Is Evolution A Fact?

August 4, 2005

Read: Genesis 2:1-7, Hebrews 11:1-3

By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God. -
Hebrews 11:3

Bible In One Year: 2 Kings 22-25

The theory of evolution is not without its problems. One scientist says
this about life starting on its own: "Amino acids would have to be
arranged in an exact sequence to form a protein . . . just like the
letters in a sentence. Mere laws of chemistry and physics cannot do that.
The probability of a protein forming by chance would be 1064 [10 with 64
zeros after it] to 1!"

Many people assume the theory of evolution to be true. But can it be
scientifically proven? Something is considered scientifically true only if
it can be repeatedly verified under laboratory conditions. The claim that
life sprang up on its own out of a long impersonal process cannot pass
this test of truth. That is why evolution remains only a theory.

So if you're ever tempted to doubt the Genesis account of the creation
story, consider the alternative. The odds against even a simple protein
creating itself are astronomical. How much more reasonable to believe God
and His Word: "By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the
word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things
which are visible" (Hebrews 11:3).

Isn't it more reasonable to believe that God designed and created the
universe? (Genesis 1:1). -- Dennis Fisher

All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful,
The Lord God made them all. -- Alexander

All creation points to the almighty Creator.

From: JeanAustria@astec-power.com

decision making

The story given below is quite interesting and really gives us an insight
into DECISION MAKING.

Which one will you choose?

A group of children were playing near two railway tracks, one still in use
while the other disused. Only one child played on the disused track, the
rest on the operational track. The train came, and you were just beside
the track interchange. You could make the train change its course to the
disused track and saved most of the kids.

However, that would also mean the lone child playing by the disused track
would be sacrificed.

Or would you rather let the train go its way?

Let's take a pause to think what kind of decision we could make.

...

Most people might choose to divert the course of the train, and sacrifice
only one child.

You might think the same way, I guess.

Exactly, I thought the same way initially because to save most of the
children at the expense of only! one child was rational decision most
people would make, morally and emotionally.

But, have you ever thought that the child choosing to play on the disused
track had in fact made the right decision to play at a safe place?

Nevertheless, he had to be sacrificed because of his ignorant friends who
chose to play where the danger was.

This kind of dilemma happens around us everyday. In the office, community,
in politics and especially in a democratic society, the minority is often
sacrificed for the interest of the majority, no matter how foolish or
ignorant the majority are, and how farsighted and knowledgeable the
minority are.

The child who chose not to play with the rest on the operational track was
sidelined. And in the case he was sacrificed, no one would shed a tear for
him.

The friend who forwarded me the story said he would not try to change the
course of the train because he believed that the kids playing on the
operational track should h! ave known very well that track was still in
use, and that they should have run away if they heard the train's sirens.

If the train was diverted, that lone child would definitely die because he
never thought the train could come over to that track!

Moreover, that track was not in use probably because it was not safe.

If the train was diverted to the track, we could put the lives of all
passengers on board at stake! And in your attempt to save a few kids by
sacrificing one child, you might end up sacrificing hundreds of people to
save these few kids.

While we are all aware that life is full of tough decisions that need to
be made, we may not realize that hasty decisions may not always be the
right one.

"Remember that what's right isn't always popular... and what's popular
isn't always right."

Ken Spyce, The Thirteen of Hearts.
Spyce Group, Inc.

From: JeanAustria@astec-power.com

We Don't Need You

August 3, 2005

Read: Jeremiah 2:5-13

What injustice have your fathers found in Me, that they have gone far from
Me, have followed idols, and have become idolaters? = Jeremiah 2:5

Bible In One Year: Habakkuk 1-3

There's a story about a group of scientists who decided that humans could
do without God. So one of them looked up to God and said, "We've decided
that we no longer need You. We have enough wisdom to clone people and do
many miraculous things."

God listened patiently and then said, "Very well, let's have a man-making
contest. We'll do it just like I did back in the old days with Adam." The
scientists agreed, and one of them bent down and picked up a handful of
dirt. God looked at him and said, "No! You have to make your own dirt!"

In Jeremiah's day, the Israelites were living as if they no longer needed
the Lord. They had entrusted themselves to other gods, even though their
gods could not respond to their needs. Jeremiah confronted them about
their rebellion, for they had forsaken the true God and shown disrespect
for Him (Jeremiah 2:13,19).

Are we guilty of living as if we don't need God? We may know Him as our
Savior but be worshiping the idol of our own wisdom or self-sufficiency.
Could the Lord be saying of us, "They have gone far from Me"? (2:5).

Living far from God dishonors and displeases Him, and it will never meet
our deepest needs. But we can return to Him today (3:7). —Anne Cetas

Unless we worship only God
Our lives cannot be truly free;
For we were made for Him alone;
All else is but idolatry. -- D. De Haan

The idol of self is a sorry substitute for God.

