Most of you have been praying with me for the Star Project for years now. So, I wanted to share with you a couple of phone calls that came in this morning within an hour of each other. Felt like I was receiving a love-pat from Our Father, so now I'm patting you!
Both calls were from people who had seen the DVD somewhere and wanted to buy their own copies. The first was from a man whose voice sounded of awe. He said, in part: "I saw the DVD, and I'm simply amazed. Your work has opened so much up for me." I could hear that his journey with God was changing. That call would have been plenty, but then came the second. It was from a woman who explained: "I have a friend who is dying. She's looking for proof that there is a God. I think the Star DVD will be perfect for her, and I've already arranged for someone to hand deliver it."
And with that came tears of humility and thanks to God for the amazing *privilege* of being involved in His work. And *you* people who have empowered this project with your prayers are absolutely part of it. I consider those phone calls to be for you, my faithful friends.
Immediate need: Julie is finishing an enhanced score. The warfare has been fierce with computer glitches, and she has a respiratory bug so bad that it's difficult to understand her speech.
If you have time, please join me in prayer:
"Father, we rejoice at your love pats! At confirmation that our prayers are being heard, and that we are part of a project that is advancing your work. It is a delight, and we ask for more! Each of us is involved in our own journey with you, and we all long for confirmation that we are on track. We get that from your word and other means, but it is never more welcome than when it seems to come directly from you. Thank you! We ask that you bind the evil one as Julie writes. Touch her with healing. Pour yourself through her as she writes music that adds yet more mystery, gravity and meaning to the story of your Star. We ask these things in the name of Messiah Jesus, amen."
Rick
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
Big Guns
A few days ago CBN returned to my home to spend another day shooting. This time, Senior Reporter Gailon Totheroh is preparing a story for Good Friday, and so he wanted to do another interview with me, this time stressing the celestial events of the Crucifixion. Gailon and I have become friends, and so he can ask simply and sincerely when he needs prayer. He has asked now.
It's always difficult to take hours of material and reduce it to five minutes that makes some kind of sense. And Gailon is feeling that tension as he works. He asked me to pray, and I decided to bring in the Big Guns. That's you people. God *plainly* and repeatedly responds to the joint prayers of this group. You are precious to me, but even more precious to Him.
If you have time, please join me in prayer.
"Father, we all need your guidance. Does that sound as empty to you as it often does to us when we say it? Most of us seek your guidance constantly. It is almost a refrain in our prayers. Please do not let this request become stale in our mouths. Please do not tire of hearing our cries! We want nothing more than to find ourselves in the very center of your will for us, Lord. When we sense we are there, we feel a satisfaction and elation that is the best of life on this Earth. Yet, we don't always feel it. It is hard to know exactly what you would have us do each day. It is hard being completely open to your guidance. Sometimes we wish that you would speak from the sky, as you did of old. Make your paths plain to us, Lord! We SO need you. We SO long to walk as you desire. And Lord, your child Gailon needs your guiding hand right now. Will you answer his prayer for guidance? Will you please write this story through him for YOUR OWN glory? Act into the world through us and through Gailon this day. Thank you our God. Our Father. We pray these things in Jesus' name, amen."
Rick
It's always difficult to take hours of material and reduce it to five minutes that makes some kind of sense. And Gailon is feeling that tension as he works. He asked me to pray, and I decided to bring in the Big Guns. That's you people. God *plainly* and repeatedly responds to the joint prayers of this group. You are precious to me, but even more precious to Him.
If you have time, please join me in prayer.
"Father, we all need your guidance. Does that sound as empty to you as it often does to us when we say it? Most of us seek your guidance constantly. It is almost a refrain in our prayers. Please do not let this request become stale in our mouths. Please do not tire of hearing our cries! We want nothing more than to find ourselves in the very center of your will for us, Lord. When we sense we are there, we feel a satisfaction and elation that is the best of life on this Earth. Yet, we don't always feel it. It is hard to know exactly what you would have us do each day. It is hard being completely open to your guidance. Sometimes we wish that you would speak from the sky, as you did of old. Make your paths plain to us, Lord! We SO need you. We SO long to walk as you desire. And Lord, your child Gailon needs your guiding hand right now. Will you answer his prayer for guidance? Will you please write this story through him for YOUR OWN glory? Act into the world through us and through Gailon this day. Thank you our God. Our Father. We pray these things in Jesus' name, amen."
