Christmas Day is may favorite holiday by just a nose over Thanksgiving. I have been thinking this morning about the birth of Christ, which we celebrate today. I think about the sacrifice He offered for us, on our behalf.
I have been thinking about our motives too. Not just today. I like giving gifts, when I can afford it. It is harder to give when it hurts though, right? Food, bills, mortgage... ...gas... ...where exactly does this fit?
I have been thinking about the hard times that we see in the news, both here and around the world. No, it's not a comfortable world today in too many places...
For Christ, I think it was not "comfortable" at all. Leaving the comforts of Heaven, He lived in the squalor of this sinful world in obedience to the Father. Then, in obedience to the Father, He performed countless miracles, lived with nothing to call His own and then was killed as a common thief.
He became the first hero at His birth and He confirmed it with His death and ressurrection. "No greater love hath any man than this..." - Jesus
He came not to be served, but to serve...
He did not have so much as a bed to sleep... ...in this world.
Materialism is not the point of our gifts at Christmas. At the heart of it, the trinkets we treasure were not even desireable to Him who knew what awaited Him. Instead, gifts should be in honor of the Hero, Jeaus Christ. He gave all He had, because nothing less would do.
Now, He has Heaven again, but not He alone; and He will reign forever and ever - King of kings and Lord of lords in this world too. "Every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord..."
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Would you Rather... (Part Two)
On the last post I mentioned the example of the professor who started his economics class with a question about whether the students would rather be a 14th century king, or would they rather be themselves, today? The answer is, of course, the latter - but not for all the reasons that we might think.
I also rambled on a bit about the need for accountability - not just for governing authorities (biblically accountable to God). but for citizens as well. But I left the "Would you rather" question open... ...perhaps because I am crazy like that.
The shallow answer to this question is also revealing - I mean, who in their right mind would give up the comforts of their running water and electricity (not to mention their smart phones) to live, even as a king, in an era so primitive?
Yet for many thousands of years, this was life. People spent so much time trying to live, that they did not waste a lot of time figuring out the intricacies of lightning, for instance. If a person wanted to study science, he had to be born into the right family, learn under some great person, like Aristotle, perhaps and then somehow obtain enough money to fund not only his own existence, but the existence of his studies and experiments as well. To say that progress came slowly would be accurate.
In more recent times, we are more free to learn and to discover - perhaps completely on our own - new ideas, new technology, etc. We don't need a duke to offer his protection along with candles, paper, pen, ink, books, room and board in exchange for magic tricks at his next banquet - for us to think of a profitable product to sell or an idea to improve something.
We simply make a phone call, place and order for materials, do the thing, pitch the product and sell it - maybe entirely on the World Wide Interweb if you wanted.
No single person or government sat down and decided to invent all of this. It was the work and ingenuity of tens of thousands of people, working in a free market. Toil and sweat to some degree or another resulted in their success, and incidentally, your smart phone, e-reader, anti-lock brakes, and HD TV's...
The next time I hear someone complain about how much the world owes them a "fair" living - I think I will call them "your highness" because they are living in a world of their own making. It is a world in which they want to make demands (like a king) "Just fetch me my slippers... ...oh and draw me a nice warm bath!" Not too many of us these days could survive without our technology - Not too many of us are making headlines with gratefulness either...
...and then I see a story of the folks in Somalia. Ugh. We are so blessed...
I also rambled on a bit about the need for accountability - not just for governing authorities (biblically accountable to God). but for citizens as well. But I left the "Would you rather" question open... ...perhaps because I am crazy like that.
The shallow answer to this question is also revealing - I mean, who in their right mind would give up the comforts of their running water and electricity (not to mention their smart phones) to live, even as a king, in an era so primitive?
Yet for many thousands of years, this was life. People spent so much time trying to live, that they did not waste a lot of time figuring out the intricacies of lightning, for instance. If a person wanted to study science, he had to be born into the right family, learn under some great person, like Aristotle, perhaps and then somehow obtain enough money to fund not only his own existence, but the existence of his studies and experiments as well. To say that progress came slowly would be accurate.
In more recent times, we are more free to learn and to discover - perhaps completely on our own - new ideas, new technology, etc. We don't need a duke to offer his protection along with candles, paper, pen, ink, books, room and board in exchange for magic tricks at his next banquet - for us to think of a profitable product to sell or an idea to improve something.
We simply make a phone call, place and order for materials, do the thing, pitch the product and sell it - maybe entirely on the World Wide Interweb if you wanted.
No single person or government sat down and decided to invent all of this. It was the work and ingenuity of tens of thousands of people, working in a free market. Toil and sweat to some degree or another resulted in their success, and incidentally, your smart phone, e-reader, anti-lock brakes, and HD TV's...
The next time I hear someone complain about how much the world owes them a "fair" living - I think I will call them "your highness" because they are living in a world of their own making. It is a world in which they want to make demands (like a king) "Just fetch me my slippers... ...oh and draw me a nice warm bath!" Not too many of us these days could survive without our technology - Not too many of us are making headlines with gratefulness either...
...and then I see a story of the folks in Somalia. Ugh. We are so blessed...
Would you Rather...
It's Thanksgiving again! It ranks in my top two on the Holiday charts. (I try to keep better track of my favorites than my other brother, Lyle keeps track of his, but no guarantee that I won't get caught with the same words about Christmas - which is the other holiday my top two holiday charts. I guess I am not as crazy as I thought - that is still two.)
I heard a news story in which a Harvard class protested that the economics class that they were taking was not liberal enough. I was appalled. My hope in American humanity sunk about ten fathoms further... ...students, who are attending one of the most prestigious "universities" where intelligence was once centered around facts and figures, is now subjected to the students' protests about the subject matter being not politically left enough? (originally, the name, University, reflected a single focus to study truth - but now, perhaps better called diversities, which disseminate many "truths" formerly known as fictions...)
Then I heard another news story in which a professor started his economics class with a question to the students - would they rather be a 14th century king, or who they are right now, today? Of course, the answer is resoundingly the latter - for all the right reasons, right?
Let's consider this for a moment though. A king of past centuries enjoyed the opulence of his era, all the servants, food and entertainment that he wanted. Dissidents were dispatched with as little as a word from his mouth. Protests might be quelled with brutish efficiency. The world of the king had its privileges... ...he was accountable to no one... ...or was he?
The founding fathers recognized this accountability. It is the cornerstone of our Constitution, the first thought in the Declaration of Independence, because "Creator" is also judge. Men are created and therefore they are not ultimately sovereign - even if their title is King.
So, why is this important today? Replace the idea of the King with that of any kind of government... ...unassailable, unimpeachable, unaccountable? Some today, feel that the government has lost its accountability. Others contend that large corporations have lost accountability. They refuse to pay obeisance to either side, king or corporation, submissive only to themselves - I think they call it "direct democracy" - which is rebellion, or anarchy. Both sides have lost perspective on where accountability really exists - and they have now fully engaged in the policy of "exchanging tyrants and tyrannies" as John Adams famously pointed out.
Finally for now... No amount of economic equality will produce prosperity, morality or content. I might want to think more about this another day, but only Biblical morality and conscience can offer real hope and satisfaction. Nothing else will work.
I heard a news story in which a Harvard class protested that the economics class that they were taking was not liberal enough. I was appalled. My hope in American humanity sunk about ten fathoms further... ...students, who are attending one of the most prestigious "universities" where intelligence was once centered around facts and figures, is now subjected to the students' protests about the subject matter being not politically left enough? (originally, the name, University, reflected a single focus to study truth - but now, perhaps better called diversities, which disseminate many "truths" formerly known as fictions...)
Then I heard another news story in which a professor started his economics class with a question to the students - would they rather be a 14th century king, or who they are right now, today? Of course, the answer is resoundingly the latter - for all the right reasons, right?
Let's consider this for a moment though. A king of past centuries enjoyed the opulence of his era, all the servants, food and entertainment that he wanted. Dissidents were dispatched with as little as a word from his mouth. Protests might be quelled with brutish efficiency. The world of the king had its privileges... ...he was accountable to no one... ...or was he?
The founding fathers recognized this accountability. It is the cornerstone of our Constitution, the first thought in the Declaration of Independence, because "Creator" is also judge. Men are created and therefore they are not ultimately sovereign - even if their title is King.
So, why is this important today? Replace the idea of the King with that of any kind of government... ...unassailable, unimpeachable, unaccountable? Some today, feel that the government has lost its accountability. Others contend that large corporations have lost accountability. They refuse to pay obeisance to either side, king or corporation, submissive only to themselves - I think they call it "direct democracy" - which is rebellion, or anarchy. Both sides have lost perspective on where accountability really exists - and they have now fully engaged in the policy of "exchanging tyrants and tyrannies" as John Adams famously pointed out.
