These are the words of famed cosmologist Stephen Hawking on God... and he certainly is not the last word on the subject of religion or God, or even the universe. The last book I read of his was, "The Universe in a Nutshell." The thing that struck me most was, that for a man who professes to "believe" in Science, he has more faith than I do. He has faith in the power of his own mind, though his body has so apparently failed him.  And, this is strange, in my opinion, seeing his take on the power of the brain, and that he expects it's power to terminate at death.
     He envisions our mind as the product of a supercomputer, that was not intelligently designed, and morphed into being on its own. He believes in spontaneous generation of life... of universes... of the cosmos. Yet, he does not believe in a resurrection, a higher power, a supreme being, or a different state of existence for mankind. He only believes in what his fragile mind can conceive, as if the human mind isn't as prone to failure as the rest of the body. And, as if the brain is not a part of the body. Clearly, this is flawed reasoning, as his brain is his god.
    "I see Earth! It is so beautiful!" These were the words of the first man in space... Yuri Gagarin. The 12th of April was Yuri's Night, the anniversary of Yuri's famous Sputnik capsule spin around our planet. Though his flight would have international implications, and propel the U.S. organization to push their plans for the Moon landing up, now Yuri's Night is celebrated around the world each year. Star Parties, and what have you.  Here is a remake of an old video I've shown before, which I see has been removed since I blogged about this a year ago. The music is different, but it appears to be the same video image colorized. (I liked the original better :)

    But, imagine what the first men to view Earth from the planet would have seen, on foot. Imagine you are the first man, Adam, and walking around the Earth for the very first time. I can just hear Adam's words, with God walking beside him. "Adamah, it's so beautiful God!" For, Adam was named  after the Earth since he came from the ground, much like naming a boy Clay now. 
     Now, imagine when we walk our eternal homeland. Heaven will be a paradise unimagined heretofore. Past limitations will have no meaning there. The solar system will not be an unknown. No longer will mankind suffer and war. We will all be at peace. I know others have sung a song they titled "Imagine." But, just imagine with me that there is a God, and all the people are waiting to meet their Maker. Imagine we see the Light of God in all His splendor, and all the atheistic, agnostic fears are dispelled finally and God is revealed to man. What will be your words?

      But, more than imagining the removal of earthly limitations, and the beauty of heaven; imagine living a life that is for someone else, rather than for the greatest value for ourselves while here on Earth. What if I spend my "threescore and ten," minus the fourteen years before I met Jesus, entirely for God? What if I give myself to His service and glory, and become a vessel of His praise? Is that of value to anyone here on Earth? That is determined by what happens in those minutes after the components of our brain stop working, as referred to by Stephen Hawking. If there was nothing before Creation, and there is nothing after death, then I've lived my life for an idea... a thought, which is exactly what Stephen is doing at 71 years of age. He is living for the thoughts of his own ideology. No more...no less. Same/same. But, if God is and was, if He will be and awaits me; then I will have lived for so much more than I could ever be within the limits of my own imaginings. I will have lived for the glory of the magnificent Creator of all that Stephen worships.
     If Stephen is right, then our brain is no better than a stick, since it will fall into the earth and rot... and the remains will lay motionless for hundreds of years like a rock. This makes his trust of the human brain as ultimately evolved as ancient man who worshiped stone statues. I may as well worship my big toe, without which I could not walk. If I did, then my God would be dead if I could no longer walk. Likewise, since Science can not be comprehended by late stage Alzheimer patients, then their brain can not be a god; else it would be a dying god.
     If Stephen is right, then he very soon will be dead, as is the fate of all of mankind. Then what will it matter if we understand anything at all? How is it for the most value to know anything, if we all die and go to the grave in the end? Why care where the Earth came from, or where it is going...unless, of course, somewhere out there, there will be a meeting with eternity?