Rick
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Blood Over Your Head?
The color of a lunar eclipse is determined by conditions in Earth's atmosphere, including the level of aerosols (suspended particulate matter). For this reason, it's not possible to predict with certainty how a future eclipse will look from a particular viewing position (continent, latitude, etc). It may vary from nearly colorless to deep red.
You're about to see the effects of your own local atmosphere. On Wednesday, February 20, you will have an after dinner treat if you're in the Americas. Step outside and look at the moon! There will be a total lunar eclipse, starting about 10p EST or 7p PST. (If you are on the other side of the Earth, say in Europe or Asia, watch for this event just before sunrise on February 21).
Easter is coming! Let's hope many of us are fortunate enough to witness a dramatic reminder of the red blood shed for us 2,000 years ago.
If you have time, pray with me:
"Father, we marvel at your beauty and poetry in the sky. It is amazing when you make full moons red as a reminder of a life fully lived, blotted out in blood. We thank you for the bewildering fact that you cared enough to come here and make such a sacrifice for us. We thank you for creating events in the sky, visible by billions, to remind us. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for your work here! Praise you, Creator of Heaven and Earth, for reminding us! We sing to you of your beauty, and come in the name of Jesus, amen!"
Rick
PS: You may have wondered why the date for Easter shifts each year. It's because the date is adjusted to follow moon cycles! Easter Sunday falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon following March 20, approximating the Spring Equinox.
You're about to see the effects of your own local atmosphere. On Wednesday, February 20, you will have an after dinner treat if you're in the Americas. Step outside and look at the moon! There will be a total lunar eclipse, starting about 10p EST or 7p PST. (If you are on the other side of the Earth, say in Europe or Asia, watch for this event just before sunrise on February 21).
Easter is coming! Let's hope many of us are fortunate enough to witness a dramatic reminder of the red blood shed for us 2,000 years ago.
If you have time, pray with me:
"Father, we marvel at your beauty and poetry in the sky. It is amazing when you make full moons red as a reminder of a life fully lived, blotted out in blood. We thank you for the bewildering fact that you cared enough to come here and make such a sacrifice for us. We thank you for creating events in the sky, visible by billions, to remind us. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for your work here! Praise you, Creator of Heaven and Earth, for reminding us! We sing to you of your beauty, and come in the name of Jesus, amen!"
Rick
PS: You may have wondered why the date for Easter shifts each year. It's because the date is adjusted to follow moon cycles! Easter Sunday falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon following March 20, approximating the Spring Equinox.
Monday, June 9, 2003
The Romans and the Star
Skeptics have said: "If Messiah's Star was real, if it did the strange things Matthew sets out, there would be some record of it outside the Bible." They're saying Matthew's lone account must be bogus.
It's true that we can recreate the Star events with software, and that's extra-Biblical evidence. But what about contemporaneous evidence? Two thousand year old evidence? You guys are going to love this.
Caesar Augustus is considered to be the first Roman emperor. Perhaps you recall that his predecessor and adoptive father, Julius Caesar, was assassinated by senators (remember Brutus?). They feared he would establish a monarchy. Upon his father's death, Augustus learned that Julius had designated him as successor. Perhaps to avoid Julius' fate, Augustus did not immediately accept this mantle. He did respond by destroying Julius' opposition. Over years, he gradually assumed power and ushered Italian history from the age of the Republic to that of Imperial Rome.
By many measures, Augustus was a good ruler. He was widely esteemed by those he did not crush. He reigned for decades, accomplishing much militarily, but also in the civic realm. The 25th year of his rule, 2 BC, coincided, in popular belief, with the the 750th anniversary of the founding of Rome. In 2 BC, in honor of Augustus' position and the auspicious date, the Roman Senate declared him "Pater Patriae," the father of the country.
Romans of the period accepted that celestial portents accompanied great men and events. For example, a comet appeared after Julius' assassination. The Romans assumed that this was his divine spirt returning to heaven. Some Roman coins of the period show an image of this comet with the words DIVVS IVLIVS (The Divine Julius).
