Flight and Faith

#8 – Finding new hope in our eternal home

Eleven years ago today, on October 29, 2009, we lost nine heroes in a tragic night midair collision between a Coast Guard C-130 rescue aircraft and a Marine Corps AH-1 combat training helicopter off the coast of Southern California. The lives of many people I know and love changed forever that evening.

John 14:3. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to Myself, that where I am you may be also.

A year after the tragedy, I traveled on a well-appointed command and control jet with Coast Guard colleagues to visit the several families of those lost. Stopping in the U.S. Northeast, we went to one warm family home that connected with me deeply.

Our briefing team included an Admiral, his wife, an aide, Chaplain, and myself. During our meeting, the young crewman’s family told us about their son and brother whom they had loved. We ate cake, laughed, and cried with them. A few years later the mom reached out to me, asking to receive a recording of her son’s voice. The data was protected by the military investigation process; however, over the course of several months, I worked through the steps and gained approval to grant the request.

We may die, but we’re not gone forever

At the conclusion of our meeting, I hugged and thanked the mom for her patience, grace, and empathy. My arms around her, I felt God’s presence, as if I was hugging her for their son. Few times in my life have events touched my soul like losing seven shipmates on Coast Guard Rescue 1705 and two brave Marines. But God’s plans and destiny are not only about our temporal earthly life. We may die, but we’re not gone forever. 

With Jesus, we have an eternal home and future with God in paradise. Before Moses died, he gave a blessing to each of the twelve tribes of Israel, including Jeshurun: “There is none like God, O Jeshurun, who rides through the heavens to your help, through the skies in His majesty. The eternal God is your dwelling place” (Deuteronomy 33:26-27a). During your time on earth, receive His Majesty’s blessing of redeeming life in Christ.

Psalm 31:5. Into Your hand I commit my spirit; You have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God.

Connect: Draw near and listen to God. How is He speaking to You about your eternal home?

Grow: Discuss today’s theme with someone you love and trust. Do you connect with the idea that you are created for an eternal purpose? How can you make your life matter now? What story can you tell or prayer could you pray to encourage or bless someone else?

Live: Where will you go, what will you do, who will you serve? How will you live today? 

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I abide in Your eternal presence as my dwelling place. Thank You, Lord, for Your promise of redemption; and in Christ, build our faith for more than only a temporal life on earth. Prepare a place for us, and we look to You to provide us with grace today and hope for tomorrow. To Your honor and glory, I’m grateful to have served in the military. For those families who lost those they loved, would You grant the peace and comfort that only You can provide, Lord? In Jesus’ name, Amen.

By permission from:
Why God? 40-Day Devotional
Mitchell Morrison
(C) 2020

#10 – Hate to Love: How Enemies Found Forgiveness

“Tora, Tora, Tora!”

A veteran Naval aviator with 10,000 flying hours, Captain Mitsuo Fuchida led 183 aircraft on the Pearl Harbor raid. His radioman signaled the famous coded message as bombs, torpedoes, and bullets devastated American naval and military forces in the Hawaiian Islands. The Japanese sunk 21 vessels including most of the battleships, killed 2400+ sailors, destroyed 188 aircraft, and damaged another 159. Fuchida’s squadrons experienced light losses, with only 29 aircraft shot down. 

The Captain urged a second launch to hit vital American drydocks and oil storage facilities. Vice Admiral Nagumo refused, saying the audacious attack was a decisive victory. Japan’s audacious air attack was designed to destroy U.S. aircraft carriers, break America’s will to fight, remove U.S. economic sanctions, and secure a negotiated peace. 

The Japanese had calculated wrong. 

December seventh.
Nineteen forty one.
A date which will live —  in infamy.

As President Franklin Delano Roosevelt stood before the combined U.S. Congress and Senate, he evoked uncanny resolve and unity among the assembled leaders. Watch the video here: 

But always, will our whole nation, remember the character of the onslaught against us! No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory. I believe I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will defend ourselves to the uttermost but will make it very certain that this form of treachery will never again endanger us.

