March 3, 2010 — Challenger

In January 1986, the space shuttle Challenger launched from Cape Canaveral. Seconds later, observers saw the shuttle explode in a plume of smoke and fire.

In the aftermath, an investigative commission concluded that an "O-ring" had failed.

For two years, NASA redesigned the craft and did not send astronauts into space. In 1988, flights resumed with the launching of the Discovery.

Since then, the space shuttle has completed many successful missions, including the maintenance of the Hubble space telescope and construction of the International Space Station.

Well, life is a series of lessons learned from our mistakes, and the spiritual life is a journey to learn those lessons with the help of God.

Just a thought. I'm Sid Batts from First Presbyterian Church in downtown Greensboro, fpcgreensboro.org.