Ideas Expelled?

My first degree is a Bachelor of Arts in Teaching with certifications in biology and physical education. I have an affinity for the field of biology and the incredible progress that has been made in understanding our planet through the sciences. It is amazing to see the advances made in medical and communication technologies in my life time.

It is also amazing at how entrenched the theories of Darwinian evolution have become in the scientific community. There is no doubt that micro evolution takes place within species of animals. But there is very much that denies that macro evolution takes place; that is the big jumps from one kind to another.

Over the weekend I went to see Expelled—The Movie, starring Ben Stein. It is a look at the climate surrounding the scientific community in regard to the question of Intelligent Design. There is a growing number of people, scientists included, that believe the idea of an Intelligence behind the beginnings of life is a viable answer to the questions of the origins of life. But when such ideas are proposed or mentioned in the place of higher learning as worthy of discussion, the scientific community reacts swiftly and summarily to have it removed, along with the ones making the proposal.

I was particularly drawn to the discussions of the advances in the study of cell biology that were presented in film. So many things have been discovered since the time I was in school. I was facsinated to see the things learned about the order and structure with the cell, how the components work in such a precise way. I makes me want to get back in a lab and let someone show me those things first hand. It also solidifies my belief that there is an Intelligence behind the functions. Random accidents cannot produce such complexities!

In the movie, Stein reveals the issue in a sound and sane way, suggesting that in a free society we should be able to present ideas for consideration without being muzzled by those in power who disagree. The movie deserves to be seen. There have been factions trying to keep it out of movie houses, but it is available in a few in our area. I hope many go see it and form their own conclusions.

Back to the Library

When my girls were at home we all had library cards to the local public library. It was one of the favorite places for our family to go. The girls loved to read and always joined in the summer reading club that was offered every year.

For some sad reason, when the girls grew up and moved away from home, neither my wife nor I went to the library often. When we moved to a new town neither of us obtained a library card.

But now we are raising two of our grandsons because of health issues our youngest daughter is battling. The boys love for us to read to them. We all have signed up for a library card and have a regular schedule for a trip to check out new books every other Friday! It is once again a big part of our life to go to the library!

A Dearth of Leadership

There is a story in Judges, chapter 9, that needs to be brought to our attention occasionally. A wicked man, Abimelech, killed seventy men to insure that he would be chosen king of Shechem. When the righteous Jotham heard that Abimelech had indeed been appointed, he told a very pointed parable about the trees.

The trees were seeking a king ad sought first to anoint the olive tree, who refused for a seemingly good reason. Next the fig tree was approached, but he also refused. Eventually the grape vine was asked to serve, but he likewise declined. Finally the trees requested the bramble (thorn bush) to become their king. Verse 15 says, “And the bramble said to the trees, If in truth you are anointing me as king over you, come and take refuge in my shade.”

Jotham used the parable to make a point about the situation in which he found himself. I’d like to make one about more current circumstances. It seems to me that the trees showed good judgment initially in recognizing the one who ought to be their leader, the one with the most talent. Undaunted by the olive’s refusal they turned to the fig, who was nearly as talented as the olive. Imagine the frustration felt by the entire group as they could get no one who qualified to lead take up the leadership responsibility. As the frustration mounted, they turned to the worthless, even troublesome thornbush.

I am afraid that phenomenon is not isolated to imaginary forests, but that it is true in the jungle of humanity. We desperately need leaders, everyone recognizes it. And yet we have refusal after refusal on the part of important and blessed men. If we have the talent and do not supply it to those that need it, we surrender the right to complain about the way we are led by a thorn bush. If I am not mistaken, you have to crawl to get in the shade of a bramble!

More Than Conquerors

In going through Mom’s things after her death, Dad found a little thought jotted on a piece of yellowing paper tucked away in her Bible. It said, “Do the most. Say the best. Leave the rest.” No doubt she had heard that in a sermon or a Bible class lesson ad thought it worth preserving. Not only that, but I think she must have thought it worth living.

