You or God Who is Really In Control Here?

God most assuredly comes to many of us in times of critical need. I was an Air Traffic Controller for 10 years, and one of our monthly assignments was to listen to the transcripts and read the reports from NTSB [National Transportation Safety Board].

These were always the raw, unedited tapes of the cockpit and/or final pilot to controller conversations; not what is released to the public.
What always struck me most were the painful pleas and calls for mercy and the last minute cries for help from God. However, my general experience with both pilots and controllers was that were a group who felt most in control of their lives. Many did not seem to need God. Many I knew were not practicing Christians. I was guilty of the same lack of faith at that time in my life. I had been trained to rely on my knowledge and experience to get me out of any situation. I was an invincible pilot and controller. In short, an egomaniac that provided all the air under my wings that I needed.

Yet month after month I listened to these audio transcripts, an heard “cool”,” tough” “self-motivated”,” self actuated” people cry and plead for mercy from God. These were from what I could tell, people doing things their own way. Many of us are like that, our society teaches us to be independent, self motivated, and the makers of our own destiny. It is what we put on resumes if we want a strong leadership position. It made me start to wonder if there was something about God that people instinctively knew deep inside; or were driven to in time of great crisis. What could be a worse crisis as when you are spinning out of control and the ground is coming at you and you suddenly have no way to stop it.

I have two main impressions of those many tapes I listened to over the years:
One-- as Pastor Larry Thompson says , in times of deep trouble we seek first GOD. At the last minute we give in and say my life is no longer in my hands, I will ask God. Perhaps those folks are remembering a time from childhood where they sang a Gospel song; or a mother or Father or Sunday School teacher shared the power of God with them. I don’t know. Personally, I believe God instills His Spirit in the hearts of all and it is up to us to act on His desire to save each of us to be with Him for eternity. We have but to say a few words: Acts 16:31 “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved-you and your household.”
John 14:6 “I am the way, the truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except
through me.”

Two-- knowing the end is at hand we reach out to express the love that perhaps we could not fully express when we “Knew” We were in control. I have come to learn late in life that Love is so very important and the relationship of Love is linked with our Love for God. Matt 22:36- “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the law. 37 Jesus replied,” Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your mind.38 this is the first and greatest commandment.39 And the second is like it:” Love your neighbor as yourself. 40 All the Law of the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Further, I Corinthians, “Three things will last forever--faith, hope, and love--and the greatest of these is love.”
I once listened as a Lear Jet captain fell from the sky unable to control his plane tumbling uncontrollably nose over tail above the Gulf of Mexico” Please, please God don’t let me go this way. Tell my Mom I love her and …..” end of tape.
Please don’t let your tape end this way. Acknowledge God now, and show the Love you feel deep in your heart to everyone you encounter, especially those in your close relationship circle, wife, children parents family members. Build Love relationships; not walls of Isolation.

Forget What you Got -Seek only what you can keep

Amen to understanding that everything we think we "own" here on earth is just a temporary loan from God our maker and Provider of ALL things. As I entered my Mission here in the Baltic, and prepare for the Russian mission I received word that my old 1996 Ford Ranger had been towed off. I liked that old truck - bad transmission and all. But every morning I would get in it and it started up. I would then say "Thank You God for giving me one more driving Day,"

I am not worried at all because many times in my life God has provided where there seemed to be no hope of provision. Nothing we do can help. We must believe that, as Jesus Promised,in John 10:10 "I have come that they may have life and have it to the full." I firmly believe these words, so I cannot feel anguish over an old truck. I read Philippians 4:4 "Rejoice in the Lord always [i.e. in good and bad times]..6:" Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petirion, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the Peace of God, which trncends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ jesus."

And I always share the following with my students, ver 8:"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble,whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy---think about such things.9 Whatever you have learned or received from me, or seen in me---put into practice. [sic- for it comes not from me but the Holy Spirit] And the God of Peace will be with you."

We come into this world naked and with nothing in our pockets-- no pockets. We leave behind all God has allowed us to use while here.

