Reach the green in two

Recently, the Hamilton Spectator printed an article in the editorial section about women in political office.  The writer bemoaned the fact there was not a woman in postion to become the next Prime Minister of Canada.  The article went on to suggest that women had missed an opportunity for advancement when Belinda Stronach switched from the Conservatives to the Liberals.  "She could have become the first female PM had she not jumped parties", wrote the author.

 

My complaint with the article might surprise you.  I wish not to argue about the merits of political parties.  Nor, do I wish to argue about the merits of Canada having a female Prime Minister.  The issue I have is that not one women's group jumped up and down in rage.  I expected that any group promoting the advancement of women would be angered with the premise of the article.

 

The premise of the article was this: women need to advance, even if it means compromising their principles.  The article suggested that a woman should not make decisions based on her values, but on whatever action provides the best opportunity of leadership.  Women don't have convictions and absolutes other than success.

 

Ohhhhhh!  Wait a minute.  I get it.

 

The reason women's groups didn't react with outrage is because that is the value of some women today.  The principle is advancement, getting ahead, being on top... there are no personal moral, ethical, political values that should define the character of women, other than leading.

 

If that is true, woman are selling more than their bodies to get ahead - they are selling their integrity.  Let me clarify two things very quickly.

 

First, I said "some" women value leadership over integrity.  I know it is not "all" women, because I personally know many women who value their integrity over everything else.  These women have great minds and hearts.  They have developed principles and hold on to them with pride.  Others around them, honour these women for their commitment.  They lead because they are leaders

 

I suspect the "some" are only a vocal minority of women... those who have developed an agenda and have successfully persuaded the media to champion their cause.  They have other pulpits as well like classrooms and lecture halls.  They sell a devalued positon of women cleavorly packaged to appear enlightened.  For too many years, "female-friendly advocates" have failed to acknowledge the ultimate value of a woman's real choice.

 

Second, men are equally to blame for this sad development.  See, the author of the Hamilton Spectator article was a man.  I'm sure he wanted to appear as a progressive-type with a liberated view of freedom for women in society and politics.  Sadly, however, the author was shackling women with a different burden... the loss of their principles.  All over Canada, men are contributing to women selling their birthright for a bowl of poridge.  They are trading the riches of self-respect for the glitter of self-advancement.

 

Yes, there are barriers that stop women from using their full potential and gifts; these barriers need to be removed.  Men must be honest about the unjust restrictions placed on women in many spheres of live.  Together, both genders need to promote equality.

 

Most importantly, men need to encourage the opposite gender to be women of integrity.  Praise women who lead or serve, work or stay home, teach or learn when it is done with moral conviction.  Admire women who understand that personal success also includes non-negotiable values.

 

God has such great plans of prosperity for women... selling their souls is not one of them.  I'm hoping Canada's first female Prime Minister has integrity and self-worth.  I would be glad to honour her.

The origin of the ice age has perplexed secular scientists.  Cooler summers and copious snowfall are required, but they are inversely related, since cooler air is drier.  It is unlikely cooler temperatures could induce a change in atmospheric circulation that would provide the needed moisture.  As a result, well over 60 theories have been proposed.

The Ice Age seems meteorologically impossible.  Summers must be 10 to 12 degrees C cooler than today, even with twice the normal winter snowfall.

The Milankovitch mechanism has been proposed as the solution to the problem.  The astronomical theory is based on small changes in solar radiation, caused by periodic shifts in the earth's orbital geometry.  However, an indepth examination does not support this.  Ice cores correlated to the 100,000-year period of the earth's eccentricity, indicate changes in the solar radiation of only 0.17%.  This is an infinitesimal effect.

 

A Post- Flood Model

The climate change following the Genesis Flood provides a likely catastrophic mechanism for an ice age. The Flood was a tremendous tectonic and volcanic event.  Large amounts of volcanic aerosols would remain in the atmosphere following the Flood, generating a large temperature drop over land by reflecting much solar radiation back to space.  Volcanic dust and gases would likely be replenished for hundreds of years due to high post-Flood volcanism, which is indicated in Pleistocene sediments.

