ANGELFIRE 3-24-09 We are told now that fifteen of all those executives in that enormous worldwide American International Group of insurance companies have agreed to return the huge bonuses they were granted. And the House of Representatives has passed a special tax that would take 90% of it back from each of the others. So public anger is getting results now it would appear, if only their tricky legal experts don't find some other way to go around. The vastness of greed in our Capitol city betrays us, and I wish AIG would remove our nation's name from their money operations. To the rest of the global community it says "that's America, a monster that just gobbles up wealth all over this planet." In fact, America is a nation of the Book, which shows how GOD is the giver of economic power. And He does so with justice, as seen in the ancestry of His first chosen people. Satan is the thief and liar. But Abraham gained great wealth (and his full name) because of his faithfulness. Then Jacob saw it increase as his name became Israel, or the Prince (one who wrestles with GOD). Then Israel's son Joseph finally gained influence over wealth of all the world as financial advisor to Pharaoh. And the descendants of another son of Jacob, named Judah, have been long famed for their Jewish economic acumen. That stream of royalty from Abram found it's fulness in the Prince of Peace (shalom) who was beyond monitary measure, the very heart of GOD the Father; yet He was given to mankind as told in Jn.3:16. Clearly, the misuse of wealth is deadly to mankind according to the Scriptures (66 books). It's why the presidential oath of office is taken on America's greatest treasure, THE Book. And just as we've faltered in our allegiance to it, our fortune has stumbled and nearly tumbled. Our national debt is becoming so large that other nations no longer will loan to us. And a frightful word is even being uttered by some in public affairs, "bankrupt." Banking language was even used in Europe long before America became a nation, to express how Christ Jesus paid the debt for sin. Medieval churchmen came up with the notion of a bank of merits in heaven, where righteous deeds were kept on file. But the sin debt of man that had to be paid (to satan?) was far in excess of it all. So the Son came down (Incarnation) to live a perfect life and offer that life on the Cross (Atonement) as payment which could wipe out the debt. Now in America almost everything is commercialized, even the holidays (once holy days) that celebrate both Incarnation and Atonement (Christmas and Easter). But believers should see deeper and realize that there's far more than money telling the story; even the good news of Christ's return with the full wealth of heaven for a glorious Jubilee. Theologians call it the Parousia, instead of second coming. And the church calendar doesn't mark it with any festival, (unless Pentecost is considered such) because Christ hasn't yet come again. Thus, the final glorious Jubilee will see all debts cancelled, all prisoners released and righteousness prevailing in everything. It's a part of the Gospel message, ending the Bible at Rev.22:20 on a note of triumph. SoLong/Shalom, JosephA
ANGELFIRE 3-31-09 As I typed the date just now, it showed me that this ANGELFIRE will be for April Fools' Day. How appealing to be able just to laugh off the awesome issues facing mankind here in 2009. That's what comedians try to help us do, though they seldom draw from the divine source of consolation. It's usually mere distraction for public pabulum. As our new president heads to Europe and the UK for that tenth meeting of the G-20 economic summit, he will need our fullest backing. The other nations that are there will know that we can no longer be a bail-out for them as in the past decade. Now we can hardly support ourselves, as our major auto industry is teetering on the brink of bankruptcy. Obama has fired the CEO of General Motors, who had failed to deliver the changes needed since all that TARP help was given them last month. So sad that GM's head guy only got ten million for his retirement, as the vice-chmn now takes over. Chrysler's also as shaky (and pushed to unite with the Italian Fiat car manuf, but Ford is still making it on their own money. So I hope Obama rides in a Ford over there. I drive one to deliver the papers and it has served us well. It's a '99 Tarus. Say, that's the same year G-20 began. Wish I could loan it to Obama; though it's lost some of the regal appearance it once had when Niece was driving it. Here's hope that our president will surely seek to extend America's love to those other hurting nations. With our motto IN GOD WE TRUST, we should be demonstrating compassion for all mankind. In the Holy Bible we read from Romans 13 (written to their ancient capitol city believers) "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except that which GOD has established. The authorities which exist have been established by GOD...He is GOD's servant to do you good...Therefore it is necessary to submit to the authorities...This is also why you pay taxes, for authorities are GOD's servants, who give their full time to governing...And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer...The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature." An old time expression used to refer to ourselves as GOD fearing Americans. Of course that meant reverence and allegiance more that servile obedience. Yet obedience has been for a long time ebbing away, until the question of divine approval is almost forgotten. With Holy Week just ahead of, it's time for all Americans to turn from worldliness and again seek the LORD, as our forefathers did getting help in hard times past; and to be encouraged by those words quoted above that the Day of His appearing is so near. SoLong/Shalom, JosephA@webtv.net