     Does it sometimes feel as if it would kill you to forgive? No, we never feel that way. Or at least I don't. Most of the time, we just feel as if it would be so unjust to forgive an offense against us, or our loved ones. We think of it in terms of justice, as if holding the grudge is a punishment held against the offender, and they deserve it. In reality, the grudge is a malfunction of our own hearts... a mechanical breakdown... a fear of loving. The human heart was never made to hold a grudge. We were made to love and praise God. Nothing in the original Creation was made to frustrate or upset man. He was given all his heart could desire, yet something in his heart misfired... at a mere suggestion made by a serpent. After the Fall of Adam & Eve, man began to feel the emotion of unforgiveness. But, this mechanical breakdown of the heart can be remedied. After I explain, I will share with you 7 ways to forgive your brother.

     Today, as well as in Bible, the words "feelings" and "thoughts" are used interchangeably as functions of both the mind and heart. The fact is, the human brain is a fluid thing, and is affected by the things we see, hear, touch, smell, and taste. Our life experiences alter us and shape us, as an ongoing process. The heart itself is assigned functions of emotions by many. The brain is seen as the "thinker." But, realistically, the thinking brain has a filtering system of values that we use to make cognitive decisions on every topic. There is, after all, a reason most men like bacon. Why do men like bacon? Think about that for a moment. The brain does not just think rationally without input from emotions.
     And, where do your emotions come from? They are partly influenced by hormones secreted from glands, which have nothing to do with the brain or logical thought. Yet, no one could deny that emotions influence our decisions. Look back at the bacon question. A strip of bacon has very little actual meat. Bacon is a huge percentage fat, and will not provide the protein that would fill us up. Compare a slice of bacon, or two, or three, to a ribeye steak. There really is no comparison, is there? Which one is more filling? Yet, you do not see the media craze for steak that you do for bacon. Bacon is portrayed as meat for a hearty appetite. This is illogical, to say the least. I would choose steak over bacon any day, logically! Yet, many value bacon. Their mental value filters tell them to think of the bacon as good.
     The heart functions mechanically by a series of valves that circulate blood; which issues life throughout the body, (if we don't eat too much bacon.) The brain functions mechanically in a similar way; in that neurons fire off electrical impulses, which travel along synapses through the nervous system of the body. This dual fluid and charge system makes up our life force. Blood and neuronal impulses are constantly regenerated throughout the body. What the heart and brain receive,they have already sent out. They get nothing they haven't already given. What they give, they will get in return.
     Likewise, when dealing with sociological concerns like mercy and forgiveness, we can not physically receive what we do not give. If we criticize those around us, we will "feel" condemnation in return.

     Will itself will not change our emotions, but rather will gives us the power to change our emotions. Changes in emotion are made by changing our actions and thoughts. Thoughts are themselves exchangeable by changing actions. Therefore, most emotions are exchangeable by changing our mode of action.
     Likewise, we can choose as a matter of will to forgive others. That is usually the way it is done, since God does not rescind our human will, and coerce forgiveness. There are many good ways to help yourself forgive someone, short of dying on a cross. Below are 7 ways I have tried myself, and they always seem to work for me. If you find them useful, feel free to drop me a note to let me know.

#1: Forgive Vicariously!
     If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, then you have received forgiveness by being washed, metaphorically, in the blood of the cross. What this means, is that since Jesus died in your place, the blood He shed was an act that covers your sins.  If you have received this forgiveness, then you have already directly been exposed to forgiveness, first hand.  He has basically given us a figurative "blood transfusion;" replacing the unforgiveness and evil nature inside of man with His own goodness, through the cleansing power of the blood. This forgiveness for our sins killed Jesus. It may kill you, figuratively to forgive some offenses. But, you have an example. You can forgive those who offend you vicariously, that is through the actions of someone else, Jesus Christ. 

#2: Forgive as an Example!
     If someone is always being critical of you, try forgiving them for a mistake they make. If you can't find something to forgive them for, forgive someone else in their presence.  Criticism is a physical problem that can be remedied by repeated exposure to forgiveness. Seeing examples of forgiveness cures a condemning spirit. Choosing to forgive others is a way that we can demonstrate the power and forgiveness of Jesus to the world.

