Investigating the Evidence

One of the hottest shows on television today centers itself around investigative activity. C.S.I. is one of America's most watched programs that draws millions of viewers each week. Why? Maybe it is the element of intrigue, mystery, or perhaps the joy of exploration. Regardless, people seem to be drawn by the challenge of figuring out what may have happened and what caused it to happen. In today's world, many are attempting to draw some kind of conclusion as to what may have happened in the beginning. We are at a disadvantage simply because we can only examine the evidence long after its initial existence. So then, the only thing we can use in making determinations is the evidence that has been left behind for us to examine. Well, let's look at some of that evidence.

First of all, there are some who have concluded that the universe is self-existent, therefore there is no room for a creator. Somehow a large gaseous mass appeared and then exploded into a well defined and ordered universe. Scientists have discovered that the universe is actually beginning to die. The evidence shows a shrinkage of space that is caused by "heat exhaustion." The second law of thermodynamics states that although the total energy in the universe remains constant, the amount of energy available to do useful things is always decreasing. Consequently, the useful energy in the universe is always decreasing forcing it to rely on something or someone else for its continued existence. Based upon this principle, the universe cannot be self-existent but needed a time where it came into existence, highly suggesting a creator.

Another piece of evidence that is being scrutinized is that of intelligent design. Science has examined a variety of living things and have concluded that each living organism has within it a specific design unique to itself. In humans, it is known as D.N.A. If the evidence shows design, then we can conclude that there must have been a designer.

Finally, cells are thought of as the molecular machines of life. Again science has proven that if any part of a cell is removed or "borrowed" it will cease to function. This is called irreducible complexity. Evolution, a theory at best, is dependent upon the borrowing of parts of cells for the procreation and advancement of higher forms of life. According to science, cells cannot function once this occurs.

Examine the evidence. Develop your conclusions. But base them all on the truth. Think about it.

The things we do for love

We live in a world that seems to be centered around "self." Self-helps, self-serve, and self-esteem are a few buzz words we use to describe life. But what about "self-love?" Sounds like an oxymoron, doesn't it. "Self-love." Are we to love ourselves? Is it right? Is it healthy? Is it permissible? It seems that people who love themselves are resisted, looked down upon and viewed as social outcasts. Pride is not a very attractive personal quality. But there is a healthy, balanced side to loving yourself. In actuality, learning how to love yourself promotes confidence, contentment, and emotional stability. Here's my take on the subject! I hope it helps.

We are called upon to love our neighbors. A neighbor is not just the guy living in the house next to ours, but is categorized in Scripture as anyone. So then, the command we are given is to love people. Sounds simple doesn't it? Wait a second. What about those who rub us the wrong way? Let's face it, there are people who are not easy to love. They seem to be angry at the world and simply exude a sense of misery. They never smile, they are cantankerous, and they just don't want to be bothered. We are supposed to love them as well. But that's not even the focal point of the command. How we are to love the "unlovable" is even more difficult? The qualification of loving others is that we love them as we love ourselves. In other words, if we are not loving them as we love ourselves, we disqualify ourselves. So then, self-love qualifies us to love others.

Self-love means that we are content with who we are and that we don't try to measure ourselves against others. Self-love is possessing a healthy respect for what God has made us to be. It is coming to grips with our lot in life and recognizing both our abilities and our limitations. Self-love is the bedrock for loving others. Self-love means that we can forgive ourselves for making mistakes, humble ourselves for making them, and learn from each of them. It also means that we can appropriately handle compliments without blowing them off or blowing them out of proportion. We cannot give what we do not have. Think about it!

God's Thorns

We are blessed to live in Ohio. The fall colors, the major cities, and the warm people are all part of Ohio's Midwest culture . But there is one other presence that makes Ohio great. It is the home of some of the best and fastest roller coasters in the world. Every time I watch one of them, (notice I watch because I'm too old to ride them), I find myself seeing an analogy of life. One day we struggle to climb the noisy hill and then when we reach the crest we are not prepared for the free fall that follows. Life seems to follow that same kind of pattern.

Recently, I was sitting with a group of men and we were discussing the fact that each person seems to struggle with something. In other words, we all have issues. Those issues can range from relationships, physical health, mental stability, financial pressure or family challenges. Scripture has a name for those kinds of personal issues. They are called "thorns in the flesh." Scholars for years have tried to pinpoint what a thorn in the flesh is, but none have succeeded. Some have suggested ideas that include your mother-in-law, blindness, sexual struggles, and discouragement. The fact of the matter is that no one knows what the author's "thorn" really was. The point is that we each have one.

Why do we have thorns and what do they accomplish? To answer that we need to examine where the thorn comes from and why it is present. The bible says that the thorn originates with God. Wait a minute! Am I suggesting that God permits struggle and adversity into our lives? Absolutely yes. If He is loving, how can he permit suffering? Well, that leads us to the second consideration, namely, the reason for the thorn. It's one thing for it to exist, it's quite another to understand why. Thorns are simply reminders that God uses to teach us to depend on him. He loves us so much that he desires for us to depend and trust in him. Thorns have a way of depleting us from our natural resources and brings us to a place of desperation. Most people don't like to live in a dependence on others, but God uses those times to build in us a trust in him and a recognition of our limitations. So the next time your thorn emerges, remember that God permitted it and that it is sent to drive you toward him. Think about it!