In the Star Presentation I show a stunning conjunction which occurred in 2 BC. Jupiter and Venus came together to form the brightest star anyone alive had ever seen. This happened the year in which Augustus was declared Pater Patriae. It appears the Romans saw it. They knew nothing of the kingly birth in Bethlehem, and seem to have assumed that Messiah's Star of Kings was an endorsement of Augustus!
Tiberius, who succeeded Augustus and reigned at the time of Christ's crucifixion, memorialized the events of 2 BC with a copper coin minted in Rome in 16 AD. The coin bore a regal bust of Augustus with the words DIVVS AVGVSTVS PATER (The Divine Augustus, Father). But that's not all. Above Augustus' head, there appears a six-pointed Star -- the Star of Bethlehem struck on a Roman coin!
It gets better. Because of the web, I have a photo of this coin to show you. Better, through God's provision, I OWN the coin you will see. When I found it, I was literally shaking! But to find it available to purchase? Amazing.
Here, then, is contemporary physical evidence of the Star, its date, and its regal import!
There's more to this story, but I've run long. Looks like I need to write a book...
If you have time, let's join in prayer:
"Father, you just bless us and bless us. Thank you for continuing to reveal new evidence showing the truth of your word and the majesty of your Son. Lord, we believe without seeing. But these treats are a delight to us! We ask that you reveal yet more facts and evidence which bring glory to your name and challenge to those who deny you. These things are not hidden to you, Lord. You know where all of these goodies are. Reveal them! Thank you, Lord, for allowing us to have a kind of eyewitness experience thousands of years after Our Lord's coming. Thank you for bending pagan thinking to your eternal purpose. Thank you for preserving these evidences and revealing them now! We praise you in the name of Messiah Jesus, amen."
Rick
It's true that we can recreate the Star events with software, and that's extra-Biblical evidence. But what about contemporaneous evidence? Two thousand year old evidence? You guys are going to love this.
Caesar Augustus is considered to be the first Roman emperor. Perhaps you recall that his predecessor and adoptive father, Julius Caesar, was assassinated by senators (remember Brutus?). They feared he would establish a monarchy. Upon his father's death, Augustus learned that Julius had designated him as successor. Perhaps to avoid Julius' fate, Augustus did not immediately accept this mantle. He did respond by destroying Julius' opposition. Over years, he gradually assumed power and ushered Italian history from the age of the Republic to that of Imperial Rome.
By many measures, Augustus was a good ruler. He was widely esteemed by those he did not crush. He reigned for decades, accomplishing much militarily, but also in the civic realm. The 25th year of his rule, 2 BC, coincided, in popular belief, with the the 750th anniversary of the founding of Rome. In 2 BC, in honor of Augustus' position and the auspicious date, the Roman Senate declared him "Pater Patriae," the father of the country.
Romans of the period accepted that celestial portents accompanied great men and events. For example, a comet appeared after Julius' assassination. The Romans assumed that this was his divine spirt returning to heaven. Some Roman coins of the period show an image of this comet with the words DIVVS IVLIVS (The Divine Julius).
In the Star Presentation I show a stunning conjunction which occurred in 2 BC. Jupiter and Venus came together to form the brightest star anyone alive had ever seen. This happened the year in which Augustus was declared Pater Patriae. It appears the Romans saw it. They knew nothing of the kingly birth in Bethlehem, and seem to have assumed that Messiah's Star of Kings was an endorsement of Augustus!
Tiberius, who succeeded Augustus and reigned at the time of Christ's crucifixion, memorialized the events of 2 BC with a copper coin minted in Rome in 16 AD. The coin bore a regal bust of Augustus with the words DIVVS AVGVSTVS PATER (The Divine Augustus, Father). But that's not all. Above Augustus' head, there appears a six-pointed Star -- the Star of Bethlehem struck on a Roman coin!
It gets better. Because of the web, I have a photo of this coin to show you. Better, through God's provision, I OWN the coin you will see. When I found it, I was literally shaking! But to find it available to purchase? Amazing.
Here, then, is contemporary physical evidence of the Star, its date, and its regal import!
There's more to this story, but I've run long. Looks like I need to write a book...
