Audio Time Traveling

I'm not a competitive minded person for the most part. I always shyed away from such things as a child and as an adult. I guess that is part of why I was never intentionally athletic. Granted, some sports that are very popular around here bore the life right out of me, I do have a few I love to watch or play. Even then it is not enjoyed for the competition side of it all.

Anyway, I recently discovered my car radio has a second set of programmable FM station buttons. Not expecting to find much for them I programed a group of stations I expected never to listen to, but as is often the case I can't seem to find a decent song on the main set of station I programed so I defaulted to these new ones. Some very good stuff I remember from days gone by and road trips as a kid. Listening to songs of the 70's or 80's as I did whatever I did while on the road. It is honestly a nostalgic thing hearing those songs again. A comforting surprise to have that new set of stations to turn to.

So while I was driving the other night I came across a station that had a game on (here's the tie-in) and at first I sarcastically thought, "Oh great." Then it settled in for a moment and I was smiling. It was a Hershey Bear's hockey game being broadcast and man I was a happy camper as I listened. Of course I don't care much about who they were playing or if they were winning, but I did care about nostalgia. I could hear the announcer in the stadium just behind the radio broadcasters talking. I could hear the crowd go nuts when the Bear's get close to the net. In my mind I was back in time. Both in the memory of actually being their, but even more so of the memory of riding in the car with it playing. At the time I found it so comforting even while I didn't much care about the game itself. It had an element of excitement to ride home tired in the night while the game continued on and so as I drove the other night (and again tonight) while it played I had a nice trip down memory lane.

No big revelations or fights to be had there, just a memory.

Foresight

I love the AiG site as you know and one of it's major efforts in the past several years has been the creation of a creation museum which it seems many people find comical. That wound aside, they had a large budget and had managed to effectively meet the requirements originally laid down. The good news is that they have since taken another poll and realized they had to expand the building and parking lot to meet the needs of the populace. Easily doubling the original size estimate.

This is awesome news to creationists and bible believers everywhere and I hope you share my enthusiasm. (^_^) Still, the need now exists for help if they are to meet these new requirements. This creation museum will serve as a wonderful example to anyone willing to look. If you are interested in backing the museum please consider donating to the cause there. If not at least take a minute to browse the online tour of the museum and see what it is about.

Article

Museum Info

Museum Tour

On the Cobb

So I was reading another article tonight. This one about Cobb county and their fight about evolution in the schools. It is about a biology textbook that had a sticker inside the cover which read, “This textbook contains material on evolution. Evolution is a theory, not a fact, regarding the origin of living things. This material should be approached with an open mind, studied carefully and critically considered.” Such is a truthfull and highly appropriate sticker and yet the people have been loosing their fight it seems. As I read though it dawns on me, the claim of evolutionists here is that religion be seperate from schools. I don't agree of course, but let's go with it for a second and see what happens. To seperate religion and science (which is the supposed goal here) we have to define them. (A small step often overlooked, but very essential to the process.)

Religion: A belief in a deity/creator and the consequent decisions and actions that follow accordingly to that deity.

Science: The observation and investigation through hypothesis followed by empirical testing which seeks to understand and prove a topic or problem.

Now looking at these definitions, how is it that an evolutionist/atheist can count the removal of religion and God in any real sense? Let me put it this way, a belief or claim in "no God" is a religious belief not a scientific one. So to say that religion must be removed from anything means that no claim at all can be made that refutes or presses any kind of origins claim OR other form of spiritual related topic OR any topic that even touches the fringe of a deity related issue be it through philosophical or scientific means.

"Why not?" Because science cannot prove such a thing. Yes, it can hypothesize, but that is all it can do in that it cannot determine as scientific fact that any deity or consequent actions are false.

"Ok, but how does that relate to atheism being a religion?" Like this, if a person makes a claim on God (in this case that God doesn't exist) then they are taking a side on decision of deity, period. To take a side at all (let alone one that holds action to follow such as no worship, no divine law, no salvation, etc.) means that a decision has been made that falls under the category of religious decision. This is not and cannot be counted as science in that science cannot lay such a claim. It cann't even hypothasise on it because that leads to a decision. To say that that the design of the world seems random indicates that a decision is being made that presses against God existance while a statement that says the desgin of the world cannot be random is a statement indicating that a decision is being made which agrees with a designer, aka God. And so while I read this article (and others of late, from both camps) I find it absurd that people (both scientists and layman alike) rally up behind the claims of "no God" and call it science. This really couldn't be farther from the truth.

...so much for "science", the savior of many.

No Secret (1)

As I sat and watched this blatant pandering I spotted an error about every third sentence. Logic errors, deception errors, classification errors, etc. I only made it about 20 minutes into this two hour video before having enough to set up shop against it. The problems are in plain site though I fear many people wouldn't see them because while the speakers reveal subtle and basic truths it confuses the issue at nearly each turn making what is a designed and governed system into a do it yourself mind over matter scenario. If you were to take it at face value it might seem legit, but a bit of thought can go a long way regardless of what you previously believed.

An example taken from the first 20 minutes of the video; Attraction: Think and it will be. The point made was that we shape our world (physical and chance outcomes) by the mental vibes we put out. People who think negative put out those vibes and consequently the world is shaped into negative things for them and vice versa. They took plenty of time to make this point I thought, but failed to back it up and failed to veil the truth enough to make the sale. The truth being that this is a matter of perception not a sci-fi concept of mind over matter, nor is it something that would lead to each man to a personal deity hood.

So, in this issue of "attraction" it has been said that we attract (or create with our vibes) our world and the deception is this; We do create our perceived world with our mind, but not the way they claim. If I am always moody and thinking the worst, I will almost certainly see the worst in all things because that's what I'm looking for and vice versa. This does not mean that we create our world, but that we create a view of the world around us and so we tend to see what is in that view. Temperamental in traffic? Guess what, each time you hit traffic and start whining your more likely to notice and remember bad traffic. When you look back over the weeks then you'll see all the times traffic occurred and somehow will overlook all the open lanes you found. You'll lose the balance because of your perception and vice versa if you look for the good in things. It is our perception which allows us to be different in our world, thus changing the world yet this is clearly not what has been presented in the video.

Essentially this is a self help concept and a rather deceptive one at that considering it's foundations and approach. It is a theory of perception dressed up as science fact which is backed by little more than opinions. (Certainly not proven or backed within the time I had watched, but I will soon sit through the entire thing.) Mostly compiled from claims of philosophers, metaphysics, and those "everyman" persons who claim it worked for them.

Between the promises (wealth, health, and power), the focus of the promises (personal gratification), the method implied (outward mental waves changing the world to suit), and the manner in which it is exposed (scandal and confusion) this 'should' be as obvious a mistake as Scientology. I only bring it up on the fact that, like Scientology, their are thousands upon thousands who are not guarded against these things. Self serving and rebellious individuals seeking personal gain and personal glory.

No Secret (2)

A prologue of “The Secret” in dissection...

"The Secret has existed throughout the history of humankind. It has been discovered, coveted, suppressed, hidden, lost and recovered. It has been hunted down, stolen, and bought for vast sums of money. Now for the first time in history, The Secret is being revealed to the world over two breathtaking hours."
Is it just me or do I hear more of a sales pitch than anything here. "Let's play on the general populaces weakness and prone nature to things of controversy! Let's not back up any historical claims either so that they don't focus on this part of the pitch."

"A number of exceptional men and women discovered The Secret, and went on to become known as the greatest people who ever lived. Among them: Plato, Leonardo, Galileo, Napoleon, Hugo, Beethoven, Lincoln, Edison, Einstein and Carnegie, to name but a few."
More (in)validation, this time by way of name dropping. Why? Because people who are too lazy to research (which is most people) will think that if these people did it it must be real and it must be worth trying. A simple tactic that sadly works quite well in the general populace. I should mention I have found no evidence of this claim being true, as it is stated. While these people have certainly held optimism in their lives and have had success they have not known "The Secret" as presented.