We will gain the inevitable triumph, so help us God!

Less than five months later, America launched its own daring attack. On April 18, 1942, sixteen U.S. Army bombers took off from the USS Hornet destined to bomb Japan. Corporal Jacob DeShazer served as bombardier on airplane number 16. 

During preparation for the launch, DeShazer’s aircraft had sustained a damaged nose canopy leaving a large hole. Aircraft number 16 fell behind the formation but continued toward the objective, hitting Nagoya. Unable to sustain flight to friendly lines due to the drag from the shattered window, the crew parachuted in the fog over Japanese-occupied China.

DeShazer hated the Japanese, who had captured his crew and executed his pilot and engineer gunner after tying them to crosses. As guards slowly starved a fellow crew member who encouraged hope and faith, Jacob wondered if he would ever return home. In 1944, the Japanese emperor called for better treatment of prisoners. DeShazer received an English Bible from his captors, read the Gospel over a three week period, and gave his life to Christ. His bitter heart toward the Japanese turned toward pity and love. After the war, Jacob DeShazer attended seminary and returned to Japan as an evangelist.

Peggy Covell’s parents were missionaries in the Philippines. Upon their capture by the Japanese in December 1943, they asked for thirty minutes to pray before their execution by beheading. Undaunted by her parents’ death and empowered by a strong faith, Peggy ministered to Japanese prisoners in Colorado. When a boat returned 150 prisoners after the war to Yokosuka, Captain Mitsuo Fuchida saw a familiar face, flight engineer Kazuo Kanegasaki. 

How did the Americans treat you, old friend?

With respect. I met a young American woman named Peggy whose missionary parents were beheaded. She treated us as a sister to relatives, telling us Jesus Christ loved us and died for us. We didn’t understand it.

Fuchida didn’t understand either. He wondered why his aircraft remained airborne over Pearl Harbor despite being hit 21 times by anti-aircraft fire, the rudder cable holding by a thread. Suffering from appendicitis six days before the Battle of Midway, Fuchida served on the bridge of the aircraft carrier Akagi when American bombers attacked. Both ankles broken in the destruction of his ship, Fuchida was evacuated to Japan and medically grounded. 

Assigned near Guam on Vice Admiral Kakuta’s cadre, Fuchida was recalled from Tinian two weeks prior to the senior staff choosing seppuku, a samurai ritual of suicide by disembowelment rather than surrender to advancing U.S. forces. Next, Fuchida was detailed to organize the aerial defense of Hiroshima. On August 5, 1945, he was summoned for a briefing in Tokyo. The next day over breakfast, Fuchida learned his entire team and thousands of others had died in the massive blast that ushered in the nuclear era.

World War II had ended. However, Mitsuo struggled with lingering hate for the Americans. Why did he survive?

But God had a redemptive plan for Mitsuo Fuchida. Fuchida was given and read a pamphlet printed in Japanese about how Jacob DeShazer met Christ while in Japanese captivity. Mitsuo respected this American Doolittle Raider who had fought honorably and wondered why Jacob would preach the gospel in Japan. Fuchida was captivated by Kanegasaki’s story about Peggy Covell, who forgave, served, and loved the Japanese despite her parents’ violent death. 

Fuchida bought a Bible, but continued to wonder what it all meant. Why would these people love and forgive their enemies? It didn’t make any sense. Fuchida found the answer in Luke 23:34 of the New Testament:

Father, forgive them. 
They don’t know what they’re doing.

In 1950, Mitsuo prayed and came to know Jesus. Soon thereafter Fuchida knocked on the door of Jacob DeShazer’s residence to introduce himself.

Come in, come in!

Former enemies became brothers, preaching the Lord’s message of forgiveness and hope to thousands all over the world. The legacy and example of former enemies Mitsuo Fuchida and Jacob DeShazer continues today.

