God Can

Building One Another - Vol. 11, No. 25
Dear Friend, I was flying a Southwest flight from Orlando to New Orleans. We were belted in and picking up speed as we raced down the runway. Suddenly the pilot’s voice broadcast in the cabin. My ears perked up since I had never heard the pilot speak during take off. What he said was, “I think I can. I think I can. I think I can.” We all had a good laugh as the plane lifted into the air and turned towards New Orleans. That moment has often come back to me when facing some challenge in my life and I find myself running harder and faster. Like the “Little Engine that Thought He Could," the words of that pilot come to mind, “I think I can. I think I can!” Except the pilot couldn’t fly by himself.  While he had a part to play, he was merely along for the ride aboard a massive plane trusting in its power to take him and all of us aloft. When you start thinking it all depends on you, know that our Lord works with, in, and through our efforts yet, we, too, are along for the ride. We, too, have our part to play in the endeavor before us, yet we trust in our massive God’s power to be the wind under our wings. “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.” Psalm 20:7* I trust God can!
With joy- E. Stanley Ott Copyright 2012 E. Stanley Ott *Scripture from the NIV
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Generous Thanks

Building One Another - Vol. 11, No. 24
Dear Friend, Driving with my daughter in the neighborhood in which I grew up, we paused by my childhood home so she could take a picture. A young man came to the door obviously wondering what we were doing. My daughter called to him, “My Dad lived here forty years ago.” He went back inside the home and out came his mother. After my daughter told her the same thing, that lady said immediately, “Would you like to see the house?” Not even, “Just give me five minutes to pick up a few things, “ but a “Please come right in.” She took us into every room in the house. Memories came flooding in. I could see my Mom and I decorating the Christmas tree, my sister standing by the plate glass window before her wedding dress, the room I shared with my brother and so much more. Can you imagine what I feel every time I think of the generosity of that dear lady in offering that kind hospitality to strangers? Thanksgiving simply overcomes me! As the Apostle Paul wrote, “You will be enriched in every way for your great generosity, which will produce thanksgiving to God through us.” 2 Corinthians 9:11* So this Thanksgiving, think of the many acts of generosity that have been shown to you in the last year – by the people in your life – by the Lord of your life – and give thanks!
Happy Thanksgiving - E. Stanley Ott Copyright 2012 E. Stanley Ott *Scripture from the NRSV
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