Tuesday, January 23, 2018

Influence - Now Think On This Steve Martin

Influence

Now Think On This

Steve Martin

“Thus the message about the Lord continued in a powerful way to grow in influence.”

(Acts 19:20, Complete Jewish Bible)

As I watched the life celebration of the fallen police officer on the newscast, I was amazed by the influence the young man of 37 already had had upon the community. He had been in service for 12 years, shot down in the line of duty. But during his life here on earth, he had a major impact on many – within his family, church and the local community. Thousands attended the funeral service in person. Many more watched as I did on one of the three local TV stations covering the broadcast from the church. (Later, the car procession from the church to the cemetery, following the casket, was an hour long on the interstate.)

As the sheriff, father, brother and church pastor each spoke in turn, a major portion of the young man’s life was shared with thanksgiving, appreciation, and acknowledgment of the years he had, touching others’ lives in a very positive way. His profession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ was publicly pronounced as well, for he had been one known to live out his Christian faith, through demonstrating his own love and commitment to those around him. He had touched lives. He had influenced many.

Many books are written about those who have gone before us, who had set their hearts to accomplish the purpose for which they had been born. I would imagine few knew what that purpose was as they first started out, but as they grew, the realization of their gifts and talents they had been given were made known to them. They then wasted little time in taking their place and walking out their call. Thus their names are remembered in the historical records that commemorate their achievements.

Some of those who have gone before us even acknowledged their Lord’s hand upon them, providing the strength, direction, and confidence to impact the lives of others He brought them in contact with. These ones may not have been well known outside their immediate circles. In fact, it may only small numbers who lived around them who knew of the impact they had. But I believe that even these small ripples they created were passed down through family members and friends they influenced over their years. Through their life, others were encouraged and thus enabled to carry on in faith.

Knowingly or unknowingly, we impact those around us. Our life is an influence on them, either good or bad. The words we say, the acts we do, the way we conduct our lives does affect others. We must be careful that we bring positive, purposeful influences. We must be aware that what we say and do certainly helps or hinders others, today and beyond.

As Paul wrote, ‘Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern.” (Philippians 3:17, NKJV)

In my own life, as the second oldest child within a family of 10, I was keenly aware of the influence I had among my younger siblings, and the example I led. Many times I had to repent for failing to be a good example to them. I am thankful for the times I was one to follow after.

We do influence others, and what others see us doing for the good hopefully will become an example to them. As believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, let us be great influencers of life, love and the Christian walk of faith.

Shalom and ahava (peace and love in Hebrew).

Now think on this,

Steve Martin

Founder/President

Love For His People, Inc.

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Now Think On This #341 - in the year of our Lord 01.22.18 – “Influence”, Monday, 3:15 pm

Monday, January 22, 2018

Triple treat: Supermoon, blue moon and lunar eclipse all coming to a sky near you next week - USA TODAY

Triple treat: Supermoon, blue moon and lunar eclipse all coming to a sky near you next week

Doyle Rice, USA TODAYPublished 11:26 a.m. ET Jan. 22, 2018 | Updated 3:31 p.m. ET Jan. 22, 2018

The full moon on January 31st will combine three rare lunar events for the first time in 150 years.USA TODAY

Skywatchers will get a rare triple treat Jan. 31, with a supermoon, a blue moon and a total lunar eclipse.

How rare is the event? Even without the supermoon, it's the first blue moon total lunar eclipse in the U.S. since March 1866, less than a year after the Civil War ended, according to EarthSky.org.

A blue moon — which occur about every 2½ years — is another term for the second full moon in a single calendar month. January's first full moon occurred Jan. 1.

Though the exact moment of this full moon is 8:37 a.m. ET Jan. 31, the moon will appear plenty full for a day or two before and after that.

However, the moon won't actually appear blue.

As for the total lunar eclipse, it will be visible early in the morning of Jan. 31 from western North America across the Pacific to eastern Asia, NASA said.

In the United States, the best view of the eclipse will be along the West Coast. For skywatchers in the central and eastern U.S., only a partial eclipse will be visible, as the moon will set before totality.

“The lunar eclipse on January 31 will be visible during moonset," said Noah Petro, a research scientist from NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. "Folks in the eastern United States, where the eclipse will be partial, will have to get up in the morning to see it."

The eclipse will last almost 3½ hours from the beginning of the partial phase at 3:48 a.m. PT until it ends at 7:12 a.m. PT, according to Sky and Telescope. Totality lasts a generous 77 minutes, from 4:51 a.m. PT to 6:08 a.m. PT.

By that time, however, the moon will already have set in the eastern time zone.

The full moon will take on a dark, reddish appearance during the eclipse, so another word to describe it is a blood moon. Adding to the naming confusion, this full moon was also known as the "snow moon" by some Native American tribes.

Finally, a supermoon occurs when the full moon is at the closest point of its orbit to the Earth, which is also called the perigee.

That makes the moon look extra-close and extra bright — up to 14% bigger and 30% brighter than a full moon at its farthest point from Earth, known as the apogee, NASA said.