure on the controls, deployed the ground spoilers, went into reverse thrust while applying full ailerons into the wind and braked to a motivated stop while fighting to stay on the center line with the rudder pedals. We had made a max performance landing on runway 33 using only 3500 feet.

It seemed to only take a few seconds. “You’ve got the airplane, Captain” I said. Then I realized I was breathing heavy. Flying doesn’t have to be that much work.

I could hear the passengers cheering in the cabin. They were glad we didn’t divert. I was proud but ashamed because of their response. Perhaps I had landed because of their expectations. Maybe we had bowed to cultural expectations. LAND! I could have suggested to the captain that we divert.

My haunted question remains, “Did we distort safety that day?”
We definitely dedicated our knowledge to a smaller framework.

I later told this story to an experienced captain that I didn’t know very well.
He was not impressed! He jumped on it.

“What a (expletive) foolish thing to do. You didn’t have to do that! You could have bent an airplane.” Then he added, “As you gain experience you will get more restrictive, not more liberal. That’s what keeps us all safe.

“You didn’t have to do that” kept ringing in my head. In other words, what he meant was safety is the ultimate motivation! Safety rises above all other motivations. Safety cannot be relegated to a smaller framework.

Although my Captain had trusted me to shoot the approach into National Airport and we were able to land, I’ve been haunted reliving our decisions that day and its implications. I’m convinced we made the wrong decision, flirting with cross-wind limits and operated with the wrong motivation. . I was too agreeable and haven’t flown that close to cross-wind limits since then.

Why have I related this story? I’ve recently read Wilbur Wilberforce’s book, Real Christianity. Although written more than 200 years ago, he unpacks the way we tend to live the Christian life in the framework of our culture.

Wilberforce says for the Christian “The Holy Spirit is our ultimate motivation.”

In other words, The Holy Spirit rises above all other motivations. The Holy Spirit cannot be relegated to a smaller framework in our lives.
Our lives must not be lived in sacred and secular frameworks. As we gain experience in the Christian life, our standards will get tighter, not more liberal.” We just don’t have to do some things.

Here are Wilberforce’s thoughts from page 70 of his book:

We wrongly assume “If I meet my religious obligations, (as in a legal cross-wind limitation) I am free to live my life as I wish. Thus the reality and work of the Holy Spirit are held captive in a diminished role in our lives. Authentic faith is not allowed to expand and possess more of our lives. (Wow!)

. . . When Christ is not free to possess more and more of who we are, the tendency over time is to take even what we have placed within the smaller framework and move it out into the larger context. We will actually regress spiritually instead of progressing in authentic spirituality . . . The space occupied by faith will diminish over time, until it is hardly active at all.”

This is the genesis of cultural Christianity.

Wilberforce speaks to principles critical to living an authentic Christian life.

• He passionately describes how the essential beliefs of authentic Christianity have been distorted. (for example, it’s okay to try to land)
• He clearly shows how concepts of sin, evil and depravity have been watered down. (limitations can’t be that important)
• He challenges Christians to maintain a biblical lifestyle. (fly by the spirit of the Book.

Prayer: Dear Lord. Dear merciful Lord. Forgive us. Help us. Let us not bow to the cultural cross-winds that buffet our lives. Help us to live fully in the ultimate motivation of your Holy Spirit. Amen.

The Center Line

renda@rendabrumbeloe.org (Renda Brumbeloe) — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 09:37:31 GMT

                                                                    Morning Musing
                                                    The Center Line
                                                    Renda Brumbeloe

Airline pilots have a great affinity for the taxiway center line. In fact, the center line defines the pilot.

Look out the window at your next departure gate. If the airplane nose wheel is not squarely parked on the center line, it’s a pilot disgrace. If you are not on the center line, all other things don’t fit right (like the jet bridge, loading equipment and other adjacent airplanes.)

Staying on the center line of the taxi way is necessary for safe clearance of boundaries and obstacles. Otherwise it’s a sure way to end up in the mud. Sloppy and imprecise taxiing simply does not have a place in the pilot’s life.

The center line is a visual thing. Although the pilot cannot see his nose wheel, he knows when he on the center line. Precise taxi is a skill to which all pilots are committed. At night, when visibility is limited, the nose wheel light clearly illuminates the center line. Safety is found on the center line.

Most importantly, landing on the center line of the landing runway is the number one indication that shows the pilot’s ability to control the aircraft rather than the cross wind currents taking control of the pilot.

Our nation has socially, financially and spiritually departed the center line. We now face a new social and economic paradigm because of gross corruption, greed and dark evils which we have not addressed. This event has served only to further delay and obscure our unresolved sins for which we must eventually give account. These sins include: abortion, seekers of pleasure, materialism, the love of money, and other idolatries. We must repent.