The only foundation of a free Constitution is pure Virtue, and if this cannot be inspired into our People in a greater Measure than they have it now, They may change their Rulers and the forms of Government, but they will not obtain a lasting Liberty. They will only exchange Tyrants and Tyrannies.No government is perfect, but ours was intended to strive for a more perfect - certainly accountability to the people, to other branches of government and judiciary, but inextricably accountable to God. Our government is designed to be weak enough to fear accounting. Its success is gained or lost entirely in its people's adherence to biblical principles. In fact, prior to the emancipation following the Civil War, there was a Frenchman, Alexis de Tocqueville, who made astounding observations about the United States and wrote of it. (Democracy in America)
America is great because she is good. If America ceases to be good, America will cease to be great.(America at the time was terribly less than perfect - surprised? In his writings, de Tocqueville discussed a broad range of subjects, including slavery and its inherent evils and disadvantages in comparison to the free North. Volumes of books were written by these and other men of that time. These are just a couple of the famous quotes... ...yet we hardly talk about these.)
Finally for now... No amount of economic equality will produce prosperity, morality or content. I might want to think more about this another day, but only Biblical morality and conscience can offer real hope and satisfaction. Nothing else will work.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Monday, November 14, 2011
Surrender
I have been thinking about surrender to God. There seem to be a number of facets to it. On the one hand it takes giving up our will in obedience to God. In another, it requires our holding lightly to dearer things. In yet another, it requires us to rely on God for every need... ...it's hard to really reduce it to words. For each facet, there is a huge benefit.
In giving up our own will in obedience to God, we will find peace and freedom and His blessings. It requires that my will be denied, be it wrong or perhaps a legalism. Christ, who is perfect, demonstrated this in the Garden. There, the God-Man, who knew no sin, struggled in greater measure than we can really understand, not to stop sinning, but to simply obey the Father's will at the greatest of costs.
In this way, we learn to rely on Him for every need, physical and spiritual. He has provided for our failures, and He will take care of our every need - not because of us, but because of Him, because of Christ and because of who He is.
God help me to remember this daily...
In giving up our own will in obedience to God, we will find peace and freedom and His blessings. It requires that my will be denied, be it wrong or perhaps a legalism. Christ, who is perfect, demonstrated this in the Garden. There, the God-Man, who knew no sin, struggled in greater measure than we can really understand, not to stop sinning, but to simply obey the Father's will at the greatest of costs.
For it became him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the author of their salvation perfect through sufferings.Sometimes our struggles to obey are compounded by earthly desires; not only the denial of those corrupt, fleshly desires, but also the ownership of those God-given blessings. We, not unlike Abraham in some ways, are taken to the very end of testing, to find that God will provide, or more to the point that God has provided.
(Heb 2:10)
In this way, we learn to rely on Him for every need, physical and spiritual. He has provided for our failures, and He will take care of our every need - not because of us, but because of Him, because of Christ and because of who He is.
God help me to remember this daily...
Friday, October 21, 2011
Forces to Reckon With
I love to design stuff. I love to try to figure out how to make an idea work better.
The other day I was doing just that, working with a model on my computer, testing it virtually with this totally cool simulation. I tell it what force to apply in on what place, and where to put a fixture to hold the part in place while the force is applied. Then it does its magic and you get a color image that explains how the part will withstand or fail under under the load.
So, I got done with a design that took about two day's time to work out, and as a precaution, I reversed the load and the fixture - applied the force and the holding fixture 180 degrees opposite. But it totally failed...
In a moment of hightened tension (perhaps I need to get out more) I hit print and took the image to my boss.
"Wow!" he said, "what do you think is wrong?!"
In a panicked tone I exclaimed, "Newton was WRONG!" (implying that to every action there is actually NOT an equal and opposite reaction - and HERE WAS the evidence!)
We all got a good laugh, and we did find the real problem, which was something unrealistic in the way I had set it up. but it did get me to thinking...
Conclusions made in the midst of the discovery are often wrong. You have to complete the discovery to learn the actual truth in a matter. It does not matter what your opinion is, nor does it matter what you are feeling - the truth will either work in your benefit or it will "react" on you.
If a car meets a semi-truck in an intersection, guess who wins? It does not matter at the point of collision who is in the car, how right they feel about being in that intersection, nor does it matter why. At that moment in time, physics suddenly and forcefully makes its presence known in an unmistakable way. This is how truth is.
You will have a serious change of direction someday if your opinion runs cross-ways with the truth.
The other day I was doing just that, working with a model on my computer, testing it virtually with this totally cool simulation. I tell it what force to apply in on what place, and where to put a fixture to hold the part in place while the force is applied. Then it does its magic and you get a color image that explains how the part will withstand or fail under under the load.
So, I got done with a design that took about two day's time to work out, and as a precaution, I reversed the load and the fixture - applied the force and the holding fixture 180 degrees opposite. But it totally failed...
In a moment of hightened tension (perhaps I need to get out more) I hit print and took the image to my boss.
"Wow!" he said, "what do you think is wrong?!"
In a panicked tone I exclaimed, "Newton was WRONG!" (implying that to every action there is actually NOT an equal and opposite reaction - and HERE WAS the evidence!)
We all got a good laugh, and we did find the real problem, which was something unrealistic in the way I had set it up. but it did get me to thinking...
Conclusions made in the midst of the discovery are often wrong. You have to complete the discovery to learn the actual truth in a matter. It does not matter what your opinion is, nor does it matter what you are feeling - the truth will either work in your benefit or it will "react" on you.
If a car meets a semi-truck in an intersection, guess who wins? It does not matter at the point of collision who is in the car, how right they feel about being in that intersection, nor does it matter why. At that moment in time, physics suddenly and forcefully makes its presence known in an unmistakable way. This is how truth is.
You will have a serious change of direction someday if your opinion runs cross-ways with the truth.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Oceanic Proportions
NASA scientists are trying to quantify the salinity of the oceans with a new satellite. The greater the salinity of the water, the greater the density. Dense water sinks. Cold water sinks. As water freezes in the poles, the salt is left in the unfrozen water below, leaving it more saline and colder - sinking down into deep currents to well up again closer to the equator.
This new satellite will measure surface salinity. Deeper water will require droves of semi-autonomous un-manned vehicles traveling below the surface and will take many, many years to gather useful data.
Here's why I think it is so important: The oceans cover over three-quarters of the earth, making them the largest factor, except for the sun, to climate balance. Whether or not the climate system is sensitive or stable, more data is needed to make a scientific case.
We cannot yet make good weather predictions for more than three days or so, yet there are big players holding big purses who believe in global warming - including the ones for this satellite - and every major project now seems to have climate change in its vocabulary.
Science is suffering from a case of politics. The correction is truth, which is found in data - not hysteria.
This new satellite will measure surface salinity. Deeper water will require droves of semi-autonomous un-manned vehicles traveling below the surface and will take many, many years to gather useful data.
Here's why I think it is so important: The oceans cover over three-quarters of the earth, making them the largest factor, except for the sun, to climate balance. Whether or not the climate system is sensitive or stable, more data is needed to make a scientific case.
We cannot yet make good weather predictions for more than three days or so, yet there are big players holding big purses who believe in global warming - including the ones for this satellite - and every major project now seems to have climate change in its vocabulary.
Science is suffering from a case of politics. The correction is truth, which is found in data - not hysteria.
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Talented You
I spent one, single semester at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago. Not long enough to much more than drain my savings, but long enough to make a huge impression on me... ...much more than I could hope to write, actually.
When I got there, I was intimidated by everything from the size of the buildings in downtown Chicago to the constant din of everything... ...going to classes and dining in the cafeteria was nerve-wracking.
However, I loved to go to the library, and during research for papers or homework, I would get easily distracted from my searches for books... ...sitting in the aisles leafing through bounded treasures of information was a relaxing and enjoyable retreat. Before I get distracted here though...
Those of you who know me, know that I don't claim a good singing abililty. It's true that I have a very hard time singing in a single key. So, in that library during a search for something else, I ran across a book, the title of which I do not recall, but the subject was specifically about hearing and singing...
Even the most "tone-deaf" likely have a raw ability to hear, and can learn. The ear, it turns out, is masterfully crafted to detect slight variations in pitch and tone. The human voice is unique in all of Creation to create a broad range of notes, minor and major scales, long and short, loud and quiet - and any blend between. No bird, no musical instrument or other creature can sing the way the we humans are made to sing... ...truly tone deaf people are relatively rare.
