Science Fiction Becomes Science Fact...Again

Friends,

Sailing through space on solar winds was first suggested by astronomer, Johannes Kepler, 400 years ago. Now, such a thought is becoming a reality. Below is an artist rendition of the 10 square meter solar sail that is now the first of its kind in earth's orbit. It relies on small, but continuous pressure from sunlight in order to thrust. From time to time, it will shine brightly as it passes overhead in the night sky, so it should be easily visible to the eye.

Blessings, Don

A New Adventure

Friends,

I have (re)started a blog with a spiritual theme, primarily, as some would prefer to read messages about spiritual matters exclusively. This is what I hope to accomplish at brokenchains4all.theobloggers.com. I used the title for this blog, Broken Chains 4 All on blogspot, originally, but discontinued it a couple of years ago. I will continue with 1 Middle Man, concerning spirituality, sports and space, but will be putting lengthier, spiritual messages related to the theme of that blog, particularly, there. So, I encourage you to check it out...I hope that it will be a blessing and encouragement to you!

Blessings, Don

To Tweet or Not To Tweet

Friends,

If you have heard about it, you are probably as amazed as I am. Jay Cutler's sitting out the second half of the NFC Championship with a knee injury drew a significant, negative response...not from the media so much...but, remarkably, from former and fellow players via twitter. It would seem that the Bears QB's typically sour attitude has not won many friends, but the animosity expressed by those through their tweets is sadly surprising. He just does not have the benefit of the doubt at this point in his career. It was revealed today that the Bears QB does have a significant injury...a second degree sprain/tear of his MCL. So, those who criticized him so severely do not appear to have a leg to stand on (sorry about the pun :-). I don't know how this is going to affect Cutler or the Bears going forward, but it does appear that his teammates have his back...at least for now. I hope that he can do some soul-searching and realize that his persona is very important...not that he has to be president of "the happy people club"...just more friendly and likeable. I hope some of the former and fellow players will also do some soul-searching, and not be so quick to condemn. The moral of the story still is -- better be certain of what you want to say before hitting the tweet button.

There actually was some football played over the weekend...even though the above story completely overshadowed the Packers win over the Bears. Aaron Rodgers and the Packers jumped out to a quick first half lead, 14-0, and held on in the second half as Bears' third-string QB, Caleb Hanie, brought the Bears back to make it somewhat respectable in the end, 21-14. In the other game, the Pittsburgh Steelers jumped out to a 24-3 half-time lead over the New York Jets before the Jets also rallied in the second half, making the final score, 24-19. The Steelers are going to their third Super Bowl in six years. They won it in 2006 and 2009. The Packers are back for the first time since losing to the Broncos 13 years ago. They also won the year before, 1996-97, beating the Patriots. It should be a good game in two weeks...very good quarterbacking, excellent defenses.

One final note...I agree with injured standout Packers TE, Jermichael Finley, and do not agree with the Packers' management, concerning the decision to leave players on injured reserve out of the Super Bowl team picture and other festivities. These guys gave their hearts and souls for the team just the same as those who were not injured, or who were able to come back from injury. Whatever happened to all for one and one for all? I think anyone who played for the Packers in 2010 deserves to be in a team photo, whether it is for the Super Bowl or otherwise.

Blessings,

Don

The Sanctity of Human Life

Friends,

Yesterday was Sanctity of Human Life Sunday, one of the most important days of the year, in my estimation...especially given the fact that we live in a world that seems to drift further away from understanding or valuing human life. In trying to teach children the value of coins, they wonder why eight pennies would be worth less than one small dime. If you melt down the pennies and the dime and compare the results the pennies might have more value due to their copper but still a dime is worth more. A dime is no prettier than eight pennies, so why the difference in value? The reason for the difference is that their value is determined by their creator. The U.S. Treasury department says that it takes ten pennies equal one dime. And what is true of coins is true of all creation. So, the ultimate reason why persons are to be valued more than property is not found in their natures but in God's nature. Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them" (Genesis 1:26-27). Human life is valuable because God…the Creator of all life…says it is.

