Philip's tomb found

The picture today is the famous painting by Rubens titled St. Philip, from Rubens'  Twelve Apostles series (c. 1611), and is on display at the Museo del Prado in Madrid, Spain.

Philip? 

Who is he and why is it interesting and important that his tomb may have been found?

Well ---

Philip was one of the Disciples / Apostles of Jesus.

Tradition says that he was from the city of Bethsaida, the same hometown of Andrew and Peter.

Philip was also the Apostle who introduced Nathaniel to Jesus.

There are various traditions about his death - where and when.

But, according to recent reports, his tomb seemingly has been found.

To see the tomb and read about the find, HERE'S THE LINK
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The 'Missing Link' is still missing

The Archaeopteryx has for 150 years been touted as being "The missing link" that 'proves' evolution.

Why?

Because for 150 years it has been said to be part bird and part dinosaur.

And schoolchildren have been taught for decades that dinosaurs evolved into birds.

By the way, those who really believe that dinosaurs evolved into birds will be happy to know that there is some really great ocean view property in Iowa for sale.

But, alas, schoolchildren, teachers, scientists, textbook writers,TV and Movie producers, advertisers, and a host of others who expound this idea that dinosaurs turned into birds will be saddened by the recent announcement.

What recent announcement?

Well, it seems that a recent report in the Journal, Nature, says there is a proposal to reclassify the specimen Archaeopteryx as a dinosaur instead of a bird.

If this happens, Archaeopteryx will no longer be 'The missing link'.

Wow. 

To read more about this, HERE'S THE LINK (Pun intended)
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The debt of Trillions in $100 bills

Unless you have been on Mars or doing a Rip Van Winkle, you probably are aware that there is a big debate going on in Washington DC about raising the debt limit.

Numbers concerning the size of the debt are being bandied about as if one were speaking about the cost of an ice cream cone or something equally supposedly mundane and inexpensive.

But when one speaks of Trillions, the question naturally arises, "How much IS a trillion dollars really?"

On April 29, 2009, we posted a DIT about how 'big' a trillion is.

Apparently no one in DC saw it because they are still spending money as if there is an endless supply.

So, since the topic has returned and since trillions are still being spent like water, we found another link that tries to explain what the multiple Trillion Dollar debt of the USA looks like.


HERE'S THE LINK. 
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World's skinniest House

Talk about claustrophobia!

If you have claustrophobia, you will NOT want to live in, much less visit this house.

And if you are fat you probably can't visit it anyway.

So, what am I talking about now? you ask.

Well, that friend from the other side of the world, who is on this side for a few days, found this link about the world's skinniest house.

In fact, it looks very similar to an exclamation mark, which is why we chose that picture for today's DIT.

Personally, I think I will take a pass on visiting this place except by looking at it on the net.  HERE'S THE LINK
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Crystal caves in Mexico

A year or so ago, DIT came across similar pictures of this cave mine with the amazing crystals.

But, alas, advertisement pictures on the sidebar were, ahem, definitely 'not suitable for prime time' as one would say.

So we didn't share them with you at that time.

But, joy and happiness, more pictures of the Naica mine in Mexico have been posted on the net and this time there are no offending side bar advertisements.

Unlike the small crystals seen in the picture above, the crystals in this mine are huge --

So huge, in fact, that some folks have likened them to the crystals seen in the movie showing Superman's cave.

If you haven't already seen these, you can now enjoy seeing these amazing and unbelievably huge crystals.  HERE'S THE LINK.
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What about "The Message Bible"

There are many articles about the Message on the net and most are glowing rave reviews of the book.

But I wonder if those reviewers have really spent much time comparing it with the original texts and with the KJV, NKJV, NAS, and the many other versions of the Bible which adhere more closely to the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts.

Why do I bring this up? you ask.

Well, recently someone quoted a portion of Joshua 24:15 from the Message. 

24:15 “If you decide that it’s a bad thing to worship God, then choose a god you’d rather serve—and do it today. Choose one of the gods your ancestors worshiped from the country beyond The River, or one of the gods of the Amorites, on whose land you’re now living. As for me and my family, we’ll worship God.”         The Message Bible

BUT, in the KJV and the other 'mainstream' versions of the Bible this passage reads:

24:15 "And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.      KJV

Hmmmm. As you can see, there is considerable difference in the two versions.

