The Puzzle of Ancient Man

Yesterday we mentioned an interesting OOPArt, a bronze bell found in coal from a coal mine that was reported to be 300 million years old.

We noted at the time that there are books, magazine and journal articles, and internet articles which tell about OOPArts. 

And we had a link to one of the Internet articles, which came from a magazine.

But, we did not tell you about any specific books on the subject.

Surely you have been wondering about these OOPArts and would like to read more about them.

So today, I would like to recommend a book on the subject that I think you will find most interesting.

It is the book shown in the blog picture for today.  Probably the words are too small in the picture so let me tell you the Title and the Author.

It is “The Puzzle of Ancient Man” written by Dr. Donald Chittick.

My copy is ‘dog-eared’, underlined, and marked up.  I think yours will be, too, once you get it.

Where can you find it?  Well, most book stores probably have it or can order it.  Or, you can get it at several websites on the net.  One that I have found very trustworthy is the AIG website. 

So to read more about this fascinating book and to consider if you would like to have it in your library (and I think you will),  HERE’S THE LINK.

An amazing OOPArt

OOPArts are some of my favorite things.  There seem to be quite a few around but we don’t read about them very often (perhaps I should say ‘ever’) in the secular news.

However, there are books about them and articles in Magazines, Journals, and on the Internet.

Great, but what are OOPArts? 

Well, that is just a fancy cute acronym for “Out Of Place Artifacts.” 

In other words, from time to time man made things (artifacts) are found in ancient places or buried within geological strata that really should not be in that place or stratum IF the place or strata is as old or as primitive as reported to be.  

Indeed, many of the artifacts are too highly advanced for the location where they were found so they are considered to be Out Of Place for the time and place. Hence the term OOPArts (Out of Place Artifacts.)

For example, the article I want to lead you to today was in the Feb. 2010 issue of Acts & Facts (published by ICR). 

It is about a Bronze Bell which was reportedly found in Coal from a West Virginia coal mine.  The coal in the mine was dated, by the evolutionary point of view, to be about 300 million years old. 

So, what is a  Bronze bell, the one shown in the picture for today’s entry, doing in 300 million year old coal?  How did it get there? 

Man, according to evolutionists, had not evolved that long ago. So, there should be no such object embedded in 300 million year old coal.  

Hmmm. Perhaps the coal is NOT 300 million years old?

Want to read about it?  Then HERE’S THE LINK.

Grand Canyon White Water Rafting Trip

As you know, I have had the joy of doing 2 White Water Rafting Trips in the Grand Canyon, the second of which was under the aegis of Canyon Ministries and ICR.

ICR is not doing a trip this year but Canyon Ministries is providing the rafts and equipment for other groups such as AIG and for themselves.

The reason I am telling you this is that recently we received an email from Canyon Ministries saying there is only ONE trip left this year that has space available.  All the others are filled to the brim.

So, bottom line: IF you would like to experience the Grand Canyon, this is your only chance this year.

Why would you want to go with Canyon Ministries? you ask.

Well, besides the fact that their “adventure of a lifetime” trip is truly awesome, fun, educational, and a never to be forgotten experience, it teaches the TRUE HISTORY of the Grand Canyon, the history from the Creationist’s perspective.

So, if you are looking for a wonderful vacation this year and if you have the week of June 21-27 ‘open’, you realllllly should consider this trip.  HERE’S THE LINK 

And, to learn more about Canyon Ministries and to view several short videos from previous trips, HERE’S THE LINK.

Pet Owners, Here is a ‘head’s up’

A recent warning by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says  “Small dogs (and cats) prove susceptible to Flea Poison”

Hmmmm. Now this could be scary, especially since it is that time of the year when pets begin spending more time outside.

What is this all about? you ask. 

Well, it seems that there have been reports that some of the topical application products to kill flees are more dangerous than previously thought.

If you have a pet using these products or know of someone using them, you might want to read the article.  HERE’S THE LINK.

Disposophobia

The other day a friend and I were discussing ‘junk filled’ messy houses, apartments, whatever.  And, I told her that there was a name for that and that a post on this blog previously had discussed it.

Since she had apparently missed it and since it is a reallllly interesting topic with a most interesting name, we are reposting in her honor (not that she is messy, but so that she will know about it.)

So, here it is.

Disposophobia!  Do you have it? Do you know anyone with it?

The Collyer brothers had it (though when I heard about them years ago, I thought their name was spelled Collier. Sigh. Oh well.) Anyway, they had it. Big time.

