Eye on Faith

Tuesday, July 20, 2021

Coming Back Changed

Bezos in 2010 (Photo by Steve Jurvetson)

Along with scientific and business goals, Jeff Bezos has added some personal ones to his space-flight list.

Before taking off, he wondered aloud whether this experience would change him. Bezos revealed to Hoda Kotb on the TODAY show, “I can’t wait to see what it’s going to do to me.”

Previous space travelers have reported that seeing one whole Earth has made them rethink nationalistic tendencies. Going beyond the life-giving atmosphere has also inspired realizations about how precious our planet is.

It remains to be seen what the long-term effects on Bezos might be. Having already conquered many an outer challenge, he might now turn more attention to inner ones.

Resources

https://news.yahoo.com/jeff-bezos-says-cant-wait-132911380.html

Monday, July 19, 2021

'Chased' by Jupiter

Statue of Jupiter, circa 100 AD (Photo by Sailko)

If you’ve got to be chased by someone, it might as well be by the king of the gods. After all, Jupiter controlled lightning and thunder, which could come in handy during this time of global warming.

But if you confuse the ancient Roman “Sky Father” with a mere drone, you could be in big trouble. Certainly no king wants to be called that.

So when a “rookie cop” recently called for rescue from what she thought was an airborne stalker, she was quickly educated by fellow officers. They informed her that this so-called drone was actually Jupiter. And since it was the planet rather than the god, she had nothing to fear.

Resources

https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/scottish-news/7414670/police-scotland-drone-jupiter/

Sunday, July 18, 2021

Space just got a little bit warmer

Upsy-Daisy! (Photo by Norbert Nagel)

The International Space Station astronauts decided to spice things up by cultivating red hot peppers.

These will enliven their already-grown salad ingredients, such as three types of lettuce. If that weren’t enough, fresh flowers have also been enhancing the cold recesses of space.

Even within this grand a mission, it’s the little things that make a huge difference. These are things that we on Earth often take for granted. So next time you’re having an especially good day, don’t forget to thank a daisy.

Resources

https://www.msn.com/en-xl/money/tech-and-science/astronauts-are-growing-chile-peppers-in-space-in-spicy-first/ar-AAMgbyI?ocid=uxbndlbing

Saturday, July 17, 2021

All God's Creatures

Bill Staines in 2004 (Photo by Thom C)

As the Bill Staines song goes, “All God’s creatures got a place in the choir…” This includes porcupines, prickly as they may be.

Tragically, humans don’t always see it that way. Some interpret stewardship as the right to bludgeon for fun. This is finally being judged for what it is: immoral and often illegal animal abuse.

Because two Rockland, Maine police officers beat porcupines to death with batons while on duty, they were fired, fined and sentenced to some jail time. Another officer had reported this illicit behavior to the authorities.

Resources

https://www.wabi.tv/2021/07/16/former-rockland-police-officers-sentenced-beating-porcupines/

Kitty Glasses

The 'Glasses Apostle' (by Conrad von Soest, 1403)

Although wearing glasses has become somewhat fashionable, children don’t always see it that way.

In order to help young patients feel more comfortable with corrective lenses, optician Danielle Crull came up with a unique solution. She fitted her rescue kitty, Truffles, with glamorous glasses, then had her model this look in front of nervous kids.

Attitudes seem magically transformed by such interactions. Truffles takes to it as much as people do. She struts right up to Danielle, eagerly tilting her furry head toward a pair of colorful frames. Tears soon turn to laughter, and overall fear is greatly diminished.

Resources

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/good-news/meet-truffles-the-special-kitty-who-wears-glasses-to-help-kids-feel-better-about-wearing-theirs/ar-AAMfGDW?ocid=uxbndlbing

Thursday, July 15, 2021

Walking On Home

(Photo by Kim Hansen)

The famous quote by Ram Dass, “We’re all just walking each other home,” applies to bovines as well.

When eight cows recently escaped from a Michigan farm, they were escorted back by a "sheriff's deputy.” This entailed a three-mile walk for them all.

Home is hopefully a safe place, no matter which species you belong to.

Resources

https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2021/07/13/Ingham-County-Sheriffs-Office-cows-walk-home/5781626198308/

Wednesday, July 14, 2021

Standing in the Need of Forgiveness

Ohtani in 2019 (Photo by Erik Drost)

There’s an African American spiritual called “Standing in the Need” which emphasizes that “It’s me…” who needs prayer. “Not my brother, not my sister, but it’s me, oh Lord…”

Stephen A. Smith admirably took responsibility for his cutting words about baseball’s Shohei Ohtani. After insulting Ohtani’s lack of English fluency, Smith made some sincere public apologies. He specifically explained that this rant was entirely his own and did not stem from Max Kellerman, ESPN or anyone else.

This differs from many another apology in which the speaker merely recites a politically-correct speech. Smith seems to have actually reflected upon the “stereotyping” nature of his words and how they’ve offended the “Asian community.”

Resources

https://people.com/sports/stephen-a-smith-apologizes-for-comments-on-mlb-star-shohei-ohtani/