RECOGNIZING GOD

DO YOU RECOGNIZE THESE TWO IMAGES?  

There is an obvious similarity between these two images. Many people will recognize the image on the left as a famous stained glass "Rose Window" hanging in a church.  Very few will recognize the other image to the right of it.  Ironically, that image is an even more compelling basis for believing in God. 

Can a scientist reconcile faith in God?  What if that scientist was one of the most credible and accomplished scientists in the world?  What if that scientist started out as an atheist with no faith throughout his life?

Could such a scientist find God in any sort of scientific way? Could such a scientist find God with the help of another highly educated and intelligent atheist?

What if the scientist I am referring to based his conclusions on logic and evidence?  What if this scientist came to his belief in God because it was the only plausible explanation for scientific facts?

The scenario I have posed is not hypothetical.  It is a real story.  If you have a hard time coming to faith, but wish you could, this story may be for you. But you would have to be a very intelligent scientific type to get through this story.  If so, perhaps you recognize the image on the right. If you are an atheist, better yet. 

By the way, the scientist I referred to is Francis S. Collins, the former director of the Human Genome Project. The other highly intelligent atheist who reached the same conclusion about God is C.H. Lewis. 

Here is Collins simplest scientific explanation for God:

"God, who is not limited in space or time, created this universe 13.7 billion years ago with its parameters precisely tuned – that fine-tuning argument – to allow the development of complexity over long periods of time. That plan included the mechanism of evolution to create this marvelous diversity of living things on our planet and to include ourselves, human beings. Evolution, in the fullness of time, prepared these big-brained creatures, but that’s probably not all we are from the perspective of a believer.

God, in that case, having a house that’s now well-designed for it, gifted humanity with free will and with a soul. We could argue about what a soul actually means. And at that point, humans received this special status: made in God’s image, not in physical terms, but in spiritual and mental terms. We humans used our free will to disobey God – that’s what the story of the Garden of Eden is all about – leading to our realization of being in violation of that moral law. Thus we were estranged from God. For Christians like myself, Jesus is the solution to that estrangement."

Here Collins telling his story:

https://youtu.be/EGu_VtbpWhE

In a Dark Time

A poem by Theodore Roethke

In a dark time, the eye begins to see,

I meet my shadow in the deepening shade;   

I hear my echo in the echoing wood—

A lord of nature weeping to a tree.

I live between the heron and the wren,   

Beasts of the hill and serpents of the den.

What’s madness but nobility of soul

At odds with circumstance? The day’s on fire!   

I know the purity of pure despair,

My shadow pinned against a sweating wall.   

That place among the rocks—is it a cave,   

Or winding path? The edge is what I have.

A steady storm of correspondences!

A night flowing with birds, a ragged moon,   

And in broad day the midnight come again!   

A man goes far to find out what he is—

Death of the self in a long, tearless night,   

All natural shapes blazing unnatural light.

Dark, dark my light, and darker my desire.   

My soul, like some heat-maddened summer fly,   

Keeps buzzing at the sill. Which I is I?

A fallen man, I climb out of my fear.   

The mind enters itself, and God the mind,   

And one is One, free in the tearing wind.

WE ARE UNWORTHY

Fetus at 20 Weeks

We are unworthy from the second of conception all the way until the moment of our death for God's grace.  But for the grace of God, we would not have the blessings of our birth, the air we breath, the food and water that sustains us.  By the grace of God we live another day. 

The womb was created by the same means by which the womb gives life. The womb was designed by God to be the perfect compassionate environment to sustain and nurture a brand new life for 40 weeks. The Hebrew word for womb also means compassion. 

The womb will determine whether the life it holds is viable. If it is not, the womb will miscarriage to end the life.  

If by a man and women's actions a new life is created, the womb takes possession of that life.  At the moment of conception one is "written in the Book of Life." 

Psalm 139:13 “For you formed my inward parts; you covered me in my mother’s womb.” 

That life is not it's mother or it's father. It has a unique design that no other human being on the planet has.  

If life has sanctity at all, then we all have an obligation to be respectful of a life whether that life is weeks away from birth or weeks away from death.

The Supreme Court is about to decide who gets to choose life or death.  It is about to decide whether our USA Constitution gave the Federal Government the right to end a life in the womb is a Constitutional right given to every woman in America. 

The potential of a human being begins when life begins. No one can deny the potential of an unborn child.    

Open your heart . . . 

