27.1.16

Equinócio de Outono 2015 - Autumn Equinox 2015

A beleza da morte. (The beauty of death. Scroll down for the english version.)

"Em 2015 o Equinócio de Outono ocorre no dia 23 de Setembro às 09h20min. Este instante marca o início do Outono no Hemisfério Norte. Esta estação prolonga-se por 89,81 dias até ao próximo Solstício que ocorre no dia 22 de Dezembro às 04h48min.

Equinócio: instante em que o Sol, no seu movimento anual aparente, passa no equador celeste. A palavra de origem latina aequinoctium agrega o nominativo aequus (igual) com o substantivo noctium, genitivo plural de nox (noite). Assim significa “noite igual” (ao dia), pois nestas datas dia e noite têm igual duração, tal é a ideia que permeia a sociedade."

Para ler tudo, cliquem aqui.

Mesmo neste mundo triste em que vivemos, porque é um mundo dominado pelo fim de todas as coisas (i.e. morte), existe muita beleza. Deus ama tanto a humanidade, que até no que esta repleto de morte Ele coloca beleza. Para ser mais fácil suportar, imagino.

Sim, porque embora o outono seja uma estação cheia de cores bonitas, as folhas de outono a esvoaçar, o crunch crunch a caminhar sobre elas... bem, elas significam um fim.

Reparem nisto:

"Testemunhando eles, no murchar da flor e no cair da folha, os primeiros sinais da decadência, Adão e sua companheira choraram mais profundamente do que os homens hoje fazem pelos seus mortos. A morte das débeis e delicadas flores era na verdade um motivo para tristeza; mas, quando as formosas árvores derrubaram as folhas, esta cena levou-lhe vividamente ao espírito o fato cruel de que a morte é o quinhão de todo o ser vivente." Ellen G. White, Patriarcas e Profetas, Pag. 62

Eu sei, já estamos no inverno, e o engraçado é que o inverno acaba por mostrar mais vida. A chuva cai, e ao mínimo raio de sol desponta mais alguma flor. Sabemos que depois vem a primavera. Depois vem a vida.

Em breve deixará de haver outono neste mundo, e vamos viver uma eterna primavera. Vida, só vida.

The beauty of death.

"In 2015 the Autumn Equinox occurs on 23 September at 09h20min. This moment marks the beginning of autumn in the Northern Hemisphere. This season extends for 89.81 days until the next solstice which occurs on 22 December at 04h48min .

Equinox: the moment when the Sun, in its apparent annual movement, passes the celestial equator. The word of Latin origin aequinoctium adds the verbal aequus (equal) with the noun noctium, genitive plural of nox (night). Thus it means "equal night" (to the day), because on these dates day and night are of equal length, as is the idea that permeates society."

To read it all, click here.

Even in this sad world we live in, because it is a world dominated by the end of all things (i.e. death), there is much beauty. God so loves humanity that even in what is full of death He puts beauty. To be easier to bear, I imagine.

Yes, because although the fall is a season full of beautiful colors, the autumn leaves fluttering, the crunch crunch when we walk on them ... well, they mean an end.

Notice this:

"As they witnessed in drooping flower and falling leaf the first signs of decay, Adam and his companion mourned more deeply than men now mourn over their dead. The death of the frail, delicate flowers was indeed a cause of sorrow; but when the goodly trees cast off their leaves, the scene brought vividly to mind the stern fact that death is the portion of every living thing." Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets, P 62.1

I know, we are in winter already, and the funny thing is that winter turns out to show more life. The rain falls, and the minimum sunshine blunts one more flower. We know that after this spring comes. Then comes life.

Soon there will be no fall in this world, and we will live an eternal spring. Life, just life.

10.1.16

Os pastores palhaços na Igreja



Durante muito tempo tive duvidas em relação a estes assuntos, e agora os textos inspirados saltaram-me aos olhos. Temos que elevar o nosso padrão, temos um Exemplo sagrado a seguir, e um Deus eterno a respeitar.

É lamentável ver como muitos pastores e pregadores fazem as pessoas rir nos púlpitos. Em vez de apresentar a segura palavra da profecia, misturam-a com piadas e brincadeiras. Segundo eles isso serve para convencer as pessoas, e não percebem que estão a fazer um grande dano à obra do Senhor.

Eu acredito que a palavra de Deus tem poder em si mesma para convencer as pessoas do pecado, não precisamos fazer brincadeiras e piadas ao pregar. Isso seria oferecer fogo estranho, uma abominação ao Senhor. Cristo e os apóstolos nunca usaram piadas ou brincadeiras ao pregar.

