Science

If you are around me enough you will probably hear the mostly startling statement of "I don't believe in science." This IS NOT insinuative of any sort of grudge against the class in school for all it's strain as most suggest. My dissensions are rarely so unfounded. The class did put me to thinking on the subject again, however, and as usual in a critical way. The definition has evolved into a much more realistically enstranged topic, antagonizing its initial purpose of moving closer to the truth. There are three main definitions, please read them carefully because there is something I want you to see:

1 : the state of knowing : knowledge as distinguished from ignorance or misunderstanding
2 a : a department of systematized knowledge as an object of study b : something (as a sport or technique) that may be studied or learned like systematized knowledge
3 a : knowledge or a system of knowledge covering general truths or the operation of general laws especially as obtained and tested through scientific method b : such knowledge or such a system of knowledge concerned with the physical world and its phenomena : natural science

I will now call to attention the method in ordering these alternative definitions. Almost always either the original or generalist definition of the term get the first slot and they continue in descending order. You will also notice that in these definitions they come to have a more material preoccupation as they go, and stray away from the traditional knowledge-thirsty intent.
The biggest problem with science is its disregard for the supernatural. You cannot begin to non-fictionally discover the earth's phenomena with but exclusive research of natural explanations. Nothing is natural. I would wonder as to how one could be so arrogant that they believe they could have a knowledge of every miracle and completely trash all divine control.

Now I know you are all reading and waiting for my comments and disdain for popularly hailed and shunned, evolution. Well put it out of your head, because I will not specifically criticize it. No, I believe I'll stick to science in general. However, I will provide some thought on Mr. Charles Darwin, advocate and more or less founder of the "Evolution Revolution."

Briefly: Grew up in a Unitarian church with his 5 brothers and sisters. After his mother died he attended a boarding school and soon began to apprentice as a doctor with his father. He found these practices not only dull, but distressing and began to slack in this line of work. He learned and excelled in taxidermy, classification of plants, and natural history while in school, but his father soon sent him away to Christ's College, Cambridge due to his negligence in his medical studies. The reason? A bachelor arts degree and the first step in the path to becoming a parson. Yes that's right, our evolution man, hideously disparaged by almost every preacher a gospel man himself. While he was there he was strayed away from his studies by newly discovered hobby of beetle collecting and other sport such as riding and shooting. As finals moved closer however he buckled down to his work. He was intrigued and infatuated by some literature by William Paley, a vigorous advocate and theologian that mainly subjected the existence of God. He did exceptionally well on his exam and continued to study Paley's work embodying many such subjects as divine design in nature. His interest in natural history however led him to abandon his schooling for that famous voyage on the HMS Beagle. While on his voyage he began to theorize about the adaptations and evolvement of species. As he begin to delve more and more into thoughts on involvement, his distinction between human and animal began to slowly become thinner. Besides overwork in his obsessive interests he also began to experience health problems, including stomach pains, vomiting, severe boils, palpitations, trembling and other symptoms none of which the origin was ever discovered, he suffered from these symptoms for the rest of his life. His interests began to rest heavily in the origin of things. When he finally published his work on natural selections controversy and interest exploded. While Darwin mostly sat back and watched his subtle theory explode into hundreds of assumptions and adoptions, his inner circle of friends (Gray, Hooker, Huxley and Lyell) were really the ones to take it in all different directions. Gray and Lyell were for a more faith based portrayal of the theory while Huxley began to "elaborate" in favor of the prescence of the "men from apes" theory in the book (which was not at all in the book) and begin a fierce campaign for science's trump over religion. The whole experience from the time Darwin had returned from his Beagle voyage had left him questioning the Bible as literal truth. He would often quote the Bible on the voyage and sought to tie in the adaptations of species from a pro-creation standpoint. His studies left him doubting. His blossoming thoughts on natural selection began to make divine design seem silly and pointless. To add to his questioning he begin to take notice of all the pain and strife demonstrated in the world's everyday life and thought that someone as good as the Creator he knew would not cause such, and with the death of his daughter Annie his Christian faith began to dwindle. While he never denied the existence of God and clung tightly to the bible as a source of moral law, his strong Christian lifestyle had been crushed by the search for reason. His lust for learning in regard to the natural, and his quest for explanations within human reason brought him further from the truth. His inner war between Christianity and Science gave him (and his wife) severe bouts with depression. In learning more and more about the world his faith was shaken. Our boy Darwin was growing up and leaving his child-like faith behind and with it the eternal truth that he would never get a grasp on again.