ANGELFIRE 4-04-09 Thursday's issue had a big photo on it's Noteworthy Neighbor page of "MRS.B," as she's been known for 18 years cooking at PV's Jefferson Early Learning Center, as stated in the Democrat. You can see her glad face as she serves a dining room full of Pre-K students. And they're so delighted to get the ravioli Bea Hamilton has ready for them to eat. Jim Richardson's photo really catches it all, along with his story. Then on the next page are nine color photos he and Mike Arie made at our town's Fun Country Special Olympics. No story is needed here since the pictures (in color) can say so much. But then looking back a page under Business, there's one in the lower right hand corner just black and white. Yet it grabs my attention of the new and enlarged STARK ART. Kevin's gallery at 211 S. Chickasaw had a reception for it's grand opening Fri. evening; the little studio he had so long just a couple of blocks west, has now expanded with four more artists and their studios into Stark Art Gallery. Kevin had previously led PV to begin our Action Figure Hero & Toy Museum, which is exactly a block north of his new gallery. It's a place unique in the whole world and that's why the home town should be proud of him. And I see next Tuesday's election affording local citizens a way to show it. He was also born right here in PV, the same as MRS.B, and also ANGELFIRE. But I live and can vote only in WW, though still love my home town where so many good things happen i.e. that arts emphasis.
The several universities that I've attended (OU, SMU, OCU & Augsburg U) all had colleges of the arts and sciences. So it's helped me see a symmetry in this universe. And now in this International Year of Astronomy that's the way everything must be viewed. Artistically it all originates from the Artist. And the qualities seen in His handiwork offer clues to understanding what He is like in aesthetics: pure, holy, magnificent, righteous, glorious, beautiful, etc. Yet the manner of completing the Divine work of His hands can be discovered scientifically, even from microverse to macroverse. Thus, the sub-atomic physics of the past century has merged into astro-physics today as the slogan of IYA2009 is "The Universe: Yours to Explore." And symmetry vs asymmetry appears more and more it's theme. Bible believers know that amid all that the apparent chaos/asymetry existing, there is an eternal purpose in which we humans can participate. It's The heavenly Father's good will. We've already seen it disclosed in Christ Jesus, who shed His blood as the power of the Gospel. Then He arose from being a perfect Sacrifice to demonstrate Victory in the Resurrection. Every first day of worship reaffirms that Victory until His final coming for all His own. Isn't that symmetry betwen the seventh day Sabbath and our Lord's Day, just afterward. SoLong/Shalom, JosephA@webtv.net
LORD'sDAY 4-05-09 This is the Palm Sunday that begins Holy Week and I forgot to mention it at the WW Care Center this morning singing. We had a few more gather than usual so that must have been the reason. Yet it seems this year has had less mention of Holy Week that I can recall for a long time; just Easter egg hunts and such meaningless stuff. As believers know, Jesus came to Jerusalem riding a donkey, and instead of hunting eggs the Jews who welcomed Him threw down their garments to pave the way, as they cried "Hosannah to the son of David." Their children waved palm branches too, symbolic of the shalom He sought to give. Then eight days later, He'd been rejected and crucified, then risen from the tomb where His body was laid in burial. It was found empty by Mary of Magdala, who ran to tell the Apostles. Peter and John ran and found Him gone. The name Easter is used to designate that glorious Day, yet Resurrection would be better. So let's take the East in Easter as pointing toward His return from that direction of the sunrise. It will be the SONRISE of all ages as He gathers His own to be with Him forever after. Along with legions of angels, He will bring spirits of all the righteous dead. They will be given new glorified bodies as the corruptable forms are transformed. Thus body and spirit rejoined will constitute each saved soul, never to die again in His eternal Kingdom. "Those alive at His appearing will be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, when this mortality will put on immortality and be also caught with Him in the air." Perusia is the Greek word for this "King's appearing." It had been used to describe how subject kings who were subject to Alexander the Great would visit their urban centers unannounced just to check on affairs, then make their report to Emperor Alexander. It contains an element of surprise that fits well the Day of Christ's coming again. So staying ready for the Perusia in our spiritual life is all important for believers. SoLong/Shalom, JosephA