So, what is ‘Disposophobia’?  Let’s divide up the word and find out what it means:

Dispose  = get rid of by throwing away or giving or selling something to someone else 
+ Phobia = an extreme or irrational fear of or aversion to something

So, bottom line, this means ‘the fear of getting rid of something,  so you just keep it.’

And, yes, Disposophobia was a new term to me. But, I think I know several folks who have it. Hmmm. Isn’t that what folks always say when they have the ‘problem’ and not the ‘others’ for whom they are ‘seeking help’? Oh, well, whatever.

Anyway, to read about some famous folks who had Disposophobia, HERE'S THE LINK
(By the way, this link sometimes loads slowly so wait or click on reload if the wait is too long.)

“Evolution: The Grand Experiment”

Last night I watched a video entitled “Evolution: The Grand Experiment”

The funny thing (although the video is not funny) is that I thought I was going to watch what turned out to be a different video from that which had been highly recommended to me by a friend.

That friend has been going on and on about how wonderful the video was.  I kept assuring her that I had it but had not yet seen it (since I was busy getting taxes stuff ready, going on trips, working on this blog, catching up on mail and snail mail, etc.)

But she kept telling me to watch it.  So, finally last night I did. 

But, alas it was not the one she was telling me to watch.  Sigh. 

But, I will get to see it when I go visit her in a few weeks. And when that happens, if it is as great as she says it is (and I am sure it will be because she knows whereof she speaks), I will tell you about it.

In the meantime, the video I did see is also EXCELLENT.  It is Volume 1 of what apparently is going to be a series.  To read about it, you can visit the website.  HERE’S THE LINK.

What happens when you die?

Recently I was chatting with a friend and since both of us are getting to be ‘older than the average bear’, the topic of dying came up.  Not that either of us are in immanent danger of dying but some of our friends have.

So the question was, “what really happens when you die?”  Do you just get buried and wait till the final resurrection and then go either to heaven or hell?  Or what?

Well, of course, there are many verses in the Bible which indicate that you do not die, get buried, and wait.  Rather, a Christian goes immediately to heaven to be with God and all 'believers' (family, friends, and others) who have preceded them in death and have trusted in Christ for their salvation.

There is a wonderful book which is online and free to read (or print out if you have that many pages in your printer).  The book is “Dying Testimonies of Saved and Unsaved” by Solomon Benjamin Shaw.  It is a classic and a must read, especially if you are wondering about what happens when you die.

You will be encouraged by this book (IF you are a Christian) as you will discover that death bed experiences of many folks have affirmed the reality of Heaven and that you will go there IMMEDIATELY at your death.

But, if you are an agnostic, atheist, or whatever but not a Christian, you will be alarmed because again, death bed experiences affirm that there really is a Hell and you WILL go there if you do not accept the free gift of Salvation from Jesus Christ.

What is the link to this book, you ask.  Well, HERE’S THE LINK.

Update on Baby Christopher

Saturday, we got an update on Baby Christopher. 

Since many of you have been and still are praying that his kidneys will begin to function, I know you will be thrilled to read this update.

So without further ado, here it is as reported to us by his Grandmother:

“Great news!!!!! Baby Christopher had 26ccs of Pee over night. Peritoneal dialysis has been started back slowly without any leakage at port site. PTL!!!!! The Lord is great and greatly to be praised. He hears the cries of His people. 8 weeks ago today Christopher had his heart transplant. We have been praying for his kidneys to start working.”

Wow! What a great update.  BUT he is not out of the woods yet.  That report was for Friday Night / Saturday morning.  I have not heard of any additional urine output since then and it is in the wee (pun intended)  hours of Monday morning as I post this.

So, please keep praying. Don’t stop now.

But, while you continue to pray for Christopher’s kidneys to continue to function, I knew you would want to thank God for what He did re the 26 cc.  It is humongous compared to the miniscule amounts up till now.

Bottom line: Your prayers are being answered. Please keep praying and do not stop. Thank You.

Daylight Saving Time begins !

Oh No. Not again!

Yes, it is time to change the times on all our clocks and watches    a g a i n.

So scurry around and change the clocks --big clocks, little clocks, cuckoo clocks, clocks in cars, clocks in houses, clocks on your arm (aka wristwatches -- ha ha), clocks on the appliances (including your DVRs, unless yours just blinks all the time.  That is also supposed to be funny. )


Change them by putting them ahead one hour!  Alas, that means less sleep tonight.