"Fragments of The Secret have been found in the oral traditions, in literature, in religions and philosophies throughout the centuries. For the first time, all the pieces of The Secret come together in an incredible revelation which will be life transforming for all who experience it."
Point of fact, this is a deceptive statement. While it holds a truth (that people throughout history have chosen to think good thoughts and have a good perspective in life) it dresses that truth up to be more than it really is. Instead of saying that they held an optimists perspective and it benefited them they play into that truth with an addition that suits them. Precisely that such an attitude allows a person to physically change the world to suit themselves by way of mind waves. Tricky indeed.

"Some of today's greatest teachers will be presented in The Secret and will impart this special wisdom that has been known by so few. They include some of the world's leaders in the fields of business, economics, medicine, psychology, history, theology and science. Each of these teachers is living proof of The Secret; each of them a walking marvel of achievement and success..."
"known by so few"? Yet just a moment ago they were happy to play on "fragments...found in the oral traditions, in literature, in religions and philosophies throughout the centuries". Please lets be careful when we're pedaling snake oils. And what is this "They include some of the world's leaders"? Well that's one way to make a safety net that covers most realms people are interested in. It really seems like they want us to believe based on what they say others have done. "Special wisdom"? Far from it. "living proof"? Don't get me started.

"Included are; 'Miracle Man' Morris Goodman, who tells his awe inspiring story of how he recovered from paralysis by using The Secret. Dr. Denis Waitley, who used various aspects of The Secret in training Olympic athletes and Apollo astronauts to reach new heights of human endeavor. Best selling authors and philosophers including Bob Proctor, John Assaraf, James Ray and Joe Vitale, explain how they have created lives of phenomenal success utilizing The Secret. Doctors in the fields of medicine and quantum physics explain the science behind The Secret."
How many miracles happen per day that are not ascribed to Him who makes miracles? That one man listed does not give glory appropriately is no sign that he himself has made a miracle. Let's please be careful as to what glasses we use in life. Let's also be careful as to what we define as miracle. "Doctors in the fields of medicine and quantum physics..." Doctors and Quantum physics? First off Doctors are out of their element here and their testimony should carry the appropriate weight. Second Quantum Physics is far from a perfected and flawless science often enough as full of problems as swiss cheese is of holes and as such should carry the same weight as well.

"The Secret reveals amazing real life stories and testimonials of regular people who have changed their lives in profound ways. By applying The Secret they present instances of eradicating disease, acquiring massive wealth, overcoming obstacles and achieving what many would regard as impossible."
Interesting wording, "by applying The Secret". By applying any ideal or system to what is already happening in life we can see patterns, this holds true for so very many things. I've even seen video games that carried over into life if a person was willing to apply its values in the real world. This applied ideal however is not equal from one to the next (ideals and applications are not equal in validity). The ideal that must hold up under scrutiny, not whether it applies in life since nearly every ideal can be fitted to a life application on some level. So this statement, while at face value holds truth to it, is simply a sales point. Hoping to pull in the hopeful.

"The Secret reveals how to apply this powerful knowledge to your life in every area from health to wealth, to success and relationships."
What can you promise to the general populace that will guarantee to perk up ears? Personal wealth, personal health, personal power and even personal relationships that are to your likening. What heart of man holds no greed that does endeavor to succeed. And so all who hold no greater value than themselves, with eyes wide, look to this "special wisdom" created by men. Overlooking the grand design and all that it holds. Lost to a deception that even deceives its creators.

"The Secret is everything you have dreamed of... and is beyond your wildest dreams."
The Secret is only...a wild dream.

Random Notes (#84)

If you have the time and a decent connection I wanted to post up the following videos. They are from the AiG site (a personal favourite) and are incredible. Each is essentially a speaker giving a talk on a topic. Their are many such videos on the AiG site that are not anti-science or solely theology, but instead a truth vs. fiction approach to topics. I was watching a few of these this week and was so glad I did I think they are about 10 minutes a piece but they are very worth it. More can be found on the AiG site. AiG Videos (If these individual videos aren't working properly just open up the AiG Videos page and choose from there.)

Ear Design
Part1
Part2

Eye Design
Part1
Part2

I also strongly recommend the two part astronomy video on Creation Astronomy.
Part1
Part2

Case of the Jollies?

So it's Christmas time again...already.

"What!? It can't be already!"

Oh, but it is. Fa-la-la and all that jazz.

How's every one feeling about Christmas? Good I hope. It is a time of year that is a celebration after all. Full of warm and fuzzy things. Loving family or friends, whichever you got. Maybe even a bit of eggnog, cookies, and a few snowflakes if you're lucky. A time to put up santas and snowmen and talk about being prepaired for Christmas morning gift giving. When people spend hours upon hours joyfully (or begrudgingly) wrapping present after present and shoving it all under leaky pine tree (or plastic if that's more your style). Everyone tuning in to that atmosphere of good times or, for those not into the good things of the season, quietly sitting alone at home or brooding while surrounded by insane family members.
Sound like Chirstmas to you? Yea, me to, but not for much longer.

"Say what now?"

That's right, I've been at odds for a VERY long time with Christmas and Easter. Not the premise or concept, but the way it plays out.

As a child, not interested in God stuff I saught the things listed above and ANY chance to eat candy while opening gifts. What kid wouldn't after all. As an adult however I find that when people say, "reason for the season" I feel my heart dip a little. Truly, I don't see the aforementioned reason very much on those days. I know that in many of the hearts I am surrounded by on those days Christ is present and accounted for, but I have always asked myself, "is this it?"

Christmas is the birthday of Jesus, a unique gift from God and quite literally the best thing that has EVER happened to my life. Easter is the remembrance of the culmination of Gods long term efforts to get mankind out of the trouble we have always walked into. A blessing counted above anything else I can mention. Yet on these days what do I do? I do what everyone else does. That has made me sad for several years honestly. What to do about it though is not a simple question or at least not easily answered. The truth is God didn't say "celebrate these two days" nor did He say "celebrate them by doing this thing instead of whatever you want". And so I have no real direction to take nor can I make an authoritative statement about it. All I can say is I am not ok with it as is.

While it's a bit late this year to come up with a plan, I hope to have a plan by Easter and then also one for next Christmas. A God I care enough about to devote myself to and to think of all the time is also one I would gladly give up my holiday for. For me, if indeed He is the reason for the season, let my day be lived accordingly I think.

I'm not demanding or attempting to guilt anyone, this is my opinion and I know I am no ones judge on this. Heck, He never asked for it so their is no call for others to agree and even the choice of days is full of controversy. So let each decide for themselves on this.

Open I's Blind 1

Ok, I'm concerned and a bit agravated, forgive me if that shows in the length or tone of my post here. I only hope for consideration and attention (possibly conviction), that it might offer some kind of insight or, failing that, just allow me to vent.

In the past few days I have seen nearly seven strong Christians shy away from Biblical evidences in favor of faith and I think I need to talk about it, not directed at persons, but certainly open to view. To do so I'll just break this into a few parts. I hope they are worth your time.
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Defining terms-
Faith: Belief (by way of choice) in something that cannot (or has not) been proven.
Proof: Something that removes all doubt (and choice) as to the factual nature of a matter.
Evidence: Something that leads to a conclusion, but does not speak of whether the conclusion is a proof or not.

So "evidence" can and does exist apart from the scary idea of proof which people tend to think removes faith, a concept I agree with. But why is evidence such a bad word to many Christians? Why shy away from them as so many seem to do when evidence and proof are so very different? Why draw that line in the sand when you already in fact hold reasons for your faith, which we all do? (Personal evidences.) I can think of at least three reasons that could possibly hold water in the minds of Christians. (That doesn’t mean I know them all, but these are what I can think of.)
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1.Science and Philosophy, "the bullies": Well it is no shock that the term science carries a great deal of weight in our society. So much so that millions gather behind it's flimsy walls. It is also no shock that the term philosophy carries a good bit of weight in a slightly different aspect. Both are weapons used against us every day, slinging "evidences" labeled as "proofs" while the unschooled masses huddle behind them chanting and cheering. (It really bugs me as you can see.) We were practically raised in such an environment and it isn't getting better. Is it a shock then that I might say we have been bullied on a very personal level by this setup? I think not, even if we don't want to admit it. So think back to your school days and those bullies that roamed the halls. Being older now, more mature, why were you afraid? Why did you avoid it when you could? At the time it made sense, they were a powerhouse and you were not, or so it felt. How about now? Is the view different as an adult, not under their thumb anymore? It is for me. I can see that I had nothing to fear. Had I stood up and fought I would have likely been hurt, but I would have stood and for the right thing. Maybe I wasn't strong enough to take them on, but I could have been kinder/smarter towards it or I could have bulked up by putting effort into it. The point being that cowering to bullies and allowing the evil to overtake the good, by falling to intimidation is a mistake and as adults we aught to know that. Don't be overwhelmed, you're not the only one learning to fight these bullies and you're not going to get hurt, or if you do it will be a proud wound you bare. We are not in high school anymore, this intimidation is not an excuse for our aversions.