If you have time, let's join in prayer:
"Father, you just bless us and bless us. Thank you for continuing to reveal new evidence showing the truth of your word and the majesty of your Son. Lord, we believe without seeing. But these treats are a delight to us! We ask that you reveal yet more facts and evidence which bring glory to your name and challenge to those who deny you. These things are not hidden to you, Lord. You know where all of these goodies are. Reveal them! Thank you, Lord, for allowing us to have a kind of eyewitness experience thousands of years after Our Lord's coming. Thank you for bending pagan thinking to your eternal purpose. Thank you for preserving these evidences and revealing them now! We praise you in the name of Messiah Jesus, amen."
Rick
Friday, October 4, 2002
Bratislava Beer Storm
Dormitory presentation again Wednesday night, but with a twist. Coinciding with the Star, the dorm hosted a free beer bash and mixer in the entry plaza. Dance music at disco levels, rowdiness, kissing, shouting, dancing, breaking glass, running about; you know. As show time approached, we had *no* takers for the Star. A beer storm was raining us out. I was ready to present to five people if that's who showed. But popping bottles, thumping music plus the opposite sex... the mix is a kind of Siren call to the college ear and eye. Tough to run that gauntlet. Not just beer. Free beer.
Perhaps everyone can agree that God and beer are a mismatched fight. By the 8 o'clock hour, we had two people. But then a dozen came in. Then a dozen. Another dozen. Another. Another. When we began, we had a core group of about 60, with another dozen or so of froth at the back. This crowd was more intense than last night. More engaged. Amazing, but the noise outside did not seem to disrupt. Cross-cultural humor is dangerous, so I don't attempt much of it. But tonight, attention was so close that I did, and it worked. Laughs across the language/culture gap. And then awe at the close. In short, a great audience. He was there tonight.
It was very good for the Slovak team to agree that the show would go on. We set up out of faithfulness when it looked pretty bad. And then He provided an excellent, engaged, appreciative audience. He boosted our faith tonight.
If you have time, please thank Him with all of us:
"It would be good if we were always full of faith, Lord. Sometimes we do things out of dogged determination, without any real expectation that you will change the course of reality. And then you do change the course. We give you praise that you do so much more than our puny faith expects. We thank you for encouraging us to believe you a dozen times, then another, and another. Build us into faithful people by helping us to see it when you work. Open our eyes to the things you do for us so that we can learn more of who you are. So we can adjust our expectations to your nature. We often do the opposite. And we want to stop. We pray in Jesus' name, amen."
Many more presentations coming. Don't know when I can write next. Pray, even if you don't hear from me.
Perhaps everyone can agree that God and beer are a mismatched fight. By the 8 o'clock hour, we had two people. But then a dozen came in. Then a dozen. Another dozen. Another. Another. When we began, we had a core group of about 60, with another dozen or so of froth at the back. This crowd was more intense than last night. More engaged. Amazing, but the noise outside did not seem to disrupt. Cross-cultural humor is dangerous, so I don't attempt much of it. But tonight, attention was so close that I did, and it worked. Laughs across the language/culture gap. And then awe at the close. In short, a great audience. He was there tonight.
It was very good for the Slovak team to agree that the show would go on. We set up out of faithfulness when it looked pretty bad. And then He provided an excellent, engaged, appreciative audience. He boosted our faith tonight.
If you have time, please thank Him with all of us:
"It would be good if we were always full of faith, Lord. Sometimes we do things out of dogged determination, without any real expectation that you will change the course of reality. And then you do change the course. We give you praise that you do so much more than our puny faith expects. We thank you for encouraging us to believe you a dozen times, then another, and another. Build us into faithful people by helping us to see it when you work. Open our eyes to the things you do for us so that we can learn more of who you are. So we can adjust our expectations to your nature. We often do the opposite. And we want to stop. We pray in Jesus' name, amen."
Many more presentations coming. Don't know when I can write next. Pray, even if you don't hear from me.
Beer Storm
Dormitory presentation again Wednesday night, but with a twist. Coinciding with the Star, the dorm hosted a free beer bash and mixer in the entry plaza. Dance music at disco levels, rowdiness, kissing, shouting, dancing, breaking glass, running about; you know. As show time approached, we had *no* takers for the Star. A beer storm was raining us out. I was ready to present to five people if that's who showed. But popping bottles, thumping music plus the opposite sex... the mix is a kind of Siren call to the college ear and eye. Tough to run that gauntlet. Not just beer. Free beer.
