A1689-zD1

Scientists with the aid of the  Hubble Telescope have discovered a galaxy which they named A1689-zD1.  They believe A1689-zD1 to be one of the first galaxies.  This galaxy is 13 billion light years away.   A light year is how far light travels in 365 days.  A light year equals 5.8 trillion miles.  What this means is, galaxy A1689-zD1 is 13 billion times 5.8 trillions miles away.  A number so big we can’t even get our minds around.  Now, according to some scientists the universe is approximately 13.7 billion years old.   What does  all this mean?  It means the light from galaxy A1689-zD1 has spent all of time itself getting to us.  FEELING KINDA SMALL?

Think of this-if there were no God,  we would be lost in the cosmos.  A product of chance, insignificant, without meaning or purpose.   But,  GOD IS!  The beauty and the enormity of the universe declare it.  "The heavens (A1689-zD1) declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands."   Psalm 19:1

How do we fit in?  Jesus said, "Are not two sparrows sold for a penny?  And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from YOUR father.   But even the hairs of your head are all numbered.  Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than any sparrows."

Isn't is staggering to think that God can manage galaxy A1689-zD1 and billions like it and still have the energy and time for what is small.  God has time for us.  He has time even for each hair on our heads.

Fight

Willpower, scary negative arguments or threats-even from Jesus  won't work to fight sin. We need to replace sexual sin with longings for what is actually beautiful. A few years ago, John Piper wrote some strategies for fighting sin in our minds. They are an acronym, ANTHEM. Here is a summary:

A - Avoid temptation as much as is reasonably possible.

N - Say NO to every lustful thought within five seconds.

T - Turn your mind forcefully toward Christ as a superior satisfaction.

H - Hold the promises and pleasure of Christ firmly in your mind until they push out the other images and ideas.

E - Enjoy Jesus. Sin cannot keep its appeal when it is compared to the pleasure of knowing Christ.

M - Move into a useful activity away from idleness and other vulnerable behaviors.

Read the whole article HERE

John Piper

No one person has shaped my life like John Piper. I've read just about everything he has written. I quote him more than anyone else on Sunday Mornings. I respect his life and ministry greatly. But, I have to admit I got a huge kick out of a YouTube video that is floating around that pokes a little fun at him. I think he even got a hoot out of it. Check it out below!

Expelled

"Expelled:  No Intelligence Allowed"  is a controversial independent film hosted by Ben Stein, which promotes intelligent design.  (Intelligent Design asserts that because of the complexity of the universe and other livings things that an intelligent designer best explains why things are, and not some undirected process such as natural selection).    Lor and I watched the film recently and give it an enthusiastic four thumbs up.  I did not know what to expect,  and was somewhat skeptical considering my bent toward the action adventure genre and not documentaries. 

The film makes considerable use of vintage film clips to convey it's message and Stein provides narrative for the film.  Throughout the film Stein visits a sequence of universities to question scientists and professors on both sides of the debate between evolution and creation.  The film makes it very clear their is a widespread persecution of educators and scientists who promote intelligent design, and a conspiracy to keep God out of the nations laboratories and classrooms

Stein says this, "It's not just the scientists who are in on it. The media is in on it, the courts, the educational system, everyone is after them."

After watching  the film I couldn't help feeling frustrated.   Stein and so many others (myself included) just want intelligent design a hearing at the table.  Let both sides make their case and then go where the evidence leads.    What are the evolutionists afraid of?  What ever happened to the freedom to express ideas?    Watch the movie and you decide.  If nothing else I promise it is 2 hours of engaging entertainment. 

Ben Stein RC Sproul Interview

j1724

Few verses in the bible have altered the course of my life like John 17:24.  This verse answers life's most important question.   WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF MY LIFE?    

"Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world (Jn 17:24).

There it is!  What life is about!  You and I exist to see the glory of Christ.  In other words we are meant to see, savor and spread Jesus  infinite worth and value.   All meaning and purpose is wrapped up in those 4 simple words.    You see, God the Father has delighted in Jesus the son for all eternity (John 14:26),  and  now, you and I are meant to share the same inexhaustible pleasure in the son, that the father has.   If you miss this,  you've  missed the point of life.

Those 4 words literally turned my life around.   The mind-blowing reality of Christianity is this:  Jesus died to save sinners AND to give us eyes to see.  For God who said, "Let light shine out of darkness, "  made his light shine on our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.   Following Christ is a journey to know, enjoy, and  treasure that which is most enjoyable-namely Jesus.