And although there are several significant changes in the 2 versions of that verse, the phrase that was in question was that well known and often quoted phrase: "… as for me and my house, we will SERVE the LORD"

The Message Bible says: " … as for me and my family, we will WORSHIP God"

When corresponding with the one who had quoted from the Message, they responded that the Hebrew word for 'serve' could also be translated 'worship.' 

They said,
"Original Word: עָבַד
Transliteration: abad
The word is translated most often in the Old Testament as "serve" but is used 7 times in the Old Testament as "worship"

Well, not being a Hebrew scholar nor able to read Hebrew, I must assume that this is the correct definition of the word according to some source.

And my trusty old Strong's Concordance agrees that the Hebrew word used in that verse is # 5647 Abad. 

Yes, same word. 

But

The definition of Abad, according to the Strong's Concordance is: "a prim root; to work (in any sense); by impl. to serve, till (caus.) enslave, etc: - x be, keep in bondage, be bondmen, bond-service, compel, do, dress, ear, execute + husbandman, keep, labour (-ing man) bring to pass, (cause to, make to) serve (-ing, self), (be, become) servant (-s), do (use) service, till (-er), transgress [from margin], (set a) work, be wrought, worshipper."

Hmm. Interesting that 'worship' is not mentioned until the very last definition where the word 'worshipper' is found. 

Obviously, worship (worshipper) is not the most accepted or logical definition of 5647 Abad.

Also, interestingly, the definition of Abad in the Book "New Wilson's Old Testament Word Studies" was lengthy and similar to the Strong's definition noted above but did not include 'worship' in the definition at all.  

So, the question is, why did Eugene Peterson decide to use 'worship' when it is normally translated 'serve' in Strong's Concordance, The New Wilson's OT Word Studies, and in essentially all of the mainstream Biblical texts?

Did he have something in mind?

It seems to me that there is a big difference in serving and worshiping.

And this is not the only place where there are 'unusual' textual changes made by Peterson in his so-called translation, The Message.

Indeed the entire book, The Message, is replete with such changes, alterations, and discrepancies.

Both the OT and the NT versions of The Message are now available and are being widely read.

But problems with the 'translation' were already apparent when the NT version was released, years before the OT version was ready.

Because of early translation differences observed in the NT,  an article addressing some of them was posted in 1993 after the NT Version of The Message was released.

Of course, OT discrepancies, such as in the Joshua passage, are not addressed in the 1993 article, but many more are likely present in the OT version of The Message and it would be helpful if someone, perhaps you?, would address them.

But, in the meantime, to see a few of the many errors, heresies, and deviations in the New Testament portion of The Message, you will want to read the 1993 article.

HERE'S THE LINK!

And if that didn't curl your hair or give you the 'big one' (heart attack), HERE'S ANOTHER LINK
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Time Lapse Video of Night Sky in Australia

Well, someone has done it again.

Done what?

Produced another interesting and amazing time lapse video of the night sky.

This time it is the sky in Australia so many of the stars will likely not be familiar to folks who know only the constellations and stars of the Northern Hemisphere.

But, forget that. 

Instead focus on the beautiful pictures Alex Cherney has produced.

Indeed he won a prize for this 2 minute  41 second video.

HERE'S THE LINK (Be patient, it might load slowly, but it should load.)

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What about Harry Potter

You surely are aware that another Harry Potter movie is 'out' and folks are anxiously lining up to view it.  

And they will also be reading the book.

Reportedly this is the last of the series.

But what about this and the other movies and books in the series?

Do you and your children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, neighbors, etc need to see these movies and read these books?

Are they harmless?

Or…..

Well, a very interesting and important article was sent by email to one of the followers of DIT who is on the Olive Tree Ministries mailing list. 

She forwarded it to us.

And we are forwarding it to you in today's DIT.

This is a must read.  HERE'S THE LINK.
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Campus Crusade for Christ changes its name

Ever since it was founded in 1951 this worldwide ministry has been known as "Campus Crusade for Christ"

But, no longer.

As of July 19, 2011 It has changed its name to Cru.

