Inspirational Thoughts

It hit me hard this morning.

A terrible tragedy occurred over the weekend. A Canadair CRJ-10 commercial jet with 47 passengers and 3 crew members took off on the wrong runway. News reports said the crew was well rested. They said the crew was familiar with the aircraft. The weather wasn't a factor. They were veterans and had logged many hours of takeoffs and landings. Yet they tried to take off, in the dark, on the unlit 3, 500 runway designed only for daylight hours instead of the 7,000 runway designed for commercial aircraft. The flight had been cleared by the professional air traffic controllers. The routine had been rehearsed and practiced a zillion times. One pilot barely survived. The disaster will be scrutinized. But, the plane tried to take off on a runway much too short for a plane of it's size, while the correct runway sat there vacant and available. The plane reached the end of the runway too slow and never reached any altitude. With a full tank of gas, ready to fly the distance, it burst into flames as it rolled out of control.

It hit me hard this morning.

I work and minister in a setting that has been around for a while. It is a wonderful ministry. Many lives have been changed. The Staff is awesome, talented and experienced. But, even with all those credentials, if the Lord isn't first on each takeoff, then we run the danger of using wrong runways. If each "flight"- meeting, class, phone call, etc.- isn't bathed in prayer, then we run the danger of trying to fly without the proper speed and direction. All the success at Doulos over the years is because of Him.

I claim that He's my "controller,"but He only is if I'm yielding myself to Him in prayer "without ceasing". That's been my lesson this week. That's been the lesson of my life. With my kids, with my future, with decisions at Doulos, I have to be a man of prayer. Of course, that doesn't assure perfect takeoffs and flights, but it does assure that "God is in it." Lord, may we all put you first in every decision we make.

I am praying for families of those deceased passengers. I am praying for pilot that is hanging on to life. The point is, I am praying....

Your brother,


-Joey

Joseph Staples
Executive Director
Doulos Ministries/Shelterwood-Branson

Parent Quote

"This place isn't about 8 months or 12 months, it's about God's timing."
Denver SW teen at Family Weekend 4/07

"He is doing great…it has been an incredible transformation… I respect him as much as any man in my life…it is not something I would ever say without meaning it...he has truly earned my admiration... thank you for putting such a caring team of bigs, counselors, teachers and staff at SW…SWood has saved our family"
SW Father

We just visited Shelterwood in Branson as a celebration of the anniversary of Jamie's graduation. She really enjoyed seeing teachers, staff, and the few girls she knew from when she was there. The bigs have really kept in touch.

SW Parent


Our God is wonderful, and He works miracles through the people at Shelterwood.

SW Parent


Jimmy is more enthusiastic about school then I have seen him be in years. I, and everyone at his school can see the "Shelterwood effect". I was worried, but have no reason to worry anymore. I have no doubt that Shelterwood saved my son's life.

Bless you,
Susan

Our son Paul Schrag attended Shelterwood in Colorado in 2001. The year there was the turning point for his life and God worked miracles in Pauls life and ours. I say to those who ask that Paul is a walking picture of the grace of God in our lives.