Just about everyone has heard of the Wright brothers, the bicycle mechanics that pioneered manned motorized flight in the first part of the twentieth century. But what you may not know is that prior to that day, the Wrights, unknown with no university education, were not the leader in aviation. They were obscure at best, and another man was expected to put the first airplane in the air.
His name was Dr. Samuel P. Langley. He was a respected former professor of mathematics and astronomy who at that time was the director of the Smithsonian institution. Langley was an accomplished thinker, scientist, and inventor. He had published several important works on aerodynamics, and he possessed a vision for achieving manned flight. In fact, till late 1890s, he had done extensive experiments with large unmanned plane models and achieved a high degree of success.
In 1898, Langley approached the U.S. War Department for funding to design and build an airplane to carry a man aloft. And the department gave him a commission of $50,000- a huge sum at that time. Langley went right to work. By 1901, he had successfully tested an unmanned gasoline-powered heavier- than-air craft: It was the first in history. And when he enlisted the aid of Charles Manley, an engineer who built a powerful new lightweight engine based on the designs of Stephen Balzer, his success seemed inevitable.
On October 8, 1903. Langley expected his years of work to come to fruition. As journalists and curious on lookers watched, Charles Manley, wearing a cork-lined jacket, strode across the deck of a modified houseboat and climbed into the pilot’s seat of a craft called the
Great Aerodrome. The full seized, motorized device was perched atop a specially built catapult designed to initiate the Aerodrome’s flight into the air. But when they attempted the launch, part of the Aerodrome got caught, and the biplane was flung into sixteen feet of water a mere fifty yards away from the boat.
Criticism of Langley was brutal. At first, Langley didn’t let failure or the accompanying criticisms deter him. Eight weeks later in early December, he and Manley were ready to attempt flight again. They had made numerous modifications to the Aerodrome, and once more Manley climbed into the cockpit from the houseboat’s deck, ready to make history. But as before, disaster struck. This time the cable supports to the wings snapped as the plane was launched, the craft caught again on the launch rail, and it plunged into the river upside down. Manley nearly died.
Again the criticism was fierce. His Great Aerodrome was called “Langley’s Folly,” and Langley himself was accused of wasting public funds. The New York Times commented, “We hope that Prof. Langley will not put his substantial greatness as a scientist in further peril by continuing to waste his time, and the money involved in further airship experiments.” He didn’t.
Defeated and demoralized, he abandoned his decades- long pursuit of flight. Just days later, Orville and Wilbur Wright, uneducated, unknown, and unfounded – flew their plane “Flyer 1” over the sand dunes of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. Langley let his moment of disaster make him think it was the end. He abandoned his experiments. Two years later he suffered a stroke, and a year later he died. And today, while even young school children have heard of the Wright Brothers, Langley is remembered only by relatively few aviation buffs.
Never give up.
-Uju Onyechere.
| Some years ago, just before I was called up to compulsorily serve my nation for one year under the NYSC (National Youth Service Corp) scheme; I had series of experiences which I rashly concluded from. A lot of them relate to efforts made in keeping up the heat of my Christian faith just like it was back then in school. In two different circumstances, I can recollect that I got so easily tired when I returned from work; still I endeavored to religiously look at some pages of the bible and equally prayed. As the norm was, electrical power outage in the evenings made me put on candles to light the room each time I got home; but on several occasions I slept off either while reading, just finishing, or yet praying. At the point of switching into the snoring mood before being transported to dream land, I surprisingly felt the tap of someone and spontaneously responded by waking up. Thereafter, I discovered the candles were completely burnt, and the coconut shell they were placed on was also burnt; while the heat also had imprinted marks on the carpet through the coconut shell. In all these experiences, I got so amazed why the carpet and the room did not burn. Honestly, if I did not experience it and someone told me of the story, I probably would not have believed it but concluded it as one of those cooked up stories for testimonies. Most experiences I have heard of, those involved never had the opportunity of being alive to tell the story.
Sincerely speaking, it got me thinking and I remember saying to myself that “there was more to my life”. However, I recently realized that it wasn’t just that but there is indeed a power at work within the believer that sees him through every circumstance. Sincerely speaking, there is actually more to the life of the believer as confirmed in the bible… we have been called according to purpose. I now fully understand why and how such events like that actually happened.