Solomon had more than any person could want on earth, but he declared it all to be meaningless- temporal.

Ecclesiastes 2

24 A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, 25 for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment? 26 To the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.

Therefore, everything comes from God, but nothing is really ours, so why fret and wory over material goods. These things come and go, and on the deathbed they are probably the last thing on our mind.

The only thing we can hold onto in this world are relationships. Having a personal relationship with God and being able to speak with Jesus daily is why God created us. Love people and the God who created you and gave you life; not things. Invest in all that will live on and on ; not what you must leave here on earth! God Bless!

SUNNY SIAULIAI

I met with Edgaras my long time friend and his family.  Edgaras lives in Siauliai with is talented wife Eimante and their two lovely daughters Auguste and Ugne, I took the bus from Kaunas at 6AM and arrived at the Siauliai bus station at 8:45 where Edgaras met me.  We went to his home which is only minutes away. 

During the brief trip we had a chance to chat.  How are you, Kak Dela?  How is the Russian coming?  As kalbeti Lituviski, Edgaras could tell I wasn’t making a whole lot of progress, but he is a good guy and never one to criticize.  I fact, he is the most genuine “Live and let live” person I have ever met.  He is a great respecter of elders.

I spoke about my mission and what I was doing in kaunas and later in Russia.  He had followed my journey last Fall and was amazed that I would come all the way here to talk about God.  Edgaras is a very practical man and keeping a wife and two children in a city with the highest unemployment in the whole country he has a good reason to be practical.  He asked how much do I get to talk about God? 

“My payment is not in dollars or Euros I told him.”

“ So you have to pay for all this from pension?  Does the church pay you for anything?”

“Not exactly .”I said” and I don’t expect pay”.

“Wow, this is some strange thing I have not heard of.”

“Edgaras, I know we spoke of God before, and have you thought of the long discussions we had on our long journey in the summer of 2008,”

“I thought of how you talked on forever about your God, and how I tried to get you to speak in Russian , but you don’t.”

“He is our God, Edgaras.  He loves us equally, and he blesses us each.”

“Yes, but He is not hear very much.”

“What is it you want Him to say to you.”

“Say,”  I just need a job. But we are ok now.”

“So are you all OK with that.”  I asked.

It is true, Edgaras has always been thankful for whatever he has in life.  It is a quality that many people I know do not have.  Many always think of what they need and forget to be thankful for what they already have.  Both Edgaras and Eimante always do well with what they have.

Later that day after I arrived and greeted Eimante ;the kids were still a school.  This young couple related how the entire country was in poor financial shape,  yet they did not complain of their situation,  In fact they told me how they had changed their life style to accommodate the situation.

“We just do not go out as much as we once did to dine out.”

“We cook more at home, and do not take the children to the Mall .” Eimante is a fantastic cook, and there is always food cooking or on the table any time I am there .  Much food comes from the village.  Ad it is great and natural food.  In the summer they grow many berries, cucumbers, tomatos, and herbs.  They preserve them in jars and they dry the herbs for tea and natural medicines.  They have Medus (honey) and all kinds of great tasting vegetables and fruits.  The village is so rich and I have been in the garden in the summer.  Plants are flourishing like it is paradise and they know what and where each one  is producing.  These people are so naturally tied to the land it amazes me.

 “Yes, I think so,” said Edgaras.  “We do the dolls and pillows and this enough for us.”

“Eimante nodded in agreement.”

“ Here was a content couple, and a wonderful family.”

Their wealth was in relationships; not in their bank or wallet.  Also, they were happy to share what little they had, and I felt bad I could not bring more,  I had small gifts for them, and everyone got a baseball cap courtesy of Selah in Fort Lauderdale.

We spoke of God and how He does things in His own time.  Both were much more receptive to the message of Hope than they were 2 years ago.  I could sense a change in their feelings toward god.  Previously He did not exist or care.  Now they were more open to discuss His presence and how He was working in their life. 

