Are you in line yet for an iPhone? Sales start this Friday at 6 p.m., but people have been trying for months to get one. Apple's device with the touch screen and built-in iPod is supposed to make it easier for us to download video, watch television, and do anything your hands can do with technology. Today's New York Times tells us that high school students can even download SAT preparation programs to their iPod and soon iPhone.

Steven Jobs and his invention have been on magazine covers everywhere--except Wired magazine, that is. In their April issue, they invited subscribers to upload their photographs to Wired.com. Today's Times reports that the first 5,000 who sent their photos are now receiving their July issue with themselves on the cover. The headline over the photo is "You are here."

But is "here" a good place to be? No matter how we get the news, the news is still troubling. A car bomb killed six United Nations peacekeepers in southern Lebanon yesterday. NATO forces in Afghanistan unintentionally caused the death of several Pakistani civilians. Storms have killed 228 in Pakistan, while monsoon floods have displaced 200,000 in India. I'm not sure I want news video on my cell phone. Or anywhere else this morning.

The apostles were honest with their new converts: "We must go through many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God" (Acts 14:22). Jesus warned us, "In this world you will have trouble." But then he said, "Take heart! I have overcome the world" (John 16:33).

Out walking this morning, I came across a dead rat on the sidewalk. Not an especially appetizing sight before breakfast. The deceased rodent reminded me of a story: a pilot on his first solo flight heard a strange noise in the rear of his single engine aircraft. Glancing back, he saw that a large rat had somehow gotten on board and was now gnawing on wires. The pilot realized instantly the gravity of the situation--the rat could chew through gas lines or cables crucial to the plane's controls. What should he do?

Then he remembered that rats are land animals. They cannot survive without air. So putting on his oxygen mask, he took the airplane up into the atmosphere. Higher, and still higher. Soon the chewing ceased. After landing, he disposed of the asphyxiated rat.

Worries are rodents. Take yours higher today, and you'll find victory in your Lord. This is the invitation and the promise of God.

Copyright © 2007. Godissues.com. All rights reserved.