ANGELFIRE 4-07-09 Now Vermont has joined Iowa in making gay marriage a legal reality, something that began in Califormia only a few years ago. That's more drift away from the Bible way, in Angelfire's view. Here we are now in the midst of Holy Week, a measure of eight days instead of seven. The seven came from dividing months, which are measured by the 28 days of lunar orbit around Earth (hence called "~moonths") first being divided in half, then halved again for the four phases of Earth's moon. All man's oldest calendars are still lunar instead of solar. But fitting twelve into the 365 of Earth's orbit around the sun took some padding of a few, so that Feb. is left the only with an original 28. Well, back to Holy Week, with it's extra DAY. We see Sunday as a clear sign of the new creation. In the NT it's called The Lord's Day, which means the 8th day of new beginning. Better that we spelled it SONday, because even the sunrise services are all about GOD's own Son who suffered, died and rose again from the dead to bring life eternal into this perishing world. That's the reason ANGELFIRE considers the cemetery a proper place for early Easter morning celebrations that climax Holy Week. The sunlight bursting over our eastern horizon gives an East~er sign of the glorious victory our Savior has won for us who believe, and typifies His soon return from heaven where He has been seated at the right hand of His FATHER. That final appearing in glory and majesty is the consummation of human history which began with Creation of heaven and earth (same as the whole Bible does). In this IYA2009, we are gaining comprehension of how vast Creation Week actually was. Yet Holy Week is even more so, as the promise of a new/renewed heaven and earth that's been manifested in Christ Jesus. It's a designated time for us to realize that all conscious existence becomes holy when lived to glorify the KING of kings and LORD of lords. We need not fear the vastness of this Universe nor the timelessness of outer space when we've found full time holiness in Him. Read Heb.12:14 about GOD's kind of royalty. It goes with that Hebrew word we usd for Angelfire's benediction, Shalom-shalom (perfect peace) to you, JosephA@webtv.net
ps Reiteration of a word means it's perfection, in Hebrew. Thus, this HolyWeek is the perfection of GOD's divine Creation of a royal family/nation.
ANGELFIRE 4-10-09 I don't know if earthquakes and meteorology are also considered weather, but that one just outside Rome Italy has really been a disaster in world news. Back here we've seen giant fires across our state after all the dry weather and the burn ban. And just now I read that "apple sized hail" had fallen over in Mena AR, where three residents died; while tornados had also come near there. Seems that earth and sky are in a fury of destruction for 2009. Eretz and shamayim are the Hebrew names. Now this is the week when our Lord Jesus (Yoshua) faced off with Satan by going to the Cross. Refusing there to be overcome of evil, He was overcoming evil with His supreme goodness/agape love by praying for those who were Crucifying Him while He hung there as their target: "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do." It was a breakthrough from eternity into time, which has give mankind THE way to heaven. We can see His resurrection proving the Victory over death, but Satan was already defeated by the blood of our Savior on that cruel cross, as His final words affirm "It is finished." He had accomplished the task assigned by the Father Almighty to offer a sinless life (the Lamb of GOD) and would thus be raised up, taken home above to sit at GOD's right hand and there make intercession for human believers, until His return to the whole world in glory and majesty. Now we see signs that the day of His glorious appearing is at hand. Our preparation is to stay washed in the Blood, which we make sure by standing prayerfully at the foot of that Cross. It was Satan's wicked implement of pain and torture, yet used by the grace of YAHWEH GOD as the means of our deliverance. So what would have been tragic-fatal-dismal Friday is transformed into Good Friday. Grace is freely given to all who turn from being in bondage to evil and seek contact with shamayim, that highest heaven where the Father and Son await their spirits to join at deah with all the other righteous ones, plus the angels, until the Parousia (final appearing). An inmate sang a song at LARC that touched my heart deeply last Sunday, 'When He was on the Cross, I was on His mind." The song took me there. And that's how we can know it's GOOD Friday. SoLong, Shalom, JosephA@webtv.net ps this column began ten years ago. Go to it by adding /index2.html to the below URL. My column was named SOJOURNER back then in '99, but it began in '91, just after my pastorated ended.