The point that the author makes is good. I know people who have "perfect pitch" - music, and its intricacies seem to be easier for them. Yet, with a little work, most of us do have the tools to be good at it.
We are truly fearfully and wonderfully made. It is estimated that our bodies are made of over one trillion cells. In comparison, it is thought that there are only one hundred billion stars in our galaxy... ...every single one of us is a testament to the nature, the power and knowledge of God our Creator!
When I got there, I was intimidated by everything from the size of the buildings in downtown Chicago to the constant din of everything... ...going to classes and dining in the cafeteria was nerve-wracking.
However, I loved to go to the library, and during research for papers or homework, I would get easily distracted from my searches for books... ...sitting in the aisles leafing through bounded treasures of information was a relaxing and enjoyable retreat. Before I get distracted here though...
Those of you who know me, know that I don't claim a good singing abililty. It's true that I have a very hard time singing in a single key. So, in that library during a search for something else, I ran across a book, the title of which I do not recall, but the subject was specifically about hearing and singing...
Even the most "tone-deaf" likely have a raw ability to hear, and can learn. The ear, it turns out, is masterfully crafted to detect slight variations in pitch and tone. The human voice is unique in all of Creation to create a broad range of notes, minor and major scales, long and short, loud and quiet - and any blend between. No bird, no musical instrument or other creature can sing the way the we humans are made to sing... ...truly tone deaf people are relatively rare.
The point that the author makes is good. I know people who have "perfect pitch" - music, and its intricacies seem to be easier for them. Yet, with a little work, most of us do have the tools to be good at it.
We are truly fearfully and wonderfully made. It is estimated that our bodies are made of over one trillion cells. In comparison, it is thought that there are only one hundred billion stars in our galaxy... ...every single one of us is a testament to the nature, the power and knowledge of God our Creator!
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Mutation Consternation...
It seems that as with all things scientific, the more we learn, the less we know. Or, the more we understand byt study, the more complicated the matter gets... ...or perhaps I should stop trying to reduce the concept before I say anything meaningful...
Apparently, we are devolving rather quickly - something that many Creationists have said for many years simply based on the things found in the Bible - now according to new genetic studies.
Here is the concluding portion of today's ICR news:
Apparently, we are devolving rather quickly - something that many Creationists have said for many years simply based on the things found in the Bible - now according to new genetic studies.
Here is the concluding portion of today's ICR news:
The vast majority of these 60 to 200 new mutations are irrevocably added every generation, causing what Sanford called "backwards evolution." Using such mutation rates, Sanford modeled the maximum number of generations and length of time that humans could exist before they become extinct due to mutation overload.4 Since there is no natural process that repairs these kinds of mutations faster than they accumulate, they continuously amass until organisms eventually can no longer tolerate the high level of genetic error.5
Like so many other natural clock processes, by confirming a mutation rate of at least 60 per generation, this Nature Genetics study confirms that the "backwards evolution" in humans limits the entire history of mankind to only thousands, not millions, of years.
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Thinking ahead...
Busy schedules... ...I wrote out my typical day, but maybe you want to skip ahead.
Work - Coffee, stairs, knees-ooohh, computer, email, task list, timelines, Coffee, meetings, emails, phone calls, questions, work orders, new stuff, old stuff, confusing stuff and easy stuff, lunch. Nap sounds good. Coffee. What's left, restart the task list? Nope, there's that other thing first. Get this signed, scanned, check it in. Email to everybody what changed, what will change and when. Update projects for the new rev... ...Hungry. 5:00! Talk to people, cap the day. Computer. Mouse. Car Keys. Car, e-brake? Ugh rear e-brake is stuck again. Drive home anyway.
Town - Neon sign still needs fixed, people eating dinner. Good. Saw shop closing up. Red light? Green Light? Good. Bridge... ..sigh. I love this place. Mountains, trees, water, sky. Winding road, lost in thought.
Home - Long grass, messy shop, small wood pile, unfinished projects. Weeds. Dog is racing around the house to greet. Door is stuck a little - again. Open anyway. "DADDY!" Sigh. Crashing hugs, messy kisses. Happy.
Hungry, hmmm. Hunt for snacks - salty is good... ...but someone left fresh treats out. One will do, but three is better, tastes like more to me. Chair leaned back. Chitter chatter. What's after dinner? Mowing? Practice? Tired Toddler. Chatty Pre-schooler. Intelligent Young Lady. 3 to bed. Stairs, knees. Soft light. Soft pillow. Sore back. Forgot something downstairs. Knees.
What's tomorrow? Coffee, chores. Read and Pray. Work in mind. Pray more. Pray harder. Getting late, have to go. Listening to news. Lost in thought. Pray again. River. Bridge. Red Light? Green. Good. Parking brake. Not today. Windows? Sun or Rain? Lunch? Computer.
Stairs. Knees. Computer...
A thousand decisions everyday. Tens of thousands in a week. Throw in a few extra events with simlar decisions and I think I understand better why I need to take a day off. Jesus tells us that the Sabath was made for man, not the other way around. But it is hard to rest, when everything runs together... ...at least for me.
So, how important it is that I prepare for it before that morning! A heart receptive. Attitude humble. Lots of prayer. Sunday morning is a fight. All need readied, fed and out the door. Lots of problems. Lots of easy places to lose track...
Work - Coffee, stairs, knees-ooohh, computer, email, task list, timelines, Coffee, meetings, emails, phone calls, questions, work orders, new stuff, old stuff, confusing stuff and easy stuff, lunch. Nap sounds good. Coffee. What's left, restart the task list? Nope, there's that other thing first. Get this signed, scanned, check it in. Email to everybody what changed, what will change and when. Update projects for the new rev... ...Hungry. 5:00! Talk to people, cap the day. Computer. Mouse. Car Keys. Car, e-brake? Ugh rear e-brake is stuck again. Drive home anyway.
Town - Neon sign still needs fixed, people eating dinner. Good. Saw shop closing up. Red light? Green Light? Good. Bridge... ..sigh. I love this place. Mountains, trees, water, sky. Winding road, lost in thought.
Home - Long grass, messy shop, small wood pile, unfinished projects. Weeds. Dog is racing around the house to greet. Door is stuck a little - again. Open anyway. "DADDY!" Sigh. Crashing hugs, messy kisses. Happy.
Hungry, hmmm. Hunt for snacks - salty is good... ...but someone left fresh treats out. One will do, but three is better, tastes like more to me. Chair leaned back. Chitter chatter. What's after dinner? Mowing? Practice? Tired Toddler. Chatty Pre-schooler. Intelligent Young Lady. 3 to bed. Stairs, knees. Soft light. Soft pillow. Sore back. Forgot something downstairs. Knees.
What's tomorrow? Coffee, chores. Read and Pray. Work in mind. Pray more. Pray harder. Getting late, have to go. Listening to news. Lost in thought. Pray again. River. Bridge. Red Light? Green. Good. Parking brake. Not today. Windows? Sun or Rain? Lunch? Computer.
Stairs. Knees. Computer...
A thousand decisions everyday. Tens of thousands in a week. Throw in a few extra events with simlar decisions and I think I understand better why I need to take a day off. Jesus tells us that the Sabath was made for man, not the other way around. But it is hard to rest, when everything runs together... ...at least for me.
So, how important it is that I prepare for it before that morning! A heart receptive. Attitude humble. Lots of prayer. Sunday morning is a fight. All need readied, fed and out the door. Lots of problems. Lots of easy places to lose track...
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
"...I'm with Him!"
"...I'm with Him!"
I am doing some background on this Mars Hill with Mark Driscoll and I have to share this - RIGHT ON!
Be forewarned, however, that the Mars Hill in Lansing, Michigan is not on my "OK" list... This one is in the Seattle area, expanding into some others.
I am doing some background on this Mars Hill with Mark Driscoll and I have to share this - RIGHT ON!
Be forewarned, however, that the Mars Hill in Lansing, Michigan is not on my "OK" list... This one is in the Seattle area, expanding into some others.
Monday, June 20, 2011
Freedom of the Press
http://www.icr.org/article/6209/
A paraphrased summary of the article in the link is that a "scientific" journal violated its own policies for fear of their own reputation, quashing a legitimate, mathematical rebuttal to the evolutionary development of DNA.
This seems to be a well-documented occurrence lately - anyone who questions the apparently infallible theory of evolution is ostracized from academia and openly ridiculed. Apparently, there is a certain restraint in place for discussing ideas?