Oh Well.

And speaking of changing the time on wristwatches -- a big Thank You to a nephew who ‘fixed’ my digital watch for me tonight.  Those things are way beyond complicated for us older folks.

And, Thanks to the 2 nephews who gave it to me.  And thanks to the nephew who changed it last year. And thanks to the nephew who was willing to do it next week and was going to make a trip to do it. Wow. Good thing there are great nephews. 

Oh well, ‘nuff of this thanking stuff.

Bottom line be sure to change (or get your nephews to change) your watches and clocks and whatever.

Why do we have to do this?  Well to read an article that explains ‘why’, HERE’S THE LINK.

The 19 most complex and dangerous roads in the world

Today we went to ‘hotlanta’.  And, as usual, there were zillions of cars going ‘every which way’ (especially at the famous ‘spaghetti junction’).

So that started me thinking about roads.  Country roads.  City roads. Pretty roads. Scary roads.  And....

Well, if you think the Atlanta roads, or even the roads where you live, are challenging, you might want to check these out.

Talk about different ! You are not gong to believe some of these roads.  Furthermore, there are some that you (or at least I) don’t even want to go near. 

So, to see 19 really ‘complex and dangerous’ roads, that make driving in Atlanta a piece of cake, HERE’S THE LINK

Baby Christopher needs your prayers !

You will recall that a few weeks ago, we told you about Baby Christopher, the son of the Sports Writer in Oregon, and his need for a Heart Transplant.

Well, he got the transplant.  And everyone is praising the Lord for that though also grieving with the donor family.

So, how is Baby Christopher doing now you ask?

Well, sadly, not good.  

Yes, his heart transplant ‘worked’ and the new heart is happily and merrily beating away.

BUT (isn’t there always a but) he is still in Intensive Care with no hope of going home soon.

WHY?   Because his kidneys are not working -- probably due to the anti-rejection medicines which, yes, stop rejection of the heart, but, alas, they apparently have also stopped the kidneys from functioning.

To read the latest updates about Baby Christopher and how you can pray for him and his family, HERE’S THE LINK

The Earthquake in Chile caused a city to move !

You will recall that on March 3 we posted an entry about earthquakes and how some of them now are so large that they are moving more than just houses and buildings. 

We also mentioned that these massive earthquake movements are lining up with the Biblical earthquake in Revelation that causes ‘every mountain and island to be moved out of its place’

No, this is not yet the earthquake mentioned in Revelation 6:12-17.

But, I recently found another article that builds upon this concept of how earthquakes can move every mountain and island out of its place. 

Seems that the 8.8 earthquake in Chile has now been found to have moved the “entire city of Concepcion at least 10 FEET to the West and shifted other parts of South America as far apart as the Falkland Islands and Fortaleza, Brazil.”

Wow!  Could these quakes be warnings to let us know that what is predicted in Revelation could really happen?  Hmmmm.

If you would like to read about this and more findings and movements, HERE’S THE LINK.

Was Noah’s Flood only a Local Flood?

Yesterday while you were reading the excellent article about Progressive Creation, you surely saw the wonderful and funny illustration from AIG of what a “Local Flood” would have looked like IF Noah’s Flood was not a worldwide flood as the Bible says it was.

That picture, the smaller version of which is the one you see today on the blog, is one of my all-time favorite pictures. 

I first saw this illustration several years ago at an AIG conference and marveled at it.  It is sooooooo ‘right on’ and is a wonderful answer to the skeptics of the Bible.

This picture comically illustrates what Noah’s flood could have looked like had it been a local flood.

But Noah’s worldwide flood was NOT and could not have been a local flood.

Why not? you ask.

Well, this brief article explains why not.  HERE’S THE LINK.

What’s wrong with Progressive Creation?

Yesterday we found a ‘reason’ for the fact that there are few human fossils found even though we have had at least 6000 years of years of recorded history in which humans existed.

Yet many folks do not believe that the earth is young.

Rather, they, even many Christians, believe the evolutionary view that the earth is millions and millions of years old. 

Others believe in variations on the evolutionary view.


One of those Variations is “Progressive Creation” (also sometimes called the “Day-Age” theory. )

Whatever the name, it is another ‘view’ that tries to accommodate the evolutionary time scale rather than taking the Bible literally.

To read about this view and what is wrong with it, there is an excellent article on the AIG website.  I think you will find it most interesting.  HERE’S THE LINK

Where are all the Human Fossils?