Ellen White escreveu muito sobre os pastores cómicos.

“Um pastor folgazão no púlpito, ou o que se está esforçando ao máximo para granjear louvor, é um espetáculo que crucifica novamente o Filho de Deus, e O envergonha abertamente.” TM 146.2

“Todo o cuidado dos pastores é pouco, especialmente quando diante dos jovens. Eles não devem usar nenhuma palavra leviana, gracejos ou piadas, mas lembrar-se de que estão em lugar de Cristo, e que devem ilustrar pelo exemplo a vida de Cristo. “Porque nós somos cooperadores de Deus.” 1 Coríntios 3:9. “E nós, cooperando também com Ele, vos exortamos a que não recebais a graça de Deus em vão.” 2 Coríntios 6:1.” 1TI 381

"Cristo nunca levava a verdade sagrada ao nível do comum, e as ilustrações humorísticas que alguns ministros do evangelho usam jamais foram proferidas por Seus lábios divinos. Cristo não usava ilustrações para divertir e provocar o riso." The Review and Herald, 06 de agosto de 1895.

Ele não usava piadas para atrair a atenção.

“O Mestre Divino não usava ilustrações que projetassem a menor sombra sobre a alma. Suas palavras eram do mais puro e elevado caráter. Ele nunca condescendeu pronunciar algo cômico, a fim de chamar a atenção do público.” The Review and Herald, 06 de agosto de 1895

Sermões temperados com graça.

“Eliminem os pastores as piadas e as brincadeiras da sua conversação, mas que os seus sermões sejam temperados com graça; que a luz e o amor de Jesus brilhem através de seu exemplo e preceito, para que possam ganhar almas para o Mestre.” The Review and Herald, 05 de abril de 1892.

Paulo também escreveu:

“E a minha palavra, e a minha pregação, não consistiram em palavras persuasivas de sabedoria humana, mas em demonstração de Espírito e de poder; Para que a vossa fé não se apoiasse em sabedoria dos homens, mas no poder de Deus.” 1 Coríntios 2:4,5

“Porque a palavra de Deus é viva e eficaz, e mais penetrante do que espada alguma de dois gumes, e penetra até à divisão da alma e do espírito, e das juntas e medulas, e é apta para discernir os pensamentos e intenções do coração.” Hebreus 4:12

“Mas em breve irei ter convosco, se o Senhor quiser, e então conhecerei, não as palavras dos que andam ensoberbecidos, mas o poder. Porque o reino de Deus não consiste em palavras, mas em poder. Que quereis? Irei ter convosco com vara ou com amor e espírito de mansidão?” 1 Coríntios 4:19-21

Os pregadores não devem ter escrúpulos para pregar a verdade tal como se encontra na Palavra de Deus. Que a verdade saia. Foi-me mostrado que a razão pela qual os nossos pregadores não têm sido mais bem sucedidos é porque eles têm medo de ferir os sentimentos, medo de não ser corteses, e por esta razão baixam os padrões da verdade e escondem o máximo possível as peculiaridades da nossa fé. Vi que Deus não poderia dar a esses sucesso. A verdade deve ser direta e as pessoas devem ser incentivadas a tomar uma decisão com urgência. E enquanto os falsos pastores proclamam a paz e pregam coisas aprazíveis, os servos de Deus devem clamar em alta voz e não se calar e deixar os resultados com Deus." (Spiritual Gifts, vol 2, p. 284-285)

21.10.15

Back to the Future Day

And finally we have arrived to the future! I don't care that much about hover boards, but where is my flying DeLorean? This movie was really a big part of my childhood and youth... and now!



Well, anyway, the Future is NOW! Doc Brown has a special message just for you!


And meanwhile, Doc Brown and Marty meet up to talk about how the future really is in October 21 2015.


Good memories. :) And yes, "where we are going, we don't need roads."

5.10.15

17.9.15

Revelation: The Bride, the Beast & Babylon

As the pope visits America, Bible prophecy takes center stage. Who are the major end-time players? What is the significance of the pope’s visit to America? Be informed and get answers that will prepare you for the future! Watch it, and share it.



If you want to know more, go here: revelationmystery.com

11.9.15

Apple iCar

No. Didn't happen. Bummer...


Although much rumours are going around about the so called Apple car project, with all the engineers from other companies (supposedly) going to Apple to help on that, we didn't get a sneak peek about it. Right until the end of the keynote presentation i was expecting the "one more thing".  No luck. Well, "hair force one" does joke a bit about it...



But don't get me wrong! A lot was covered on the keynote.

