Jumbo Jets

Mark Hopper / Ron Johnson (mechanic) / Gary Johnson

For many decades air travel was limited because of the size of the passenger planes and the high price of tickets. Most people who flew on airplanes were on business trips or finically well off. But in the 1970’s air travel was revolutionized by the introduction of jumbo jets that could carry several hundred passengers at much lower prices. In the 1970’s three aircraft companies introduced Jumbo Jets – the McDonald Douglas DC-10, the Lockheed L-1011 and the Boeing – 747.  These huge wide-body airplanes were used by the airlines to transport more passengers at lower prices across the country and around the world. They changed the airline travel industry.

I remember parking along the runway at Love Field in Dallas, Texas in 1971 to watch the huge Boeing 747’s slowly lift off the ground. It looked like they would never make it. The planes were far bigger than anyone had ever seen before. I never imagined that one day I would not only fly on a 747 but even sit in the cockpit of a 747.

In the 1990’s I led a team of adults from our church to work with some small churches in eastern Europe. We flew on the Dutch airline KLM. Our return flight went to Amsterdam then Minneapolis and on to LAX. There was confusion with our reservations on the flight from Amsterdam to Minneapolis and our team was scattered around a huge 747. Three of us were assigned to first class in the area above the passenger level behind the cockpit.

Those were the days before the 9/11 high jacking and the flight deck door was open. We asked the flight attendant if we could look inside the cockpit for a moment. With her permission we walked up to the door and looked out the cockpit windows as we flew over Iceland. It was amazing to see the land below us and to see all of the equipment and meet the pilots who were guiding our plane.  

A few years later a friend invited me and another guy from our church to visit his work site at the UPS aircraft facility at Ontario Airport in southern California. He was a mechanic and showed us some of the planes he worked on at the facility. In those days UPS did not fly on the weekends so there were a number of large aircraft on the tarmac. We climbed up a long stairway into an empty 747. There were no seats in the back and no cargo on the aircraft. It was huge. Then we sat down in the cockpit amazed at how high we were above the ground. Our friend cautioned us to not touch the red handle between the seats that controlled the front landing gear! It was amazing to sit in the cockpit high above the tarmac in a Boeing – 747.

Let me encourage you to plan a trip and book a flight for a dream destination. Maybe you will get to fly on a wide body Jumbo jet. You will be glad you did and I will too.

Read 365 more stories (one for every day of the year) by the author in his book Let Me Encourage You by Mark Hopper. The cost of a signed copy is only $20 plus $5 for postage and handling. Order your book today at markh@efreedb.org.

What Day is It?

My wife and I have four children and ten grandchildren. We also have three wonderful sons-in-law and one wonderful daughter-in-law. We are very thankful for all the members of our family.

But twenty-five years ago we didn’t have all of these people in our lives. Our four kids were in school or working. Our kids were dating during their college and post-college years but no weddings yet.

One day one of my future sons-in-law called me early in the morning. I think he woke me up. After he identified himself he asked me if Trisha had left yet. I wasn’t sure what he was asking so I asked him to repeat the question. He explained that he was at the airport in Portland, Oregon to pick up Trisha but he couldn’t find her.

Now he had my attention. What was he talking about? We had never heard our daughter was planning to fly to Oregon to visit him. She had never said anything to us about a trip to Portland.

My future son-in-law sensed that I was confused. He tried to explain that Trisha was going to fly up to see him during his spring break. He was calling me from the airport because he couldn’t find her. 

Then he asked me what day it was. Maybe he got the dates mixed up. So he repeated his question – what day is it? I had to think for a moment and finally replied – it was April 1st. Then I realized that he was playing an April Fool’s joke on his future father-in-law.

Trisha and Bryan have been married for over twenty years now. They have two wonderful kids. But I’m not sure that I have forgiven Bryan for his April Fool’s joke. I secretly hope that he will have a future son-in-law play a similar April Fool’s joke on him one day!