In my way of thinking, truth stands the test of time and will outlast all contrary opinions, regardless of who may question it. It seems that increasingly, science has become more of a faith based democracy that refuses to audit its own ideas honestly.
Lately, I hear phrases like "scientific consensus" or "uncertain science" and I just have to cringe. It's as if a particular answer must be found regardless of the evidence - or lack of evidence - and the conclusions are found with a tally of the votes instead of honest confirmation of the data.
Furthermore, it is also common for periodicals to confidently present artistic impressions of evolutionary links as though they are settled fact with no other possible conlusions. The evidence is not only very often circumstantial, but the resulting theories are in turn also circumstantial and circular in their logic. How is it that artistic license has become such an integral part of scientific presentation? How is it that we aren't more skeptical, particularly after a long history of frauds and corrections?
Spiritually speaking, we have to be careful to study and verify the truth as well. God has chosen to reveal Himself in Creation and through His word, the Bible. In spite of the pollution of sin, all present Creation speaks of His wisdom, intelligence and completeness. The Bible speaks to this specifically, revealing to anyone who will study it the details needed to understand our need to be cleansed completely from sin.
Real truth is self-evident to those who are willing to accept it. Some just refuse to accept it. How does that old saying go, "The one who is argued against his will is of the same opinion still."?
With that horrible thought in mind, the Bible is clear that we are not to violate our own conscience, or that of a fellow believer. It is clear that we are instead to remain rooted in the faith - accepting the truth of the Word above all else...
1 Timothy 1: 5 through 7 is one place that warns us:
The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. 6 Some have departed from these and have turned to meaningless talk. 7 They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.With that in mind, search the truth heartily. Keep the essentials firm and avoid digressing into the pitfalls that Paul mentions here. Don't get caught just making someone else's case, be convinced yourself of the truth - study and prayer are so essential that the early church elders set themselves apart from serving the daily needs of the church just for that purpose.
Where arguments do arise, it is imperative that we make our case honorably, convincingly and winsomely - as Christ would. With our brothers in Christ, we must be very careful not to mis-lead, or to offend their conscience. Truth will stand without our pride to bolster it. Be prayerful in discussions, careful in words. Public disputes are ugly to the unbeliever... ...petty arguments are not profitable to anyone.
There are times when Paul fights openly and with fists bared (see Galatians) and others where he submits himself to the advice of the elders in Jerusalem. As far as I can tell, the bare fists come out with those doctrines that contradict the pillars of the Gospel. So many times, though, we get caught fighting the bad fight - over genelogies and old wives tales.
God help me to curb my tongue to suit Your purposes and Your kingdom alone...
Maybe I should change the title of this post...
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Local flora...
I got a special treat today - our five year old (who just lost her first tooth yesterday) wanted very badly to help me cutting wood today. She had to talk very adamantly to convince me, but once there I was really impressed - she didn't want to be around the loud saw, but otherwise, she got right down to business whenever I stopped it.
We were rained out twice, but between working and ducking weather, we were treated to this little number. I think it is Cypripedium montanum sometimes called the Mountain Lady’s Slipper. I have not seen many of these - only one or two, perhaps, but it is not a terribly rare species. There are a certain number of related species of this type of orchid that are rare - even endangered... ...don't pick them or disturb them. I'm pretty sure that the attorney general will visit you.
Keep your eyes open right now while they are in bloom if you want to see one.
We were rained out twice, but between working and ducking weather, we were treated to this little number. I think it is Cypripedium montanum sometimes called the Mountain Lady’s Slipper. I have not seen many of these - only one or two, perhaps, but it is not a terribly rare species. There are a certain number of related species of this type of orchid that are rare - even endangered... ...don't pick them or disturb them. I'm pretty sure that the attorney general will visit you.
Keep your eyes open right now while they are in bloom if you want to see one.
Friday, June 10, 2011
Creator
Fresh off of an invigorating conversation about Creation with friends, it occurs to me that if God is not the Creator, then He is not infinite, nor is He powerful enough to absolve sin and death nor could He make us new.
If you are a Christian who thinks that God can be less than Creator, then I question that your god can be enough to be Savior.
Harsh? No. Blunt? Yes. True? Think with me.
The trinity is shown in Genesis 1 making everything from nothing - and it was good. By Genesis 3 man has sinned. In Genesis 6, God destroys all life on land - save the few on the ark. Sin is a huge problem that cannot be removed simply by judgment or punishment. When God does judge the Earth eternal hell is where all evil is sequestered, and God creates a new heaven and a new earth. Judgement for sin is eternal. New creation is necessary, and it must be completely set apart from all sin, all corruption.
If He cannot create anew, then He cannot rid the world of sin and we are in such a case completely hopeless.
Post Edit:
Craig added a comment to this that sheds a little more.
John 1:1-4 was in my brain while thinking this through.
John MacArthur points out in a recent sermon, that as the Creator who made everything, He is also fully capable of un-making them, which He will according to the Bible.
There is one thing that I have yet to look at more deeply yet. There is a scope of creation that is eternal - particularly that which is spritual. This of course includes people, and also the angels. The agony of Hell is intended first of all for the fallen angels - which do not die as far as I can tell - but will contain those people who refuse to turn to the lordship of Christ as well. That is also eternal...
Creation is just a fascinating thing to me. And, unfortunately for you who have to read these posts, fascinating things seem to take more words to talk about them. I hope that it is half way engaging in spite of all the words...
If you are a Christian who thinks that God can be less than Creator, then I question that your god can be enough to be Savior.
Harsh? No. Blunt? Yes. True? Think with me.
The trinity is shown in Genesis 1 making everything from nothing - and it was good. By Genesis 3 man has sinned. In Genesis 6, God destroys all life on land - save the few on the ark. Sin is a huge problem that cannot be removed simply by judgment or punishment. When God does judge the Earth eternal hell is where all evil is sequestered, and God creates a new heaven and a new earth. Judgement for sin is eternal. New creation is necessary, and it must be completely set apart from all sin, all corruption.
If He cannot create anew, then He cannot rid the world of sin and we are in such a case completely hopeless.
Post Edit:
Craig added a comment to this that sheds a little more.
And I believe this is exactly what is meant when Colossians calls Him the first born of all creation. He is the first to resurrect, under His own power. Thus proving that He can indeed accomplish what needs to be done. The making of all things new. The promise is finally fulfilled in Rev.5:21. "Behold, I am making everything new"Colosians 1:15-16, which Craig mentioned above is precisely one of the verses that attributes Creation to Christ.
(I get really excited at the "am making" part - He didn't say "have made" but "am making" - as though it will not stop from then on . . .)
The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.I have heard others explain the term "firstborn of all creation" not as an indication of His birth order, however, being intended to show preeminence instead. He is above all of Creation. The term in this case would have positional connotations of birthrite, royalty, etc. I am not a Greek scholar, so my looking at it only comes back with "first born" the way it would ocur to me in my own vernacular.
John 1:1-4 was in my brain while thinking this through.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.Not only was Christ there during the act of creation, He was a necessary part of it.
John MacArthur points out in a recent sermon, that as the Creator who made everything, He is also fully capable of un-making them, which He will according to the Bible.
There is one thing that I have yet to look at more deeply yet. There is a scope of creation that is eternal - particularly that which is spritual. This of course includes people, and also the angels. The agony of Hell is intended first of all for the fallen angels - which do not die as far as I can tell - but will contain those people who refuse to turn to the lordship of Christ as well. That is also eternal...
Creation is just a fascinating thing to me. And, unfortunately for you who have to read these posts, fascinating things seem to take more words to talk about them. I hope that it is half way engaging in spite of all the words...
Creation
Anyone who has known me for a while, understands that I have a certain fondness for the outdoors. By rite of fatherly and husbandly duty, much time is not spent in the forests and mountains these days, but every-day living in this area is like living in some vacation-destination spot anyway. So, it is natural for me (pardon the pun) to philosophize about "natural" things - the way things are and the way they came to be.
I have always been a convinced Creationist - which is to say that I believe that God created the Earth and everything that exists apart from Himself in a span of 6 24 hour periods (which we know as days). The Bible states this plainly and positively - actually excluding all other possible explanations. The fossil record backs the Bible up. The present materials all around us attest to it. Yet, we are inundated with "scientific conclusions" that not only question Creation, but also directly and overtly conflict with it.
Science itself, which I consider to be the pursuit and proving of truth, does not actually conflict with the Bible. It's just that many of the present conclusions presented to us in our text books, periodicals or other media today are not really scientific. Much of what we see is beatiful 3D renderings, animations, paintings or what have you that are at most something of a guess. At worst, many have been proven faulty or fraudulant, in some cases decades ago. Lest you think me unfair, I will also propose that the Biblical origin is not truly scientific either. No scientist observed it. No one can repeat it. No one can prove it the way you would in some experiment. But the Bible is not wrong. Everything around us points to the Creator simply by its very existence, let alone the complexity, beauty and function.