This new paradigm in which we now face is akin to newly constructed taxiways which do not have the safety benefit of a center line.

This paradigm was spoken about by the Apostle Paul when he wrote, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Ephesians 5:12

We may not know the bottom of the stock market; we sometimes cannot see daylight for the darkness of life’s situations, but we can know where God’s center line takes us.

Navigating the center line is not legalism. The center line is where we will individually find God’s will.

Don’t let cross currents change your approach. Live your life on the center line and you will avoid lurking trouble and not get mired up in mud. God will do the rest. A holy life is the only real evidence that we have a saving faith in Jesus Christ and the center line is the holy way.

The warning continues from the Apostle Paul, "Awake, you who sleep, arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.”
Ephesians 5:14

“Whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus walked.” I John 2:6

Empty Airplanes

renda@rendabrumbeloe.org (Renda Brumbeloe) — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 20:53:32 GMT

                                                                 Morning Musing
                                           Empty Airplanes
                                          Renda Brumbeloe

Years ago I flew a corporate flight of executives to Scottsdale, Arizona. Due to the passenger load, I planned the flight for legal minimum fuel. Upon landing we discovered that refueling was not available until the next day (but that’s another story!) We were grounded for the night. I thought to myself, “That’s a great shiny looking jet airplane out there on the ramp, but it is useless without fuel.”

I peered into the fuel tanks and confirmed there was limited combustion for those engines. The plane was out of service . . . no fuel.

That afternoon after a short drive I visited “The Bone Yard” at nearby Davis-Montham AFB where thousands of military aircraft of all sizes and descriptions are parked, retired in obsolescence. Their fuel tanks are empty. Vents, panels and doors are taped shut to keep sand and dust out of systems in order to preserve their airworthiness should the planes ever be inspected, filled with fuel and flown again. Those planes look great, but what a useless fleet of technology . . . empty tanks . . . empty airplanes.

The maintenance of our spiritual lives is much the same way . . . sometimes empty and out of service . . . unable to carry payload.

Our lives may look great to our friends, but we cannot operate spiritually on empty tanks. The blind cannot lead the blind, unless they both fall into the ditch.

The Word of God ignited by prayer is necessary for spiritual combustion to propel us into action and service as we allow God’s Spirit to fill us.

“Be filled with the Spirit.” Ephesians 5:18 God’s command!

Good News and Bad News

renda@rendabrumbeloe.org (Renda Brumbeloe) — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 15:44:36 GMT

                                                                    Morning Musing
                                                Good News and Bad News
                                                      Renda Brumbeloe

The good news: The gear was down and locked with only one engine running (number 3), and the runway was in sight (ten miles ahead).

The bad news: The gear was down and locked with only one engine running (number 3), and the runway was in sight (ten miles ahead).

The good news: We had enough airspeed and power to make the runway because the flaps were up (and inoperative).

The bad news: We had enough airspeed and power to overrun the runway because the flaps were up (and inoperative) and no go-around capability.

The good news: The fire engines would chase us down the runway after landing.

The bad news: The fire engines would chase us down the runway after landing.

The good news: We had one pneumatic nitrogen bottle for braking to help us get stopped.

The bad news: At our landing speed the brakes would catch on fire as we tried to stop.

The good news: I was in the simulator, and I wouldn’t lose my life or others.

The bad news: I was in the simulator, and I would lose my license with only one more chance to execute the procedure successfully before I was fired.

It was my annual flight check, and it was totally up to me to do everything right with one chance decisions I made that day.

Well . . . this picture resembles the plight of our national picture in politics, our financial market, national security and encroaching godless socialism.
But the unacknowledged elephant in the room is our national spiritual crisis.

Neither our Congress, national advisors, nor any elected President can rescue us from our plight. We are in a hole that we have allowed to be dug. We must face it squarely; it is up to us. There is no go-around. But we do have Help available.

2 Chronicles 7:14 “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

Jesus gives His disciples Good News in the Gospel of John.

The Good News: “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.” John 15:18 (NIV)

The bad news: “If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own.” John 15:19a (NIV)

The Good News: “You do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world.” John 15:19b (NIV)

The bad news: “If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also.” John 15:20a (NIV)

The Good News: “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” John 14:26 (NIV)

So in conclusion, “Let not your heart be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in Me. In my Father’s house, there are many mansions. If it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you . . . I will come again to receive you unto myself, that where I am, there you may be also.” John 14:1-3 (KJV)

The bad news doesn’t matter if you trust the Good News.

Previous Morning Musings are available and archived at rendabrumbeloe.org. Click on the Morning Musing button. Weekly Morning Musings emails are available upon request. Please write to: rendaual@aol.com with your request.

