All posts filed under: z79

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The Eve Gene

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Have you ever wished that you could travel back through time? Most of us, if not all of us, have daydreamed about just such a thing. Growing up with movies like “Time Tunnel” and “Back to the Future” have fueled our imaginations. Today using genetic science we can get a glimpse of our past by stepping back in time, not through a  mystic portal or modified sports car but through our DNA. There is so much information available through our genetic material, that it should yield a tremendous amount of knowledge about the past. Each one of our cells contains millions and often billions of bits of genetic information. This incredible storehouse of information is now being revealed by what is called “gene sequencing techniques.” It is possible that from this information, we may one day even be able to obtain a good estimate of the date of the Creation. A study of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutation rates is of interest in this respect. A  1997 article in  Nature Genetics 15(4):363-367 stated. “Mitochondrial DNA is …

Marijuana Credit: Alex B/Flickr/Creative Commons

‘Scromiting’ caused by a ‘safe’ drug?

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With the Canadian government pushing ahead with a nation-wide legalization of marijuana in 2018, the main message behind the push world-wide that it’s a safe drug, is hitting home. After surveying 43,703 young people, the US-based National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) states that nearly 25% of all teens in America have tried Marijuana. NIDA has conducted a survey on teen drug habits annually since the 1970s and the survey revealed that marijuana usage is also trending upwards, even for those as young as 12. And what is happening in the US typically reflects what is taking place in Canada. The study found that marijuana usage is noticeably higher in states that have legalized recreational marijuana usage, where the safe-drug message is the most pronounced. There is some good news, the survey found that the usage of other drugs has either fallen or remained the same with one exception, along with Cannabis teens are also using more LSD, a hallucinogenic drug. Meanwhile doctors are reporting a significant increase in people arriving at hospital emergency rooms …

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Satanic counter attacks

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One aspect of spiritual warfare that we must be aware of is satanic counter attacks. So often we can see great things happening spiritually and even politically, but suddenly things can take a turn for the worse. There is a reason for this — satanic counter attacks. When Jesus cast  out the evil spirit of the man in the synagogue in Capernaum (Mark 1:21-27) what followed was essentially a revival (Mark 1:28 – 2:15). There were healings — Simon’s mother-in-law (Mark 1:29-31), the leper (Mark 1:40-43) and the paralytic lowered through the roof (Mark 2:1-11). Demons were cast out (Mark 1:32-34). Many became disciples of Christ, including one very prominent tax collector called Matthew (Mark 2:13-14). To explain what was happening, Mark talks about Jesus’s teaching on the strongman: “But no one can enter the strong man’s house and plunder his property unless he first binds the strong man, and then he will plunder his house.” (Mark 3:27 NASV) When Jesus cast the evil spirit out of the man in the Capernaum synagogue, He had bound …

Snow monkeys Credit: John Barton/Flickr/Creative Commons

Stop monkeying around

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Every time you turn on the television, whether it’s a feature film, a kid’s program or a documentary, there is often a reference to evolution in the form of “back when we were monkeys…” So for all of you who still believe that you are the product of King Kong rather than children of the King of Kings, here is some hard data for you. Evolutionary regression 1) Common ancestor (evolutionary adam): This creature is believed to have been a forest dwelling creature from which both man and ape descend: No traces of any such creature have ever been found! 2) Gigantopithicus: This creature was discovered to be nothing more than an extinct ground ape, Richard Leaky famed anthropologist and evolutionist has removed it from the chart leading to man (Time magazine Nov 7, 1977). 3) Ramapithicus: Discovered in India in 1930, it was described as an advanced primate. It  was reconstructed from a 2″ long piece of jawbone, and all physical charactaristics were  artistically detailed and published widely. But his height, posture, length of …

The lighting of the Menorah for Hannukkah. The eighth light is still unlit. Credit: Steven Crawford/Flickr/Creative Commons

The Festival of Lights

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We have an odd Jewish festival taking place this month called Hanukkah. Also called Chanukah or Festival of Lights, it’s different because it is not included as one of the seven festivals that the Jews were told to commemorate in the Book of Leviticus. In fact, there is no mention of this feast taking place anywhere in the Jewish Old Testament and from a Biblical perspective the only mention is found in the New Testament, which of course the Jews don’t consider as part of their Scripture. Yet despite this, some suggest Hanukkah is arguably the best known of the Jewish festivals because it typically falls in December coinciding with the Christian Christmas. The festival that follows the Hebrew calendar can start as early as late November to mid December and goes for eight days. This year, it starts December 12 and runs to December 19, 2017 Over the eight-day festival a candle is lit each night on a nine-light menorah. The center candle traditionally serves as the one to light the other eight. Some …

London, England Credit: Xynn Tii/Flickr/Creative Commons

Careers for Christians: Making a Difference

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Yesterday I taught a class. One man in the class was well groomed and polite; obviously a company manager. On a break, he told me his business was slow, so he was looking for a job, just a job. He was tired of losing money with his business, so he closed it down and put all his employees out of work. I train truck drivers. That man is at a very low point in his career, and I hope he climbs out and finds more success and satisfaction. If you are wondering, I am not longer a career climber. I am semi-retired and I work as a contractor helping other people with their work, and I really enjoy what I do. In the last few weeks, I learned how to find a satisfying career, and I know this will work for everyone, including you. Lesson 1) I visited my father because about a week ago I think God spoke to me. I am a Christian, and I expect this. The sensation reminded me that my …

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What Christians need today — courage

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YouVersion Bible App was created in 2008, since then over 295 million people have downloaded the app for use on their phone, Ipads and computers. According to this year’s stats, so far this year the app is being downloaded 1.4 times every second of the day. In the same time frame, people are also sharing ten verses with friends. But YouVersion also provides the most read verse of the year and in some ways this provides an insight into what believers are facing around the world. Outside of North America, the most read verse is: 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9 NASV) In America, the most read verse is similar but with a slightly different twist: 28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28 NASV) The verses portray how things are changing …

Jacob buying Esau's birthright by Hendrick ter Brugghen (1588-1629) Credit: Wikipedia

Entitled or Loved?