Back in January, we considered the question of “Is it possible to have billions of people on planet earth in ‘only’ 6000 years”. 

If you have not read the answer to how that could happen, scroll back to the Jan 28, 2010 entry and read that interesting article.

For those of you who read that article but now are contemplating the question of “Why don’t we see oodles of Human Fossils”, there is an answer for that question also.   HERE’S THE LINK

Bible Study Tools

Most of you probably already have a Bible program of some kind on your computer.

But, if you don’t, there is a wonderful on line program that you can use. 

It is FREE (I like that price) and has features that many Bible programs that you pay big bucks for have.

It has Commentaries, Concordances, Encyclopedias, Dictionaries, Lexicons, Robertson’s Word Pictures, an Interlinear Bible, and more.

It also includes a “read the Bible in a year” program.

You will surely want to check this out and add it to your Bookmarks /Favorites list.
HERE’S THE LINK

You are the only Bible someone reads

Another email has arrived with another heart stopping message.

What is it this time, you ask. Well, I will begin with the ‘punch line’ which is:

“Until someone becomes a Christian YOU are the only version of a Bible they read, so be sure they are reading the correct one! “

Now, to read the short but profound email which expands upon and explains that summary statement, HERE’S THE LINK.

Hope City Church in England

Recently while on a vacation, we met a charming couple from England. They are members of the Hope City Church in England.

I say ‘in England’ because this does not seem to be the ‘usual’ Church located in one city but it is actually in 5 cities -- in Sheffield, Liverpool, Leeds, Newcastle, and Birmingham!   Wow!

You could see the excitement in their faces and hear it in their voices as they told of their Church and its many activities. But the most wonderful thing is that they say it is a Church that actually preaches the Gospel (alas, a ‘rarity’ these days). 

So, I asked if the Church had a website. Yes, it does. 

I am sure you will want to check it out.  If you live in England, you will likely want to visit this Church.  The rest of us need to know about it and pray for its ministry and if ever in the area, put it on our “must visit” list.

So, with that said and without further ado, HERE’S THE LINK.

Living with Cancer

For those of you who have, had, or know family or friends with CANCER, there is a wonderful website 'out there' that will encourage you and them.

This Christian woman, my friend, is a Bible teacher and the wife of a wonderful supportive husband.

She has personally experienced cancer not once, not twice, but three times !!!

You will be blessed as you read her words. So, without further ado, HERE'S THE LINK.

The Earthquake in Chile

Probably you have already heard this but, just in case you haven’t -- several articles on the web today are reporting that:

The Earthquake in Chile may have changed the Earth’s Rotation and axis and shortened the length of our days !

Seems that something similar happened with the 9.1 earthquake in Sumatra in 2004.  It also shortened Earth’s days and shifted its axis.

Now the interesting thing about this, from a Biblical point of view, is that several earthquakes are recorded and predicted in the Bible and there is one in Revelation 6 that is really severe. 

Rev. 6;12-17 (NKJV) says:

I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold,

there was a great earthquake;

and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood. And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind.  Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, 

and every mountain and island was moved out of its place.

And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, and said to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb!

For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?” 

Of course the earthquakes in Chile and Sumatra or even the recent one in Haiti are not the one referred to in that Revelation passage.  But they do give one pause. 

For years I used to wonder what that passage in Rev. 6 meant when it spoke of “every mountain and island was moved out of its place”.

That passage is now becoming clear and feasible.

Wow.

Anyway, with that by way of introduction, to read about this latest earthquake and the changes it has produced, HERE’S ONE LINK.
and HERE IS ANOTHER
and though there are many many more we will stop with THIS LAST LINK.

The Emergent Church

The other day several of us were discussing the latest ‘Church movement’ changes.

Of course you are aware of the ‘Purpose Driven Church’ movement and the adverse impact it has had on worship services and on the Christian faith and beliefs.

Alas, things have now progressed even further.

The ‘latest thing’ down the pike is The Emergent Church!

What is that? you ask.

Well, volumes could (and have) been written about it and we will provide some of this additional information from time to time on this blog.

But today, as a form of an overview on the topic, I found an excellent article by Jan Markell of Olive Tree Ministries that very succinctly sums it up. HERE’S THE LINK

Time for some humor

There have been a lot of 'serious' things on this site -- and there will continue to be in the future, but, for a change of pace, you need to check out this funny email that I got the other day from a friend.