Sho Sum Respeck

renda@rendabrumbeloe.org (Renda Brumbeloe) — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 20:30:58 GMT

                                                                   Morning Musing
                                                 -Sho Sum Respeck-
                                                   Renda Brumbeloe

Being Christian doesn’t make one courteous any more than being courteous makes one a Christian. But public courtesy seems to me to be a good measure of Christian behavior.

I recently saw a teenager wearing a black T-shirt that had imprinted the misspelled words, Sho Sum Respeck.

My first reaction was amusement as I believe it was intended. Most of us were taught early in school that we earn respect. That includes learning how to spell.

Then I got to thinking about the laws of civic conduct and human behavior. There really is a great need for showing unearned respect in the public place to those we pass and to those with whom we silently mingle. Maybe the T-shirt was right.

I suppose all of us have been run over by loud rude groups entering a Walmart or shopping mall as we tried to exit or vice-versa. Maybe, absentmindedly, I’ve almost run you over a time or two myself.

One lesson of respect we were taught as children was to not take the playground atmosphere into the classroom. As you enter the school doors, absorb the new environment in silence. Then your behavior can be appropriate to the new atmosphere. How much more our courtesies would be extended if we all did this.

What better public place to practice this discipline than as we enter church to worship. The house of God, the place of worship is to be revered.

The New Testament speaks of greeting each other with a holy kiss. Maybe the needed courtesy of today is what this New Testament greeting was all about.

I believe Christian courtesy in the workplace always stands out and is a silent witness of what we truly profess. The lack of respecting others’ space and senses is akin to a mob-like mentality that does not reflect Christian behavior.

Our attitudes and behavior as Christians need to be above reproach in public.
It is not always easy. How often I’ve wished to voice my loud complaints privately in an unavailable office.

It’s those times I want to be sho’d sum respeck!

“Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see God.” Hebrews 12:14

The Black Box

renda@rendabrumbeloe.org (Renda Brumbeloe) — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 19:42:35 GMT

                                                                    Morning Musing
                                                       -The Black Box-
                                                       Renda Brumbeloe

The black box is actually not black at all, but rather an iridescent orange flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder in a very rugged metal chassis. Designed to withstand severe crashes, it records time, date, flight events, turns, headings, movement of controls, G forces and cockpit communication by the pilots.

All commercial passenger aircraft are required to have a black box. In the event of a crash or damage to an aircraft, the black box is sent to the NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board) in Washington, D.C. where it is analyzed by experts.

The black box is the conscience of the plane. A tell-tale story of what went wrong and how it happened can be derived from its extracted information. A flight scenario can be pieced together with a time code, and the tragic event can be examined and re-enacted with radio and cockpit conversations. The black box records the flight inputs and results in the same way our conscience judges our actions.

God knows our heart. He knows what is in our black boxes. Nothing is hidden from His sight. He knows our coming and our going. He knows the wrong turns we have made. He knows the anguish and the turbulence that we have faced.

God knows . . . and He cares. Our hurts matter to Him. He is merciful. And He says to each of us, just as He said to the woman caught in sin and accused by the Pharisees: “Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more.” John 8:11 (NKJV)

Previous Morning Musings are available and archived at rendabrumbeloe.org. Click on the Morning Musing button. Weekly Morning Musings emails are available upon request. Please write to: rendaual@aol.com with your request.

The Loss of Logic

renda@rendabrumbeloe.org (Renda Brumbeloe) — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 12:52:54 GMT

                                                              Morning Musing
                                                     The Loss of Logic
                                                   By Renda Brumbeloe

“Yes, but will it play in Peoria?” This is a famous old and outdated adage in politics. One definition meant that regardless of whatever political convention says, will we be able to we sell it to the American man or woman in the street? That was then.

This is now, and everything is changed. There is a vitriolic grab for political power to change the moral values and individual freedoms of our nation that was formed under God to an amoral utopia where God has no business in the affairs of government. God given freedoms and values will be levied by an encroaching social society. It could be quick and beguiling.

History proves a nation without God is a nation without truth and logic. Our story is spoken by the Prophets and written in the Old Testament. As it was then, without God, our nation is destined to tyranny and bondage.

The media pendulum is swinging hard against traditional truth and individual values. Powered by the despair crowd, its tool is political correctness. Laws are being challenged and often torn down, changing the institution of marriage, freedom of speech, gun ownership, wealth, freedom of religion and partial birth abortion.

The media of hate and mistrust against individuality has unleashed a new social paradigm that has been steadily encroaching, pitting class against class, failure against success, race against race and religion against religion. Logic has taken wings, and Christian born freedoms are evaporating.

Despite the fact that politics has often toyed with the defiance of logic, we have survived morally because we have trusted God. But now, as we move toward a Godless, amoral society, liberty and freedom are at great risk. Man looks away for only a moment, only to look back where freedom once was.

