AMBER FLOWERS CHALLENGE DINOSAUR DEPICTIONS

January 26, 2014

This article may be found HERE and is authored by Brian Thomas, M.S.

“Dinosaur dioramas don’t display flowers and grasses—supposedly because they had not yet evolved. But it takes only one piece of the right kind of evidence to disprove a whole paradigm. Amazing amber fossils from Burma (now Myanmar) refute the idea that flowers were absent in the supposed Age of Reptiles by showing the abrupt appearance of fully-formed flowers.”

My comment:

Belonging to two evolution/creation debate forums on Facebook, I have posted materials like this. In previous discussions with evolutionists on a liberal “Christian” website, The Institute of Creation Research was well respected even by Theistic Evolutionists. ICR is a creationist website that promotes the young earth position. Those of you who have read this blog know that I am a young earth creationist. One unbeliever accused ICR of using only materials from their own sources. If you look at the footnotes of this article only 1 of 5 comes from a creationist friendly source. In spite of what some of the evolutionists say, I think there is ample evidence for a young earth. In the end, I believe the creation account by faith. That doesn’t mean that I think we can’t see God in the world around us and in His wonderful creation.

CR


“HAND OF GOD?” JUST ASK MR. NEWTON

January 20, 2014


I am including the entire article from afa.net (found in my links) because I had some problems with a link to the article.

Written by Dr. Jerry Newcombe.

Writing about it for space.com (1/9/14), Tanya Lewis said, “The hand might look like an X-ray from the doctor’s office, but it is actually a cloud of material ejected from a star that exploded.”

She began her piece, noting, “Religion and astronomy may not overlap often, but a new NASA X-ray image captures a celestial object that resembles the ‘Hand of God.’”

But I think religion and astronomy have indeed overlapped far more than people realize. And not just astronomy, but science in general.

There is often a perceived incompatibility between religion and science. I think that is especially true after the rise and acceptance of Darwinism in the late 19th century.

However, it’s interesting to note that essentially modern science was born in a Christian milieu about 500 years ago—with early contributions from the ancient Greeks.

All the great leading scientists initially were Bible-believing Christians. They believed that they were—in the words of astronomer Johannes Kepler—“thinking God’s thoughts after Him.”

They understood that a rational God had made a rational universe, and it was their job as scientists to discover those laws that the Creator had impressed into His creation.

Kepler (1571-1630) wrote, “Since we astronomers are priests of the highest God in regard to the book of nature, it befits us to be thoughtful, not of the glory of our minds, but rather, above all else, of the glory of God.” The scientists were thus God’s priests, in Kepler’s view.

To the consternation of some unbelievers, Sir Isaac Newton, perhaps the greatest scientist who ever lived, wrote more on Christian theology than he did on science.

Newton saw God’s powerful hand in His creation. He once said, “Atheism is so senseless. When I look at the solar system, I see the earth at the right distance from the sun to receive the proper amounts of heat and light. This did not happen by chance.”

Sir Francis Bacon is credited with having been the inventor of the scientific method—that combination of induction and deduction, of hypothesis and proof (empirical proof). Bacon was a devout Christian.

Bacon noted, “There are two books laid before us to study, to prevent our falling into error; first, the volume of the Scriptures, which reveal the will of God; then the volume of the Creatures, which express His power.”

In 1660, the Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge was founded. This prestigious organization, still in existence today, is the oldest such institution still in operation.

James Moore of the Open University in England notes it was founded in a Puritan college (Gresham), and virtually all its early members were Puritans—at a time when Puritans were a small minority. He said that Protestantism “encouraged the birth of modern science.”

I had the privilege of doing some TV interviews at the Royal Society (for our special on “What If Jesus Had Never Been Born?”—hosted by the late D. James Kennedy).

One of those I interviewed was physicist Sir Alan Cook. He said, “One of the implications of the incarnation is that Christ took human form upon Him, including the power of thinking about things and observing things. It seems to me that an implication of the incarnation is that we, those of us who are able to, have a Christian obligation to study the world as God’s creation.”

I’ve had the privilege of interviewing on several occasions for my radio show Dr. Stephen Meyer, who earned his Ph.D. in the philosophy of science at Cambridge. Dr. Meyer, a fellow at the Discovery Institute, is the author of the New York Times bestselling book, Darwin’s Doubt.

I asked Dr. Meyer for a statement for this particular article. He wrote me: “Far from conflicting, the overwhelming scientific evidence of design in life and in the universe—in the digital code stored in DNA and in the fine tuning of the laws of physics, for example—clearly shows that science can—and does—provide support for a theistic view of reality.”

So it comes as no shock to me to see the reported “Hand of God” in the heavens. I believe we see the “Hand of God” even in the study of the heavens, and of the earth.

