Ron Crumbaker

My friend Ron just passed away Saturday. He will be missed. Here are some things I knew about him, and some things I didn't know, as well:

To say that Ron loved flying would be an understatement. It was his whole life. I know that to some flying is a major source of anxiety, that there are those who simply cannot understand how anyone could even tolerate it, let alone find immense joy in it; but, being a pilot myself, I completely understand the draw to fly, and the fulfillment that one can find in it. There is just something about being able to break away from the earth and soar in the heavens that is both indescribably addictive and completely fulfilling.

It has been said that to fly an airplane is the second most exciting thing a man can do. And of course, any pilot will tell you that the first most exciting thing a man can do is to land said airplane.

There have been attempts by others to describe what it is like to be a pilot, and to fly. I would like to share with you a couple of poems about just that:

IMPRESSIONS OF A PILOT — Gary Claud Stokor
Flight is freedom in its purest form,To dance with the clouds which follow a storm;
To roll and glide, to wheel and spin,To feel the joy that swells within;
To leave the earth with its troubles and fly,And know the warmth of a clear spring sky;
Then back to earth at the end of a day,Released from the tensions which melted away.
Should my end come while I am in flight,Whether brightest day or darkest night;
Spare me your pity and shrug off the pain,Secure in the knowledge that I'd do it again;
For each of us is created to die,And within me I know,I was born to fly.

That certainly describes Ron’s love for flying, and of course, he was able to achieve that destiny.

The other day, Ron's wife Vicki told me that Ron loved to hunt and fish, and that one of the things he cherished was a picture of him with the sailfish he caught in Mexico. I must admit, I was surprised. I told her I had no idea that Ron was a hunter and a fisherman. She said, “Believe me, neither did I when Ron and I first married.”

She told me the story about the time, shortly after they were married when Ron went with Uncle Leroy and some other guys to Uncle Leroy’s favorite fishing hole. They took along their motorcycles, because at a certain point the road was blocked off. They rode their motorcycles way up into the high country, where they stayed and fished for three days. When Ron got home, Vicki was surprised to see that he had not shaved, bathed, or washed his hair for three days. She said it was so surprising because she almost never saw him in anything except a three-piece suit. I told her I guess it is true what I have read, “Love may be blind, but marriage is a real eye opener.”

Well, Captain Ron sat at life's runway threshold for 67 years; and, finally, he heard God, the Ultimate Air Traffic Controller, say, "Okay, Ron, you are cleared for takeoff." No doubt, he has landed on those streets of gold, and taxied right up to the throne of God, where he is enjoying indescribable fellowship with the Lord. See you soon, Ron.

For a great scripture, go to http://www.makefunofyourday.blogspot.com/

Sheep Radio

Nearly seven years ago the FCC made available a number of low-power FM radio broadcast licenses. My church applied for one to be broadcast from the church in Chico, CA. The process took over three years. Finally, in about January, 2004, we were awarded a permit to build a radio station.

Once awarded the permit, we were given 18 months to build it. According to FCC regulation, if a license recipient does not build in that length of time, the offer is withdrawn and the recipient is not allowed to continue on to actual licensing. Now, never being a church to rush into anything, our elders waited until March, 2005, and then sent me to a conference to see if we wanted to hurry up and build the station or just let it go.

I took three techie-type people with me. After hearing from others who had already built and those who were somewhere in the process, we all decided that we not only should have a radio station, but that building it in four months was something that we could accomplish. So, we went back to the elders and gave them our report. They approved building the station, and assigned me the task of coming up with the call letters for the station.

Now, choosing call letters for a radio station is quite an ordeal. You have to go onto the FCC website and submit a request for the call letters you want (i.e. KQIP). The FCC will respond (almost immediately) and let you know whether or not those call letters are available. It would be much simpler if the FCC would publish a list of the call letters that are already taken, but they don't. That may be because there are 17,576 possibilities (26x26x26). Every radio station starts with either a K or a W, depending upon which side of the Missippi you are on, and then has three other letters following.

I quickly realized that all the really good call signs were already taken, and began the process of elimination; i.e. KAAA, KAAB, KAAC, etc. We finally settled on KQIP; 1) because it was available; and 2) because it fits our mission statement based on Ephesians 4:12 equipping the saints for the work of ministry. Now, our top of the hour is "You are listening to KQIP-LP 107.1 FM."

I must admit, though I like KQIP just fine, it was not my first choice. My first choice, which didn't make it past the council of elders, was KBAA; 1) because it was available; and 2) because I had already developed a top of the hour announcement that would go like this, "You are listening to 107.1 KBAA. That's right, Baaaaaaa radio, where the sheep love to eat! Where the teaching is really good, and the music is not baaaaaaad, either!" I still don't get why the elders didn't go for it.

At any rate, the deadline for getting the radio station built was July 15, 2005, at 3:00 AM. We completed construction and began to broadcast on July 4, 2005, at 5:00 PM. And, KQIP has been a real blessing to the church and to the community.

For a great scripture, go to http://www.makefunofyourday.blogspot.com/

Kevin's Horse Part V

“Mr. Cooper, what’s wrong with my horse?” Kevin asked. “Why won’t he run inside the track when he runs so well outside?”

