Encouragement

Those who know me know I'm a runner. Always have been. Well, not always. But in first grade, we had a track meet, and I ran in the 100 meter dash..and won! From that day on I was a runner. Granted, that was the last time I've ever gotten first place...but I still run. Round about 7th grade, my first year of junior high track, I learned sprinting wasn't the sport for me...too slow off the blocks...I'd been running cross country since 6th, so long distance it was. There is a point to all this, I swear. Just giving you a bit of background for kicks and giggles. So basically, I've been a runner in some capacity for most of my life. I really do love it. It's especially great this summer. After a long day I'm able to go back to my room and then go pound out the troubles of the day, both professional and personal. The pain, exhaustion, sweat dripping in my eyes (especially in this climate where it's customarily in the mid to upper 90s every day), and cotton mouth replace any emotional troubles with easily manageable physical troubles, leaving all of my mental, emotional, and spiritual capacities open to focus on God, to pray, and to listen to what He has in store for me (the future is going to be fantastic, I'm sure of it!)

Anyway, so to the point. I was running around the pond this evening when I made a realization. Another runner passed me going the other way, and without thinking we both made eye contact at the same time, I waved, he gave me a thumbs up, and we went on our separate ways. I've never seen him before, and I very well might never meet him again. Complete strangers with completely different backgrounds, histories, beliefs, ideologies, everything, and yet without a second thought or pre-determined notion or bias we each gave each other encouragement. It seems inconsequential I understand. What's a thumbs up? I'm not running a marathon, I'm not lost or stranded. Never once in my run did i stray more than a mile from my room, and never once was I more than a shout away from help if necessary. I wasn't disheartened or thinking about quitting early. So sure, in this particular case, I was in no need of encouragement. But I received it none the less. It made me smile quietly to myself because this isn't a singular occurrence. This happens whenever I pass a runner whilst I'm running. I assume that most every runner everywhere knows this same feeling. It's a brotherhood. We're all in the same boat and we all support each other without a thought. Isn't that great? Shouldn't that be the case everywhere with everything?

It made me think of something else remarkable. I'm a great giant space nerd, and I follow each space shuttle mission closely. This summer I've had the ability to spend an especially large amount of time following the STS-117 mission, spending most of the day with NASA TV on in the background. If you listen in to the communications between Houston and the astronauts on orbit, most especially during space walks. They are always positive, always complimenting each other, even on the minor things. "That was a great job there on tightening that restraint bolt." "That's an excellent camera view you're giving us." "Thanks for the wonderful support today from the ground crews." "Thank you so much for playing that song for our wake up. It's especially meaningful for me." "Excellent job on the thermal protection system inspections today." It's constantly like that. I honestly don't know if they do that because they do that or if they do that because they've been trained and instructed to communicate that way. Does it really matter either way though? When push comes to shove, there is constant support, nary a negative remark, and because of that (or at least largely because of that) the crews come home safely every time with a successful mission every time.

I'm not sure what all that means, or even what the point of me writing about it. It just occurred to me and it made me happy, so I thought I'd share it. Do yourselves a favor. Interact with those around you in a positive manner, no matter what. I can guarantee you'll be happier for it.

~AndyJams~

Leading with Soul

I'm a reader. Didn't used to be, but I love it now. I'm reading a book right now that my father recommended I check out called Leading with Soul by Bolman and Deal. The idea behind it is that in order to be a good leader, you need to explore your own spirit and soul, and include those elements of your being intimately in every facet of your life, be it love, hobbies, and your work. A lot of people make the mistake of taking their work and sealing it off from the rest of their life. They can be open and free enough at home around friends and family, but when they show up for work it's all business. After all, it's inappropriate to talk about such things at work, right? WRONG! If you want to be a good leader, if you want your organization to succeed and grow, you need to include this. You and those who work for you must share yourselves, share stories, share legitimate caring. A lot of evangelicals refer to this as "being real." Show up to work ready to care, not just to yield power.

I'm not doing a very good job of describing it, but trust me, it's fantastic. It's basically a parable that follows the spiritual growth of Steve under the mentorship of Maria. As you follow the events and stories you learn from their example. Every now and then there will be an interlude where the authors delve deeper into the mysteries they writing about. It's not exactly the lightest reading, but it's quick reading, and it is definitely meaningful. There are a lot of great things to quote, but there was one that I just read that I think is particularly worth mentioning here. It's a excerpt that describes what Kierkegaard refers to as a "knight of faith."

This figure is the man who lives in faith, who has given over the meaning of his life to his creator, and who lives centered on the energies of his maker. He accepts whatever happens in this visible dimension without complaint, lives his life as a duty, faces his death without qualms. No pettiness is so petty that it threatens his meaning; no task is too frightening to be beyond his courage. He is fully in the world on its terms and wholly beyond the world in his trust of the invisible dimension. The knight of faith then represents what we call an ordeal of mental health, the continued openness of life out of the death throes of dread.