It is about a Dead Duck and how we need to "be careful about what we ask for".

(Hmmmm, maybe this is serious after all).

Anyway, to read that ‘funny email’, HERE’S THE LINK.

Purim

Today is the Jewish holiday of Purim.

Purim, as is pointed out on the Jews for Jesus website, is not one of the holidays that is commanded to be observed in the Torah.

But it is an important holiday for the Jews.

It celebrates the events portrayed in the Biblical book of Esther.

Specifically, as indicated on the Jews For Jesus Website, “The Jewish holiday of Purim commemorates Esther's and Mordecai's defeat of Haman's plot to annihilate the Jews of ancient Persia. Purim derives its name from the fact that Haman cast lots (purim) to determine the most propitious date for implementing his planned genocide. The holiday is celebrated on the 14th day of Adar in the Jewish calendar.”

To learn more about how the Jews celebrate this day and even what they eat (there are recipes included so that you, too, can make some of the delicious pastries and other things), HERE’S THE LINK.

And for more information, as detailed in Wikipedia, HERE’S THE LINK.

Gekos Feet

A couple of days ago we considered the amazing eyes of the Gecko!

And they are so amazing that it boggles the mind to think that the eyes of the Gecko could have developed by ‘chance’ as the evolutionists would say.

Well, if you thought their eyes were amazing. You will be further stunned by the feet of the Gecko.

Again, evolutionists tell us that the amazing features of the Gecko’s feet just ‘happened’ by chance.

Well, read these two articles and see what you think. You will notice that both of these are articles written from a ‘Secular (evolutionary) World View Glasses’ approach. But the principles they discuss are so astounding, do you really think they could have happened by chance? I don’t.

HERE’S THE LINK to one article and HERE’S THE LINK to another. Wow. Amazing.

The Shack

A friend gave me the book, The Shack, and said it was wonderful and that she was sure I would like it. Not !

As stated in the Book Review at this LINK: “The Shack calls for a denial of reality. It ignores and/or redefines sin and guilt, embraces a counterfeit "Christianity" that pulls in the crowds at the expense of Biblical distortions, and discounts warnings about Satan's deceptions.”

I have recommended several books on this site for you to read. BUT this is one book that I definitely and unequivocally recommend that you NOT read. Here’s why . (Click this LINK)

Geckos

Doubtless you have seen the many commercials with a Gecko pretending he is a ‘Geiko’ or whatever.

But did you know that Geckos have amazing capabilities (other than selling insurance)?

Name one, you say.

Well, how about their eyes.

According to a fascinating article I read recently “Gecko Eyes Make Great Night Vision Cameras”.

Their feet are pretty amazing, too, but that is another story for another time, like maybe in a future blog post, so stay tuned.

But, today, to find out about their amazing eyes, HERE’S THE LINK

'Real' Scientists don't believe in God?

You have often heard that ‘real’ scientists don’t believe in God. Well, how about this statement of Sir Isaac Newton, who discovered the current concepts of light, gravity, and time, among other things.

He wrote this in his book, Principia Mathematica: The true God is a living, intelligent, and powerful being. His duration reaches from eternity to eternity; His presence from infinity to infinity ... He governs all things and knows all things that are or can be done. He is not eternity and infinity, but eternal and infinite; He is not duration or space, but He endures and is present. He endures forever and is everywhere present; and, by existing always and everywhere, He constitutes duration and space. This most beautiful system of the sun, planets, and comets could only proceed from the counsel and dominion of an intelligent and powerful Being ... He is omnipresent, not virtually only, but also substantially; for virtue cannot subsist without substance. In Him are all things contained and moved.”

Free Book !!!

A few days ago I was chatting with the author of the book, “Is your God too Small”.

As we discussed his book and the fact that it had been mentioned on this blog, he said he would like to make, what I consider to be, a very generous offer to you, the readers of this blog.

The offer is that, for a limited time, he will be happy to send you an autographed copy of his book for FREE (what a deal) IF you will email and request it.

So, should you be interested, send an email with your request and the address where you would like for it to be mailed to :

BibleStudiesNet (at) yahoo (dot) com

I will forward your request to him.

By the way, if that email address looks ‘odd’, it is written that way to cut down on spammers who harvest addresses from webpages. But, you surely know how to convert that address to the ‘real thing’.

This is a limited time offer so do not put it off.

So, if you would like a copy of this excellent book, be sure to send your request for it soon.

