The Sky in Motion

[source: www.theskyinmotion.com]

This 4-minute, time-lapse video is composed from a series of 7,000 images. Arcing through the sky in a stately reflection of planet Earth's own rotation are Moon, Sun, and stars. The sequence also features satellites and meteors streaking overhead, clouds moving along the horizon changing in a beautiful iridescence, and beaming crepuscular rays.

The heavens proclaim the glory of God.
The skies display his craftsmanship.
Day after day they continue to speak;
Night after night they make him known.
They speak without a sound or word;
Their voice is never heard.
Yet their message has gone throughout the earth,
and their words to all the world.
God has made a home in the heavens for the sun.
It bursts forth like a radiant bridegroom after his wedding.
It rejoices like a great athlete eager to run the race.
The sun rises at one end of the heavens
and follows its course to the other end.
Nothing can hide from its heat.

The instructions of the Lord are perfect,
reviving the soul.
The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
The commandments of the Lord are right,
bringing joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are clear,
giving insight for living.
Reverence for the Lord is pure,
lasting forever.
The laws of the Lord are true;
each one is fair.
They are more desirable than gold,
even the finest gold.
They are sweeter than honey,
even honey dripping from the comb.
They are a warning to your servant,
a great reward for those who obey them.

How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart?
Cleanse me from these hidden faults.
Keep your servant from deliberate sins!
Don’t let them control me.
Then I will be free of guilt
and innocent of great sin.

May the words of my mouth
and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing to you,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

(Psalm 19 NLT)

The Planets

The Planets, an eight-part BBC television series, is a comprehensive documentary about our solar system. I've seen a few documentaries about outer space, but this one, though a decade old, is one of the more captivating and awe-inspiring series I've seen.

1. Different Worlds
2. Moon
3. Terra Firma
4. Giants
5. Star
6. Atmosphere
7. Life
8. Destiny - Beyond the Sun

There are some facts stated in the film that I don't agree with, such as the fact that our world is billions of years old. At least, it should be stated as a theory. Other than that, the documentary gives us an appreciation and wonder of the awesome power that created the different worlds in our universe -- oh how it humbles us! It makes me think of the Psalm of David:

O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. Out of the mouth of babes and infants, you have established strength because of your foes, to still the enemy and the avenger. When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet, all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field, the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea, whatever passes along the paths of the seas. O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!
(Psalms 8 ESV)

Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God narrated by Max McLean

"Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" is considered the most famous sermon ever preached in American history. Jonathan Edwards delivered this message on July 8, 1741 in Enfield, Connecticut. Many who heard it trembled and cried out for mercy. Others fainted. Five hundred people were converted that day. This audio recording is an abridged reading of the sermon, narrated by Max McLean.

The Gospel - Paul Washer Street Preaching in Lima

Link to a short video of Paul Washer preaching to a small crowd at a park in Lima, Peru.
posted from a Spanish blog called Pies de Misionero

Agony

Passion and Promise

Passion and Promise
The Easter Story
narrated by Max McLean

Tracks:
1. Introduction
2. Mark 10 & 14
3. Mark 15
4. Isaiah 53
5. Luke 24
6. Colossians 1

Jesus Died!

Not Dead, But Alive

Driving back home on Euclid Street from Thursday Night Bible Study, I swerved violently to the left when a cat darted onto the street from the dark sidewalk. It seemed to have disappeared underneath my car. I glanced in my rear view mirror and saw that the cat was still alive. I must have missed it by inches. As my heart was pounding loudly, my mind flashed back about 10 years to a similar situation on the same road,

except that time, I hit the cat without remorse, not bothering to slow down or swerve to the side. I saw the cat darting out onto the street and I knew I was going to hit if I didn't slow down. I thought, "Stupid cat. You're gonna get what you deserve by running onto my street."

Flash forward to tonight. The Lord spoke to me saying, "You showed mercy and compassion tonight and you did so because I have first shown mercy and compassion toward you. You see, you were like that cat, foolishly running into danger, blind and without a Savior. I could have run you over with my anger and wrath, for all things belong to me. Instead, I sent my Son to absorb my wrath, in order that you may live."

My car didn't flip over, and I didn't die in order to save that cat. But my Savior died that I might have eternal life. Oh how I should imitate Him and do for others what He did for me, giving Him all the praise and all the glory for all that He has done! Sing praises to Him for He is worthy to be praised!

I stand amazed in the presence
Of Jesus the Nazarene
And I wonder how He could love me,
A sinner condemned, unclean.

Chorus:
How marvelous, how wonderful
And my song shall ever be.
How marvelous, how wonderful
Is my Savior's love for me.

For me it was in the garden He prayed,
"Not my will, but thine"
He had no tears for His own griefs,
But sweat drops of blood for mine.

He took my sins and my sorrows,
He made them His very own;
He bore the burden to Calv'ry,
And suffered and died alone.

When with the ransomed in glory
His face I at last shall see,
'Twill be my joy thro' the ages,
To sing of His love for me.

All is Vanity, Except...

Vanity of vanities, all is vanity! I have seen everything that is done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and a striving after the wind. I said in my heart, "Come now, I will test you with pleasure; enjoy yourself." But behold, this also was vanity. Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun. Then I said in my heart, "What happens to the fool will happen to me also. Why then have I been so very wise?" And I said in my heart that this also is vanity. For what happens to the children of man and what happens to the beasts is the same; as one dies, so dies the other. They all have the same breath, and man has no advantage over the beasts, for all is vanity. Then I saw that all toil and all skill in work come from a man's envy of his neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind. Again, I saw vanity under the sun: one person who has no other, either son or brother, yet there is no end to all his toil, and his eyes are never satisfied with riches, so that he never asks, "For whom am I toiling and depriving myself of pleasure?" This also is vanity and an unhappy business.
--excerpts from Ecclesiastes

The Preacher, who wrote many proverbs, words of wisdom, words of knowledge, words of delight, words of truth, makes this final observation and conclusion. All is vanity, except for this one thing:

The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.

Many people passed away unexpectedly for reasons that I don't understand. Only God knows. I just read an article this morning about the 22-year old Angels rookie pitcher who earned a spot on the starting rotation this year. He threw six scoreless innings Wednesday evening, left the stadium in a sports car with two other people, and was hit when a minivan ran a red light. The Angel pitcher died after undergoing surgery. We all have plans for our lives. Some of us live for fame. Some live for wealth and prosperity. Some live for sensual pleasures. Others may live for more noble things, like supporting a family and uniting the world. Although God allows us to enjoy all these things, they also prove to be vanity. They lack substance and worth in themselves. The Preacher is right. All is vanity, except for one thing. Fear God and keep His commandments. The Lord is our substance and infinite worth.