Tabernacle, Temple, Dome

Many, many moons ago, God spoke to Abraham; told him to leave the land of his birth and move to another place. By and by, the Lord directed Abraham to that special place.

After that, a lot happened. We’ve learned a lot about it from our ancient books, most notably the Genesis, which Moses wrote many years later. 

Moses wrote for prosperity an account of how Abraham’s descendants, generally known as Jews, followed Abraham’s great grandson Abraham to Egypt, where the Jewish people became enslaved and labored for about 400 years.

God raised up Moses to lead the Jews out of Egypt, and ultimately into a land of their own, a land generally known now as Israel. 

Before they were able to get established in that Promised Land, they wandered in the desert for forty years.

While there, put together a tabernacle, wherein they would worship God, known to them as YWHW (pardon my English) 

The tabernacle looked something like this:

They later built a temple, but invaders from the east tore it down. 

After many years, Nehemiah, Ezra, et al were able to get back to Jerusalem and rebuild their Temple.

Many years later, a Jewish Roman governor, Herod, saw to it that another Temple was built. 

Years later, the Romans destroyed that temple after a Jewish rebellion. Jesus had warned the people that something like that would happen.

After a few more centuries had passed, Mohammed established the Islamic faith as a way for Moslems to pray to Allah. 

For what it’s worth, I’ve always thought that “Allah” sounds mysteriously like “Elohim,” but that’s neither here nor there.

It seems to me they are praying to the same Deity, but only God knows what’s really going on behind all of that human religion.

Many years after that, a Moslem conqueror supervised the erection of the shrine, now known as the Dome of the Rock. 

Tradition has it that the Dome signifies the spot where Abraham had almost sacrificed Isaac. But God sent an animal to be sacrificed instead of Isaac. 

Islamic tradition holds that Mohammed was taken on a night journey to that sacred spot, where he was enabled to climb a rope or a ladder or something like that, up to the heavenly realm, to receive revelation. On his way back down, Mohammed met Moses, as the Muslims believe. I suppose we'll get more info about all that when we get to heaven.

Nowadays, you can visit the site:

In this picture I took, an edge of the Dome can be seen. To the right we see a large open area that would probably be of sufficient size for the Jews to build a new temple. And they all lived happily ever after. haha. Just sayin’. 

Anyway, I wrote a song about it all. In 1980, I was able, with a little help from me friends, to record the song. If you care to, listen to it here:  

http://www.micahrowland.com/carey/WeGottaSong.mp3

Glass half-Full 

Those Tricky Quantum Fields

Across several centuries of recent time, scientists and mathematicians  have discovered many facts about what our Universe is, how it works and even how it must have begun.

Using mathematical deduction and scientific experiments, physicists have projected back in time to theorize an event that has come to be known as the Big Bang. 

In a recent lecture at Cambridge University, professor David Tong stretches the knowledge base of his listeners to a new level of understanding about that Big Bang beginning.

David Tong's lecture

Through the scope of scientific analysis, scientists and mathematicians have gathered known data sufficiently to begin comprehending the conditions that preceded this present world.

In his lecture, David Tong presents an equation that he calls the Theory of Everything. The long string of math he displays is a combination of work done primarily by Albert Einstein, James Clerk Maxwell, Paul Dirac and Peter Higgs.

I find this fascinating, even though I can only begin to comprehend its meaning. But it must be something very important because Dr. Tong explains:

“This equation correctly predicts the result of every single experiment we have done in science.”

Wow!

Dr. Tong goes on to explain that mathematics is essential for analyzing and explaining the expanding universe. But it only takes us so far.

Some attributes of the Universe are beyond mathematical description. The interaction of quantum vacuum fluctuations after the Big Bang is beyond mathematics, as nearly as the searchers can figure so far. A mysterious “flickering” of the great post-Bang fireball is a feature of the expanding universe that still causes physicists to scratch their heads. 

In looking for patterns that give hint of the structure beneath . . . something deeper than just the elements, David Tong expresses a sudden uncharacteristic befuddlement:

“Maybe there’s not three forces in the universe, maybe just one force; the idea of grand unification. . . One that appears to be Three.”

. . . which reminded me of a snippet of ancient Scripture that I  discovered, Providentially, somewhere along my life journey:

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him . . . in Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, but the darkness comprehended it not.”

But we do keep trying to explain it. That’s what humans do. And we do appreciate those teachers, such as David Tong, who continue to enlighten us about the mysterious workings of the Universe.

Glass Chimera 

Rising Above it All

 Beginning with an old piece of history  from a long time ago. . .

 Jacob came to a certain place and spent the night there, because the sun had set; and he took one of the stones of that place and put it under his head and laid down.

He had a dream: Behold, a ladder was set on the earth with its top reaching to heaven; and behold the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. . .

. . . and then . . . about 1800 years passed . . .

Jesus spoke into history: “I’m telling you, you will see the heavens opened and the angels of God  descending on the Son of Man.”