It started with no updates. Good. But then i was put to sleep at the sound of the news of the Apple Watch... ZZZzzzz... it was a good nap. The only minor interesting thing about it was the collaboration with Hermès.

Sorry, i did say minor.

No, not this minor:


This is at least an interesting Minor. The Morris one. And it's a racing Minor ute!

Well, but back to case in point.

The presentation was about the upgraded iPhones, and the BIG new iPad Pro. Interestingly enough, what i found most captivating was, despite Jobs hated it, the stylus. But remember Jobs hated them in a phone. And stylus for phones are really small and you do loose them.


But no. I believe what Apple did was reinvent the pencil.  It is not a stylus, it's the Apple Pencil. Or is it just a nice way of ignoring what the founder of Apple believed? Or was this already in the road map Jobs himself drew for Apple before he died?


I don't know, but i believe it might be true. There is something about Jobs vision still at Apple, embodied in his friend Jony Ive, and he is the head designer at Apple. Just hear about the Apple Pencil in his own voice:


It is a great technological evolution for the pencil. Still. You can loose it. And be sure many people will.

Apart from the pencil thing, Apple introduced force touch on their devices. They call it 3D Touch. It opens interesting new ways of interacting with your device.


Let me tell you something, Apple really knows how to make product videos. They are very well made. And i do like the moving pictures thing. It is a nice touch. :) Now, would i buy any of these? If iOS was more open, i would buy an Ipad Pro as my only device. I like the Microsoft Surface idea, but what keeps me from buying a surface is the same thing that will keep me from buying the iPad Pro: the operating system. But, still good products.

Ok, enough ramblings from me. If you want to see the whole keynote presentation, you can do so here:


All in all, yes. I still do miss Steve Jobs.

10.9.15

Little red knife

It was back in 1987. I was 12, and a new television show started that completely grabbed my attention. "MacGyver". It was December 5 1987 when the first episode aired. Actually the pilot episode aired 2 years before, on September 29 1985. But, the first time we saw it here in Portugal (at least where i grew up) was in 1987, on the main, at that time, Spanish TV channel: TVE1.

This newspaper article tells all about it (if you can read Spanish): Comienza 'MacGyver'

Ah, the exhilaration of hearing this tune for the first time...



"The series follows the adventures of Angus MacGyver, or "Mac," as his friends call him. He is a master of improvisation. Using his vast scientific knowledge and unique ability to see items as individual components he can use ordinary objects to get himself and his companions out of trouble. All he carries with him is a Swiss Army knife and, occasionally, a roll of duct tape and some odds and ends having forsaken guns (and firearms in general) after a and tries to avoid violence as much as he can." You can read more here: Macgyver online

The first thing that caught my attention was his pocket knife and the way he improvised solutions. His greatest tool was his brain. And we can see both of them (knife and brain) been used in this scene from the pilot episode:



Short after, my father, that worked in Switzerland at the time, gave me my first pocket knife. It was not a Swiss Army Knife, but it was red. It was (or is, still have it) a German made Solingen pocket knife. I was really happy with that knife. :)



And not just that, MacGyver could survive in any environment. I enjoyed especially the episodes out in nature. It really grew and developed my love for the outdoors. And they always filmed the most amazing and beautiful places. Macgyver was also all about taking care of the planet and environment.

But what really got embedded in our lives and popular culture was another thing, it even got its own expression: MacGyverisms. They are, put simply, things made with simple day to day items to solve a problem.

"While MacGyverisms were based on scientific principles, most MacGyverisms were greatly exaggerated for entertainment purposes. The writers freely acknowledge that many MacGyverisms would require very exact conditions if they were to actually work as shown in the episodes. The writers were always careful to leave out key ingredients of any MacGyverisms which created an explosive or otherwise harmful effect, to ensure that it could not be re-created by viewers." in Macgyver online

But well, all things have an end Everything changes. Or maybe not, like Peter Thornton said "good things don't".


Nevertheless, on April 25 1992 the last episode aired, followed by a "lost" episode, not previously aired, on May 21 1992. A couple of years later, two TV movies came out, both filmed in England. Lost Treasure Of Atlantis and Trail To Doomsday.

Macgyver lives on in our minds and pop culture. Short after Richard Dean Anderson retired from acting and SGA, he made an appearance as Macgyver again, in a MasterCard Commercial. There was also an episode of the MythBusters dedicated to him. And a couple of years ago Mercedes made a short film to advertise one of their models, starring Richard Dean Anderson as Macgyver. You can check all those videos below.




If you want to know more (if you don´t know everything already) check the official Macgyver website: MacGyver online dot com

Have a great day!