We are now experiencing the loss of truth and logic, falling head-long, head down into classic godless socialism. Example: Increase government control in every aspect of our lives and continue aborting babies in and out of the womb! Legal infanticide! Unbelievable!

Abortion is the supreme denial of God’s creation and individuality. Abortion overrules God and overturns Logic! Legalized abortion is the greatest moral failure of all preceding societies and civilizations that ever existed. You can expect anything to happen in an abortion society.

But God will reign. Even in a world of man’s anger and idolatry, His truth has not departed. His Word has not failed. His promises have not been broken.

Am I pessimistic? Absolutely not! I have great hope. I join a multitude whose optimism has nothing to do with matters of society or government. My life is but a preamble to eternal life in a redeemed world without end.

God’s Word declares, “The heavens and earth will pass away, but my Word (Logos) by no means will pass away.” Luke 21:33

In speaking about logic, G.K Chesterton said, “The tragedy of a liar is not that he cannot tell the truth but that he can no longer believe the truth.”

Governments and civilizations have risen and fallen on moral living and believing the truth. Amorality will destroy freedom but not truth.

Truth and logic in our lives is really an undeniable spiritual question that resides deep in the heart of every human being. Man can ignore God but cannot win the
argument with Him. He can only convince himself that anything is true and anything is permissible.
The meaning of the word “is” may well be the most foolish question of our time. The fool has said in his heart, there is no God . . . there is no “I am.”
But the Psalmist says, “The Lord lives; and blessed be my Rock; and let the God of my Salvation be exalted.” Psalm 18:46
So take heart, God reigns in truth. Arrogant man is not the hope of the world, or savior of the planet.

Man cannot save himself. God did not leave that open to us. I AM is the God of our Salvation. He has overcome the world. His coming is our hope.

I agree with the psalmist. Let the God of my salvation be exalted. Hallelujah!

The Flight Recorder

renda@rendabrumbeloe.org (Renda Brumbeloe) — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 19:41:23 GMT

                                                          Morning Musing
                                         The Flight Recorder
                                           Renda Brumbeloe

Never fly with a pilot who thinks he is perfect or thinks she never makes a mistake.

This innocent looking flight recorder and its associated cockpit voice recorder prove pilots are not perfect. These devices record every word and deed that is taken by the flight crew. A perfect pilot does not exist. However, only the last 30 minutes of flight are retained on the continuous tape. Previous actions are erased and forgotten. (And that’s good!)

Mental mistakes are generally caught and accounted for quickly by the pilot crew. In fact, sometimes one pilot may observe his mistake and silently correct it, while chiding and confessing to himself. (Experience is a great teacher.)

However, if mistakes lead to what is known as an event, then, “Houston, we have a problem,” and a blip is made on the flight recorder tape.

The problems can get even worse: Not all problems may be caused by the flight crew. Aircraft systems all interrelate to each other. For example, mechanically
• an engine fails in flight,
• the landing gear will not go up or come down,
• the cabin pressurization or electrical system fails,
• Or maybe the plane hits severe clear air turbulence.

Pilots are trained to handle these events but the blip is still on the tape. The flight crew is charged with taking care of these problems but how they solve the problem is judged as well. Exactness and knowledge is what piloting is all about.

Words, thoughts and deeds in our lives may seem insignificant but can lead to an event that might become a blip on the tape. We all interrelate to each other. Quickly repent, ask for forgiveness, confess it to God and don’t let it become a blip, or a sin, on your flight recorder tape. Remember, like the flight recorder, your previous sins can be erased, forgiven and forgotten.

“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my Strength and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:14

Keep the blips off your flight recorder and have a good flight today.

Have a safe labor holiday.

The Social Gospel of Christ

renda@rendabrumbeloe.org (Renda Brumbeloe) — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 12:54:15 GMT

                                                                Morning Musing
                                     The Social Gospel of Christ
                                           Renda Brumbeloe

We hear a lot about WWJD (What Would Jesus Do?) I prefer WJD, What Jesus Did.

Pastor Phil Ware in his book, What Jesus Did, makes this clarifying statement: “Jesus didn't come to please the religious crowd. Jesus didn't come to pander to the social crowd.”

So Please! No more fawning words of social Christian justice!

The gospel is simply this: Jesus came to forgive sinners. The church must remember that we are not called to simply make the world a better place but to lead people to the redeeming Christ who forgives sin.

Yes, we should care for the sick and needy, distribute food, medicine and goodwill, but the Gospel message is Jesus saves. Christian ministry cannot be accomplished any other way. The message and mission are one: Through Christ, our sins are forgiven.

It is easy for our religious life to be more socially focused than Bible focused. We are tempted to be politically correct but not Biblically correct. But by doing so our point of reference becomes more oriented toward man’s ideas than God’s ideas. We must not believe in a Gospel that is more sociological than theological.

