TOWING AIRPLANES
Here is something for a change of pace. Do you ever swap dreams to discover mysteries? Perhaps there is a Joseph or Daniel who might like to interpret a pair of dreams I’ve had recently.
In the first dream Pam was driving a truck pulling an older twin engine plane. It was in decent condition but needed a little touch-up. I was excited about working on it. In the second dream I was driving our car with Pam and realized we were pulling a small jet plane behind us. I thought it would be wonderful to fly the plane but we would need to find a pilot or learn to fly.
It would be fun to get your thoughts. If you have a dream you’d like help understanding I’d be curious to look into the mystery with you.
“We both had dreams,” they answered, “but there is no one to interpret them.”
Then Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell me your dreams.” (Gen 40:8)
Steven C Johnson
Landingstripenterprises.com
DISCOVERING TREASURE
Don’t pass by rusty tin cans. A California couple walking their dog found one, then several more near it, full of gold coins. Value? $10 Million!
Mel Fisher read Treasure Island as a child and got a serious case of gold fever! July 1st 1985, after having searched 16 years for the shipwrecked Atoshia, his team discovered its treasure worth $500 million!
Jesus told two stories of striking it rich in Matthew 13:44-46.
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.”
Quite by accident the first man stumbled on treasure buried in a field. He sold everything he had – his house, lawn mower, SUV, etc. until he was able to buy the field and make the treasure legally his.
The second parable shows focused intent. A man who dealt in pearls, who knew value, found one of such exceptional worth that he liquidated all his stock, dozens, perhaps hundreds of pearls – plus his home, lawn furniture, baseball card collection, etc. in order to buy that singular pearl.
We may stumble into the reality of Jesus. We may find The Pearl on a quest. Whether by “chance” or earnest seeking, the trivial price of giving up all to receive Him is well worth The Treasure!!!
Steven C Johnson Landingstripenterprises.com
JUST ADD WATER!
Want to see kids have fun? Just add water! Do you want to cultivate romance? Add a walk by a wooded stream or sandy beach. There are those who love the wilds of the desert but most people prefer a vacation or picnic outlined by water.
I shiver with longing when I drive by an ocean, lake or river. I desire water like a fish! Water sooths and invigorates, calms and activates! How refreshing to splash, dive and swim in the wet! Let me paddle or sail over it, ski upon it or simply dangle my feet in it!
Are you a water baby, simply delighting to be around the water? Have you taken a boat cruise, gone white water rafting or tubed behind a speed boat? What fun! Have you gone deep sea fishing? Don’t you love it! We can tell that God loves H2O. He made so much of it! He gave birth to water.
“Does the rain have a father?
Who fathers the drops of dew?
From whose womb comes the ice?
Who gives birth to the frost from the heavens
when the waters become hard as stone,
when the surface of the deep is frozen?” (Job 38:28-30)
One of the first things you see in Scripture is Gods Spirit reverberating and resonating over the waters. There was a miraculous induction of purpose into the deep. As the Spirit hummed, and strummed, and vibrated things came alive! “Spirit” and “water” are linked in scripture. Liquid language is used to describe the Spirit” raining” down or being “poured” out.
Please, add the water that the fun and romance may begin!
Steven C Johnson
Landingstripenterprises.com
AT THE SHORE WITH YESHUA
Would it surprise you to discover that Yeshua loved living at Peter’s home on the North shore of Galilee?
Did He relished the sunrise glinting on the water and the thunderstorms pelting and dotting the lake? Did Jesus love to see the wind ruffle Peter’s sail? Was he entranced as he looked back at the wake following the boat? Perhaps He was too spiritual for that….
Not at all! Remember Jesus is the one who told Nicodemus to be aware of the wind, the crowds, to get in touch with the birds and the lilies and the disciples to treasure the children!
Like us he was mesmerized by the water lapping at the hull and rocking the boat. Do you suppose Jesus was a swimmer? He couldn’t have been afraid of the water! Can you imagine our Lord stripping down with the guys and taking the challenge of racing out to Andrew’s boat?
There were plenty of trials in Messiah’s life and ministry but still, Jesus is the expert at wringing pleasure out of simple things. He loves to be around the water. Of course he does unusual things with it. He turns it to wine! He walks on it! Picture the tongue-in-cheek smile.
