Not as Invincible as We Think

by Dan McKinnon, Publisher, On the Shore magazine

My wife and I were at a convention in Washington, DC the end of September in 2008. Mind you, the convention had been planned nearly a year prior. Well, the agenda included the normal meetings and nationally known speakers in the Christian community and also included transportation for thousands of us to go by bus to the front steps of the capital to pray for our nation and its leaders.

Who would have known a month ago, let alone a year ago, that at this very moment in time intense deliberations would be taking place intended to save and restore the financial structure of our nation. As Congress met -- God's people prayed.

Throughout history many nations have come and gone. Past leaders, no matter how great, are merely faint memories. But the one who is truly in control (He tells the sun to rise and the stars to light the night sky) is the only one still relevant, the only one who deserves our trust, and the only one who has passed history's test. Some wonder, would our nation be better off under a monarchy -- a king? One that at will could decide the fate of a people? Well, we have that all powerful King who is our hope and future. He knows the beginning from the end. He has the answer for every why.

It's during times like these that I really question what's wrong with this world -- of those that put themselves before their Creator. Why would anyone bring children into this world and give them nothing lasting to believe in, nothing to comfort them in their times of fear and uncertainty? Who among us believes that within ourselves we hold the keys to the future -- the fix to an economy, the existence or extinction of a nation? Who do we think we are?

Oftentimes I want my words to be encouraging and non-judgmental. The creed I try to march by is "Let the walk exemplify the talk." I have believed that if that is done, others will listen and they will follow. Lead by example and to go out of our way to do what's right. Today, I feel a call, maybe only for today, but the call is this. We need to wake up. We are not as invincible as we think. We really aren't all that.

We all, really, do lead by example, those around us -- our children, our friends and our coworkers. For those of us who are parents, none of us know if or when a child will come to a tragic moment in his or her life, where he or she will have to dig back to the principles they were raised with to survive. At that time, what we have planted into them may be their only aid.

Parents, are we teaching our children that being a good person is enough? What, then, when they need assurance? They may not believe that they are a "good person." They may be caught in despair, drugs or broken relationships. Many times we teach them, without having said a word, that only the weak grasp at the unseen God. Or maybe they've heard, "Suck it up, be strong, you create and govern your life. There are no Divine appointments."

Is this what we really want to communicate to our children? Well then, it's good luck to them, because luck will be the only thing they will cling to.

Let's not be fooled. There are Divine appointments; even as some thought back to when our nation was on its knees, a year prior plans were being made to have people of prayer at the steps of our capital.

You each have a Divine appointment, planned years before your crisis comes. However, we are not robots without choice; rather we have been created with a free will, in part to believe or not believe, to influence or be influenced, to make a difference or to just take up space.

People are watching -- family, children, friends, coworkers, and the whole world around you -- and the one we must be most concerned about is the Lord. He also watches and asks, "What will you do with me? What will your children do with me? What will your nation do?"

"Righteousness exalts a nation." -- Proverbs 14:34

The Lakeshore Sky Watcher

by Jonathan Truax, MCC Astronomer

November can be a difficult month for star gazing. Nights in November are frequently cloudy here in Michigan, yet the clear nights offer a chance to enjoy the stars of autumn as well a preview of some of the best stars of winter. Sky watchers will also have opportunities to enjoy four planets this month.

After sunset this month, the brilliant planet Jupiter is visible in the east. Look for a bright yellow-white "star," much brighter than any star in that section of the sky. The waxing gibbous moon will be near Jupiter the nights of November 8 and 9.

Venus is a challenging planet for sky watchers at the start of the month. Locate Venus as a very brilliant yellow-white "star" low in the southwest, about 30 minutes after sunset. A good clear horizon will be essential since the planet is only about 10 degrees above the horizon early in November. The altitude will grow larger as the month passes making Venus easier to spot in the evening twilight.

The red planet Mars is best seen before dawn this month. Look for a fairly bright orange-red "star" among the stars of Leo the Lion. By Dawn, Mars is seen high in the south. The morning of November 19, the waning crescent moon is south of Mars.

During November, the planet Saturn is best seen by sky watchers about an hour before sunrise. Locate Saturn east of the blue first magnitude star Spica of Virgo, in the south southeast at dawn. The waning crescent moon will be very close to Saturn the morning of November 22.

The Leonid meteor shower reaches peak activity during the early morning hours of November 17. Normally sky watchers can enjoy at least 25 meteors per hour coming from Leo. Meteors will appear in any direction of the sky, but their paths will trace back to Leo. Bright moonlight this year will make seeing faint meteors difficult.

As darkness falls after sunset during November, the "Summer Triangle" made of the three bright stars Vega, Altair, and Deneb is high in the west. Low in the west, orange Arcturus, brightest star of summer is still visible. Looking low on the north horizon, locate the "Big Dipper" formed by the stars of Ursa Major. High in the north, locate the "W" formed by the stars of Cassiopeia. Low in the northeast, locate the bright yellow star Capella of Auriga, the charioteer. The winter constellation of Taurus can be seen rising low on the east horizon. Look for the Pleiades star cluster, seen as a tiny "dipper" of stars, high in the east. On November 11, the waning moon is in Taurus near the Pleiades and the Hyades star clusters. Looking low in the south, locate the bright white star Fomalhaut, Alpha Piscis Austrini, the only bright star in the south and west of Jupiter.

The MCC Carr-Fles Planetarium presents free of charge "Star of Wonder" every Tuesday and Thursday at 7:00 p.m., during the month of November. Call (231) 777-0289 for sky show information.

For nearly 40 years, Muskegon Community College's Carr-Fles Planetarium has presented shows for school groups, families and community members. The Foundation for Muskegon Community College launched a campaign to fund upgrades to the planetarium. Those interested in the campaign can contact Tina Dee, Director of Community Relations/Foundation Director at (231) 777-0660 or visit www.muskegoncc.edu/reachforthestars.