While mentioning right & wrong ...there was also the reference to anger, or the unwillingness to accept someone else's definitions of what is wrong. Though the response is much varied in the chosen approach by which each individual decides to cope. Sadly, there is too often the 'I don't care' approach. And though it is often healthy to laugh things off ...there are times when it is very unhealthy.

(http://throughtheeyesofalittlechild.blogspot.com/) ...The Archie Bunker laugh track ..."those were the days"???

Yes, there are those who may laugh at anyone who attempts to challenge them ...it is not the kind of laughter that we are usually accustomed to, but a bold confidence.

But, there are those who are not laughing at all.  And they have a bold confidence too.

(http://doublenegativeyetpleasenotwholenation.blogspot.com/) ..."I don't take nothin' from nobody!"

(https://wrongsongwaytoolong.blogspot.com/) ...How do you feel when you're told you are wrong, compared to when you realize you are??

(https://wellandgoodorgoodytwoshoes.blogspot.com/) ...How do each of us personally determine what we feel is good, and what is not??

There is another category of people ...not really categorizing people, but just trying to understand why they respond why they do.  It seems that few people want to offend their friends ...and what I mean is that ---they often don't hesitate to offend others, and often do it with more ease than I'd ever want to intentionally do ---but, that they don't want to offend anyone who shares the same comfort zone as they do.

It is not comfortable being in uncomfortable situations, but when one is ...it appears that comfort in numbers provides the stimulus to continue on the road they are traveling.  The numbers don't have to be there ...and it doesn't have to be anywhere near a majority, they just have to claim that it is.

They are part of a deck of cards being used to build their position ...as a house of cards.  If they decide to admit they are wrong, and attempt to remove their card, then the entire house of cards will fall.  And it seems that they all know that subconsciously ...and have to play their cards just so, to prop up the others who also hold them up.

Now this is good in many ways ...as we are to encourage and support others.  It just seems there is some wrong in it also.

(http://leadingoftentounconscionable.blogspot.com/) ...The unwritten, unspoken, unconscious

So, what do we do when it seems that people get easily offended?? We may not know why, and if we even hint at why we think they are offended ...they become offended. 

Somehow they may think we've taken an attitude that we know more than they do. Part of this we often have accepted ...by dismissing any potential conflict of opinions, and just labeling it a 'generation gap'.

Though there is also another part to this, stated quite succinctly by a person of whom wisdom is usually associated with ...as Solomon said, " ...there is nothing new under the sun."

There is a wide range of young people, with all different ideas, attitudes, and expressions. Those young people mature to different degrees, at different rates. Those who don't seem to at all ...for the most part get old with the same attitudes, ideas, and expressions that they had when they were young. And that is true for some of us old people ...who haven't changed.

But, some of us have changed ...and as we get older, our mental capacity becomes a real challenge for us.  Even though we may be loud, assertive, demanding, and difficult to be around at times ...we look for compassion and understanding.  If you challenge us, our struggle becomes even more difficult.

Some of us may even say, "Wait until you get my age!"

But, often there is another side to this that is often overlooked. There are those of us who perhaps shouldn't be just dismissed as an old fogey.  Older people do often have more experience and have lived their life longer ...so they may know a thing or two.

Now, comes the other side of the coin.

It is not just old people.  Young people may be argumentative, assertive, and difficult to be around at times ...but, we should treat them with compassion and understanding, just like we should want to be treated.  The youth have not lived as long as we have ...and perhaps they appear confident, but there is a fragileness about it.  If you challenge them, their struggle may become even more difficult. Don't get me wrong, challenges can be very beneficial ...it just depends upon the way everything is done.

It was during the time where I was feeding the lamb ...not knowing I was going to be asked to feed the little lambs in another sense. Yes, the photo with the blue plaid shirt with the rolled up sleeves. The story takes place during that period of my life.  Here is the story:

I remember believing in God at a very early age …yet, I was a young adult when I began a more serious look at my beliefs.  I had healthy guidance while I was growing up …but, I was not a reader, by any means.  

We did not have Facebook or Twitter when I was young …though if we had, I would not have considered that to qualify me as a reader.  I read some comic books, but that is probably considered barely reading …and not really ‘books’.  They should have called them comic magazines, or something.