Cru ?  Cru ?

Yes, Cru.

No more Christ and no more Campus Crusade for Christ, but just simply 'Cru'.

There will probably be a zillion articles about this name change.  But one of the first to hit the wires is this one.  HERE'S THE LINK

And for another article about the name change, HERE'S THE LINK

Read the articles and if you would like to make a comment about what you think about this name change, please click on the comments link below.

And just between you, me, and the gatepost, and having been a long time supporter of Campus Crusade for Christ and its various ministries, especially "The Jesus Film" Ministry (I wonder if they will change that name too?), this makes me very sad!

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Origins -- Searching for Answers

Origins -- Searching for Answers

Recently while surfing the net, I came across another really cute video.

It was produced as a Senior Thesis at the Ringling College of Art + Design and I assume the student, Robert Showalter, received an A + for his work.

If he didn't get an A+ he should have imho.

But, alas, I am not sure I understand the ending. 

What do I mean? you ask.

Well, first watch this 2 minute 9 second video ---  HERE'S THE LINK

Now that you have seen the video, perhaps you have the same questions I had which were:

Did the little character that looks to me a lot like a little robot understand that his Creator was the Creator God of the Universe? 

Is he a robot?

Did he realize that God's world is better than man's world?

Or what?

Since cartoons are 'not my thing' and I often miss their intent, perhaps you would like to comment with your thoughts.

So, if you would like chime in on what you think the conclusion meant, we have opened the comments section (see the 'comments' link below).   Please tell us what you think this cartoon means.

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The Scopes Trial was decided 86 years ago today

86 years ago, on July 21, 1925, the Scopes trial came to a conclusion in Dayton, TN.

The courthouse where the trial was held still stands and on the top floor, where the trial was held, you can step back in time and see the room preserved and essentially unchanged .

The Movie, Inherit the Wind, was produced in 1960 to 'document' the trial and surrounding events.

This movie is still shown repeatedly in Schools across the country even though the trial was in 1925.  Indeed your children or grandchildren are likely being shown this movie this week in their schools.

But, alas, the play, which first opened in 1955, the 1960 movie, and the various TV versions, though purported to be accurate representations of what occurred, are, in reality, considerably more Fiction than truth!

What? The Movie, Inherit the Wind, is not an accurate synopsis?

Correct.  It is not accurate and is definitely more fiction than fact !!!

A very good article posted March 31, 2010 in the Answers Research Journal details the errors and explains why.

If you have seen the movie (and / or the play, one of the TV versions, the 2009 movie "Alleged"), or if you  have a child or grandchild who has, or if you are a teacher who has shown it to your classes, you definitely need to read this article.  HERE’S THE LINK

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Cartoons are not always funny or correct

Many folks are really 'into' cartoons and read several of them first thing daily.

And some cartoons, as we all know, are not really meant to be funny but, rather, to educate.

Some of the 'education' is 'ok'  and / or harmless ---

While other times the 'education' is intentionally misleading, incorrect, and intended to change one's worldview.

This means, of course, that, just as with other things (movies, books, speakers, etc) you can't just put your mind on 'cruise' and fail to evaluate and critique the concepts being presented.

A recent example of misinformation in a cartoon was observed and reported by AIG (Answers In Genesis) which noticed significant errors and distortions in  a Doonesbury cartoon.

Perhaps you saw the cartoon and noticed the errors.

In case you did not see the cartoon, you can find it AT THIS LINK

And now, having seen the cartoon, you will appreciate this brief article which describes the cartoon's errors.  HERE'S THE LINK

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Holy Sheep

While surfing the net recently, I happened upon a most unusual video.

Apparently it was a Senior Thesis Short Film for the Ringling College of Art and Design.

It is really really creative, cute, clever, etc (fill in your favorite accolades).

Hopefully, surely, he made an A+ on this one.

To see this amazing 2 minute 11 second video, HERE'S THE LINK

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Jerusalem and the Holy Land -- a Fly over

Perhaps you have never been to Israel.

Or perhaps you have been several times.

But whether you have been there or not, you will be interested to know that IMax 3D is filming another major Giant Screen project.

The IMax production is entitled Jerusalem, but not only will the City of Jerusalem be featured, reportedly there will also be a fly over of the entire nation of Israel.