2.What if...?: The question may arise to a believer who confronts the idea of evidences, "what if I don't find them (evidences) or even worse, what if I find solid opposition?" I ask how deep your trust is if you are unwilling to face your beliefs and of all beliefs, one in a perfect God. I mean by it's own wording a perfect God who wants you to believe isn't going to leave you lacking for reason. Believe me here if you can, I have stepped out on this particular ledge many times and while my heart skipped a few beats I found that my faiths foundation is quite secure today. No sword of man has ever come close and I say that with upheld hands. Their has never been a trouble presented or a question posed that went unanswered. True, all are evidences and not proofs so in the end the choice (faith) remains in the hands of the discerning, but evidences are so very strong for God and all He has done. Our fears, unfounded as they may be about this, are not a good show of loyalty or trust I think. Fear not, seek with a loyal heart and He will not fail you, but instead strengthen you.

3.A "whole" faith: I have heard lots mention the idea of a "child’s faith" as a fallback of sorts, because they didn't want to investigate further. The reasons for such a halt might have been fear or just as easily it might be that their interests are more geared to prayer or outreach. That much is not for me to comment on as each has a focus and I am not one to judge one mans gift as less than another. What I will comment on however is that this is a bad fallback to use. The faith of a child is not one that does not seek answers, but instead believes without question, holding hope and trust and love. This is an acceptable faith up until we see that we are to be ready at any given moment to account for our faith and stand for what is right. A person without answers cannot and a mature faith is one that contains (among other things) a reason. Did Jesus and the disciples combat stupid ideas that approached the people of that time? Certainly, as did the patriarchs before them. Did they have to understand the problem and the solution? Yep, and in depth.

Continued next blog...

Open I's Blind 2

...Coninuted from above.

An essentialy silent faith may be very strong, but it may very well serve less also. Yet to not be silent we must be able to deal with the evil world around us. An unknowing faith would not be capable while an understood faith can and so it is important to understand and seek reasons or at least be able to back up your own decisions. "But then what of a child’s faith, these words came from Jesus after all?" It did indeed, but I am not arguing against the "faith of a child" I am suggesting we complete the picture of faith. A child contains innocence, hope, trust, vitality, and love. If Jesus wasn't turning a blind eye to the darkness then should we really choose ignorance about our belief? Where in this model of faith is the room for understanding removed? It isn't and so I beg Christians to not use this as their reasoning for a halted understanding.

Maybe this side of our new life is not for everyone. I think that is fair to some degree. What bothers me is the perception that the only route worthwhile is the perception of unreasoned faith. It is no doubt the cornerstone so to speak, very important, but it is not one capable of combating the wiles of this world outside itself (and often it leave the defenses down). A job we are called to be ready for and one that sits waiting for us to approach it. What bugs me more than this is that many Christians mock our own evidences. Be it from peer-pressures or just a poor understanding, they defeat us every bit as much as the churches who have assimilated the theory of evolution and other such secular claims. Get off the fence my friends, we cannot play both sides. If when I do it it is disrespectful to God, then when you do it it is no less such.

Lastly, a faith that understands itself and is ready for the very real opposition is not a lesser "faith" necessarily. No matter what I grow to know, I do not know such a proof as to reveal God by my hands, consequently removing my faith. None exists to my knowledge and even if they did I had already chosen God through faith. If one day the evidences fall short and man finds a proof of Gods non-existence I will fall back to my cornerstone so called reasonless faith in comfort, refusing defeat. However, that has not happened this day nor will it the next. In the meanwhile, evidences (not proofs) are readily available and in fact hard to miss. We all see these things and say "that is Gods work", but why shy away from the understanding of your own words? When you say these things you are correct! Knowing why only sweetens the pot and strengthens the faith, not to mention helps you in sharing.

Well that didn't serve much as of a vent for me... Hope it mattered to someone out there...

Chitchat Archives 12-14-06

Some excerpts from a continuation of the conversation I have had recently. While the first round went well, it has fallen back to some of the more defensive statements such as;

-God punishing for his own design.

-We are puppets/pawns in a game.

(Both of these are essentially the freewill vs judgement argument.) So here is an excerpt of my response I wanted to share. It is not all inclusive obviously, but to do so would be an overload. Sometimes it is best to make a starter argument that is in understandable terms and hopefully raises other questions. Just throwing a ten page thesis of theology at someone is a poor way to help them gain understanding I think.

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Why a system of punishment at all? Because God does not want puppets, but instead wants us to choose Him willingly. So God gives free will for this purpose. He hands us laws and the will to break them if we choose to. He didn't 'make' us choose to turn away however. (No different than any law system man has built since. To say otherwise (that we are puppets) actually raises some difficult questions for the "divine puppets argument".)

So when we break a law in the normal world what happens? We are found guilty and punished. Any judge who is a good judge will not be able to let murders, thieves, or rapists go when they are guilty right? In this way God is also not able to overlook sin (law breaking) and instead must find us guilty when we have broken the law. Just as a good judge must punish a guilty criminal so to must God then punish us for our crimes. And we have all committed crimes against Him. Their is thankfully a way to remove past criminal records so to speak, but it must still be chosen willingly or our dirty records will hold up in God's court to condemn us when we die. (Mercy comes equally with Justice in a God.)

Why such severe punishment as Hell? Well, God's laws are open to view and scrutiny, but to choose to ignore it means we break that law and so we are guilty and deserving of a punishment. Since upon death we find out that God actually exists we no longer have time to mend our ways, unlike a criminal in the court of man, because their exists no aftermath time for it. Since death is the point of no return the decision must be made prior to it. So this place of "no going back" is a permanent (timeless) one often referred to as eternity. In the real world we call this a span of time in jail or whatever, but when "time" is replaced with "timelessness" so to is a length of punishment replaced. (If that was confusing let me know.)

Of course, to say that we are guaranteed punishment from birth is a mistake as we are instead given a choice (or choices) to make. To follow and care about the commands or not.
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I then went on to apologize for laughing at an argument he raised. I didn't mean it as an offense to him really. I was actually laughing at the person who wrote the article he was speaking of and the argument they put forth. It was lacking and instead of being calm I laughed out loud. I think I offended him and so I had to explain myself. Obviously I need to be more careful in person. Online it is not a problem that I laugh or roll my eyes as no body can see me, but in person these things will kill a conversation in a hurry. Lesson learned I hope.

Chitchat Archives 12-12-06

I recently had a decent conversation (which I hope continues) with a friend of mine. He asked 5 or so questions (sparked by TV shows he recently saw I think) and the conversation didn’t last long enough to cover ground so I wrote him an email about my thoughts on the topics. (I think my friend considers himself and atheist, but I not a strong one. That might just be how I see it though.) Anyway, I thought I’d post some of my thoughts up sorry if it gets long…

Q. Did dinosaurs roam the planet with man? What wiped out the dinosaurs?

A.To say that man never walked with dinosaurs is definitely not accurate if only because their are still dinosaurs walking/swimming today. The real question is when did they get wiped out by comparison to mans existence and then what did it. As for the devastation of the dinosaurs, I do believe in the flood and geological morphing recounted in the Bible as well as many other texts from other cultures that back it. Even within the ranks of archeology their is support for such a devastation to dinosaurs as opposed to the fiery meteor approach. It is also a solid premise in terms of geology as has recently been discovered. So instead of saying we didn't exist apart I would say that between ancient texts and the lack of solid backing in the "dating methods", man and dinosaurs did and in fact still do roam the earth. Both survivors of a once apocalyptic event.

