Sometimes God is obvious

It's great when people affirm you, but it's even better when God does it. Sunday I got a little affirmation that said 'no you're not over the top and you are on the right path.' I love how God will use reoccurring messages to get your attention too.

Saturday night I was reading a page written by my friend Ross. He was deciding what kind of physician he was going to be. Not as far as specialties, but personality and spiritually wise. He's making those decisions now so he can set goals and take steps that will put him on the path God intended for him. (Maybe some of that is a little too inferred, but I hope I know Ross well enough - his page is on the side bar too)

Next Sunday morning I went to Girdwood Chapel. Pastor Jim was talking about our identity and the masks we wear with others to be accepted. He included a quote (if you want I'll find out the author)..."The world will ask you who you are and if you don't have an answer the world will give you one"... Wow does that resonate true! And it seems to me that the answer the world will so generously provide is not the one our heart would have chosen. There's a song that says "You've got to stand for something or you'll far for anything." How can we stand up to temptations if we only say yup that's bad and go on our way without consciously deciding and planning to combat it. When we address who we are and where we are going it makes the choices in the moment more clear cut. I'm not saying that we won't be tempted, only that Satan has lost one of his favorite attack angles. Things are more easily dismissed when we can confidently say..."I'm not a liar", "I'm not an adulterer", "I'm not a murderer" (which by the way according to Jesus we commit murder every time we hate our neighbor, brother, other driver, classmate...)


Onward with the "coincidences", I went to Change Point next and Karl was asking 'Are we a common follower, luke warm, and tepid? Are we settling for just what we can produce in ourselves?'(Greatly paraphrased)Or is Christ alive in us and we are stepping out of the safe common group.I don't know how to write it without appearing to just be about actions. It's more. It's also saying - God take the controls, not just the map like a driver not trusting the passenger with the directions, and ending up in a bad section of town.

We also had a "Come as you wish you were" event at youth group that night, but I'm already being way too long winded.
So this is who I am:
I am a passionate follower of Christ.
I fear being accepted by the world and compromised in my beliefs, not the other way around.
According to the bible the Spirit is alive in me therefore I know I am:
I am kind and loving
I am gentle
I am good
I am patient and self-controlled
I am faithful
I am at peace
I am joyful

And even cooler yet - this is what he his written for you as well.

just a little update

Well I don't have much to write this time, but I thought I should give a little update.

As far as the lifeguard helicopter, they found John Stumpff's body and some wreckage washed ashore. The rest were not recovered but the helicopter appears to be at the bottom of Prince William Sound. John was the nurse, Cameron Carter was the paramedic, and Lance Brabham was the pilot. They were transporting Gaye McDowell from Cordova to Anchorage. The impact this has had on Alaska EMS is hard to comprehend outside of the service. We all know very well the dangers of helicopter transports, yet the benefits outweigh the risks for those dedicated personnel you do it everyday. All we on the ground can do is pray and put our trust in God. The men and women who serve and fly are the best of the best, well equipped to do their job, and selfless caring people. My heart goes out to them and their families. Statistics say someday this will happen again...but for the crew I know and respect odds are good it may never happen on their shift. In the sad and tragic case that it does, I'm glad God is their wings.

I was going to write more about what was going on in my life, but check back in a few days. I couldn't bear to just carry on as normal after reflecting on the lifeguard crew. They at least deserve their own post. So a little more info about the crew.

John Stumpff was 47 years old and had a wife, two daughters, and a granddaughter. He had also been in the Air Force then a firefighter/paramedic in Dover, NH (awarded firefighter of the year too) before moving to Florida, then Alaska as a nurse.

Cameron Carter also worked for Central Emergency Services as a firefighter/paramedic in Soldotna. He was just 24 years old. He was one of those people everyone just loved to be around. Always caring and thinking about others first, constantly smiling, and up to any challenge.

Lance Brabham - I wish I knew more, but I believe he had flown for lifeguard for a year and was 42. I couldn't verify anything on line, but I believe he also was married with a kid. At the memorial they said he loved tinkering with anything electronic. Great for a pilot, eh? Please if someone know's more let me know.

I know even less about the patient.