I speak to my brothers and sisters in Christ now. What can we hope to gain in pursuing science? Wisdom and true knowledge don't come from this earth or from natural things, but from above. I would venture to say another startling statement. I don't believe a Christian should avidly study science unless they are exceptionally and unshakeably firm in their faith. No if science is taken for what it was meant to be it isn't a bad thing. Not at all and it may be worth your time depending on its source. Why, though, would you intentionally delve so incureably deep into to a realm that will only fill your mind with doubts and harden your heart to the miraculous way of our Lord. Science should be more of a companion to Christianity with no difference in the Word and discovery. The only way you can uncover the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth is in checking your hypotheses based on what God's word says. This contemporary science has become a heretical religion instead of a quest for intellectuals. A haven for atheists and the secularly inclined. It breaks my heart to see yet another Enemy infested perversion. Science is like all good things, not wrong unless corrupted.

Also I must point out that as much as science begs to shut down the supernatural as truth, in it's explanations it is ignorant as to just how much it's supporting it. The more statistics and complexities it begins to explain the more it's realized just how impossible it is to be without divine intervention. It hails God's hand, unfortunately with names like "spontaneous," and "chance." It tries to name our physical makeup while it just can't comprehend how astoundingly intricate we our. It blames chemicals and such for our thoughts and perfect revolution and location for the existence of life on earth. Then, I wonder, whom or what does it blame for the chemicals or such a precise location. They can never ever trace it all back to the beginning, because to do that it would have to admit that a never-ending chain of theories strung together loosely with spontaneous happenings would leave them with no end, because the end, people, is God and God defies their creed.

All this said I'm not on the whole against science. Just look once more at the first enumerated definition above, there's as far as it goes for me, and even that has it's limitations. Just look where a "state of knowing" has gotten human beings since that fateful fruit infringement in the garden of Eden. But as for the present day and age, ignorance is not the place to be in order to make a difference and wisdom is God's wish for us. Let's just seek it out in eternal places. Among the everyday miracles of God's creation. In the mysteries of Love that have been put in place everywhere we go waiting to be discovered. In the thrill of the Lord's promise and all the knowledge He would love to give to us. Nothing in this earth can compare to Christ's Love. Now there's something all your theorizing, hypothesizing, and explaining can't get a hold of. How much your Savior loves you. Science will never be supreme, no matter how foolish it attempts to make Christianity look. Our faith and our belief will not waver.

My Essentials

Whatever place you may choose to read, it is always a smart move to take a look in the scriptures each morning before you start the day, if it's just one verse. With this in mind I've compiled so many verses and scripture together to make up my Essentials. The verses I've found so far to best prepare me for the day. This list is not constant, I've added to it several times and plan to continue. Here they are:

1. Ephesians 6:10-20/The armor of God, practical and perfect for the intro to any day. So that you will be able to stand the wiles of the devil.

2. 1 Corinthians 13/To remind me what love truly is, and it's vitality.

3. Jeremiah 29:11/Just in case I get the notion that God is against me or out to get me (my mind can go strange places. He has good thoughts and plans for me.

4. Psalm 139:7-12/This whole chapter sometimes gets my read. Such a great passage. These few verses explode with the omniprescent spirit of God. Inescapable. Love it!

5. Matthew 23:11, 12/Reminds me to participate in the greatest imitation of Christ. Servitude with humility on the side.

6. Romans 8:28/A promise. Everything works for good if we continue to love God and run after His purpose for us.

7. Romans 8:38, 39/My favorite promise from the Lord. It's impossible for us to seperate ourselves from the love of Christ. Nothing can!

8. Romans 12:2/The anti-conformity statement of the day. Be different! We are aliens and this is not our home. Change the culture don't let it change you. We have something to prove.

9. Phillipians 2:14, 15/I really need this one playing over and over in my head all day. Be blameless and shine bright.

10. Matthew 6:9-13/This is definitely one to be practiced everyday. The Lord's Prayer. We cannot up it with our own prayer so each day it should be entreatied to Heaven.