Q. Is the earth millions of years old or is a “young earth” possible? (Dating methods, etc..)

A. Ever notice how very different the time-lines are from scientist to scientist? Their is a good reason. It is very inaccurate for two basic reasons. Reason 1 is that all calculations are based off of what is going on now. The chemical makeup of things, atmospheric conditions, and so on. Simply put, the world didn't grow in a peatry dish and so science can't be accurate in its tests without recreating what was really there then. They can't do that because they don't know. They might be able to guess what a tree is composed of but they can't guess what it went through over its life and then the years of its death for instance. Reason 2 is much like using the "align" command in CAD. We've all lined up something in two spots and then zoomed out to realize that the farther we get from our aligned points the more off we are in accuracy between the base map and the aligned mapping. It's the same with gaging things. A subtle difference in sample A might cause it to read as 1000 or even millions of years younger than it's neighbor all because of a near imperceptible chemical difference. Of course their are other dating methods also, but they fail in much the same way.

So for my two cents I don't trust any time-line given, because in my researching I have seen numbers (for the beginning of all things) that range from 5 trillion years to 10,000 years. While the later number is what choose to believe (based on other things) it is not something I can trust while the "science" is so random.

Q. Evolution, is it real? Is it trustworthy?

A. I don't subscribe to evolution basically for 5 reasons and I'll just list them briefly...
1. If we go back to the start of evolution we would need to see one cell sparked into life (which is bordering on the impossible) and that cell would need to hold all the dna "blueprints" for all things we see today (which is far more impossible). This is very unrealistic in real world terms while evolution requires that a simple life form grows in dna information and then chooses it's information based on it's needs as time progresses. I say this is impossible because the scientific community has already discovered empirically that dna does not evolve, it does mutate and degenerate of course, but nothing is ever added to it unless from an outside source. So a one celled amoeba as we know it today is not a candidate for evolution as we are often lead to accept. They simply don't hold all the information and can't create more info, unless an outside source was there to grant them said info or better yet create fully functional life forms, which would in turn skip the need for evolutionary process altogether. In this way evolution in terms of "man from fish" and "fish from amoeba" is false. Evolution in terms of adaptation however is a proven fact as it only states a change in dna, a lateral or backwards shift, as opposed to the spontaneous creation of additional information.
2. The "missing link" as they call it. It is not one creature that is needed, but an observable and testable set of missing links. While every now and then you'll read an article claiming to have found a missing link the truth is that their exists no middle state of evolution, to date. All the strange creatures (for the most part anyway) are the way they are for a reason. Fish that walk on land or fly. Birds that dive and have walk. Mammals that fly by way of sonar in the dark. These are all oddities but all are functional in their environments. Yet their is not in between to be found for them or the regular birds, fish, etc.
3. Mathmatically it is ridiculously improbable. It is actually mathematically more probable that a deity made everything than it is that something can spark on it's own in that way and survive to lead into what we know.
4. The agenda driven nature of it's proponents in the scientific community. Granted all other groups/communities have agendas, but science (by definitions and principle) is not supposed to and yet that is very much what has been revealed over the last several decades. Only that which is desired is exposed to the public and so the public who want another way accept it as a fact when it isn't more than a theory to date.
5. The principle of evolution is that of another creation style, it was born for that very purpose, but to do that it needs a start, a creation of some sort and evolution does not answer that. It only supposes that we are reduced to animals when we clearly are not. Since nothing can't evolve into something, their must be something to allow for evolution to occur, but even the "Big-bang" is a weak attempt to do so when scrutinized. Most debaters don't even bother with it anymore in conversations. So it can't even account for it's own existence and I find that to be a large flaw in it's construction.

Reason #6 would be faith in God's Word over anything man can generate. Simply put a belief in the Bibles account of creation and lack of support for evolutionism.

Random Notes (#76)

Some days, most even, I wake up and I am tired. I don’t usually whine about it but I certainly don’t enjoy it. Time is a valuable resource and I can rest within the walls of sanctuary after I die. Now is for being awake. Still, a tad more sleep would probably be helpful.

Anyhow, even when I wake up tired and drag myself around the apartment to get ready for work. Even as I drive to work rain or shine feeling utterly un-inspired to have the job I have. Even as I repeat this morning process over and over, I can’t fail to notice how the day shifts, every day. At some point each day I come to realize how important and worthwhile the day is and I think it is important to do that. A spark of life pops back into the picture.

Sometimes it is a passing conversation or an article containing some previously unknown information. Other times it is a call to arms, be it a battle or a hug. Each day contains many moments, moments we miss and learn to not check for. Moments that we aren’t prepared for sometimes. Moments that define who we are in the world. Are we “salt and light” or are we just another shadow passing by, unaffecting the world aside from adding to the blanket of darkness already present?

It’s these moments that I wake to each day. I don’t wake to an alarm clock or coffee. I don’t wake to 8:30 traffic patterns or a morning radio show. I don’t even wake to the static shock I almost always get hit with at my desk. No, what wakes me up deep down is the sight of these moments to change the world even if only in a 10 foot bubble around me.

Nothing wakes me up like being awake spiritually. Granted my eyes are still heavy and my body would love nothing more than to curl up under my desk for a few more hours, but my spirit is alive. That is far more important to me than being on caffeine highs or getting an adrenalin rush. A spirit alive is an everlasting high...

Music Motive

I'm gonna try something new here. Well, new to me anyhow. I know others have been doing this for a long time, but I always have a hard time with the coding format of this blog. Getting things to appear in the post box is a tough job for me.

This one is about a music video I watched online. It is a song I like by an artist I think is interesting. The name is Sigur Ros for those that might recognize it. The song is called Hoppipola which I honestly don't understand, but then I really don't think that the song is in English so the title most likely isn't either. Songs like this reach down into a person and (if you can connect with the music style) find a specific emotion to grab. I have a hard time figuring out what emotion this one grabs. Maybe it is a form of nostalgia, it kind of feels that way. Maybe it brings a childlike wonder as I watch the contents of the video. Maybe it's just creativity in what it shows. A reversal of the norm, a peak into something unexpected and (most importantly) very believable.

We, or I, often naturally look at age in a basic way unless something forces us to break the mold. I see birth followed by a middle and then it's all downhill so to speak. (I mean this in a general way and not a guarantee of course of how a life is lived.) Let's be honest I don't see many people acting as these do in the video, but that is why it is so striking to me. This video (and the song that drives it) break that mold and reveal a new world that was hiding inside of it. A place where the elderly act like children, valuing and enacting the times once forgotten to them. Battles over "turf", which I remember having. Creating makeshift weapons and armor, which I also did. Knocking on a door and running, which everyone has done before. Even jumping in puddles and flirting openly within their groups. These are not the things I think of when I think elderly, but the song does an amazing job of reaching in and searching for that spot where the inner child lives. Once poked and awakened (and in combination with the video) it is hard not to smile and giggle with appreciation of the events unfolding. Or at least it was for me...

Game on!

Forgive me if I sound nuts or cryptic here, these are just my rambled thoughts unraveling.

So...I'm sure it taunts us all, but it is awfully loud when it comes calling on me. Usually it is in the night, before I sleep or even at times waking me from my slumber. Parts of this have gone on my whole life while other parts have only happened about 4 times in the past, oh, 3 years I guess. For me it is at times a sharp and distinct voice, but most often a muttering or a whispering. I used to think it was wind or a fan or a vent in a room or even the electronic hum of something, but after all these years and all these nights I am sure it isn't so simple. When I was young it came often, the whispering, always in bed when the ears are sharper and the ambient noises are down. Something a child might even manage to convince himself is the "boogie man" or the old monster under the bed. As a child I even convinced myself it was nothing since it was never really a scary thing to me until just a few years back, when things got ugly. Waking up in the night, under a clear spiritual attack on two separate occasions. I called out to the Lord with haste and was comforted, protected. Had I not, it might have continued. Had it continued I would have been in trouble. I'm sure you have felt it at some point, that kind of spiritual or moral sapping of strength. Shaken and terrified by an person or an act. A time when your body might be fine, but your heart and soul are under attack. Not easy to explain, I know, so let's move on.