“It’s hard to say, Kevin. Jet is a beautiful horse. He is well developed, strong, has lots of heart, and I don’t think I have ever seen a faster horse. But, for whatever reason, he just won’t run inside the track. The problem is, no matter how fast Jet runs, unless he ran according to the rules, which in the case of horse racing means on the track, between the rails, he would never be declared the winner of a race. He would never make his way to the winners circle.”

Mr. Cooper stuffed his stopwatch back into his pocket. “You know, Kevin, some people are just like Jet. They may be wonderful, even moral, honest people, people who are gifted, energetic and motivated. Sometimes, you can’t even tell them from Christians. Sometimes they even profess to be Christians, but, for some reason, they choose to go their own way and refuse to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit, the example of the Lord Jesus Christ. Often times, these folks believe they can get into heaven just by being good people, by helping others, by doing good deeds. But, the Bible declares that just isn’t so. In fact, Jesus said, in Mathew, chapter 7, ‘Not everyone who says to Me, “Lord, Lord,” shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, “Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?” and then I will declare to them, “I never knew you, depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness”. Or, in other words, “go away, you who didn’t run the race according to the rules. You can never enter heaven, never enter the winners circle. You will never be declared victorious”.

Kevin combed Jet’s mane with his fingers. He looked up at Mr. Cooper with genuine concern on his face and asked, “Does that mean I should get rid of Jet?”

Mr. Cooper reached over and scratched Jet’s muzzle. “Absolutely not, Kevin. Jet, although a wonderful animal, is just an animal. God placed him on this earth for the sole purpose of bringing you happiness. Animals don’t have souls, so they just live their allotted time here on earth, then they die. Whether Jet becomes a race horse, or a plow horse, won’t have any lasting effect on his destiny. People, on the other hand, are eternal beings.

For a great scripture go to http://www.makefunofyourday.blogspot.com/

Kevin's Horse Part IV

Suddenly, the starting bell rang, and the gate opened with a great clanging noise. The three thoroughbreds lunged out of the starting gate and began to fly down the race track. Jet lunged out of the starting gate, too, and when he came down, instead of flying down the track, he began to crow hop and buck, his nostrils flaring, and froth falling from his mouth. He made weird little grunting sounds every time he jumped. Kevin grabbed the saddle horn with both hands, and held on for dear life. He couldn’t believe this was happening! Ever since being broke to ride, Jet had been exceptionally gentle. He had never misbehaved so badly.

After what must have been only a few seconds, but seemed like forever, Jet stopped bucking and jumping, and began to run. Well, it was actually more like a fast walk! But, he wasn’t going straight down the track. He would quarter across the track, first to the outside rail, then to the inside rail. Kevin finally got his horse stopped. Jet was breathing hard, trembling and slinging his head from side to side. It was clear the horse was scared.

Kevin just sat there for a minute, speaking softly to his horse. He was really embarrassed. He couldn’t imagine what would have caused his horse to act that way. Feeling somewhat dejected, he turned Jet toward the exit and started to leave the track. A handler approached him and encouraged him to try again. “It isn’t unusual for a horse to act up the first time he runs”, the handler told Kevin. “Give him another chance.”

So, Kevin did try again, and again, but the result was still the same. Jet just wouldn’t run on the track, between the rails. After the third attempt, Kevin resignedly rode Jet off the track and decided to be content to just watch from the side lines. The thoroughbreds lined up. Mr. Cooper gave the signal. The bell rang and the starting gate clanged open. The experienced race horses sprang from the gate and, in a flurry of flying hooves and kicked-up dirt, began their flight down the track.

Outside the track, Jet reared up on his hind legs. He sort of spun around in a crouch and, once again, catapulted from the ground. He hit the ground running for all he was worth. Kevin, again taken by surprise, barely managed to hold on as Jet took up the pursuit with at least as much vigor as he had the very first time. Jet easily overtook and passed the race horses before Kevin reined him in and trotted him over to the viewing stand where Mr. Cooper was standing.

More tomorrow..... For a great scripture go to http://www.makefunofyourday.blogspot.com/

Kevin's Horse Part III

Kevin beamed as he trotted Jet over to the starting gate. Mr. Cooper had said that Jet was the fastest horse he had ever seen! Noow, Kevin had always known that, but it was so cool to have someone else recognize it, too. He could hardly wait to get on the track and really let Jet strut his stuff.

As Kevin approached the gate, Jet began to twitch. he started side-stepping adn whinnied as he watched the other horses walk into their positions. When he was three feet from the starting gate, jet reared up on his hind legs. He came back down on all fours and began to back away from the starting gate. Kevin spoke soothingly to him and nudged him with his heels. Jet finally went into the starting gate, but stood there trembling. This was something new to him, and he was clearly nervous.