Sources:
(1) https://www.christiantreasury.org/content/mitsuo-fuchida-forgotten-story-faith
(2) https://www.stripes.com/news/pearl-harbor-pilot-became-evangelist-1.85934
(3) http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/pearl2.htm
(4) https://spu.edu/depts/uc/response/spring2k4/eternity.html
(5) https://providencefoundation.com/baptism-by-fire-pearl-harbor-hand-of-god-mitsuo-fuchida/
(6) https://bulletininserts.org/the-strange-love-of-peggy-covell/
(7) http://www.doolittleraider.com/raiders/deshazer.htm

Dr. Mitchell Morrison, (c) 2020. 
All rights reserved.

Flight and Faith Blog

#9 – God’s Spirit at work

2 Peter 1:20-21. Knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. [ESV]

Francis Lyle Lee entered the U.S. Army Air Corps as an aviation cadet March 5, 1942. Lee began primary flight training on June 27 in the 165 hp Ryan PT-22. With nine hours and three minutes of dual instruction logged, Cadet Lee soloed on his fourteenth flight over California’s Central Valley. Frank’s training journey continued in the 450 hp BT-13, 650hp AT-6, and various fighters including the P-47, P-40, and eventually the P-51 Mustang.

Lee’s aviation duties during World War II took him from California to Arizona, then Tallahassee, Florida, where he continued work as a gunnery instructor and assistant operations officer. On February 28, 1945, Captain Lee departed San Francisco, bound for the Pacific theater of operations. On June 10, 1945, Lee was credited with an aerial victory over a Japanese Tony fighter while in battle over Tokyo. With 1547 hours as a pilot, including 1166 in fighter aircraft Francis Lyle Lee returned home in late 1945 to Roanoke, Virginia.

Lee was one of millions of brave Americans who served during World War II. Frank rejoined his wife, the former Francis Gusler and young daughter, Nancy to attend Washington and Lee University, build a business, and leave a legacy. Not as a war hero but good husband, father, and granddad.

According to family lore, God’s spirit touched Lee with the strong hands of a builder who made great pickles.

What ordinary people have had extraordinary influence upon your life?

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, I’m grateful for the blessing of meeting Nancy Swartz and reading through the logbooks, photos, and papers from her father, Francis Lee. You connect us with people and circumstances with divine purpose and timing. Allow Captain Lee’s life story to inspire others. Encourage us, Lord, that each person’s journey and legacy matters.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Flight and Faith Blog
https://drmitchellmorrison.com

#7 – Calling

For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust.

Psalm 103:14 [ESV]

In the thick fog over the Gulf of Alaska we flew in an unlimited ceiling and zero visibility. I remember looking down at my survival suit, thinking about how long I could survive in the frigid water. We had 330 pounds of fuel. About thirteen minutes until our reserve. And we were hundreds of miles away from land.

I piloted the helicopter from the left seat, my left hand on the collective monitoring the altitude. With my right thumb and forefinger I slowly tweaked the heading bug. The horizontal situation vertical display showed the heading in increments of ones, the radar displaying the cutter in the distance. Flying a radar approach in zero/zero brought a rush of adrenaline. Time slowed to milliseconds.

When the ship was in sight, we could see the wake below and figures of the landing crew silhouetted against the hangar. Not the normal sight picture of the small ship in the distance against the background of clear skies. We literally couldn’t see the front of the ship, only 378 feet long.

Do you know your place with God?

That day, I thought I may die of hypothermia, but was grateful for the opportunity to test my skills to the limit. The weather forecast had changed, and we had to trust our equipment, training, and team to safely land. I knew it could work, but I had to do my part. Do you know your place with God? What’s your part?

Having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which He has called you, what are the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints.

Ephesians 1:18 [ESV]

• Challenge: Have you ever been tested to the limit in a challenging circumstance? How did God show up?

Prayer: Dear Jesus, thank You for giving us Your glorious hope and the opportunity to know You. God the Father created us in His image, and we don’t want to just know about You, we want to know Your heart, Your ways, to understand You in a deeper, more abiding way. Let us return to the days where we have really lived, and honor You with that gift. We ask in Your holy name, Amen.

Copyright Mitchell Morrison, 2020. All rights reserved.
English Standard Version Bible.