Whatever it was it left for a year and now has returned. This time not looking for a surprise attack it seems more bold. As I lay in bed twice this past week the whispers came loud enough to make my legs go numb from fear. This time accompanied by another noise. I couldn't place it, but it was in league with the whisper and not an outside addition by the trains or the highway. Last night was especially bad though, as I took a moment to steady myself and possibly ignore it (as has been successful many years ago) the second noise came in. I made a bit of noise myself as to stand my ground, but apparently I only provoked it. It got louder and moved around as never before. I wanted to get up and hit the light, but was honestly too afraid and my body had gone cold. So, I called out for the 4th time to God for help and yet again it had worked, the whispers quieted.

Unfortunately it only did so for a time. As I calmed down and attempted to sleep my nightstand (with the alarm clock on it) rattled and my eyes flew open in surprise, but my body didn't move a muscle. It did so again and I made some noise again, but as soon as I finished it began again. So again I called out to God for assistance and this time with a more sincere need. God acted and took away the danger, giving me back my strength in the following moments, but I had been shaken too much by then and I had to get up. I went and got my old stereo and brought it back into the room to put WJTL on. (This is an old trick I used to quiet the whispers as it helps to have a lullaby of praise playing even if only as a support.)

So I realized a difference in how I "call out" to God. Times 1, 2, and 5 were from my very depths as I was wholly invested in that cry. Time 4 was only half hearted and almost casual. Time 3 I think falls in between some where, but it did work. So I have to think, as with so much of our faith, we must be all in and honest in our dealings with God. (He doesn't want our second best, our B game.) It's not that He doesn't hear or doesn't act however, as times 3 and even 4 yielded results that my own voice had not, but I think even in this He knows where our hearts are at. If we are truly requesting help or just expecting Him to come and save us.

Of course many people believe many things about our world (its realities and natures) I retain my own opinions formed of experience and based on Biblical narrative. Some think that their are no ghosts or spirits and others can't seem to get away from them no matter how hard they try. Some choose to chase them as if they were a harmless game while others fear them and what they may be capable of. I say this to get it off my chest, but also to advise those who chase after these things and treat them as if a toy or a game. This is more dangerous then playing in traffic. While your body is temporary your soul is not and while your body can heal with medicine your spirit is far more fragile a thing. Be warned, this is no game.

If you are one who doesn't believe in these things I'll just say, thank you for reading. I'm not posting for the purpose of convincing anyone here. Take what you can from it.

Random Notes (#70)

So, this is about action. No, I amnot here to deliver the promised evangelism rants yet. This is a reflection on the action of a motivated and faithful believer. That which all should aspire to and achieve.

I have seen, in the last months, a rather large calling placed upon believers around me and yes even myself, the reluctant servant. I have been called to many things, but of them one has stood out. It risks a close friendship and yet must be done regardless of my feelings. This matter I am supposed to approach my friend on is no small one. It is infact no less than an accusation and rebuking of his hearts desire. Oh the torment I have felt over this, but it is clear to my heart what must be done and the Spirit has pushed me once to act already. Though I failed and floundered I did give it a go, but apparently God was only pleased with the effort and not the delivery because He has asked me to do it over. If I am to lose my friend, it will be.

As I ponder my situation I take notice to those around me rising up one after the next, ready or not, and taking on tasks that God requires of them. Maybe this has always been and I was just blind to it. Maybe He is calling this generation to move from its complacency. In either case we surge forward, reaching out as His messengers and servants. I have seen on the same topic as the one I face (mentioned above) a group of Christian friends rally and invest themselves deeply in the outcome of the matter which I am bound to now. It softens my heart to see the true concern and the willingness to risk loss for the sake of another. This is a Christ centered community in action. While the message is not well received (and perhaps not always well delivered) they surge forward still. On another front I have seen a man receive a calling to his own family of late and respond with a minimum of (perhaps even no) hesitation. For the sake of his love he moved into the unknown, holding hope and delivering a message. A wonderful sign of the times and of a persons commitment to not only our beliefs, but also to the love that we hold.

The most potent of all these examples however is to be found in another dear friend. As time has passed, action (which was once my friends strong suit) became a weakness, lost to attributes of peace and optimism. Yet through regeneration that once strong trait has returned and now with guidance of God leading it. I am amazed, as I can count the instances I debate and miss I see the decisiveness and assurance of my friends actions. I also have seen the fruit of her loyalty and it is good. And this is the strongest of all examples in my view (none are less valid of course) and this is my aspiration on the matter of following divine direction. I have been given many gifts and raised up in understanding (though I have much to learn still), but in action and bravery I have most often faltered. Daily receiving motivation to speak or act and struggling to do so...often missing divine moments. It is changing, but I wish it to be resolved and in motion already. My patients is limited when it comes to my own failures I guess.

So I wanted to raise these persons up if only briefly, because I am proud of them as my brothers and sisters. I would think that God himself has smiled on this day because of their devotion to Him and one another. Bless you my friends...

Random Notes (#62)

Has anyone spent much time researching and understanding the concept and idea of Baptism? For some reason it has moved to the forefront of my mind in the past few months on several occasions. Though I have the standard understanding of it (origins, design, and current use in our church) I do feel lacking in what I consider a clear "bible view". Not that of a denomination, but that of its uses and intent within a biblical context. Often I find that while denominations carry variations and do not agree on things, the bible does not hold more than a sole and solid view of many matters. When I need an answer this is where I go and so I went looking first by searching the bible for words like "baptize", "Baptism", and then after coming up with no hits I tried "Baptist" hoping for John the Baptist verses. Nothing came back... Honestly, I thought the search engine was broken, but it found all the other things I searched for after that. Making me wonder if I was being warded against the search itself by God, or another.

So I turned to a series of websites that I trust on presenting a clear view of these matters. These sites do not list a single view and claim that it is correct, but instead list what the groups believe and then list what the bible actually has to say about it. This leaves the process of understanding and decision to the reader (as opposed to the majority of opinion based sites) and is a decent backup when I can't find what I am looking for in the actual bible.

Anyhow, I guess this all came around because I have witnessed many debates over the years of whether we should be baptizing infants or not. This is one of the few debates I did not step in on which tells me I am still at odds with it to some degree. For example my church baptizes at infancy which is fine by me, but then does not promote it later when those persons are consenting. Truly, I would think that the act as symbolic or otherwise should be carried through by consent, not force, if it matters at all. (And I believe it does.) So does that make it wrong? No, again I have no beef with the practice, but I do think that their is merit to baptism as much today as back then and as such we must undertake it purposefully if at all.

Do I think it is required? Honestly, I have no reason to believe it is a requirement for salvation. No in fact, I do not believe it is a requirement for salvation at all as that matter rests in belief of Christ and repentance of sins, salvation is however followed by regeneration. The catch here is not in the goal of salvation, but in the power of the Holy Spirit and the regeneration aspect which follows. Do I believe that my infant baptism delivered me in some fashion to the God I now serve and that the Spirit dwells within me today? Yes I do, and it is visible in my past as a non-believer as well as what my life is becoming day to day as a believer. So does that mean that the Holy Spirit landed on me as an infant? Does this mean I do not need confess and submit of my own volition? Seeing as I have been saved, commissioned, and am in the processes of regeneration already and have bore wittiness to the Spirits work in my life I have to assume that none of these concerns matter now. That the process did in fact not require my consent those many years ago.

That does of course go against what I had always thought however and so it is not easy to truly take in. As such I hold concern that I might need to go through it again if only for myself, as a consenting adult. Not for salvation sake or for a show to the people, but instead so that I might worship God in this way. Submitting as a man willfully and joyfully.

These are just some thoughts that passed through my mind again today. If you have not been baptized then it is important you do even if you see it as symbolic alone, but if you have as a child then you are in the same spot I am. Grateful of course, but left without firm biblical understanding of your role now in this regard.

God Bless,
-Dan

Random Notes (#41)

Today (Sunday) I woke up and went with a small group from church to another church service over in the colonial park area. To my knowledge we are getting guidance and help in beginning our own contemporary service and they have been quite helpful. I was not overcome by the setting as we walked in, but I admit even being in a gym it was not uncomfortable. Something in the air. We sat down and I took the time to look around at things, drinking it in, studying it. I liked it. It seemed to cover all the basics and was welcoming enough.

