the black box

Recent airplane crashes have underscored the importance of the "black box" that each commercial airliner carries.  Since 1967 U.S. commercial airplanes have carried this device that records the control signals used to fly the plane and also captures the voices of the pilot and copilot.  If a plane goes down, finding and reviewing the data stored in the black box can make the difference when it comes to understanding the cause of the crash.  And, often, the crew of the plane doesn't survive to add their personal memory of what happened.  It is interesting to consider this small box that is carried throughout the plane's life.  Most of the time the contents can be ignored, but the crucial history of a mid-air crisis will be there if needed in the worst of circumstances.

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In a sense, we carry our own personal black box.  Every decision, every word, every thought, every action has been recorded.  Sometimes a person's life goes down in flames and others have a hard time putting the pieces together to understand what led to their demise.  But every one of our lives has an impact every day that is a function of the choices we make in the context of our life circumstances.  Actually, our personal black box is kept in a safe place and one day, when we are past the challenge and tumult of this life we will review the contents with the Lord, face to face.

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At that time we will be so grateful for the forgiveness we have obtained through faith in the One who paid for our shortcomings.  We know that we are not proud of all the thoughts, actions and responses that are in our personal black box.  And we are thankful that our failures here are cancelled by the success of Jesus!

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Romans 14:10,12 (partial) Remember, we will all stand before the judgment seat of God...Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God.

Matthew 12:36 [Jesus talking] "And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak."

Romans 8:11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.

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blessings,

Rob Smith