to 1 part fuel). Lean mixtures thus promote fuel economy… but too lean can increase pollution as high temperatures are created whenever a flash fire occurs. This causes combustion overheating. The excess heat increases levels of compounds such as NOx (oxides of nitrogen) and leftover unburned hydrocarbons (HC). That’s pollution! You see, the unburned HC increases if too little fuel makes the fire go out before all the mixture is used up. Conversely, excessively rich mixtures waste precious commodities… like a church that provides highly populated, too fluid “social events” without praying. The Holy Spirit is not invited… the fire quickly goes out. Misfire can occur!

 The best mixture, the one which is termed scientifically as the “stoichiometric” mix… is about 14 parts air and 1 part fuel.

Interesting enough… did you ever notice that our beloved Jesus, plus twelve apostles… and one more person to replace the traitorous

Judas… equals fourteen? The fourteen number was there to fire up the infant Church and get us moving. The spark was the Holy Spirit that happened at Pentecost!

 A too-lean fuel condition is akin to trying to keep a church’s faith lit when the kindling is too far apart. The fire goes out.

 In an engine, air pollution is offset somewhat by EGR (exhaust gas recirculation). EGR is much like working with a church revitalization committee. EGR quenches improper combustion temperatures by taking up fuel mixture space. This EGR-like, non-combustible atmosphere works in same cooling way, as a proper member visitation program can help keep folks working together well in the Church.

 In cars, we know that fuel injection is a much, more accurate method of metering fuel. Electronic control of injector firing (dwell time) is finely tuned on a continuous basis using feedback control from an exhaust pipe-mounted combustion sensor. The exhaust monitoring keeps the engine running at a perfect (stoichiometric) mixture.

 What sort of feedback system is present for the Christian church. The Holy Trinity has meritoriously planned the mix for salvation from sin. We claim that Jesus was born at the “right time” and stayed here on earth for the “perfect time” before going to the cross… and he was raised again to return at the proper end time. That finalality in eternity, Church theologians often call the “eschatological” time. During that

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Don’t let your faith be covered and chilled by the world’s deceptions.