Thankfully I have learned to appreciate all of my sons-in-law over the years. Each of them are outstanding men, supportive husbands and great dads. In some ways they have a lot in common and in other ways they each have their own distinctive personalities. I am very thankful they love my daughters, love our grandkids and love God with all their hearts. Let me encourage you to express your appreciation to the men and women who have joined your family by marrying your sons and daughters. You will be glad you did and they will too! And make sure you check the calendar if you get an unexpected phone call from one of them.

Read 365 more stories by the author in his book “Let Me Encourage You” by Mark Hopper. Enjoy a new story for every day of the year. Purchase a copy today for only $20 plus $5 postage. Order your book at markh@efreedb.org.

March Madness

 
 
I played several different sports when I was in High School. I was not the best athlete in our school but I worked hard to earn a spot in several sports. I ran Cross Country for two years and earned a Varsity letter in my sophomore year. I also played shortstop for two years on our baseball team.
 
But my favorite sport in High School was basketball. I made the freshman and Junior Varsity teams and I played on the varsity squad in my junior and senior year. My teammates voted me the captain our senior year.
 
I loved the ebb and flow of basketball. It was non-stop up and down the court. We did have some set plays that we tried to run but you learned to adapt to your opponents different defensive strategies.
 
We normally had two games a week against other schools in our division. But we also had practice every day after school on non-game days. I remember shooting free throws at the end of each practice. We had to make ten free throws in a row before we could head for the showers. Our coach reminded us that free throws could make the difference between winning and losing at the end of a game. The most points I scored in one game in my high school career was thirteen and most of them were free throws!
 
My position was point guard. My job was to pass the basketball to other players on our team to help them score a basket. I think my coach preferred that I pass the ball to the better shooters on our team. He told me to not shoot the ball unless I was all alone under our basket! I also had to stop the other team from getting a fast break or open shot at their end of the floor. I didn’t score many points but I had a lot of fun.
 
Let me encourage you to encourage your teens to join a sports team, orchestra, choir or club at their high school. Every student needs a place to belong. There are service clubs and special interest groups that offer many different options for high school students. Help your student to find a place to connect on their campus. They will be glad you did and you will too.

Read 365 more stories by the author in his book Let Me Encourage You by Mark Hopper. Purchase a copy for only $20 plus postage ($5). Order your today at markh@efreedb.org.

Compassion Requires Action (Part 2)

Compassion Requires Action (Part 2)
 
There are a number of examples in the Bible where Jesus showed compassion to people in need. He saw their need and did something about it. Compassion is not just an emotion – it results in action.
 
Recently several members of our family personally responded with compassion to the crisis in Ukraine. We have seen images on TV and the Internet of buildings destroyed and thousands of refugees fleeing the war zone. Mother’s with babies and young children are struggling to board buses and trains. Older grandmothers appear confused and afraid in neighborhoods destroyed by bombs and missiles.
 
We may feel compassion for the people in Ukraine but what can we do to help? Our daughter and son-in-law serve with the non-profit organization Josiah Venture in Eastern Europe. They were able to use donated funds to purchase supplies at a large discount warehouse in their community and personally transport these items to Poland. Many other organizations and individuals are doing similar things throughout Europe to help those who are suffering in Ukraine.
 
In addition, our niece left her husband and children in central California to join a team with Samaritan’s Purse to help displaced people in western Ukraine. They flew from North Carolina to Poland on a plane filled with a Mobile Field Hospital. The mobile medical center was then transported into western Ukraine. Samaritan’s Purse brings help to hurting people all over the world. They even set up a Field Hospital in Central Park in New York City at the height of the Covid19 pandemic.
 
It is one thing to see the images of the war in Ukraine on TV and the Internet. It is easy to feel compassion for the millions of people who are affected by the Russian invasion of their country. But it is another thing to become personally involved by buying supplies and driving them to the people in need. It is one thing to pray for the refugees fleeing west away from the fighting. But it is another thing to fly a portable hospital to Poland and travel east into war torn Ukraine.
 
Let me encourage you to pray for peace in Ukraine. Pray for safety for innocent civilians fleeing bombed out cities. Pray for the volunteers rushing to bring help and comfort. Donate to reliable groups and organizations like Josiah Venture and Samaritan’s Purse that are bringing aid and comfort to Ukraine. You can find them on line. You will be glad you did and they will too.