Out of all that God created, He designated human life as having the greatest value. Our superiority over the rest of the created order is based on this fact and this fact alone. So, only when we allow God to value creation...as He has the ultimate right in order to do so...do we find a basis for regarding human life as being more valuable than anything else. It is He who has made us…and not we ourselves…and it is He who has made this ethical distinction, not us humans. The Genesis account says that God first created the earth and its atmosphere. Then He created all living creatures that live on earth, in the seas, and in the air above. God appraised this part of His creation by saying that, "...it was good.” But, God wasn't finished. On the 6th day, He created Man – human life. Now, look at Genesis 1:31 and see how God evaluated this part of His creation. He said that human life was not just good…but very good! He said this because human life was the climax all the rest of creation. He stopped creating once He made us…for everything else was made with human beings in mind. We were made by God…we also know that human life has value in that only human beings were created in the image and likeness of God. Finally…human beings are of such inconceivable worth that God sacrificed His own Son so that they could be saved from their sins. This is an estimation of human worth beyond our comprehension. Our value is indicated by the fact that God not only loved us enough to create us in His image, He also loved us enough to pay the unbelievable cost of redeeming us. Romans 5:8 says, "God demonstrates His own love -- He shows how much He values human life in this -- while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." If or when anyone should begin to question just how valuable is the life of a human being, these thoughts need to be considered.

Blessings,
Don

Saturn Storm

Friends,

We are aware of the perpetual, giant red storm that exists on the planet Jupiter, but there has recently been captured a large storm on the planet Saturn. Much like storms on our planet, this storm started small, but has spread out across the planet...ok, maybe that is just bit more dynamic than our storms.

Blessings,
Don

Walking the Talk

Friends,

Well...the J-E-T-S carried that large chip on their shoulders all the way to New England last weekend and the dared the Patriots to knock it...and much to the surprise of nearly everyone, the Pats were unable to do so. New York stunned New England on their turf to fly into the AFC Championship Game against the Pittsburgh Steelers this coming weekend, who did what they were supposed to do -- beat the Baltimore Ravens at home. The Jets have boasted much this season...and most of the time this is nauseating...but in their case, you have to give them a certain level of respect -- they have defeated Peyton Manning's team and Tom Brady's team in consecutive weekends. If they beat Ben Roethlisberger's team this coming weekend, boy, won't Mark Sanchez have something to tell his grandchildren in a few decades. Here is hoping the Jets can pull off one more upset.

Da Bears defended their home turf against the Seahawks, much to no one's surprise...except a few rabid Seattle fans (of which I was one...silly me). Now they get to welcome the Green Bay Packers who stunned Atlanta on their home turf. The Falcons had no answer on defense for a hot Aaron Rodgers...as the Green Bay QB torched them for 48 points. One has to give props to the once weak NFC North which has had three teams play in the NFC Championship Game in the past two years...not too shabby. So, the predicted set up will pit two good QBs against two stellar defenses, much like the AFC Championship. I am thinking that the Packers are going to win...but, the fact that no one gives the Bears a chance at home makes me nervous, because they could ride that disrespect, much like the Jets did last weekend, all the way to the Super Bowl. So, count me in for two six seeds in the Super Bowl...Packers-Jets. I may not know much about football, but if this happens, the green team is going to win... :-P

Blessings,
Don

An Observation

Friends,

A rare venture into the political realm...not necessarily to make a statement, but to appreciate the wisdom of a friend -- An observation concerning the potent message..."If guns kill people, then pencils misspell words, cars drive drunk, and spoons make people fat"...this, in reference to the belief that there should not be stricter gun laws and that people be held accountable for their actions -- this all may be true...but, as one friend astutely recognized...pencils have erasers, guns do not...

