Lunar Eclipse Photos

I have taken a couple of photos of
last night's lunar eclipse (28 August 2007). They are not that great - but reasonable for a digital camera snapping at the sky with no tripod.

Here is what I got.
Click thumbnails to enlarge







These photos were taken in Launceston, Tasmania.

Lunar Eclipse Tonight

It's come to my attention that tonight there will be a total lunar eclipse. It will be visible during the evening in Eastern Australia. The result will be the moon appearing different colours. Total eclipses are the most spectacular form of eclipse and occur when the moon passes through the earth's shadow.

I'm going to try to have a look at this tonight. I have always found space fascinating. I'm quite the science fiction geek. Beyond that though, there is nothing like looking at the universe to build an absolute total awe for the God who created it. We watched a special DVD presentation last week at church, which showed a number of images of stars within our galaxy, and images of other galaxies. I found it a very impacting experience.

(if I get any decent photos I will post them here tomorrow)

Further information about this eclipse can be found on this site:
Ice in Space Total Lunar Eclipse, 28th August 2007

Grace

Grace has really been on my mind and my heart lately. Yesterday, as I began to think over my life, and remember my own sinfulness, I became overwhealmed by the mercy and grace that God has poured into my life.

I recently read a verse in the old testament:

"And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son.

Zechariah 12:10. (NIV)

In this verse, the prophet Zechariah predicts the coming of a period of grace. Jesus instituted this period of grace when he died and rose again, and it will continue until he returns (this is not to suggest that God did not give grace to humans before that).

I really think that there is nothing more beautiful in this world than grace. As Phillip Yancey discusses in his book What's so Amazing About Grace, Christians must demonstrate grace to the world, because we have received it. Where else can the world find something so un-natural?

Marriage makes people happier

I have just read in a news article about a study conducted by Swiss economist Professor Bruno Frey. In it he has concluded that people are happier when they marry as opposed to defacto relationships (or remaining single). The reason given for this was the greater level of committment that people feel.

This should come as no suprise to Christians, who believe that God instituted marriage. In fact, He used marriage as an illustration to describe the relationship that Jesus has with the church (Ephesians 5). I am a big supporter of marriage. It's not easy but it's fantastic. Marriage provides a stable environment for the couple as well as any children. Marriage also presents the perfect environment for the expression of sexuality (the ultimate act of intimacy being matched by the ultimate act of committment). When marriage vows are taken seriously, there are few problems that are unsolvable.

Time and again researchers are discovering the great value of marriage. What a suprise to find out that God's way really is best!

Read the original article: Marriage makes most people 'happier'

Fun in the Snow

We spent this last weekend in Hobart. There was a lot of snow on Mount Wellington so we headed up to check it out. There were a lot of people up there. I have never seen so much snow on the mountain before. Chloe had an absolute ball.

Some photos of the day are below. I'm quite happy with these shots considering they were taken on my phone.
Click photos to enlarge

Star Trek Fans Divided

It seems that fans are divided over the upcoming Star Trek (2008) film. Right from the first announcement, there have been outcries and highly emotional responses regarding the various rumours. While many Star Trek fans are being quitely optimistic, there are a large number of fans who are convinced that this film will not only be bad, but the end of Star Trek as we know it. Despite constant assurances from JJ Abrams, Damon Lindelof and Leonard Nimoy that Trek canon is being respected and carefully researched, people still fear a reboot that will erase all that has come before. Others feel that William Shatner must make an appearance in the film for it to be succesful. It is ironic that the main reason the writers have had difficulty bringing Shatner into the film is that according to Canon, the older Kirk character is dead, proving that their respect for canon goes beyond mere talk.

I find all of this odd. Hasn't the philosophy of Star Trek always been an optomistic view of the future? Why then have trek fans become so cynical? Why have trek fans lost their faith?

Don't get me wrong, I care about the integrity of the Star Trek chronology as much as the next guy. I don't want to see them mess this up, and I don't know for certain that this film will live up to my expectations, but JJ Abrams & Co have demonstrated enough to earn my trust. Personally, I choose to have faith and expect the best. I choose to expect to see a great movie, with an interesting story, featuring beloved characters. Those are the things that are most important to me.

Soaking in the Word

I was reading our weekly church eNews this morning. In it, one of my pastors drew a comparrison between the heavy showers of rain we have been having lately (which do more for the grass and plants than an occasional sprinkle) with the way we read the Bible. Often we just take a quick moment to read a short passage in the morning. God can and does certainly use this type of reading to impact us, but sometimes we really need to devote some time to soak in God's word.

We need to read the Bible, we need to study it, and we need to apply it. This does'nt mean that we need to spend hours every day, but I know that I myself need to make time more often to have a good soaking.

While browsing through the New Living Translation website this afternoon I came across the following articles, which provide one framework, for this type of inclusive Bible study. It seems to me, that this method combines serious study and application/devotional type reading both into the same process. I found it interesting.

• What is Application


• How to Apply the Bible Part 1


• How to Apply the Bible Part 2

Cool Verse - Phil 3:9

Philippians 3:9 NLT
…I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ.

This verse is a great reminder to me not to become self-righteous. Sometimes, while sitting in our little 'Christian World' we can become deceived by thinking what good people we are. It is so easy to forget that "There is no one righteous, not even one." (Romans 3:10) We compare ourselves against what we consider to be "the worst of the worst" when we should be comparing ourselves to Jesus.

I am grateful for this reminder that I cannot be made righteous by anything I have done, or have not done. Only by the grace of God.

A Tale of Two Spocks

So we now have confirmation (http://trekmovie.com/2007/07/26/abrams-confirms-nimoy-and-qunito-still-wants-shatner/) that the new Star Trek movie will feature Heros actor Zachary Quinto will play the role of Spock. In addition, Leonard Nimoy will be in the film to "wear the pointed ears one last time".

It appears likely that the film will feature an old Spock, perhaps reminiscing or relling the story of his meeting with Kirk. (JJ Abrams and his people seem to love the flashback concept - just look at Lost).

I think this is a promising concept - a nice "Passing of the torch". Niymoy's inclusion will make it a lot easier for many people to accept new actor's in familiar roles.