Related Post - Give Women Better Choices

Such A Sad Thought

I had such a sad thought just now. It isn't the first time I've had this particular sad thought, but for some reason I decided to blog about it this time. 

The thought was that I didn't have God in my life. I looked for him and he wasn't there. That made me feel sad. 

Fortunately I snapped out of it immediately. I was just imagining for a brief moment what my life would be like without the relationship I've built with God. 

Speaking for myself, life takes on a special new meaning when we develop a relationship with God.  I believe others would agree that God provides us with a greater sense of purpose. We take comfort and toss off anxiety and fear. Some may feel a calling.  

Some people are afraid to have a relationship with God.  I understand the concern about giving up things we value and/or enjoy.  In a way, it is a bit like going on a diet. There can be some pleasure we forgo, but we feel so much better and healthier in exchange.  (Which reminds me that I need to do a better job practicing what I preach. LOL) 

In a relationship with God we gain guidance and there is less stress about the future. It is a relationship we can trust and turn to.  

Numbers 23:19 -- "God is not a man who lies, or a son of man who changes his mind! Does He speak and then not do it, or promise and not fulfill it?"

With God we know we are loved. We experience new joys and our spirit soars.

The thought of not having God deflates our spirit like letting the air out of a balloon. Our heart sinks.  It is sad.

No matter how wealthy one is, if we do not have a relationship with God there is apt be a feeling of emptiness. It is the sense that our life is missing something.  Trying to fill the place where God belongs with anything but God is futile.  We are easily decieved into pursuing false gods.

Those false gods of this world discourage belief in El Elyon. It is difficult to believe in something we don't see but faith doesn't come from seeing.  

How can someone start a relationship with God?  Simple!  Because God is always waiting for our call. God is ready to come into our life the split second that we accept Hashem into our heart. When we do, our life is different. We are transformed. 

Proverbs 23:18 There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off. Expect divine fulfillment of God’s promises in your life.

God wrote a book for us filled with tremendous stories and instructions.  God provides us with teachers both physical and spiritual.  God shows us signs. God's small voice is in our heart - Shema!

שְׁמַ֖ע יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵ֖ינוּ יְהֹוָ֥ה | אֶחָֽד

Sh'ma Yisra'eil Adonai Eloheinu Adonai echad. Hear, Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is One

Establishing a relationship with God entails making a Covenant with God.  God is one - but it takes two in order to have relationship. The greater our love, the greater the gifts we give to show our love. The more we give, the more we recieve.  How terribly sad it is to think what it is like to not be in a relationship with God. Perish the thought. 

Amen

GIVE WOMEN BETTER CHOICES!

 

With Supreme Court rulings concerning abortion imminent there are many who are concerned that women will lose the right to a choice. 

Life is a choice. Death is a choice. The opposite of "life" is NOT "choice." It is "death." 

Deuteronomy 30:19 says "I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live."

In my humble opinion ... The choice is simple. It has nothing to do with being a man or a woman.  It is about being a humain human being with common sense and compassion.

This article is about better life choices!

If one doesn't want their "seed" to spread, wear a condom or don't have sex. If one makes a bad choice, there are many other options including the "day after pill" and early-term abortion. 

Pregnancy test kits are readily available and women will have the means to terminate a brand new pregnancy. The Supreme Court decision will not remove that right.

Many pregnancies do not go to full term. Many miscarriages happen in the first trimester because God designed our bodies to make it's own decision concerning the viability of the fetus. However, there comes a point in a pregnancy when the unborn has established it's own claim to life.

There is too great of a difference to ignore between this:

AND THIS!

Tearing an unborn baby, especially at 5-9 months out of the womb is barbaric. You could not watch that procedure without drawing the conclusion that you are witnessing a homicide, not a "choice."

I support a woman's right to choose not to have a baby. Of course that is her right!!  Every woman HAS that right and they will have that right even AFTER the Supreme Court allows states to put greater restrictions on abortion, should that be the outcome!  

As a matter of fact, greater restrictions will not result in women giving up the "choice" not to have a baby!  It is virtually certain that the medical and pharmaceutical industry will develop new and other better choices for preventing, detecting and ending an unwanted pregnancy atbthe very start if she must. 