After it all started the music came on and people were buzzing, we began to sing a bit and it really moved me. More than traditional hymns do. I found that at moments in certain songs (we sang several) my eyes swelled to bursting and my lips trembled a bit. I had to stop momentarily to gather myself. Just kept clapping along in the interim. It dawned on me, as before, that as much as I like to speak and sing of God, I am either deeply in love or deeply broken inside. Why else would a man be moved to weep by these things. The songs were not about me or related to me, but were of praise. Likewise, speaking of God in a group or intimate setting often takes me down a peg or two, forcing me to pause and collect myself.

Even though I spent the whole time taking mental notes on the setting I still carried much out of the sermon. It was presented much like I would present a topic to someone online. A topic, anger, was presented and to make the point scripture verses were brought out and explained that would teach a biblical lesson on it, a God view. It was well done. Anger is something I had long struggled with, especially in my high school years. I think of how quick I used to get upset and how aggressive I would be in my tone to others or my action when behind closed doors. It was not healthy that I allowed such things and of the many deep down changes God has enforced on me I am quite glad for that one. Peace is no stranger these days, though I do still lose sight of it in worry over things I do or did not do. Anyway, for those out there who might find the topic of interest I have listed the verses so you can do a little reading.

Psalm 37:8
Proverbs 30:33
Proverbs 22:24
Colossians 3:8
Ephesians 4:26-27
Romans 8:12-13
Philippians 4:12-13

So, afterwards we were introduced to the worship leaders and a few of the band members there and they were a nice bunch of people. We helped put the chairs away and then went to lunch to talk about the event. It was a good time and I'm glad I went.

Pen Stroke and Page

Ok, finally it has happened. I am reading! I gathered books that were all half finished and already got through two of them this past week. One more to go! (^_^) Of the books finished their is the one recently posted on called "12 Ordinary Men" which was absolutely brilliant in my opinion. Not the best book I've read, but I've never felt so close to the disciples nor have I understood them as so close to me. The other book was called "Glow in the dark" and was (as the title depicts) a book about growing into maturity and then letting it out into the world. It was a very good book, the likes of a Max Lucado book I think, but didn't press on me any more than a Max book would. Not that I am complaining about Max, he's awesome, but their is a difference I am aware of personally. While I am moved by Max and find support/encouragement in similar writings, I have never been more moved than by Erwin McManus. Not yet anyhow. None-the-less, all great books.

In addition to those fun reads I have undertaken the books of the bible again. I have read the majority before, at some point, but most I couldn't tell you about now. I just don't remember and I know how wrong that is so, while others around me have mentioned and decided to read it, I to will do so. Genesis, Exodus and the Gospels I know very well so I decided to start instead with the minor prophets and work backwards through the Old Testament. Most of these are the books I had not read or been in studies on. As I read, about one a night, I am writing my thoughts down on it and while most are not very inciteful I thought I'd post them as I go.

So far I have gotten through Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, and Malachi skipping Zechariah because of it's size. I will go back to it later though. Ok, that's all for now. God Bless.

The Doubting Thomas?

Not so says author and researcher John MacAuthur. In his book the 12 Ordinary Men, he breaks down each disciple based on the information at hand and in doing so has made a truly inciteful work. If you have interest in getting a feel for who the disciples were as individuals and as they were transformed please go and read this book. It was given to me as a gift some time ago, but in my laziness I had only managed halfway. With this new found push for reading and developing worthy and enjoyable habits to replace the old I have come back to finish reading it. I should be done tonight, but before I do that I wanted to share what the author says about the disciple Thomas. A man who has become identified as doubtful because of his reaction to Jesus's resurrection. A title unfounded and undeserved as we will see.

Thomas was in actuality a pessimist of sorts, I am a bit of one myself, and as with many of the disciples he is only mentioned to any real extent in John. He was most likely a twin whose sibling was not mentioned. (Taken from John 11:16 "Didymus") This book does not spend time explaining his career choices or his family life as with most of the others. Instead it focuses on his character. While most of us feel the ability to relate to the disciples most of us do not really know who they were beyond their names and what is written plainly in the Bible. Looking at their character, their natures, is a harder thing to do.

Thomas has been attributed a nature of doubt, but a doubting man does not offer his life, unto death, for a stranger and a crazy one at that. (In truth Jesus was hardly either, but the world saw Him as such.) The book uses the account of Lazarus to paint the picture of Thomas's true nature.

From John 10:40 all the way through to John 11:15 it unfolds the scene. Jesus and the disciples are well outside Jerusalem, out where John the Baptist did his thing. They were baptizing people by the fistfull and news came of Lazarus, Jesus friend and loved one. He was told that Lazarus was sick and dieing and that Jesus should come and help. Jesus said He would, but then hung out for a few days. Giving Lazarus time to die. (To the greater glory of God as healing the sick makes a lesser statement than resurrecting the dead.) The disciples are not eager to get back to that area because as far as they know they will be found and stoned to death. Such is part of why they left to begin with. Though they had no real choice in the matter Thomas spoke up in John 11:16, "Let us go, that we may die with Him."

Say what? The downer said this? The doubter said this? Sorry but no. I see no doubt in his words. I'm not saying he didn't believe he was going to die, but that he was willing to, in fact desired, to die with Christ. That is far from doubt.

To further the point the book then jumps to the much thought of moment that Thomas saw Jesus after the resurrection. We see Thomas saying, no way man I have to test this I can't just believe it, and we say boo bad Thomas. Why though? When the Mary's brought word of the resurrection to them they said we do not believe. When Jesus appeared in a barricaded room after having been beaten, hung up, stabbed, and buried what did they say? With Him standing in from of them He showed them His wounds as proof. Then they believed. Not prior does it say they trusted or had faith, but only after proof. Yet we have attributed to a good man a doubtful persona. He requests to see the same proof they had been given and believes.

It also mentions in the book of Thomas's panic when Jesus claimed that He was going on in John 14:5. A man who was ready beyond the others to follow Jesus into the hands of death was terrified that he would not be able to find Jesus after He left. Another aspect it mentions is Thomas's nature to pull away from the group when his heart was broken by the death of Christ. How when all the others gathered to comfort each other as a family, Thomas wandered and sulked on his own unable to handle the others with his grief. While we might jump to the conclusion that he was a negative-nelly or melany-melancholy because of his reaction we forget that a broken heart is a painful thing. Thomas loved Jesus so fully that for him it was too much to bear at once. He had to flee it all, the disciples, the tomb, and work through it all.

Throughout these few pages a portrait of a man not often thought of is painted. A man who has hope and bravery, but has a nature that holds him to deep emotional stress and a pessimistic outlook in some regards. Is he who you thought he was? He wasn't who I thought...

God Bless,-Dan

Random Puzzle Bits

Welcome to the actual update!

Gamers Call- As for matters outside my usual train of thought, a new game came out recently Neverwinter 2. Wow, it looks great and holds countless potential for lost time, heh. My friends have already gotten it and started building another online world for people to play on. Grand aspirations and I hope they find it to be worthwhile in the end. I know that doing those things, at least for me, is only fun for a time, but unlike many projects a persona can take this one is connected to other people. In that way it is much harder to stop when you get tired of it. As Astro said, it becomes like work. Still, it is cool to see it develop and cool to think that people from all over will be playing on it when they get it ready. I haven't even bought it yet and I'm not sure I want to. I don't have time really. Between this one and a race game that's in the works I could loose months of time. Precious time. Though I dodged the bullet on the game itself I was still happy to work on the website for it. Sheesh, I love working on these things, but I always dream bigger than I can actually manage. It's not that the layout is bad or that the functionality is bad, I just keep thinking it looks weak. It needs something and I can't place it. Usually I'd make up for it by going into design mode, but it has a theme that is limiting to me so that is not an option. Much like my drawing ability, I dream something impressive and then fall short in application, wondering what I missed or why it didn't work. Oh well. (^_^)

Rekindling- I actually took time recently to draw a couple of things. Man it was a great release for me even though it was apparent that I hadn't sketched in years. If I can take time to do some more maybe I'll make a post to showcase my poor excuse for artistic talent, LOL. Haven't read any books recently. It makes me a bit sad actually. Drawing and reading are so important to me and yet even without TV and games I never take time for them. What is that about!?