We are reminded in God’s Word that man’s thoughts are not God’s thoughts. And, “We must hold fast to the things that are true.” 2 Timothy 4:3

Love is not just a mental exercise, but seeing the things that are really true. The Gospel Truth reveals the Person of Christ which is forgiveness and compassion. His compassion for broken lives goes far beyond a mere social gospel. The Pharisees were not particularly pleased that Jesus called his disciples to an overflow of compassion for people.

Listen to the words of Jesus recorded in Matthew 9:36. “But when He (Jesus) saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.” Matthew 9:38 “Look! The fields are ripe unto harvest . . . Pray that the Lord will send reapers into the harvest field.”

We must see with the eyes of Jesus (What Jesus Does). The Gospel of Christ makes sense only when the church addresses social ills through the eyes of Jesus, the forgiver of sinners.

We see broken lives, but Jesus wants to save us from our sins. Here are the words of Jesus to the paralytic man brought to Him on a stretcher:

Matthew 9:2 “Take heart son. Your sins are forgiven.”

Then Jesus had to reiterate to the unbelievers, verse 6, “But so you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins . . .”

Then he said to the paralytic, “Get up, take your mat and go home.”

Still again He answered the unbelievers in verse 12. “Healthy people don’t need a doctor. Sick people do. Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: I want you to be merciful, I don’t want your sacrifices. For I have come to call sinners, not those who think they are already good enough.”

“Therefore as God’s chosen people . . . clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience . . . And over all these virtues, put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” Colossians 3:14-16

The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, when you opened the eyes of the blind, you were also opening the eyes of your disciples. And they saw. Open our eyes, Lord. Let us see with your eyes. When you made the lame to walk, you were giving us feet to walk your path. Lord of the Harvest let us be reaped into your harvest.

Amen.

Making Room For God

renda@rendabrumbeloe.org (Renda Brumbeloe) — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 15:49:34 GMT

                                                           Morning Musing
                                              Making Room for God
                                                 Renda Brumbeloe



When I was hired as a flight officer with United Airlines, I was a very experienced pilot with 7,000 hours of flight and an impeccable safety record. I was glad to be one of the “sheep.” Little did I know the baptism of fire that I would undergo in my initial training.

The very first thing I learned in training was that my way of doing flight had to go. Flying the line was far too big and specific to fit the old flow patterns I had learned. I simply could not fit my old habits into the new holy crew concepts.

The community of pilots with which I now would be flying are all trained to a flight certified SOP (Standard Operating Procedure). Every certified procedure is set apart in Captain’s authority and covers all flight contingencies. It would be chaos to fly any other way.

What’s more, if I didn’t fly the new way, I could still be a pilot but not a United Airlines pilot.

For example, consider the procedure for takeoff. All extraneous conversation must cease. Standard procedure and verbal callouts allowed are:

• Cleared for takeoff . . . airspeed is alive
• 80 knots power set, instruments crosschecked
• V1 . . . (go, no go decision speed) V2, (takeoff safety speed) Rotate
• positive climb, gear up (maintain V2 plus 10 knots to 800 feet)
• flaps 5 . . .green light, flaps 2 . . .green light, flaps up, set climb thrust
• Accelerate and climb to 3000 feet, still no conversation except for talking to air traffic control, 250 knots maximum speed below 10,000 feet

I have described just one of many flight maneuvers all designed to keep you out of trouble . . . a holy standard. It is not rocket science, but it is a safe way of effective flying in the community of diverse pilots who believe in that standard.

The same is true in our Christian life. Our old way of doing things has to go. We sometimes set out trying to fit God into our lives. But God is too big to fit into our way of doing things. We simply must begin to fit ourselves into His Way of doing things. He is the Captain. His way is the set apart, holy way. All things are made new.

We often want God to “come along beside us” and help us with our plans and ambitions. But God has far greater plans for us. We are in His holy hands. It’s not rocket science. But we often resist, hoping God will come along and think our way is better.

Trying to make room for God in our lives simply doesn’t work. We are too small, and He is too big. God is Holy and specific. Likewise, His plans for us are Holy and specific.

Now don’t get me wrong. I know we are not cookies in a cookie cutter template. We do not all plop out the same way in our culture. But we cannot be culture Christians either. We are called to Christian standards measured by Christ’s standards.

“It is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.” Psalm 100:2-3

The hard rock reality is this. God is sovereign. But like the children of Israel in the Old Testament, we ignore God’s way and make for ourselves our own unholy standard operating procedure.

Making room for God didn’t work then, and it doesn’t work now. He doesn’t just want to fill a void in our lives. He wants to dominate our lives. I am reminded of the chorus:

“God’s way is my way, and we are His people.
God’s way is my way, and we are His people.
I’ll never turn back from God’s way.”