LORD'sDAY-extra 4-11-09 Those pirates that have held Capt.Phillips for randson are a type of the Satan bondage humanity has endured. One of the doctrines of Atonement that dominated the early church is the Randsom theory. Ireneus who was bishop of Lyons (in present day France) during the second century formuated it to see the perfect/sinless Jesus handed over for payment to Satan. His death secured the release of humanity as the only treasure God had which was great enough. It was Satan's demand and had to be met by the Savior's suffering and death. Then His resurrection showed how Satan had been fooled, and defeated instead instead. The outcome with Capt.Phillips may reinact such a saga, that was strangely acceptable in ancient times rather than sordid, wretched or unseemly (as to modern minds). God was just more cunning and crafty that His enemy. Later church leaders translated the Randsom theory into a Sacrificial view: God's holiness could not accept sinful man until the payment for sin had been rendered, and that perfect life of Christ was required as the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world. Then theologians feld need to revise it so that God was not seen as demandingly cruel. So Jesus was defined as paying the penalty for believing humanity to be forgiven. Even though painful for God to give His only begotten Son, the divine justice (or giving the devil his due) required a payment. Thus, the Father and Son agreed to it, though with agony and pain for both. Such was the theme I wrote for a Master's degree at SMU in "Christian Doctrine", after I finished my divinity degree in '53. It should still be there in Bridwell Library of Perkins Theological Seminary, but I haven't checked in many years. Even lost my own copy of the academic effort of '54 that I had kept for a time in my own files. Though it's stayed in my heart and mind ever since. A book by the late Swedish scholar, Gustaf Aulen, in entitled "Christus Victor." It's based on the randsom theory of atonement, which Ireneus of Lyons had formulated in the 2nd century. But his version was universalist, which Evangelicals cannot accept. Aulen turns away from Ireneus in the 20th century book on that issue. He died in 1979.
In it's P.S. the last ANGELFIRE mentioned how to go back to /index2.html. At the end of that page 2 will be TO CURRENT COLUMN. From it, you can go in reverse clear back week by week to page 2 again. Or you could go direct to /index40.html or /index50.html etc. as you did to /index2. Back from the current page goes to anything less than it is. All is in reverse!
ANGELFIRE 4-14-09 Here in IYA2009 we mark four centuries since that Italian first equiped with a telescope, changed mankind's view of Creation from earth centered to sun centered (heliocentric). Galileo Galilei (1564-1642) was the new breed "modern scientist". He argued that mathematics is the true language of science., rather than talk of being and abstract perfection. He performed many revolutionary experiments in mechanics and other fields of physics. Among his accomplishments in mechanics are: development of the concept of inertia, later refined by Newton. Isaac Newton (1642-1727). Certainly the greatest classical Physicist, Newton developed the science of mechanics as we know it. His first development was his Laws of Motion. In order to perform mechanical calculations and to understand Gravity, Newton invented a mathematical code that he called "fluctions" (now known as calculus). Then Newton published his Laws of Motion and analysis of Gravity in the Principia Mathematica, probably the greatest physics text ever written, in 1687. Edmund Halley wanted to use Newton's theories to analyze orbits, particularly that of the comet of 1682 which now bears Halley's name. Other pioneers and milestones in the advance of Science came in the 18th Century. One was William Herschel who discovered Uranus, a new planet beyond Jupiter. Barely visible with the unaided eye, Herschel made the observation with his telescope . Early in the 19th Century Adams (English) & LeVerrier (French) independently calculated that there must be another planet beyond Uranus which was producing small gravitational disturbances in Uranus' orbit. First observed in 1846 by Hohan Galle, it was named Neptune. (actually spotted earlier by Challis in Cambridge, but Challis did not note his discovery until Galle reported it's observation.) 1930 Clyde Tombaugh discovered Pluto. 1910 Harlow Shapley estimated the size of the Milky Way. W. H.Pickering and Annie J. Cannon calculated the surface temperatures of the stars. Einstein (1905) developed the Theory of Special Relativity, based upon the idea that light travels at the same speed in all frames of reference. He modified Newton's Theory of Gravity by developing the General Theory of Relativity (1916). Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin & Henry Norris Russell determined the composition of stars. In 1924 Edwin Hubble established that the Andromeda nebula and other "spiral nebulae" are star systems like the Milky Way at great distances. By 1929 Hubble & Milton Humason had discovered that the Universe is expanding. In 1938 Hans Bethe determined that the Sun's energy comes from thermonuclear fusion reactions. In the 1940s Karl Jansky observed that the nucleus of the Milky Way and other celestial objects are strong sources of Radio Waves, as guessed in 1931. Based on radar technology developed in WWII, Radio Astronomy became an active field in the late 1940s. 1948 George Gamov developed the Hot Big Bang Theory of the origin of the Universe. 1950's chemical composition of the stars; stars build the heavy elements via nuclear fusion reactions, mapped out in a famous paper by Burbidge, Burbidge, Fowler & Hoyle. 1954 Radio Galaxies 1960-63 Quasars 1960s X-ray & Infrared astronomy 1965 Arno Penzias and Robert Wilson from Bell Laboratories discovered the cosmic microwave background radiation remnant of the Big Bang. 1968 Jocelyn Bell (Burnell) & Anthony and Hewish discovered Pulsars. ANGELFIRE plans to add data later of IYA2009, unless Christ Jesus appears again returning from heaven. C.L.J. SoLong/Shalom, JosephA@webtv.net
ANGELFIRE 4-17-09 As I've tried to show in ANGELFIRE, astronomy was the first natural science that western civilization developed. It was the Polish scholar named Copernicus who taught that Earth rather than Sol moved in orbit (though the Greek Aristarchus had given that observation several centuries earlier). But the ancient Egyptian, Ptolomony, had taught that objects in the heavens circle this earth, which he considered as central to everything. Copernicus had only his eyes and mathmatics as a basis. But then the German Johannis Kepler, tried to bridge both views, and it's now know he had the first telescope. He just could not move from astrology into astronomy in one leap. So it was the famous Italian Galileo, who is most famous for the paradigm shift four centuries ago; even though he was forced to repudiate what he first acknowledged. Even so, he is the most honored now in IYA2009 in celebrations around the globe. Our account of such history ended with the discovery in 1968 of pulsar stars that brghten from time to time. They seem to me to demonstrate how similar those heavenly bodies are to each of us down here. Stars are born, develop into maturity, maybe have planet families, get famous, grow old and then shine their brightest as quasars, just before vanishing back into black holes or energy. Energy and matter are the basics that constitute this physical universe. Sounds like man's wealth doesn't it. Down here it's the big bucks and then estate which gets divided among the heirs. And if there's a home, we call it "REAL estate." Nothing signifies earthly wealth more than one's home place, though this is the materialistic view civilization took when medieval astrology gave way to modern astronomy in the 18th century enlightenment. Not the best outlook, but better than mere superstition. Then I ended with the 1968 discovery of pulsars to suggest that even the sky has a pulse beat, for it's "blood" that flows as energy. Now in this 21st century we've seen that the stars are interconnected in what's called "filamentation." Only special instruments can detect these long strands of plasma, but they are like the arteries of the heavens (which also stretch to planets as they bring strong weather effects). Back about '68 was also when another unconventional Italian astronomer Hannes Alfven, proposed this interconnected view of the cosmos. So now The Standard Model of creation that's been called Big Bang is being challenged by Plasma Cosmology. As a believer in GOD, I prefer the Big Bang, even though it begins only with a Singularity (something natural science cannot fit in). We're told Who in the Bible: "In the beginning GOD." Thus plasma matter is not the very beginning point. Maybe it is the stuff of that highest heaven, where the Creator and His angels eternally dwell, shamayim. But it came into being from a Divine hand, as the Scripture says..."created the heaven and the earth." That's the start which Bible believers must affirm for a contemporary global audience, and also add John 1, "In the beginning was the Word (Christ Jesus). And the Word was with GOD, and the Word was GOD." Even though the whole material creation might pass away, it's maker is our eternal Father in heaven, where our true wealth is kept. Psalm 8: O LORD, our Lord, how excellent is Your name in all the earth [universe]. Who have set Your glory above the heavens [in shamayim]...When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, What is man that You are mindful of him...for you have made him a little lower than the angels, And You have crowned him with glory and honor...to have dominion over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet." Such is the promise that will finally put evil also under our feet forever with the Savior's soon return. Let us make ready for that glorious transcendent Event. SoLong for now, JosephA