Flight and Faith website: https://drmitchellmorrison.com/

#6 – Value

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many. ~Mark 10:45 [CSB]

Jesus served as the ultimate role model of adding value by serving others through His death for our sins. How can we follow His example? I want to give some thoughts from the lens of aviation and teamwork; however, the examples translate beyond flying if that’s not your professional area. Hopefully, you can make a connection through the analogies, if not, I’d love to hear your ideas in the comments section.

The crew concept in aviation of pilots and crews working together to prevent mishaps reduced crashes from 1987 to 2006 by 74%. No longer does the Captain sit on high and bark commands to a crew completing operational tasks. May I suggest that during the past generation (since the 1980s) the aviation community’s culture transformed for the better following a string of several crashes illuminating poor interpersonal communication and coordination?

During Eastern 401’s December 29, 1972 approach to Miami, the Lockheed L-1011 airliner crashed while the crew fumbled with a burned-out light bulb. On March 27, 1977, at a fog-shrouded runway in the Canary Islands, a hurried KLM senior Captain took off in his 747 without tower clearance, barreling into another taxiing Pan American 747, killing 583. And on December 28, 1978, a United Airlines crew troubleshooting a minor landing gear malfunction failed to comprehend their critical fuel state and ran the jet out of fuel, crashing in a forest during early evening hours six miles short of Portland airport’s runway.

But on July 19, 1989, something changed. United flight 232 was a DC-10 jet having departed Denver with 296 souls on board en route to Philadelphia with a planned stop in Chicago. Sixty-seven minutes after takeoff the number two tail-mounted engine exploded during cruise flight at 37,000 feet. The catastrophic failure shattered all three of the jet’s hydraulic flight control systems. The crew attempted to deploy the auxiliary air-driven hydraulic system to no avail. The seasoned pilots had no way to control the DC-10 aircraft seven miles above the earth.

Captain Al Haynes and his crew masterfully worked together to use asymmetric throttle control of the wing’s engines to maneuver the plane to a controlled crash landing in cornfields adjacent to Sioux City, Iowa’s airport. While one flight attendant and 110 passengers died, 185 survived, and Captain Haynes lived to tell his story.

I met Al Haynes twice while serving in the Coast Guard; he used his United travel benefits to come and speak to aviation gatherings about crew coordination and leadership. Al was a real guy; warm and personable but driven to help others through his story. The aviation community lost Captain Haynes recently on August 26, 2019, but his legacy of humility and service lives through the tens of thousands of lives he touched in a training environment by telling his message. His focus was to be selfless and work together. It’s okay to command and lead, but be a good communicator and listener. Support the other pilot as needed. Be accurate, bold, and concise. Add value in the crew setting.

On July 19, 1989, something changed

As pilot flying (PF) fly by the numbers. Know your craft, follow the book, stay engaged and seek to teach others behind you. As pilot monitoring (PM) recognize how important the role adds value. Look for things to validate as well as correct. Not all the time, but say, that’s good, or good, or check – let your own identity shine. When things go wrong, speak up. Start gently, but don’t be afraid to be strong as the situation dictates. Good crews fly airplanes, not good pilots. And if you’re not in aviation: Think about how you fit in a bigger role or application to serve your organization and add value. How can you communicate (both listening and speaking) for value?

For pilots: Remember the folks in the back too; acknowledge, affirm, appreciate those supporting a great flight. As you integrate technology, take the time to check updates, accuracy, and utility. The presence of thought to add value makes aviation a craft, an art. Make it better. For those who follow Christ, that’s how light and salt can glorify our Father in heaven as an act of joy and worship in gratitude for His value-added sacrifice at Calvary.

Good crews fly airplanes, not good pilots

More thoughts for our friends who don’t fly or work in aviation: Adding value extends beyond the flight profession. Whether a group of college students completing service-learning projects, volunteers helping in the community, or going the extra mile because of a noted need (helping a neighbor, stray dog, lost wallet) we all have the opportunity to bless others. Jesus taught us in Matthew 5:44 to love our enemies. Paul wrote in Acts 20:35 that Jesus said it is more blessed to give than to receive.