The Flight Deck

renda@rendabrumbeloe.org (Renda Brumbeloe) — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 15:50:06 GMT

                                                                 Morning Musing
                                           The Flight Deck
                                          Renda Brumbeloe

I was a new second officer en route to Chicago O’Hare when the ACARS (computer radio system) summoned me to a change in my flight itinerary. After landing I was to report to gate B16 where the plane, flight crew and passengers were already loaded and ready to push off the gate. After landing, I quickly hurried to my new assignment.

As I headed down the B16 jet bridge, the gate agent implored me as to how long it would take to get the plane off the gate. I told her that it would take about 20 minutes. She seemed displeased with my answer and shocked that I would delay the flight for more than simply three or four minutes.

Little did she know about the flight duties of a second officer:
• The required airplane walk around
• The flight performance computations
• The system checks
• The need to arm myself with information to support the captain and first officer, much less getting into the loop myself.

At that point I didn’t even know where this flight was headed. I rushed into the cockpit to drop my bags and join the flight crew. The captain greeted me warmly and introduced himself. “Glad to see you. Take your time on your walk around. We’ll be ready to go only when you are ready to go,” he instructed me.

Upon returning to the flight deck after my walk around, there was a feeling, a presence in the cockpit that I liked. The Captain again advised me, “Don’t rush…get comfortable.” I once again felt the serious business and joy of flying. This is what I had signed on for.

The Captain with his understanding words and instructions had quieted my spirit. Suddenly, it didn’t feel so much like work.

I thought to myself, “This Captain is someone I want to emulate . . . full of wisdom, understanding and mercy.” I felt revived and anticipated our upcoming flight together. I knew I would enjoy this Captain’s flight deck.

On the other hand, what a clamoring culture we live in . . . making so many demands on our lives.   We get so busy . . . school starting, new schedules of running to and fro, attempting too much. I sometimes think that if we ran the airlines like we run our lives, airplanes would crash and burn on a daily basis.


More than ever in these times we need the Presence of God to quiet our spirit and renew in us the joy of living.   God invites us to enter that far greater arena into His Presence, to come with thanksgiving, trusting our lives to the Holy God who will order change in our flight itinerary.

God actually wants us to live in His Temple . . . He wants us to be His Temple. There is peace and order on God’s flight deck. It is there that we can dwell in His holiness.

Prayer: Thank you God for your mercy and your guiding hand. May we surely and quietly respond to your love for us. Make us holy and fit for your Temple. Amen.

To Tell The Truth

renda@rendabrumbeloe.org (Renda Brumbeloe) — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 15:49:41 GMT

                                                                 Morning Musing
                                           To Tell the Truth
                                          Renda Brumbeloe

It has been said, “If you don’t read, you are no better off than the person who can’t read.” The same can be said of a person who believes a lie. He is no better off in his understanding of truth.

What is Truth? Let’s be practical. Truth doesn’t have to be complicated. “Let your words be simply, yes or no: and whatever is more than these is of the evil one.” Matthew 5:37 In other words, tell the truth.

First of all, truth is non-contradictory. Maybe the above scripture gets closer to describing truth than we sometimes do. It’s easy to believe a lie. God-given conviction based on His Word is the best place to start.

The early television years had a show called What’s My Line. Contestants were charged to tell the truth, and they could only say yes or no with their responses. The panel derived their logic about the occupation of the contestant from simple yes or no responses to the panel’s questions. The moderator of the show often stepped in to assure that non-contradictory truth was conveyed to the panel.

I just witnessed another absolute truth on TV. Wheel of Fortune had a contestant who guessed the correct word, “apology.” However, she didn’t win the 100,000 dollars because she was a nanosecond late with the correct response. Apologies were given, but the 100,000 dollars was not. An absolute truth was just demonstrated on TV. Apparently, telling the truth has a time limit as well.

With that encouragement and without delay, I will just say it like it is.

This post modern culture has unleashed a new social paradigm that has been steadily encroaching, pitting class against class, race against race, religion against religion and lies against truth. Logic is often missing. The truth is not in it.

This culture speaks no absolutes . . . only relativism. It despairs if God’s Word or principles are spoken publicly. No personal convictions should be voiced at all. Keep your truth to yourself, thank you very much! Could the politically correct crowd and the despair crowd be one and the same?

I do not intend to sound cynical but . . . I have determined anew to tell the truth. I will let my yes be yes, and my no be no. I will no longer delay or hesitate to let God’s Holy Spirit speak. His Spirit is truth.

To tell the truth, let truth be known.