ANGELFIRE 4-24-09 In Jn.20:19 and 21, the Risen Christ greets His faithful eleven at the place they are fearfully met together (with doors shut) saying "Peace be unto You" or Shalom. That's a traditional Jewish expression which is still used in Israel. It compares to our "Hello" or "Howdy," yet carries a depth not found in either. The latter is a contraction of How do you do, the question about aother's welfare (often just "How 'ya been doing." which may show some trace of concern. But the former is just an attention getting noise, like mountain climbers used to make in locating other separated climbers (it echoed full and well). Yet the Hebrew word that Jesus used for that Easter greeting was "Shalom." And those who have been to Israel have heard it regularly spoken there. What a wonderful word for meeting or parting, since it mean's "peace." So it's a spoken blessing. And reiteration of a word in Hebrew means the fullness of perfection for that term. Thus by repeating it, our Lord was speaking "Perfect Peace" to His little band of believers, as conveying all the fullness of heaven upon them. According to chap.1 of the Bible, this entire Universe was spoken into being by it's Creator. That certainly demonstrates the mighty power of words, doesn't"t it? So I use that same Hebrew one to greet those whom I know will get it. Shalom is always translated "peace" in the English bible. It's first use therein is GOD telling Abraham his future, "You shall go to your fathers in peace." Ge.15:15. There's a Scripture song I like to sing about such peace. It's a prayer, meditation, prayer that can be found in Isa.26:3, THOU WILT KEEP HIM IN PERFECT PEACE, WHOSE MIND IS STAYED ON THEE. I sing it: Thou will keep him in shalom shalom, whose mind is stayed on Thee (then sung again). Oh He is the only perfect resting place, He giveth inward peace. (amplified in third rendition) Thou wilt keep him in shalom shalom because he trusts in Thee. Shalom also sounds somewhat like our cowboy term, "so long." Here in the Sooner State, as world history grows darker, solong helps us to keep the faith with patience, awaiting the Lord's appearing in clouds of glory. "He's coming soon, He's coming soon. With joy we'll welcome His returning. It may be morn, it may be night or noon. We know HE'S COMING SOON."
SoLong/Shalom, JosephA@webtv.net
ANGELFIRE 4-28-09 "Brickfest" is here again Fri.&Sat.in down town PV. Starting on May Day gives it a special touch too, just as being centered eastward at the depot this year does, with activities down along Santa Fe. Seeing so much new street walk construction along our bricks of Paul St. as we get there, will add yet more glad feelings. The Weekend headline said it so well: "FESTIVE FEEL TO THE BRICK." And our Main Street lady, Samantha Robb, spoke apt words: "...festive, colorful, energetic. We're going to have a blast!" Then the bull riding which follows up at PV's rodeo grounds will also bring "Thunder in the Valley" as a merry, merry May gets underway. I'm so glad there'll be one event at our Toy Museum, since it's the most unique feature shown in our town. Bad as that fire was last month across the street which destroyed the historic Pawn Shop, thank Heaven it didn't get across to the Action Figure/Toy Museum. But now let me bring up a special site for the whole world all this year, the sky. IYA2009 is promoting TWAN on the Internet (just google it). "The World at Night" shows photos of the stars from all over the globe, as it's sponsored by astronomers internationally. One mission of this IAU program is to decrease nightsky glare in urban areas that prevents their populations from such a view. Scripture mentions how it reminds us: When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained, What is man that You are mindful of him...? (Ps.8:3New KJV) And there are tele-photos online from participating observation areas: Africa, Americas, Asia, Australia&Pacific, Europe, Middle-East and Polar Regions at astronomy2009.org/globalprojects/special projects/blast/. That "bast" is a science fiction movie about an aircraft on a mission similar to our Kepler space/observatory, The movie's made by a brother of one of the world's noted astronomers. BLAST (Balloon-borne, Large-aperture, Submillimeter, Telescope) according to Culture Wars magazine, "seeks to map out how stars and galaxies formed (out there) by collecting, for the first time, faint (samples of) sub-millimeter light above the top of Earth's atmosphere... The narrative focuses on the humanity of scientists, an adventure tale with twists and turns, lively characters, and some lessons about life, the universe and everything.,,A refreshing take, not only upon scientists and the practice of their art, but also on humanity as a whole." And I hope, a spiritual truth! Maybe it will be shown here in PV during this United Nations sponsored IYA2009. SoLong/Shalom(GOD's peace), "Come Lord Jesus!" (Rev.22:20) JosephA@webtv.net