###

Dr. Jerry Newcombe is a key archivist of the D. James Kennedy Legacy Library, a spokesman and cohost of Kennedy Classics. He has also written or co-written 23 books, including (with Dr. Kennedy) What If Jesus Had Never Been Born? and (with Peter Lillback), George Washington’s Sacred Fire.

My comment:

“In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth…” Photos like this one give us a glimpse of the majesty of our great and almighty God.

CR

PHOTO SOURCE


MARIJUANA AND THE BIBLE

January 4, 2014

If you haven’t heard this story, I would be surprised . My friend, Delight in Truth, has predicted that things like this will continue to increase. In Delight’s words:

“◾Marijuana and perhaps other drugs of abuse may become legal in more States (in the new year)

In Colorado, a tax of up to 25% is being charged to the (now) recreational “drug.” With only 4 states in the nation in the black, many may see marijuana as a great way to raise revenue.

I think Gary makes some good points here. You may want to skip the first minute for the upcoming conference that I will not be attending.

Delight goes on to point out:

“The Bible tells us that in the end-times morality will break down and people will become more evil.

“This accelerated course evident in the last few years will intensify in 2014.

“And it must be so because the Word of God told us so.

1But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. 2For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, 4treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. (2 Tim 1-5)

“12Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived (2 Tim 12)

ONE MAY SEE DELIGHT’S PREDICTIONS HERE

Part of my response to Delight was:

“In Matthew 24 Jesus said: “7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes. 8 But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.”

I think, along with friends of mine, that we may very well be at the beginning of this period. The verses above should make us aware of what is ahead.

“God will not be mocked and people will reap what they have sown.”

I agree with Delight’s response to my comment:

“We now wait and see how eschatological history unfolds….”

CR


I HEARD THE BELLS

December 24, 2013

Back around Christmas in 2010, I put up these two posts about a story that intrigued me when I heard it.  I have since found out that Mr. Longfellow had some interesting beliefs (Have the revisionists taken him apart, too?) .  However, the words of this song are so inspirational that I felt led to share the story once more.

I HEARD THE BELLS – PART I

I HEARD THE BELLS – PART II

When Brother Dick led the congregation in singing last week, he would never know how his selection of this song would bless me this year.

It is not one of the more popular Christmas Songs, but as I sang the song I did something I don’t always do I’m sorry to say.

I took note of the words.

This song, indeed, fits the times in which we live.

I looked at the bottom of the page and saw that the words had been written by the famous American poet, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.

I went home and did some research.

I discovered that hymn books remove two of the verses that were originally written by the famous poet.

The verses are removed because they have references to the American Civil War.

Mr. Longfellow wrote the poem on Christmas Day in 1864, when the war had affected nearly everyone in the country.

Unfortunately, the great poet was no exception.

Three months after the war had begun, in July of 1861, tragedy struck the Longfellow family.

Francis Longfellow had just trimmed some of seven-year-old Edith’s hair.  Mrs. Longfellow then decided to preserve some of the clippings in sealing wax.  While melting a bar of sealing wax with a candle, a few drops of the super heated wax fell on Fanny’s dress.  The hot wax ignited the dress, swallowing the beloved wife and mother in flames.

Fanny ran to Henry in the next room.  Henry grabbed a small throw rug and wrapped it around his wife, attempting to smother the flames.  Unsuccessful, he finally wrapped his arms around his wife in a last attempt to stop the fire.

Henry’s attempt not only burned his face, hands, and arms severely; the effort to save his wife had failed.

Fanny Longfellow died the next morning.

Because of his injuries and his unbearable grief, Henry was unable to attend his wife’s funeral.

Two years later, Charles, Henry’s oldest son, a lieutenant in the Army of the Potomac, was severely wounded in the Battle of New Hope Church.  This happened the month before Christmas in 1863.

It is no surprise there is no entry in Mr. Longfellow’s journal for the Christmas of 1863.

Still grieving over the events of the past few years, Henry put his famous pen to paper on Christmas Day in 1864.

This poem is the result.

Jean Baptiste Calkin added the music in 1872.

Mr. Longfellow heard his words in music for a decade, until his death in 1882.

The words have inspired many, as they have me in 2010.

May God give you a peace that passes all understanding, like He did to Mr. Longfellow, throughout this Christmas season.

Chris Reimers

(Composed on Christmas Day, 1864)

I heard the bells on Christmas Day

Their old familiar carols play,

And wild and sweet the words repeat

Of peace on earth, good-will to men.