Politically Incorrect

renda@rendabrumbeloe.org (Renda Brumbeloe) — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 03:22:22 GMT

                                                               Morning Musing
                                        Politically Incorrect
                                       By Renda Brumbeloe

This politically correct society will tell you that personal convictions don’t matter. But Jesus said in Matthew 5:37 “…Let your words be simply, yes or no: and whatever is more than these is of the Evil One.”

Several years ago I was performing my yearly three day proficiency check as a captain at United Airlines. This is the annual event where you put your flying license on the line and bet your job and livelihood. The instructor informed our class of twenty that he would now show us a new required sensitivity training video. As the video began, I felt I was being censored for my values.

About three minutes into the video, I stood and announced that I would not watch this video as it was attempting to make me compromise my moral beliefs. At that point, ten other pilots stood and announced their refusal as well, and we politely said we would leave until the video was over. The showing of the video was immediately suspended.

Political correctness goes far beyond respecting diversity. It now has an uncanny connection to censorship. What seemed like a good idea has become an agenda of socialism. Many times political correctness attacks Christian beliefs in support of a godless and amoral society. Sleepers, wake up!

The entire Bible is the antithesis of political correctness. Everything Jesus said to the Pharisees was politically incorrect. Yet everything Jesus taught was love and forgiveness.

The Gospels record many of these events. For example, the elite Pharisees were Sadducees (land owners) who elected themselves into the Sanhedrin (the supreme court of the day). One member of the Sanhedrin was always selected as the High Priest. Jesus was not concerned about being politically correct to this congress of law makers and officials. Rather, Jesus said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.” Luke 20:25

Why did Jesus say this?

On the pretense of tolerance, the Pharisees were the most intolerant of Jesus’ ministry. They attacked his healing of the sick, the blind and the outcast. They hated his ministry of love and forgiveness. When Jesus said he was of God, they debunked Him and went ballistic and oh, the rhetoric that followed.

So what is different today?

• The enemies of God’s Word are still enemies of truth and tolerance. Do not be deceived.

• The Bible is debunked by unbelievers who demand no Christian symbols or ceremonies be displayed in the public square.

• High school and college coaches are threatened with lawsuits for praying with their teams.

• In the state of Washington, a wind ensemble preparing to play Ave Maria at a school concert was cancelled by school officials. We

face a fight of our lives for the hearts and minds of our children.

It is a widely believed myth that Bible reading is politically incorrect, not allowed in schools among student activities and even academic studies. Do not be deceived . . . this is not true. It is not the law. However, school educators, afraid of political correctness, bow at the pressure.

Just a few weeks ago, the Veterans Administration announced that the flag folding ceremony will no longer be allowed . . . just another in the long string of attacks on religious symbolism and freedom.

Robert J. Hutchinson in his book, The Politically Incorrect Guide to the Bible, takes on the elite experts who say the Bible is untrue, untrustworthy and even immoral. He expertly discusses recent archaeological discoveries that confirm the historical accuracy of many Bible stories.

• How the Bible made modern science possible.

• How the Bible paved the way for democracy and limited government.• How the Bible promotes human freedom.

Christians, we can withstand this assault. Remember this: the Cross of Christ will never be politically correct. But do not be afraid of political correctness. Personal convictions do matter!

You have the Holy Bible to stand upon.

Morning Musings are weekly publications based on studies of Biblical scripture meditations, and times of personal devotion. A dialogue of truth, avoiding heresies, and rightly dividing the Word of God in the challenging days in which we live, is encouraged from any serious reader and student of the Word of God. Musings are Copyrighted© 2008 by Renda Brumbeloe

Previous Morning Musings are available and archived at rendabrumbeloe.org. Click on the Morning Musing button. Weekly Morning Musings emails are available upon request. Please write to: rendaual@aol.com with your request. Visit the Morning Musing website at renda@rendabrumbeloe.org.

What Does The Book Say?

renda@rendabrumbeloe.org (Renda Brumbeloe) — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 19:51:29 GMT

                                                             Morning Musing
                                          What Does the Book Say?
                                                Renda Brumbeloe

We were at 33,000 feet headed to Newark when I suddenly noticed that the first officer’s windshield had fogged over. “Hmm, when did that happen?” I inquired.

“It was clear just a couple of minutes ago,” the first officer replied. “Do you think we should descend?”

“Well, this can be more than meets the eye. What does the book have to say? Let’s go to the irregulars and review that first. Meanwhile we can slow back to 250 knots. Feel your windshield. Does it feel as warm as mine?”
“No, it’s cold,” he responded.

“We’ll check the circuit breakers. Why don’t you fly the airplane, and I’ll review the book with Alan.” (our second officer)

“Cleveland Center, United 638 here, we need to slow back to 250 knots, over.”