After college, I got a job working at what they called the Mental Hospital.  I worked in the youth division.  I looked at co-workers as friends, yet that quickly moved me out of my comfort zone.  I missed home …which was approximately 450 miles away, and I only visited there a couple times the first year, not even being able to get a Christmas vacation.  I then met some people outside of work, and I joined them on Sundays at Bethany Bible Church.

As I’m thinking back on this, I was not thinking about this at that time …but, it has come to me as I think about it.  I will get back to my original story, but at this time I’m making a point about our true origin …as I believe it to be.  We don’t know how much time lapsed between when Adam & Eve were created …and when they ate the fruit from the tree they were forbidden to eat from.  But, I believe it happened in a short time.  Why??

Because though Satan also has an advantage when people get bored over time, or when things become only routine …I believe his even greater advantage is before a person can get a long-standing relationship with God.

When thinking about all who God is …it is so very awesome.  Within those moments we often are so eager to find out new & exciting things about God, we may not quite yet have the discernment to differentiate some things that may not be true of God.  Nor may we take the time, in our eagerness, to sometimes spend a moment or two, to clearly see the truth of what we perhaps should know.

This is often the cause, though it can also be merely doubt …or temptation.  It may have been a combination of these things, but it seems to me that it certainly included a certain degree of doubt …for Eve.

As I mentioned, it is my belief that Eve was tempted rather early on …and it should be well-noted that it serves as a great value to a person’s life to resist temptation early on.  The best way to resist temptation and not be swayed by those eager to share their sphere of influence …is to allow that eagerness to be directed towards that which best represents what one should be truly seeking for.  The realization of the wisdom of commitment also comes into play here.

But, back to my attendance at Bethany Bible Church …early on, I was asked by the Pastor’s son if I would accept the job of leading the group of kids for Junior Church.  I quickly said I would be unable to teach anyone anything, as I had never read the Bible …and everyone in the group would know more than me.

The Pastor’s son said that I didn’t need to know anything, as they had booklets that contained lessons written out in detail for everything I needed to teach.  He said the reason he had wanted me …was because they had a behavior problem in the group, and since I worked with problematic youth, he said he knew I could handle it.

Well, with that sort of vote of confidence …well, I found it hard to turn down.  Though I knew each situation always presents itself with its own unique set of circumstances and challenges ...yet, though I was used to this, I was not eager to take it on.

I didn’t realize how large the group would be.  They had a sliding wall that opened to create a double classroom size.  And the older kids were in the same group with the very young ones.

The youngest ones in the group sat on the floor in front.  The older kids sat in the very back …as far back as possible.  And I suspected that is where the disturbance would come from.

I figured that if they were causing trouble, it was because they felt they could get away with it …because they had obviously experienced that, and ultimately believed that they would not be challenged beyond what they could deal with.  Their satisfaction was in disrupting the class, and they obviously felt they were very good at what they did …having probably experienced more than just moderate success at it.

The kids just in front of the ones sitting in the very back were likely the next age level.  No one told anyone where to sit, it was just by mere admiration of wanting to fit in with the older group that they chose to sit there.  And no kid aspiring to be an older kid would want to face the condemnation of choosing to sit with the younger, supposedly immature kids.

So, when the kids in back began to act out, the ones in the next age group would turn around and smile that “I’m with you!” sort of smile.  And along with the smile, by necessity, there had to exist a bit of verbal approval …or they would not be so readily accepted.

That’s how it seemed to happen.  An outburst was followed by a few small audible laughs, beginning in the back …and quickly growing with each additional laugh.  It seemed not so much contagious, but rather seemed awkward if one did not laugh among his peers.   And it became just loud enough that the little ones would then turn around, out of curiosity.

If that was all that would come of it …you’d think that one outburst would not be all that unacceptable.  But, one outburst would give such gratification, it would not suffice to limit itself to a solitary outburst.  And ultimately, the youngest little ones would not be merely curious as to the outburst …but, also primarily curious how the teacher was going to react, and whether I, as the teacher, was going to do anything about it.

At the first outburst, I recall saying, “Let’s be respectful …this is a church class.”

That was likely gratifying to them also, as they had provoked a response by me.  And by me suggesting they be respectful, it was likely never their desire to be so …as disrespecting was way too satisfying.

