Seventy Times Seven

This is interesting. John Hagee was talking about the significance of 490 year intervals in terms of prophecy today. So, I recalled Jesus saying we must forgive 7 times 70... but I wanted to look it up to verify. So, I went to Bible Gateway and did a search. Here is what I found:

Matthew 18:22 (NIV):
Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.

Matthew 18:22 (KJV):
Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

My NIV has a footnote with "seventy times seven", but it sure seems strange that they would have chosen 77 times instead of 490 in the NIV translation. FYI the Jewish New Testament interprets it 7 x 70, same as the KJV.

Texas Possum

Hey Nanc, did he look like this? I photographed this one about a year ago... He just sat there on the fence. I probably could have touched him... but then he might have 'played possum'... I'm not afraid of mammals... just insects. Look at his cute little pink hands...

Clearwing Hummingbird Moth

I saw one of these this morning, drinking from my pansies. My initial reaction was 'Is that a hummingbird (about the right size)?" And then I noticed the antennae.... 'GROSS! Is that a giant bee? I need to get rid of those pansies!" You never know in Texas. Things are BIGGER in Texas you know... At any rate, I googled it and figured out it's a harmless moth. Looking like a bee keeps the preditors away..

Three Galaxies and a Comet

Credit & Copyright: Milosav Druckmuller (Brno University of Technology)
Explanation: Diffuse starlight and dark nebulae along the southern Milky Way arc over the horizon and sprawl diagonally through this gorgeous nightscape. The breath-taking mosaic spans a wide 100 degrees, with the rugged terrain of the Patagonia, Argentina region in the foreground. Along with the insider's view of our own galaxy, the image features our outside perspective on two irregular satellite galaxies - the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds. Recorded on January 28, the scene also captures the broad tail and bright coma of Comet McNaught, The Great Comet of 2007.

USA Map

Hat tip: Madeleine

"A father wanted to read a magazine but was being bothered by his little girl, Shelby. She wanted to know what the United States looked like.

Finally, he tore a sheet out of his new magazine on which was printed the map of the country. Tearing it into small pieces, he gave it to Shelby
and said, "Go into the other room and see if you can put this together. This will show you our whole country today."

After a few minutes, Shelby returned and handed him the map, correctly fitted and taped together. The father was surprised and asked how
she had finished so quickly.

"Oh," she said, "on the other side of the paper is a picture of Jesus. When I got all of Jesus back where He belonged, then our country just came together."

Empires of the Middle East

This is really neat, check it out:

http://www.mapsofwar.com/images/EMPIRE17.swf

Welcome to Planet Earth

Credit: Apollo 17 Crew, NASA

Isaiah 40:22 "He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live in."

The Reason We Have To Fight

This is a good read (Michael Coren, Toronto Sun):

"Imagine a history book being read by people in 100 years time. In a chapter entitled, Why We Fought, it would list the crimes of an ideology and a movement, Islamic fundamentalism, that became so powerful and so grotesque in the opening years of the 21st century that the civilized world was obliged to resist.

The book would explain that some of the wars of resistance were unsuccessful, or even ill-advised, but that in the end the forces of light triumphed over the death-black darkness.

It would also recount how some people in the civilized world opposed the struggle, out of self-loathing, cowardice, leftist politics or simply because they were part of the jihadist movement..." Read more...

America Alone - Mark Steyn

I'm reading "America Alone" by Mark Steyn. It's ++ good because he looks at the war on terror from a totally new angle (demographics) and he's just such an amusing writer!

"“The object of war is not to destroy the enemy’s tanks but to destroy his will. As Liddell Hart put it: “Our goal in war can only be attained by the subjugation of the opposing will… All such acts as defeat in the field, propaganda, blockade, diplomacy, or attack on the centers of government and population are seen to be but means to that end.” ….

…. Just before Christmas 2003, Muslim community leaders in California applauded the decision of the Catholic high school in San Juan Capistrano to change the name of its football team from the Crusaders to the less culturally insensitive Lions. Meanwhile, 20 miles up the road in Irvine, the schedule for the Muslim Football League’s New Year tournament promised to bring together some of the most exciting Muslim football teams in Orange County: the Intifada, the Mujahideen, the Saracens and the Sword of Allah.”

Skype

This is too cool! For $29/year you can call anyone, unlimited calling via the Internet with video (if you have a video cam). Calls within the US and Canada are free. Outside the US is dirt cheap (I think 2 cents/min). It really works! Mr Eyes and I have the web cam's and Mr Eyes has remote head gear, so he can walk around and talk, plus the remote phone (works as long as you're within a network, ie Starbucks). Technology is awesome!