Furthermore, greater protections of unborn viable babies will result it more choices and better choices for women, as well as men.  Those choices will result in the following:

- more thoughtful decisions about practicing unsafe sex, by both women and men

- fewer sexually transmitted diseases 

- fewer unwanted pregnancies

- less women struggling with the emotional pain and turmoil over the decision to abort or carry their unborn baby

- fewer woman suffering the trauma and haunting feelings produced by an abortion 

- more families receiving a baby through adoption

In the final analysis, I believe greater restrictions on abortion will prove to be better for women, both mothers and the millions of female babies who will not be robbed of life by the choice to kill them while they were in the womb. 

The womb is a sacred place.  A womb is quite literally the embodiment of compassion. It's only purpose is to nurture and protect life. To commit a homicide in the womb, such as abortion, is a desecration. 

Related post - We Are Unworthy

STAY CONNECTED

In this crazy and chaotic world, I believe that one of the most effective ways to feel more "grounded" to something meaningful is to stay connected to the Hebrew Calendar. 

One of the cool things about Judaism is that life is lived celebrating events and remembering times in the Bible and the history of God's chosen people. 

Being "chosen" doesn't mean than the Jewish people get it easy. To the contrary, as history proves. But the Jews are to be a light to the nations.  So watch! 

The year is filled with holidays and anniversaries. Hanukkah is an example.

Jews are moon gazers. We look to the heavens to know if it’s a new month and even a new year. We start many of our major holidays when the moon is full and bursting with light – like the spring festival of Passover and the fall harvest festival of Sukkot. 

Here are things I like to do:

- Know the Hebrew date.  Know the month I'm in and what biblical and historical associations there are. Chabad offers a lovely printed calendar. It is easy to Google too.  

- Recognize Rosh Chodesh (Hebrew for “head of the month”).  Each month we celebrate the arrival of the new moon, marking the start of a new month in the Jewish calendar. Rosh Chodesh is celebrated for two days – the last day of the prior month and the first day of the new month.

"And G‑d said to Moses… in the land of Egypt… This month is for you, the head of the months. First it is for you among the months of the year."  Exodus 12:1-2

- Learn about the events in the Bible in real-time.  In other words, as dates with biblical significance come up, take the time to explore what they are about. I like to write on the subject because writing is a great way to deepen and organize my thoughts. 

- Israel has been called God's timepiece. Pay attention to what is happening in Israel with historical connections to the bible. This article about a "sling stone" is a good example. 

https://www.timesofisrael.com/sling-stone-from-hasmonean-period-found-in-southern-hebron-hills/

- Follow/study Torah - The Torah is called the "tree of life." It is the ultimate connection to something meaningful. 

Today is 25th of Kislev 5782 - the first day of Hanukkah. Rosh Chodesh Tevet* is this Sunday, December 5, 2021. 

* Notable events in the month of Tevet: 

There are several very significant events in Jewish history that took place in the month of Tevet. One of the most tragic historical events is Asarah (10th) of Tevet which marks the beginning of the Siege of Jerusalem by King Nebuchadnezzer II of Babylon. That ultimately culminated in the destruction of Solomon's Temple, the downfall of the Kingdom of Judah and the Babylonian exile of the Jews.

This is also a month that Jews were expelled from Vienna Austria and Portugal.  

On a happier note the 10th of Tevet is when Esther appears before King Achashverosh for the first time and is chosen to be His queen. This set the stage for Purim and Haman's demise.

There is also the the 25th of Tevet. Some say it is the 2nd Hanukkah - or the Hanukkah that could have been. It marks when the Jewish high priest came out of the temple in temple robes wearing the sacred jeweled "breastplate of judgment." 

The high priest and his accompaniment walked through the night with torches burning over to met Alexander the Great. Alexander came down from his chariot and bowed down to the high priest even after the Samaritans said the Jews intended to betray him. The reason why King Alexander bowed down and what happened after is a fascinating story.

REMEMBER THE 13TH ADAR!

REMEMBER THE 13TH ADAR!

The story of Hannukah that the scholars debate in the Gemara, hundreds of years after the Books of Maccabees, is not in the Hebrew bible (the Tanach). However, the Hebrew word Hanukkah, which means dedication, is all through it! 

The Books of Maccabees are not canonical for Jews, but they are for some Christians, for example Catholics.  In fact the FIRST place the "Celebration of Dedication" (Hanukkah) is mentioned is in the New Testament in John 10.

THE GREAT IRONY OF HANUKKAH - "The Books of Maccabees survived because they became part of the Christian canon, or otherwise they most certainly would have been lost during the centuries. But once this Christian canonization occurred, these books became lost to the Jewish world for many centuries."

