Tonight, the temperature is a balmy 16 degrees, very pleasant for the last day of September. Not only was it warm, but the skies were clear. The night called to me, and I borrowed a pair of binoculars, called on a friend, and we went out stargazing once again.
Armed with the latest edition of Sky News, the Canadian backyard astronomy magazine, a small flashlight, a drawing of the Ursa major constellation, of which the Big Dipper, well-known to many, is only a part, we set out at about 10 p.m.
We were well-rewarded. The wide-sky country of this area does not disappoint. Constellations (and asterisms!) that had eluded me at other times jumped out like diamonds on black velvet: Auriga, lying close to the northeastern horizon; Draco, the dragon, twisting its way between the Big Dipper and the Little Dipper; Ursa Major; Pegasus, with its great square high in the southern sky; Aquila, the eagle; Delphinus, the dolphin, and, of course, the others that are already our friends—Cassiopeia, the Big Dipper, Polaris, the Summer Triangle, the Pleiades, and Cygnus, for example.
And yes, the Coat Hanger! I knew where it should be, and by scanning the area with the binoculars for several minutes, I found it! It’s formal name is Brocchi’s Cluster, but, really, it does look like a coat hanger.
Appreciating the natural world around us doesn’t have to be expensive, even though the ads in the magazines would convince us otherwise. There is so much to see even with the unaided eye. One thing that does make it more enjoyable: a friend to share it with.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Looking for the Coat Hanger
I went out last night around 9:30 and drove five minutes north of town to a dark area where the light pollution from the city was minimal. I pulled off the road and let my eyes become accustomed to the dark for a few minutes. Then I looked up at the heavens.
It was a breath-taking, glorious sight. The Milky Way meandered across the sky with such a dense cloud of stars that it was difficult to pick out the constellations against that backdrop. The stars of the Summer Triangle, easily visible from my back deck in town as the brightest stars in the southern sky, were lost among the dazzling array of other stars. I was looking for Brocchi's Cluster, commonly called the Coat Hanger because its ten stars are arranged in the shape of an upside-down coat hanger. It's found about a third of the way along a line joining Altair and Vega, two of the stars of the Summer Triangle.
I looked but couldn't isolate the cluster because of the brilliant mass of stars vying for my attention. I'm going to look again, this time with binoculars.
The best thing about last night's outing was that I was with two international students, both from Colombia. They were amazed at the sight of the Milky Way, which they had never seen before. They spotted Jupiter, bright in the southern sky, dipping below the horizon during the hour we were out. They found the Pleiades, which in Spanish is called the Rosario because of its resemblance to a string of rosary beads. Each of the students saw a "falling star." In addition, we saw a satellite plodding its path through the dark night sky.
Most enjoyable to me was the excitement in their voices. Viviana pointed out to Andrea the double star in the handle of the Big Dipper. They giggled and laughed and exclaimed. A rush of words in Spanish from one or the other clarified or asked a question.
They marvelled when I told them that God calls each star by name: "He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names" (Psalm 147:4). It is a demonstration of God's greatness and His infinite wisdom.
I just enjoyed their enjoying.
It was a breath-taking, glorious sight. The Milky Way meandered across the sky with such a dense cloud of stars that it was difficult to pick out the constellations against that backdrop. The stars of the Summer Triangle, easily visible from my back deck in town as the brightest stars in the southern sky, were lost among the dazzling array of other stars. I was looking for Brocchi's Cluster, commonly called the Coat Hanger because its ten stars are arranged in the shape of an upside-down coat hanger. It's found about a third of the way along a line joining Altair and Vega, two of the stars of the Summer Triangle.I looked but couldn't isolate the cluster because of the brilliant mass of stars vying for my attention. I'm going to look again, this time with binoculars.
The best thing about last night's outing was that I was with two international students, both from Colombia. They were amazed at the sight of the Milky Way, which they had never seen before. They spotted Jupiter, bright in the southern sky, dipping below the horizon during the hour we were out. They found the Pleiades, which in Spanish is called the Rosario because of its resemblance to a string of rosary beads. Each of the students saw a "falling star." In addition, we saw a satellite plodding its path through the dark night sky.
Most enjoyable to me was the excitement in their voices. Viviana pointed out to Andrea the double star in the handle of the Big Dipper. They giggled and laughed and exclaimed. A rush of words in Spanish from one or the other clarified or asked a question.
