Volcanic Io

Friends,

Some space shots are done with infrared or ultraviolet settings, so the true color of the object is not revealed...and such pics I, typically, will not show. So, with this in mind, below is a photo of the closest of Jupiter's moons, Io (pronounced Eye-Oh...I don't name them, I just try to pronounce them :-) in its true yellow color, due to a high sulfur content. The friction from the gravity of Jupiter, as well as other large moons, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto, tugs and pulls at the surface of this strangest of all planets, creating intense volcanic activity of molten rock...it looks like the moon is literally being turned inside out. Scratch it off of the list of potential habitable places... ;-)

Blessings, Don

Old Testament Argumentation for New Testament Authority

Friends,

I was spending some time the other day perusing another blogsite and, once again, came upon the tried and untrue connection between the Old and New Testaments that well-meaning brothers have been making, since...well, Noah got off of the gopher wood ark. :-) Following, in greater detail perhaps, are some thoughts regarding such use of analogy. I have never completely understood why so many arguments drift to Old Testament argumentation in order to try to prove or approve New Testament authority? Actually, I do understand why this takes place...believers with a certain legal world view seek to defend the New Testament as a primarily legal covenant, as is the Old. If we spend some time absorbing the Sermon on the Mount at the beginning of Jesus' ministry, as well as many of Jesus' other teachings, we begin to understand why this is not feasible or correct. It is legal in its atoning aspect, but in most every other respect, it is about love, grace and mercy. It is not consistent reasoning...the necessity of Noah having to use gopher wood (cypress, if we really want to be technical), Nadab and Abihu's sin, Uzzah reaching out to touch the ark, etc. are fear illustrations that do not apply to a covenant of grace and truth. If we want to make such a "fear argument" concerning keeping rules and regulations, then Ananias and Sapphira should be quoted (which was clearly an exceptional situation, but not without prupose). We no longer rely upon the Old Covenant for our authority and so drawing arguments or conclusions from it in order to propagate New Testament authority is an argument that God never intended for us to make.

Blessings,
Don

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