A good read of the Books of Maccabees reveals a point that both Jews and Christians seem to be missing. That is the explicit edict by Judah Maccabee to "Remember the 13th of Adar."

I want to explain why we should remember the 13th of Adar and the historical story of Hannukah which is found in the Books of Maccabees.  We owe it to Judas Maccabeus and his followers who fought back against Hellenism and assimilation to remember!

In the Books of Maccabees there is the story of a great battle on the 13th of Adar 161 BC. The future of the Jewish Nation was at stake. This battle took place at Adasa (חדשה‎), near Beth-horon, between the Maccabees and the Seleucid Empire led by the Syrian-Seleucid General Nicanor under the King Antiochus Epiphanes. 

Against great odds, the Maccabees are victorious and head of Nicanor is cut off. Judah Maccabee declares in 2 Maccabees to "Remember the 13th of Adar! The Ancient Judean Holiday: Yom Nicanor - 13th of Adar -- is in rememberance of this crucial victory. 

"Coincidentally" there was another great battle that took place on the 13th of Adar. It didn't take place at Adasa, but the heroin Hadassa (Esther) played a great role. Like the battle with the evil and treacherous Nicanor, there was another evil and treacherous man who had the King's support. The other man being Haman. Like in the Book of Maccabees, the Jewish nation's fate was at stake. Like the battle of the Maccabees, the Jews win a glorious victory. Like Hanukkah, Jews celebrate this occasion to this day. I am referring to Purim. 

In both cases there are ancient Jewish Megillahs (scrolls). We have the Scroll of Esther covering Purim and the Books of Maccabees for Hanukkah.  

Purim takes its name from the lots (“purim” in Hebrew) that Haman casts which fall on the 13th day of Adar. That is the date set for when Haman was going to massacre the Jews.

Mordecai, the hero in the Megillah of Esther, discovers Haman’s plot to massacre the Jews. Mordechai urges his cousin Esther to risk her life by revealing her Jewish identity to King Ahasuerus and expose Haman’s plot to wipe out her people. King Ahasuerus orders Haman to be hanged, and the Jews are permitted to fight back. In a major turn of events the Jews are victorious and kill their enemies who were preparing to slaughter them.

The Fast of Esther is observed on the 13th of Adar in commemoration of Mordechai and Esther and all Israel. The acceptance of this Fast of the 13th of Adar on the part of Israel for later generations is alluded to in the Scroll of Esther: "And as they accepted upon themselves and upon their children, the matters of their fastings and their cry" (Esther 9).

Purim is celebrated on the 14th day of Adar, when the Persian Jews are said to have celebrated after vanquishing their would-be executors. 

The Book of Esther does not feature among the Dead Sea Scrolls (spanning 150 BCE – 70 CE) and references to Purim do not feature in the Jewish literature before the 1st century C.E. 

In fact the FIRST REFERENCE TO PURIM is in the deuterocanonical book Maccabees II (15:32), which merely says that on the 14th of the Jewish month of Adar, Jews celebrated a holiday called "Mordecai Day." Even the author of 2 Maccabees recognizes the parallel between the Book of Esther and The Battle of Adasa. 

In Maccabees 2, Judah fastened Nicanor’s head to the citadel, visible to all and an obvious sign of the help of the Lord. And they all decreed by public vote never to let this day go unobserved but to have the thirteenth day of the twelfth month (Adar) in the Syrian language, marked, the day before Mordechai’s day.

What are the odds that there would be two victories of such significance to the survival of the Jewish Nation on the 13th of Adar?  

The 13th of Adar is also mentioned in the Talmud as the day on which vengeance was executed.

Is there a prophetic message about a future "day of vengeance" that might fall on the 13th of Adar?  

If one is looking for a hint more of the prophetic related to Hanukkah it could be something that Yeshua said in the Book of Matthew.  

The revolt of the Maccabees begins with the "Abomination of Desolation" when the father of Judah Maccabee, Matisyahu (which is the Hebrew origin of the name Matthew), kills a Jew and a soldier for erecting an altar to Zeus in the Holy of Holies and sacrificing a pig on it. After that the Maccabees flee to the hills!

In chapter 24 of the Book of Matthew in the Brit Haddasha (New Testament), Yeshua (Jesus) says: 

15 “So when you see ‘the abomination of desolation,’ which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the Holy Place (let the reader understand), 16 then those in Judea must flee to the mountains. 17 The one on the roof must not go down to take what is in his house, 18 and the one in the field must not turn back to get his coat. 19 Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! 20 Pray that your escape will not happen in winter, or on Shabbat. 21 For then there will be great trouble, such as has not happened since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will. 22 And unless those days were cut short, no one would be delivered. But for the sake of the chosen, those days will be cut short.

