The Wages of Sin . . .

Take a good look at these two photos. It's hard to believe that they are the same person- Lisa Nowak, an astronaut with NASA. What happened to this woman? What took her from being a smiling-faced space traveler to a frowning, handcuff wearer?

Lisa Nowak, a married mother of three, flew in a space mission for NASA last July. It seemed that not even the sky held a limit for this intelligent, likable woman. She held the rank of Navy Captain which is the same level as a Colonel in the Army.

The news reporters allege that Nowak, armed with pepper spray, a BB gun, steel mallet, knife, rubber tubing and garbage bags, headed out on a 900 mile trip to Florida to attemp to kidnap a fellow astronaut.

How does a person find themselves in the situation that Nowak finds herself? How does someone go from the heights to depths?

The experts are trying to find excuses and reasons to explain what Nowak did, but the simple answer is this: SIN. When a person leaves God out of their lives and tries to operate things in their own strength, there is a way that leads to death.

We know that sin does, eventually, lead to an eternal, literal death. It also causes a lot of casualties along the way. There are three, precious, innocent children whose worlds are in chaos tonight. There is a husband who has a lot of questions. There is extended family of all involved that are forever changed because of the sinful choices of one person.

I'm sure if you'd asked Nowak five years ago if she could envision herself being where she is today, she'd probably laugh in your face. It didn't happen overnight. Sin takes you, little steps at a time, further than you'd ever dreamed you'd go.

The question is, "Is there a place to turn around on this dead-end road to death?" YES!!! God offers second chances even though man may not. God's forgiveness offers hope. It does not take away the consequences of our sins. We have to live with brokenness caused by our sins but God does bring healing.I pray for this woman and all involved.

I pray for these precious children. Thank you, God, for being a God of grace, love, and forgiveness. Thank you for second chances!