So ya wanna be an astronaut, huh?

As a federal government employee, I have the privilege of reading the Federal Employees News Digest every week. From the November 7, 2005 issue:

"Male astronauts exposed to cosmic rays in space are not likely to pass on possible mutations caused by the rays to their offspring, according to a new study by a collaboration that includes a scientist from the U.S. Department of Energy's Brookhaven National Laboratory."

Yet again, more proof that our tax dollars are hard at work!

Our Call

Humanity is called to live in a manner that surpasses the ways in which the majority of us are currently living. Quite simply, we are called to live and commune at a deeper level with our Creator -- to fully respect Him as the great I AM; and to completely accept Him as a loving father. Are we not called to engage with Him in ways that reach beyond the confines of a building, a few hours on any given Sunday and the words of a song?

"Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it." -Malachi 3:10 (NIV)

Can you imagine a blessing like this? It simply blows my mind! And I'm not talking about a monetary blessing here. I'm talking about the Lord showering us with gifts of knowledge, discernment, understanding, peace, patience, sensitivity, commitment, pure love...and the list goes on and on. And none of this for our own sake, but in order that we may be more clearly led by His hand in all that we do. It's about living inside the eye of His storm of grace.

Kingdom of Heaven

We have so much to learn from this film, so this may end up being a multi-part post. Stay tuned, but for now...

Historical inaccuracies aside, this film sheds light on the issue of human corruption and the thirst for power espoused in the name of religion -- both Islam and Christian. In an on-going battle over sacred land (Jerusalem), we see decision-making by government leaders based on the faulty advice of their religious advisers -- men who abuse their faith and sanction actions based on the "Will of God," when the actual will of God is their very last concern.

Sadly, this is still happening today inside religious institutions. Consider the political agendas of those on the far right who purportedly act in the name of Christianity. Jesus instructed Peter: "Put your sword back in its place, for all who draw the sword will die by the sword." So maybe these groups don't wave literal swords anymore, but what are the figurative swords that these groups are waving? There have got to be better ways of approaching these issues.

The main character in the film, Balian (played by Orlando Bloom), although of the opinion that God has abandoned him, is the very character wherein the hand of God seems the most apparent. His oath: "Always speak the truth, even if it leads to your death." And he backs this up by refusing to join a murderous plot that would put him into a position of power, even when it seems like such a plot was necessary for the greater good of the Kingdom. In this action we see Balian demonstrate an amount of faith and trust in God that surpasses even the most reasoned human minds (whether this decision was conscious or not). How many things in your own life do you just need to lay at the cross and entrust to God's timing? Are you wrestling with your own unbelief? Your own lack of trust?

Irony...

The uber-environmental group Greenpeace will pay a $7,000 fine after its flagship, Rainbow Warrior II, hit a coral reef causing extensive damage.

The Open Hand...

Currently being inspired by this painting and the following song written by a friend based thereon:

The small sign of mercy
With an impact beyond
These simple minds
To heaven’s throne

Like a picture of heaven
Through skies of gray
A light piercing through us
Gives us hope for our day

You call me child
You call me your own
Through these crossed up pieces of wood
Redemption’s explosion is made known

The power brought forth
That all seek to find
Resting in love’s hands
For all of life’s time

And sing hallelujah to our God above
As we rejoice in His earthbound love