"Natural" or rather "Supernatural" evidence is all around us. I have had more than one person tell me that they just couldn't believe that "God could just do all of this". I have replied to them, "Congratulations, your faith is greater than mine, because I can't believe that all this could just make itself." It must have started somwhere, somehow. There is a watchmaker, a computer geek or an artist for every watch, electronic device or painting, yet we humans think that we just happened somehow? Really?
You see, the issue of origins is not about the true facts for anyone. Facts are all present for all of us to see. The issue is instead entirely about the interpretation of the facts. The facts are all around us. How you interpret them and where you place your faith is instead at issue.
By way of the Bible, I understand the purpose of God and the purpose of Creation.
...I understand how everything that has its being exists...
...I see that sin mutated and destroyed the whole of Creation...
...I see that the result of sin is death, judgement - the Flood...
I percieve things around me that corroberate the Biblical account of Creation and the Flood...
...I see how "kinds" of living things produce after their "kinds" - staying recognizable in form and purpose over countless generations...
...I see how a firmament (waters over the earth) might have made an ideal environment for every kind of creature extinct or not...
...I see how continents were literally broken up in a catyclismic, world-wide flood...
...I see how fossils by the millions, coal and crude petroleum, natural gasses and other deposits were formed...
...I understand how marine fossils are found in the highest of mountains...
...I understand how mountains and valleys took their shape. (Use Google Earth or take a flight somewhere - it seems as though someone pulled a plug and the whole pond drained, leaving gouges where the sediment was scoured away in mind-blowing run-off.)
...Perhaps most of all, I see the tremendous effects of sin and death.
The effects of sin affect us daily. We hurt each other, lie to each other, on and on... ...eventually each of us dies. According to the Bible, death is the result of sin.
I often see this idea that "death is a natural part of life" on TV or whatever, and I am constantly reminded that, according to the Bible, God didn't intend for us to die. The original creation did not need death. Man and everything around him was orginally "perfect". Sin ruined it. Death was brought to limit sin.
Why is your belief about origins so important?
Perhaps the biggest reason is the authority of the Bible. You can take God at His word, as revealed to us in Scripture, or you can reject it. Those who believe that they can discern away portions, trying to align the Bible to present day "science" (rather, interpretations of observable facts) will find themselves in a conundurum of conflicting and opposite faiths. Bottom line, if God is not in complete control of finite Creation, then there is no reason to believe that He controls infinite eternity. If He does not control eternity, then He cannot deal with sin, righteousness and judgment, and, in turn, men are not truly or fully accountable to Him.
However, in the biblical narrative, we are told that God is still in control of all of this. Not only is there complete accountability, but there is also complete forgiveness. He made a way to pay for sin Himself - something we could not pay for in a billion years of eternal suffering. No matter how long we might suffer for our own sins, we cannot fix them. No amount of self-indulgence, flagellation or penetance can sweep sin away. But praise be to Jesus Christ, being fully God and fully man, He took on the sins of the world and offers redemption. It took an eternal, infinite God in the form of a man to take on the sins of millions upon millions of men.
The simple, brutal truth is that we want to avoid being accountable. We want to be our own boss, but avoiding the issue doesn't get rid of it - whether you are avoiding the issue of your own sin or that or origins of matter. In order to ignore sin, some have taken this to levels of obsession, rather choosing to believe that advanced alien life seeded earth. (Forgive, me this, but even if there is alien life, it had to come from somewhere, didn't it?) Pursue the truth in truth and it will lead you to the Truth, who is Christ Jesus.
It just takes some recognition from our part to our need for Him. He can make you a new creature - all things becoming new. He is the Creator, after all. It just won't work any other way.
I have always been a convinced Creationist - which is to say that I believe that God created the Earth and everything that exists apart from Himself in a span of 6 24 hour periods (which we know as days). The Bible states this plainly and positively - actually excluding all other possible explanations. The fossil record backs the Bible up. The present materials all around us attest to it. Yet, we are inundated with "scientific conclusions" that not only question Creation, but also directly and overtly conflict with it.
Science itself, which I consider to be the pursuit and proving of truth, does not actually conflict with the Bible. It's just that many of the present conclusions presented to us in our text books, periodicals or other media today are not really scientific. Much of what we see is beatiful 3D renderings, animations, paintings or what have you that are at most something of a guess. At worst, many have been proven faulty or fraudulant, in some cases decades ago. Lest you think me unfair, I will also propose that the Biblical origin is not truly scientific either. No scientist observed it. No one can repeat it. No one can prove it the way you would in some experiment. But the Bible is not wrong. Everything around us points to the Creator simply by its very existence, let alone the complexity, beauty and function.
"Natural" or rather "Supernatural" evidence is all around us. I have had more than one person tell me that they just couldn't believe that "God could just do all of this". I have replied to them, "Congratulations, your faith is greater than mine, because I can't believe that all this could just make itself." It must have started somwhere, somehow. There is a watchmaker, a computer geek or an artist for every watch, electronic device or painting, yet we humans think that we just happened somehow? Really?
You see, the issue of origins is not about the true facts for anyone. Facts are all present for all of us to see. The issue is instead entirely about the interpretation of the facts. The facts are all around us. How you interpret them and where you place your faith is instead at issue.
By way of the Bible, I understand the purpose of God and the purpose of Creation.
...I understand how everything that has its being exists...
...I see that sin mutated and destroyed the whole of Creation...
...I see that the result of sin is death, judgement - the Flood...
I percieve things around me that corroberate the Biblical account of Creation and the Flood...
...I see how "kinds" of living things produce after their "kinds" - staying recognizable in form and purpose over countless generations...
...I see how a firmament (waters over the earth) might have made an ideal environment for every kind of creature extinct or not...
...I see how continents were literally broken up in a catyclismic, world-wide flood...
...I see how fossils by the millions, coal and crude petroleum, natural gasses and other deposits were formed...
...I understand how marine fossils are found in the highest of mountains...
...I understand how mountains and valleys took their shape. (Use Google Earth or take a flight somewhere - it seems as though someone pulled a plug and the whole pond drained, leaving gouges where the sediment was scoured away in mind-blowing run-off.)
...Perhaps most of all, I see the tremendous effects of sin and death.
The effects of sin affect us daily. We hurt each other, lie to each other, on and on... ...eventually each of us dies. According to the Bible, death is the result of sin.
I often see this idea that "death is a natural part of life" on TV or whatever, and I am constantly reminded that, according to the Bible, God didn't intend for us to die. The original creation did not need death. Man and everything around him was orginally "perfect". Sin ruined it. Death was brought to limit sin.
Why is your belief about origins so important?
Perhaps the biggest reason is the authority of the Bible. You can take God at His word, as revealed to us in Scripture, or you can reject it. Those who believe that they can discern away portions, trying to align the Bible to present day "science" (rather, interpretations of observable facts) will find themselves in a conundurum of conflicting and opposite faiths. Bottom line, if God is not in complete control of finite Creation, then there is no reason to believe that He controls infinite eternity. If He does not control eternity, then He cannot deal with sin, righteousness and judgment, and, in turn, men are not truly or fully accountable to Him.
However, in the biblical narrative, we are told that God is still in control of all of this. Not only is there complete accountability, but there is also complete forgiveness. He made a way to pay for sin Himself - something we could not pay for in a billion years of eternal suffering. No matter how long we might suffer for our own sins, we cannot fix them. No amount of self-indulgence, flagellation or penetance can sweep sin away. But praise be to Jesus Christ, being fully God and fully man, He took on the sins of the world and offers redemption. It took an eternal, infinite God in the form of a man to take on the sins of millions upon millions of men.
The simple, brutal truth is that we want to avoid being accountable. We want to be our own boss, but avoiding the issue doesn't get rid of it - whether you are avoiding the issue of your own sin or that or origins of matter. In order to ignore sin, some have taken this to levels of obsession, rather choosing to believe that advanced alien life seeded earth. (Forgive, me this, but even if there is alien life, it had to come from somewhere, didn't it?) Pursue the truth in truth and it will lead you to the Truth, who is Christ Jesus.
It just takes some recognition from our part to our need for Him. He can make you a new creature - all things becoming new. He is the Creator, after all. It just won't work any other way.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
The Lil' Red Truck
The Lil' Red Truck has a long history in our family - quite possibly more history than I do, though a little clarification from Dad might help me there.