As expected, when I began teaching again, another outburst followed.  I knew where it came from …and I asked the two boys in back to come up front.

Of course, they refused.  And because I didn’t know any of their names …they could pretend I was just pointing at someone else.  But, as I began to describe the color and style of their shirts …it was evident that I knew where the trouble was coming from. But, they still would not come forward.

I took a couple steps forward, but didn’t step beyond the young children.  Yet, I made sure that what I said would travel all the way back, “You either come up here, or I’m going to come back there and get you.  And if I do, I’m going to walk you both up the center aisle of the adult church, disrupting their service and asking who is responsible for you two.  I don’t think the adults will be happy if I do that, they won’t be happy with you, and you won’t be happy with it …but, I will do it, so get up here now!”

The two boys came forward.  I sat them on chairs facing the wall …one on the left and one on the right of where I was teaching.  And I never had a problem with that class again. 

*/*/*/*/*/*/* That may be an interesting story to you, or it may not be.  It was significant to me though.  Not because I felt I won a power struggle …it was not that at all.  The true value of all this was in my preparation for teaching each week …that led me to think about things that I had never thought about in quite the way that I was now thinking.  And I was becoming less and less of a non-reader.  

Children will often question things that we may not even think about.  To accept something as true, is one thing …but, to somehow think it through sufficiently enough to answer all the questions a child may ask, is yet another thing.

As parents, we often don’t want to drag it out …and we want results, so we often tell our children, “Because I said so!!”

But, though it may seem to be absolutely true to say, “Because the Bible says so!!” …well, I’d hope to think I could come across a bit differently.  Maybe I can even make it sound interesting …and friendly.

I don’t think it should come across as a command, or a consequence.  Yes, we often say that Jesus commands us to do things …such as “love our neighbor”.  But, we should understand that …well, that doesn’t always happen overnight either.

In many ways, I still think I look at the Bible through the eyes of a child …but, as a child of God. And I certainly hope I’m maturing a bit.  I have much gratitude for my elders, and at times I have to admit to myself that I am becoming old myself …and I certainly don’t want to misuse that status, to mislead by carelessly assuming I cannot perhaps also learn some things from the youth. They are the next generation of  kids emerging from Junior Church ...and there are many challenges facing them.  I'd much rather be a part of positively approaching those challenges ...than to be a part of the problem.

Last Sunday, a guest speaker at Community Bible Church, where I go now, said we should read the Bible.  It seems like such an obvious thing to recommend, and not such a surprise revelation …but, for some of us, it may not be easy.  At least, at the start it may not be.  We should also attend church …and if possible, share time with other believers.  Attending Bible studies is a good way to stay focused.  

1. Read the Bible
2. Go to church
3. Attend a Bible study

Any one of those three is good, and certainly all three can be really good.

And I thank that church, and the Pastor & his son …and his family, for setting me on the timely road of commitment.  I was taught much …and learned more.  God’s Word brings much understanding to a sincere heart.  And I am literally eternally grateful for it. *\*\*\*\*\*\*

My Dad & Mom lived during what some say was: The Greatest Generation.  That's a hard act to follow.

There were six of us children.

As I was growing up, the economy was beginning to grow, and at present time it is rather stagnant ...and sadly, so is much of society's spiritual awareness and commitment.

Though that can change.

With the economy, policies can boost or stimulate for a period of time ...and also revive hope.  Though a spiritual revival within our society is of a quite different nature.  Often a revival is labeled as such if it boosts church attendance.  But, a big difference is that a genuine lasting commitment to follow God must grow in each individual's heart ...not by growing in attendance.

I feel we should look at how Jesus spoke of this in the Gospel According to John, Chapter 15.  Jesus said that every branch that bears fruit, is pruned, so it may bring forth more fruit.

Yet again, we must realize that every person is different, just like plants are different ...and each pruning must be done carefully, the correct way, and be foremost initiated by self-examination.

Chapter 2, of The Song of Solomon mentions the Rose of Sharon, and the Lily of the Valley.  The Rose of Sharon is the plant on the right in the photo.  The Lily of the Valley is to the left, not in the photo. What you see on the left here, is a spruce tree ...and not much is left of it.  Though many older people may think the youth need to be downsized ...this is not the way to do it.

