Acts Of God

"And the false prophet too!"

The final installment of James BeauSeigneur's trilogy is rich with tension and suspense. Rays of light are only temporal and the UN's relocation to Iraq brings similar hope.

I readily started this book, but was concerned with the direction of the story per the previous volume. If Acts of God didn't address those issues but only went further down that path I would have been reading some very well written, but heretical dissertations. Being a former proponent of heresy -a shout-out to the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society is given on pages 282-283- I could see how people unknowingly would take bits of truth with a lie, add water, stir, and take it all in. Fortunately, BeauSeigneur does not jeopardize God's Word with his fictional take on the Apocalypse.

The finale is outstanding especially with its conclusion, better than expected.

Presidential candidates on abortion

Views from a few presidential candidates.

John Edwards, at a recent event, "I will say to you that I respect your view. Nobody made me god about this, but because nobody made me god about it I don't believe it's right for government to tell women what to do."

"I support a woman's right to choose and believe this that right is constitutionally protected. I also support funding for family planning". Vote-Smart Presidential National Political Awareness TestJan 8, 2004

Barack Hussein Obama, "Abortions should be legally available in accordance with Roe v. Wade". 1998 IL State Legislative National Political Awareness Test Jul 2, 1998

Hillary Clinton, "I am and always have been pro-choice, and that is not a right any of should take for granted. There are a number of forces at work in our society that would try to turn back the clock and undermine a woman’s right to chose, and [we] must remain vigilant." New York Times, pg.A11 Jan 22, 2000

Rudy Giuliani, "Abortion is a very, very difficult issue of conscience for many, many people. In my case, I hate abortion. I would encourage someone to not take that option. When I was mayor of New York City, I encouraged adoptions. Adoptions went up 65%. Abortions went down 16%. I support the ban on partial-birth abortion. I support the Hyde amendment. But ultimately, I think when you come down to that choice, you have to respect a woman's right to make that choice differently than my conscience." 2007 GOP primary debate, at Reagan library, hosted by MSNBC May 3, 2007

Mitt Romney, "I've always been personally pro-life, but for me, it was a great question about whether or not government should intrude in that decision. And when I ran for office, I said I'd protect the law as it was, which is effectively a pro-choice position." 2007 GOP primary debate, at Reagan library, hosted by MSNBC May 3, 2007

Fred Thompson, "I think Roe v. Wade was bad law and bad medical science And the way to address that is through good judges. I don't think the court ought to wake up one day and make new social policy for the country. It's contrary to what it's been the past 200 years... That's what happened in this case [Roe v. Wade]. I think it was wrong." The Fred Factor, by Steve Gill, p.143-144 Jun 3, 2007

Sam Brownback, "I think it's a life issue clearly, and I am pro-life and I'm whole life. And one of the things I'm the proudest about our party is that we've stood for life. We've been a party that has stood for a culture of life, and it was in our platform in 1980 and it continues today. And with that respect, that's why I don't think we can nominate somebody that's not pro-life in this party because it is at our core." 2007 GOP debate at Saint Anselm College Jun 3, 2007

What is the choice in "pro-choice"? Choosing to terminate a baby's life? Thompson and Brownback are right on this issue (and perhaps Romney is authentic!).

The Iron Grip

The Watchtower's in-house publication "Our Kingdom Ministry" for September 2007 is revealing.

Our Kingdom Ministry September 2007 Question Box

Does "the faithful and discreet slave" endorse independent groups of Witnesses who meet together to engage in Scriptural research or debate?–Matt. 24:45, 47.

No, it does not. And yet, in various parts of the world, a few associates of our organization have formed groups to do independent research on Bible-related subjects. Some have pursued an independent group study of Biblical Hebrew and Greek so as to analyze the accuracy of the New World Translation. Others explore scientific subjects related to the Bible. They have created Web sites and chat rooms for the purpose of exchanging and debating their views. They have also held conferences and produced publications to present their findings and to supplement what is provided at our Christian meetings and through our literature.