And, If you would like to know more about the book (and what it costs if you miss out on this ‘deal of the century’), HERE’S A LINK to the publisher’s website.

The Real Washington's Birthday

February 15 was observed as 'President's Day' but is intended to be a celebration of Washington's Birthday.

However, today, Feb. 22, is really his birthday. So, we will celebrate it again. Why twice? Well, George Washington was a truly outstanding and important personage in American history. So, let's get this day right.

As you know, George Washington was the First President of the United States. He served two terms as President, the first being from 1789-1793 and the second from 1793 to 1797.

Interestingly, according to the National Archives of the U.S. Gov., “George Washington was born in Virginia on February 11, 1731, according to the then-used Julian calendar. In 1752, however, Britain and all its colonies adopted the Gregorian calendar, which placed Washington's birth on February 22, 1732.”

To read more about Washington’s Birthday and how it came to be observed on Feb. 15, as chronicled by the National Archives, HERE’S THE LINK.

And to read another interesting short article about President's Day / Washington's Birthday, HERE'S THE LINK

The Jesus Film project

The Jesus film produced by Campus Crusade for Christ is now in 1,055 translations and is shown around the world.

As a result many are accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

If you would like to know more about the film, there is a 2 minute info-video at this link.

Even more info is HERE.

To view the entire Jesus Film, HERE'S THE LINK.

Linking Eclipses to the timing of the 2nd coming of the Messiah

For those of you interested in 'end times' events, you will want to view the online video of Pastor Mark Blitz’s talk: Linking Eclipses to the Timing of the Second Coming of Messiah.

It is about an hour long but well worth the time.

Printable notes and charts to accompany this video are also available.

HERE'S THE LINK.

... and that’s how the fight started

Today, instead of being ‘serious’, how about a little joke to brighten things up a bit.

Someone emailed this to me and it is another of those emails that is too funny to just read and delete -- HERE’S THE LINK

Beware of the book : “Conversations with God”

Yesterday we reviewed a book that is a ‘must read’ book: “Already Gone”

But there are some books that should NOT be read. Today I want to mention one of those “do not read” books.

I recently received an email from a friend. In it was a warning to not read this book: Conversations with God by Neale Donald Walsch. I hadn’t read it and wasn’t planning to read it. But, after getting her ‘alert’, I checked to see what this book teaches which elicited the warning.

And, Wow ! This is one that we definitely need to AVOID !!! BEWARE !!! and NOT READ !!!!

Why? Well, for many reasons. And, this ‘book review’ from Summit Ministries explains why we should NOT read or recommend this book (or its teen version: Conversations with God for Teens). HERE’S THE LINK

Book review: “Already Gone” by Ken Ham & Britt Beemer

Yesterday we posted a disturbing article that said that 2/3 of teenagers do not believe in God.

Tying in with that article is a new book, Already Gone, that provides a lot of information about how and why those teens do not or no longer believe in God.

I have read that book, Already Gone by Ken Ham and Britt Beemer, not once but Twice, which is unusual for me as I usually only read something once.

As you can suspect from my reading it twice, it is definitely a very important book and one that I highly recommend that you also read especially If you are a Pastor, Youth Director, Music Director, Sunday School Teacher, Bible Study Leader, Deacon, Elder, Administrator, Department Director, Parent, or ‘just’ a concerned lay person, such as I.

Why should you read it?

Well, to read my "book review" telling why I highly recommend this book and why I think it is so important that you read it also CLICK HERE

2/3 of teenagers don’t believe in God

An article on the Telegraph.co.uk website posted Thursday June 22, 2009.... says
two thirds of teenagers don’t believe in God !!!

Yes, you read that correctly . TWO THIRDS !

And there are several more similarly dismaying statistics in that article.

Read it and weep and then pray! HERE’S THE LINK

Washington’s Birthday (President’s Day)

As you know, George Washington was the First President of the United States.

He served two terms as President, the first being from 1789-1793 and the second from 1793 to 1797.

Interestingly, according to the National Archives of the U.S. Gov., “George Washington was born in Virginia on February 11, 1731, according to the then-used Julian calendar. In 1752, however, Britain and all its colonies adopted the Gregorian calendar, which placed Washington's birth on February 22, 1732.”

Even though Feb. 22, (or Feb. 11) 1732 is the real date of George Washington’s Birthday, it is now celebrated as “President’s Day” on the third Monday of February each year.

