Railroad Photography! Red Flashing Lights Means Stop!

"Railroad Photography! Red Flashing Lights Means Stop!"
(C) Allen Pearson Photography 

This post is my contribution to support the continuing efforts of Operation Lifesaver who diligently work to educate everyone about railroad safety. No, I am not affiliated nor do I volunteer or work with them. However, I take the opportunity to share about railroad safety whenever I can. 

Railroad safety is really common sense. See the red lights in the above image which look like they are flashing? And, the gate is down? This means to "STOP!" and wait. Not, "STOP!," look, and go if you do not see a train coming. The lights came on for a reason so stop and wait until the lights go off. Don't see a train? Don't go around crossing gates.  

The railroad industry, according to various articles I read in Trains Magazines, has worked diligently over the years to make their mode of transportation and shipping the safest in the country. Whenever there is an accident, an injury, the railroad authorities work to determine the cause so appropriate actions can be taken to prevent it from happening again. 

Though, one area where they need the public's assistance is railroad crossings! The railroads do the best they can to warn the public; there's the loud bell ringing with red lights flashing as gates with red lights on them coming down over the roadway, there are the incredibly loud horns from the locomotives to alert the public a train is coming, and the trains have reduced their speeds too. Though, the speed reduction doesn't allow the trains to immediately stop when YOU pull out in front of them. It still takes a least a mile for it to stop and regardless of speed, your vehicle will be like a soda can being stomped on. That doesn't sound like a fun way to spend a day- not a all. 

While you might be late for an appointment or just want to keep on going, the few minutes you have to sit and wait for the train to go by could mean the difference between life and death- yours! Whatever the reason you are out on the roads, it's your obligation to STOP at railroad crossings when the red lights illuminate. 

Wednesday's Thought! Encouragement from God's Word

 

(C) 2021, Allen Pearson Photography

"Let us learn to trust

[God] for

who He is."

- Elizabeth Elliot

Sunday's Thought!

"Into the Mountains!"
Photo by Eberhard Grossgasteiger from Pexels

Independence That Leads to Sin

TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman

"So he got up and went to his father.

But while he was still a long way off, 

his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; 

he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him." Luke 15:20

The two young men had worked for many years in their family business. One day one of the sons decided he wanted to venture out on his own. He had been under the employment of his dad's business long enough. He felt he had learned all he needed to know. He wanted his independence. He wanted to take his stock options early, which would allow enough capital to begin on his own. The other son remained behind, working day in and day out, faithfully doing his job.

The first son went out on his own only to find it was more difficult than he had ever imagined. The immediate cash gained from the advance from his dad's business was a temptation that was too great for him. He spent all of the money, fell into sin, and failed to invest it in another business. He failed miserably. Finally, he came crawling back to his dad, seeking to be taken back as a mere laborer. The father took him back with open arms, fully restoring him to his original place. He experienced grace and love in a way he had never known before.

When we desire independence so much that we launch out without God's full blessing, we can expect to fall on our face. When pride enters our lives, it discourages us from dependence on anyone but ourselves; yet God says that we are to depend on Him alone. If we think we can go it alone, we will fail. On the other hand, in spite of the prodigal son's failure, he learned a great lesson of grace that he had not known before. This resulted in humility of the heart, which had a lasting impression for the rest of his life. Therefore, God even turns our failures into successes spiritually when we are willing to admit our failure.

Pride always goes before a fall. Check your heart today and ask God if there is any pride that is encouraging independence from total trust in God.

Devotion used by written permission of TGIF Today God is First, Marketplace Leaders.

To place your trust in God, learn more about God's Plan of Salvation and repentance, please visit Heaven or Not!