Dear Heavenly Father, as

you lift this gigantic bird into the air, please wrap

your mighty arms around us and protect us from harm.

Guide us safely through the sky to our destination. Bless

each and every passenger here today, Lord. Bless the

pilots, staff, air traffic controllers, and airline

personnel responsible for making this trip a safe one.

Thank you, dear God, for the opportunity to be here

today, and help us always to do Your will. It is in the

name of Jesus Christ, our Savior, that I ask these

things. Amen."

Wow! What a comfort

passengers would feel after hearing that or something

similar prior to each and every flight. What an impact!

What a statement! I'm sure there are a few silent prayers

whispered prior to most every flight, but hearing it

announced over the intercom might just make things

better. A prayer of thanksgiving upon safely landing

might not be a bad idea, either.

As Christians, we were

placed on this earth to tell the good news, to represent

Christ verbally as well as by our actions. It's time we

stopped living a life of complacency! We go our own ways,

just getting by, just surviving, focused on ourselves,

consumed by careers and success. But is that what we as

Christians are all about?

Of course not. Centuries

have passed with Christians taking the necessary stand to

be fishers of men to spread the good news of Jesus,

risking their necks a little bit so that others may unite

for the same cause.

Where is the drive? Where

is the stamina? It's been stifled by political

correctness; and our nation's founding fathers are

rolling in their graves because we've let the torch fall.

Granted, being led by our illustrious president doesn't

help much, nor does being overwhelmed by immorality

everywhere we turn.

People, we live in a free

country. We don't have to hide in cellars to read the

Bible, worship God, and take a stand. We bought our

morning coffees today with currency that reads, "In

God We Trust." Can we at least show a little

liveliness?

Each of us is capable of

doing great things. It's a matter of putting our minds

and hearts into it. Whether we are pilots or sanitation

engineers or doctors or construction workers, our actions

speak volumes. Who are we representing right now?

Heather H. Smallwood

Lincolnton, Ga.