Happy New Year!

" Do you think I cannot call on My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen this way?" (Matthew 26:52-53)

"In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for Whom and through Whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what He suffered."
(Hebrews 2:10)

As this year draws to a close, I am becoming more and more humbled by the means God used to display Himself through Jesus.  The first verse above is taken from Jesus' arrest, where it appears his disciples are expecting Him to finally take charge against the Romans and lead the Jewish people to victory.  He could take charge and do much more than just overcome the Roman rule...but something bigger is going on. There is a cup He must drink, and He alone can drink it (Jn 18:11).  Angels were there to celebrate and proclaim His birth, but He has them sit on the bench during the time when you would think they would be needed most.  The coming event of the cross would cause everyone to approach in silent wonder, both then and for all eternity - "Jesus of Nazareth, The King of the Jews" (Jn 19:19-22).  It appears that this is what the angels were praising God for during the birth of Jesus (Luke 2:13-14).  Seems odd to have any King of a people, let alone the King of Kings nailed to a cross with that kind of sign over His head.  The wisdom and humility of God are magnified!  "It is finished!" (Jn 19:30), and something new is happening!  The way John Piper said it, "The wisdom of God made a way for the love of God to overcome the wrath of God, by the grace of God, without compromising the justice of God." (Desiring God) 

If Jesus had the right to execute judgment and rule (more so than anyone else), yet passed on it in order to endure God's wrath, how should this affect me?  I can think of a number of answers from the bible and experience, yet nothing will happen unless I become more humble before God.  As John the Baptist put it, "He must become greater; I must become less." (Jn 3:30)  I heard a sermon last year leading up to the new year that emphasized giving thanks as a key to remaining humble.  I believe this from practice, and want to remain increasingly aware of God's work around me so I can celebrate it and thank Him for it so that I remain in a posture of humility and reverence.

It's easy to get caught up in the blessings God gives us and miss the character of the Giver behind the gifts.  I am deeply thankful for my wife and children, but even more thankful and humbled to see how God is shaping me through these relationships.

I am eager to get out there and 'get to work' so to speak.  I want to use the knowledge, skill, and experience God has blessed me with to share the good news of the gospel wherever God would lead us.  Yet I am surrendered and humble - knowing that what is most important is that I follow Him and trust that He will determine the rest.

This past semester was both fun and a great success! One of my friends from class and I got to do pretty much a complete overhaul on this Continental IO-470 engine.  This involved taking it all apart, cleaning and inspecting everything, measuring clearances between all the parts, doing some repairs, and then putting it all back together again (the way we found it).  

We also got to do pretty much the same thing to this old Lycoming T53-L1A turbine engine (used in old Huey helicopters).  We spent the whole semester exploring every system related to both reciprocating and turbine engines... it was awesome!

Another exciting achievement of Erin's this summer was becoming an IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant).  She loves working with new mom's and babies with breastfeeding, and thought it would be a great skill-set to have for ministry opportunities down the road.  I truly don't know how she was able to do it given our lack of free time for studying, but she did great!
 

We are down to one more semester left of A&P school now, and we are both looking forward to it! Erin has started her bible school training online, and is plugging away with it little by little.  We are planning on working through the summer and doing our interview with Mission Aviation Fellowship in October this coming year.  We are excited as we approach that date, yet we are increasingly aware of God's current activity around us and are trying to keep a good balance of anticipation and faith in the here and now.  We are deeply thankful for your prayer and support as we continue following the road toward the field.  May God bless you and your families this year! Happy New Year!