Seeing past the stars in LA-Polar Ring Galaxy and Laminin

Losing sight of God in L.A. is pretty easy. Often we can’t see the stars for the stars who drive cars and private jets. We settle for what can be an extremely disappointing piece of incomplete reality.

Stars and other celestial bodies are unbelievably "hugemongouser" than we can imagine, so big they deserve a new word. But for the lights, and the smog and the hectic pace of our lives, we can’t seem to remember that these things are out there—cradled in the palm of the Almighty.

It makes me feel insignificant. Moreover, it makes me really glad that I am called his friend. He knows my name.

Some perspective: the sun is nearly 865,000 miles in diameter. Earth is not quite 8,000 miles wide. Jupiter, the biggest planet in our solar system, is 88,700 miles wide. A star called Betelgeuse is 500 times bigger than the sun, and the red super giant, VY Canis Majoris is 1950 times the size of our “tiny” star, the Sun.

The distances are so vast that they can’t even be measured in miles. Canis is 5000 light-years away, and it’s brightness is 430, 000 times greater than the Sun.

Proof and comfort is in the living word of God.

Isaiah 40:11-13:
He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young. Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens? Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on the scales and the hills in a balance? Who has understood the mind [d] of the LORD, or instructed him as his counselor?

AND:

Isaiah 40:25-26 "To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?" says the Holy One. Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.

Keeping these things in mind, where does knowledge breakdown? How do we get so wrapped up in our version of reality, i.e. the one that is visible. And how then do we ignore facts that are as close to us as looking up at the sky? And how do we then make such poor choices as to not amplify the Creator of all these things?

We breakdown in many places. In Hollywood, it starts with a bad idea that is excused on behalf of being “edgy” or deferring to someone who is perceived to have all of the power. They could be a hot writer, to whom the director doesn’t want to say no. Maybe the producer likes the script and he can hire and fire, make or break. You may see yourself as just a cog in the machine. And you are!

But you are His cog. And His control of the machine may rest entirely on your shoulders. Your part may simply be to say “no.” Or yes. Whatever the answer, we must be prepared in advance to be able to choose to honor God in all we do.

The opposite of jaded is what? Child-like?

Here’s a relatively new scientific fact:

Laminin is a protein found in the "extracellular matrix", the sheets of protein that form the substrate of all internal organs also called the "basement membrane". It has four arms that can bind to four other molecules. The three shorter arms are particularly good at binding to other laminin molecules, which is what makes it so great at forming sheets. The long arm is capable of binding to cells, which helps anchor the actual organs to the membrane.

The laminin protein is made up of three separate parts that give it a total of six "ends", which accounts for a lot of its flexibility in connecting various kinds of molecules. Laminins are a family of glycoproteins that are an integral part of the structural scaffolding in almost every animal tissue.

Laminin is vital to making sure overall body structures hold together. Improper production of laminin can cause muscles to form improperly, leading to a form of muscular dystrophy. It can also cause progeria. (more on Progeria below)

Laminin looks like this. (Clik the title link above (Seeing past the stars in LA-Polar Ring Galaxy and Laminin) or go to http://originalzchick.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/laminin.jpg

(the molecule is in the shape of a cross).

What is this disease caused for the lack of Laminin - Progeria?

Progeria (Greek, "old age") refers specifically to Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria syndrome. Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria syndrome is an extremely rare condition in which physical aspects of aging are greatly accelerated, and few affected children live past age 13. About 1 in 8 million babies are born with this condition. It is a genetic condition, but occurs sporadically and is usually not inherited in families.

And what did Jesus say? Mark 10:13-16
"Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."

These cross-shaped molecules bind us together and keep us young (as little children). Did you get a chill?

Finally, consider this passage, which again shows how elegant and simple scripture is, yet how completely it describes the scientific realities as we discover them for ourselves.

Colossians 1:12-17:

Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:

For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

The following link will show you the "Polar Ring Galaxy," one curiously shaped like a cross. The evidence is everywhere. http://www.utahskies.org/report/20011109/HST_NGC4650A.jpg

Keep looking up.