Lately in a related development, precisely some weeks ago, I hurriedly made use of the pressing iron while rushing out of the house to work. Unknowingly, I forgot to put off the switch when I was through. It was actually left on throughout the whole day till I returned from work. Coincidentally, on my way back from work that evening, I discovered that there was an inexpressible joy within me; I actually got the feel right. As I walked through the gate into the house, I danced and sang hymns that I sang last some years ago. Deep down within me, I asked what could be responsible for this. While still attempting to unravel the mystery behind my sudden ecstasy, I opened the entrance door and straightaway perceived the smell of a pressing iron that was long in use. In a swift move, I ran to where it was placed as if that could save the situation that event could have possibly taken advantage of before my arrival. I knew that the pressing iron would have probably being on for almost the whole day.
As I sat to think over this, it occurred to me why I was in such a joyful mood, and equally remembered that the previous three consecutive nights it was like someone has been waking me up in the midnight to pray. Normally because of tiredness resulting from work, I do not stay too long in the night to pray except on a weekend but I realized that during those nights, once I obey the nudge, I receive an unusual strength to pray for a longer period. It can not be denied that the move to pray the previous nights was to avert the pending hazard; even some other ones I am not aware of elsewhere that may involve friends, well wishers or family members. Such nights are nights I use in praying very well in the spirit.
As a result of this recent event, I immediately recollected that the experiences mentioned earlier i.e. before my service year (NYSC), there were several times I had the nudge to rise and pray in the night, though obedience was not total in all those nights. I therefore reconfirmed that it was needful for us to be aware that the Holy Spirit residing in us through our spirit recreated after God’s own is actually at work and never sleeping even when we are. He never leaves when we have disobeyed him but our consciences think so sometime. He is truly a friend indeed and in need. The next time you are woken up in the night take advantage of it to pray. Who knows what you could be addressing in the spirit realm.
adeyiga awomuti |
| Bible Reading: Philippians 3
My father constantly told me that ‘a good soldier prepares for war in the time of peace’. In other words, his success at war time is dependent much on the training he has acquired before the war. But today, I see many Christians trying to prepare for the battle of life only when they find themselves in battle. Very little time is given to spiritual growth and skills development. We are so much engulfed in the “get it quick” syndrome.
I wish all Christians focus on growth – because it is naturally accompanied with a fruitful ministry, good success and a good life. Sometimes it baffles me that when some chronic sinners just give their lives to Christ, they immediately rush to Bible school and the next year they are already made Pastors. They get the position of a pastor but lack the disposition of a pastor. While it is good that we all engage in the ministry of reconciling men to God, it is not a substitute for our Christian growth. Some Christians are praying everyday to reach the zenith of their career, but they are spending no time to develop themselves. Some others do not even pray or read their bible until when they are in a difficult situation – You see them quoting Psalms.
So many times we go to God in prayer for things that we have not developed ourselves to handle. It’s like a 5 year old boy crying to his father to buy him a Hummer jeep. Even if the father buys it for him, he won’t let him drive it until he has developed to the age where he can handle it. Jesus Christ spent 30 years preparing to enter into the core of his purpose on earth. When I understood this principle, I began to focus more on growth because there are a lot of God’s blessings which are potentially ours, but do not become ours experientially until we have grown up.
If you are a good Christian, I probably have your attention. But if you are not, you may see Christianity as pressing a button to receive anything at anytime from God. Take a lesson from the trees. They don’t spend time worrying about having a great height. They focus on sipping water and nutrients from the soil, and in no time, they grow tall for all to see. Many Christians are struggling to get to great heights, but little do they know that great heights will naturally accompany a good growth.
I love the words of Tanzanian Marathon runner – Juma Ikangaa (1957): “The will to win means nothing without the will to prepare”. Beloved, in your career, ministry and life endeavors, I want you to see this time as a growing time. Develop your skills. Stretch your mind. Now is the time to study. Now is the time to pray. It is cheaper to do it now. It is easier to do it now. You can make your life very productive if you make today productive. Give today your best shot. Focus on growth. – tope aladenusi |
Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful and endures through every circumstance. 1 Corinthians 14:17 NLT
Be patient in trouble and always be prayerful. Romans 12:26 NLY
I once heard the story of a man who gave his son a puzzle to solve. He disarranged a world map puzzle and gave his son to arrange it back because he was disturbing his meditation. Unknown to him, at the back of the world map puzzle was the picture of a man. The boy did not waste time arranging it back and this surprised the father greatly. He asked the little boy how he did it and his response was “If the man is right, the world would be right”.
When problems arise in your marriage and everything seems to be in disarray, and you are considering where to start from, remember what that little boy said – “If the man is right, the world would be right”. The solution could just be you. How do I mean? When you act right or decide to put things right in your own life, it influences a change in your partner thereby making your marriage right. Let the change in your marriage or relationship start from you. You don’t have to wait for your spouse to change first. Be an actor of love and not only a ‘reactor’. Take time to pray about the problems and situations you are going through, committing your spouse to God. I am confident that He would make a way out for you. One thing I found out about prayer is that it changes you first. So let your prayers change you for your situation to become right. Allow God to work in your life and your spouses’. Let your actions be commensurate to your prayers. Pray for a change and expect a change.