The movie is due to be released in 2013 but a brief preview of the release is already available on the internet.

Since a picture is worth a thousand words, perhaps the best thing is just to let you see the 6 min 55 second preview.  It is a wow.  HERE'S THE LINK

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Carmageddon? Or Not?

You may have heard that in Los Angeles, the famous Interstate 405 Freeway is closed this weekend !

Closed?

Yes. Closed for the Weekend. Well, technically for 53 hours during the weekend.

Why?

Well, it seems that there is a bridge that needs to be torn down.  And, in order to do this, 10 miles -- yes you read that correctly -- 10 miles of the freeway has to be shut down.   Go figure.

Anyway, with this very important traffic corridor being closed, the 'experts' in LA were expecting what they called 'carmageddon' this week end.

Carmageddon?

Yes, they expected a huge traffic jam on the side streets and other routes.  Pictures made through early saturday morning, however (like the cartoon clip above) show that that Carmageddon has not yet happened. 

Indeed, the pictures of this essentially empty freeway in L.A. which is usually teeming with bumper to bumper traffic, are amazing.  HERE'S THE LINK

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The World's first talking Doll -- 123 years ago

You may have heard of this but, if not, it is pretty amazing.

Seems that Edison, yes, the same Thomas Edison who invented the lightbulb and many other things, also worked on an unusual project ---

What was that project? you ask.

Well, he made a talking doll!

A talking doll?  Yes, the world's first talking doll.

He did this about 123 years ago. 

The dolls never seemed to be a big seller and as far as I know, none of the dolls remain.  But the sound track has been found!

To read more about this amazing feat, to see pictures of the recording device, and to hear the audio of the talking doll, HERE'S THE LINK

And if you would like to know more about Thomas Edison, HERE'S A LINK
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Religion vs. Christianity: What's the Difference?

This is a very good question.

Doubtless you have heard people intermix the terms of Religion and Christianity or Buddhism or whatever religion you want to mention as if they are all the same.

But are they the same?

Is there a difference between Religion and Christianity?

Is there a difference between Christianity and Buddhism or Shintoism or etc etc etc.?

Actually there is.

And it is a huge and significant difference.

It is a difference that results in different ETERNAL destinies.

To find out what the difference is and why, HERE'S THE LINK

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Watermelon is a health food

Summertime is watermelon season.

And if you are like most folks, you love a slice of icy cold sweet watermelon.

Perhaps you don't sit in your watermelon as this little tyke did.

But, guess what. 

Watermelon is not only delicious and a fun thing to sit in ---

It is also good for you. 

Want to know why?  Then, HERE'S THE LINK
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A Lamp in the Dark

We have company here at DIT this week and amongst other things, in our spare time, we watched several videos.

The video we watched yesterday was one that was featured previously on this DIT site and it is so outstanding that it needs to be mentioned again.

What is it? and why did we watch it? you ask.

Well, it is entitled "A Lamp in the Dark -- The Untold History of the Bible" --

It is a must see for everyone and especially for those who love the Bible and are interested in knowing the history of the Church and how the Bible became available to the 'common man'.

Indeed this is such a 'must see' video that we mentioned it on a previous DIT back in April.

But you and your family might have been busy then and didn't have time to view it.  So we are mentioning it again now that it is summer when folks usually have more free time.

As noted on the back cover of the DVD case: "A Lamp in the Dark is an exciting documentary that shows the intriguing history of the Bible.  Enter into a world of saints and martyrs battling against spies, assassins, and wolves in sheep's clothing.

"… Learn about the sacrifice of men like John Wycliffe, Martin Luther, William Tyndale, Myles Coverdale, and others, who hazarded their lives to communicate the Bible in languages people could understand. …"

On Dec. 10, 2010, Gary Stearman, of Prophecy in the News, interviewed Chris Pinto, the Writer and Director of the DVD.  

That interview is available on the internet and as you watch it, you will understand why this is a must see DVD.

To watch the 32 minute interview, HERE'S THE LINK

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Brain Surgery 4300 years ago

People wearing evolutionary glasses tell us that our ancestors of thousands of years ago were knuckle dragging, rock throwing folks and they certainly could not do serious things such as brain surgery.