I stayed there and watched in Awe at the work of God all around me,

At 4:45 we donned the 30 pounds of jackets, boots, scarves, gloves an head gear and walked to the school.  I had done this many times before but always in spring with no snow, and after school we usually took the girls to get ice cream or some other treat and rented bikes in the park.

Edgaras had a sled he took with us. I was so thrilled to see the girls and they looked so grown at 6 and 3.

On the way back I suggested going to Akropolis ; they just build a new one in Siauliai.  

“I think this is not good,”said Edgaras. ‘”Children will want treats and they will cry if we say no.”

“It’s Ok I will buy,” I said.

“No I think this is not good because you on a mission for God and don’t have a money.”

He replied.  “Then if you buy today and are gone tomorrow, children still cry.” He was right and firm and being a good father. ‘ Ir Viskis’—end of discussion in Lithuanian.

“We go and children play in snow,” he said.

I thought that sounded cold and I was frozen just from the walk.

“Ok that sounds good and they will have fun.” I said.

“Yes and they want to play with Seniles,” that was me.

‘” Ok but I am not much of a snow sport guy.” I said shivering.

Well, we got to this small snow hill behind their house and I had a great time.

                            

We played for an hour, and I did not feel that cold.  Eimante showed up just in time to start a snow ball fight.  It was a blast and all the time I was thinking of how much this precious family with little money and a lot of Love was living just as God had it planned for them.  I could sense God here stronger than ever.

There was great love there and these people were loving and kind parents doing the best they could with what they have and never complaining. 

Later we arrived back home covered in snow and frost.  Yet I did not feel bad I guess I was getting used to the cold.  Edgaras told me more than once, now and in te past.” It is never too cold ; you are sometimes not dressed warm enough.”

As we warmed Edgaras sat at the table with Ugne  (3) and patiently showed her how to color flowers in her coloring book.  This moment is so precious to me.   Henery Blackberry in Experiencing God tells us to look around and see God working.  If we look with the right attitude we will see Him everywhere.  Well, here is was right at the kitchen table,and when I was in the snow.  Father and daughter experiencing love and trust and learning, as mom right behind them is preparing a delicious meal.

Later, Edgaras sister, Kristina and her husband Audrus and their son Emmanules arrived.

They brought delicious “paraganas” –cake.   Wow the pastry here is the best!!

We sat at the kitchen table and talked about the new baby Kristina is expecting in April.  She is not checking on the gender and wants to be surprised.  Everyone said it is a boy!

Kristina started to open up about the mission, and much to my surprise she spoke openly about the church and her feelings about being in a church of harsh rules and stringent regulations about church attendance ritual. 

“ I Love God in my heart,”she said” now I am pregnant and it is really hard to be in church every  Sunday, but I go to confession if I miss.  And I am questioning about statues ns all these saints.  Can you help.?”

“ God is not a religion; God is a relationship.” I said.  I had heard pastor Larry say this so many times and I always find it soothing.  It was the first thing that came to my mind.

“ Yes I Love Him,” she replied, “But I don’t understand all you say.” 

I had te feeling she still did understand even if not every word.  Kristina has a good heart.  I remember my first encounter when I stayed in her home in 2006.  I was the only one there not talking because I knew no Lt.  Kristina gave me a booklet of Lithuanian-English phrases, and wrote on a paper all the important ones about food and the bathroom.

I knew she was kind and considerate.  It was good to be helped as a stranger is a Strange land.

Kristina had God in her heart from the first,  She was just not expressing it in the same words as I.                                               

Everyone gathered around the table and I blessed the house and food and Kristinas Family and new baby. 

We all sat after and chatted about a host of things but everyone wanted to know what work I was doing and what all the God stuff was about.

I was getting closer to have them open up and discuss what Jesus had done and what more He can do once they profess His Holy name/

God Works in Ways We Can't Comprehend

Wow was I frustrated.  My other laptop had a nervous breakdown on my 20/30 trip.  Now I arrive in Lithuania and heading for Russia and MP when suddenly I am out of space as my "New Used" laptop locks up.