A Blue Moon from Space

Credit: Expedition 13 Crew, International Space Station, NASA
Explanation: What's happening to the Moon? Drifting around the Earth in 2006 July, astronauts from the International Space Station (ISS) captured a crescent Moon floating far beyond the horizon. The captured above image is interesting because part of the Moon appears blue, and because part of the moon appears missing. Both effects are created by the Earth's atmosphere. Air molecules more efficiently scatter increasingly blue light, making the clear day sky blue for ground observers, and the horizon blue for astronauts. Besides reflecting sunlight, these atmospheric molecules also deflect moonlight, making the lower part of the moon appear to fade away. As one looks higher in the photograph, the increasingly thin atmosphere appears to fade to black.

Galaxy Group Hickson 44

Credit & Copyright: MASIL Imaging Team
Explanation: Galaxies, like stars, frequently form groups. A group of galaxies is a system containing more than two galaxies but less than the tens or hundreds typically found in a cluster of galaxies. A most notable example is the Local Group of Galaxies, which houses over 30 galaxies including our Milky Way, Andromeda, and the Magellanic Clouds. Pictured above is nearby compact group Hickson 44. This group is located about 60 million light-years away toward the constellation of Leo. Also known as the NGC 3190 Group, Hickson 44 contains several bright spiral galaxies and one bright elliptical galaxy on the upper left. The bright source on the upper right is a foreground star. Many galaxies in Hickson 44 and other compact groups are either slowly merging or gravitationally pulling each other apart.

Finch Story

My friend told me the funniest story. She had 2 finches and one day they built a nest. Before too long there were 3 little eggs and then 3 little chicks. Now she has 5 finches! I had no idea finches were so prolific! She said now she takes the nests out before any further procreation can occur. No more eggs.

Barred Spiral Galaxy M95

Credit & Copyright: Jean-Charles Cuillandre (CFHT), Hawaiian Starlight, CFHT
Explanation: Why do some spiral galaxies have a ring around the center? First and foremost, M95 is one of the closer examples of a big and beautiful barred spiral galaxy. Visible in the above recent image from the CFHT telescope in Hawaii, USA, are sprawling spiral arms delineate by open clusters of bright blue stars, lanes of dark dust, the diffuse glow of billions of faint stars, and a short bar across the galaxy center. What intrigues many astronomers, however, is the circumnuclear ring around the galaxy center visible just outside the central bar. Recent images by the Chandra X-ray Observatory have shown that X-ray light surrounding the ring is likely emission from recent supernovas. Although the long term stability of the ring remains a topic of research, recent observations indicate its present brightness is at least enhanced by transient bursts of star formation. M95, also known as NGC 3351, spans about 50,000 light-years and can be seen with a small telescope toward the constellation of the Lion (Leo).

The New American Revolution ~ Tammy Bruce

I've finally taken the time to read this book, which I think I bought 2 years ago. Do you ever have 2 or 3 books going at the same time? I was avoiding it because I thought it might be the 'same old same old' but it's actually quite interesting. She brings a new perspective, being an ex-leftist. So in that way it sort of reminds me of "Why I Left Jihad" by Walid Shoebat.

She has an excellent section near the back of the book describing how the left uses hate and intolerance as a tool to manipulate people and then 'projects' those same traits onto their opponents. She also has diagnosed the left as "malignant nacissists" which I've heard elsewhere on more than one occassion.

Chechnya's New President - Muslim Terrorist Ramzan Kadyrov

It's official, Putin has lost his mind.

"Gangster President
Meet Ramzan Kadyrov, Vladimir Putin's favorite Chechen criminal.
Saturday, March 3, 2007

THIS WEEK Vladimir Putin delivered another clear message about the kind of state Russia is becoming. He did so by nominating as the new president of the republic of Chechnya a man named Ramzan Kadyrov -- an unspeakably savage and corrupt warlord. Mr. Kadyrov has done Mr. Putin a great service: Using his own militia -- gang might be a better term -- he has imposed order in the name of the Kremlin on most of the rebellious republic, allowing the Russian president to declare victory in the war he started more than seven years ago. The Chechen's reward is to be installed as official head of the republic's government, where he can be expected to promote a cult of personality, employ state resources for his personal aggrandizement and murder his opponents with impunity."
Read more...

The 300

We saw "The 300" last night and really enjoyed it! There was NO PC BS (unlike "Alexander")! How refreshing. They really made the Persians look bad... kind of a collection of miscreants, but then I guess it was an adaptation of the comic book... Interesting mix.