After a day of scrambling over the stony shore following and listening to their amazing Rabbi what did they do for dinner? Perhaps they barbequed fish with Peter’s patented seasoning mix. There was joy on the lake!
Steven C Johnson
Landingstripenterprises.com
IRRITABILITY
“Dear Mr. Putin,
Who the hell were the trigger happy bastards who shot down our friends and family? And when will they come to punishment?
Sincerely,
The International Community”
Perhaps you can help me. I am typically easy going and good humored but recently I’ve felt cranky.
I wonder where the feelings of, “I’d like to punch someone in the nose!” come from. I did not have friends or family on Malaysian Airlines flight 17. Why do I feel so touchy? Perhaps if I need to sleep better, eat healthier and get better exercise.
Apparently women who are pregnant can become irritable. Could that be it?
If any of you have suggestion or counsel for me it would be welcome.
Thanks,
Irritable, a.k.a. Steve Johnson
Landingstripenterprises.com
“We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.” (Rom 8:22-25 NIV)
WAR IN GAZA
Only the hardest heart can witness the grief in Gaza over the loss of loved ones and be unmoved. On the other hand, how is it possible to blame Israel for seeking to protect its people from constant harassment by terrorists?
Back in 2005 Israel gave up the Gaza strip. It was obvious to us that this gift to the Palestinians would result in war. Since 2005 Hamas has shot into Israel 9300 missiles. The people of southern Israel have had frequent visits to the bunkers seeking protection. Rather noisome, rather niggling.
I have never heard of a nation with such restraint! How many missiles would the United States tolerate from Canada before we said, “That’s enough!” What if the international community told the US to be patient with Canada, show restraint and have a peace agreement even though we had to absorb rockets every day?
My image of the situation is that of a little guy picking on a big guy. The little guy pokes the big guy repeatedly with a sharp stick, slaps the big guy repetitively and keeps shouting, “I’m going to kill you!” The big guy stands day and night and night and day being patient with the harassment. He says, “Please stop! I gave you the land you are standing on so you would stop bothering me, now you are troubling me more than ever!”
You know the end of the story. The big guy has enough, pulls back and flattens the little guy! The problem is that the moment the big guy swings at the little guy the world press is there to take pictures! The thousands of pesky rockets harassing Israel never got to press.
It may be noteworthy to tell you how the two rivals behave.
“Israel uses its weapons to protect their people. Hamas uses their people (as human shields) to protect their weapons.” Another lense to the situation is to ask these questions: If Israel alone was armed and Fatah and Hamas had no weapons what would happen? Peace! If Israel had no arms but their enemies did what would happen? The genocide of Israel.
Hamas launches their rockets hoping to kill and maim civilians. Israel is scrupulous about protecting civilians. Picture this: Before Israel bombs a house they make a phone call saying, “In a few moments we are going to bomb this home. You need to get out of the house immediately.” They will also send a small explosive bomb over the top of the home to warn that a big one is following and it is time to get out! How many enemies give warnings like this? They drop leaflets warning to move out of areas where there will be attacks. Israel often has spotters saying to hold off on targets because civilians are around the building. Remember, Hamas sends off missiles praying to Allah that they will find the blood of Jews.
If you had a dozen rockets fly into your neighborhood daily how would you comfort your children??? Watch these amazing videos of how Israelis has lived with enemy rockets!
Children’s song to help with stress https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SoB1AjVCueU
Everyday life with missiles https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrCkc1140Vk
Steve Johnson
Landingstripenterprises.com
SOLEMNIZING THE DECLARATION WITH FIREWORKS!
LISTEN TO THIS BLOG HERE!
Has the potency of our Independence been lost behind a smoke screen of fireworks?
The significance of holidays degrade by inattention. Thanksgiving becomes gluttony day. Christmas Incarnation becomes gift-giving day. Resurrection Sunday becomes eat a chocolate bunny day. Independence Day becomes picnic and fireworks day.
Independence Day originally was more than explosive light shows. It was death-defying determination to escape totalitarian rule. In a much smaller land, and missing the millions who live here today, 4,435 died because of The Declaration. They put action to the words, “appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, … And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.”
