Early Teusday morning, (around 4:45am EST) in the western sky, we were treated to a total lunar eclipse.We were up earlier than usual to take my Mother-in-law to the airport for a break-of-dawn flight. With coffee in hand and rubbing the sleep from our eyes we saw the "blood moon".
The moon slipped behind the Earth, going into a total eclipse. I understand that lunar eclipses happen fairly regularly, but most are only partial eclipses. The folks from NASA explain that the Earth's shadow is composed of two cone-shaped parts. Within the outer shadow the Earth blocks only some of the sun's rays. Within the inner shadow all direct sunlight is blocked.
"In the case of a total lunar eclipse, the moon will slip into that inner cone. 
Thus, with Earth serving as a celestial umbrella, the moon will be illuminated only by light refracting through our atmosphere. And given that only red light penetrates in that way, the moon should turn dark orange or a bloody red."
Thus, with Earth serving as a celestial umbrella, the moon will be illuminated only by light refracting through our atmosphere. And given that only red light penetrates in that way, the moon should turn dark orange or a bloody red."
The stars around the moon, which are usually hard to see because of the brightness of sunlight reflecting off the lunar surface, shone brightly during the eclipse -- it was beautiful!
As the eclipse ended it appeared as thought the moon had disappeared. Scientists theorize that without the stabilizing influence of the moon, the Earth would spin much faster and wobble dramatically. We'd have four-hour days, huge temperature shifts and near-persistent wind storms with the polar caps growing and receding rapidly. It's amazing how precise everything has to be for life to be maintained on our tiny planet.
The ancients believed that an all-powerful being (God) designed and created the natural order of the universe. Some 3,000 or so years ago, King David of Israel penned these words: "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim His handiwork. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge." (Psalms 19:1-2)
I am a modern ancient. I look at the heavens and see intelligence, order, design, precision and don't believe for a moment that it is accidental. I am a modern ancient who believes an Intelligent Designer created it all. "For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse." (Romans 1:20)
I look at the human body, and again hear the words of King David echo: "For you, O Lord, created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." (Psalms 139:13-16)
Ben Stein has a documentary called Expelled coming to theaters in February of 2008. It reportedly explores how the belief in intelligent design and creationism have been expelled from classroms on American campuses. The latest Gallup Polls reveal that a significant number of Americans believe in intelligent design and/or creationism. I won't comment on the movie until I've seen it, but I really want to see it.Some of my readers will no doubt think I'm ignorant or insane. I assure you I am highly educated, though I must admit my sanity is "up for grabs" at times. This morning was a moment of clarity and sanity. It was a time of worship as the heavens declared the glory of the Lord.
~ Father, I blieve that you are, and that you are creative. Help me to increasingly see your fingerprints in the natural order of things. Amen.