Suddenly the starting bell rang, and the gate opened with a great clanging noise. The three thoroughbreds lunged out of the starting gate and began to fly down the race track. Jet lunged out of the starting gate, too, and when he came down, instead of flying down the track, he began to crow hop and buck, his nostrils flaring, and froth falling from his mouth. He made weird little grunting sounds every time he jumped. Kevin grabbed the saddle horn with both hands, and held on for dear life. He couldn't believe this was happening! Ever since being broke to ride, Jet had been exceptionally gentle. He had never behaved so badly.

After what must have only been a few seconds, but seemed like forever, Jet stopped bucking and jumping, and began to run. Well, it was actually more like a fast walk! but, he wasn't going straight down the track. He would quarter across the track, first to the outside rail, then to the inside rail. Kevin finally got his horse stopped. Jet was breathing hard, trembling and slinging his head from side to side. It was clear the horse was nervous.

More tomorrow....... For a great scripture go to http://www.makefunofyourday.blogspot.com/

Kevin's Horse Part II

Kevin had not anticipated such action from Jet, and so, wasn't the least bit ready. He nearly fell off the back of his horse, but managed to grab the saddle horn in time to prevent him from being unseated. When Jet sprang forward, Kevin dropped the left rein. He used the saddle horn to pull himself forward with his right hand, while reaching over Jet's shoulder, praying that Jet wouldn't step on the flapping piece of leather and fall. Kevin scooped up the rein in his left hand.

He glanced up and, to his amazement, discovered he and Jet were gaining on the race horses at an unvelievable rate. It never occurred to Kevin to pull back on the reins. He was so excited that he was actually getting a chance to prove that his horse was the fastest! The three horses racing on the track were bunched up, so that it seemed that Kevin and Jet flew by all three of them at once.

Kevin glanced to his right to where Mr. Cooper was standing with his stopwatch. mr. Cooper's face was flushed, and he was shouting something that Kevin couldn't make out. It suddenly occurred to Kevin that he had intruded on a training session, and that Mr. Cooper was upset with him. "Man" Kevin thought, "He probably won't ever let me come and watch again! I'd better go over and apologize to him." By this time, Kevin and Jet had left the race horses far behind, so Kevin began to pull on the reins and, gradually, reluctantly, Jet slowed to a stop. Kevin turned Jet around and rode over to where Mr. Cooper was standing.

"I'm so sorry, Mr. Cooper. I didn't know my horse was going to take off like that and, when he did, I liked it so much, I encouraged him. I never thought I was interfering with your training session. Please forgive me. It won't ever happen again."

Mr. Cooper said, "Are you kidding?! I have never seen a horse as fast as yours! His time is incredible. Let's get him on the track and let him give my horses a reason to run."

More tomorrow. For a great scripture, go to http://www.makefunofyourday.blogspot.com/

Kevin's Horse Part I

Okay, no more excuses! It is time to post. I would like to take the next few days to share a story I wrote some time back for a Junior High camp:

KEVIN'S HORSE

13-year-old Kevin Simpson’s horse was an American Quarter Horse, a big horse, sixteen hands at the withers. Shortly after the horse was born, Kevin named him “Jet” because, even as a young colt, he was unbelievably fast. Now, at three years of age, the big bay gelding was a beautiful horse, with his sleek dark-brown body, his black mane and tail, and his four black stockings. And, he was still fast! Man, was he fast! He was undoubtedly the fastest horse Kevin had ever seen. Why, Kevin was pretty sure that Jet could outrun any horse that ever lived.

A neighbor of Kevin’s family, Mr. Cooper, raised thoroughbred race horses, and had constructed a race track on his property. He used the track for training his own horses, as well as horses belonging to other people who hired him to do their training for them. Kevin had often ridden his bicycle over to the track to watch the horses run. He had seen some great horses alright, every one of them a thoroughbred, born to race, but Kevin knew in his heart that Jet could easily outrun any of them for a quarter of a mile.

Well, the day had finally come that Kevin could ride Jet over to Mr. Cooper’s place to watch the racers train. With some help from his dad, Kevin had managed to break Jet to ride. He was just green-broke. He hadn’t learned to neck-rein yet, and he still acted a little skittish while he was being saddled, but once mounted and given his head, boy, could he run! On this particular morning, Kevin urged Jet out onto the road that ran between his house and Mr. Cooper’s. Jet settled into an easy canter and traveled the three miles or so in just under half an hour.

Mr. Cooper was already out by the track when Kevin and Jet arrived. So were three magnificent horses, the jockeys who sat on them, and the handlers who were leading them to the starting gate. Kevin rode Jet over near the starting gate, so he could get a better look at the thoroughbreds as they were coaxed into the gate and stood quivering, in anticipation of the bell that would signal to them that the race was on.

As soon as all three horses were in position, Mr. Cooper gave the signal and one of his ranch hands pressed the button that rang the bell and caused the gate to open. Mr. Cooper started his stopwatch as the thoroughbreds sprang out of the gate. Kevin, however, was in for a big surprise! Jet, who had been standing perpendicular to the race track, whirled around with his front legs in the air. He sort of squatted briefly on his hind legs, and then lunged forward in the direction of the racing horses. Jet came down hard on all four legs, and immediately began to run, full-out.

More tomorrow. For a great Scripture, go to http://www.makefunofyourday.blogspot.com/