I head to the local PC store:
Kumputoriai Maziausiamis Kainomis off St M Dobazinskio g. and Gedimino g.  It is right across from the Hotel Revai Neris where the Casono Olympia  sits atop the Ginger bar.

These are all along Gedimino gvate  the main  [street] in down town Kaunas.  Many of the colleges are located in center city just off the famous Leisiliem Esplanade.  In fact, Kauno Technologijos Universitetas has one building a block north of the Komputoriai Shop at Doneacicio and Gedimino and the other is two blocks south at the corner of Gedimino and N. Mickeviciawa g.

It is a very convenient city and a perfect college town.  The large Molas - Akropolis opened in 2007[photo at right] is only a short walk from most of the downtown [right and above is the Berneliu Smukle Crafted in the old country style of a Lithuanian Village.  One can get around the entire city on foot or to the outlying  districts of Jaucakiai; Sitkonai; Maksva and Kvesai on one of the many Taxsi-Microbus for 2.5 liters or $1 USA. These pack in 12 or more passengers and will stop to pick up or let off passengers almost anywhere.

Now back to God's work and fixing my PC.  as I enter the store speaking bad Lithuanian the young man [Gedis pictured here wearing a ball cap we gave him] sits behind the counter and responds to  me in perfect English.  Well, half my problem solved because all the way to the shop I am rehearsing what to say in Lithuanian or Russian, and it all sounds bad because I know only two computer words in these languages.  Gedis is my computer angel.

He is a student at the Kauno Technologijos Universitetas just down the street.  Since this is a college town and all students today use Komputoriai I am under grace.  Along with that, Technical colleges and Medical colleges require their students to be proficient in English, and there are two Techinical and four medical schools in kaunas. In addition, Gedis says that he will have to off load a lot of data from my PC to free up space to get it going again.  This will take a long time, like 2 hours and will cost a lot like 10 liters [ under 5 bucks].  All good things and all for  a reason.  Gedis and I are alone in the shop except for the occasional student customer coming and going.
"We need to copy your hard drive to a disk and free enough space to defrag the disk." Gedis tells me,
He puts a disk in and it wont copy.
"OK.  I will dump some of the files to my flash drive." he hands me a 15 gig thumb drive and I insert it to the USB.  This works.
I have another captive listener.  The down load says 60 + minutes.  So we can chat about God while the data an photos jump to the flash drive.
We begin just casual conversation about computers. Here we have plenty common points of interest. I am listening about his  life in the village and how difficult it has been for "old people" like 45 +and such since Lt has tried to get into the EU.  Young people like Gedis rarely speak of the Soviets.  That is because nearly 25% of the population here was born after the Soviet departure.  It seems there was a great "Baby Boom" in 1993-94.  And older -you know those 45+ year old folks- they don't want to talk about it.  They want to forget and move on. I am attentive to Gedis and his feelings about the economy and his country.  He is worried about Lithuania rushing into the EU without first building an economy that can compete with other strong members like Germany.
This is causing many Lithuanians and others in the Baltic region to move to other countries to work.  The Balts are a source of low cost labor for Ireland, Germany ,France  and Spain.  They even go north to Scandinavia.  This is not a good feeling for them.  Lithuanians like their land and they are a proud people.  Gedis is intelligent and has his finger on the pulse of his people.

I ask how he would rate his life on a scale of 1-10.  As a student it is an 8 because he studies computer systems down the street and he is lucky to have a job where he can use his skills first hand with dummies like me who get into trouble by not planning better or having invested in better equipment.