You can read 365 more stories (one for every day of the year) by the author in his book Let Me Encourage You by Mark Hopper. The price is only $20 plus $5 Postage. Order your book at today at Markh@efreedb.org.

Compassion Requires Action

 
One day after I took out the trash I heard the familiar sound of a bee flying nearby. I think it must have hitched a ride on my hair or clothes and ended up in our house. I followed the sound and sure enough there was a bee flying in our kitchen. It quickly searched for an escape route and headed for a window not realizing the sheet of glass blocked its escape. It buzzed frantically against the glass unable to get back outside.
 
I felt bad for my frustrated friend. What could I do to rescue this tiny creature? My wife suggested I use a flower from a vase in the kitchen and try to coax the bee onto the flower. At first the bee refused my help but eventually it did cling on to a pedal. I gently guided the flower over to the open window and shook the bee onto the window screen. I closed the window trapping the bee between the glass and the screen.
 
Then I went outside and removed the window screen to allow the bee to escape. However, the bee clung on to the screen and wouldn’t let go. Now what should I do? I decided to carry the screen into our backyard where our orange tree was in full bloom. I gently put the screen next to a fragrant orange blossom. The bee slowly let go of the window screen and gently stepped onto the tasty blossom. Success! My little friend was safely out of our house and happily sitting on a colorful orange blossom. I’m sure he was exhausted but glad to be free!
 
Why did I feel compassion for my little friend? In the past I might have killed the bee with a fly swatter to prevent it from stinging one of our children. But we have heard reports of the declining bee population. I didn’t want to hurt it – I wanted to help it.
 
There are a number of passages in the Bible where Jesus felt compassion for helpless people in need. He felt compassion for a widow whose son had died (Luke 7:11-17). He felt compassion for several thousand people who lacked food (Mark 6:34-44). He felt compassion for those who were blind (Matthew 20:29-34). But Jesus didn’t just feel compassion – he also took action. He personally helped those in need. Let me encourage you to show compassion and take action to help someone in need today. You may not be able to help everyone but you can help someone. Give some food, lend a helping hand or give a gift to someone around you or someone around the world who needs your help right now. You will be glad you did and they will too.

You can read 365 more stories (one for every day of the year) by the author in his book – Let Me Encourage You by Mark Hopper. The price is only $20 plus $5 for postage. Order your book today at markh@efreedb.org.

A Cup of Orange Juice


 
I love orange juice. I have a glass of cold refreshing orange juice every morning. I prefer pure orange juice that is not made with concentrate. There are certain brands that I like most. We all have our personal preferences. In addition, orange juice is sold in a variety of ways – no pulp, some pulp and a lot of pulp. Some manufacturers add calcium or other ingredients. I prefer pure, simple, tasty cold orange juice.
 
Previously I have shared my views on the changing world of orange juice. A decade ago a carton of orange juice contained 64 ounces – a full half-gallon container. Then things began to change. The carton was reduced in size to 59 ounces. Prices stayed the same but the content decreased by about 10%. The cartons looked similar but the contents had been reduced. A few years later producers reduced the size again to 52 ounces – another 10%. Even as prices increase the size of the container has decreased by about 20% over the past ten years.
 
This is happening in many areas of consumer sales. It is called stealth pricing where manufacturers reduce the size or content of a product but do not decrease the price of the item. They assume most shoppers will not notice the difference. This has happened with ice cream, snack crackers and other consumer products. Have you noticed how small a box of Triscuits or Wheat Thins looks today? Take a closer look at the orange juice carton too.
 
When I was the lead pastor at our church in Diamond Bar a friend brought me a glass of orange juice between church services on Sunday morning. It was just what I needed to renew my energy for the next service. I used to look for a donut or snack between services but the orange juice was a much better choice. I don’t think many people even noticed this small gesture but knew I could count on my friend handing me a cup of orange juice every Sunday morning.
 