Brain scientists teach about producing dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin (the giving hormones) to counteract cortisol (the stress hormone). After going through a (very) stressful experience and surviving a fiery crash, Al Haynes told his story to thousands. His intentional and thoughtful efforts contributed to transforming crew communication during both routine and emergency operations. Captain Haynes added value to the aerospace profession, improving safety, efficiency, and profitability.

The unique person you are can be the difference between blessing and blah, marvel or mishap, routine or wreck. It may seem boring but use the checklist. Every time. Be intentional about doing the right things right, accept help with grace, and add value where God has placed you. Oh… and seek favor and blessing for others. As you give, it will return.

How do you add value to your crew, team, or setting?
Do you serve to look good or to bless others?

Flight and Faith Blog:
drmitchellmorrison.com

#5 – All

Consider it great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.  ~ James 1:2-4 [CSB]

I’m not much of an endurance runner anymore. During a past life in better physical shape I ran long distances in formations of singing Army recruits, pilot trainees and air cavalrymen. Forging ahead now in formation with God; however, He challenges me to the point of falling out of the pack, something I refused to do in younger days. I gave my physical all to finish runs in the military, necessary training to condition and prepare me to serve my unit as a combat aeroscout pilot.

Endurance with God is not only physical, but also spiritual, mental, and emotional. For me, writing this post about a simple three-letter word has been like running my first marathon. Because when I reach the end of myself, I don’t want to open up some areas of my life that need chiseling. Starting a blog seemed easy but eventually I came to a place where continuing was hard.

Battling dark forces in the spiritual realm isn’t where I want the formation to go. Rather than going up and down the hills, LORD, can’t we just run on level ground where I don’t have to face trials? Instead of Summer heat, can’t we go on a cool Spring morning? Why so long, God? When will we stop? Why is the spiritual fruit of joy not seeming like much fun?

Joyful trials + Faithful endurance = Spiritual maturity

Contemporary musician John Legend sings ‘All of me.’ You may have heard it:

‘Cause all of me
Loves all of you
Love your curves and all your edges
All your perfect imperfections
Give your all to me
I’ll give my all to you
You’re my end and my beginning
Even when I lose I’m winning
‘Cause I give you all, all of me
And you give me all, all of you
Source: LyricFind

Perfect imperfections.
In life, I’ve grown to appreciate imperfections because I realize only God fills the gaps and makes them whole. He gives the grace and discernment to appreciate small gifts in the race of life. Hugs from my kids, smiles from my wife, a restful sigh from a dog laying faithfully next to me at the end of a busy day. Strength to keep running in formation when I want to quit. None of these are things, or words – they’re simple life happening in God’s pace, His time.

Imagine me sitting at the keyboard of my computer with sweaty hands and nervous knees. I’m getting ready for a big checkride, or important interview, or a speech in front of hundreds of people. Here’s my challenge. My love language is words of affirmation. I want people to see how great I am and tell me so. In opening up the window of my heart and saying that, I’m afraid of others knowing my secret fear. But I need to confess and allow God to have it, rather than holding on and living behind a plastic mask of ‘look how great I am.’

Instead, I want to see perfect imperfections. Not things or words, but simple blessings. When I look, God is faithful to show them to me. And when I see, I focus on myself less and on God and others more.

In the 1997 film Good Will Hunting, actor Robin Williams described imperfections in romantic relationships to Matt Damon as ‘the good stuff.’

We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God,
who are called according to His purpose. ~ Romans 8:28 [CSB]

But giving everything up to God is hard for me. Really hard. I sing “I surrender all” and think I gave it all up. My flesh continues to seek approval with title, image, appearance. In the midst of my struggles I find myself needing constant affirmation and nurturing from the Holy Spirit – I’ve got you, I’m for you, I’ve forgiven you. In my own strength, I strive to achieve that one more thing, the project, the initiative, the product, the title, the accolade – yet when I see someone else getting what I think I want, I get frustrated. Instead of humbly feeling true appreciation and admiration, thoughts of jealousy, envy, malice creep in. A post on Twitter, Facebook, where someone gives appreciation to another instead of me. I’ve been left out of the thinking, feeling hurt and betrayed.