Throughout the earth, Jehovah's people are receiving ample spiritual instruction and encouragement at congregation meetings, assemblies, and conventions, as well as through the publications of Jehovah's organization. Under the guidance of his holy spirit and on the basis of his Word of truth, Jehovah provides what is needed so that all of God's people may be "fitly united in the same mind and in the same line of thought" and remain "stabilized in the faith." (1 Cor. 1:10; Col. 2:6, 7) Surely we are grateful for Jehovah's spiritual provisions in these last days. Thus, "the faithful and discreet slave" does not endorse any literature, meetings, or Web sites that are not produced or organized under its oversight.–Matt. 24:45-47.

It is commendable for individuals to want to use their thinking ability in support of the good news. However, no personal pursuit should detract from what Jesus Christ is accomplishing through his congregation on earth today. In the first century, the apostle Paul warned about getting involved in exhausting, time-consuming subjects, such as "genealogies, which end up in nothing, but which furnish questions for research rather than a dispensing of anything by God in connection with faith." (1 Tim. 1:3-7) All Christians should strive to "shun foolish questionings and genealogies and strife and fights over the Law, for they are unprofitable and futile."–Titus 3:9.

For those who wish to do extra Bible study and research, we recommend that they explore Insight on the Scriptures, "All Scripture Is Inspired of God and Beneficial," and our other publications, such as those that discuss the prophecies found in the Bible books of Daniel, Isaiah, and Revelation. These provide abundant material for Bible study and meditation, whereby we can be "filled with the accurate knowledge of [God's] will in all wisdom and spiritual comprehension, in order to walk worthily of Jehovah to the end of fully pleasing him as [we] go on bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the accurate knowledge of God."–Col. 1:9, 10.

The Watchtower is losing control over its members and they are trying to impede that by preventing them a comprehensive study of God's Word. Only their publications are allowed and any additional research cannot even be discussed.

This is already on top of a recent letter from headquarters to the body of elders.

April 3, 2007

"The Kingdom Ministry School textbook emphasizes the importance of thorough preparation on the part of the study conductor. But this does not mean that he should introduce additional material from his own personal research and thus possibly overshadow what has already been published in the magazine. Extensive research has already been involved in producing the study article, and the points to be emphasized are those included in the paragraphs under consideration. When outside material is introduced, if often detracts from what "the faithful and discreet slave" has prepared for the congregation. (Matt. 24:45-47) The impression may be given that the additional information from the conductor's research is of equal or greater value. When not adhering strictly to the published information, the conductor may appear to be calling attention to himself and his personal research rather than focusing attention on the material set out in the study article.

Implying that a person seeking a fuller grasp is being puffed up is just a pretense. God gave us a mind to use and means to detect truth. The Bereans would not be welcome at the Kingdom Hall for they "received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so" (Acts 17:10-11).

1 Thes 5:21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

Creating Life From Scratch?

From AP's Seth Borenstein, Artificial life likely in 3 to 10 years.

Around the world, a handful of scientists are trying to create life from scratch
and they're getting closer.

Actually "creating" from what is already existing.

"Creating protocells has the potential to shed new light on our place in the universe," Bedau said. "This will remove one of the few fundamental mysteries about creation in the universe and our role."

Would it really? It would seem to highlight the need for a creator.

Bedau figures there are three major hurdles to creating synthetic life:

• A container, or membrane, for the cell to keep bad molecules out, allow good ones, and the ability to multiply.

• A genetic system that controls the functions of the cell, enabling it to reproduce and mutate in response to environmental changes.

• A metabolism that extracts raw materials from the environment as food and then changes it into energy.

Why not let random processes create life without intelligent interaction?

His idea is that once the container is made, if scientists add nucleotides in the right proportions, then Darwinian evolution could simply take over.