They marvelled when I told them that God calls each star by name: "He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names" (Psalm 147:4). It is a demonstration of God's greatness and His infinite wisdom.
I just enjoyed their enjoying.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
I Already Knew This About Myself
Today, at lunch time, I attended a time management seminar and found out many things I already knew about myself, as well as some things I didn't know and wasn't happy to find out!
First of all, the "P" word. That's Procrastination and all the cousins: procrastinate, procrastinator, procrastinated, procrastinting, procrastinatively, procrastinatingly, procrastinative, procrastinatory, and procrastinativeness. Whew! Who knew there were so many ways to put things off till tomorrow!?
In fact, that's the origin of this word: tomorrow; that's cras in Latin. Or, as my Spanish friend would say, "Manana!" The root idea is putting something off till tomorrow. Or maybe the next day. Why put off till tomorrow what you can put off till the next day? I believe this has been my motto of late.
For example, I had an assignment to do. I'd known about this assignment since the middle of August. I knew the deadline was September 19. Did I work on that assignment during those six weeks? Not one bit! I hadn't even chosen the topic that I would write on, so really, I wasn't even thinking about it.
True to my own inimitable pattern, however, I did finish and submit the assignment on time. Thursday night, September 18, I put aside all other projects that had arisen since and devoted myself to the assignment. When I finished, the essay had many marks of a desperate writer: introduction was a bit top-heavy, body paragraphs were a wee bit thin, and I was ready for the conclusion by the top of page 3.
So I asked myself today, "Why do I do this to myself?" If it were just once, I might put it down to some quirk of personality or schedule, but it is an oft-repeated pattern. I tell myself that it's because I do my best work under pressure, backed right up against a firm deadline.
The other possibility, looming large in my thoughts right now, is that, for as hard as I seem to be working all the time, I'm actually quite a lazy person. It's part of the human condition. (There! That makes me feel better!)
This brings me to my point: I have never considered procrastination to be a sin, but it is. That's the truth. We always tell those with whom we share the gospel not to put off surrendering their lives to Christ. If they hear the Holy Spirit speaking to them, don't put off being obedient; don't procrastinate.
This counsel is useful even after we have obeyed that first time. I myself need to heed this sound advice.
First of all, the "P" word. That's Procrastination and all the cousins: procrastinate, procrastinator, procrastinated, procrastinting, procrastinatively, procrastinatingly, procrastinative, procrastinatory, and procrastinativeness. Whew! Who knew there were so many ways to put things off till tomorrow!?
In fact, that's the origin of this word: tomorrow; that's cras in Latin. Or, as my Spanish friend would say, "Manana!" The root idea is putting something off till tomorrow. Or maybe the next day. Why put off till tomorrow what you can put off till the next day? I believe this has been my motto of late.
For example, I had an assignment to do. I'd known about this assignment since the middle of August. I knew the deadline was September 19. Did I work on that assignment during those six weeks? Not one bit! I hadn't even chosen the topic that I would write on, so really, I wasn't even thinking about it.
True to my own inimitable pattern, however, I did finish and submit the assignment on time. Thursday night, September 18, I put aside all other projects that had arisen since and devoted myself to the assignment. When I finished, the essay had many marks of a desperate writer: introduction was a bit top-heavy, body paragraphs were a wee bit thin, and I was ready for the conclusion by the top of page 3.
So I asked myself today, "Why do I do this to myself?" If it were just once, I might put it down to some quirk of personality or schedule, but it is an oft-repeated pattern. I tell myself that it's because I do my best work under pressure, backed right up against a firm deadline.
The other possibility, looming large in my thoughts right now, is that, for as hard as I seem to be working all the time, I'm actually quite a lazy person. It's part of the human condition. (There! That makes me feel better!)
This brings me to my point: I have never considered procrastination to be a sin, but it is. That's the truth. We always tell those with whom we share the gospel not to put off surrendering their lives to Christ. If they hear the Holy Spirit speaking to them, don't put off being obedient; don't procrastinate.
This counsel is useful even after we have obeyed that first time. I myself need to heed this sound advice.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Christian dandies
A dandy is a man who is overly concerned about his clothes and appearance. The origin is uncertain, but it's almost 250 years old, first coming into use around 1770. It's sort of an old-fashioned word, one we might expect to find in a play by Oscar Wilde. An up-to-date choice might be metrosexual. Regardless of which word we choose to express this idea, the point is the overconcern about externals.
