RIT

Rapid Intervention Teams. These are the firefighter's firefighters. When a firefighter is in trouble, or needs help, this is who the call. They call in the Rapid Intervention Team (RIT).

RIT members are trained and have all the tools to rescue firefighters that become trapped, run out of air, or are disoriented. They can create an opening where one does not exist. They can get emergency air supply to the trapped firefighter, or get him enough air to make it out of the situation. RIT is who the firefighter calls when he has an emergency.

"Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven.
For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." (Mat 18:19-20 )

"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work:
If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!
Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone?
Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." (Ecc 4:9-12 )

As Christians our church family becomes a sort of Rapid Intervention Team for us. In times of need we can turn to our church family to "intervene" (intercede) on our behalf. When we have burdens that are too heavy for us to bear alone, we can call for others to rescue us, and help us to bear these burdens. When we have nowhere to turn, we don't know what to do, the RIT team can support us.

One of my father's good friends was in a bad car accident. Immediately, my dad called me, and I in turn called other Believers. The "Rapid Intervention Team" was activated. We all began to pray and intercede on his behalf (he has since recovered from the accident).

This is the purpose of the church (body of Christ), to rescue those who are perishing. Activating the RIT team is one way in which this can be accomplished.

Memorial Day

As we enjoy our extended weekend and time with family, or our grilled burgers and the beach. Don't forget the people who gave us the freedom to celebrate this Memorial Day.

Have a great and safe weekend!

Dream Test

Do you have a dream? Is your dream capable of being accomplished? If your dream can be accomplished, how? These questions and more are answered in John Maxwell's latest book, Put Your Dream to the Test. Maxwell walks the reader through these 10 questions, in a quest to achieve dream clarity, direction, and accomplishment:

1.) The Ownership Question: Is My Dream Really My Dream?

2.) The Clarity Question: Do I Clearly See My Dream?

3.) The Reality Question: Am I Depending On Factors Within My Control to Achieve My Dream?

4.) The Passion Question: Does My Dream Compel Me to Follow It?

5.) The Pathway Question: Do I Have a Strategy to Reach My Dream?

6.) The People Question: Have I Included the People I Need to Realize My Dream?

7.) The Cost Question: Am I Willing to Pay the Price for My Dream?

8.) The Tenacity Question: Am I Moving Closer to My Dream?

9.) The Fulfillment Question: Does Working Toward My Dream Bring Satisfaction?

10.) The Significance Question: Does My Dream Benefit Others?

Maxwell helps the reader answer these questions by sharing an applicable story of people who have taken this "dream test" and passed.

This is an excellent book. It will help the person who has dreams to properly define them, and then form a strategy to achieve those dreams. This book is very easy to read; through the use of story Maxwell fully engages the reader.

Don't leave your dream to chance. This book is a must-have that can make the difference between failure and success.

"It's one thing to have a dream. It's another to do the things needed to achieve it. If your willing to put your dream to the test - and do whats needed to answer yes to the ten dream questions - then your odds are very good for seeing your dream become reality."

- John Maxwell

UL Listed Life

Part of my responsibility as a fire inspector is to ensure that products are properly "listed" for their intended use. An organization called Underwriters Laboratories (no doubt you have seen their "UL" mark on household items), puts various items through a rigorous testing process to certify them for their planned purpose.

For example, if a building requires a 2 hour fire wall it must be installed according to UL specifications. If there are any openings (doors, windows, etc.) in that "rated" fire wall they must have an equal UL listed, "rated" door/window/etc. Also, various products must be UL listed or they are not permitted (kitchen hood systems, surge protectors, extension cords, etc.).

At the UL facility, they have massive furnaces that these various products/assemblies are tested in. If a new product wants to be accepted worldwide it must pass all the UL tests.

In the following video we witness a window, and its assembly, going through part of this process, the hose stream test. One window assembly passes the test, another is seen to fail.



James 1: 2-4 says this, "Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing." (HCSB)

Just as the above windows must endure a series of trials to ensure that they are not lacking any manufacturer integrity, as Christians we endure the same trials.

James says to "count it all joy" when we go through times of hardship, trial, and testing. It is in these times that God is making us mature and complete Christians. As we endure these things our walk and relationship with Christ is strengthened, and we grow closer to Him.

The "believer" who lacks faith will fail these tests of endurance.

As a Christian, has your life passed the test of endurance? Have you gone through various trials, and tests, only to come out "mature and complete"?

Just as the products that pass the UL process gain the coveted "UL listing", as a Believer, have you passed the test of endurance, is the life you live worthy of the label, "Christian"?

Home Sweet Home

I am home at last! The conference went well. It was an awesome opportunity for me, both in speaking, and meeting various people. I learned a lot of new things. Thats always awesome!

Read tomorrow...I am looking forward to posting some ideas that have been brewing in my head/heart for some time, based on a passage in the book of James.

Fire Conference

This week I am off to Myrtle Beach, SC. I will be a first time speaker at the "Aviation Fire Journal Conference". This is a conference for Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) firefighters (firefighters that are certified to respond to aircraft emergencies).

I am looking forward to blogging about this event. I have several other article ideas I am excited about presenting here. They will be forthcoming.

Thanks for your readership!