To read more about Washington’s Birthday and how it came to be, as chronicled by the National Archives, HERE’S THE LINK.

And if you would like to read Wikipedia’s ‘take’ on this day, HERE’S THE LINK

Valentine’s Day

Today is Valentine’s day !

In America, many folks celebrate this day with Cards, Flowers (Roses, Bouquets, etc.), Chocolates, Jewelry, and even proposals of Marriage.

But, believe it or not, this is not just an American Holiday. In Finland, for example, it is known as “Friend’s Day” and in Guatemala it is known as “Day of Love and Friendship.”

The origin of Valentine’s Day is somewhat shrouded in mystery but there are several ‘theories’. To read about the possible origins of Valentine’s Day and other interesting information, HERE’S A LINK and HERE’S ANOTHER LINK.

Mayo Clinic music fun

This is a hoot. Be sure to watch this.

It is an older couple playing the piano in the Mayo Clinic atrium. It is on You Tube but is posted on the Mayo Clinic web page.

It is only 1 minute 15 seconds long and is GREAT !!!

Enjoy! HERE’S THE LINK

Lincoln’s Birthday

Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, was born on Feb 12, 1809.

Interestingly, Charles Darwin was also born on Feb. 12, 1809. Hmmm. Two men with very different outcomes in the influence of their lives. But, we will not go into ‘that’ now.

Today let’s focus on Abraham Lincoln.

Lincoln’s image is on the US One Cent piece (aka, the penny) so you likely see him daily. And, if you have been to Washington, D.C., you have surely visited the Lincoln Memorial and viewed the larger than life size statue (shown as the blog picture for today). He is also one of the Presidents depicted on Mt. Rushmore.

To find out more about who he was and what he did, HERE’S A LINK.

And to read a very brief history of this day and the man it honors at Wikipedia,
HERE’S THE LINK

No more comments

Hi all. This is a news flash to remind you that comments have been discontinued.

Why? Well, of course you know. The posts didn't get many comments but recently on checking them, I discovered that there were quite a few that were totally beyond the pale.

So, alas, since some have abused, all will be denied the opportunity to make comments.

I feared this would happen so when this blog was started, comments were not allowed. Then some folks (‘good commenters’) said they wished they would be allowed, so they were. Until the abusers surfaced.... sigh.

So, now it is back to square one -- i.e. NO comments. Sorry.

90 Minutes in Heaven

This is an excellent book written by Dan Piper. I read the book awhile back but had forgotten about it until recently when I got an email from a friend who had ‘read’ it. Well, actually she listened to it as an audio book since she is now having vision problems. You know how it is when you get ‘old’.

Anyway, her book review is so succinct, that I decided to just cut and paste it so you could get her take on it.

So, here is what my friend said about this book:

“I recently "read" a book you might enjoy. I get them on tape, so miss all the pictures. Anyway, the name of it was 90 Minutes in Heaven by a Texas Baptist minister who's name, I believe, is Dan Piper. When he wrote this he was minister at a Pasadena, TX, church that had 10,000 members.

“He'd gone to a Baptist conference and on the way home was crossing a bridge when an 18 wheeler ran over his car. The medical people said he was dead, covered him with a tarp, and sent away the ambulances.

“90 minutes later another minister came by and went to see what had happened. He got as close as he could to him and prayed for him a lot, then he discovered that he was alive and told the rescue people, who said that he wasn't, but it turned out that he was and he wrote all the things he'd seen when he was out for this 90 minutes. It also talks about all his rehab .... He and one of his children had also graduated from LSU. It was an interesting book.”

Well, there you have it, the ‘book review’ by my friend. She is a graduate of LSU, which is why she picked up on his education and that of one of his children.

And, Yes, she is so right. This is an interesting book and she and I highly recommend it to you. The experiences which he recounts during his 90 minutes in heaven are very interesting, believable, and encouraging.

Dogs or Children

Aren’t you glad that you come to this blog daily? You never know what you will find.

You ARE coming daily, aren’t you?

Anyway, the second ‘entry’ for today is a hoot and was sent to me by a friend. It is another hysterically funny email. And, again, it is just toooooo good to not share with you.

The question posed in the email is --

Which would you rather have, a Dog? or Children?

And for the answer HERE’S THE LINK

Cremation ... Christian or Pagan

As you have probably noticed, more and more folks are being cremated these days. They give various reasons for why they are doing this.

Some say it is because it is less expensive than the traditional Christian burial, as indeed it is. Others are doing it because it is the ‘in’ thing to do.