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I have always been bothered by the scripture, ‘Jacob have I loved Esau have I hated’ (Malachi 1:2-3/ Romans 9:13). To me that is a really strong statement. After all, how could God hate anyone and yet love the ‘ deceiver’ Jacob? When the twins, Jacob and Esau were born, Jacob was born second, holding onto Esau’s heel. “Afterward his brother came forth, and his hand grasped Esau’s heel; so he was named Jacob (supplanter).” (Genesis 25:26 AMP) Through his life Jacob really wanted Esau’s birthright. He knew the value of the birthright and its blessings. I’m sure you know the story. When opportunity presented itself, Esau sold his birthright to Jacob for a pot of stew. So Jacob the youngest, legally received the birthright, while the bible says Esau despised it (Genesis 25:34). In addition, with the help of his mother Rebekah, Jacob stole the final blessing from his father Isaac, when he was on his deathbed. This blessing was also meant for the eldest son (Genesis 27:27-30). In all honesty, I could never …

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La intersección

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English: The Intersection Hace unas semanas, en una reunión de oración semanal, tuve una palabra profética para un joven. Después de compartir la vision que había recibido con el, recorde que tenía que aplicarla a mi propia vida. Comencé a orar por la dirección de su vida e inmediatamente Dios me dio esta “película” – vision- para él. Lo vi en su vehículo parando en una señal de alto en una intersección donde tenía dos o tres opciones para su destino. ¿Qué dirección debería el tomar? Luego ví la decison que Dios quería que el tomara. Lo vi estacionarse al costado del camino, poner algunas canciones de alabanza y comenzar a adorar a Dios. Él debía hacer declaraciones sobre quién y qué es Dios: Él es el Señor, Él lo sabe todo y El es más grande que todas nuestras circunstancias. Él sabe lo que necesitamos y cómo llegar allí. Lo que pasó después no fue lo que esperaba. Cuando la alabanza  y las declaraciones subieron como vapor al cielo, entonces  comenzó a llover. Toda …

Sign displaying Wheaton College's motto Photo: Christoffer Lukas Muller/Wikipedia/Creative Commons

Evangelical college suspends professor who said Muslims & Christians worship the same God

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Wheaton College, an evangelical seminary and liberal arts college in Wheaton, Illinois, has just put political science associate professor Dr. Larycia Hawkins on administrative leave pending a review of her statements on Facebook. Earlier this week, Hawkins generated media attention when she asked her social media followers to join her in wearing a hijab during advent in support of Muslims. According to Charisma News, Hawkins requested others: “‘[join her in] Advent worship’ by wearing a hijab to stand in solidarity with Muslim brothers and sisters.” She added that she had even contacted the Council for American-Islamic Relations to receive permission to wear a Hijab. Hawkins’s statement immediately caused a flurry of concern mostly from Christians. The controversy is in some ways similar to an incident that happened in the early church. In Acts 16:3, we read how the Apostle Paul was taking Timothy with him on a mission trip and actually had him get circumcised. Timothy’s father was a Greek and a reference to his mother teaching him the sacred writings (Old Testament) in 2 …

Jordan Smith singing ‘Mary, Did You Know’ WINS ‘The Voice’

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Jordan Smith is a Christian and tonight he won The Voice. Last night in the finale, he sung the popular Christmas carol  Mary, Did You Know as part of his performance. Jordan, 21, attended Lee University, a Christian University operated by the Church of God. Based in Cleveland, TN, Lee is re-known for its chorale groups. According to CBN, Jordan’s parents are pastors in Harlan, Kentucky and Jordan has ministered as a worship leader. Christian recording artist Michael English first sang Mary, Did You Know  in 1991. English along with Mark Lowry, who wrote the lyrics, sang with Gaither Vocal Band. Buddy Greene wrote the music for this song that has gone on to become a modern Christmas classic. During the semifinals Jordan Smith sang Somebody to love. His rendition of this Queen classic topped the music charts on iTunes, outselling English mega pop star Adele. Adele had led the charts for five weeks straight with her latest hit song Hello. Thirty minutes after Jordan finished singing Somebody to Love live on The Voice, it …

Repeated studies are revealing the profound impact Marijuana has on the human brain. Photo Marijuana field in India Richard McMullen/Flickr

The ‘Stoner Jesus’ Bible study group?

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A group in Colorado are taking that state’s decision to legalize Marijuana on January 1, 2014 to a new level. According to a an article by Jennifer LeClaire with Charisma News, they started  a group to study the Bible while smoking weed. The group calls itself  ‘Stoner Jesus.” It was started by Deb Button, a recent divorcee in her forties. Button apparently had never considered using Cannabis until the Colorado government legalized it and did so at the urging of a friend. According to Button, taking the drug helped her get closer to God and this led to her forming a Bible Study group which she advertised on Craigslist. She has people of different faiths in attendance including an atheist and a Mormon. Button invited one woman who said when she showed up, the host was so spaced out she didn’t remember inviting her. While Colorado is at the forefront of the move to legalize Marijuana in the US, the Daily Mail reports that researchers from the School of Medicine at Connecticut’s Yale University concluded …