When We Left The Earth.

I am absolutely loving "When We Left The Earth" on the Discovery Channel. Even though I grew up after the United States had won the space race; I never new a time when man had not walked on the moon; I have still found myself in awe of the accomplishment of those men who indeed did have "the right stuff." I am amazed by their courage, by their commitment and by their passion as they answered the challenge; you might even say commission given by John F. Kennedy to "send a man to the moon by the end of the decade." I just cannot remember being so captivated by anything that I have ever seen on the television. I found myself particularly moved by the reading of Genesis 1: by the astronauts of Apollo 8; William Anders, Jim Lovell and Frank Borman; on December 24, 1968.

As I watch this program I can't help but find myself inspired to step up my game when it comes to obeying the commission that God has given me, both as a pastor and as an individual follower of Jesus. I believe that commission Jesus gave is far more compelling than the one Kennedy gave NASA in the wake of Sputnik, compelling though it was. I desire that my courage and my commitment and my passion in answering His call will exceed that of these inspiring men. And I pray that when all is said and done that I will have as faithfully and as fully fulfilled my mission here on earth as these great men did theirs getting off of it. Truly I consider myself to be a very blessed man to be doing what I do, so I close with the words of astronaut Michael P. Anderson, "It's a great view from here. I'm having the time of my life."

Blessings,
PB