Ephesians 6: 10-18 gives us a picture of a soldier ready to do battle:
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
(Click on the picture above to make it larger so you can read the description.)
In church on Sunday, we heard about this soldier. He knows how to use what he has. Both he and his armour are battle-ready and battle-tested. This is no Christian dandy soldier standing around looking sharp in his uniform. This is a man dressed to kill, so to speak. He's ready to do battle in the spiritual high places.
It's not enough to be dressed like soldiers--Christian dandies, just looking the part. We must battle-hardened. The only way to get that way is to fight like soldiers.
1 Peter 5:8 warns us to "Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour."
For sure, our enemy is no "dandy lion"!
Ephesians 6: 10-18 gives us a picture of a soldier ready to do battle:
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
(Click on the picture above to make it larger so you can read the description.)
In church on Sunday, we heard about this soldier. He knows how to use what he has. Both he and his armour are battle-ready and battle-tested. This is no Christian dandy soldier standing around looking sharp in his uniform. This is a man dressed to kill, so to speak. He's ready to do battle in the spiritual high places.
It's not enough to be dressed like soldiers--Christian dandies, just looking the part. We must battle-hardened. The only way to get that way is to fight like soldiers.
1 Peter 5:8 warns us to "Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour."
For sure, our enemy is no "dandy lion"!
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Keeping Short Accounts
When someone owes us money, we all know how anxiously we wait for payment. It might be from someone who's borrowed money from us or maybe it's from a business that we've done some work for. If we've done the work, then we expect to be paid in a timely fashion. If our ledgers are filled with too many accounts "over 30 days" or "over 60 days," then it's hard to run our own business. Business people know, too, that their chance of collecting goes down as the time increases.
On the other hand, if we're the ones who owe money to someone else, then we need to be sure to pay promptly! We need to keep short accounts.
This applies not only to money, but also in the area of friendships. If we feel hurt over something, we should go to the person who has offended us and tell him or her how we feel. We should do this in a humble and kind way, but not let a small thing grieve us and grow out of proportion to the original incident. This way, friendships are preserved and stress is avoided.
We also need to keep short accounts with God. When we sin, we need to confess it, repent of it, and move on through the power of the Holy Spirit, praying that He will keep us from that sin the next time we are tempted.
We cannot hide our sin from God. He knows. We don't confess it because He needs to know and if we don't, He'll be in the dark about what we've done. God is never in the dark. He doesn't need to learn because He already knows everything. The value in our confessing and repenting is for us. It's for our benefit.
Daily come to the Father and ask Him to search your heart. When He points something out, confess it. Keep short accounts with God.
On the other hand, if we're the ones who owe money to someone else, then we need to be sure to pay promptly! We need to keep short accounts.
This applies not only to money, but also in the area of friendships. If we feel hurt over something, we should go to the person who has offended us and tell him or her how we feel. We should do this in a humble and kind way, but not let a small thing grieve us and grow out of proportion to the original incident. This way, friendships are preserved and stress is avoided.
We also need to keep short accounts with God. When we sin, we need to confess it, repent of it, and move on through the power of the Holy Spirit, praying that He will keep us from that sin the next time we are tempted.
We cannot hide our sin from God. He knows. We don't confess it because He needs to know and if we don't, He'll be in the dark about what we've done. God is never in the dark. He doesn't need to learn because He already knows everything. The value in our confessing and repenting is for us. It's for our benefit.
Daily come to the Father and ask Him to search your heart. When He points something out, confess it. Keep short accounts with God.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Hard to believe!
I came home from work the other day, and as I rounded my house to go through the back gate, two different things came to my attention. One I heard. The other I saw. First, a man's voice. He was talking, having a conversation. Then, I saw him. He was jumping on the neighbour's trampoline. Talking on his cell phone.
This seemed to me to be the height of something. I suppose some would call it multitasking. Redeeming the time. Making the best and most use of every second. He couldn't just enjoy the sensation of jumping on the trampoline by itself.
In my view, this represented some small obsession with being in contact with others at every moment of the day and, probably, night. We have given ourselves over to the idea that we can't be out of touch with others at any time.