The moisture would be provided by strong evaporation from a warmer ocean, following the Flood. The warm ocean is a consequence of a warmer pre-Flood climate and the release of hot subterranean water during the eruption of "all the fountains of the great deep" (Genesis 7:11).  The added quantity of water must have been large to cover all the pre-Flood mountains, which were lower than today.

Evaporation over the ocean is proportional to how cool, dry, and unstable the air is, and how fast the wind blows.  Indirectly, it is proportional to sea surface temperature.   A 10 degree C air-sea temperature difference, with a relative humidity of 50%, will evaporate seven times more water at a sea surface temperature of 30 degrees C than at 0 degrees C.  Thus, the areas of greatest evaporation would be at higher latitudes and off the east coast of Northern Hemisphere continents.

Focusing on northeast North America, the combination of cool land and warm ocean would cause the high level winds and a main storm track to be parallel to the east coast, by the thermal wind equation.  Storm after storm would develop near the eastern shoreline, similar to modern-day Northeasters, over the continent.  Once a snow cover is established, more solar radiation is reflected back to space, reinforcing the cooling over land, and compensating the volcanic lulls.

 

One Ice Age

Earth scientists believe there were many ice ages—perhaps more than 30—in regular succession during the late Cenozoic.  However, ice core and ocean isotope studies are providing strong indications that there was only one ice age.  As discussed previously, the requirements for an ice age are very stringent.  The problem grows to impossibility, when more than one is considered.

Practically all the ice-age sediments are from the last, and these deposits are very thin over interior areas, and not overly thick at the periphery.  Till can sometimes be laid down rapidly, especially in end moraines.  Thus the main characteristics of the till favor one ice age.  Pleistocene fossils are rare in glaciated areas, which is mysterious, if there were many interglacials.  Practically all the megafaunal extinctions were after the last—a difficult problem if there was more than one.

One dynamic ice age could explain the features of the till along the periphery by large fluctuations and surges, which would cause stacked till sheets.  Organic remains can be trapped by these oscillations.  Large fluctuations may be caused by variable continental cooling, depending upon volcanic activity.  In addition, most of the snow and ice should accumulate at the periphery, closest to the main storm tracks.  Large surface slopes and warm basal temperatures at the edge are conducive to rapid glacial movement.

 

In summary, the mystery of the ice age can be best explained by one catastrophic ice age as a consequence of the Genesis Flood.  The evidence that secular scientists are accumulating in the field points towards an accurate account within the Bible.

It is unfortunate that students in public schools are being taught old earth theories by teachers with wrong motives or wrong facts.  Another great argument for the support of Christian schools.

The Bible has a lot to say about how we should talk.  God tells us in His Word that our speech will testify about the condition of our heart.  As we go through the scripture passages about the use of our mouth, do a quiet self-examination of your speech and conduct.  Then, do an analysis of the friends you associate with.  In the first place, the Bible is going to be very clear about your talk.  Second, the Bible is going to challenge you to help others with their conversation.  Read the book Beyond the Daily Grind by Chuck Swindoll for more Bible applicable verses.

Luke 6:45 – The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart.

James 3:2 – If anyone can control his tongue, it proves that he has perfect control over himself in every other way.

The Unbridled Tongue – Verbosity

Verbosity means excess verbiage – talking too much and saying too little.  People who are verbose usually feel compelled to give their opinion.  They are hard of listening.  They feel compelled to fill silent segments of conversation with talk.  They interrupt without hesitation.

Proverbs 10:19 – When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable.  But he who restrains his lips is wise.

Proverbs 17:28 – Even a fool appears to be wise if he keeps silent, and people think he is discerning if he holds his tongue.

The Unbridled Tongue – Deceitful Flattery

Deceitful flattery is nothing more than insincere compliments expressed with deceitful motives.  It is excessive praise spoken in hopes of gaining favour in the eyes of another.  Have you ever complimented someone, not because it built him or her up, but because it gave you something?

Proverbs 20:17 – Bread obtained by falsehood is sweet to a man, but afterwards his mouth will be filled with gravel.

Proverbs 28:23 – In the end, people appreciate frankness more than flattery.

Luke 20:20 – Keeping a close watch on Jesus, they sent spies, who pretended to be honest.  They hoped to catch Jesus in something he said so that they might hand him over to the governor.  So the spies questioned him “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach what is right, and that you teach the way of God”.