Perhaps everyone can agree that God and beer are a mismatched fight. By the 8 o'clock hour, we had two people. But then a dozen came in. Then a dozen. Another dozen. Another. Another. When we began, we had a core group of about 60, with another dozen or so of froth at the back. This crowd was more intense than last night. More engaged. Amazing, but the noise outside did not seem to disrupt. Cross-cultural humor is dangerous, so I don't attempt much of it. But tonight, attention was so close that I did, and it worked. Laughs across the language/culture gap. And then awe at the close. In short, a great audience. He was there tonight.
It was very good for the Slovak team to agree that the show would go on. We set up out of faithfulness when it looked pretty bad. And then He provided an excellent, engaged, appreciative audience. He boosted our faith tonight.
If you have time, please thank Him with all of us:
"It would be good if we were always full of faith, Lord. Sometimes we do things out of dogged determination, without any real expectation that you will change the course of reality. And then you do change the course. We give you praise that you do so much more than our puny faith expects. We thank you for encouraging us to believe you a dozen times, then another, and another. Build us into faithful people by helping us to see it when you work. Open our eyes to the things you do for us so that we can learn more of who you are. So we can adjust our expectations to your nature. We often do the opposite. And we want to stop. We pray in Jesus' name, amen."
Many more presentations coming. Don't know when I can write next. Pray, even if you don't hear from me.
Perhaps everyone can agree that God and beer are a mismatched fight. By the 8 o'clock hour, we had two people. But then a dozen came in. Then a dozen. Another dozen. Another. Another. When we began, we had a core group of about 60, with another dozen or so of froth at the back. This crowd was more intense than last night. More engaged. Amazing, but the noise outside did not seem to disrupt. Cross-cultural humor is dangerous, so I don't attempt much of it. But tonight, attention was so close that I did, and it worked. Laughs across the language/culture gap. And then awe at the close. In short, a great audience. He was there tonight.
It was very good for the Slovak team to agree that the show would go on. We set up out of faithfulness when it looked pretty bad. And then He provided an excellent, engaged, appreciative audience. He boosted our faith tonight.
If you have time, please thank Him with all of us:
"It would be good if we were always full of faith, Lord. Sometimes we do things out of dogged determination, without any real expectation that you will change the course of reality. And then you do change the course. We give you praise that you do so much more than our puny faith expects. We thank you for encouraging us to believe you a dozen times, then another, and another. Build us into faithful people by helping us to see it when you work. Open our eyes to the things you do for us so that we can learn more of who you are. So we can adjust our expectations to your nature. We often do the opposite. And we want to stop. We pray in Jesus' name, amen."
Many more presentations coming. Don't know when I can write next. Pray, even if you don't hear from me.
Saturday, June 15, 2002
Phlegon of Tralles
Research concerning the Star is ongoing. Perhaps it will be unending. Occasionally I hit pay dirt, and that is a genuine thrill for me. Yesterday was thrilling!
I spent some time in the microform section at the main Texas A&M library. I was looking at works from the mid-1700's satisfying myself that what I have been finding online is trustworthy. Well, I'm satisfied! So here is the historical nugget that I've just added to the Star web site.
During the reign of Emperor Hadrian (117-138 AD), a Greek freedman named Phlegon of Tralles wrote a history which he named "Olympiades." His home town of Tralles was near Ephesus. Many of you may know that ancient historians widely used the Greek Olympic calendar to date events. We understand that dating system today and can relate it to our "modern" Gregorian calendar, first instituted in 1582.
Phlegon used the Olympic calendar, which obviously suited his subject. Much of Phlegon's writing is lost to history, but in Fragment 17 of what survives, we read in Greek the following report:
"In the fourth year of the 202nd Olympiad [AD 32-33], an eclipse of the Sun took place greater than any previously known, and night came on at the sixth hour of the day [noon], so that stars actually appeared in the sky; and a great earthquake took place in Bithynia and overthrew the greater part of Niceaea."