My mother was like anyone else, human, with her weaknesses, but her faith was strong in difficulty. And she seemed to have a handle on her eternal destination. It occurs to me that she was on God’s side. Some people try to get God on their side through their actions. Their worship, their offerings and their prayers are aimed at securing Divine approval. But that will not work.

On the other hand, a man on God’s side can’t lose. He may have some failures or be overcome in the battle with disease or other struggles, but each o these contribute to the ultimate success and sweetness of the final victory.

Satan appeared to have won at Calvary. But then the resurrection came and God resoundingly turned Satan’s worst to a glorious triumph for both himself and man. Redemption was made possible for those who would align themselves the plumb line of the Testament of Christ. That’s what Mom did and she taught some very vivid lessons of faith and courage in her fight with cancer. I hope they are truly learned.

Thank goodness that, “in all thins we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.”

(originally written in November, 1983)

Finding Old Memories

I am in the midst of moving from my old office to the one I am to occupy in our new wing. Among the things I found stored was a cache of old bulletin articles I had written in 1980.  I had kept them with some vague idea that I might compile them into a volume to submit for publication sometime in the future. Well, it is the future, and I am not sure I am up to a compilation or receiving rejection letters.  I decided to put some on my blog.  Here is the one from December 11 of that year.

My dad and I were together for an afternoon and evening a couple of weeks ago. We went to see a high school football playoff game at the Astrodome. We used to do such things often when I lived in Lake Jackson, but it  was the first time in a good while that we have done it. We both enjoyed it. I hope we don’t wait so long to get together for another such outing again.

While driving to the Dome we began reminiscing about his mother and some of her philosophies. This lady was one of those truly great Christians. She lived her faith every day, her good deeds were a positive force on everyone who lived in her small farming community. She believed in doing her best at whatever she was involved in,  whether the task was a pleasant one or not. She complained very seldom and expected to do her share.  She slept soundly every night, she said, because she did not have a guilty conscience. Now her rest is eternally secured.

Her philosophy is not one that is widely spread in our society today. All too often we only want to do enough to get by. We look for ease and comfort. Frequently we expect to have things given to us. We would rather be “done for” than “do for” someone else. This attitude is prevalent in our work, our family life, our religious life, everywhere. At the appearance of a stumbling block, we give up.

We need to be ready to fight for the victory. Without combat, no victory is reached. Without labor, we cannot arrive at rest. My Christian brothers, be the best you can be. Whatever your hand finds to do, do with all your might. (Ecclesiastes 9:10).

Relaxing/Unwinding

This post is in response to a challenge to write a blog in reaction to the topic of relaxing/unwinding.

I am a hard working, and self-motivating kind of guy, but it is not like those driven guys that define themselves by the hours worked. I work with lots of people, which means that there is potential for stress and tension. And I do get frustrated on a not infrequent basis. But I love my job. I seldom have a headache or lose my appetite over such things.

As I have thought about it today, I have decided that at least part of the reason those things are true, is that I can let things go fairly easy, and find a way to relax or unwind. I don’t think one little blog will hold all the things that I find relaxing and refreshing.

I have a Lazy Boy recliner that is a good friend. When I sit down in it, it sorta welcomes me with open arms and a soft embrace. The world melts away, and all the more so if there is some inane television show on the tube. I can vegetate without a serious thought. Or I can pick up a book and lose myself in it. It doesn’t even have to be a particularly good book.

I can relax by playing in the yard with the grandkids, or taking a walk with my wife. I love to relax over a meal, whether a feast or a bowl of cereal. If you take me out to the ball park, I don’t care if I never get back.
A vacation can really rejuvenate me, especially if trip allows me to get to Dominica , in the Caribbean. There is a place at the end of that island that is so magnificent that I am enlivened just to sit there and soak up the view.

Over the past couple of years I have found that blogging is a way to release a lot of the days burdens.
I suppose that my conclusion is that the activity is not so important as the ability and willingness to let go of things that can drain me of the ability and will to do the duties that are mine to do.