'OK  Plan B .  Flash drive is too slow to copy 9 gig to a DVD.  Gedis suggests we use the external HD and get all the data there and then make  a DVD.
We set up to copy to external HD
This will be 45 minutes
"So Gedis," I ask " you say you don't think much about God but it makes sense that he does exist."
"Yes, but he is ignoring us.  Look at all the bad things that happen."
"True bad things do happen all the time.  Do you think God is doing this?"
"Don't know but He is not stopping it.  I am doing what I need to do and I don't do bad things to people."
"Good.  But have you ever asked yourself ,'if i stood before God today and He asked why should I let you into heaven.  What would you tell Him?"
"Well, that I am a good person and i did not hurt others- smoked some pot but I went to confession too,"
"Ok you are good. I believe you.  Do you feel you know God as well as you know your own father?"
"This thing is running too slow.,"  Gedis said looking at my screen."Must have a lot of junk on it."
"I take a lot of photos and video for my work." I said.
"Well what about your feelings for God? I asked again.
"I feel God when I am in the village especially." Gedis replied.
"So do you talk to him.?"
"I say my prayers and sometimes go to church and confession and the priest talks to God." He replied.
" I know, but you are a child of God and He is your Father. He sent Jesus to free us and forgive us.
I demonstrated with my the DVD how sin can be all th data on the disk and that it is separating us from a personal love relationship with god,  Then I showed how Jesus erased and removed the disk so nothing could stand between us and our Father God.
"Confession is just you opening your heart to Jesus and asking for his love and forgiveness."  Soprente?
"Taip, and I do but I have never talked directly to God it sounds like too much for me."
Gedis was now thinking if he could actually speak directly to God and have Jesus enter into his life.
I heard the drive spin out and click,
"OK now I will hook it to my PC and load the DVD from y laptop.  But it will take more than one disk and I am running a program that will sew it together I just put in the first DVD and copy then the program splits the files and asks us to enter another DVD when this is full."  He knew his stuff.

"How much will these hold?" I asked
"6.7 Gig." He said.
"Ok I'll take 2." I replied.
"Nooo.  If you buy two at 4.5 Litas each, and the 5 pack is 6.95 It is better to take a whole pack"
"Ok break it open and let's copy." I said.
W talked on for another 45 minutes of copy time.  Gedis' girl friend came by to bring  him food.  I spoke with her a bit too.  She was nice but did not speak English as well as Gedis.  I gave Gedis a hat and asked for his photo.   I also gave him a hat for his girlfriend on the condition that he relay to her what I had just told him.  he smiled and let me take his photo wearing the hat. 

The Akroplois and Laisales Aieja [see statue of Vytatus along Laisales] are the most popular shopping areas downtown.  The large Akropolis is as modern or more than any US mall.  Yes, Connie, Gail and Alice that is a WAWA store in the Akropolis, but not a Jersey variety.  Here it is a Batas [shoe store] Akropolis is a typical indoor mall where as Laisales Aieja is an outdoor Esplanade Mall  to be enjoyed in the Spring and Summer. Akropolis contains many large restaurants and the center piece is a full size glass enclosed skating rink on the second floor.  On the third floor is a large Casino.  Across from the Akropolis they are building a very large sports Arena on the banks of the frozen Nemunas river  this is to house the national basketball team.

It is the first and largest Arena in Europe dedicated to Basketball,  [see insert of #13  Note the many very tall Lithuanians.  They just love basketball and they are good at it.  They came close to beating the US in the 2008 Olympics and are the European Champions. In the Akropolis you see Semis Jasaitis # 13  at 6'6"  showcased on a large 2 story brick wall.

"ok, all done." Gedis announces as he removes the DVD and hands it to me.
"well, " I respond," I think you are just about to start."  I am only a few blocks away , so it is convenient for me to stop by if I get into any more trouble."
Gedis smiled, and told me he was there every day after school and weekends.  I shook his hand and I knew we would be speaking again.  Yes the lord works in ways we can never hope to comprehend.
I came in groaning about my PC and left with a heart of gladness and a new soul closer to God.  Life is good Amen