While its not the doll it was when I was a toddler, (and I do remember it back then - have the "thumb" to prove it - sorry Mom) it ain't a rust bucket either. I gave up on it years ago. Family and work, and all the other things that keep us busy have kept me from doing much. My father in law found out about it and pitched in a little jump start to see if we can get the Lil' Red Truck to the parade in a few weeks.
No promises yet, but lots of progress. Years of sitting are hard on machines that are meant to operate regularly. Rubber dries out - hoses, belts and seals fail. Gas left in the fuel system turns into a nasty, putrid stuff that burns more like deisel - worse yet, condensation builds inside the tank and rust accumulates.
The gas tank had to be drained - the fuel had turned into a green, nasty substance that didn't smell much like gas any more. I set it aside for fire starting - with mixed results at actually burning at all. The tank is being cleaned and treated now to neutralize the rust and then to coat the tank.
As I work on this, I am constantly grattified to find that the old ways were simple and reliable. Bolts, not plastic retainers and clips that break fasten nearly everything - and have lots of access to get a wrench in there - usually.
The radiator checked out great - which was a huge relief. I cannot find the coolant leak yet though - somewhere there is likely some dried-out old seal that has decided to let go - I hope not, but cannot find much so far.
Electrical on these old trucks was all cloth insulated. Years have apparenlty taken the flex out of the wires and I am a little nervous to work around them, for fear of breaking a wire. Worse yet, anywhere that there is a splice, it consists of a couple of twists and a bit of tape. I used to try that with my headphones when the wires shorted out - with pretty poor results. Some wires are just going to get replaced regardless, I haven't decided whether I want to tackle the whole harness yet.
While its not the doll it was when I was a toddler, (and I do remember it back then - have the "thumb" to prove it - sorry Mom) it ain't a rust bucket either. I gave up on it years ago. Family and work, and all the other things that keep us busy have kept me from doing much. My father in law found out about it and pitched in a little jump start to see if we can get the Lil' Red Truck to the parade in a few weeks.
No promises yet, but lots of progress. Years of sitting are hard on machines that are meant to operate regularly. Rubber dries out - hoses, belts and seals fail. Gas left in the fuel system turns into a nasty, putrid stuff that burns more like deisel - worse yet, condensation builds inside the tank and rust accumulates.
The gas tank had to be drained - the fuel had turned into a green, nasty substance that didn't smell much like gas any more. I set it aside for fire starting - with mixed results at actually burning at all. The tank is being cleaned and treated now to neutralize the rust and then to coat the tank.
As I work on this, I am constantly grattified to find that the old ways were simple and reliable. Bolts, not plastic retainers and clips that break fasten nearly everything - and have lots of access to get a wrench in there - usually.
The radiator checked out great - which was a huge relief. I cannot find the coolant leak yet though - somewhere there is likely some dried-out old seal that has decided to let go - I hope not, but cannot find much so far.
Electrical on these old trucks was all cloth insulated. Years have apparenlty taken the flex out of the wires and I am a little nervous to work around them, for fear of breaking a wire. Worse yet, anywhere that there is a splice, it consists of a couple of twists and a bit of tape. I used to try that with my headphones when the wires shorted out - with pretty poor results. Some wires are just going to get replaced regardless, I haven't decided whether I want to tackle the whole harness yet.
Here is the gas tank - attached to the running board still. Dad and K helped me get the last part of this project out from under the truck - definitely nice to have extra hands!
Monday, April 25, 2011
Real Motivation
It is increasingly apparent to me that no amount of internal or external cajoling is effective in true, personal change. I have always believed this to one extent or another, but in an ever-increasing reality to me, the only real change that a person can hope for is found in their own personal, life-long discovery of the depths of God.
I am prompted to write this after hearing John MacArthur use the same ides as the basis of worship - the deeper the understanding of God the more intense the desire to worship and praise Him. Worship, not merely being the sum of our musical talent on Sunday morning, is really the living of our daily lives with Him.
"With Him" is a term that I fear may be unappreciated - I mean to say that each day is taken frequently, and constantly to Him as in a conversation - un-ceasing prayer. Constant awareness and consideration of His presence.
This, and not the persuasion of well-meaning do-gooders, ought to be the foundation of our lives. One works from the outside in, which is impossible and terrible to live up to. The other works from the inside out - which is real change based on the relationship with our Father in heaven.
When I remember this, I know that I truly can do all things through Christ; yet all to often, I forget and I do suffer...
I am prompted to write this after hearing John MacArthur use the same ides as the basis of worship - the deeper the understanding of God the more intense the desire to worship and praise Him. Worship, not merely being the sum of our musical talent on Sunday morning, is really the living of our daily lives with Him.
"With Him" is a term that I fear may be unappreciated - I mean to say that each day is taken frequently, and constantly to Him as in a conversation - un-ceasing prayer. Constant awareness and consideration of His presence.
This, and not the persuasion of well-meaning do-gooders, ought to be the foundation of our lives. One works from the outside in, which is impossible and terrible to live up to. The other works from the inside out - which is real change based on the relationship with our Father in heaven.
When I remember this, I know that I truly can do all things through Christ; yet all to often, I forget and I do suffer...
Friday, April 1, 2011
G.K. Chesterton
"God is like the sun. You cannot look at it, but without it, you can see nothing else."
Saturday, March 26, 2011
San Diego Spring... ...or was it winter?
We have just returned from a very special treat to see Crystal's grandparents who are working in the San Diego area. It was a wonderful time spending time with family and friends, putting up with close quarters in airplanes and cars, stretching our legs across sandy beaches and scampering away from sneaker waves. We found that fish tacos can be delicious. We followed crowds of people through SeaWorld and delighted in the arial displays of trained porpoises... ...and I think we easily shot over a thousand photos.
Here are a few from our first day. These are from Solana Beach, north of Del Mar and San Diego. The cliffs shown here are not solid rock, except where workers have installed concrete walls that are carefully and artfully matched to the actual textures and colors of the natural cliffs, and there are warning signs that the cliffs are active... ...I guess that means they are eroding in less than milliions of years.
The tide was receding while we were there, but the shallow slope of the sand meant there were lots of "sneaker waves" that had Gigi and Ava running fast...
Here are a few from our first day. These are from Solana Beach, north of Del Mar and San Diego. The cliffs shown here are not solid rock, except where workers have installed concrete walls that are carefully and artfully matched to the actual textures and colors of the natural cliffs, and there are warning signs that the cliffs are active... ...I guess that means they are eroding in less than milliions of years.
Seashells by the seashore were on the meager side...
There was a different hue in the light while we were there. (No, not the radiation...) It was very rich, but the marine layer added a lot of green/blue, while the ocean added lots of green. Before and afters of these are very different, though Crystal will undoubtedly be able to draw more from them.
There is way too much - maybe I'll get to some of it later. I have a lot of pics that I enjoyed taking and I am trying to learn the editing side too.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
New Must Read Added
My boss, an elder brother in Christ has been a constant source of encouragement to me over many years. He has been more than patient as I (we) struggle through lean times, persevere with new projects and improve old ones. He has a big picture outlook, while my coworkers and I try to keep up with the details. He has several huge successes under his belt that bring him broad recognition, but you might not know it to talk to him. Still, things do affect him - though they are bigger things than I might ever face - and it is reassuring to work for people that are seeking to please the Lord and serve His purposes with their whole life.
I really don't know exactly what happened to me a year or so ago, but suffice it to say that my wife, my boss and one friend in particular have been instrumental while God worked things out with me. Maybe someday I will have words, but right now, it still feels too close to see it clearly. I guess I am still recovering...
The point of this post is a book that my boss mentioned a few weeks ago, called Red Sea Rules. My boss shared the principles that he learned from it and then bought a few copies to hand out - one of which I got and read in one evening.
As I read, it ocurred to me that God had prepared me for this time - using the story of the Red Sea even before things got crazy. I haven't gone back to look, but I know that I posted a bit about that back then. The point is that God's purposes will not be thwarted - something we can take comfort knowing.
I might be trying to get a few copies ordered soon, but for now, here is a link and I will be leaving another in the side of the blog as well... ...normally, I yawn a little with books, but this one is different if you have been anxious, worried and/or depressed, this is a great read!
I hope that you will put this in your library at least if only for the occassion that it might later be an encouragement for you or your family, and then share it as well?
I really don't know exactly what happened to me a year or so ago, but suffice it to say that my wife, my boss and one friend in particular have been instrumental while God worked things out with me. Maybe someday I will have words, but right now, it still feels too close to see it clearly. I guess I am still recovering...