Hubert Dreyfus, professor of psychology at the University of California at Berkeley, has theorized and predicted that a life lived in cyberspace will strip human life of meaning, relevance, and the ability to distinguish the relevant and important from the nonrelevant and the trivial. His short book, On the Internet, contains dire predictions about human life lived online. On the air waves.
We used to joke about the guy at the office who spent so much time on the phone that he'd have to have the phone surgically removed from his ear. I think that day is coming closer for a lot of people. Only it won't be elective surgery--it will be a necessity.
This seemed to me to be the height of something. I suppose some would call it multitasking. Redeeming the time. Making the best and most use of every second. He couldn't just enjoy the sensation of jumping on the trampoline by itself.
In my view, this represented some small obsession with being in contact with others at every moment of the day and, probably, night. We have given ourselves over to the idea that we can't be out of touch with others at any time.
Hubert Dreyfus, professor of psychology at the University of California at Berkeley, has theorized and predicted that a life lived in cyberspace will strip human life of meaning, relevance, and the ability to distinguish the relevant and important from the nonrelevant and the trivial. His short book, On the Internet, contains dire predictions about human life lived online. On the air waves. We used to joke about the guy at the office who spent so much time on the phone that he'd have to have the phone surgically removed from his ear. I think that day is coming closer for a lot of people. Only it won't be elective surgery--it will be a necessity.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Summer's Over! (sigh!)
Life is busy for most people. We have jobs, family, friends, plus things to do, places to go, and people to see. We want to take time to deepen those relationships that are important to us, as well as find time to be healthy--eat well, reduce stress, and exercise physically and mentally.
One of the ways I like to exercise my mind is by reading. I always have a long list of books that I can't seem to get to--books that are waiting for me. They are patient! Reflecting on what I've read takes a bit of extra time, but I think it's time well spent.
One of my friends is a voracious reader. She takes stacks of books from the public library and wolfs them down like she's starving. I envy her (in a good way, of course!) Perhaps it's closer to the truth to say I am really happy for her that she has--and makes--the time to do something that she loves doing. She inspires me to put aside other things that can wait in order to enrich my life through the words of others.
I don't have a lot of time for reading, and I don't read a lot of fiction, but one book that totally stole me away from other duties was Year of Wonders, by Geraldine Brooks. It tells the story of an English village during 1665-1666, a year in which the plague struck the village. Under the guidance of the local pastor, the village quarantines itself from the outside world. The story is told through the voice of 18-year-old Anna Frith, a widow with two small sons, both of whom die of the plague. Her life is hard, her burdens are many . . . and the ending is . . . fantastical! I read this book in two sittings, staying up way past my bedtime to do it! I found new words, lots of history, and a solid sense that my life looks pretty good.
This is why I like reading: I invariably learn something about myself, my place in the world, and how to be. How to relate to those around me. How to have compassion on those who suffer. How to make room for those who need a voice.
Each book is a new adventure, a way to set sail on the sea of life. Bon voyage!
One of the ways I like to exercise my mind is by reading. I always have a long list of books that I can't seem to get to--books that are waiting for me. They are patient! Reflecting on what I've read takes a bit of extra time, but I think it's time well spent.
One of my friends is a voracious reader. She takes stacks of books from the public library and wolfs them down like she's starving. I envy her (in a good way, of course!) Perhaps it's closer to the truth to say I am really happy for her that she has--and makes--the time to do something that she loves doing. She inspires me to put aside other things that can wait in order to enrich my life through the words of others.
I don't have a lot of time for reading, and I don't read a lot of fiction, but one book that totally stole me away from other duties was Year of Wonders, by Geraldine Brooks. It tells the story of an English village during 1665-1666, a year in which the plague struck the village. Under the guidance of the local pastor, the village quarantines itself from the outside world. The story is told through the voice of 18-year-old Anna Frith, a widow with two small sons, both of whom die of the plague. Her life is hard, her burdens are many . . . and the ending is . . . fantastical! I read this book in two sittings, staying up way past my bedtime to do it! I found new words, lots of history, and a solid sense that my life looks pretty good. This is why I like reading: I invariably learn something about myself, my place in the world, and how to be. How to relate to those around me. How to have compassion on those who suffer. How to make room for those who need a voice.
Each book is a new adventure, a way to set sail on the sea of life. Bon voyage!
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