The Unbridled Tongue – Gossip

Who hasn’t been hurt by the unbridled tongue of a gossip?  Gossip is a false or exaggerated report maliciously discussed and circulated about a person.  “Did you hear about so and so?” “Guess what I just heard about…?”  Throughout scripture, God reserves some of His severest words for gossips.  He condemns the practice of spreading destructive comments.

Proverbs 6:12-14 – A worthless person, a wicked man, is the one who walks with a false mouth.  Who winks with his eyes, who signals with his feet, who points with his fingers; who with perversity in his heart devises evil continually, who spreads strife.

Proverbs 18:7,8 – A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are the snare of his soul.  The words of a gossip are like dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts of the body.

James 3:5 – “The tongue is a small thing, but what enormous damage it can do.  A great forest can be set on fire by one tiny spark.  And the tongue is a flame of fire.  It is full of wickedness, and poisons every part of the body.”

The Unbridled Tongue – Boasting

It is subtle how we shine our own halos.  How desperately we want to be noticed by everyone!  We skilfully hint about our own importance.  We feed on compliments.  We even brag with spiritual phrases.  Yet we know that our hidden motive is to exalt ourselves.

Esther 5:9-11 – What a happy man was Haman as he left the banquet!  But when he saw Mordecai there at the gate, not standing up or trembling before him, he was furious.  However, he restrained himself, went on home, and gathered together his friends and his wife, and boasted to them about his wealth, his many children, and promotions the king had given him.

Proverbs 25:14 – Like clouds without rain is a man who boasts of gifts falsely.

Obadiah 1:3,4 – You are proud because you live in those high inaccessible cliffs.  “Who can reach us way up here!” you boast.  Don’t fool yourselves!  Though you soar as high as eagles, and build your nest among the stars, I will bring you plummeting down.

Matthew 6:2 – When you give a gift to a disadvantaged person, don’t shout about it as the hypocrites do; they blow trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity!  I tell you in earnestness, they have received all the reward they will ever get.

The Unbridled Tongue – Arguments, Striving, Angry Words

Arguing is not the same as disagreeing!  The word “strife” does not mean the same as “differing opinions”.  Intelligent thinking and open conversation include the freedom of expression, which involves periodic differences in opinion.  Arguments and striving, however, have to do with attitudes such as stubbornness and rigidity.  This inevitably arouses anger – the kind of anger that is displeasing to the Lord.  It is not so much a question of do you disagree, but how you disagree.

Proverbs 29:22 – An angry man stirs up strife, and a hot-tempered man abounds in transgression.

Ephesians 4:26,27 – If you are angry, don’t sin by nursing your grudge.  Don’t let the sun go down with you still angry; get over it quickly.  For when you are angry, you give a mighty foothold to the devil.

James 1:19 – My dear brothers, take note of this: everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.

The Controlled Tongue – Wise Advice

We have all experienced both types of advice – good and bad.  Obviously, a person who is not close to God cannot give you God’s viewpoint, even though he may have beneficial words of human wisdom.

Proverbs 10:32 – The lips of the righteous bring forth what is acceptable.

Proverbs 15:23 – Everyone enjoys giving good advice, and how wonderful it is to be able to say the right thing at the right time.

Ephesians 4:29 – Say only what is good and helpful to those you are talking to.

The Controlled Tongue – Good Sense of Humour

A sense of humour does not refer to silly talk or to distasteful jokes.  Humour is well chosen, properly timed expressions of funny statements and wit.  A good sense of humour is vital to the good communicator and capable leader.  There are special times when a sense of humour is needed, such as in lengthy, tense, and heated meetings, or when a serious atmosphere has settled for a long period of time, or following extremely difficult experiences in our lives.

Proverbs 15:13,15 – “A joyful heart makes a cheerful face.  When the heart is sad, the spirit is broken.  When a man is gloomy, everything seems to go wrong.  When he is cheerful, everything seems right.”

The Controlled Tongue – Words of Encouragement

Encouragement means sincere expressions of gratitude given honestly to another individual.  Usually these words are spoken in private, but occasionally they are spoken for others to hear. We so seldom do this, yet it is one of the signs of a mature, godly person.