The point of this post is a book that my boss mentioned a few weeks ago, called Red Sea Rules. My boss shared the principles that he learned from it and then bought a few copies to hand out - one of which I got and read in one evening.
As I read, it ocurred to me that God had prepared me for this time - using the story of the Red Sea even before things got crazy. I haven't gone back to look, but I know that I posted a bit about that back then. The point is that God's purposes will not be thwarted - something we can take comfort knowing.
I might be trying to get a few copies ordered soon, but for now, here is a link and I will be leaving another in the side of the blog as well... ...normally, I yawn a little with books, but this one is different if you have been anxious, worried and/or depressed, this is a great read!
I hope that you will put this in your library at least if only for the occassion that it might later be an encouragement for you or your family, and then share it as well?
Monday, February 28, 2011
Envy
I hope to do a deeper study of this and have been thinking about this subject in particular regard to the "Have's" and the "Have-Nots". Parts of my thinking about this have surfaced in recent posts, and I am still trying to reach a more "circumspect" conclusion, but this article hits one of the major things that I am processing personally...
http://www.breakpoint.org/features-columns/displaced/entry/35/16470
I am not endorsing everything in this, as I have just glanced through it for now... ...but it brings up some points that I have been thinking - except I am not, apparently, as excited about the Christian reactions that the author is observing.
I think of things on personal levels - how does thisaffect my own life? How should I adjust my thinking? This does two things right off: 1) Keeps me from missing the logs in my own eye - or at least keeps me busy removing them; and 2) it helps me make prudent decisions before the situation hits full force in my personal finances. (The latter assumes a national or international cause with an eventual personal effect - such as world food shortages for instance...)
Envy - hmmm... ...to be honest I might be guilty of that from time to time. But for the most part, I happily defend those who are "blessed" with wealth and have no ill-will for them. And there is a logical reason in addition to the Biblical that I hope to offer sometime, but for me it starts with Jesus' comment that the poor would always be with us.
This seems like a hopeless, heartless observation coming from the Authority of the Universe. I suspect though, that it isn't because he wants a certain percentage of people to be miserable and dejected. Instead I think it is an indication of His knowlege of the human heart and His Omniscience or His Sovereignty. (That is to say in short, His all-knowing nature and His predetermination of our lives...)
This is a different "poor" than the "poor in spirit" that is blessed in the Beattitudes, however. The Sermon on the Mount is speaking of poor in spirit - a realization that we bring nothing to the table in and of ourselves. It is, after all, the work of Christ that we are even able to believe.
This is instead the fincial sort of poor. Poor, as in "I can't pay for stuff..."
Funny though... ...we all kind of rise and fall a little bit with the tides of our own society, don't we? I mean, the poor in our country are pretty wealthy by human standards against other coutnries, right? Most of the poor among us have TV's, carpeted living rooms, one or two cars (maybe even a few that don't run out in the yard)... ...I could go on, but I look a lot like that too, and I suspect that most of us can relate to this version of "poor". Yet, "poor" in Africa, Asia, Indonesia, etc is a different paradigm altogether.
We in the U.S. have developed a certain envy though, and it is making a collective divot in our culture. You don't have to watch very much news to find protesters demanding this or that benefit, pundits who endorse or detest government spending, politicians who are in a full court press to buy votes, and a daily dose of news anchors reporting about the record deficits. In spite of dramatic changes needed, we do not seem to have the backbone to make hard choices - in other words, we are not willing to sacrifice "luxuries" for even drastic necessity.
We (generally speaking) seem to be looking at the wealthy among us, justifying our needs against someone else's gains. That, my friend, is envy. It isn't enough to justify your thoughts by telling yourself that those rich people are really misearable wretches who stole their money from unsuspecting strangers. The wealthy are not evil because they have money, nor are the poor saintly just because they don't.
Most of us have been making decisions based upon our current desires, instead of looking prudently ahead, considering what the best use of God's money really might be.
....and that, my dear friend is the real reason that the poor will always be with us. It is a moral, spiritual as well as financial bankruptcy. While some will be broke for their decisions to invest in the kingdom (missionaries, pastors, full-time ministers of the Gospel) most of us are broke for our decisions for much lesser motives, aren't we? Making decisions for the present alone will eventually leave us high and dry (or sunken) as the tides of our economy ebb and flow. Don't justify your lifestyle against those around you. Manage your lifestyle as a steward of the Father's wealth.
In the meantime, our Father is the owner of the cattle on a thousand hills. It isn't mine to spend, save or invest; but where I do these things prudently, I also do it with the knowlege that He will prosper it however He sees fit. That means that I give where He leads, I spend to take care of my family and I invest so that someday, I leave a heritage for my family - spritual and immediate. It is His to give, His to lose, and His to bless.
http://www.breakpoint.org/features-columns/displaced/entry/35/16470
I am not endorsing everything in this, as I have just glanced through it for now... ...but it brings up some points that I have been thinking - except I am not, apparently, as excited about the Christian reactions that the author is observing.
I think of things on personal levels - how does this
Envy - hmmm... ...to be honest I might be guilty of that from time to time. But for the most part, I happily defend those who are "blessed" with wealth and have no ill-will for them. And there is a logical reason in addition to the Biblical that I hope to offer sometime, but for me it starts with Jesus' comment that the poor would always be with us.
This seems like a hopeless, heartless observation coming from the Authority of the Universe. I suspect though, that it isn't because he wants a certain percentage of people to be miserable and dejected. Instead I think it is an indication of His knowlege of the human heart and His Omniscience or His Sovereignty. (That is to say in short, His all-knowing nature and His predetermination of our lives...)
This is a different "poor" than the "poor in spirit" that is blessed in the Beattitudes, however. The Sermon on the Mount is speaking of poor in spirit - a realization that we bring nothing to the table in and of ourselves. It is, after all, the work of Christ that we are even able to believe.
This is instead the fincial sort of poor. Poor, as in "I can't pay for stuff..."
Funny though... ...we all kind of rise and fall a little bit with the tides of our own society, don't we? I mean, the poor in our country are pretty wealthy by human standards against other coutnries, right? Most of the poor among us have TV's, carpeted living rooms, one or two cars (maybe even a few that don't run out in the yard)... ...I could go on, but I look a lot like that too, and I suspect that most of us can relate to this version of "poor". Yet, "poor" in Africa, Asia, Indonesia, etc is a different paradigm altogether.
We in the U.S. have developed a certain envy though, and it is making a collective divot in our culture. You don't have to watch very much news to find protesters demanding this or that benefit, pundits who endorse or detest government spending, politicians who are in a full court press to buy votes, and a daily dose of news anchors reporting about the record deficits. In spite of dramatic changes needed, we do not seem to have the backbone to make hard choices - in other words, we are not willing to sacrifice "luxuries" for even drastic necessity.
We (generally speaking) seem to be looking at the wealthy among us, justifying our needs against someone else's gains. That, my friend, is envy. It isn't enough to justify your thoughts by telling yourself that those rich people are really misearable wretches who stole their money from unsuspecting strangers. The wealthy are not evil because they have money, nor are the poor saintly just because they don't.
Most of us have been making decisions based upon our current desires, instead of looking prudently ahead, considering what the best use of God's money really might be.
....and that, my dear friend is the real reason that the poor will always be with us. It is a moral, spiritual as well as financial bankruptcy. While some will be broke for their decisions to invest in the kingdom (missionaries, pastors, full-time ministers of the Gospel) most of us are broke for our decisions for much lesser motives, aren't we? Making decisions for the present alone will eventually leave us high and dry (or sunken) as the tides of our economy ebb and flow. Don't justify your lifestyle against those around you. Manage your lifestyle as a steward of the Father's wealth.
In the meantime, our Father is the owner of the cattle on a thousand hills. It isn't mine to spend, save or invest; but where I do these things prudently, I also do it with the knowlege that He will prosper it however He sees fit. That means that I give where He leads, I spend to take care of my family and I invest so that someday, I leave a heritage for my family - spritual and immediate. It is His to give, His to lose, and His to bless.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Cold Photo Shoot (Take II)
Lance took me along on a shoot yesterday. It was cold enough to make 20 degrees Fahrenheit feel really nice. Lance is really good at finding color in an exposure - something that I could not, and knew it. I would point and grunt, "Hey, you need to get this one..."
I did get a few that I liked. I shot in RAW +jpg, to learn the differences between the two. I am also learning about basic post-processing. For a guy that learned to shoot with film, digital is both a gift and a curse. You can see the exposure immediately, and at least get close quickly. At the press of a button, you can change the focal point, the shutter speed, the aperture and even the film speed. The flexibility and clarity is really amazing to me.
