3 not-so-great ideas that we first thought were super

I'm bemused, reading the news this last week. Here are three of this week's ideas that sound good in theory but might lead to not-so-good outcomes:

1. Personal helicopters: Sounds convenient, right? But do you want someone your don't know buzzing along overhead as you drive? Can you imagine trying to enforce flight paths for 20-somethings hurriedly going to meet friends? Or having someone cut you off with a sharp turn in front of your little helicopter? Click here for the story.

2. Seizure of a person, for trial in another country:  Sounds like justice for terrorists who blew up the US embassy, right? But what if someone comes to the US, kidnaps a person they consider dangerous, and takes them back to their own country to be tried on war crimes? (For example, what if Pakistan or Afghanistan did this to American soldiers who've gone berserk and blown up citizens or government personnel?) Click here for the story.

3. Modified foods: The super-banana is about to be tested. So far, modified foods are a mixed blessing. No one in my extended circle of peers had wheat, peanut, or soy allergies when we were growing up. Something in the environment is polluting our bodies. We're reacting against formerly "normal" foods. Click here for the story.

Scripture tells us that a multitude of advisers and a careful look at our decisions brings wisdom. Rather than plunging ahead without a clue, we are warned to consider what we are doing and the consequences of our actions.

W and I are overwhelmed with gratitude to our mentors, who made us ask questions we didn't even know to ask. They told us things we had no idea about. They educated us, restrained us, and pushed us forward. Thank you, one and all!

Read more:
*Let your work be manifest to your servants, and your glorious power to their children. Psalm 90:16 ESV

*Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed. Proverbs 15:22 ESV

*Prepare plans by consultation, and make war by wise guidance. Proverbs 20:18 NLT

*Jesus said, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” John 6:29 ESV

*But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions-it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:4-10 NIV

Moravian Prayer: Lord, in the hustle and bustle of our everyday lives, help us to slow down. Remind us that through your power and presence we will have time to discover all that is good in the world you created for us. In your name we pray. Amen.