Proverbs 16:24 – Kind words are like honey – enjoyable and healthy.

Proverbs 15:23 – Everyone enjoys giving good advice, and how wonderful it is to be able to say the right thing at the right time!

The Controlled Tongue – Witnessing and Teaching

Who can accurately measure the benefits gleaned from the tongue of a godly teacher?

Proverbs 10:11 – The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life.

Proverbs 18:21 – Death and life are in the power of the tongue.

The Controlled Tongue – Reproof and Rebuke

This is one of the toughest aspects of being a teenager.  You witness many people doing many things wrong.  You know in your heart that you must stand against the sins you are aware of.  You know that it is Christian love to speak up and that it is Satan’s hate to remain quiet.  Unfortunately, the code of silence among young people is so strong that the opportunity to turn someone back towards the Lord is deliberately neglected.  Can you think of an occasion when someone wisely yet firmly rebuked you… and you became a better person because of it?  Would you be able to show the same love for your friends?

Proverbs 15:5 – A fool rejects his father’s discipline, a wise son considers each suggestion.

Proverbs 15:31 – He who listens to the life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise.  But to reject criticism is to harm yourself.

Proverbs 27:6 – Wounds from a friend are better than kisses from an enemy!

Mark 14:18 – While they were reclining at the table eating, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me… one who is eating with me”.

Ephesians 5:8,9,16 – Live as children of light and find out what pleases the Lord.  Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.  Make the most of every opportunity.

True Wisdom: 

It is pure.  The Greek word used here means “pure enough to approach the gods”.  The pure wisdom is so cleansed of all ulterior motives and of self that it is able to bear the scrutiny of God.

It is peaceable.  It helps to identify three examples of non-peaceable wisdom.  There is an arrogant wisdom which separates man from man, and which makes a man look with superior contempt on his fellows.  There is cruel wisdom that takes delight in hurting others with cleaver, cutting words.  There is a depraved wisdom which seduces men away from their loyalty to God.  Peaceable wisdom at all times brings men closer to one another and to God.

It is considerate.  The man who is considerate is the man who knows when it is actually wrong to apply the strict letter of the law.  He knows how to forgive when strict justice gives him a perfect right to condemn.  It is not a “winking” at sin, but taking into account the circumstances and the growth of faith.  It is pastoral.

Wrong Wisdom:

It is earthly.  Its standards and sources are earthly.  It measures success in worldly terms.  Its aims are worldly aims.  It concerns itself with self-gratification rather than integrity.

It is unspiritual.  It has the characteristic of the natural man.  It is no more than an animal kind of thing.  This kind of wisdom comes from human base desires… human depravity.  It insists on immediate results rather than maintained principles.

It is from the devil.  Its source is not God, but the devil.  It produces the kind of situation which the devil delights in, not God.

Words of Wisdom:

"Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the Lord ponders the heart."  Proverbs 21:2

"For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul?"  Mark 8:36

"The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."  I Corinthians 1:18

Glory be to God for providing a great opportunity!

 

I have been offered and have accepted a teaching position at Cambridge Christian School.  This is an answer to prayer and I would like to thank my God for once again demonstrating that He is bigger and greater than I have thought possible.  I would also like to thank the many family and friends who have also remembered me in their prayers.  God is good... all the time.

 

The teaching responsibilities are for a grade seven class in the subject areas where I have the most expertise and comfort.  The principal has shown himself to be professional and friendly and I am looking forward to working for him.  I have not met the staff yet, however, the parent committee that interviewed me for the position demonstrated a love and dedication for Christian education.  They made me feel very comfortable and it was a pleasure to share my faith with them.

 

Duties commence in early January so it will be necessary to get into the teaching mode immediately.  I believe that is my gift and I am anxious to use it.  May God be glorified and His Church strengthened.

 

I thank God for making the interview such a wonderful experience.  I was very tired after returning from Newfoundland with Pastor Clarke, yet God provided the confidence to answer the indepth questions from the human resource committee.

 

This puts a special touch on the Christmas season.  I will not teach about a child in a manger or a man on a cross, but a King who is in heaven.  A King who hears every prayer.  A King who wants every person to come to faith.  A King who will return.  Then we will all be taught by the greatest Teacher of all.

 

Wise men still seek Him today!

