1 John 20.19-28 It has to be said that I probably never believed it.

In fact, no matter how often I hear it, I still dont believe it. For you see the theory of how a winged aircraft flies is this. The wing has a flat bottom but a curved top. As a result the air flowing over the aforesaid wing has to move faster over the top to catch up with

2 the bottom air stream. This in turn causes a slight vacuum above allowing the wing to lift objects such as fuselages, people and even the banana you might have had with breakfast cereal. It sounds like utter black magic yet it is true. And the fact that many here have flown to Europe, America and even Australia proves it.

3 Not only that, but from this diatribe, I can conclude that genuine belief comes not from being told something, analysing something or even seeing something. It comes from experiencing the effect of something. All this then brings us to doubting Thomas. Now he was told by his mates that they had seen the risen Christ. He may even have understood a smidgen of the concept of resurrection from Jesus' own teaching

4 and the Pharisees of his day. Yet he said he wanted to see it for himself. In reality, he wanted to experience the presence of Jesus alive for himself. Or put it another way he wanted the tactile sense of the nail and spear wounds. That he got and because of that he believed. Because of that he put his money where his mouth was since tradition has it he took the gospel to Persia

5 and eventually India where was martyred at a place called Calamine. Let us also this morning look to the real source of why we believe in the presence of Christ Jesus in our lives. For it doesn't come from reading our bibles alone. Nor does it come entirely through coming to church and the company of other Christians. Because while these are invaluable signposts, real faith develops from experiencing Jesus to be with you on the quiet days and busy days,

6 the warm days and the cold days; the days of ashes and the days of roses. Now I always admire someone who sees something then goes on to use what has been observed. Our modern lives are vastly enriched by such creative people. Television, the world wide web and the motor car to name but a few are the products of such minds. However few inventors were like Thomas and had to put their lives on the line for their idea.

But this was certainly the case for two staunchly Christian brothers who were right. They were of course Orville and Wilbur Wright. Now these two American brothers, inventors, and aviation pioneers are credited with inventing and building the world's first successful aeroplane. Whilst some dispute this, certainly they are believed to have made he first controlled, powered and sustained heavier-than-air human flight. This was on 17 December 1903, it lasted 12 seconds and the aircraft with Orville on board

8 got a mere 120 feet. It's incredible to think that some 65 years later man would walked on the moon. Anyway talk about putting your money where your mouth is for Orville and on the next 3 flights Wilbur could have been killed or seriously injured. However such faith did not come quickly or easily. Since the brothers started their leap into the unknown when they gained the mechanical skills essential for their success

9 by working for years in their shop with printing presses, bicycles, motors, and other machinery. Their work with bicycles in particular influenced their belief that an unstable vehicle like a flying machine could be controlled and balanced with practice. From 1900 until their first powered flights some 3 years later, they conducted extensive glider tests that also developed their skills as pilots.

10 They even built a small wind tunnel to gather more accurate data than any before, enabling them to design and build wings and propellers that were more efficient than anything in existence. Put another way,
faith as well as invention is 99% perspiration, 1 % inspiration and a dash of panache thrown in for good measure.

Here then is a reminder of how we deal with faith in our lives. For if recently that flame has burned low

11 or you feel a bit distant from God then remember to make the effort to phone home. Remember to look persistently for Christs presence in your lives. Remember like all relationships, it takes elbow grease to keeping it working. Yet even more important, it really does help, not just to see and feel God around you but also to go flying with it. Since there is no greater builder of faith, understanding and certainty

12 than actually doing something novel, exhilarating even risky only in trust. Because then you will know you are right you will know real freedom you will genuinely experience the words of the Isaiah who wrote but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Don't doubt you will have a good flight!