#3: Forgive in Proxy!
     If you no longer have contact with the person who has hurt you, because of death or distance, choose a person who has the same problems or vices that the offender had, and forgive them. Remember, forgive is a verb -an action word. Physically doing something for this person to help them with a problem their vice has caused will result in an internal release of forgiveness. For example, if a parent was an alcoholic, and caused you anguish throughout your life, but they are no longer living for you to practice the action of forgiving, help someone with a drinking problem, or volunteer at a rehab clinic. Actively helping someone stop an offense that has hurt you in the past, will allow them to receive your forgiveness as a stand-in. You benefit by releasing forgiveness out of your own heart for the person who is gone, into the life of another person who will live better because of your gift of forgiveness.

#4: Forgive in Increments!
     If what someone has done hurt you too deeply and traumatically for forgiveness, then choose a small part of their mistake to forgive for starters. By chipping away the unforgivable bit by bit, you will find you have no grudges left. Bitterness drains your heart's reserves. Forgiveness gives you power.

#5: Forgive early; Forgive often!
     Forgiveness is accumulative. Practice forgiveness by forgiving "little crimes." Repeat as often as necessary, until you find your heart is overflowing with forgiveness. The most difficult time to forgive is when we are "running on empty" and feeling like we are drained. Store up forgiveness, because you never know when the hard years will come, and you may have to hurt for awhile. When that happens, you will be thankful that your heart is full of forgiveness, and you find it easy to release the pain into forgiving someone else, because you have been learning to forgive all along.

#6: Forgive Yourself!
     Offenses hurt the offender, too. Sometimes you were punished for those things you did wrong, and that hurt. So, you need to forgive yourself for hurting yourself like that. Spend one week listing everything you've done in your life that was wrong, mean, or painful for anyone else. It will take at least a week, because we often block our own offenses out of our memory. Write it down even if you weren't caught, because you suffered mentally, and emotionally in some way for having done it: guilt, shame, bad dreams, fear of discovery. You can keep a running list in a note-taking app like Evernote. After 7 days, mark the offenses off your list one at a time as you tell yourself you are forgiven. This may sound like faulty logic for a moment, unless you realize, you really are being forgiven, because you are forgiven by yourself. You may not be forgiven by the person you wronged, but you forgive yourself. 

#7: Forgive like Jesus!
     The mercy you get is the mercy you give from your own heart. It works like the circulatory sstem I mentioned at the beginning. Forgiveness pumped out; forgiveness pumped in! Bitterness out; bitterness in! Mercy out; mercy in! This flow chart assures us that we get what we give. Jesus forgave us of all the sins and offenses we have ever committed. If you are yet unforgiven, you can repent, or turn from your sins right this very moment, and be converted to the Gospel of Jesus. Jesus is the ultimate forgiver. He gives, and He forgives, and He keeps on giving. His heart works! If we close our hearts up, and refuse to allow mercy and forgiveness to flow through us, then we will be unable to receive forgiveness ourselves. If we are already forgiven, then the same forgiveness that flows into our heart, can flow out of our hearts by an act of will, just as Jesus willed Himself to forgive on the cross.  Remember, the mercy you get is the mercy you give from your own heart. Choose to forgive! Forgive like Jesus!

     We tend to think that where we are doesn't really matter much in the scheme of things... at least not to God. But, the reality of the matter is that the Bible is a Geography textbook, and God is a navigator, a surveyor, and a cartographer all at once where His children are concerned. When looking at the care He took with where they were and where they were going in the book of Genesis, I'm surprised he didn't create cell phones with GPS on the 8th Day. God didn't get any laxer as time passed and the nation of Israel aged into a country. 
     Looking through the first part of the book of Genesis, we see God quickly embroiled in a game of 20 Questions when His children became distant and quit talking. The very first recorded words God spoke in an actual conversation with man, were in the form of a question, when like any young child, they were hiding from Him. The questions continued, occurring frequently as the first recorded part of His conversation with different people. I've listed the first ten, with the references where I found them.

