[JustAmy]

11-17-04
Graphic by Billie

Look Closely

When you look out at the stars, your feet are planted firm,
But here’s a little thought that could just maybe make you squirm.
Shrink down the place you’ve been on from the day that was your birth,
As if you saw it from the next “rock” out, like Venus seen from Earth.

Now Venus seems a bright spot in the night, much like a star,
But when it crossed the Solar face, a tiny speck seen from afar.
If such a little step can make the world shrink to a dot,
Just think what would occur if you could move around a lot!

To journey to some nearby stars where constellations bend,
Or further, where the Milky Way illusion has its end,
Just think about this fact of life when you begin to roam,
The art of Navigation lies in finding your way Home.

NicknamedBob . . . . . . . . . . . November 15, 2004
© 2004

[The Mayor]

November 17, 2004

Pain Is Not Pointless

Read: Isaiah 28:23-29

This also comes from the Lord of hosts, who is wonderful in counsel and excellent in guidance. —Isaiah 28:29

Bible In One Year: Ezekiel 5-7; Hebrews 12

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During times of hardship, I often feel like whining, "Who needs this pain? I certainly don't!" But Isaiah 28 and my own experience tell me this is a shortsighted reaction. Not that we need hardship just for its own sake, but we do need to be changed and to mature. In God's hand, hardship can be an effective tool to bring about our much-needed growth.

In verses 23-28, we read the prophet's "poetic parable," written to help the people of Israel understand how God works and what He intended to accomplish in their lives through tough times. A farmer is portrayed skillfully plowing the ground, planting his crops, and threshing the harvest. If the soil could talk, it might have whined, "Who needs this painful plowing?" But the pain is not pointless. Isaiah said that the farmer is taught by God to work in measured and well-timed ways, handling delicate crops with care and others more vigorously, but always with a sure harvest in view.

Our reassurance during tough times is that the farmer's God is our God, "who is wonderful in counsel and excellent in guidance" (v.29). His dealings with us are always thoughtful and purposeful, producing in us "the peaceable fruit of righteousness" (Hebrews 12:11). —Joanie Yoder

God has a purpose in our heartaches—
The Savior always knows what's best;
We learn so many precious lessons
In every sorrow, trial, and test. —Jarvis

When you trust in God, pain is an opportunity for progress.

[leadpenny]

That one should be sent to the two fellow who put up the Astronomy Pic of the Day at JPL. I'm sure they would appreciate it as I do.

[Conspiracy Guy]

Nice

[Darksheare]

Just a small time warp.. that's all.
I'm here now.

[Alamo-Girl]

Thank y'all for this fascinaing poem and graphic!

[tuliptree76]

Good morning, Amy! I hope you have a wonderful day today.

[Billie]

Morning! That works really great together!

[international american]

Very good!