“Now is the winter of our discontent.” First, it was a line from Shakespeare’s play, “Richard III.” Then it became John Steinbeck’s last novel. I (Doug) have to confess, I haven’t read either one. But all of a sudden, it feels like we are LIVING a “winter of discontent.” Between “the Corona,” social distancing, political upheaval, and everything else, I’ve still concluded — living, working, loving, and dying… it all takes such perseverance and resilience!
Recently, my (Doug’s) interest in astronomy has reawakened. I traded up telescopes and was outside, getting accustomed to the new scope one night earlier this week. I came across Barnard 33 (otherwise known as the Horsehead Nebula). As I studied all the hot gases, dust clouds and dark material, venting from this region of crazy conflict and examined the sheer explosion of new star material being flung for light-years out into space, suddenly I realized – in the midst of all these fierce explosions, there was an unmistakable beauty: majesty in the midst of chaos. (At left is a picture I snapped while studying the crazy-majestic nebula, B33. Is God powerful or what? For those interested in the tech, I was using my new 8″ Rowe-Ackermann Schmidt Astrograph telescope with a ZWO ASI183MC Pro imager using Sharpcap in real-time with no post-processing whatsoever. This picture was not retouched in Photoshop. You’re looking at exactly what I captured as I observed. Barnard 33 is approximately 1,375 light-years from Earth. By the way, can you find the horse’s head?)
2020 has been like that. Many of us have endured the heaviest of confusing burdens. Many have suffered. So now, more than ever before, it underscores — in everything we face, pandemic or worse, we need to persevere in prayer and faithfulness to the Father. And we need somehow to find peace and solace in that — in his sovereignty. We’re grateful for your partnership and shared vision throughout 2020. We’re thankful that you choose to walk the journey of life, uphill or down, with Brigada. And now, more than ever, in the middle of this 2020 “winter of our discontent,” we here at Brigada are asking our powerful God to strengthen and bless you this Christmas — in spite of it all!
Great shot Doug. Truly the heavens declare the glory of God. Ps 19:1
Love this! Thanks Doug. Where did you have to go to escape the light pollution around here?
Hi Chris. Great to hear from you. These are the #EmeraldHillsSkies! I have a $240 Light Pollution Filter that takes out 4 very narrow spectrum elements (like Sodium, for example) which just happen to be the most serious night-sky light-dome offenders. Hard to believe it can sort out this kind of nebula shot just 7 minutes outside the Snyder! Thanks for the encouragement! I’m loving it.
Thanks for sharing Doug. I didn’t realize that such equipment was available to “non-professionals” for exploring the wonders of God’s outer space.
Hi John. You actually weren’t far from being right. This equipment WOULDN’T have been available (at least in an affordable form) even 5 years ago. It’s all converged in these three technologies just during the last 5 years — the right optics with the right software with the right CMOS camera tech. Amazing. And they all three needed each other to succeed!
I cane across this fro 1999 (when we were in the “winter of Y2K) as I was looking for something for this year’s Christmas greeting. Here is my “answer” to what you are calling the “winter of discontent”:
In the Beginning
was the WORD; the WORD
was made flesh and dwelt among us!
John 1:14
In all of history, there has…
Never been a cross-cultural venture of greater significance;
Never a farewell more unique than when the Son stood on the threshold of time and said, “Good-bye” to His Heavenly Father;
Never a communication barrier more difficult to bridge than for the Creator of language to learn to speak as a baby;
Never a discipline more important than for the Ruler of the Universe to learn obedience from Mary and Joseph;
Never a change of role more dramatic than for the King of Kings to become the Servant of all;
Never a greater identification with another culture than for the Christ to set aside all of His Heavenly prerogatives and take on Himself the form of a man;
Never a greater gift to us than for God, the Son to die for our sins and give us eternal life;
Never a better time than now to receive that gift if you have not yet done so!
For His honor and glory.
~~~~Neal Pirolo
© 1999
(Share widely, with attribution. Thanks.)
Nice, Neal!!!
Amazing pic, Doug!
You’re nice to encourage a learner!