Eclipse with Lighthouse

Credit & Copyright: Chris Cook Photography
Explanation: A red Moon rose over Cape Cod, Massachusetts, USA on March 3rd, immersed in Earth's shadow near the total phase of a lunar eclipse. This serene portrait of the eclipsed Moon in a dark blue twilight sky also features the Highland Lighthouse (aka Cape Cod lighthouse), another more locally familiar beacon in the night. Now automated, the 66 foot tall structure in use today was built in 1857. How often has there been an eclipse within view of the Highland light? For locations on planet Earth there are about two eclipse seasons each year. So, eclipses have actually had many chances to be part of the pictorial history of the Highland Lighthouse, including a total solar eclipse in 1932.

AOW on Blog Radio

Too cool! Go here to listen to our very own AOW, aka 'Always' on blogradio (March 2nd entry). It's the first I've heard of 'Blog Radio'... Learn something new every day! For more details, go here.

Newly discovered blog: The Gathering Storm

John Couey - Guilty

So, his defense was "Retarded and Crazy". How about cruel, perverted, selfish, and just plain evil? There's plenty of "retarded and crazy" people who don't kill little girls and bury them alive.

Texas House approves death penalty for hardcore repeat offenders

I have a feeling child molestation is about to take a nose-dive in Texas:

"AUSTIN (AP) - Hardcore child molesters could face the death penalty in Texas under a bill given preliminary approval by the state House of Representatives. The bill is designed to crack down on sex offenders who repeatedly prey on children. The House voted Monday to create a new category of crime - continual sexual abuse of a young child or children. It carries a minimum of 25 years to life in prison and possibly the death penalty for a second offense. The bill represented a compromise after the House delayed voting on a broader death penalty provision. They had constitutional concerns and worries it might lead some molesters to kill their victims. The bill is named Jessica's Law after Jessica Lunsford --- a Florida girl who was abducted and killed. The Texas version would make the Lone Star State the sixth to allow some child sex offenders to be sentenced to death."

Murder in Michigan...

This is such a strange story... She was pretty wasn't she? She looks like an actress, but I can't remember her name (the actress)...

It's one thing to have a 'domestic' end up in the death of one or the other, but to then hack the body up and store the torso in the garage??? It reminds me of a freaky, disgusting movie I saw 20 or so years ago... 'Boxing Helena'... What a waste of film that was..



Speaking of 'waste of film', we saw 'Wild Hogs' last night: BORING and STUPID.

Last Night's Eclipse

Last night's eclipse seen against one of the birds on top of the Liverbuilding in Liverpool.


Moon turns red over Britain, By Matthew Moore and PA, 11:09am GMT 04/03/2007

Thousands of people enjoyed the most spectacular lunar eclipse in more than a decade last night, thanks to clear skies across most of the country. The first total eclipse of the moon in three years was visible across swathes of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland as a showery day gave way to a crisp night.

The surface of the full Moon first went dark before turning a coppery red, to the delight of the many people who went outside to watch the display. The Moon started to become obscured from 8.18pm, and the phenomena was at its peak between 10.44pm and 11.48pm.

"Large tracts of England and Wales had no cloud at all by the time it started. Conditions were perfect for a lunar eclipse," said a spokesman for MeteoGroup UK.

The phenomenon occurred because the Earth passed directly between the Moon and the Sun. Light scattering through the Earth's atmosphere was reduced to predominantly-red wavelengths, which reflect off the lunar surface. In ancient times a "blood Moon" was viewed with dread and seen as an omen of disaster or great change.

This year's lunar eclipse could be seen most clearly from Europe, Africa and the Middle East. The event was regarded by astronomers as one of the most memorable in more than 15 years.

Here's an interesting website which tracks recent earthquake activity: ASK

Revelation 6:12: "I watched as he opened the sixth seal. There was a great earthquake. The sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red," Hat Tip BabbaZee @ LGF (sorry no website/blog)

Solar Eclipse from the Moon

View of the Moon from the Earth


View of the Earth from the Moon

Illustration Credit & Copyright: Hana Gartstein
Explanation: Parts of Saturday's (March 3) lunar eclipse will be widely visible. For example, skywatchers in Europe, Africa, and western Asia will be able to see the entire spectacle of the Moon gliding through Earth's shadow, but in eastern North America the Moon will rise already in its total eclipse phase. Of course if you traveled to the Moon's near side, you could see the same event as a solar eclipse, with the disk of our fair planet Earth completely blocking out the Sun. For a moon-based observer's view, graphic artist Hana Gartstein (Haifa, Israel) offers this composite illustration. In the cropped version of her picture, an Apollo 17 image of Earth is surrounded with a red-tinted haze as sunlight streams through the planet's dusty atmosphere. Earth's night side remains faintly visible, still illuminated by the dark, reddened Moon, but the disk of the Earth would appear almost four times the size of the Sun's disk, so the faint corona surrounding the Sun would be largely obscured. At the upper left, the Sun itself is just emerging from behind the Earth's limb.



Nasa Article