Explanation song:               Traveler’s Rest:  

King of Soul

Gone With the Win

The Donald called  down to Georgia and he was lookin’ for some votes to find.

But after a while he found himself in a bind

‘cuz the victory he sought was just his imagination.

Instead of votes he caught a bundle of allegations.

Coupl’a years later allegations morphed to litigations.

Litigations spun out indictments

pertaining to Jan6 incitements. 

Indictments spun out arraignments,

then the Donald mugshot in confinement

with trumpers caught in conspiring RICO.

Still yet the Donald’s puffing up his ego,

fearing that his Oval will be Gone with the Biden Wind,

the Donald sent down to Georgia some of his political friends

to falsify  Elector selections

thus scrambling the presidential election

in his direction.

So the Donald sent down to Georgia

lookin’ for some operatives to wheel and deal

in a RICO to Start-the-Steal.

They were expecting to find

a genteel, agreeable Tara clime,

with peaches prepared by some Aunt Jemima Mammy.

But instead they encountered a  DA  named Fani!

Now the trump hump is gone with the wind,

gone with the Biden win

never to be trumped-up again

as Georgians emphasize 

in their Rhett Butler disguise:

Frankly my dear donald we don’t give a dam!

even as the MakeAngryGangsAttackers still scam

to regurgitate their zombie prez

still yet doing whatever donald sez.

But down here in the DeepSouth, y’all,

 we conscientious objectors still say,

as Miss Scarlett did on that long-ago day:

“Tomorrow is another day!”

and “Donald, would you please just go away!"

Glass half-Full 

Dog Whistle Days

 In contemporary slang, “dog whistle” is a spoken message that carries a hidden meaning. donald trump utters them frequently to communicate improper messages to his gangs.

Dog whistle#1, spoken by donald trump while in a debate with Joe Biden : “Proud boys, stand back and stand by.”

Dogs’ active response: January 6, 2021. Proud Boys, after standing back for a few months, attacked and vandalized our US Capitol. Their intent was to assist their handler in stealing the Presidency.

Dog whistle #2, spoken by donald trump on Jan6, as his riotous gang of Proud boys, Oath-keepers and other rebels approached our US Capitol to steal the Presidency for their handler trump: 

“. . . you'll never take back our country with weakness . . .You have to show strength, and you have to be strong."

Dogs’ active response: At the Capitol insurrection on Jan6,  the “strength” mustered up by trump’s rebels was used to:

*defy our Constitution and our rule of Law.

* illegally disrupt the Congressional counting of Electoral Votes

*vandalize our US Capitol

*shit in the halls

*violently attack our Capitol Police and Metro DC Police

*kill a few of the brave Law officers who were defending our Republic and our Capitol

Dog whistle #? (there have been many), recently spoken in a radio interview when he was asked about the possibility of federal prosecutor Jack Smith sending him to jail: 

“I think it’ (prosecuting donald trump) ’s  a very dangerous thing to even talk about  because we do have a tremendously passionate group of voters. . . “ maybe 100 maybe 120. . . much more passion that they had in 2020 and much more passion than they had in 2016. I think. . . it would be very dangerous.”

Note 1: That word “passionate” in trump’s quote above is code for violent.

Note 2: “maga”  in a dog-whistle stands for make american gangs assault.

Note 3: “dangerous” means Somebody will probably get  killed.

Furthermore, We the People (which includes me) implore trump’s dogs of Rebel War  to stand back and stand down.  Fugedaboudit. A jailbird is not worth the hunt.

Now is the time for all good men and women to come to the aid of our country. Indict the insurrectionists and the rioters into  the Courts of Justice before it’s too late to deliver our nation from the dogs of war. 

Glass half-Full

Lincoln Legacy in Danger

 Something was lost, but something was found. . . in a Civil War battlefield at Gettysburg.

They walked up the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.

When they reached the top, Bridget was gazing, like most everyone else who ascends here, with rapt interest at the seated statue. But Marcus, holding Bridget’s hand, gently prodded her to keep moving, slowly to the left, through the myriad of ambling visitors.

They came to an inner sanctum. Carved on the white marble wall in front of them were the words of the slain President’s Gettysburg address. Marcus stopped, taking in the enormity of it, both physically and philosophically. He was looking at the speech intently. Bridget was looking at him.

After a few moments: “Isn’t that amazing?

“Yes.” She could see that he was thinking hard about something. The great chamber echoed a murmur of humankind.

“Supreme irony.” The longing of a nation’s soul reverberated through the memorial… in the soundings of children, the whisperings of passersby. Deep within Marcus’ soul, something sacred was stirring, and she could see it coming forth.

“The world will little note, nor long remember, what we say here, but can never forget what they did here.” He was reading aloud Lincoln's words on the white wall.

But for the echoes of a million people who had passed through this place, there was silence. After a moment, Bridget responded. “…and yet, there it is carved on the wall, for all to see: ‘the world will little note what we say here….’”

