Holy Family painted by Bartolome Esteban Murillo was born in Seville, Spain in 1617, where he lived until his death. Murillo founded a prestigious painting acadamy in 1660 which he presided over with great ability. His vast production of paintings, for the most part, are of a religious nature and theme.
Mark 4:35-41
35And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.
36And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships.
37And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.
38And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?
39And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
40And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?
41And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?
John 17: 15 I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.
CNN reports today 12/23/2007
http://http/www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/meast/12/23/faith.base/index.html
At nearby U.S. Army Camp Liberty, Chaplain Felix Kumai says he counsels Christian soldiers who see complications with biblical commandments like "Thou shalt not kill," as they serve God and country." It is a really sensitive and difficult question," Kumai, a Roman Catholic priest, says. It is a question that gets more complicated in the face of accusations that the invasion of Iraq is a mission led by a conservative Christian commander-in-chief. "I've had soldiers who have come up [to me] with those issues. In terms of their faith and then, what pertains to reality out here," Kumai says. "I tell them, 'Morally, we can not leave this place without stabilizing it.'"
God does not see us from on high, safe in his own kingdom:
John 1: 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning.3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.
John 1: 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.
14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Some of the most beautiful imagery in the bible is in the book of Job, Jesus laughed in delight with the Father during Creation. God wanted more for His Son than safety, prosperity, and nice little view of the world during this lifetime. God wanted to give His Son more than Abraham; God wanted to give His Son eternity and a perfect, everlasting kingdom. And give this opportunity to all of His creation. He gave us the Holy Spirit.
John 14:26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send at my request, will teach you everything, and will bring to your memories all that I have said to you.
John 16: 33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
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