FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2022, SPIRITUAL THOUGHTS

 FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2022 SPIRITUAL THOUGHTS

Creator of the University

1) “Astronomers have an estimate of between about 100 and 200 billion galaxies.”

2) “On 4 November 2013, astronomers reported, based on Kepler space mission data, that there could be as many as 40 billion Earth-sized planets orbiting in the habitable zones of Sun-like stars and red dwarfs within the Milky Way.”

3) “11 billion of these estimated planets may be orbiting Sun-like stars. The nearest such planet may be 12 light-years away, according to scientists. As of June 2021, a total of 59 potentially habitable exoplanets have been found.

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“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the Earth” 

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For Centuries, man has lived on this planet and stared at the night sky.  Ancient man found planets and stars (as noted by their orbits, and light emission - planets only reflect light).  In the last five centuries, we’ve moved from fairly simple telescopes to very complex and accurate telescopes.  

Looking at the data - #1  - an estimated 100 and 200 billion GALAXIES; galaxies (like the Milky Way) can contain many stars, and stars may have planets that orbit them.  

From #2 - there could be as many as 40 billion Earth-sized planets orbiting Sun-like stars.  

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I am trying hard not to extrapolate and say “There are probably other planets with life on them.”  I don’t know.  My belief in an all-powerful, infinite, all-knowing God suggests that there might be other planets with life.  And, does that affect or alter my beliefs?

Actually, it does. It affects my Bible Study.  Since much of the Old Testament is about our Jewish brothers - Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, David, and the prophets - if God was to set up life on other planets - would it be the same?  Would Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob be there?  Would the Biblical books be there?  

Let’s be honest, I love the Bible.  I quote the Bible frequently.  It is my source of faith - ON THIS PLANET.  It comes with warts, good and evil, and a redeemer born as a human and God.   In the beginning, was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him, nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.  The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (From John 1) 

IF there were life on some other orb circling some other star, would it be the same?  Somehow I doubt it. So the Bible is for Earth followers of the infinite, all-powerful being that created the university, just like the Holy Document (made up name) book for followers of that infinite, all-powerful being on planet Karen (made up planet name).  

I don’t know if God so loved the world (aka - the universe) that he gave His son to redeem all the worlds (planets).  

God’s ways are not my ways, but if there are billions of stars might there also be billions of planets that might have life?  Then is that planet and that life similar to the Earth?  

Interesting - and challenging.  Does this affect my beliefs on this particular planet?  

I guess I can’t let the “maybe” of other planets, other people, go in one ear and out the other.  Does that change how I live?  How do I believe? Not really.  

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LOVE WINS - on all the other planets and on our planet; LOVE WINS - with human beings (earth), and whatever beings might (or might not) exist.

God can make a trillion or more stars, and a trillion or more planets, and a trillion or more beings on those planets - God is God - he can do anything - and everything.  [Aside, my brain just picked God playing golf - and getting a hole-in-one on every hole!!!]

Because God made mosquitos and I don’t like mosquitos, can I conclude that God is unfair?  Or can I shrug it off saying “God is all-powerful, and, hey, if he wants to create mosquitos or whatever - he sure can?

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Karen, you are babbling today. 

Yes, I guess so.  (Who am I to judge God’s work?).  If there are planets and living beings - great.  Should I allow it to affect me?  NO

LOVE WINS

LOVE TRANSFORMS

KAREN ANNE WHITE, ©, DECEMBER 30, 2022