CONCLUSIONS: 

REMEMBER THE 13TH OF ADAR!  Surely a great miracle happened there -- Nes Gadol Haya Sham. 

There is more in the story of Hanukkah for both Jews and Christians. 

With smooth words he will seduce those who act wickedly against the covenant, but the people who know their God will stand strong and prevail. Daniel 11:32

On Hannukah we are told to remember Purim. In both cases an Anti-Messiah like figure sought to destroy God's chosen people and the blood line of King David. In the New Testament there is a warning of the ultimate end-times deceiver who seeks to steal and destroy God's sheep. The prophet Daniel foreshadows these events. 

Happy Hanukkah.

P.S. It takes a Hammer to drive a nail. 

P.P.S. I encourage you to listen to this teaching by Israeli Amir Tsfarti.  

Epilogue:

John 10:22-30

22 Then came the Festival of Dedication[a] at Jerusalem. It was winter, 23 and Jesus was in the temple courts walking in Solomon’s Colonnade. 24 The Jews who were there gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.”

25 Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me, 26 but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. 27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all[b]; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”

HERE COMES THE SUN

One day very soon you are going to look at the sun in a new light.  Actually, the sun has always been a free and available energy source powering life on earth since Bereishit - "In Beginning."

"Then God said, “Let there be light!” and there was light. God saw that the light was good." Genesis 1:3-4

What's new, and also tov (good) is the level of technology with the ability to harness this power in more efficient and practical "mass market" ways.  Are you ready for it? 

First some facts . . .

- The first solar panels from the mid-1950s only reached an efficiency of 2%. 

- 10 years ago, solar panels averaged around 15% efficiency.

- Today's solar panels reach 22% in efficiency 

- Researchers are convinced that we will reach 30% efficiency very soon. 

- There are solar panels in development that will come to market reaching 50% efficiency.

Once we get to >30% efficiency at mass market prices, solar systems will become a far more mainstream means for electricity. I believe demand will soar even more.

Coupled with solar system efficiency, we can expect far more economical and efficient battery (storage) technology. This is crucial to the value and functionality of a robust solar system. In addition, new fast charging technology will greatly decrease the time to recharge vehicles.

As solar demand goes mass market and electricity prices climb rapidly, along with taxes passed through on utility bills, I forsee several impacts. You could call these "predictions" but they are just logical extrapolations: 

 1. Home prices will be effected by their level of viable solar exposure. Here are factors that come into play:

• Ratio of roof top or ground space with usable southern exposure.
• Ability to remove shade trees that obstruct the sunlight.
• The ability to limit the negative aesthetic impact of the solar system.  

2. Community solar systems and solar cooperatives will be much more common. 

3. Commercial roof top solar systems will become common. 

4. Being a skilled solar installer and technician will be a job in very high demand. 

5. Demand for solar systems will have major impacts on general roofing products, systems and methods, as well as labor demand. Certain types of roofs are better than others. Plus, an older roof may require replacement before it can properly accommodate a new solar system.  

6. Homes with excess solar capacity and storage are bound to purchase electric vehicles and lawnmowers. 

7. The desire to "go off the grid" in terms of disconnecting from one's utility company will be a 🔥  topic. Going off the electric grid is not simple and is frought with issues, not just for the homeowner!  Expect many ramifications: political, code, technological, financial, etc.

8. Needless to say, there will be a vast number of ways to invest in the solar boom. Here again you need to be a smart decision maker. 

Energy Independence is a dream one can achieve. If you want to live the dream you have a lot to do to PLAN AHEAD::

Get ahead of the curve and demand:

• Evaluate your best location and start planning your system location.
• Prepare your property for a system taking into account the possible need for tree trimming and removal.  
• Consider doing a solar carport or a ground array.  
• You may even want to move to a property with more ideal solar potential if your present home has considerable solar limitations. 

Sunny days are ahead . . . Make good use of them! 

Personal note: I have installed 53 solar panels at my home. Half are installed on the roof of my barn. The other half are installed on the roof of the cottage (accessory building) that I constructed for my mom. I submitted a building permit just yesterday to my town in order to erect a carport with a 600 Sq. Ft. shed roof that faces south. Once that is complete I will have a perfect surface for all the panels and battery storage necessary to be entirely energy independent.