11. Proverb/The Proverbs have the best one month setup. Everyday would be ideal for each one. The Proverbs show you how to be a practically moral person, and give you precious wisdom.

So these are my essentials. Leave take or recommend, but definitely start a set for yourself.

"Old Time Religion"

The modern church is working very hard to destroy what is generalized as "religion" and with good reason. Good reason, however and as we all know, does not always produce good ends. The religion we are trying to destroy is that of judgement over mercy and of unbiblical absolutes and repulsion to modern means of evangelism. The religion we are trying to destroy is also that which is defined as a "cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith" (http://www.merriam-webster.com/). You can't tell me taking a radical stand by what you believe is wrong and you cannot tell me that there is a point where you have talked to people about Jesus too much, and you cannot tell me that a rebuke is wrong if done with gentility and with grace in mind (It's very biblical, 2 Timothy 4:2). I believe in our passionate anti-religion crusading we've given people room for gray and lukewarm. We've opened ourselves and others to much hardness of heart. Watering down what is true and right is not the answer in bringing people to Christ. Making it easier to swallow and decieving them into believing it an escape to an earthly utopia isn't either. We must trust the love of God to be enough in seeing past these things.

You kill religion you kill a lot of respect for God and for Christianity. You kill religion and you blow another slug into morality's already leaking matter. It's time to stop excusing our selfish ignorance of sin with avoiding censure. Kill the sin where it spreads and love the sinner with everything you have.

Yes I am anti-religion in today's sense of the word. I'm against society's perversion of it, but as for the "old-time religion"...with the Bible being absolute, sin not being tolerated, God being supreme and people being loved..."it's good enough for me."

The Gentleman's Handshake.

My peers will tell you I've always shied, if not cringed, away from the high-fiveing, fist bumping, hand sliding, twists and turns of my generations juvenile handshake derivatives and errantries. That isn't to say I oppose them, but I have a fiercely loyal respect and fondness for the traditional and irreplaceable greeting. There can be security in a good grip from a friend, or there can be a challenge. It could be one body's impression of you. Yet another's simple way of saying they are glad to see you. It can be a pact of trust, a symbol of brotherhood, or just a courtesy. Traced back as far as 2nd Century B.C. the handshake has rarely failed to deliver in it's purpose.

Perhaps due to the slight shift in the greeting industry, the quality of handshakes has noticeably taken a dive. Though there are many still on board with the ritual many have fallen behind. Want back on? Read on:

It's been more than one occasion that one of my peers, unused to my handshaking ways, will not even grip at all! It's a sickening feeling to crush some other fellow's hand that just sits limp in yours. What sort of greeting is that? Both parties should shake firmly, but please don't hang on too long. It's safe to say that after one participant has released their grasp it's time to drop the hand. If it's just a quick "hullo" then usually a quick rattle will do the trick. If you are being introduced or the like the up and down movement is proper. Most importantly the firm grip is necessary.

There are also guidelines for a gentleman shaking hands with a lady. Despite some women's call for equality in every way and some men's abandonment of chivalry, the rightful way is still alive, if rare. The lady's hand should be extended forward (and first) with the palm facing down. The fellow's hand should come underneath and mainly let her hand lay rest in his. Don't hang on too long here gentleman, because the young lady will think you very flirtatious indeed. Also fellows, if the woman does not extend in this fashion it doesn't mean you can't do it, but stay wary for the slightest resistance. The quality of this handshake does not lie in the strong grip.

Well, you can shake hands any way you want. I'm just telling you.

Tangible

The scene is this: A still slightly evident undertone of nausea was beginning to settle, an almond covered fish was being prepared for my meal, and a city of scattered lights as my enchanting view. Each were in high spirits, each reminiscent of the experience we were leaving behind. And each were called upon to share in their musings, and each did. Some with tears, all with a testaments tainted with passion and a fulfilled feel of joy.

After the significant accounts had been given and the "chicken-skin" was still prickling our emotives. A certain missionary almost nodded with his planned and proven observations. The paraphrase is, "Not one thing you mentioned is tangible. Not one of those things can be bought."

That statement stayed with me.

Human beings are suckers for tangibility. We want things we can grasp, obtain, keep, and control. The truth is the idea of tangibility is overrated. Though we crave things we can understand and dictate, the most wonderful things often elude those requirements.

Love is remembered, cherished, eternal, and ultimately intangible.