Kauno

WARSAW TO VILNIUS

Traveling by plane always gives me a captive audience and God places people near me for the purpose of reaching out. Warsaw to Vilnius on from one ice covered runway to the next was no exception.
Sitting next to me was a very nice Lithuanian lady named Mihola who now lives in Chicago. We began a casual conversation about ice conditions and flying. She was in great fear until I showed her the de-icers on the leading edge of the Turbo Prop aircraft. LOT was the first "Former Satellite" carrier to ditch the old Soviet SU series planes and begin to bring in Western equipment. This day we were in row 8 of an old Embrarer EJR 170 Turbo Prop i.e. sitting right next to the port prop. I think US Air did away with these a few years back. The high wing prop vibration will cause your dentures to fall out.
In any case we settled in and began to ask the reason for each of us visiting Lithuania. Mihola has family there and she is involved with the government and cultural exchange with UNESCO which the US sponsors via the UN.
My explanation of doing mission work here led to immediate skepticism.
"Are you going to ask for money?"
"You know the people are very poor here."
Then Mihola relayed her experiences with the Jehovah Witnesses who she said kept putting pressure on people for money.
Mihola revealed that she is Catholic, and so I had to be very careful. Catholics here feel you are intruding into their sacred territory, and that Protestants - Baptists- have no respect for Maria-- the Mother of God and Queen of all heaven.
I assured Mihola that I was not asking for money, and she was surprised and skeptical that I would take on a mission and pay for it personally. However, that point was what she focused on, and then wanted to know more about how I would meet people here.
I told her of my plans to engage students at places where they gather [Kaunas is a big college town with nearly 13 colleges, universities and technical schools] and to offer them ball caps as a token of friendship from the US. She thought that was a good idea. I brought up the fact that Lithuania has the highest suicide rate in all Europe and then she began to speak of the moral decline and of young people not attending church as they are supposed to do under penalty of mortal sin.
I did not wish to engage in the obvious negative issues that type of religion of fear has on young people. I focused on the positive aspects of each person having a personal relationship with God. I spoke of the simplicity of the message now and as Jesus preached it 2000 years ago. I emphasized how structure and rule led the Jewish :eaders in Christ's day to read too much "Law" into what he was doing. Thus, to condem Him for preaching to the poor, under privileged and sinners. Mihola was a life long confirmed Catholic, but she was nodding on some of these points.

As we were landing in Vilnius Mihola offered me her e-mail address and asked me for mine. I could feel His Spirit with me on that flight: leaving the icy runway in Warsaw; conversing for an hour like I was attached to a vibrator; and landing safely on the snow covered runway in Vilnius along with snow flurries swirling around us.

LITHUANIAN INDEPENDACE DAY

16 years ago, thanks in part to Ronald Regan's campaign to defeat the "Evil Empire"  Lithuania was removed from  50 years of bondage to the USSR.  Though it is a cold (-7)  winter's day there is much celebration and joy,
I spoke with a man who lived under Soviet rule here for his whole life.  He likens his freedom to that of the Jews being released from Egypt.  Although he recalls the mass exodus of Russians, leaving Lithuania and creating a vacuum on the way out.

Factories, offices, farms, co-operative food processing plants were abandoned overnight.  Only one Russian Colonel- the commandant of the capital, Vilnuis, seemed to reject the idea of Lithuanian Independence.  This was mostly due to personal animosity between him and the mayor of the city.  In 1991 Lithuanians demonstrated for their independence at Televizijios Bokstas a large landmark TV station in center city [photoabove and rt],  a dozen were killed by Soviet Tanks as troops stormed the building.  You can still see the bullet scarred halls and granet steps leading to the tower.  The Soviets were ordered by the Kremlin to pull back .  Russia had formally given up the Lithuanian satellite, and so today Lithuanins mark 16 years of freedom from Soviet rule.

I find now, there is a people here ready for the freedom of worship they have been denied for over 50 years.  It is unfortunate that there are few missions here to spread the word. 

Here  are Photos of the large Akropolis Mall where I intend to meet with teens who know nothing of God or the salvation of Jesus,  Just like in USA many teens mill about the mall and security keeps them on the move.  There are many opportunities for me here. My flat is only a city block away.