The purpose of pruning is to stimulate new, healthy growth ...and it appears that very little (if any at all) is going to be forthcoming any time soon.

The tree in this photo must have needled someone the wrong way.  But, if we want someone to spruce up their life ...we have to tolerate a few rough or sharp edges.

Don't compromise God's Word.

But, we can tell the truth with kindness.

I keep telling myself this, and in time, I may even get a little better at it.

(Certain indications that I may be subject to either a hacker, or censorship ---and I don't know if that is considered approved hacking, or just plain censorship ---or it could be denial either on my part or on the part of those intentionally doing what they don't want revealed, so it's much easier to just say I'm overreacting, or caving in to conspiracy theories.  Whatever the case may be, at this time I can not download at least two of them: one called 'The Essence ..." & the other  "Happy New Year ...why is it that we are looking for new beginnings???"  The other 21 blogs I quickly downloaded below, and hopefully they work.)

https://solovedsoconfusingyetnotreally.blogspot.com/

https://thoughwearenotthereyetbepatient.blogspot.com

https://butthiswasastorytoldbyjoyce.blogspot.com/

https://notmeanttobeaccuratejusttoreflectupon.blogspot.com/

https://firstbeginningsecondbeginningthird.blogspot.com/

https://howisnowmuchdifferntthanthepast.blogspot.com/

https://andyetnotourheartbutthatofourcreator.blogspot.com/

https://itiswhatitisbutmaybenotwhatyouthink.blogspot.com/

https://myreasonmaynotbeyourreason.blogspot.com/

https://whenwesearchfortruth.blogspot.com/

https://thispathisnolongerhere.blogspot.com/

https://okapilooksmorelikeazebrathanagiraffe.blogspot.com/

https://youmaythinkyouknowalotbutnotnoahorlot.blogspot.com/

https://spideytrynottogointohidey.blogspot.com/

https://whatleveloffreedomdowecherishmost.blogspot.com/

https://letmetrythisonemoretime.blogspot.com/

https://notmyneighborsoranyoneinparticular.blogspot.com/

https://acknowledgefuseorperhapsrefuse.blogspot.com/

https://whoarewetodecidewhatisright.blogspot.com/

https://ofpeoplebypeopleforpeople.blogspot.com/

https://yetasweseekwecanseemore.blogspot.com/

https://howdoweapproachstruggleswithlovedones.blogspot.com/

https://whatkindofthoughtprocessleadstothat.blogspot.com/

https://iftheshepherdtamesthewolf.blogspot.com/

https://doesitmakegoodsensetoyou.blogspot.com/

https://cannoteasilysayitbutawonderfulthought.blogspot.com/

https://nothisisnotatypo.blogspot.com

https://nottoworrycausethejuryisblurry.blogspot.com

https://revisionsasofdecembertwentytwentytwo.blogspot.com

(Okay, I can't contain myself from bringing forth this information.

It is in the form of a question:

What do you think would be faster: for the best scientists of today to construct a model of a human living cell, or for evolution to accomplish the task of building one??

Let's give the scientist the distinct advantage of having a lego set, and a list of instructions. With me, that would be of no advantage, as I do not do well with instruction manuals.  It would not matter whether the directions were in English, or a language I don't know, such as Chinese ...it would still take me a long time with the instructions.  Most of the time for simple things (I wouldn't attempt the more difficult ones) I'd still be staring at the directions for a long time, and eventually I'd probably attempt it without the instructions.

So, you have to read the instructions, find the correct piece, pick it up, and be able to discern where it needs to go.  I initially was going to give a couple minutes for the correct placement of each lego ...and let's say, each lego represents an atom.  It would take nearly 400 million years to construct one living lego cell.  And since science has said life began approximately 4 billion years ago ...would that mean that the scientist would only be able to construct 10 living lego cells in that amount of time??  Yes, that would be a far cry from a complete human being.

Yes, with science's own figures, it states that there are 100 trillion atoms in one cell ...and approximately 100 trillion cells in the human body. Scientists say there are as many atoms in the human body as they estimate there are stars in the universe. 