From: JeanAustria@astec-power.com

Why I Have Hope for the Philippines

My Son's Essay on the Philippines

Candy Varona (Filipino-Canadian)
(cvarona@yahoo.com) wrote:

Please indulge me while I share with a lot of love and pride my son
Franco's unedited, straight-from-the heart essay which he wrote to me
in response to a forwarded email of a Korean student's essay on the
Philippines (copy attached). At times like this when our country is facing
another crisis and we start to despair, it warms my heart that our youth
have not given up on the Philippines. Frankie and I are so very proud of
our Franco!

===

Hi mom, I read that forwarded email about that essay written by the
Korean student and while I do agree with many of the points he brings
up, it
also kind of upset me that his viewpoints were being read and seemingly
accepted by many Pinoys. So, I've decided to write you a little essay
of
my
own with a little bit of a different point of view.
===

Why I Have Hope for the Philippines

I lived in the Philippines for a grand total of two and half years
after
growing up in Vancouver for a majority of my life. I finished off high
school in Manila, then went on to college there for one sem. I left
Manila
in the beginning of 1999 for Syracuse, but something happened to me
during
my short stint in Manila- I began referring to it as "home".

My brief stay in the Philippines had affected me so deeply that I
have
subsequently geared the rest of my life towards helping the country
out.
I
took up International Relations, with a concentration in Foreign
Policy,
War
and Conflict Resolution- because I believed that a deep knowledge of
all

three of those aforementioned subjects CAN and WILL help the
Philippines eventually. Before living in the Philippines, my motives
were
selfish and self-serving- I wanted to be a lawyer to make money, or be
a

journalist so I could, in my own way, shape the world through my words.

But living there and getting to know the country intimately helped
me

develop a love for the country that can only be compared to the love I
have
for my family.

Now, I have every intention of using that degree to its fullest
potential
in any way I can for the country. Even though my birthplace is Canada
and I
spent my formative years in the USA, the Philippines has somehow found
its
way to my mind and my heart. And I say `my mind' because I see the
Philippines as a challenge, not as a sinking ship. And I believe there
is a
whole generation of young Pinoys that feel the same way as me.

The Korean essay was right in some ways- sometimes I meet up with
second
generation Filipino-Americans and they simply do not care. They don't
identify with the Philippines and perceive it to be a dirty, corrupt
society. Although initially annoyed when I speak to these types of
people, I
eventually realize that it's not their fault- they have lived in a
developed
nation all their lives and know no better. I myself used to be like
that

before moving back. But you know what the Korean essay didn't mention?
It
happens with all second- and third-generation immigrant kids living in
developed countries. Although I have met many FilAms who don't wish to
go
back home, I also have met many Korean-Americans, Japanese-Americans,
even
Irish-Americans who don't have any connection to home.

There is love for the Philippines- the Korean essay was just looking
in
the wrong places. Do you want to know where the national pride is? It's
in
every Pinoy's face on the streets of Manila, Cebu, Davao, or any other
place
in the Philippines.

Life is hard for Filipinos- I see that every time I'm home. But
there
is
a mutual love shared between Pinoys. They enjoy the simplest of the
simple
things of everyday life - from the fishball vendor dancing outside a
nightclub in the wee hours of the morning to the late night security
guard
that wakes up just to give you a nod and a smile. Although generally
the country has come under hard times, the Pinoy has somehow found a
way
to survive, and do it with a smile.

When I go back to the Philippines, I don't see the jaded looks of
misery
I see in the streets of North America. I see in every Pinoy's face a
glint
of hope - that everything can only get better from here on out.
National

pride is also in today's college student- today's young working
Filipino.

I have been lucky enough to have run into a rather large, very
motivated
group of young Filipinos outside of the Philippines that harbor an
immense
love for the country. I've seen these people in college, I've hung out
with
them in different cities and amongst these young Filipinos, there is
one

prevailing theme. They have goals, they have passion, and they are
driven to
succeed.

Sure, they may spend a few years out of the Philippines after
schooling,
but they will go back. And when they do, Mom, I promise you a
Renaissance.

These are the people that will lead our country into better times -
these
are the people that will bring back with them the knowledge and the
drive to
motivate others. These are the people that will bridge the gap between
the
"masa" and the rich. These are the people that will take that glint of
hope
in every Pinoy's eye and create a wildfire of productivity and
efficiency.

The Philippines is still, by definition, a young country. There have
been
mistakes made in the past, but we will learn, won't we? It's just human
nature. I don't look at the Philippines as a country that "was" one of
the
richest in SE Asia and now is one of the poorest - I look at the
Philippines
as the country that has the largest upside. Just be patient, and watch
as
the younger generation moves into place. You will see a more educated,
less
selfish government take the seat of power. You will see plans put into
effect that were formulated and perfected which were fueled by years of
anger against the poverty we now see.

A new Philippines will emerge soon, and soon we won't have to bear
the
pity of a Korean student. I can promise you that much mom, because I
know
I'm one of the many that will be working towards that.

From: jverano@fetaonline.com