1. Where are you? Genesis 3:9
2. Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree, of which I commanded you that you should not eat?  Genesis 3:11
3. What is this that you have done? Genesis 3:13
4. Why are you angry? Genesis 4:6
5. Where is your brother? Genesis 4:9
6. What have you done? Genesis 4:10
7. Where did you come from and where will you go? Genesis 16:8 (an Angel of the Lord)
8. Where is your wife? Genesis 18:9
9. Why did Sarah laugh? Genesis 18:13
10. What ails you, Hagar? Genesis 21:17 (an Angel of the Lord)

     Notice that the two questions asked of Hagar are listed as questions from an "Angel of the Lord." Regadless, of whether this spirit was the Lord Himself, or an angel, the words were from God and delivered by God's messenger.  Notice also, that the questions trickle out after chapter four and Cain kills Abel, and men begin to multiply. It's as if God steps back and watches silently for a bit to see what these guys are going to do next. He notices their misdeeds, but remains silent, pondering. There in Genesis 4:26 is where they get their cell phones, because the Bible records that it was then that men began to call home... (*weak analogy, I know but work with me here please.)

     He intervenes when necessary, as with the Tower of Babel, but for the most part lets them have free will. It is interesting that He confuses and scatters their languages at a time when they are not talking to Him. It's as if He says, "Hey, I'm still here! Don't answer when I call and I'll take your talking privileges. You won't even be able to talk to your buddies." We know from the story of Enoch and Noah that God continued to have actual conversations openly with some of the men who would talk to Him. But, we don't really see that happening otherwise, until Abraham came along. Then, not only did the conversation and easy friendship resume, but God asked questions again, trying to engage His son in a give-and-take relational conversation; not an easy job for most parents.
     There were a couple of questions recorded, where men actually asked God something, just in the way of conversation. Both were indicative of argumentative type quarrels.

Man's first Questions:
1. Am I my brother's keeper? Genesis 4:9
2. What will you Give me? Genesis 15:2 

     Umhmm! You have to actually clear your throat a bit as you overhear those two conversations. Almost embarrassing for the Dad. They weren't really bickering over chores and allowances in those two cases. The first was not about the workload, but a diversionary question from a young man who didn't want to admit a murderous deed. The second was not about wanting something, but an aging son accusing his Father for what He never gave him. 
     I've spent quite a long time covering the actual questions, but my point is going somewhere here. And, that is the point... going somewhere. Yes, God is a geographer. He was concerned about where Adam and Eve were, where Abel had gone, where Hagar and Sarah were, why they were crying and laughing, and where they were going, and yes... what was in their wombs. He wasn't being nosy... just a concerned, loving parent to adult children. And, He just happened to be God.
     He never stopped caring about where they were. He told Noah what to do, Abraham where to go, and Moses what to say. He led the wandering children of Israel across the wilderness and to a promised piece of land. He later sent them down to Babylon. Then, He brought them back out to Israel. There is much indication that God is concerned with where we are geographically. It leads me to believe that we would all be better off if we asked for God's advice before moving from where we are, if we don't want to lose contact.

***My review of Tess on GoodReads.com follows.

     But, imagine what the first men to view Earth from the planet would have seen, on foot. Imagine you are the first man, Adam, and walking around the Earth for the very first time. I can just hear Adam's words, with God walking beside him. "Adamah, it's so beautiful God!" For, Adam was named  after the Earth since he came from the ground, much like naming a boy Clay now. 
     Now, imagine when we walk our eternal homeland. Heaven will be a paradise unimagined heretofore. Past limitations will have no meaning there. The solar system will not be an unknown. No longer will mankind suffer and war. We will all be at peace. I know others have sung a song they titled "Imagine." But, just imagine with me that there is a God, and all the people are waiting to meet their Maker. Imagine we see the Light of God in all His splendor, and all the atheistic, agnostic fears are dispelled finally and God is revealed to man. What will be your words?
And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvelous are your works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are your ways, you King of saints. Who shall not fear you, O Lord, and glorify your name? for you only are holy: for all nations shall come and worship before you; for your judgments are made manifest. Revelation 15:3-4