More stats:  

There are approximately 5,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 atoms in a drop of water. We know atoms can combine under the desired conditions.  Hydrogen and oxygen combine, as we know.  Yes, we are all familiar with water.  But, though water is necessary for life ...it is not life.  

And yes, we know cells can divide rather quickly at times with precise conditions (quickness being a rather relative term, but let's just say 'quicker' than I initially thought they would).  But, that doesn't mean that dividing, duplicating, replicating ...or multiplying is a new revelation, or solving a mystery and providing an understanding for the 'big picture'.  Cancer grows, and multiplies more cancer cells. And the overstated concept of mutations does not explain all the beautiful complexities of our discoveries.  There is no random design to one strand of DNA, having over 200 billion atoms, aligned in such an awe inspiring arrangement.

How long would it take to design a human eye ...by random chance?? 
(close to 5-6 million cone cells and 90-100 million rod cells in the retina alone)

And do we understand how unbelievable it is for any eye, of any animal, to connect to a brain ...which processes what it sees, and formulates decisions??

I tried to comprehend the odds of random collisions, and groupings ...but, found it easier to look at the 44 state (plus Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, & the District of Columbia) Lottery called 'Powerball'.  In January of 2016, it reached over 1.5 billion ...before three winners were found.  What would be the odds that the three winners were all neighbors??  We would say they talked to each other, and together chose the numbers ...it would take communication.  But, it was random, and the winners were from three different states (Florida, Tennessee, & California) that aren't even close to one another.  Yet, if everyone in one community won, and nowhere else ...we would say it was fixed, not only involving communication, but cheating of a criminal nature.

Yet, there is no thinking, nor is there cheating with evolution.  It does seem that some science cheats with its figures, though I don't contend it is necessarily intentional ...but, rather often overeager, or overzealous.

Science says that the Big Bang happened about 14 billion years ago ...with the first atoms being hydrogen, helium, deuterium, lithium, and beryllium.  I read a very interesting article by Ethan Siegel, inclusive of this statement, about the cooling after the dispersion of the Big Bang, " ...  atoms are too cold themselves to emit those emission lines, and the radiation coming from behind them is too low in energy to induce these absorption lines! So again, we have to wait for gravitation to work its magic ..."  

I admit I was very impressed ...and would not even be able to keep pace with the comment section, nor would I be able to intellectually join the conversation.  

Yet, I also do not get stunned by an overwhelming intellectual presentation ...paralyzing my thoughts, causing me to dismiss the simply obvious.  Evolution is constantly compelled to change its data to explain the unexplainable, while no change is necessary in the Word of God ...as He is the Author of miracles, which we cannot explain.

Back to who would be faster ... a scientist, or evolution??  If a scientist was so familiar with cell construction, that he didn't even need a construction manual ...and he was so good that he would be able to grab a lego and put it in place in a matter of seconds, then it would still be several trillion years before putting together the human lego model (assuming the scientist doesn't sleep, eat, or go to the bathroom).

How does that rate??

Well, the rate of a scientist with a clear & concise plan to deliberately construct a living model, still wins against the random combining of atoms with slow movement of emission lines, with low energy, and waiting for gravity to do its (not its magic, as Ethan said, but,) ...its thing.  

With all that being said, if randomness is your friend, as you profess evolution ...then perhaps you'd like to reassess your figures, placing the Big Bang many trillions of years ago.  Or you could preferably agree with the Bible, and place Creation at just over 6 thousand years ago ...as I do.

With that, you could believe in God, our Creator, as we read of Him in the Bible. But, if that ia not dramatic enough for you, you could believe in the primodial or prebiotic soup being struck by lightning with such precision, over and over again ...sort of like a Frankenstein movie, but unbelievably more so.

One hundred trillion times one hundred trillion atoms, precisely placed atoms ...to make Adam.  And the same amount of atoms, designed in a slightly different way, a unique & beautiful way ...to create Eve.  

So, you may not know me from atom, but if you think your wife is one in a million ...she's much more than that.

Our oldest daughter, Shannon, is presently living in the state of Washington. Suppose she is dating (or 'talking' to, as they often call it now) a young man in his early thirties, by the name of ---let's say, Daniel.  Suppose Daniel comes from a very rich family. And suppose Daniel is presently a doctor, and he asks his family if he can take Shannon for a ride in his parent's plane.

