writings

I was ministered the other day as I read in a leadership journal an actual account of a man who refused to give up. It reads this way:

On a commuter flight from Portland, Maine to Boston, Henry Dempsey, the pilot, heard an unusual noise near the rear of the small aircraft. He turned the controls over to his co-pilot and went back to check it out.

As he reached the tail section, the plane hit an air pocket, and Dempsey was tossed against the rear door. He quickly discovered the source of the mysterious noise. The rear door had not been properly latched prior to takeoff, and it flew open. He was instantly sucked out of the jet.

The co-pilot, seeing the red light that indicated an open door, radioed the nearest airport requesting permission to make an emergency landing. He reported that the pilot had fallen out of the plane, and he was requesting a helicopter search of that area of the ocean.

After the plane landed, they found Henry Dempsey, holding onto the outdoor ladder of the aircraft. Somehow he had caught the ladder and had been holding on for ten minutes as the plane flew 200 mph at an altitude of 4,000 feet. Then, at landing, helped his head from hitting the runway, which was a mere 12 inches away. It took airport personnel several minutes to pry Dempsey’s fingers from the ladder.

Things in life may be turbulent, and you may not feel like holding on, but as I mentioned earlier, have you considered the alternative?

Have a happy Thanksgiving Day week!

Pastor Victor Nazario

In the book of Proverbs chapter 18:21, the Bible states that there is life and death in the power of the tongue. You possess power in your words and conversation. This power can go both ways at any given time.

Consider:

Salvation comes when one speaks to another person about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It causes a response that leads to life.
Faith comes when you hear the Word spoken to you.
Joy comes when you hear good news.
Sorrow comes when you hear bad news.

Children can teach us powerful truths through their actions. The other day, I heard two funny stories that help bring this truth to life:

First story:

After the church service, a little boy told the pastor, “When I grow up, I’m going to give you some money.”

“Well, thank you,” the pastor replied, “but why?”

“Because my daddy says you’re one of the poorest preachers we’ve ever heard.”

Second story:

A man’s wife invited some people to dinner. At the table, the wife turned to their six year old daughter and said, “Would you like to say the blessing?”

“I wouldn’t know what to say,” she replied.

“Just say what you hear Mommy say,” the wife said.

Their daughter bowed her head and said, ” Dear Lord, why on earth did I invite all these people to dinner?”

I don’t know about you, but if my kids did this to me, I’d be embarrassed. Yet, it’s the parents fault because they modeled that behavior and conversation before their children. Proverb 12:18 states there is health in the words of the wise.

Are you healing, uplifting, encouraging others, leading them to saving faith in Christ? Or, are you destroying, breaking down, and shattering people with your words?

Remember, there is life and death in the power of your words!

Applying wisdom to everyday life for extraordinary results,

Victor Nazario

There have been many times when we are tempted to give up

This practice can bring life or death!