Herb Kelleher of Southwest Airlines recently said, “We’ve never been focused on gigantism. We’ve focused on being the best.” Though it is only the seventh largest airline, Allan Sloan, Newsweek’s Wall Street editor calls Southwest Airlines “the nation’s most successful [airline].”

It was a small stone that David used to kill the giant. The little boy brought just a few fish and loaves of bread to feed 5000. Instead of waiting for a large opportunity to make a difference, perhaps we should use the small one that is at our fingertips.

Matthew 25:23 NLT “The master said, 'Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let's celebrate together!'”

NASA scientists have a new appreciation for the staying power of bird droppings after spotting whitish splotches on the black leading edge of Space Shuttle Discovery's right wing. Officials believe the spots are bird droppings. Shuttle lead flight director Tony Ceccacci saw the same splotches on the shuttle three weeks ago while the vehicle was still on the launch pad. Ceccacci laughed when photos sent back from space showed they were still there.

The droppings have survived some pretty extreme conditions. They withstood Florida thunderstorms, the Fourth of July launch during which 300,000 gallons of water were directed at the shuttles main engines. The bird droppings remained in place despite the shuttle's journey through the Earth's atmosphere when the vehicle went from standing still to 17,500 miles per hour in just under 9 minutes.

Ceccacci thinks some of the material may have shaken off during the launch. He thinks the rest will be burned off during reentry when the edge of the shuttle's wings reach 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit. Rob Fergus, a science coordinator with the National Audubon Society says he often gets calls from people about getting bird dropping off their cars. He says, "Usually they can hose it off. Apparently that doesn't work with the space shuttle. Maybe they need a bigger hose."

—ABC NEWS- Associated Press, Bird droppings Survive Space Launch, July 5, 2006. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

1 Corinthians 1:26-29 (ASV) "For behold your calling, brethren, that not many wise after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: [27] but God chose the foolish things of the world, that he might put to shame them that are wise; and God chose the weak things of the world, that he might put to shame the things that are strong; [28] and the base things of the world, and the things that are despised, did God choose, yea and the things that are not, that he might bring to nought the things that are: [29] that no flesh should glory before God."

Did you know that ordinary Scotch tape can emit X-rays? According to a report published in the journal, Nature, scientists discovered that when you peel off the adhesive tape from its roll in a vacuum, you produce X-rays. The action produces so much X-ray radiation that researchers were able to make images of their fingers in the process. Scientists say a Russian study 50 years ago reported producing X-rays while peeling adhesive tape off glass surfaces, but few paid attention to the findings.

Researchers say the discovery could lead to inexpensive X-ray machines for use by paramedics or in locations where electricity is expensive or hard to get. A participant in the study, UCLA Graduate student Juan Escobar, said peeling the tape in the air does not produce X-rays so there is no health hazard. He said, "If you're going to peel tape in a vacuum, you should be extra careful. I will continue to use Scotch tape during my daily life, and I think it's safe to do it in your office. No guarantees." Escobar added, “We were very surprised. The power you could get from just peeling tape was enormous.”

--Tape Measure: X-rays detected from Scotch tape, http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory?id=6088719October 22, 2008, Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

Never underestimate the power in a simple act of service. Ordinary things can produce extraordinary results.

Matthew 17:20 (MSG)"Because you're not yet taking God seriously," said Jesus. "The simple truth is that if you had a mere kernel of faith, a poppy seed, say, you would tell this mountain, 'Move!' and it would move. There is nothing you wouldn't be able to tackle."

Andrea Cammelleri fought the parking citation she received in 2014 and won on appeals because the lawmakers failed to include a comma between the words “vehicle” and “camper” Since her pickup does not fit the description of a “motor vehicle camper,” she argued that the law did not apply to her case. —Jim L. Wilson

http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/weird/Womans-Parking-Ticket-Tossed-Because-Missing-Comma-311642131.html

Matthew 5:18 (HCSB) “For I assure you: Until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or one stroke of a letter will pass from the law until all things are accomplished.”

Though it started as a joke, the Air Guitar World Championships have become an annual competition that draws people from around the world. Contestants pretend to play guitar to music tracks and the competition allows them to show off their skill at guitar miming choreography. For American Matt “Airistotle” Burns, the annual competition is serious business. At the 22nd annual competition, Burns proved he was the best in the world again, defending his title against all challengers. He scored 35.4 points and took first place over final round competitors from Germany, Australia, and Japan. –By Jim Sandell

Just goes to show you that the smallest things can become significant in the right context.

Colossians 3:17 (CSB) “And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

We lose track of the significant when we obsess in the unimportant stuff. Police in Bothell, Washington have had to request that residents stop dialing 911 to report that they cannot log on to Facebook. “We will move mountains to help those in our community,” said a police spokesman. “However, we can’t fix Facebook.”

Can you remember what is important? I do not think the apostle Paul would ever lament that he could not log on to Facebook; much less call the authorities to do something about it. After all, he had his mind set on one thing. —Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell.

Philippians 3:13 (CSB) “Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead,”

Officials with a railway company in India announced they are using the recorded sound of buzzing bees to keep elephants from wandering onto the tracks. The Northwest Frontier Railway installed the sound system in locations where there are a lot of elephants. Officials said villagers who spot elephants in the area alert the company, and worker engage the sound to keep the elephants away. The plan is prevent collisions between the trains and elephants because the animals avoid of the sound of swarming bees because they do not want to be stung.

Something as large as an elephant avoids something as small as a bee, who knew? Small things are often powerful.—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Zechariah 4:10 (CSB) “For who despises the day of small things? These seven eyes of the Lord, which scan throughout the whole earth, will rejoice when they see the ceremonial stone in Zerubbabel’s hand.”