There is a verse in the Bible that says, “I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink. Whatever you did for the least of these – you did it for me” (Matthew 25:34-40). Jesus said that when we help others and encourage others – it is like we do it for Him. Let me encourage you to do something thoughtful and helpful to encourage someone around you this week – maybe with a cup of coffee or even a glass of orange juice. They will be glad you did and you will too!

Read 365 more stories (a story for every day of the year) by the author in his book Let Me Encourage You by Mark Hopper. The price is only $20 plus $5 for postage. Order your copy today at markh@efreedb.org.

Snow in the Desert

Snow in the Desert
 
It does not snow very often in the Arizona desert. The elevation of Phoenix is about 1500 feet above sea level. Tucson is another 1000 feet higher so we were more likely to have snow from time to time. One year it snowed twice during the winter months.
 
I will always remember the time it snowed in Tucson when our kids were young and we shared a memorable day together. We woke up in the morning and saw a nice dusting of snow in our back yard. The snow melted on the crushed granite ground cover but the snow that accumulated on the grass remained.
 
My wife dressed up the kids in warm winter jackets and they ran out of the house excited to play in real snow. We rolled up a couple of small round balls of snow and made a miniature snow man. Then we got the idea to go to a nearby park that had more grass to see if there was more snow to play with.
 
One of the things we did not anticipate was how much of the soft fluffy snow accumulated on the Manzanita trees in the park. The trees had low lying branches and were easy to reach. As we stood admiring the snow in the park our son Tim jumped up and grabbed a limb and shook the branch. Soft, fluffy snow covered his younger sisters standing beneath the tree. They squealed with surprise and delight. A snow ball fight quickly ensued as they sought revenge on their adversary. No one got hurt but is was a memorable time together playing in the snow in the desert.
 
When we finished playing in the park, we drove to the local McDonalds for hot chocolate and snacks. We had fun reminiscing about our adventure while the hot chocolate warmed us up.
 
Let me encourage you to take advantage of memorable moments. Don’t sit inside your house admiring the scenery. Pull out the winter clothes, put on the winter jackets and venture out into winter wonder land. Make a memory and take a few photos to capture the moment. You will be glad you did and your kids will too.

Read 365 more stories by the author in his book Let Me Encourage You by Mark Hopper. Purchase two copies (one for yourself and give one to a friend) for only $30 plus $5 Postage. Order your books at markh@efreedb.org.

What was a Pay Phone?

 
Many things have changed over the past few decades. Transportation has changed with more and more electric cars filling the freeways. Education has changed with online learning where teachers and students connect on the internet with Zoom.
 
Communication has changed too. Everyone has a cell phone or smart phone. Landlines are obsolete. People use texting and messaging instead of conversation.
 
Recently I saw something that was a vital part of communication only a generation ago. It was a pay phone.  I didn’t know that any still existed. A pay phone was mounted on a wall or in a booth and required payment to use it. You could find them in public buildings, hotel lobbies and airports. And you could find them outdoors in public settings, sports stadiums and street corners.
 
When I was growing up my parents encouraged us to always carry a dime so we could use a pay phone to call and get a ride home from the local movie theater. Later when the price of a phone call increased to twenty-five cents we told our kids to carry a quarter. 
 
Most pay phones also had a phone book attached to them. Phone books listed the phone number of every business and individual in a city or community. They have also become obsolete. Now people look up phone numbers, addresses and other vital information with their cell phone.
 
I wonder what will be the next thing cast on the trash heap of progress. Things that seem so essential to our lives today may become obsolete and antiques in another decade or two. I think our grandchildren or great-grandchildren will look at a computer key board in the future and wonder what it was for. They will probably just use voice commands to dictate their messages and information and not need to lift a finger to write an article, send a message or make a call.
 
Let me encourage you to embrace the advances in technology and communication. Things will continue to change. And if you see a phone hanging on a wall in a public place try to explain to your kids what a pay phone was for. They will be glad you did and you will too.

Read more stories by the author in his book Let Me Encourage You by Mark Hopper. Purchase two copies for only $30 plus $5 postage. Buy one for yourself and share one with a friend. Order your copies today at markh@efreedb.org.

