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The birds of the air: Flying lessons for the redeemed.
When you see geese flying in "V" formation, you might consider what science has discovered as to why they fly that way. As each bird flaps its wings, it creates an uplift for the bird immediately following. By flying in "V" formation, the whole flock adds at least 71% greater flying range than if each bird flew on its own.
People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going more quickly and easily because they are travelling on the thrust of one another. "And let us consider how we can stimulate one another to love and to do good works. Let us not stay away from our meetings, as some are regularly doing, but let us encourage one another, all the more because you see the Day coming nearer" (Hebrews 10:24-25).
When the head goose gets tired, it rotates back in the wing and another goose flies pint. It is sensible to take turns doing demanding jobs, whether with people or with geese flying south. "Don't be selfish or proud, but humbly treat others as better than yourselves. Each of you, be interested not only in your own things but also in those of others." Phil. 2:4).
When a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to go it alone - and quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird in front. If we have as much sense as a goose, we will stay in formation with those people who are headed the same way as we are. "But one thing I do; I forget what is behind, reach for what is ahead, and with my eyes on the mark I go after the heavenly prize to which God has called us in Christ Jesus. Let us all who are mature think in this way ..." (Phil. 3:14-15).
Geese honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed. What messages do we give when we honk from behind? "We ask you, fellow Christians, to appreciate the men who work with you and lead you in the Lord and warn you. Love them and think very highly of them on account of the work they're doing ..." (1 Thess. 5:12-13).
Finally, and this is important, when a goose gets sick or is wounded by gunshot, and falls out of formation, two other geese fall out with that goose and follow it down to lend help and protection. They stay with the fallen goose until it is able to fly or until it dies, and only then do they launch out on their own, or with another formation to catch up with their group. If we have the sense of a goose, we will stand by each other like that.
"MY fellow Christians, if you find anyone doing wrong, you who have the Spirit should set him right. But be gentle and keep an eye on yourself; you may be tempted too. help one another to carry these loads ..." (Gal. 6:1-2).
From April 99 News-sheet of New Testament Missionary Union, Spain.
A teenager writes about what is going on ... In My Head ...
There is a section for school work
And a section for getting out of it.
There is a section that is still asleep
And a section overseas.
There is a section that is hungry
And a section that is bored.
There is a section wishing for invisibility
And a section wishing to be noticed.
There is a section working hard
And a section which cannot be bothered.
There is a section for friends
And a section for enemies.
There is a section which is daring
And a section which is scared.
There is a section which is sporty
And a section which is lazy.
There is a section which is modest
And a section which is boastful.
There is a section who starts
And a section who ends.
Death of Television?
Mori Poll for Compaq the computer manufacturers report that over 40 per cent of school children believe that they learn more about the Internet and technology at home than at school, with over three quarters stating that they know more about the Internet than their parents. The research also found that over 75 per cent of children in the 10-16 age range find playing on the Internet more fun than watching television, which would equate to nearly 4 million children!
Compaq states, "This poses an interesting dilemma for parents, many of whom are keen to encourage their children to use the Internet as a learning tool but are concerned about the risks posed by areas such as Internet addiction or pornography." Compaq recently signed an agreement with Sentinel Products Ltd, whose products can help prevent children accessing unsuitable material over the Internet.
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