They fly to Hawaii, refuel ...and then fly in a southwesterly direction from Hawaii.  It is so much fun, they continue to fly ...spotting multiple outcrops (or small islands) below, and a few larger islands.

Suddenly, the plane begins to malfunction, and their only alternative seems to be to land the plane.  One of the islands has a long stretch of sandy beach, and Daniel lands the plane safely.

Daniel is able to make radio contact with Hawaii, and through that contact, is able to get word to his parents.

Daniel's dad contacts Cindy & myself ...and he says he is going to take his other plane, to fly out to attempt to find them.  He agrees to wait for me to fly out to Washington, before departing in search for his son and my daughter.

We fly to Hawaii, and also refuel there.  As we fly in a southwesterly direction, our plane (or his plane) begins to malfunction.   "We must land ...but we can't land on the rocks!"   

"So much for dreams of sandy beaches, I guess we'll have to land it in the ocean," yes, I feel stupid as soon as I say it.  We are not going to land the plane, he is having to do everything.

He successfully lands the plane near one of the larger rocky islands.  He tries to radio for help, but the radio doesn't work.  The ocean waves begin to smash the plane against some rocks.  We are able to stumble out of the plane, on the other side of the rocks, and scramble to a safe place on the island.

Inland, there is a slight overhang of rock, providing shelter from wind and rain as night approaches.  

The next day, we find a few edible berries near the brush at the edge of a wooded area.  We decide to walk through the woods, as there appears to be a path of some sort.  We don't walk too far ...when we come to a clearing.  And in the middle of the clearing is some sort of structure.

Daniel's dad is astonished, "What do you think it is?"

I am equally amazed, "It looks like one of those golf domes."

As we approach the dome-like edifice, there appears to be a strangely familiar structure to it.  Daniel's dad pulls out his wallet.  The thickness of his wallet reminds me again of his wealth, and I wonder if he is preparing to pay whomever may be inside ...for whatever is needed to help us get out of here.  But, instead he pulls out a plastic card, and inserts it into a slot on the side of this structure.

We both attempt to jump back as an opening suddenly appears ...but, before we can fully react we find ourselves inside the structure. 

To our left, appears to be storage bins.  And to the right, there appears to be a recycling center.  Just then, a garbage truck picks up some waste ...but, there is no person or driver.

Daniel's dad reminds me of driverless cars, but I ask, "How does it know where to pick up the garbage from?"

Daniel's dad speaks the obvious, "There must be a master computer somewhere here ...and someone must be here to operate and maintain all this.  We just have to find the main area."

I see a rotor which is turning a driveshaft, "Must be a turbo-generator that keeps opening and closing these chambers.  But, I don't think we should go in there ...not to say that it's safe here, but ...let's just stick to the open areas until we find more out."

A conveyor belt transports containers to a station that modifies them in some way, then further down it looks like they are stamped with shipping orders.  Beyond that appears to be a power plant, probably supplying energy to this enormous operation.

Daniel's dad observes, "This must be some sort of factory.  There must be an abundant mineral of some sort that is mined here.  And if they ship it out, then that opportunity may work for us also."

I am still confused, "Okay, it may be a factory run entirely by computers, and robotics ...but, we've not seen one person here.  If we can only find the control center, we will be able to communicate with an actual person."

Before I can say more, Daniel's dad points to what I also have suddenly seen, "That domed area over there appears to be the center of much activity, let's check it out."

Again, Daniel's dad swipes his card at a slot similar to the one that was on the exterior of the outer dome.  instantly, the floor opens up ...and we fall.

We land on a cushioned surface, not sustaining any injuries.  And we see we are within a computerized control center.  One area has bundles of blueprints of all the machinery.  And above, appears to be a rollercoaster apparatus ...with suddenly, some sort of vehicle speeding through twists and turns.

Surprising us from behind, others vehicles shoot through a tubular highway.  Daniel's dad asks, "Can you make anything of all this?"

I shake my head, "I have difficulty, at times, even navigating the Internet in my own home.  This is way more sophisticated than anything I've ever seen."

Daniel's dad swipes his card again, at another slot, but nothing happens.  I am thankful for that.  I wish he'd stop swiping that card, like it is the solution for everything.