But as the song says: "...that ain't necessarily so…"

In fact, there have been numerous archaeological discoveries which give evidence that our ancestors were actually advanced in many areas.

Mummies, skeletons, tools, etc. have been found which give clues about how advanced those folks were.

And now another such discovery has been made.

Seems that there is evidence that surgical procedures on the skull were done approximately 4,500 years ago.  HERE'S THE LINK
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Yoga in Times Square on the Summer Solstice

June 21 was the Summer Solstice.

For most folks it was a relative non event and was just a day that came and went albeit it was the longest day of the year so likely many took advantage of that extra daylight.

But for many others, who practice Yoga, they gathered in New York Times Square for the day and did their Yoga.

What about Yoga?

Is it harmless?  Is it only exercise?

Why did these folks fill Times square as they 'do' their Yoga?

And why did they choose the Summer Solstice day at the 'time' to do it?

To read about this event in case you hadn't heard, HERE'S THE LINK

Hmmmm. Perhaps there is more to Yoga than 'meets the eye'.

Many folks including Christians are now 'into' yoga.  But should they be?

An article on Ron Carson's website addresses the question about Christians and Yoga.  HERE'S THE LINK

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Taters

Ah, email has struck again.

And this was just tooooooo cute as well as thought provoking to not share with you.

What is it this time? you ask.

Well, it has cute cartoon characters and I know there are folks who visit this site who are really 'into' cartoons.

But this is not your typical cartoon with the panels and all.

However, it does have cute cartoon characters and a really good message.

It reminds me of the old old joke of the Princess Potato who wanted to marry Walter Cronkite. 

When she went home to tell her parents, King and Queen Potato, they objected strenuously and said she couldn't marry him.

When she asked why, they replied: "because he is a ….

(are you ready for this?)

"You can't marry him", they said, "because he is a 'commontater' !!!!"

Har de har har.

Well, with that by way of introduction, to see more very interesting potatoes with a very interesting messages, HERE'S THE LINK

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Lab-made windpipe (Trachea)

The DIT of Weds. July 6, 2011, had a video of a 3 D Copy machine that can make machine parts, gadgets, and more.

The video we viewed at that time was of a Wrench that was copied and made in the 3D copy machine.

If you did not see that DIT, do it now.  It is amazing!

But, as amazing as that was, did you know that something similar is now being done with human parts?

Yes.

A 3D copy machine is not being used but a human windpipe (Trachea) has been made using stem cells which were allowed to grow on a form.

Wow !!!

But, rather than going into the details here, perhaps you will want to read the article and see the actual windpipe.

This is another "we are not in Kansas anymore, Toto…' event.  HERE'S THE LINK

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The World's longest sea bridge is open for traffic

A few days ago (July 2) we saw pictures of several spectacular pedestrian bridges.

And no, the picture on the left is not of those bridges nor is it, obviously, of the world's longest sea bridge.

The picture for that DIT and today's DIT is of one of the world's smallest, but very admired for its history, bridges.  It is one of the sights we saw on our recent vacation and I wanted to share it with you.

But, have you seen the pictures of the world's longest bridge for vehicles?

Its construction began in 2006.  It has just recently been completed and opened.

26.4 miles long, it is located in, you guessed it, China.

To see the spectacular pictures of this bridge, HERE'S THE LINK

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Baby Christopher update

For those of you who have been following the 'adventures' of Baby Christopher, here is some realllllly good news.

Baby Christopher, you will recall, is a little tyke who was born with multiple severe heart defects

…Soooo severe that he had to have a heart transplant shortly after birth.

Then, further complications ensued including total renal failure.

Thus, for almost his entire life (he is now about 1 ¾ years old) his new heart has been working wonderfully (and still is) but he has had to be on peritoneal renal (kidney) dialysis.

The dialysis now takes about 12 hours a day -- every day !

A renal transplant was, therefore, in his future but 'when' has been the question.

You see, he had to be big enough for an adult kidney.

Well, good news.

His mother has just posted an update on Caring Bridge about the 'latest'.

I know you will want to read it and rejoice with the family.  HERE'S THE LINK

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3 D copy machine

When it came time to post the DIT for Wednesday, plans changed, and to tell you the truth, this is not what was planned for today's DIT.

