I have assembled a new avatar, and thought I would take a moment to discuss the things I considered and of which I wanted to remind myself through their use.
Most prominent is the Cross. Everything revolves around that singular event. The Son existed before creation, was instrumental in that creation, and everything exists through Him. But the central point of the existence of the Son is that he became one of us and bore our iniquity to restore our fellowship.
Then I have symbols for God’s word and prayer. Reading, meditating and praying are how we become stronger in the faith. Putting that faith into action strengthens reliance on those resources.
Below, on the left I have a depiction of an atom, in this case a lithium atom. I used a depiction based on the Bohr model. Yes I know it is dated. Thinking about atoms in general, and electrons whirling about them is the earliest recollection that I have of God specifically speaking to me about His omniscience and power. That thought came about five years before I received Christ in a personal way. Lithium has some interesting properties and was used in the glass for the mirror of the Palomar telescope, which also had a large impact on my understanding of God.
On the right I have an hourglass, symbolizing time, with a little flash, symbolizing creation. About two years before I accepted Christ, I was watching a program on the nature of space and time. It was through this scientific discussion that I came to understand that God created time itself, as well as the things in creation, as well as the very space for them to exist. Before creation, there wasn’t even emptiness. This realization (that time is a created thing) still informs some of my views concerning issues free-will vs predestination and the nature of our existence in His coming kingdom.
And the oval picture is taken from a rendering of James Tissot’s painting of the blind beggar who washed in the pool of Siloam (John ch 9) as the Lord commanded and could then see. The beggar then bore witness to what happened without embellishment. To me this is a reminder to do as our Lord asks, and to humbly bear witness to His works. It is from this passage that I chose my Id for this site.
Some of these may not find resonance with others. I am unconcerned; they will remind me of things on which I need to continue meditate.
Most prominent is the Cross. Everything revolves around that singular event. The Son existed before creation, was instrumental in that creation, and everything exists through Him. But the central point of the existence of the Son is that he became one of us and bore our iniquity to restore our fellowship.
Then I have symbols for God’s word and prayer. Reading, meditating and praying are how we become stronger in the faith. Putting that faith into action strengthens reliance on those resources.
Below, on the left I have a depiction of an atom, in this case a lithium atom. I used a depiction based on the Bohr model. Yes I know it is dated. Thinking about atoms in general, and electrons whirling about them is the earliest recollection that I have of God specifically speaking to me about His omniscience and power. That thought came about five years before I received Christ in a personal way. Lithium has some interesting properties and was used in the glass for the mirror of the Palomar telescope, which also had a large impact on my understanding of God.
On the right I have an hourglass, symbolizing time, with a little flash, symbolizing creation. About two years before I accepted Christ, I was watching a program on the nature of space and time. It was through this scientific discussion that I came to understand that God created time itself, as well as the things in creation, as well as the very space for them to exist. Before creation, there wasn’t even emptiness. This realization (that time is a created thing) still informs some of my views concerning issues free-will vs predestination and the nature of our existence in His coming kingdom.
And the oval picture is taken from a rendering of James Tissot’s painting of the blind beggar who washed in the pool of Siloam (John ch 9) as the Lord commanded and could then see. The beggar then bore witness to what happened without embellishment. To me this is a reminder to do as our Lord asks, and to humbly bear witness to His works. It is from this passage that I chose my Id for this site.
Some of these may not find resonance with others. I am unconcerned; they will remind me of things on which I need to continue meditate.