I resort to more simple means, hollering, "Is anyone home!  We didn't mean to intrude ...we need help!  Help!!  Help!!  Somebody ...anybody ...please, help!!!"

Daniel's dad laughs, "Why are you screaming for help?  We don't appear to be in any danger."

I turn to him matter-of-factly, "We don't appear to be getting any closer to finding Daniel or Shannon either."

{The question remains: Where are we??  Would you believe we have not yet seen a person because there isn't one ...and never has been??  Would you believe that Daniel's dad and I are the first two people that have ever set foot on this island??  Would you believe that everything we've experienced on this island is a result of evolution?? And when I said, "We don't appear to be getting any closer to finding Daniel or Shannon either," ---well, if we did find where they are, would we also know where they've come from?  Would we say they also evolved??}

{What I've described, on this island, which Daniel's dad and I experienced ...that domed edifice, is a single cell of a human, with the inner domed control center as the nucleus. Many articles have been written about the possible beginnings of life. Because amino acids can duplicate, that is not the same as life. (It should also be noted that amino acids are said to be left-handed and right-handed.  And only 100% left-handed directs towards life ...no percent of right-handed can be present, or the process dies.)  And proteins are produced in cells, containing the correct amino acids, with only the complete cell being alive.  Silica sand is in glass, and glass is in a car ...that doesn't mean we look at a sandy beach and say, "Look at all the cars!"  Yes, a sculptor may look at a large stone, and see within it what he wants to sculpt. And a carpenter may look at a tree, and see a vision of the house he wants.  But, each requires an intellect. Lightning striking a rocky outcrop within a mountain stream ...can be the catalyst for a combination of reactions, forming molecules as amino acids, the building blocks of proteins.  These are physical and chemical reactions ...and have no real direction, function, or purpose.  It is in no way imaginable that this could lead to the extremely intellectual organization of a single human cell ...made up of 100 trillion atoms, in no way randomly assembled together.   There are over seven and a half billion people living on earth, and much less than half of them have Internet access ---though it is estimated that eight to ten billion devices are connected to the Internet, and with amazing distribution of information and communication.  Yet, it is nothing compared to the intellectual relationship of 100 trillion atoms, working together flawlessly for the most part ...all in one cell.  And of course, there are approximately 100 trillion different cells all working together to create the human body.} 

{We can be amazed at the construction by the Sociable Weaver Bird, gopher 'towns', or colonies of bees, wasps, ants, or termites.  And we can pat ourselves on the back for our own accomplishments ...our own households, communities, and cities.  We can be proud of what we build ...just as gophers, bees or ants may have a measure of satisfaction as they build, to certain specifications, the amazing structures that they build.  But, none of these are built without the builder. And the cells of a toenail or a tooth cannot contribute to the intellectual construction of an ear or an eye.  And an ear or eye does not send messages to create a brain that will grant it purpose ...nor can a brain construct an ear or an eye. Only by learning and duplicating, can our brains discover the ingenuity and knowhow needed to find the pathways to new things. 

Yes, the organ we know as a 'brain' is a mass of matter ...yet, the thing that matters the most is that there is something that makes each cell, each tissue, each organ, and each system all work together with every other cell of our body.  There is a thing called consciousness, which atoms themselves don't have ...yet, there is also a consciousness beyond our own consciousness, for so much to miraculously work without us even being conscious of it.  

Yes, beyond the unbelievable structure of any part of our magnificent 'being' (the eye, for instance, having approximately 6 million cone cells and 100 million rods) ...is an entirely different world, beyond our mere limited knowledge of things.  Though, in looking for new things, we should not ignore the overwhelming truth ...that there is often more than meets the eye, or what others encourage us to hear.}

{There are three things that most of us find uncomfortable: 

1. Anything we don't understand
2. Those things we can't explain
3. Whatever we can't control

We often don't understand God, we find difficulty explaining many things about Him, and we certainly are not in control.

We can understand more about Him by reading the Bible.

We can explain to others what we do understand ...what we've read in His Word.

We can be thankful that we who lack wisdom and understanding are not in control.

And with all there is in life that makes me feel uncomfortable, I find comfort in the love God has made known to me ...through His Son, Jesus.  And I hope that you can also come to know and accept that love.}