November 2018

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120 PAUL WALKER 2013 30.11.2018 08:46

Exactly 5 years ago, for many people the world seemed to stand still: the day, when Paul William Walker, known as Paul Walker (12th September 1973 – 30th November 2013), died. He was an American actor, for most people inseparably linked with the Fast and Furious movies. He lived fast and died quite young.

Paul Walker is supposed to have said once: „The people I don’t understand are atheists. I go surfing and snowboarding and I’m always around nature. I look at everything and think, ‚Who couldn’t believe there’s a God? Is all this a mistake?’ It just blows me away.“

It is something fundamental, persistent. It touches the core and is also one of The Castiron’s points of view, in general and in particular the pastor’s view. Please have a look back at the former blogposts 116 and 117; probably, that will help to complete the picture of these not so simple, inevitable facts.

For those, who want to read more: The Castiron invites you to read in the Holy Bible, Romans 1, verses 20 and 21 (see recommendation).

See you next Friday. - God bless you, all the best! The Castiron

Recommendation: https://www.bibleserver.com/text/NIV/Romans1

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119 THE DAYS BEFORE ELEANOR V 201811 23.11.2018 14:50

From today’s persepctive perhaps a little bit strange: „Made in Trollhättan by Trolls“. This is probably the best known catchphrase in connection with Saab – a former Swedish vehicle and aircraft manufacturer. Quite a long time ago, The Castiron was the proud owner of such a slightly bizarre car, a Saab 96 with a 2-stroke engine.

A quick one on the automobile manufacturer. The first production model, the Saab 92, was launched in 1949 and in the late seventies the Saab 900; a very contemporary car, becoming Saab’s best-selling model. It is not a story with a happy end: in the year 2012, it was announced that the company NEVS had bought the bankrupt firm Saab Automobile.

The Saab 96. It was an important model for Saab: the first Saab to be widely exported out of Sweden, down in the sixties! Unlike American cars, the 96 all featured the 3-cylinder 2-stroke engine, which required adding oil to the gasoline tank.

The Castiron’s turtle. Due to its shape, The Castiron’s friends named his used car Saab 96 just „the turtle“ – with a loving, silent mockery; this car was exceptional, even back then! Some characteristics made a lasting impression: the manual transmission (steering wheel gearshift) combined with freewheeling, the very special engine sound and the refuelling procedure: a baby bottle served as measuring vessel for the 2-stroke oil – every refuelling asked for mental arithmetic to add the appropriate percentage of oil to the gasoline.

See you next Friday. - God bless you, all the best! The Castiron

Recommendation: www.cbmcint.com/signup-now

PS Source reference: Wikipedia

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118 COMPLETELY INTREPID 16.11.2018 14:40

Looking back to the blogposts 78 THE LATER YOU BRAKE THE LONGER YOU’RE FAST and 110 INTREPID BUT RESPECTFUL, we add today another aspect to the behaviour on racetracks. And: the related videos speak a clear language!

Intrepid can be the right thing, sometimes it can be just silly. Circuits with huge tarmac run-off areas, most modern ones, provide the opportunity to drive like mad completey at the limit, or a little bit beyond; hill climbs, for instance, seldom forgive the latter one.

From bottom to top or top down : the basic types to explore the limits. The nature of the racetracks sets guidelines – and the driver’s nature is a kind of counterpart; it should fit together. The Castiron prefers to explore the limit top down , whenever possible; this assumes, that you really know what you are doing and what to expect in an extreme case.

When the circumstances offer spacious run-off areas, the top down approach works quite well. To vary braking points, cornering lines and speed, full acceleration and similar more during practice sessions can give helpful insights. But the risk of really overdoing is still existent; do not disrespect the motorsport’s always present hazards!

See you next Friday. - God bless you, all the best! The Castiron

Recommendation: www.cbmcint.com/signup-now

PS As an encore: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SycWWeB8grY

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117 NOT DEAD JUST CHANGE IN ADDRESS 09.11.2018 14:32

A remarkable statement: „Someday you will read or hear that Billy Graham is dead. Don’t you believe a word of it. I shall be more alive than I am now. I will just have changed my address. I will have gone into the presence of God.“ This message actually came from Dwight Lyman Moody, one of Graham’s legendary idols; over a century later, it was quoted from Billy Graham. Two exceptional men – one remarkable statement.

William Franklin Graham, known as Billy Graham (7th November 1918 – 21st February 2018), was especially known for his words, which brought the good news of the Gospel to millions of people. For this most prominent preacher and evangelist of the 20th century, the Gospel was real and herewith the eternal hope became factual. One on his desire was, to reach as many people as possible. „The Bible says ...“ was one of his key messages. For him, the Holy Bible was the trustworthy word of God.

This week, Billy Graham would have turned 100, but he passed away last February – it was his last and final change in address. Around 2000 people attended the memorial service in the USA, several millions took part around the world by the media.

Franklin Graham, one of his sons, mentioned in his eulogy: “If he could speak to you today, he would ask: ‘Will you be making this journey to heaven someday?’ - My father’s greatest longing has been granted.”

See you next Friday. - God bless you, all the best! The Castiron

Recommendation: http://thecastiron.ch/en/pastor.html

PS Source reference: ideaSpektrum, https://www.ideaschweiz.ch/startseite.html

PPS As an encore: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffdiKbSgdTU

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116 LIVE FAST DIE SAVED 02.11.2018 14:09

Live fast die young - for decades, this motto appears from time to time, especially in connection with young people. Is this the real thing or does today’s subject finally come closer to the basics? Live fast die saved, whether you are young or not?

When The Castiron was a young man, the life was fast and some friends and competitors of him died young. The automobiles were not as safe as today, as well as the racetracks. In addition, the daily life of a motorcyclist was hazardous; when The Castiron bought his first own used big bike, the annual insurance fee exceeded the purchasing price of such a bike. The engines were powerful, the frames something between weak and horrible, it was not mandatory to wear a helmet - the risks were manifold.

One day, The Castiron was faced with the questions of the Christian faith; in other words: live fast die saved. He decided, to try to go his further road of life with this hopeful eternal perspective. What does really count: passing away young after a fast life or passing away saved, in any case - in the Christian sense?

More on this next week; see you with NOT DEAD JUST CHANGE IN ADDRESS – a very trenchant viewpoint of a very special person.

See you next Friday. - God bless you, all the best! The Castiron

Recommendation: http://thecastiron.ch/en/about.html