Category — Inspirational Quotes

This day 499 years ago, on November 1, 1512, the newly painted ceiling of the Sistine Chapel was opened to the public for the first time. In honor of Michelangelo’s crowning achievement, we have chosen the most appropriate quote from the Renaissance man himself.

“I work out of love for God and I put all my hope in Him.” - Michelangelo

The full quote goes this way: “Many believe, and I believe, that I have been designated for this work by God. In spite of my old age, I do not want to give it up; I work out of love for God and I put all my hope in Him.” Michelangelo Buonarroti. You can see a short bio and pictures of Michelangelo’s works here. And following are some excerpts of his work in the Sistine Chapel.

There was news this week about the Nobel Prize in Physics being awarded to three US scientists. Their profound discovery that the universe is expanding at an accelerated rate, rather than at a slowing rate as had been previously assumed with the Big Bang Theory, has stirred lots of new discussion among the scientific community. It’s also the catalyst (yeah, had to throw in a scientific term here) of today’s quote about creation.

“Out of the darkness came the hands that reached through nature molding men.” – Bible or Not?

As we ponder the universe, and its creation, many believe that science and faith are mutually exclusive. That is, one cannot have both faith in God and His creation and believe in scientific discovery. We call it scientific discovery because that’s exactly what it is – discovery. God is the creator, and we are the explorers of the universe He has created. Even the fathers of modern physics, Newton and Einstein, knew that.

This week’s news about the expanding universe once again demonstrates that when we think we know something, a new discovery comes along to remind us that really don’t know much. And it spurs on new scientific initiatives, and new discoveries, each one revealing the greatness and the vastness of our God. Consider that the creation is reflective of God’s nature, and when we see even the simplest flower, we can see His beauty. And when we look out into the cosmos, we see His infinite omnipotence.

Surely we can see that science and faith are perfectly compatible with each other. Perhaps the conflict is between scientific and religious institutions, not science and faith per se. Without God there would be no science, and there would be no faith. God has created us all, in His image of mind, body and spirit. To not use each of these would be a sin.

Oh, today’s quote – “Out of the darkness came the hands that reached through nature molding men” – is not from the Bible. It was written by Alfred Lord Tennyson (1089 – 1892), English Poet Laureate in a not-so-famous work called “In Memoriam A. H. H. OBIIT MDCCCXXXIII 124“. The poem was written in 1850 in memory of his friend Arthur Henry Hallam.

The more popular Bible quote about “out of the darkness” goes this way:

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.

- Genesis 1:1-3 KJV

This is the week leading up to the 10th anniversary of 9-11, and our blog has been quiet. The gravity of this coming Sunday makes it nearly impossible to write something – there really are no words that can express my heart, and the heart of  America, and give it justice. And since Bible or Not is a blog of quotes, I’ve been looking for that quote that captures the right sentiment. I haven’t found it.

This September 11th let’s remember those who have fallen and the families and friends they’ve left behind, and never forget the sacrifice of the men and women who rushed in to rescue. Jesus said, “no greater love has anyone than this, that they would lay down their life for their friend.” Let’s always remember and never forget those who laid down their lives, not just for friends, but for total strangers. Let’s always remember and never forget to pray for those who have lost their innocent loved ones. And let us always remember and never forget to pray that God would always bless America.

Here are some quotes about remembering, and never forgetting, from the Bible and Not:

“They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years contemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, We will remember them.” –  Quoted by Rudy Giuliani from The Fallen

“I will never forget Your precepts, for by them You have given me life”. – Psalm 119:92 Bible

“America will never run and we will always be grateful that liberty has found such brave defenders.” - George W. Bush Quotes

“When He avenges blood, He remembers them; He does not forget the cry of the humble”. – Psalm 9:12 Bible

“Forgive your enemies, but never forget their names.” - John F. Kennedy Quotes

“Promise me you’ll always remember: You’re braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” - A. A. Milne Quotes, Winnie the Pooh

“This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me”. - Luke 22:19 Bible

“We will always remember. We will always be proud. We will always be prepared, so we will always be free.” - Ronald Reagan Quotes

“And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, It is more blessed to give than to receive”. - Acts 20:35 Bible

“Forget injuries, never forget kindnesses.” - Confucius Quotes

“I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day”. – 2 Timothy 1:3 Bible

 ”Always remember others may hate you but those who hate you don’t win unless you hate them. And then you destroy yourself.” - Richard Nixon Quotes

If you have some quotes you’d like to share, please leave a comment.

For those who would like to help to continue the support of those families most affected by the September 11 attacks, here is some advice from the Better Business Bureau.