 

Unfortunately, residents in Ontario hold to several myths about Christian education.  Here are several:

 

If that was true, then I would be wealthy.  Actually, the families that have children enrolled in Christian schools are your neighbours.  They are , department store workers and steel workers, farmers and framers, lawyers and lawn maintenance.  They work in the public sector or as professionals, self-employed or in industry.  They are middle class in majority.  They make a commitment to educate their children and then scrimp and save to make it happen.  They fore-go expensive trips or live in a small er home to remain school members for the length it takes to send every child through the system; sometimes 25 years.

 

Please may that come true.  Actually, Christian school families pay their full education taxes through property taxes and provincial income taxes, but receive nothing back from any level of government.  The parents and relatives of the children enrolled pay for the entire operation of the school.  Parents select a few good men and women to operate the school and a budget is established.  Membership dues and donations pay for salaries, books, and buildings.  Provinces such as British Columbia, Alberta, and Manitoba provide all schools with provincial tax dollars; Ontario supports Catholic schools but no other faith-based schools.

 

If that was true, then I would be harming my child's chance at future success.  Actually, Christian schools are fully recognized by the Ministry of Education through a stringent accreditation process.  Ministry officials visit each school to check curriculum outlines, visit classrooms, and check student notebooks and test papers.

 

Don't ask the grads that attend universities and find great jobs.  Actually, the students in Christian schools typically do much better in standardized testing, literacy tests, and post-secondary acceptance.  The excellence in teaching is matched by parents that are committed to assisting their children to learn.  Class sizes are generally smaller and textbooks are in full supply.  Oddly enough, the per-capita cost of education is less than that of the public school system.

 

Not unless the Bible is made irrelevant.  Actually, the Bible has so much to say about tolerance towards others, that Christian students are leaders when it comes to community service volunteering and civic work.  Students are taught that faith becomes evident through good works.  After graduation, they continue to be good citizens through high voting participation and membership in volunteer organizations.  Their faith causes them to be productive and moral contributors to the society at large.

 

Absolutely true.

 

Christian schools operate because parents want to obey the Biblical command to teach their children.  They take the vows very seriously that they made to God when their children were young and dedicated to God.

- "Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you lie down and when you get up."  Deuteronomy 11:19

- "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it."  Proverbs 22:6

- "Have nothing to do with godless myths and worldly wisdom; rather, train yourself to be godly.  For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come."  I Timothy 4:7-8

- "Study to show yourself as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth."  2 Timothy 2:15

Thank you to the wonderful Christian girls who sent this story to me.

 

"Let me explain the problem science has with Jesus Christ."  The atheist professor of philosophy pauses before his class and then asks one of his new students to stand.  "You're a Christian, aren't you, son?"

"Yes sir," the student says.

"So you believe in God?"

"Absolutely."

"Is God good?"

"Sure” pronounces the student.  God is good."

"Is God all-powerful?   Can God do anything?"

"Yes."

"Are you good or evil?"

"The Bible says I'm evil."

The professor grins knowingly.  "Aha! The Bible!"  He considers for a moment.  "Here's one for you. Let's say there's a sick person over here and you can cure him.  You can do it.  Would you help him?  Would you try?"

"Yes sir, I would."

"So you're good...!"

"I wouldn't say that."

"But why not say that?  You'd help a sick and maimed person if you could.  Most of us would if we could. But God doesn't."  The student does not answer, so the professor continues.  "He doesn't, does he?  My brother was a Christian who died of cancer, even though he prayed to Jesus to heal him.  How is this Jesus good?  Hmmm?  Can you answer that one?"

The student remains silent.

"No, you can't, can you?" the professor says.  He takes a sip of water from a glass on his desk to give the student time to relax. "Let's start again, young fella.  Is God good?"

"Er...yes," the student says.

"Is Satan good?"

The student doesn't hesitate on this one. "No."

"Then where does Satan come from?"

The student falters. "From...God..."

"That's right.  God made Satan, didn't he?  Tell me son, is there evil in this world?"

"Yes, sir."

"Evil's everywhere, isn't it?  And God did make everything, correct?"

"Yes."

