4 Aug, 2009

The Fasten Your Seatbelt Sign Is On!

Turbulence slams Continental jet, at least 26 hurt

Continental Plane

MIAMI – A Continental Airlines jet carrying 179 people from Brazil to Texas hit severe turbulence over the Atlantic early Monday, injuring at least 26 — including four seriously — and forcing an emergency landing in Miami, officials said.

One passenger said he felt Continental Flight 128 drop without warning while flight attendants were in the aisles, throwing some of them against the roof.

Houston-based Continental said there were 168 people and 11 crew on the Boeing 767. The airline released a statement that said the fasten seat belt sign was illuminated at the time and that about 28 passengers were treated in Miami.

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue spokesman Elkin Sierra said four people were seriously injured aboard the Boeing 767 and another 22 were in stable condition with bumps and bruises. A total of 13 people were taken to hospitals.

The plane reported hitting severe turbulence at 4:30 a.m. and landed safely at 5:30 a.m, at Miami International Airport Bergen said.

Flight attendants were serving items in the aisles when the turbulence hit. He said some flight attendants were thrown against the roof of the cabin and may have been among those injured.

(Article by AP Writer, Tamara Lush. To see full story, go to news.yahoo.com 8/3/09)

Matthew 5:45 [NIV]

He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

John 14:25-27 [NIV]

"All this I have spoken while still with you. 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. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Isaiah 61:1 [NIV] 

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.

What does God's Story teach us about the "turbulence" of life?

In today's story we read about unsuspecting passengers who thought they were along for a nice easy ride and soon found themselves in some pretty bad turbulence.

We too would rather have a nice easy journey through life...one with little complications or messy situations to deal with. We all know, however, that this is not going to be the case. Life can be tough. We are living in a fallen world; one that is full of sin and the consequences of it.

Thankfully God not only warned us, He has fully equipped us to deal with whatever life may bring. He also has called us to reach out to those who find themselves slammed against the ceiling but haven't yet been equipped by God to deal with the turbulence of life.

Connecting life's turbulence and God's Story with my story...

  • Sometimes there is a false teaching out there that once you become a Christian; God makes life easy for us. This is just not true. The Word even tells us straight up that it rains on the righteous and the unrighteous. Hard times will come to us whether we know Christ or not. The difference Christ makes is that He is WITH US to guide us through all of the bumpy rides of life.
  • We have been promised the Holy Spirit to both counsel us in tough situations and provide the peace that we need to weather the storms. If you are a Christ-follower, the Holy Spirit lives in you!
  • If you find yourself currently encountering some turbulence, be sure to seek help from God rather than relying on your own wisdom or strength.  

Connecting today's story, God's Story and my story with my friend's story...

  • If you want to have an impact on the world...just look around you. There are needs everywhere you turn. Addictions, abuse, neglect, divorce, anger, cutting, teen pregnancy, gangs, violence...these are just a few of the tools that the enemy uses to bring "turbulence" into people's lives. Your friends are walking some hard roads and they desperately need God...but they will first experience Him through you.
  • You, like Isaiah, have the Spirit of the Lord on you. You have been anointed to share the Good News, bind up the brokenhearted, proclaim freedom to those who are captive to all sorts of "prisons" today and release them from the dark by bringing them into the light. You are anointed! God can use YOU! 
  • If you are looking for a place to begin...start by just listening to your friends. Ask God to help you understand their pain and direct your words as you reach out to them in love through the power of the Holy Spirit.
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The Daily Bide is brought to you by a team of writers from Youth for Christ/USA. The writers all have various years of experience in youth ministry but share a common bond in serving Jesus and discovering what it means to abide deeply everyday and to connect God's Story with those around them. A number of the Daily Bide writers have also written portions of our 3Story® resources. You can check out our resources at the 3Story.org website or connect with our writers at 3story@yfc.net. If you have a question or a story you would like to share, please reference the Daily Bide date in your email.

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