Blessings,
Don

Thunderbirds

Friends,

A funny thing happened on the way to the Saints next Super Bowl...a bunch of crazy birds got in their way. Matt Hasselbeck played like he was in his prime and Marshawn Lynch had the beastly run of a lifetime (which you have probably seen) to lead the Seahawks over the defending champions, 41-36...so much for defense. Not many folks had this upset...save for Keyshawn Johnson and a few others...but, the Saints were ripe for the picking -- they had not been playing well the last few weeks of the season, they were coming to play in a very noisy stadium, and they placed their top two running backs on IR during the week before the game. As the game was winding down, it appeared that the Saints just might catch the 'hawks, but then the amazing happened...rejuvenated tailback, Lynch ripped off a 9 tackle-breaking, 67 yard run to put Seattle up by two scores. The stunning effect of the run and the crowd's uproar actually registered a seismic event in the Seattle area...which leads me to believe that perhaps the Seahawks need to adopt the name of the local minor league hockey team, the Thunderbirds. Next the Seahawks face the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field, where they won earlier this year. We'll see if Seattle can continue its magic carpet ride. The other NFC game would seem to generate much more interest as the Green Bay Packers go back to Atlanta to play the Falcons, where they lost at the end of November on a last second field goal. This should be a good battle between Aaron Rodgers and Matt Ryan against the opposition defenses. I wouldn't be surprised if Green Bay pulls off the upset.

The AFC match-ups pit division foes against each other for the third time this season -- the Baltimore Ravens play at Pittsburgh, and the New York Jets play at New England. The Jets continue to reflect the bravado of their coach Rex Ryan as they continue to smack talk the Patriots. That these two teams plainly don't like each other is quite evident. Belichick's crew is being quiet for the most part, save for star QB Brady who...more or less...has been their spokesman. The Patriots ripped the Jets, 45-3, toward the end of the season, and although they shouldn't take the Jets apart like that again, the Pats would appear to have the stronger team in many reaspects...particularly at QB, where veteran, Tom Brady would appear to give his team a distinct advantage over second-year New York QB, Mark Sanchez. I will say this, though...Sanchez led a game winning drive against the Colts last week with under a minute left. Granted he did start with great field position, but it still is no easy feat. The Steelers would seem primed for a big showdown with the Patriots in the AFC Championship, but the Ravens are going to be a tremendous challenge. Since I have a significant dislike for the Steel crew, here is hoping that Joe Flacco, Ray Rice and company can win one on the road in a tough place. Happy viewing!

Blessings,
Don

Eye in the Sky

Friends,

A haunting song done by the Alan Parsons Project a few decades ago apparently comes to life in the picture below, thanks to Ed Henry. In actuality, it is a shot of the Helix Nebula, a dying star in the constellation Aquarius, only several hundred light years away...fairly close in the grand scheme of things, even in relationship to the Milky Way Galaxy. The faint white dot (iris) at the center is actually the star in question, which is shedding off the material creating the nebula's effect...

Blessings,
Don

Endings and Beginnings

Friends,

The Seahawks beat the Rams, in something of an upset, for an NFC Worst Bowl victory this past weekend...NFL Week 17. The Seahawks are the first team ever to win a division with a losing record (7-9). This has created something of an outcry from some fans and media for a reseeding of playoff teams. Yet, I believe most of the purists feel that there should be a reward for winning a division, even if it is with a 9-7, 8-8 or even a 7-9 record. This is the first time that this has happened since the divisions realigned in 2002 and it will probably be another ten years or more before it happens again. And what is the Seahawks reward for their efforts?...the defending Super Bowl Champion, New Orleans Saints. At least they get the Saints at home, although it probably will not help them.

Staying out West (AFC), the Oakland Raiders had their best record in eight years (8-8), so you would think they give coach Tom Cable a contract extension, right? Nope...they fired him -- only Al Davis and the Raiders. The Green Bay Packers were up against the wall after week 15, with an 8-6 record, but they won their last two games against the New York Giants and Chicago Bears in order to make it into the playoffs. The Packers may only be the sixth seed, but many of the talking heads are predicting that they will make it to the Super Bowl...and they very well could do so. It is not unprecedented...the Pittsburgh Steelers won the Super Bowl as a sixth seed in 2005. It is clear now...Jason Garrett has secured the Cowboys head coaching position by leading Dallas to a 5-3 record over the second half of the season. His team upset the Philadelphia Eagles, 14-13, to finish 6-10. Here is hoping for better things next season. The Falcons and Bears have byes for the NFC this coming weekend, while the Eagles and Packers face off in one Wild Card game in Philly, and as mentioned, the Seahawks and Saints play each other in the other game.