"So who created evil?"  The professor continued, "If God created everything, then God created evil, since evil exists, and according to the principle that our works define who we are, then God is evil."  Again, the student has no answer. "Is there sickness?  Immorality? Hatred? Ugliness?  All these terrible things, do they exist in this world?"

The student squirms on his feet. "Yes."

"So who created them?"  The student does not answer again, so the professor repeats his question.  "Who created them?  There is still no answer. Suddenly the lecturer breaks away to pace in front of the classroom.  The class is mesmerized.  "Tell me," he continues onto another student.  "Do you believe in Jesus Christ, son?"

The student's voice betrays him and cracks.  "Yes, professor, I do."

The old man stops pacing.  "Science says you have five senses you use to identify and observe the world around you.  Have you ever seen Jesus?"

"No sir.  I've never seen Him."

"Then tell us if you've ever heard your Jesus?"

"No, sir, I have not."

"Have you ever felt your Jesus, tasted your Jesus or smelt your Jesus? Have you ever had any sensory perception of Jesus Christ, or God for that matter?"

"No, sir, I'm afraid I haven't."

"Yet you still believe in him?"

"Yes."

"According to the rules of empirical, testable, demonstrable protocol, science says your God doesn't exist.  What do you say to that, son?"

"Nothing," the student replies.  "I only have my faith."

"Yes, faith," the professor repeats.  "And that is the problem science has with God.  There is no evidence, only faith."

The student stands quietly for a moment, before asking a question of His own.  "Professor, is there such thing as heat?"

"Yes," the professor replies. "There's heat."

"And is there such a thing as cold?"

"Yes, son, there's cold too."

"No sir, there isn't." The professor turns to face the student, obviously interested.  The room suddenly becomes very quiet.  The student begins to explain.  "You can have lots of heat, even more heat, super-heat, mega-heat, unlimited heat, white heat, a little heat or no heat, but we don't have anything called 'cold'. We can hit up to 458 degrees below zero, which is no heat, but we can't go any further after that.  There is no such thing as cold; otherwise we would be able to go colder than the lowest -458 degrees."

"Every body or object is susceptible to study when it has or transmits energy, and heat is what makes a body or matter have or transmit energy. Absolute zero (-458 F) is the total absence of  heat.  You see, sir, cold is only a word we use to describe the absence of heat.  We cannot measure cold. Heat we can measure in thermal units because heat is energy.  Cold is not the opposite of heat, sir, just the absence of it."

Silence across the room.  A pen drops somewhere in the classroom, sounding like a hammer. "What about darkness, professor.  Is there such a thing as darkness?"

"Yes," the professor replies without hesitation. "What is night if it isn't darkness?"

"You're wrong again, sir.  Darkness is not something; it is the absence of something.  You can have low light, normal light, bright light, flashing light, but if you have no light constantly you have nothing and it is called darkness, isn't it?  That's the meaning we use to define the word."

"In reality, darkness isn't.  If it were, you would be able to make darkness darker, wouldn't you?"

The professor begins to smile at the student in front of him.  This will be a good semester.  "So what point are you making, young man?"

"Yes, professor.  My point is, your philosophical premise is flawed to start with, and so your conclusion must also be flawed."

The professor's face cannot hide his surprise this time. "Flawed? Can you explain how?"

"You are working on the premise of duality," the student explains.  "You argue that there is life and then there's death; a good God and a bad God. You are viewing the concept of God as something finite, something we can measure.  Sir, science can't even explain a thought."

"It uses electricity and magnetism, but has never seen, much less fully understood either one.  To view death as the opposite of life is to be ignorant of the fact that death cannot exist as a substantive thing.  Death is not the opposite of life, just the absence of it."

"Now tell me, professor.  Do you teach your students that they evolved from a monkey?"

"If you are referring to the natural evolutionary process, young man, yes, of course I do."

"Have you ever observed evolution with your own eyes, sir?"

The professor begins to shake his head, still smiling, as he realizes where the argument is going.  A very good semester, indeed.

"Since no one has ever observed the process of evolution at work and cannot even prove that this process is an on-going endeavour, are you not teaching your opinion, sir?  Are you now not a scientist, but a preacher?"