Wait… stop! As I take captive that thought, what I realize I’m appreciated by my creator. In Christ, I’m affirmed, redeemed, rebuilt (in progress), restored. While somebody’s occasional ‘atta boy’ provides me temporal fulfillment, what I truly need comes from my eternal creator.

Giving everything up to God is hard for me.
Really hard.

When I think about perfection, full effect, complete, lacking nothing – the only way I can measure up is through God’s grace and daily provision. Because I know how inadequate and [gulp] sinful my nature can be; however, in Christ I can take captive my thoughts and be transformed. Perhaps His way of allowing me to grow is for people NOT to constantly affirm me. Let’s consider something – absence of affirmation is NOT condemnation. And by the way, I’m in Christ, so there is no condemnation anyway.

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins
and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ~ 1 John 1:9 [CSB]

God, thanks for Your grace in allowing me to live without words of affirmation from others, and to experience Your provision without words, but perfect imperfections of life. Help me see Your perfection in the small things. Continue Your work as I run with You to produce endurance in me. You’re not done, LORD… -Amen.

Is God still at work in you?
What can you place at His altar?

Flight and Faith Blog:
drmitchellmorrison.com

#4 – Trust

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding. ~Proverbs 3:5 [CSB]

Earned trust is one of life’s most valuable commodities. Legendary management guru Peter Drucker once said that organizations are no longer built on force but by trust. I believe communicating and receiving trust stems from God, Who remains trustworthy in all situations. In aviation, passengers trust their lives to pilots, flight crew, air traffic controllers, mechanics, engineers, and regulatory infrastructure.

Over the past century, aviation has experienced failures rooted in poor design, human error, and organizational pressures. Political and business leaders have broken trust from Watergate to Enron. Pete Rose slugged 4,256 hits during a historic career but gambling destroyed his legacy. The Commissioner banned Rose from baseball for life. The greatest hitter of all time has no path to Cooperstown.  Fun fact: Rose has 1,100 more than baseball’s current active hit leader: 39-year old future hall of famer Albert Pujols. Trust can be broken in a moment, replaced by skepticism, anxiety, or frustration – rooted in fear.

He hasn’t given us a spirit of fear, but one of
power, love, and sound judgment

In the early 1950s, Britain launched the Comet, a new passenger jet aircraft. Three mysterious crashes occurred during a short time – two off the Italian coast. Investigators discovered a square window design bred premature metal fatigue cracks, leading to in-flight decompression failures. Engineers redesigned the windows with rounded edges, but the Americans had launched the Boeing 707, which took over the global jet market. The largest Comet customer became the Royal Air Force, operating the military variant known as the Nimrod when the simple design flaw was corrected. The question on everyone’s minds in the 1950’s: Are jets safe?

Around 2010, perceived high costs of emissions controls led Volkswagen engineers to cheat over the past decade launching their first- and second-generation diesel models. Rather than sell high-quality cost-efficient transportation (as perceived by customers) they secretly programmed the car’s engines to run differently during EPA testing. Normal software programming included operations emitting up to 40 times allowable pollutants. Slapped with stiff penalties worldwide, industry analysts say VW’s costs of the scandal range from $18 to $30 Billion. Manufacturers seem focused on developing and promoting electric technology.

With a Super Bowl berth on the line, referees missed a crucial pass interference penalty with less than two minutes remaining in the Saints/Rams 2018 National Football Conference championship. Fans, coaches, and owners lobbied for a new policy change mandating video review in similar situations moving forward. Video review of referee and umpire decisions (now even ‘non-calls’) has become the new norm because officials’ decisions aren’t completely trustworthy. Why? Because people make mistakes. All of us. Myself. And you too.