"We aren't smart enough to design things, we just let evolution do the hard work and then we figure out what happened," Szostak said.

Is blind, mindless darwinism better at design? I want to let it design a car for me. It should be easier since it is not a living organism.

Bedau said there are legitimate worries about creating life that could "run amok," but there are ways of addressing it, and it will be a very long time before that is a problem.

"When these things are created, they're going to be so weak, it'll be a huge achievement if you can keep them alive for an hour in the lab," he said. "But them getting out and taking over, never in our imagination could this happen."

Yet, under darwinian evolution, this is what supposedly happened. It brought a wide variety of life that was able to reproduce and eventually take over the planet and produce reading material such as this one.

First Time Donating Blood

I gave a pint of blood for the first time! I filled out the paperwork, then got my blood pressure, temperature, and pulse checked. The technician pricked my finger, bringing drops of blood and minor discomfort, to determine the iron level. All healthy, thank God, and it's time to proceed.

I had no idea that the needle was going to be that big. It may as well have been a potato peeler. When it was injected into my vein, a stream of blood spurted out, barely missing the aide's eye.

Twenty minutes later I was eating Nutter Butters and drinking apple juice. I hope someone, someday benefits from it.

A Jehovah's Witness may be shocked to hear that. True, the Watchtower forbids blood donations and transfusions. Does the Bible? Scripture reveals God commanded the nation of Israel:

Leviticus 7:26 And wherever you live, you must not eat the blood of any bird or animal. 27 If anyone eats blood, that person must be cut off from his people.

This is about eating animal blood. The verses directly before mention:

Leviticus 7:24 The fat of an animal found dead or torn by wild animals may be used for any other purpose, but you must not eat it. 25 Anyone who eats the fat of an animal from which an offering by fire may be made to the LORD must be cut off from his people.

This is a ceremonial law given to Israel. JW's most likely eat fat and they don't consider this breaking God's law. If they eat a steak they are also eating some animal blood.

Deuteronomy 14:21 Do not eat anything you find already dead. You may give it to an alien living in any of your towns, and he may eat it, or you may sell it to a foreigner. But you are a people holy to the LORD your God.

God had no problem with non-jews eating an unbled animal!

Acts 15:20 Instead we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood.

Acts 15:29 You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things. Farewell.

Acts 15 deals with the 'disturbance' that was caused by certain pharisees who wanted the male gentiles to be circumcised according to their tradition. Acts 15:19 describes the outcome, "It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God." The point was not to burden the converts beyond the following requirements: Abstaining from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality.

Certain things are absolute like sexual immorality ("flee" from it, 1 Cor 6:13), but what about food sacrificed to idols, blood, and meat of strangled animals? God inspired Paul to write in 1 Corinthians 8 that eating food sacrificed to idols is nothing at all, because there is no real power in idols and, besides, "food does not bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do."

1 Cor 10:31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

"I never thought I'd ever be this old"

"I never thought I'd ever be this old", the circuit overseer admitted to the audience at a recent circuit assembly. Looking at his hands, "I didn't think I'd have wrinkles or my hair would turn gray. I thought this present system of things would long have passed, but isn't it fine that many people have come into God's organization over the last decades?" Loud applause follows.

In one aspect this brother is correct. God allows people to come to repentance (not an organization). Now I realize how true those words are.

The elderly speaker has been a baptized member of the Jehovah's Witnesses since the 1960's. The older generations are still around, but their dreams may have been cut short in one way or another.

Did they literally never expect to reach old age? How about to further enhance their education, even for the "Kingdom"?

Awake! 1969 May 22 p.15 "If you are a young person, you also need to face the fact that you will never grow old in this present system of things. Why not? Because all the evidence in fulfillment of Bible prophecy indicates that this corrupt system is due to end in a few years. Of the generation that observed the beginning of the 'last days' in 1914, Jesus foretold:'This generation will by no means pass away until all these things occur.' Therefore, as a young person, you will never fulfill any career that this system offers."