The class is in uproar.  The student remains silent until the commotion has subsided. "To continue the point you were making earlier to the other student, let me give you an example of what I mean."  The student looks around the room.  "Is there anyone in the class who has ever seen the professor's brain?"  The class breaks out into laughter. "Is there anyone here who has ever heard the professor's brain, felt the professor's brain, touched or smelt the professor's brain?

No one appears to have done so.  So, according to the established rules of empirical, stable, demonstrable protocol, science says that you have no brain, with all due respect, sir.   So if science says you have no brain, how can we trust your lectures, sir?"

Now the room is silent.  The professor just stares at the student, his face unreadable. Finally, after what seems an eternity, the old man answers.  "I guess you'll have to take them on faith."

"Now, you accept that there is faith, and, in fact, faith exists with life," the student continues.  "Now, sir, is there such a thing as evil?"

Now uncertain, the professor responds, "Of course there is.  We see it everyday.  It is in the daily example of man's inhumanity to man.  It is in the multitude of crime and violence everywhere in the world.  These manifestations are nothing else but evil."

To this the student replied, "Evil does not exist sir, or at least it does not exist unto itself.  Evil is simply the absence of God.  It is just like darkness and cold, a word that man has created to describe the absence of God.  God did not create evil.  Evil is the result of what happens when man does not have God's love present in his heart.  It's like the cold that comes when there is no heat or the darkness that comes when there is no light."

The professor sat down.  The young Christian's name, Albert Einstein

In response to my Hamilton Spectator editorial regarding the inappropriateness of nudity displayed in its daily newspaper(see my blog from December 5), the Spectator printed the following letter to the editor on December 7:

 

---

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

---

 

The above letter exposes the naked truth that exists in our public education system. I thought it bad enough that a university professor was promoting public nudity, but here is evidence that children in grade six are being indoctrinated with immoral views.   I offer the following rebuttal:

 

1.  Michelle refers to humans as animals.  God created every animal, bird, reptile and fish and placed them under the subject of man.  This was done so that man could serve God.  Man was charged with the responsibility of caring for and sustaining the earth and all of its' creatures.  Humans have been created in the image of God; we have a soul and thoughts that seperate us from the rest of creation.

 

2.  Michelle refers to God-created bodies.  God instructs us that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit.  Acknowledging the creator is only relevant if His standards for living are followed.

 

3.  Michelle states that humans for the most part are ashamed of their bodies.  First, the Bible is very clear where the feeling of shame originated: when man wished to be self-serving.  Second, acknowledging that the majority of humans feel this shame gives evidence of the Biblical account.

 

4.  Michelle states that some individuals are sexually repressed.  If repression is defined as "fighting improper sexual desires", then God is pleased.  If repression is defined as "all sexual desires are improper", then Satan is pleased.  God created humans and their sexual desires.  They are meant to be used in a proper manner and harnessed when appropriate.

 

I would agree with Michelle that humans have hang-ups... it is called sinfulness.  Thankfully, Jesus Christ came into the world and has made it possible for us to regain the perfection we once had.  It is a gift free to us, but paid by His death on the cross.  All that is required from us is an acknowledgement that Christ is our Lord, not ourselves or our theories.  He asks us to live counter-culture in gratitude and testimony to Him.

I love the picture entitled "Light of the world"  that was just added to my photo album.  It speaks to my beliefs and my desire to worship Him with my MSN site.  Most of all, it speaks to the love that Christ has for us.  Jesus is calling us to salvation through a responsive relationship with Him.

 

Holman Hunt painted Light of the World immediately following his conversion to Christianity. The picture symbolized salvation coming to a sinful world. To achieve realism he did much of this painting at night by the light of a lamp.  This helps to explain why the reproduction photo does not display well on your computer screen.

 

The painting is full of symbolic meaning, the light and dark, the luxuriant, uncontrolled plants, the heavy door, the thorny crown, the bright lamp, and so on.  Jesus Christ is standing in a residential courtyard with his hand knocking on the door.  The overgrown vegetation over the door shows that the entrance has not been used in a considerable length of time.  The door is also absent of a door handle.  Christ knocks on the door, but the person inside must respond to the covenant promise that God has spoken and Christ has reaffirmed.

 

"The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness.  he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."  2 Peter 3:9

 

"For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ"  1 Thessalonians 5:9

 

"There is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents"  Luke 15:10