At times, the solution may be a change in character or habit. Majority of problems in homes are caused by character and habit differences. For instance, a dirty wife with a shabby dress sense and unsubmissive attitude has gracefully invited problems into her home. Such a woman would be wasting her time if she goes 40days fasting and prayer because of the problem. All she needs to do is to change her ways first. Check your life first; it could be your spending habits, nagging attitude, pride, anger, culinary skills, nonchalant attitude…
What are those things you need to do away with? Let the change start from you, be determined to win your spouse back with love and humility. Pray to God, learn of Him and let Him work on your character. God wants to dry away your tears, heal your heart and relieve you of your pains, only just allow Him to perfect His work in you, remoulding your character. For when He changes you, it influences your partner to change, normalcy returns and then your heart is filled with joy. I Peter 3:1 sets the tone – Wives, in a similar way, place yourselves under your husbands’ authority. Some husbands may not obey God’s word. Their wives could win these men for Christ by the way they live without saying anything.
After the change has come, remember to always succeed in your marriage everyday.
busola oshinubi
Love never gives up, never looses faith, is always hopeful and endures through every circumstance. 1 Corinthians 14: 7 (NLT)
Perhaps you are at the crossroad about to make a decision; Quit or endure? You are facing a lot of problems in your marriage that is getting you hardened by the day. You have probably exerted efforts to make your marriage work instead, it is growing worse. Love has turned sour; seeing your partner irritates you. Uhm … You say marriage is not a bed of roses.
I can understand how you feel. Marriage may not be a bed of roses to you but even if it were so, the rose plants I know have thorns in their stem. Sometimes you may get a small ‘sting’ while trying to pick the roses. Marriage may not fit exactly like what we were being told in the fairy tales “and they lived happily ever after”. It usually comes with very big challenges. Before you make your decision to quit, I would like to remind you that God is so much more interested in your situation and He wants a turn around for you so that you may enjoy the blessedness of marriage. Like the phrase, “it’s not over until it is over”, I know your innermost desire is to see a turn around in your marriage.
Consider this: The way you respond to life determines what you get from it – Gal 6:7. Your attitude affects a lot of things and as you truly desire a change, be positive in your mind. Don’t base your marriage on feelings because they can be very deceptive rather let it be based on choice; the choice to always stick together; choice to love no matter what. See those problems as a challenges; a challenge to love better, to be more patient; to learn. When you see problems as a challenge, you have already laid a foundation for change and for the solution. Challenges are meant to make you better. It works when you are positive in your mind about your situation, believing that turbulent times will pass away. No matter the situation, make a decision today that you will win your spouse back to love.
Have you ever considered why a larva has to go through a lot of struggle in the cocoons to become a beautiful butterfly? Of course to get rid of the ugly part. If the Larva had refused to see the cocoon as a challenge and decides to react negatively, it would die as a larva.
Regardless of the situation, be positive in your mind, don’t give up in Love. Be determined to win your partner back. Then you will enjoy the blessedness in marriage. You will begin to succeed everyday in your marriage.
– busola oshinubi
I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth. (Luke 15:7, 10)
Come along with me today and let us rejoice with those that rejoice… Let us pay a visit to the home of my very good friends who just had a baby boy…
The proud father is busy making all the telephone companies richer… he’s calling all the numbers in his phone book, and many others that are not there. The happy mother is getting used to the novelty of nursing her son… now what more can her difficult-to-please mother-in-law ask for? The two grandfathers are deciding whose eyes, whose ears, whose nose and whose mouth the baby has, and are finding it difficult to agree on any points of the infant’s anatomy. Each grandmother is trying very hard not to rub the fact that she knows best about taking care of babies in the other’s face. Everybody is happy…
Everybody, that is, except for the boy in question. He is very ignorant of the joy he has just brought to that home. He does not know, nor care to know what all the fuss is about. He absolutely refuses to participate in any of the activities going on, and is content to spend his time alternatively between eating and sleeping…
Many times, spiritual birth occurs like this too. There is a new member in God’s family, but he does not appreciate the import of the step he has just taken. He does not understand that there is rejoicing in heaven over him. He does not understand that he is now the heir to the greatest and the richest blessings of God. He looks down on himself and underrates the ability of God within him…
Wise up, baby… wise up.
– jide lawal