What if you could not buy products from Turkey, Germany or South Africa unless they first were shipped to England, and then were shipped to you with English taxes?
What if a British officer knocked on your door and informed you that ten soldiers would be staying at your home for a few months starting now?
What if you were not allowed to make the most basic laws governing the behavior of people in your state or community?
What if the Crown taxed you more than they taxed the people in England and refused to listen to your many questions and petitions?
Would you patiently implore the understanding of England as did the colonies? Would you petition and implore? Would you, like the the colonist eventually say, “Rebellion against tyrants is obedience to God” and “Don’t tread on me!”
A question for us moderns is, “Would you and I have signed the document?”
Would we have laid down our lives, our bank accounts and reputations to back up our signatures?
Our behaviors as everyday patriots will show us what we would have done had we been planted in those pivotal days of history. Perhaps our days are no less momentous.
It’s been said that “To maintain our nation’s freedom it will take the same kind of resolve that it took to form it.” Let’s be grateful for the intelligence, wisdom and determination that those before us acted on to gain us freedom. Let us somberly remember our children and grandchildren, and refresh our resolve as we celebrate our costly freedom.
John Adams wrote regarding the Declaration.
“The Second Day of July 1776, [the day Adams thought the signing and commemoration would both be on] will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival.
It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with-
Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.
You will think me transported with Enthusiasm but I am not. I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States.
Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means. And that Posterity will tryumph in that Days Transaction, even altho We should rue it, which I trust in God We shall not.”
Please do solemnize the day by setting off fireworks, clanging the kitchen pots and honking your car horn, but don’t fail to tell your children the reason for doing so!
Steven C Johnson
Landingstripenterprises.com
Note this excellent article w
The cost paid by the signers of the Declaration of Independence
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT: A NOVEL THOUGHT
A good author will make his characters three dimensional, thoughtful, emotional and active. She or he will give them virtues, vices and mannerisms. The author will give them predictable patterns and yet not paint the character so completely that there is no room for surprises. The character may act, “out of character.” Characters interest us in their predictable patterns but hook us when they act, “uncharacteristically. “
The author may present an unlikely hero. The shy, bumbler saves the day almost by accident! The hardened criminal is softened by the plight of an innocent child, and somehow both the criminal and child are rescued! The timid, wallflower gets her moxie when she’s had enough of the villain. Flattened bad guy!
God writes stories with unlikely champions. Gideon cowering in the winepress is galvanized to lead his clans against the teaming minions! Jael, your everyday Bedouin wife, drives a tent steak through the scoundrel’s sleeping head. I can picture the boys coming home and saying, “Wow, Mom! You are amazing!”
The Great Author had the role for the Lead written before the foundations of the earth. Jesus rides the white horse at the head of the army! But following Him are many supporting actors. By His amazing grace we are among them! Pretty amazing to think that God had a script in mind for each of us!
In every story the character at the end is not the same person we met at the beginning. When God’s grand magnum opus is completed I wonder what you and I will look like!
“Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when He appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. Everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” (1 John 3:2-3)
Steven C Johnson
Landingstripenterprises.com
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THE LOSS AND RECAPITULATION OF A FATHER’S IMAGE
Here is a piece I have enjoyed for years on Fathers Day.
It’s done by someone named Anonymous. I don’t know their first named.
The loss & Recapitulation of a Father’s Image:
4 years old: “My Daddy can do anything!”
7 years old: “My Dad knows a lot…a whole lot.”
8 years old: “My father doesn’t know quite everything.”
12 years old: “Oh well, naturally Father does not know that either”
14 years old: “Oh Father? He is hopelessly old-fashioned”
21 years old: “Oh, that man – he is out of date!”
25 years old: “He knows a little bit about it, but not much.”
30 years old: “I must find out what Dad thinks about it.”
35 years old: “Before we decide, we will get Dad’s idea first.”
50 years old: “What would Dad have thought about that?”
60 years old: “My Dad knew literally EVERYTHING.”
65 years old: “I wish I could talk it over with my Dad once more.”
Happy Father’s Day!
Steve Johnson
Landingstripenterprises.com