But, is doing the ‘in’ thing or the ‘less expensive’ thing the right thing?

The question that all Christians should be asking themselves is: “Is Cremation a Christian or a Pagan practice?” In other words, what does God think about Cremation?

Recently I ran across a very good article ‘out there in internet land’ which looks into what the Bible has to say on the subject and will help us answer this question. HERE’S THE LINK

Super Bowl Ad

Well, that long awaited event of the year for Football Fans has arrived. It is Super Bowl Time!

All around the world, people will be watching. Many will have big screen TVs that will be better than being there in person. There will be chips and dips and all kinds of tasty finger foods.

The teams that made it to Super Bowl 44 in Miami are the Indianapolis Colts and the New Orleans Saints. Yes, high adventure and excitement is anticipated for all involved.

And along with the game there are The Ads !

Everyone loves to watch the ads. They are so creative and interesting that they are almost as much of a draw for the event as the game itself.

But, there is something you need to know about one of the Ads that will be featured this year at the Super Bowl.

This year, there will be a very unusual ad. It will feature Tim Tebow and his mother!

A friend emailed me an article that was in the Washington Times telling about this most unusual ad. I did a cut an paste of the article from the email. You will surely want to read it so, HERE’S THE LINK.

Dinosaur footprints in Swiss alps

Recently a very short but most interesting article about a very unusual find was posted on the internet.

What was it? Well.....

It seems that Dinosaur footprints have been found on a Swiss mountain!

Hmmmm. How can this be??

Dinosaurs in the ALPS ! The Alps with all that snow and ice !

To read about this find and to consider what this means, CLICK HERE

10 questions to ask about Design

I thought you would be interested in this article from a recent Worldview Weekend email from Worldview times.

Written by William A. Dembski & Sean McDowell it has many excellent points. The complete title is “10 Questions to ask your Biology Teacher about Intelligent Design”

But, even if you are no longer in school so can’t ask your Biology teacher, this is still an article that is worth reading.

Why? Because you will surely find these questions useful in discussions with friends, perfect strangers, around the water cooler at work, or where ever the occasion might arise to discuss Intelligent Design by The Creator God vs. the theory of Evolution that says all these things just happened by chance.

But, even if you don’t have friends or if you are retired and don’t go to work any more, you will still want to ponder these thoughts yourself.

So without further ado, HERE’S THE LINK

Is your God too Small

If you read the article yesterday about the Frozen Frogs, you will notice that the entry for today is by the same author.

This time he has written an excellent book titled:

Is your God too Small.

It is definitely a 'must read'.

You can learn more about it and order it by clicking on this link.

Frozen Frogs

Don’t know about you but we have been having a lot of snow, ice, sleet, and cold these past few days. Driving has been horrible in many places.

But did you know that there are some Frogs (yes, frogs) who could care less about this wintery weather! Why? Because they are already literally frozen!

Yes, there are some frogs that actually freeze. The heart stops beating and they stay that way throughout the winter. Then, when spring arrives, they thaw out and return to the normal active life of a frog ! Amazing!

Do you think this happens by chance? I don't.

To read about this amazing frog, HERE’S THE LINK.

Groundhog Day

Today, February 2 is Groundhog day.

It is that long awaited day when we supposedly find out if the brrrrrrr cold of winter will continue or if we can anticipate the warmer days of Spring.

Bottom line: If Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow, winter will continue for 6 more weeks.

But, if he does not see his shadow, then winter will soon end and he leaves his burrow for the anticipated soon coming spring weather.

Alas this is another pagan celebration apparently brought to the Americas by early settlers from Europe in the 1700s.

To find out much more about Punxsutawney Phil, affectionally known as “Phil” for obvious reasons (spelling no doubt), and the results for each year since 1887, HERE’S THE LINK

Worldview Weekend Rallies Reminder

Here’s another reminder about the WorldView Weekend Rallies.

Yes, I know you are likely snowed under (some of you literally) in the busyness of starting a new year. So, you might think you do not have time to think about anything else.

But you DO need to think about this!!!! And, if possible, make plans now to attend.

You will recall that in the fall of 2009, I recommended these events to you, having attended one and being most impressed.

And now, the 2010 Schedule has been released (for the months of Jan through May).

So, I thought I would post these dates for you. If you are anywhere near one of these outstanding events, BE SURE to attend!

To read the list of the dates and locations for the first half of 2010, HERE’S THE LINK