February Will Fool You

 
We had a record amount of rainfall in the Los Angeles region in December, 2021. Over four inches fell in one day in December in downtown LA and some suburbs had as much as eight inches. It was crazy.
 
But now, six weeks later we have not seen a drop of rain. A high pressure system has settled over the southwest and temperatures have exceeded eighty degrees. It feels more like summer than winter. The east coast has experienced a major snow storm and freezing temperatures but we are basking in sunshine in southern California.
 
This warm sunny weather feels more like June than February. Fruit trees are starting to bloom and it feels like spring is arriving early this year. However I always say that February will fool you. The unusually warm weather will soon give way to cooler winter temperatures. I predict we will see some more rain too. Don’t be fooled by the recent warm weather. Winter will return.
 
I remember similar warm temperatures forty years ago when I was building a room addition in Tucson, Arizona. The new room was on the south side of our house and we have pictures of me laying the exterior block walls wearing a T-shirt and shorts. I vividly remember how warm it was to be working on this project in the middle of February.
 
I haven’t checked on the history of the lack of rain and warm weather in southern California in the month of February. But I suspect this has happened more than once in the past 50 years. I don’t hear people complaining about the wonderful weather but I know we all agree we need more rain and cooler temperatures to preserve the snow pack and increase the water captured in regional reservoirs.
 
There is an interesting passage in the Bible when it did not rain for over three years. It is hard to imagine conditions like that. The people in Israel did not believe the prophet Elijah when he predicted rain was on the way (First Kings chapter 18).
 
Let me encourage you to not put away your rain coat, umbrella or winter wardrobe yet. I am not a prophet but I do believe more rain is still on the way. Winter is not over. Don’t let February fool you!

For 365 more stories by the author ( a story for every day of the year) read a copy of his book Let Mark Encourage You by Mark Hopper. Order your copy at markh@efreedb.org. You can purchase your copy for only $20 plus postage $5.

Ring the Bell

Ring the Bell
 
When my wife was going through a difficult time with her health we developed a system so she could call me if she needed help. I found a hand bell in a closet that she could keep by her bed and ring it if she needed me.
 
I know this sounds old fashioned. I suppose we could have used our smart phones and kept my phone number on speed dial. Or I suppose we could have set up a baby monitor like our children used to keep an eye on their babies and young children when they were sleeping.
 
Sometimes it was difficult to hear her voice if the TV was on in the family room or when I was doing dishes in the kitchen. But a loud bell seemed like a simple solution. She could nap and sleep in our bedroom while I was in other parts of the house and she could use the bell to alert me when she woke up or if she needed me.
 
Recently I was watching the LA Rams playoff game in our family room with some other members of our family while my wife was resting in our bedroom. She had the TV on too but I thought she was napping instead of watching the game. Suddenly I heard the bell ring. It wasn’t a short subdued ring. It was loud and urgent. I jumped to my feet and hurried back to our bedroom. I called out “Are you okay”? “Are you okay”? I thought something was seriously wrong.
 
But when I got to our bedroom she was laughing at me. She thought it was funny that I was rushing to help her. When I asked her what was wrong she said – nothing! I asked her why she was ringing the bell. She explained that she was simply celebrating that Cooper Cupp just caught a touchdown pass for the Rams. She wasn’t calling for help – she was loudly celebrating the Rams’ touchdown! 
 
I breathed a huge sigh of relief and then began to laugh too. I laughed and laughed. I was so concerned something was wrong. When I learned everything was okay it was an emotional relief. I laid down on the bed and she starting laughing too. Instead of a crisis it was a Cooper Cupp touchdown. I think it was just what we both needed after several weeks of doctor visits and health challenges.
 
Let me encourage you to release some of the emotional baggage that you may be carrying with you. There is nothing like a good laugh to change the mood and release some emotional energy. You will be glad you did and your family and friends will too.

Read 365 more stories by the author in his book Let Me Encourage You by Mark Hopper. The price is $20 for one or $30 for two copies plus $5 postage. Order your books today at markh@efreedb.org.