Struggles, setbacks, and challenges knock us down. When something I believe in crumbles, where do I turn? How do I respond? Scripture contains rich treasures revealing God’s ways, plans, and heart.

• Because people make mistakes.
• All of us.
• Myself.
• And you too.

God encourages His children to be strong and courageous (Joshua 1:9) and reminds us He hasn’t given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and sound judgment (2 Timothy 1:7). In aviation lingo, I would define the Bible as an operating manual, describing the origin of life, identity of God, purpose of man, how God wants man to live (morality), and His destiny for all. Rather than a worldview of reliance and trust on men (or self) I want to pursue a worldview centered upon the Bible.

What do you trust in?
Describe your worldview.

Flight and Faith blog: drmitchellmorrison.com

#3 – Go and Learn

Go and learn what this means: I desire mercy and not sacrifice. For I didn’t come to call the righteous, but sinners. ~Matthew 9:13 [CSB]

Fourteen-year-old Abrahamek Koplowicz wanted to fly, but the teen never reached his goal. Murdered in 1943 by the Nazis in Auschwitz, his journal was found in an attic. The words live on today, displayed at Jerusalem’s Yad Vashem Holocaust museum:

When I grow up and get to be twenty
I’ll travel and see this world of plenty.
In a bird with an engine I will sit myself down,
Take off and fly into space, far above the ground.
I’ll fly, I’ll cruise and soar up high
Above a world so lovely, into the sky…

Abrahamek’s poem inspires me to practice three life-long learning tenets with action, focus, and intentionality: (1) Gratitude; (2) Fail forward; and (3) Present today. The Jewish boy couldn’t realize his dream of flight but I have fuel for a clear why toward things in my life either achieved or underway: Family, career, schooling, certifications, business ventures, ministries, relationships, hobbies. God, how are you at work in my life with a context of eternity?

Jesus taught: Sacrifice matters to God when stemming from a heart of compassion, humility, submission. The King James Bible version adds the two words ‘toward repentance’ at the end of Matthew 9:13. God was done with ritual killing of bulls, lambs, pigeons, etc. in a religious tradition. When He allowed the sacrifice of His sinless Son Jesus on the cross, God tore the veil of religion. He opened an invitation to repentance of sin into a relationship with Him based on faith in Jesus’ resurrection. Hosea 6:6 puts it like this: For I desire faithful love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings [CSB]. Understanding what matters to God’s heart helps me use why to strive forward.

The law and religion represent forms of outward expression – replaced by freedom of inward-expressed compassion that is found only in Christ. Learning within the aeronautics profession remains what I do, but it’s not what I do that matters, it’s why: To honor Him. Abrahamek Koplowicz’ story helps me practice gratitude, failing forward, and being present today.

• What can I learn?
• How can I grow?
• Who can I serve?

Thank You, God, for opportunity to make my life matter.

How can you shift from sacrifice to compassion?
Are you a life-long learner?

Flight and Faith blog: drmitchellmorrison.com

#2 – Delight

Take delight in the LORD, and He will give you your heart’s desires.
~Psalm 37:4

Eternity with Him

Baseball fans experience happiness when their team wins, but they delight when their team wins the championship. My Angels won it all in 2002. The California Angels lost to the Brewers in 1982 despite leading two games to none. In 1986, they lost in the playoffs after blowing a three-run lead over the Red Sox in the ninth inning at home in Anaheim. The opposite of delight = first baseman Bill Buckner’s game six fielding error of a dribbling grounder against the eventual ’86 champion New York Mets. To begin the World Series-winning 2002 season a man named Brad Burlingame threw out the first pitch in Anaheim.

Brad’s brother, American Airlines Captain Charles “Chic” Burlingame commanded one of four jets hijacked by Islamic terrorists on September 11, 2001. A retired Navy veteran, Chic grew up in suburban L.A., riding bikes with his brother Brad around Angels Stadium. Brad arose September 11, 2001 to the shock of burning buildings on TV. What would happen next? A family friend phoned Brad, “Chic has been killed.”