It is prudent to slow to 250 knots with a windshield problem. All pilots know at low altitudes heated windshields are designed to withstand a one pound bird strike at 250 knots . . . or, we jokingly add, a 250 pound bird at one knot!

One of the first things a pilot does in his preflight check is to switch on the window heat. Cold soaked windshields are brittle.

Window heat provides measured amperage, preventing overheats. Power is increased as needed to prevent thermal shock as we rapidly climb to cold altitudes.

The irregular checklist did not solve our windshield problem that day, and our airplane was grounded after landing. Our passengers had to be rerouted and we had to endure a double deadhead to a new assignment.

How is the view out your windshield? Is it fogged up? What is your world view?

Are the warmth of God’s Word and the fellowship of Christian community keeping you from becoming brittle? Have your circuit breakers popped or has your windshield cracked? Is God’s power increasing in your life as needed?

If we stay at low altitudes, we risk getting a bird strike. But we can’t fly to high altitude without window heat. The heat of God’s Word is our protection.

See what the Book says. You will find help through the irregulars and can return to normal flight.

The Pitot Static Tube

renda@rendabrumbeloe.org (Renda Brumbeloe) — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 17:51:20 GMT

                                                                 Morning Musing
                                                The Pitot StaticTube
                                                   Renda Brumbeloe

I love the praise chorus that says:

This is the air I breathe,
This is the air I breathe,
Your holy presence
Living in me.
- Mercy Me

The Pitot Static tube is a heated device mounted in a precise location of an aircraft’s fuselage. It measures the movement and speed of the aircraft by receiving the relative wind through the ram air port. This raw data also measures airplane altitude and rate of altitude change.

Here is a technical diagram of this ram air system:

The genius design of the pitot tube uses a static air source that provides a constant measurement between ram air pressure, air densityand static pressure. When these trusted inputs are fed into an air data computer and electronic encoders, advanced high flight data is available.

However, the pitot port and static port through which air travels must not get clogged with foreign debris, grime or ice buildup. If such clogging occurs, the raw data and air data computer become useless and unreliable. The flight system indications will be false, and control of the aircraft will be disrupted.

It’s the same in our Christian life. We are the receptor of the relative wind and breath of God. We rely on the raw data of God’s Word and His Holy Spirit for guidance.

“The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” John 3:8 NKJV

We fly in a dirty, dusty, cold and sometimes grimy atmosphere. We must keep the ports open and breathe in the fresh wind of God.

Christian, don’t let your heart get iced up or clogged. You need a constant measure of God’s presence. Don’t let anything come between your soul and the Savior…keep the way clear. Let nothing between.

If we are faithful to God’s Word, He will lead us into advanced holy living where we will not only be His children, but also saints in His Presence.

Breathe on me, Breath of God,
Fill me with life anew,
That I may love what thou dost love,
And do what thou wouldst do.

Edwin Hatch, 1835-1889

Let Freedom Ring

renda@rendabrumbeloe.org (Renda Brumbeloe) — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 20:55:02 GMT

                                                                     Morning Musing
                                            Let Freedom Ring
                                             Renda Brumbeloe

Happy 4th of July! We must celebrate loud and long!

This is the day we celebrate the Christian heritage of our nation. We are
still the greatest nation in the world . Let us celebrate the freedom handed down to us from our forefathers who fought for religious freedom, overcoming fear and adversity.

Karl Marx said, “Take away the heritage of a nation and they are easily persuaded.”

There are those who would make us forget. Never let it happen!

We must not forget our Christian heritage. We must never give up the fight. Religious freedom of all faiths, rest upon the tenants of our founding Christian faith. Fifty two of the fifty five signers of the Declaration of Independence were Christians. God’s principles are engraved in stone all over of nation’s capital.

John Quincy Adams- 6th President of the United States said: “The highest glory of the American Revolution was this: It connected in one indissoluble bond, the principles of civil government with the principles of Christianity.”

John Jay- first Supreme Court Justice said: “Providence has given to our people their choice of rulers and it is the duty as well as the privilege and interest in our Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers.”
“
George Washington – First President of the United States said: “It is impossible to govern the world without God and the Bible . . . Let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion.”

Patrick Henry- the firebrand of the American Revolution said in 1776: “It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded not by religionists, but by Christians, not on religion, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ. For that reason alone, people of other faiths have been afforded freedom of worship here.”

Ben Franklin's Message Before The Constitutional Convention, in 1787 proclaimed: "I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth-- that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid?”

Again, we must never give up the fight. In Christian love, we must never quit.

First, we must pray. Remember, our prayers are heard in heaven.

2 Chronicles 7:14 “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

Secondly, we must live lives that shine with the integrity and hope of our faith.

Proverbs 14:34 “Righteousness exalts a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.”

May Jesus Christ be praised!

Forever!

Let Freedom Ring!