Focused Efforts- So, as I had mentioned earlier, I have been side tracked recently on a forum. The forum is called Youth on the Rock (YOTR) and is titled and directed for "Christian Students" though that title is more vague than you might think. It is overall a good place with good people, as most are. It is not however a safe haven of Christianity as I always assume when I read "Christian Forum" in the title. Coming from that other forum, an atheist forum, where it was flat out spiritual warfare this place is calm and polite. Keeping that in mind I got very worked up at some of the Theology I found on the YOTR forum, as I was expecting the safe haven and did not find it, not as I imagined. Don't get me wrong, the purpose and hope of it is as good as it can be without being subject to heavy admin control and I do not mean to insult its owners. It just contains and seems to accept more confusion that I would like to see.

So, like I was saying I got quite upset at what I saw. Several threads geared and in progress that attacked the credibility of the Bible, a few threads that were pushing the bad theology of the LDS church, a thread that was counting lust as an acceptable nature, and of course a handful of the same tough and poorly understood topics within our founded faith. None of this is too much to deal with though so I do feel it is rewarding to stay (as opposed to the last forum) and aid the few who are already pushing and offering sound Theology. Seeing as how their is already no shortage of good hearts I don't see a need to roam around the forums day and night posting random stuff and making a presence in that capacity. If only the two parts (loving hearts and sound theology) can find a balance then the forum would be as it aught to be, in my mind anyway.

Anyway, as these topics die down I find that my time frees up a good bit. For a few weeks their I was coming home after 8 hours and spending 6 more in front of the computer researching and putting together clear responses to those threads. It is quite rewarding but man it's demanding. As they cool off I feel the need to post on some of those topics seeing as how the confusion crosses the gamut of believers and is not necessary if we place our hope in Christ and Scripture. Promise to try not to be longwinded as I do. (^_^)

New Venture- I have been asked (again) to partake in a youth related matter. It baffles me that God would gift me as He has and then, in the midst of so many goings-on, give me a direction towards that which is so far removed from my nature or gifts. Not that the gifts wouldn't carry over. Not that He can't make it work even if I had no gifts. But why youth? I guess it does actually make sense and I do see that, but I am fighting it. IT took a lot to break down for camp and that was only a week once a year. This offer is once a week for a year and possibly a span of several years. The church recently got a youth director which it desperately needed and she is looking for help. I had skipped two offers prior to this one and yet these are the offers that come. So I am going to dive in in the next few weeks. Expect a longer and more detailed ramble later.

New Service- Also, my church is interested in creating a contemporary service the likes of which I had hoped for and I am looking to sink my hands into that project as it comes. I have read a lot about contemporary churches in the past few years, but I have not actually been to many. I think my mental vision of a contemporary service is a bit more...contemporary?...than the average for this area, but we'll see what develops. At it's core I see a need for both styles, traditional and contemporary. Neither should be to an extreme lest the people become lost to it and not to the purpose of being there. Something I'll ramble on about a bit later I'm sure.

Awkward Happiness- One of my closest friends has managed to get engaged recently and has asked me to be part of the wedding which I was so excited about. He is having a bit of resistance though by those around him and I kind of feel bad about it. Oddly enough the resistance is not coming from his family but from his friends in Christ. To be honest I am counted among them and though I'd like to go into it he may not appreciate that, so I won't. We only have concerns and though they may seem as opposition they are not invalid. They are also born of love for him and his new fiancee(sp?). They are a great couple it seems and I pray the best for them as their wedding date approaches. I only mention it all because I am both happy and concerned about it all. Tough spot to be in, I'll have to give it up to God again as it is too much for me.

Ok, well that is a good bit of updates. Their is more, but somethings do not belong here. God Bless.

A Holding Pattern

Hi everyone! Sorry I have been so absent the past several weeks. It seems that everytime I get into it on a forum I direct all my writing ability to that effort. It certainly takes all I have sometimes. That being said I have several things to post on here, but I have lots of things that need attention in the real-world right now and that is bound ot slow me down. Until I can get to some of these things I'll leave you with an updated November playlist, on the right. 4 Very good songs from 4 very impressive artists. Enjoy!

God Bless,
-Dan

Minor Revision...

I just got done with the changes to the Pictures Thingy. It works a lot like the Archives do. Just a button on the main page here that opens up another window where the images are all layed out for easy access. I'll be updating soon with more images, but first I'm gonna make another pass at this darn jukebox.

d-_-b *Music is good.*

g'night,
-Day

Free to Dance...

Just a quick update to throw in amongst the larger posts. I finally got around to updating the little "Music Player" on the right. I recently have come into a great deal of music and I can't even keep up. It should settle down soon, but here are three relatively new songs I like and one old one I have loved. Enjoy...

*No, I still can't get the streaming jukebox idea up and running. (I'm about to break down and have someone else do it for me.) Hang in their though, maybe by my 200th post it'll be working properly. (^_^) Untill then, feel free to dance.

Lazy Sunday...

Last Saturday was a big day for me. I had to wakeup early (8am) so that I could get ready to go and plant trees over at the friendship center. I haven't volunteered for anything like that in a long time and even though it was about 4 hours earlier than I like to start a Saturday it was admittedly nice to get up to such a beautiful morning with a purpose of some sort. When I got there it was cold and a group of people had shown up (co-workers and HACC students) to help with the planting of what seemed like a million trees. I'm not one for yard work generally, but that is mostly because I don't have a yard and so I enjoyed the smells and sounds of nature in the brisk air. It took hours though to find success in the task and I was both tired and hungry. Still I felt as an accomplished steward of the earth for having achieved the goal.

As I got home and cleaned up I got a call from a friend to come and move some of his belongings around, a TV and an excersize thingy. So I ate quickly and rushed over to his place to help out. Since I was in the area anyway and I needed to make another delivery I thought I'd stop and do so. This delivery was my TV which, for the moment, was my last item slated for necessary removal. Do not worry yourselves scholars of Channelology, I left in deserving and capable hands.

It wasn't long though before I was aching and moaning, not for the lost of TV mind you, but for the pain rifling through my back and arms from carrying two 27" TVs, a pile of trees, and several wheel-barrel loads of mulch. Oh the pain... Hey, I'm a desk-jockey for a living! It is ok though as I caught up with an friend for a few hours that night on the phone and phones aren't heavy lifting. (^_^)

Thankfully, Sunday was full of nothing at all. (More nothing than had previously existed on a Sunday I believe.) So much nothing I was deeply bored at times. On the other hand as the hours steadily flowed by, I couldn't help but to be more observant of (thinking and feeling) the moments that passed. I was allowed for the first time in a long time to just tap into a moment that held no particular grand-ness to it. I mean we all can tap into those moments of sunsets, first snowfalls, summer rains and various important occurances in our personal lives, but taping into a plane-jane moment is not something I hear much of and not something I remember doing much. By the end of the day I was happy to have been so very bored because I realized that (even with my boredom) I was granted access to a spiritually uplifting day. (Quite the opposite by contrast of workloads to Saturday, but just as rewarding.)

And so I wondered, is this what the Sabbath is to be like? The question of Sabbath is a tough one for many Christians, myself included. Some say it is not necessary though I disagree with that while others say it has to be a particular day even though scripture says otherwise. Originaly it was a Saturday and technically, if we adhere to Jewish law, it still is. Of course, we don't adhere to the old law, but to Christ. Anyway, I'm off topic already, I have always had distraction or work to do each day. Even when I made a point to have no work, in observance of the sabbath, I still had a 'ton' of distractions and things that kept me from tapping into the point and goal of the day. These are just my passing thoughts, I'm not implying or preaching here. It's just something I noticed Sunday that I hope to find again.