Why the change? you ask.

Well, before posting, I checked the email inbox since it had been awhile since it had been checked and I was wondering if there was any news from various friends on various topics.

And, guess what!   Not only was there news but there was an email from a person who from time to time finds really interesting things and tonight's email was no exception.

What did he send? you ask.

Well, he had found a most unusual video about a most unusual printer.

This is not your 'average' printer.

It is one of those '...you're not in Kansas anymore, Toto….' printers.

So, without giving you any more of a surprise than what is in the title of today's DIT, to see an amazing 4 minute 27 video of this printer in action, HERE'S THE LINK

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Laundry Stains -- Hints on how to remove

We have ended a fun filled 4th of July (Independence Day) weekend and it is highly likely that you have more stains than usual on your clothes.

Mustard, coffee, colas, ketsup, chocolate and other stains from picnics.

Oil and gas stains from when you filled the lawn mower to cut the grass or from changing a flat tire or from looking under the car hood to see why the car just quit running.

Greasy suntan lotion stains from that day at the beach.

Dirt and grass stains from the pick up baseball game in the back yard or on the kids uniforms when they played in their little league games.

And on and on we could go.

The point is -- the long weekend was a lot of fun but now you have a lot of clothes with various kinds of 'mystery stains' that have to come out.

So, what to do?

Well an interesting article on the net has some very helpful ideas and suggestions.  HERE'S THE LINK.
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Today is Independence Day

Is your flag flying?

It should be because Independence Day is America's Birthday.

Let's see --- 1776 to 2011 is  235 years.

Wow !   Happy Happy Birthday America.

So, as you go about your activities today with parades, picnics, ball games, even the famous 10 Km Atlanta Peachtree Road Race (for joggers, marathoners, and a fearless nephew), be sure to remember WHY you are able to enjoy these festivities.

And the WHY is because you are celebrating one of the most significant days in the history of mankind.   

To learn more about why this day is so important, HERE'S A LINK

Happy Birthday America.
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Today In 1863 the Battle of Gettysburg ended

Recently we visited the Gettysburg battleground. 

Having not been there for over 30 years, many changes had occurred in the interim.

No, the changes did not involve the battleground itself.

Rather, there is now a new, large, and wonderful Visitors Center with a zillion things to view, a great bookstore, and more.

Our group, remembering how it had been 30 or so years ago, thought we would drop in for a brief visit of 2 or 3 hours, see it all, and be on our way

How wrong we were.

There were soooooo many things to look at and consider in the Visitors Center plus the guided audio tours of the battleground itself, that, believe it or not, we spent the entire day and still had not seen or done all that we could and wanted to do and see.

But, alas, we had to move on.

However, this DIT is to give you a heads up for a possible vacation trip.

If you are anywhere near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, you MUST visit it --

And plan on spending the entire day (or, if possible, two days or more) at Gettysburg.

This is a must visit site for every American.  And non-Americans will also profit for finding out what happened in this historic 3 day Civil War battle.

In case you are not familiar with what happened there or if you need a refresher, HERE'S A LINK

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There are bridges and then there are bridges

You may have seen the recent article on the web about the "World's Most Spectacular Pedestrian Bridges"

A friend sent the link and commented that one of these was in her home town.

Wow.  It would be great to check that (and the others) out though some look a little scarey.

The bridge in the DIT picture today was important in its day and possibly spectacular to its beholders but it doesn't hold a candle to the bridges being built today.

Check out the latest in spectacular bridges.  HERE'S THE LINK

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Invisible Plane of the Future?

You may have heard this bandied about on the internet recently.

An 'invisible' passenger plane -- which is why you can't see it in the picture today.  It is invisible.  Har de har har.

Well, that is how they describe it.

But, actually, it is not invisible.  It is more like a 'see through' plane.

Hmmmmm. Not so sure I would want to be in this one.

But then, since the airports are seeing though people, why not a see through plane?

Anyway, a few still photos of this plane have been on the net and were hard to believe.  For one site with these photos HERE'S THE LINK

And for even more info including a very interesting short 3 minute 42 sec video, HERE'S THE LINK

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