Thus, we have a non-Biblical source confirming the Gospel records of a darkening of the Sun and earthquakes at the Crucifixion! Right down to the hour of the day!
My research shows that Phlegon's account has been the subject of study and debate for centuries. But I am satisfied that it is sound and belongs on the web site. Phlegon's record is mentioned in: F. Richard Stephenson, Historical Eclipses and Earth's Rotation (Cambridge University Press, July 1997) ISBN 0-52146-194-4. Stephenson's book is listed on Amazon for hundreds of bucks USED. Figure that out; it's only a paperback, and it's not even out of print. Or, just get it on interlibrary loan like I did.
As Phlegon plainly understood, the "eclipse" he describes was not an ordinary eclipse. He certainly describes it as being extraordinary: "greater than any previously known." What he probably did not understand is that the darkening was not caused by the moon's shadow, which is how we understand 'eclipse of the Sun' today. With modern astronomical understanding, we know that whatever darkening people saw and the Gospels record, it was not the moon's shadow. That is not possible during the time of the Passover full moon.
The means of the darkening is yet a mystery, although continuing research may yield clues.
If you have time, join me:
"Lord! Keep revealing! Reveal more and more evidence that shows your word to be true. Uncover what is hidden. We already believe your Word, and we don't ask for proofs to convince us. But we are braced when we find again and again and again that your Word is truth. Thank you for preserving the Bible for us. Thank you that your Book is now in the hands of more people than ever before in history. Call those who do not believe to increased respect for the Bible. Lead them to yourself, Father. We love to see your Word magnified! And we pray in the name of Messiah Jesus, amen."
Rick
I spent some time in the microform section at the main Texas A&M library. I was looking at works from the mid-1700's satisfying myself that what I have been finding online is trustworthy. Well, I'm satisfied! So here is the historical nugget that I've just added to the Star web site.
During the reign of Emperor Hadrian (117-138 AD), a Greek freedman named Phlegon of Tralles wrote a history which he named "Olympiades." His home town of Tralles was near Ephesus. Many of you may know that ancient historians widely used the Greek Olympic calendar to date events. We understand that dating system today and can relate it to our "modern" Gregorian calendar, first instituted in 1582.
Phlegon used the Olympic calendar, which obviously suited his subject. Much of Phlegon's writing is lost to history, but in Fragment 17 of what survives, we read in Greek the following report:
"In the fourth year of the 202nd Olympiad [AD 32-33], an eclipse of the Sun took place greater than any previously known, and night came on at the sixth hour of the day [noon], so that stars actually appeared in the sky; and a great earthquake took place in Bithynia and overthrew the greater part of Niceaea."
Thus, we have a non-Biblical source confirming the Gospel records of a darkening of the Sun and earthquakes at the Crucifixion! Right down to the hour of the day!
My research shows that Phlegon's account has been the subject of study and debate for centuries. But I am satisfied that it is sound and belongs on the web site. Phlegon's record is mentioned in: F. Richard Stephenson, Historical Eclipses and Earth's Rotation (Cambridge University Press, July 1997) ISBN 0-52146-194-4. Stephenson's book is listed on Amazon for hundreds of bucks USED. Figure that out; it's only a paperback, and it's not even out of print. Or, just get it on interlibrary loan like I did.
As Phlegon plainly understood, the "eclipse" he describes was not an ordinary eclipse. He certainly describes it as being extraordinary: "greater than any previously known." What he probably did not understand is that the darkening was not caused by the moon's shadow, which is how we understand 'eclipse of the Sun' today. With modern astronomical understanding, we know that whatever darkening people saw and the Gospels record, it was not the moon's shadow. That is not possible during the time of the Passover full moon.
The means of the darkening is yet a mystery, although continuing research may yield clues.
If you have time, join me:
"Lord! Keep revealing! Reveal more and more evidence that shows your word to be true. Uncover what is hidden. We already believe your Word, and we don't ask for proofs to convince us. But we are braced when we find again and again and again that your Word is truth. Thank you for preserving the Bible for us. Thank you that your Book is now in the hands of more people than ever before in history. Call those who do not believe to increased respect for the Bible. Lead them to yourself, Father. We love to see your Word magnified! And we pray in the name of Messiah Jesus, amen."
Rick
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