In comparison, shooting film was more like shooting with a blindfold on, and the expense of the film and its processing was highly prohibitive - at least for me. You took your shot film for processing and then had to go pick it up a week or so later. You try to plan on the lowest ISO that you could - say 100 on a good outdoor shoot. If you were caught with low light conditions you could push or pull the film a bit, but you were at the mercy of the developer to mind that you had shot it as something else. On a good day, I would shoot 4 or 5 rolls of film and get about 125 prints - most of which were throw-aways. Now, I make up for that by shooting 3 to 5 shots if I am really trying to get one shot - something that other photographers kind of laugh at me. But it only costs me memory. I love it...
You would have to see these in before and after stages to really appreciate the results - at least I did...
I did get a few that I liked. I shot in RAW +jpg, to learn the differences between the two. I am also learning about basic post-processing. For a guy that learned to shoot with film, digital is both a gift and a curse. You can see the exposure immediately, and at least get close quickly. At the press of a button, you can change the focal point, the shutter speed, the aperture and even the film speed. The flexibility and clarity is really amazing to me.
In comparison, shooting film was more like shooting with a blindfold on, and the expense of the film and its processing was highly prohibitive - at least for me. You took your shot film for processing and then had to go pick it up a week or so later. You try to plan on the lowest ISO that you could - say 100 on a good outdoor shoot. If you were caught with low light conditions you could push or pull the film a bit, but you were at the mercy of the developer to mind that you had shot it as something else. On a good day, I would shoot 4 or 5 rolls of film and get about 125 prints - most of which were throw-aways. Now, I make up for that by shooting 3 to 5 shots if I am really trying to get one shot - something that other photographers kind of laugh at me. But it only costs me memory. I love it...
You would have to see these in before and after stages to really appreciate the results - at least I did...
Original .jpg - no edit (except re-sizing)
Clark Fork River 2/26/11 - edit from RAW
-edit from jpg
Though I tried to follow the same workflow on both of these, I obviously did not use the same levels. I can say that the RAW image seemed to withstand more extremes before artifacts and noise began to be an issue. Still, both versions were pretty high quality and the editing had more effect on them than any other factor.
-edit with HDR
The third one is done with a trial version of Photomatix HDR Pro. I am barely a beginner on editing, which is probably evident; but this photo has some fairly obvious differences in that the better aspects of higher and lower exposures can be quickly combined, which allows greater capacity for saturation and color levels changes. Notice that the trees and mountains are lit more and have their own color in the HDR edit. The only problem that I had with this photo was that the HDR version had the most noise and I had to mask and desaturate the snow to make it less obvious.
I also want to point out that in the hands of more experience, such as in Lance's hands, the exposure can be taken with the edit in mind at the time of the shot. This greatly increases the photo's capabilities during the processing stages.
I learned that the slightest color on the grayest day is a huge bonus. Shooting 99% of what we shot yesterday, but in film, would have been a huge waste of time and money. Light has always been the biggest factor in photography, and that is the same in the digital side as well - but with the added benefits of your own edits light becomes an even greater potential ally.
In summary, quality light and editing can produce huge variations on your shots. RAW and jpg are both good in my opinion, but the RAW had the advantage of having seemingly less colorful noise. I think I will continue shooting RAW for now. I need all the help I can get.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Barns and Wealth...
I just heard a great conversation on the Dave Ramsey show and had to mention it...
Caller wondered is saving money, investing, becomes "storing into barns" vs. investing in the kingdom. At what point does prudence become selfishness.
Dave's answer was pretty good, and worth listening to (at the end of the 2nd hour of 2/16/11 broadcast), and I can't say it right... ...so I will refrain from trying.
He did quote Larry Burkett in saying, "The difference between saving and hoarding is attitude." He explained that it is a question of who owns the barns. The Bible is repeatedly clear that saving and investing is prudent and expected. However, if you have "ownership" of these barns of stores in your heart, then it doesn't really matter what things you try to do with them thereafter, you will not find peace. We are just the stewards - like in the parable of the talents.
The bottom line to me is that the amount of money that you are entrusted with is determined entirely by the Master; and He already knows both what He intends for you to do with wealth and what you will actually do with it.
He will not fail to finish His work in you, and while His many blessings are too abundant to recount, He does not over-indulge His kids to their detriment. If it is bad for you, then He will not necessarily grant your requests... ...but He is faithful to provide, particularly comforting to those that are truly seeking His will.
The question is, "Are you being faithful with the Master's blessings, or will you, like me have to learn about it through experience and heartache?" I don't know about you, but I can find plenty of room for improvement...
Caller wondered is saving money, investing, becomes "storing into barns" vs. investing in the kingdom. At what point does prudence become selfishness.
Dave's answer was pretty good, and worth listening to (at the end of the 2nd hour of 2/16/11 broadcast), and I can't say it right... ...so I will refrain from trying.
He did quote Larry Burkett in saying, "The difference between saving and hoarding is attitude." He explained that it is a question of who owns the barns. The Bible is repeatedly clear that saving and investing is prudent and expected. However, if you have "ownership" of these barns of stores in your heart, then it doesn't really matter what things you try to do with them thereafter, you will not find peace. We are just the stewards - like in the parable of the talents.
The bottom line to me is that the amount of money that you are entrusted with is determined entirely by the Master; and He already knows both what He intends for you to do with wealth and what you will actually do with it.
He will not fail to finish His work in you, and while His many blessings are too abundant to recount, He does not over-indulge His kids to their detriment. If it is bad for you, then He will not necessarily grant your requests... ...but He is faithful to provide, particularly comforting to those that are truly seeking His will.
The question is, "Are you being faithful with the Master's blessings, or will you, like me have to learn about it through experience and heartache?" I don't know about you, but I can find plenty of room for improvement...
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Surrounded...
I read today about one of the few righteous kings of Judah, Hezekiah. 2 Kings 18 starts off with a glowing report about his zeal for the Lord and that, unlike all his predecessors, he struck down even the high places where false gods were worshiped – even the few other good kings failed to that, leaving the high places, well, in place. It is noteworthy that Hezekiah took pains so thoroughly.
Hezekiah also ceased paying tribute to Sennacherib, the king of Assyria, which provoked him to attack. He tried to appease the king with gold and silver - much of it from the temple - but this was not to last. Assyria's army shows up, its leaders telling Hezekiah's advisors that they had provoked the Lord's wrath and that they were sent to implement it. The Assyrian king’s official then addressed the people, telling them not to listen to any reassurance of the Lord's protection Hezekiah might later offer.
To Hezekiah, things must have looked very dark. What if the Assyrians really were delivering God's punishment as they had claimed? The Assyrians had brutally defeated nation upon nation. Certainly, he must have added up his defenses, agonizing over his options. The Assyrian leaders had promised certain destruction, and in the next breath, had reasonably undermined Hezekiah's influence with the people. The equation was simple: he could not defend his people, and he was a risk of losing the allegiance of the nation.
Things were about as dark as could be imagined, in every imaginable scenario. But he entered the house of the Lord and sent out for the advice of Isaiah, a prophet of the Lord.
With the written Assyrian ultimatum in hand, Hezekiah “spread it out before the Lord”…
…and the Lord’s answer is beautiful and His deliverance is sudden. That night 185,000 Assyrian soldiers were stricken by the angel of the Lord. Later, as predicted by Isaiah, the Assyrian king falls in treachery at the hands of Adramelech and Sharezer.
Later today, I listened to a sermon by Dr. Michael Youseff as he studied King David. He contrasted King Saul, looking across the valley at a super-soldier named Goliath. Saul was big, Goliath was bigger – much, much bigger. Saul’s army was afraid. Saul seems afraid too. Enter: David, young shepherd who is first written off as naïve, then as proud. You likely know what happened next…
David the shepherd had spent vast amounts of time in the fields – communing with the Creator. He had experienced God’s deliverance firsthand in defending his flocks against a lion and a bear. Goliath was nothing more…
The moral of the stories can be summed up in Hezekiah’s actions as he “spread it out before the Lord”. Time with God to “spread it out” is the common thread in these stories. So often, we (I) measure the situation in human terms and things can get pretty dark in a big hurry. Spreading it out before the Lord, talking to Him about the situation is too often the last thing that occurs to us. Whether you are in the thick of it like Hezekiah, or in the fields, prepare yourself for battle by calling in the ultimate in reinforcements.
Philippians 4: 6-7 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
This concludes my sermon to myself – one that I will have to daily repeat, I am afraid.
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