50 years ago today, the whole world was glued to the television as men walked on the moon. Those of us who witnessed it know exactly where we were that moment. Astronauts who flew into space got a unique perspective of our planet. Here are some of their thoughts:
“The Earth reminded us of a Christmas tree ornament hanging in the blackness of space. As we got farther and farther away it diminished in size. Finally it shrank to the size of a marble, the most beautiful marble you can imagine. That beautiful, warm, living object looked so fragile, so delicate, that if you touched it with a finger it would crumble and fall apart. Seeing this has to change a man, has to make a man appreciate the creation of God and the love of God.” James Irwin, Apollo 15 Lunar Module pilot, walked on the moon in 1971
“To look out at this kind of creation out here and not believe in God is to me impossible, … It just strengthens my faith. I wish there were words to describe what it’s like.” John Glenn, the first American to orbit the Earth (February 20, 1962), and, at age 77, the oldest person to fly in space (on the Space Shuttle Discovery, Oct. 29, 1998)
“My view of our planet was a glimpse of divinity.” Edgar Mitchell, Lunar Module Pilot of Apollo 14 (February 5, 1971), walked on the moon
I am here as God’s servant on planet Earth to share what I have experienced that others might know the glory of God. Colonel James Irwin, Astronaut
It’s a great thing for a man to walk on the moon. But it’s a greater thing for God to walk on the earth. Neil Armstrong, Apollo 11, the first person to walk on the Moon (1969)
I felt the power of God as I’d never felt it before. Colonel James Irwin
“I say my walk on the Moon lasted for three days and it was a great adventure. But my walk with God lasts forever.” Charles Duke, the tenth and youngest person to walk on the Moon (April 22, 1972)
I am now more than an earthling, because I have walked on the moon. Being on the moon had a profound spiritual impact upon my life. Before I entered space with the Apollo 15 mission in July of 1971, I was…[a] silent Christian, but I feel the Lord sent me to the moon so I could return to the earth and share his Son, Jesus Christ. Colonel James Irwin
Father, we thank you, especially for letting me fly this flight – for the privilege of being able to be in this position, to be in this wondrous place, seeing all these many startling, wonderful things that you have created.
Gordon Cooper. In 1963 Cooper piloted the longest and last Mercury spaceflight, became the first American to spend an entire day in space, the first to sleep in space, and the last American launched on an entirely solo orbital mission.
1 The heavens proclaim the glory of God.
The skies display his craftsmanship.
2 Day after day they continue to speak;
night after night they make him known.
3 They speak without a sound or word;
their voice is never heard.
4 Yet their message has gone throughout the earth,
and their words to all the world. Psalm 19: 1-4 NLT