“Right, Bridget. Isn’t it amazing?”

Suddenly, amid the noise was a loud shouting.

Marcus could hear where it was coming from. He moved quickly away, toward the noise, to see what was happening. Bridget felt the sudden coolness of air on her hand, in the absence of Marcus’ gentle grip.

As soon as he emerged from behind the marble column, Marcus was puzzled by an incongruous, glistening wet flash of red upon the feet of Lincoln’s statue. What the hell? Instinctively, he ran over to it. He could still hear a constant shouting; it was a ranting. Then his attention settled on the man who was yelling. He had a bucket in his hand, dripping with red paint. The rant went on, and suddenly Marcus was comprehending it: “…you sonofabitch see if you can get that off and then rub it on your white ass, your sorry white ass that destroyed what this country could have been you’re a traitor to your race.”

This must be a dream, a very bad dream. Marcus was noticing the speaker’s bald head, goatee, his moving mouth spouting insult. Then Marcus was deciding to do something. It seemed to him that it was someone else speaking when he asked, loudly, “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”

The stranger, startled, turned to Marcus and looked at him. Then he opened his foul mouth: “I’m gonna make things right. There’s a lotta things need to be made right. It’s gonna start now.”

A bad dream. Marcus could feel his ire rising. His voice must have quivered with “You better leave now. You’ve defaced national property. You better find a park ranger and turn yourself in. If you don’t, I’ll turn you in.” Marcus found himself yelling, as his challenge escalated through the marble edifice.

The man turned and began to walk down the steps.

Impulsively, Marcus thought, and shouted: “Who are you, anyway?”

Marcus began following the man down the steps. “They oughta bury you under this place.” Marcus was right behind him.

Suddenly the vandal turned and punched his assailant in the face.

The scene above took place in the story I wrote and published in 2007,

Glass half-Full

Who Was in Charge?

The attempted disruption of our Electoral process on Jan6 has propelled our nation into confusion. 

From the beginning, all kinds of Americans began pointing fingers of accusation, a phenomenon which is now, 2 1/2 iyears later, generating indictments and multiple trials. Through our Justice systems—federal, state and local—will begin, attempting to determine what happened on Jan6, how did it happen, and who made it happen.

As we couch potato citizens survey the wide array of talking heads, media journalists, podcasters, writers, videographers and any other tom, dick or harriet who is able to get a word or image in edge-wise. . .

 

We need to keep in mind that so many of us Americans are trying to comprehend just what the hell happened on Jan6?, who made it happen? and what needs to happen next to restore peace, prosperity, rule of law, accountability and Justice.

I, for one, have appreciated that our US House of Representatives appointed an investigative Jan6 committee to begin answering those questions for the American people

Now, two and a half years later, we are seeing a multitude of sources, online and in legacy news-reporting corporations.

Also now, the incredible array of information being generated is overwhelming. The so-called Mainstream Media are being challenged in a big way; they’re facing an unprecedented tidal wave of alt-Right, alt-Left, alt-shock’n’awe, alt-sensational reporting, all of which is absolutely relevant, easily accessible, free or subscriptive and viewable at our fingertips. 

Here’s just one interesting source that I discovered today: some guy on You-tube, Brian Smith, interviewing another guy, Steve Baker about Jan6. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7B97nZEZ3c

Steve had taken a massive footage of video there at our Capitol on that fateful day, January 6, 2021; he has some observations that are worth hearing.

This conversation between Brian and Steve is just one of thousands, but is probably worth your time. Their emerging consensus is that there was a lot more going on there than meets the eye.

Well, duh?! Y’think?

But seriously, their  main talking point suggests that the Jan6 riot—or whatever you call it—I call it an insurrection— was “allowed” to happen, and that a lot of well-informed people in Washington already knew about it, or something like that. This may a re-hashing of  the old  blameshifter go-to accusation that antifa (whatever that is) did it. Or maybe fairy godmother, or the grinch, or the wicked witch of the west or the wizard behind the curtain. Somebody send Toto in!

But seriously, y'all,  here’s my main thought as my viewing of their discussion was concluding: So if there were higher-ups people. . . in Washington, and in .gov, our Capitol Police, our Congress, Nancy Pelosi blahblahblah. . . Rush Limbaugh. . . our Executive branch. . . who knew, in advance, that the shit was about to hit the fan. . . who had authority to make or not-make things happen?

 Think about it this way: January comes before March. Vote-counting comes before inauguration.

 Who was in charge of our US government on that January  day? Who was in charge of our Justice Department on that day? Our FBI, our CIA, our classified docs, our national guard, our military, our nukes? Who had authority to make or not-make things happen? Who could issue the ultimate commands to our military and to our police on that day, January 6 2021 ? Who is responsible here?

Who was in charge?

duh. . . donald trump. It happened on his watch.

                                Glass half-Full