I thought how, as the day had come, The belfries of all Christendom

Had rolled along th’ unbroken song

Of peace on earth, good-will to men

And in despair I bowed my head: “ There is no peace on earth,” I said,

“For Hate is strong, and mocks the song

Of peace on earth, good-will to men

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:

God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;

The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,

With peace on earth, good-will to men

‘Til, ringing, singing on its way,

The world revolved from night to day,

A voice, a chime, a chant sublime,

Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

————————————————————–

“I Heard the Bells” with commentary by Pastor Bill Mitchell

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUdAo3N0iEA

“I Heard the Bells” by Rod Kim (Operation Christmas Child)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_IXSiHF4cU

The story behind “I Heard the Bells”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvJdmMG6VWk

Johnny Cash sings “I Heard the Bells”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcP8xvgwucs&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJFZ1y_o9p4

This is Sarah McLachlan’s version:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qn_1-z0d7iQ


POLAR BEAR LOVE

December 17, 2013

Thanks to Barbara Anable for sending in another wonderful video.

cr

I’m reminded of the scripture:

“And God made the beasts of the earth after their kind…and God saw that it was good.”

Genesis 1:25


SPEED RIDING

November 20, 2013

http://player.vimeo.com/video/36398302

It’s so nice to be in contact with Barbara Anable once again.  She sent me this and I had to put it up.  As Barbara said: “This is an amazing and beautiful video!”  How can one watch this and not think of our wonderful Creator God.

This video made me think of THIS ARTICLE CALLED “Secrets from the Most Distant Galaxy.”

Enjoy both.

cr


THOU ART FROM EVERLASTING

November 19, 2013

“Thou art from everlasting.” Ps 93:2

Christ is EVERLASTING. Of him we may sing with David, “Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever.” Rejoice, believer, in Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today, and for ever. Jesus always was. The Babe born in Bethlehem was united to the Word, which was in the beginning, by whom all things were made. The title by which Christ revealed himself to John in Patmos was, “Him which is, and which was, and which is to come.” If he were not God from everlasting, we could not so devoutly love him; we could not feel that he had any share in the eternal love which is the fountain of all covenant blessings; but since he was from all eternity with the Father, we trace the stream of divine love to himself equally with his Father and the blessed Spirit. As our Lord always was, so also he is for evermore. Jesus is not dead; “He ever liveth to make intercession for us.” Resort to him in all your times of need, for he is waiting to bless you still. Moreover, Jesus our Lord ever shall be. If God should spare your life to fulfill your full day of threescore years and ten, you will find that his cleansing fountain is still opened, and his precious blood has not lost its power; you shall find that the Priest who filled the healing fount with his own blood, lives to purge you from all iniquity. When only your last battle remains to be fought, you shall find that the hand of your conquering Captain has not grown feeble. The living Saviour shall cheer the dying saint. When you enter heaven you shall find him there bearing the dew of his youth; and through eternity the Lord Jesus shall still remain the perennial spring of joy, and life, and glory to his people. Living waters may you draw from this sacred well! Jesus always was, he always is, he always shall be. He is eternal in all his attributes, in all his offices, in all his might, and willingness to bless, comfort, guard, and crown his chosen people.

C.H.Spurgeon

 


SUN PARADOX CHALLENGES OLD EARTH THEORY

November 6, 2013

by Tim Clarey, Ph.D. *

“Scientists previously uncovered fossil algae in Archean rocks—evidence of life in a period that evolutionists date from 3.0 to 3.5 billion years ago.1 At that supposed time, the sun would have been 70 percent less luminous compared to today, making Earth’s surface icy and uninhabitable.

But if those rocks are truly 3.0 to 3.5 billion years old, the meager solar energy delivered by the younger Sun at that time would have prevented algae or any other life form from growing.”

You may read the rest of the article HERE.

My comment:

In the end, as I’ve mentioned many times, my faith is based on the Word of God.  However, it is always nice to have evidence to show that fossil algae are not 3.5 billion years old and fit a young earth scenario well.

cr


TOP 10 MIND-BLOWING IMAGES OF HUMANS IN THE WOMB

October 1, 2013

You’ve got to see THESE IMAGES.

cr


BRILLIANT BUTTERFLY FEATURE CHALLENGES DARWINIAN SELECTION

September 23, 2013

By Brian Thomas, M.S.

How do butterfly’s wings shine? Like almost all other butterflies, the Morpho has wings covered with scales. Typically, pigmentation patterns across these scales generate wing colors, but a Morpho‘s scales deploy an additional feature.

On top of their scales, Morpho butterflies have countless tiny, tree-like structures with suspended branched arms that manipulate light waves. Spacing among the branches helps match targeted light-wavelengths, like blue for example. Repeated reflections of the same wavelength cause interference effects that, when viewed from certain angles, generate stunning iridescence.

You can read the rest of the article HERE.

This video is featured in my friend Manny’s blog post:

cr