A Free Trade? Not.

There’s been a lot of talk of free trade in the news lately.  You might recall that one of the planks in Donald Trump’s election was to re-visit NAFTA to ensure that Americans were being treated fairly when it came to cross border commerce.  And it seems that’s one promise he’s set to deliver on.

Last week the President blasted the Canadian dairy Industry and this week he imposed duties on Canadian lumber that he feels is unfairly subsidized.  United States Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross stated  “This is not our idea of a properly functioning free trade agreement.”  Ross went on to sum things up by stating “It has been a bad week for U.S.-Canada trade relations.”  You think?  

But in most cases of trade, someone benefits more than someone else.  And the greatest example of that is the example of grace.

Grace is a great deal for us.  For us it means forgiveness and salvation and eventually a life forever with God.  But for God, grace cost Him His Son, for Jesus’ grace cost Him His life. 

If it is really grace and not just a trade agreement, then the one who gives grace never counts the cost and those of us who receive grace should never stop counting the cost.

Have a great week and remember: To see what is really possible, you will have to attempt the impossible. 

Live Forever

Have you heard about the research venture called “The Methuselah Project”? Those of you with a grasp of the Old Testament have probably made the leap already.  The Methuselah Project is looking into ways that we can stop or maybe even reverse the aging process. 

As I read about medical advances and genomes, the benefit of a healthy diet and of regular exercise, they spoke about the possibility of people living to be hundreds of years old.  And so, I wondered, what happens if you get hit by a truck or eaten by a bear?  You might not be health food, but you’d certainly be healthy food. 

The quest to live forever goes back to the Garden of Eden and we are no closer to living forever on earth now than the first couple was then.  Think about it; if we did discover an answer, we’d soon have to start feeding people to bears or we’d run out of space on spaceship earth.

Looking at the big picture though, as Christ Followers, we already have the answer to finding eternal life, it’s given to us in 1 John 5:13  I have written this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life.   Have a great week and remember: To see what is really possible, you will have to attempt the impossible. 

No Overbooking in Heaven

On my way home from Indiana a couple of weeks ago I heard United Airlines asking for volunteers to give up their seats on an overbooked flight.  They started by offering a $200.00 flight credit and by the time they were done they were up to a $800.00 credit, a hotel room, if needed, and meal vouchers.  I don’t know if anyone snapped up the offer or not, I would have.  

I wondered at the time, “What if they don’t get a volunteer?”  Well, apparently according to a video that surfaced earlier this week they will bodily drag you off the airplane. 

If that wasn’t enough to set off the flying public, it was later released that United was simply making room for four employees from a sister airline.  Oops.

So apparently, airlines are allowed to sell more tickets than they have seats for on any given airplane and if everybody shows up they have the right to tell you there is no seat available, even though you’ve already paid for your seat.  That hardly seems fair. 

But here is the good news, heaven won’t be overbooked, Jesus has already secured your spot, you just have to claim it, and you will never get bumped.  And they won’t break your guitar either.

 Have a great week and remember: To see what is really possible, you will have to attempt the impossible.