That is a powerful description of what I feel a Christian should be. I argue that a true follower of Christ is a Knight of Faith in Christ. If you call yourself a Christian, ask yourself, does this excerpt describe you? Probably not. That's a lot to live up to! I'm pretty sure it doesn't fit me. I'd like to think I have a pretty good faith, and I've had a lot of personal experiences and chances to learn and see that have helped me to grow closer to God then I ever dreamed possible, but still...I fear, I complain, and quite frankly death makes me uncomfortable (even though I'm confident I'll be spending eternity in Heaven). I often fall victim to pettiness, and I often find myself not trusting God...I mean, I trust Him, don't get me wrong...but then sometimes, I'll try to take over. "Sorry God...I gave this to you to take care of...but I don't especially like the way that's going for me...so I think I'll take the helm again if you don't mind." I'm not proud of the fact, but it's true. Is that true for you?

I'm not worried though. I may not be the ideal Knight of Faith...but I'm at least a Page Boy of Faith...maybe even a Squire of Faith if I might be so bold. That's what rocks about God...well, one of the many things that rocks about God (a lot of people also make the mistake of focusing only on the salvation of Christ and base their walk with Christ on that, when there's so so much more to our Savior...salvation is just the first baby step...but the love, the friendship, the warmth, the sweetness, in other words, the Spirit, the "Walk with Christ"...that's where it's really at for me, that's what it's really about...salvation was just part of the love Christ has for us, not the only facet of Christ as many people make the mistake of thinking). Anywho, I went off on a tangent again...and I forget where I was going. Um..um...oh yeah. That's one of the things that's awesome about our God. Perfection never was a requirement. I think truly Christ is the only Knight of Faith, the only man who has achieved such faith and trust...granted...He's God, so maybe He cheated...but the fact remains. The greats of our faith, the saints, many of the popes, the apostles, the martyrs...those approach being a Knight of Faith...definitely Squires. The rest of us...those who are trying, who are reading, learning, growing in our faith, we're the page boys. All are essential for the jousts to go forward.

I suppose a better question is this. Are you trying to be a Knight of Faith? Are you at least on the road to becoming a Knight of Faith? Are you doing your best? Then you can safely call yourself a follower of Christ. God never asked that we be perfect. He only asks that we try. Not on the path? On the wrong path? Want to be on the path to becoming a knight? I highly encourage it. It's well worth the effort. Talk to your friends. I'd like to think that you know at least one Christian to talk to. If you don't, fare enough. Find a church. I know you can find a church. Talk to anyone in that church. I assure you that they'll be more than willing to talk to you. If they're not willing, well, God save their soul, because they are in spiritual trouble.

So that's kind of rambling and twisting and turning...but that's the best I can do with the topic...tis how my brain follows ideas. But yeah, Leading with Soul. Read it. It's good.

~AndyJams~

The World's Best and Brightest

Here's a short one.

I have the great privalege of working at Marshall Space Flight Center, one of the NASA centers most inimately involved in the current and future manned space flight programs. One side effect of living and working so closely with so many people who are so invested gives me an interesting vantage point. The Space Shuttle Transportation System is the most complicated machine ever built by man. It takes thousands and thousands of people giving of themsevles to keep these machines working perfectly. The visible point of these people include the corps of Astronauts, made up of our nations best and brightest: scientists, engineers, soldiers, and even high school teachers (keep an eye on STS-118 launching in August!). On Friay, June 22nd, the space shuttle Atlantis touched down safely at Edwards Air Force Base in California, brining an end to the very successful 14 day STS-117 mission. So who cares? Besides me that is.

Every morning of a shuttle mission, a special song is played for one of the members of the crew. The morning of flight day 11 was "Reedemer" by Nicole C. Mullen, selected for Pat Forester by his family. Pat Forester is an astronaut. Pat Forester is a Christian.

The crew took up a new space station expedition member and brought home Suni Williams, who first joined the space station crew in December. She now holds both the female endurance record in space, the first person to run the Boston Marathon from space, and also the female record for most hours in space walk. During her stay on station she wore a necklace which could be seen floating about her. It's medalian? A cross. Suni Williams is an astronaut. Suni Williams is a Christian.


I don't really think this needs any more explination. These are just two stories of many of the members of the Astronaut Corps, made up of the very best and brightest our nation has to offer. The majority of them are active Christians. What does this mean? I think it speaks volumes.


Who taught the sun where to stand in the morning?
and Who told the ocean you can only come this far?
and Who showed the moon where to hide 'til evening?
Whose words alone can catch a falling star?

Well I know my Redeemer lives
I know my Redeemer lives
All of creation testifies
This life within me cries
I know my Redeemer lives yeah

The very same God that spins things in orbit
runs to the weary, the worn and the weak
And the same gentle hands that hold me when I'm broken
They conquered death to bring me victory

Now I know my Redeemer lives
I know my Redeemer lives
Let all creation testify
Let this life within me cry

I know my Redeemer, He lives

To take away my shame
And He lives forever, I'll proclaim
That the payment for my sin
Was the precious life He gave
But now He's alive and
There's an empty grave

And I know my Redeemer lives
I know my Redeemer lives
Let all creation testify
Let this life within me cry
I know my Redeemer,

I know my Redeemer
I know my Redeemer lives
I know my Redeemer lives
I know that I know that I know that I know that I know my redeemer lives
Because He lives I can face tomorrow
I Know I know
He lives He lives yeah yeah I spoke with him this morning
He lives He lives, the tomb is empty,
He lives I gotta tell everybody

~AndyJams~