The New England Patriots look pretty invincible at 14-2, but then again, they were 16-0 heading into the Super Bowl three years ago, only to see it unravel in the Super Bowl against the Giants. Still, they and the Steelers have the hard-earned first round byes in the AFC, while the Ravens play at the Chiefs and the Jets face off against the Colts in Indianapolis. The AFC would appear to have the more interesting slate of games, but the NFC has the defending champion, although if I was a betting man, I would say that the Super Bowl champion comes from the AFC this year.

There are a number of coaching positions open in the NFL...and, oh to be Jim Harbaugh. He seems to have his pick of teams, as his stock has never been higher after leading Stanford to an Orange Bowl win over Virginia Tech. Of course, it helps that he has had star QB, Andrew Luck, leading the way. He has already spoken with the 49ers and the Dolphins...who still have coach Tony Sparano employed (awkward)! He may visit with the Denver Broncos for their coaching position, as well. Harbaugh, whose brother John Harbaugh coaches the Baltimore Ravens, will likely be the highest paid NFL coach when all is said and done. I am sure that this will only make the other NFL coaches smile and the owners groan. One thing that Harbaugh will not do (hopefully)...go across the bay to coach the Raiders...don't do it, Jim...don't do it. :-)

Blessings, Don

Where is Your Focus?

Friends,

Imagine that you're at Wal-Mart or another grocery store and there is a person…it could be a friend or a stranger…standing in front of you struggling with several large packages. You are standing there with nothing in your own hands. All of the sudden you notice that this person in front of you is just about to drop their packages because they have more than they can handle. What is your first thought? You have the urge to give them a hand. You can't just stand there and watch them struggle, can you? In reality, you really don't have to use your imagination unless you want to. You can see it nearly every single day of your life. There are those on your path, standing right in front of you, who are struggling with more than they can carry. It may not be groceries or household items from the department store, but it is a very real burden that weighs them down just the same. Maybe it's a divorce that they are going through. Or, it might be an illness. It could be a relationship problem, a difficult decision, a situation at work, or they could just be having a bad day. There are all kinds of things that weigh us down…things that we struggle with…things that leave us straining and hurting and aching from the weight that is upon us. The Word tells us that we are to "bear each other's burdens." We are to lighten each other's load. We are to help with spiritual, emotional, mental and physical packages that are weighing each other down.

Someone once said, “There are three kinds of people…those who watch things happen, those who make things happen with respect to and who work with others, and those who have no idea what happens.” When it comes to our involvement in the body, as well as our intent to do good work for the Lord…only one of these three works. We only have so much time, so many opportunities…and the question is – what will we do to make the most of them? Will you be opportunistic…will you be a participant? Or, will you be a spectator…among those who watch things happen or have no idea what is happening. These are not good places to be, spiritually. Life is about choices, and as we approach the coming year…what is going to be your focus? What are your goals, individually? As a family? What about as a church family? These are things that we need to continue to consider. We must continually have a focus, a purpose…for then the Lord can use us for His purposes, and this is ultimately what we want to do…please Him.

Blessings,
Don

Good for the "Little Guys"

Friends,

Well, it wasn't the most exciting game of the day, but it happened to be the most important...if you are a TCU Horned Frog fan. Not many folks were giving TCU (from non-automatic BCS qualifying conference, the Mountain West...thus the "little guys" expression) a chance against Big 10 (12?) powerhouse, Wisconsin...they of the huge O line and giant running backs. The Badgers running backs had their yards, for certain, but at the end of the day...the scoreboard said, TCU 21, Wisconsin 19. The Frogs capped an eventful, undefeated, 13-0 campaign in 2010, and are certain to move up to be the #2 team in the country following next week's national championship game between Auburn and Oregon. It would be great to see how TCU would be able to do against the winner of that game. Now, (here I go again), if the FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision) had a playoff, like the FCS (Football Championship Subdivision), then we would really know who would be the national champ...but, since we do not, TCU will not ever have that opportunity to prove itself this year. I believe that star QB, Andy Dalton and coach Gary Patterson have the best team in the country...c'est la vie. Now, about this coach Patterson...he has to be the most underrated coach in the country, yet, all he does is put together 10, 11, 12 and...as is the case this year...13 win seasons. Yet, you never hear anything about him...it is amazing how invisible he is in so many ways. He will eventually get his due, but...a big kudos to him and the Horned Frogs for a terrific season, even if they will only be #2.

Blessings,
Don