Some related Scriptures...
Exodus 20:8–11
Exodus 31:13-17
Colossian 2:16
Romans 14:5-10

Happy Day-Cakes

Another question to the philosophy club that peaked my interest (though not in a very profound way) was "What are the essential "ingredients" for your happiness? What is'enough'? What is too much?" I didn't actually post this back to the group, but I enjoyed answering it none the less and thought I'd post it here.

Basic Happiness Recipe; "Happy Blue404"
- 1 cup God (Christian Brand only)
- 0.25 cup music (Preferably Techno or International)
- 0.25 cup laughter (If not clean, go by fresh.)
- 2 teaspoons of hope
- 1.5 teaspoons of focus
- 1.25 tablespoon of internal struggle
- 1 "pinch" of a comfy couch to sweeten
(*All substitutions yeild poor results. Modify at your own risk.)
Mix and let sit for 9 years before cooking. Bake at 420 degrees until crispy and tasty. Enjoy!

Mmm-Mm good! Heh, ok that was fun, but seriously their is no way to be simple about this one is their? Every question has a long and winding answer riddled with symantic holes and opinions. Bearing this all in mind...

I do not "need" things to be happy, however I do prefer them as it is easier to "feel" happy while comortable, healthy, and safe than it is while hungry, cold, and in pain. HOwever, the happiness that "things" have brought me have been faint by comparission to the happiness that I feel when doing what God commands me to do, rain or shine. Whether that means overcoming an old habit or reaching out to someone who needs it. Even moments in staring at the sky hold a new value over any toy I once played with. Admittedly, it's easy to say, but hard to explain without subjecting the reader to the event itself so I'll leave it be.

"Enough" to me is that which is necessary, no more no less. (Also known as "just enough".) While "too much" to me is that which is unnecessary. The actual dosage or amount (of whatever we happen to be referring to) depends entirely on what the situation is and requires so I don't think I can answer it rightly.

In all these things we can either take "happiness" as subjective or objective and it will always come down to personal choice as to which we choose. Happiness itself I think is predominantly seen as ambiguous or subjective concept these days. (ie; Though we may all agree that candy is good we will still likely differ on which candy and why it is good. In this same way happiness is seen among people I know.) It's not a simple matter to define the ingredients for happiness when each person has a definition of happy and a different set of likes/dislikes. Furthermore I question if many people even know true happiness. Also the old saying comes to mind that some persons are only happy when not happy which presents a problem. So, yea like I said, trying to define all this without writing a full page thesis is a trick in and of itself so I'll just speak for myself.

(GYM Lessons) Moral Makeup:

When I go to the gym during the week I don't like to watch the TV's there. Not because I don't like TV, but because I can never find a remote and they are always on some channel, I don't care for. So, I like to take some reading material that I find online. This usually has to do with Christian Evidences and Apologetics to some degree. The past two weeks I have read two very interesting works and I really wanted to share them here. My apologies if this runs long again, but when it comes to explanations putting forth a minimal effort is not enough I believe. Regardless of the size these are worth the read.

This document was written by David L. Lipe, was published by the Apologetics Press, and is called "The Foundations Of Morality". I was impressed by it's ingenuity on the topic or morality even though the work itself was only some twelve pages. The general purpose was to discuss the building blocks of ethics and morality within a culture as well as an individual. It also goes into defining the difference between secular and religious ethics. Finally it rounds off the paper by analyzing the implications of the universality and nature of morals. (That sounds more confusing than it is, but I'm crunching down here to keep from posting too much so bear with me please.)

*Some sub-topics or themes within this document that I thought were worth meditation or reflection are;

- Cut-Flowers
The cut-flowers thesis, coined by Glenn C. Graber, speaks of a child who sees a flower he wants. The child reaches down and grabs the pretty flower ripping it out of the ground, but the child left the roots and the dirt in the ground as they were not pleasing to him and did not seem necessary when all he wanted was the pretty flower. Thinking it would be so simple the child re-plants it somewhere else without the roots. Obviously the flower does not survive without its foundation and so either are morals. This thesis was created to explain the decline in morality that has been more obvious by the passing months let alone years in this country. It represents the removal of the moral foundation, which many would argue against, and then shows how it withers slowly away. These same persons however, do not see the value in the roots of the plant, even in the face of our withering flower. The document goes on in detail about the purpose and implications of this thesis today, but I'll stop here.

- Religious vs Secular Morality
A long lived debate and indeed a familiar one. The document goes on to define the two and how they work. Then pitting the two against each other in what is without question a "no contest" fight. Simply put, secular morals are generally devised of a persons choosing. This may come from outside sources through life or it may be of that individuals design somehow. In both cases however, it is a piecemeal system of what do I want to believe is right and wrong as well as what do I want to apply to my life. In essence a subjective morality. A religious morality however looks to a singular outside source, a divine source, regardless of personal desires, and then applies those morals to oneself. Keeping a single standard set by this divine source, holding it to be objective. When the comparison comes though we see that a subjective moral system is inherently faulty so long as an objective one exists...and one does. Why does it fall apart? Because, an objective one means that their is a single standard, a fact, a permanent unyielding truth that causes no conflict within itself while a subjective one means just the opposite. That each persons morals are personalizable and are somehow still accurate. Basically stating that what you believe is right is right irregardless of what that means. Allowing killers, rapists, and thieves to be free in their desires and "ethics", but that is quite unacceptable to the vast majority of the secular morality grouping when asked. So then even they believe their must be a true standard (an "objective" one) when the chips fall. Yet when the time comes to choose a standard they keep to what they believe to be right and wrong as small groups or individuals and so it remains, faulty as it is, a subjective morality for them by their own design.

- Universal Experiances: (A Moral Breakdown)
(This was new to me. Instead of going on about morals as a singular matter the author broke it down into building blocks and I was truly impressed at what it reveals, though I doubt I can accurately explain in a paragraph.) The author goes on to point out that all men feel some form of moral obligation. It doesn't matter how insane or clearheaded you are, we all feel that their is a right and wrong and generally we feel the urge to do what is right though we may act otherwise. Is what is right and wrong the same for everyone, of course not and that is the two (main) ingredients that make our morality. Why is this important? Because, we can put reason and logic to define how we come up with our actions and decisions, but we cannot explain away our base calling to hold right and wrong or our base calling to do right. Granted what actions a man takes may be wrong even though his neighbor sees it as right it is not the ultimate action that I am interested in. Instead it is the imposing conscience that each man has. Though we have learned and been taught what right and wrong are (and that knowledge may be faulty depending on the situation) the conscience itself (the urge to observe right and wrong) is consistent and active. What does this mean? Well, the author understands it to mean that their is something upon all of us (what we might refer to as a conscience) that holds a standard and a law to which we are subject. Every time a person has a chance to help someone for instance, he has the option of helping or not helping and though his decision is often made based off of what he has learned of right and wrong, he none the less feels the need to chose and then carries regret or guilt if he chose inappropriately. It is not his terms of right and wrong, but his motivator to chose (his conscience) that the author holds to be a "moral law" placed down upon us all. Of course I am summarizing while the author went into great detail in explaining and proving and citing various sources, but I have actually heard others state similar concepts before that hadn't really sunk in until now. So essentially a persons morals are made up of intellect (teachings and personal judgment ability) and conscience (some apparent external motivator), the later motivating the former to make a choice of right and wrong. This is a universal situation among mankind.

- That little voice: (Moral Law)
So this "moral law" is an un-definable external motivator. Now the author, having spoken enough on the topic to make the point correctly and clearly, approaches the connection between God and this conscience we all carry. After addressing the obvious questions and opposition to his document and then going on through a great discourse of how logically such a conscience cannot be fabricated or individualized he ends the work with this statement, "The following logical implications, therefore, may be established from the above discussion: (1) there is a moral law that man feels compelled to obey; (2) the reality of God is reflected in each person's conscience; and (3)a personal being (God) exists and urges moral obligation upon every human" and I am compelled to agree with him having found sound wisdom in what he says. I've had this fight a few times and I had never thought to approach it in this way. I may try it in the future as I would like to see what those opposing have to say. From where I sit this seems both sane and sound, but when dealing with those who don't agree with my beliefs things like sane and sound aren't always the most important thing it would seem.

(I 'really' wanted to go on, but space does not permit. Feel free to email or post here with questions or comments, they are always welcome.)