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November 24, 2008

Impossible Itokawa

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READ: Matthew 19:16-26

With God all things are possible. —Matthew 19:26

In 2005, Japan’s unmanned Haya-busa spacecraft visited an “impossible” asteroid. Images and data indicate that the asteroid, named Itokawa, is twice as porous as loose sand. This has astonished scientists, who believe that asteroids make repeated impacts with other space rocks and hence should be very dense. As they make additional discoveries, scientists may learn why Itokawa is different. But for now, we have an asteroid that challenges scientific understanding.

Two thousand years ago, a young ruler asked Jesus an “impossible” question: “What good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?” (Matt. 19:16). After an intriguing exchange, the man “went away sorrowful” (v.22) when he realized he would have to give up his wealth—the very thing he valued more than a relationship with Jesus.

This upright man had kept the letter of the law, yet had fallen short. “Who then can be saved?” asked the astonished disciples (v.25). Jesus answered, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” (v.26).

The One who created this universe out of nothing has a history of accomplishing the impossible. When we forsake what this life has to offer and follow Him, He does the impossible once again—He gives us eternal life!

It took a miracle to put the stars in place,
It took a miracle to hang the world in space;
But when He saved my soul, cleansed and made me whole,
It took a miracle of love and grace! —Peterson
© Renewal 1976, John W. Peterson Music Company.

Our limited ability accents God’s limitless power.

Bible in One Year: Hosea 1–3; Proverbs 20:1-10

The Pumpkin

by John Greenleaf Whittier

Oh, greenly and fair in the lands of the sun,
The vines of the gourd and the rich melon run,
And the rock and the tree and the cottage enfold,
With broad leaves all greenness and blossoms all gold,
Like that which o'er Nineveh's prophet once grew,
While he waited to know that his warning was true,
And longed for the storm-cloud, and listened in vain
For the rush of the whirlwind and red fire-rain.

On the banks of the Xenil the dark Spanish maiden
Comes up with the fruit of the tangled vine laden;
And the Creole of Cuba laughs out to behold
Through orange-leaves shining the broad spheres of gold;
Yet with dearer delight from his home in the North,
On the fields of his harvest the Yankee looks forth,
Where crook-necks are coiling and yellow fruit shines,
And the sun of September melts down on his vines.

Ah! on Thanksgiving day, when from East and from West,
From North and from South come the pilgrim and guest,
When the gray-haired New Englander sees round his board
The old broken links of affection restored,
When the care-wearied man seeks his mother once more,
And the worn matron smiles where the girl smiled before,
What moistens the lip and what brightens the eye?
What calls back the past, like the rich Pumpkin pie?

Oh, fruit loved of boyhood! the old days recalling,
When wood-grapes were purpling and brown nuts were falling!
When wild, ugly faces we carved in its skin,
Glaring out through the dark with a candle within!
When we laughed round the corn-heap, with hearts all in tune,
Our chair a broad pumpkin,—our lantern the moon,
Telling tales of the fairy who travelled like steam,
In a pumpkin-shell coach, with two rats for her team!

Then thanks for thy present! none sweeter or better
E'er smoked from an oven or circled a platter!
Fairer hands never wrought at a pastry more fine,
Brighter eyes never watched o'er its baking, than thine!
And the prayer, which my mouth is too full to express,
Swells my heart that thy shadow may never be less,
That the days of thy lot may be lengthened below,
And the fame of thy worth like a pumpkin-vine grow,
And thy life be as sweet, and its last sunset sky
Golden-tinted and fair as thy own pumpkin pie!

You need not thank me but its so sweet of you to do so. It was enough thanks just seeing what’you’ can do with a sinple picture.

The more 'stuff' I can do to one, the more fun it is. :)

Speaking of the Holiday Post, I thought I would post it about 10:30 or so because of all our friends on the West Coast. When you post them too early, some may overlook them. But if they go back to see your ‘Opening’, I guess they would find it all. I always do anyway!

Well, shoot! I usually don't even get the new day's opening posted until about that time - I could have waited! LOL

Actually, it seems like most of AP regulars are either Eastern or Central time, but I could be wrong. Now all six(lol) of the West Coasters are gonna yell at me!