The Society assured them they would never get old and there would be no need for advanced education since the End would be in a "few years". No college and retirement planning for them.

Kingdom Ministry, June 1969, p. 3 "Of course, there may be a tempting offer of higher education or of going into some field of work that promises material rewards. However, Jehovah God holds out to you young folks many marvelous privileges of service in his organization. Which will you decide to take up? In view of the short time left, a decision to pursue a career in this system of things is not only unwise but extremely dangerous. On the other hand, a decision to take advantage of what God offers through his organization opens up excellent opportunities for advancement as well as a rich, meaningful life that will never end"

"Many young brothers and sisters were offered scholarships or employment that promised fine pay. However, they turned them down and put spiritual interests first."

May, 1974 Our Kingdom Ministry "Reports are heard of brothers selling their homes and property and planning to finish out the rest of their days in this old system in the pioneer service. Certainly this is a fine way to spend the short time remaining before the wicked world's end."

This is only skimming the surface of their history. How disappointing it must be for those who put their faith in a deceitful organization. Why not put your faith and trust in He who is true?

Malachi 3:6 “For I am the Lord, I do not change."

Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

The Evolution of Evolution

The theory that homo sapiens descended from homo neanderthalensis has already been discarded. Now, a similar outcome between homo erectus and homo habilis has ocurred.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070808/ap_on_sc/human_evolution:

The discovery by Meave Leakey, a member of a famous family of paleontologists, shows that two species of early human ancestors lived at the same time in Kenya. That pokes holes in the chief theory of man's early evolution — that one of those species evolved from the other.

And it further discredits that iconic illustration of human evolution that begins with a knuckle-dragging ape and ends with a briefcase-carrying man.

The old theory is that the first and oldest species in our family tree, Homo habilis, evolved into Homo erectus, which then became human, Homo sapiens. But Leakey's find suggests those two earlier species lived side-by-side about 1.5 million years ago in parts of Kenya for at least half a million years. She and her research colleagues report the discovery in a paper published in Thursday's journal Nature.

Should I have been surprised to find the following comments?

Susan Anton, a New York University anthropologist and co-author of the Leakey work, said she expects anti-evolution proponents to seize on the new research, but said it would be a mistake to try to use the new work to show flaws in evolution theory.

"This is not questioning the idea at all of evolution; it is refining some of the specific points," Anton said. "This is a great example of what science does and religion doesn't do. It's a continous self-testing process."

Does that mean macroevolution must never questioned? Is "Evoluton" (from the Associated Press title) a word?

Birth of an Age

"Birth of an Age", the follow-up to "In His Image" by James BeauSeigneur, aggresively portrays the cataclysm upon the Earth. The mayhem includes cosmic debris under a macabre gravitational pull, radioactive showers, plagues, and madness.

BeauSeigneur provides better detail to his cast. One character from long ago is re-introduced and it looks like he is just visiting, only for the storyline to thrust fashionably forward.

There is an element which is unsettling. It was hinted at in the first volume, but if my estimation is correct, it will all be resolved in the final installment.

For now, all I can say is that it goes into a scientology-like territory. Even so, I eagerly await to see what the conclusion brings!

For unto Us a Child is born

For unto Us a Child is born

Unto Us a Son is given

And the government shall be upon His shoulder

And His name shall be called Wonderful Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
- Isaiah 9:6

Hear the music George Frideric Handel was so inspired to write for JESUS ALMIGHTY.

Robert Shaw conducts the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Chorus.

"Oh no, that's a christian coffeehouse!"

It was a saturday morning and our cargroup decided to take a short break from field service (door to door preaching). I saw a local cafe and asked if they wanted to go there.

"Oh no, that's a christian coffeehouse!"

And just who are we? It's funny now, but they were dead serious. So we drove to a secularized version of it (that's a neat attitude!).