On the ten-year anniversary, Orange County Register reporter Eric Carpenter told Brad Burlingame’s story of healing. Flight 77 had crashed into the Pentagon, killing 189 on the aircraft and another 125 on the ground. Full of jet fuel, the aircraft and building burned, leaving little remains. Recovery workers found a singed prayer card from his mother’s funeral Chic had carried. “I am the soft stars that shine at night. Do not stand at my grave and cry; I am not there, I did not die.”

Mr. Carpenter wrote: Says Brad: “It was my mom talking to us, saying, “’He’s OK; he’s with me now.’” Although Brad Burlingame died of cancer in 2015 his family’s story serves as an inspiration of finding delight in the midst of tragedy. Hope of eternity in Christ.

Angels fans remember the delight of winning the final game of major league baseball’s 2002 season. I celebrated with Angels fans as Darin Erstad caught the final out of their 2002 World Series game 7 win against the Giants. After many disappointing seasons, we finally won the last game of the season – baseball’s holy grail.

On September 10, 2001, I served as the overnight Senior Duty Officer at Coast Guard Air Station Sacramento, waking up to see on TV the same horrific sights Brad Burlingame and many others will never forget. God uses things for His good, including Chic Burlingame’s prayer card that survived the fiery Pentagon crash.

Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there, I did not die.

Yes, I delight in baseball. But I also delight in the LORD and look forward to the desire of my heart: Eternity with Him. I hope Jesus can introduce me to the Burlingame brothers in heaven.

Where were you on September 11, 2001?

What do you delight in?

#1 – Life Verse

He has told you, O man what is good, and what does the LORD require of you, but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8 [NASB] 

I believe God created the skies we fly in. More important, He works in seasons of peoples’ lives throughout our thriving profession. My flight career almost never happened. A rebellious teen during Reagan’s Cold War build-up years, I wasn’t enlisting unless I could fly. Fortunately, I made the minimum required score on the Army’s flight aptitude test; however, this wasn’t the only obstacle. I needed to come to the end of myself.

During flight school, the commander called me into his office, asking about my poor driving record. The government conducts security clearance reviews for officers entering military service. Serious business. Two instances of speeding on suburban Los Angeles freeways; the speed limit then was 55. One was for 71 after an Angels game and the other for driving 69 on a Sunday evening after church. Running my neighborhood stop sign; nobody there, except for the La Palma officer doing his job. These were the only times I got caught. There were several other near-misses.

I was guilty. There was nothing to do. My career trajectory sat in the balance of a few poor decisions. Was it too late? Would I be moved to infantry? Could a screw-up like me ever be trusted?

“Sir, no excuses. I take responsibility. Please give me an opportunity to learn and grow from these mistakes.”

Fortunately, I had proven myself in training enough to earn the trust of my peers and commanders. He cautioned me to learn from my miscues and signed a waiver request which providentially was approved. Along my journey toward the end of myself, Act justly rang true.

Do right, love people, fight arrogance.

In the early 90s, a mentor named Tim gave me Honest to God, a book by Bill Hybels that shaped my identity as a Christian. Tim removed the cover, saying, “Here you go.” I haven’t seen or heard from Tim since, but I’m grateful. Over the years, Hybels’ Honest to God proved a useful resource, along with Holy Discontent and Simplify. Hybels’ Simplify (2014) includes a section on finding and choosing life verses. I adopted Micah 6:8 several years ago.

God created the skies we fly in

Other than opening up my heart to him, God requires little, if anything. He leads my way and showers my life with justice and mercy when I’m real with Him. But it’s not even about what we do, it’s who we are: Created for eternity to glorify God.

Aviation was my second choice, but college wasn’t an option given my family situation, finances, and to be candid, my life direction. In January 1983 during my TH-55A nickel ride, I first encountered the joy of flying. Fun, fulfillment, precision, creativity – in every sense.

Thank you, LORD, for allowing me to begin a second choice career in aviation despite traffic tickets, minimum test scores, and life direction.

What’s your life verse?

How did aviation find you?

Flight and Faith blog: drmitchellmorrison.com