True Beauty

My wife and I have been watching a new “reality” show called True Beauty. The contestants are very good-looking young people who think they are vying for the position of “most beautiful” based on physical appearance and how they perform various modeling-related activities. What the three judges are looking for is actually inner beauty, which is largely based on the contestants’ behavior when they don’t know they are being taped by hidden cameras. In judging inner beauty, the judges basically focus on the contestant’s integrity and how they treat other people. It is a simple, fairly predictable show, but I enjoy it and it actually has some redeeming value.

What I am learning from this show is aside from the obvious shallow, ego-centric, self promoting ugliness that is often found in people (physically beautiful or not), that everyone has some unattractive characteristics. I realize that most readers will respond to my last statement with something to the effect of “Duh!” What I am trying to articulate goes a little deeper. True beauty doesn’t come naturally. Ugliness comes easily and naturally. For non-believers, becoming beautiful requires will power, a willingness to make changes to bad thoughts, bad words, and bad actions. For believers, the Holy Spirit continually perfects us, if we pursue Godliness. We also have to exercise will power to make changes, but even the strongest will power is weak when compared to the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. I see much of my unattractiveness in the behavior of some of the contestants. This makes me see two truths to a greater depth than before:

1. I need to continually ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to me those areas in which I need improvement
2. I need to have more patience with people struggling with their own imperfections

On a funny note, I heard it once said that “Beauty is only skin deep, but ugly goes right to the bone.” That statement is intended to be humorous, but it hits on something which I believe is true. There is some ugliness beneath the surface of everyone, and a preponderance of ugliness will eventually make its way to the surface.

The photo is one of many that I have taken of our children. You can see more by visiting my very old website at the following link: http://www.geocities.com/TheTropics/Paradise/1368/index.html

Conundrum Continues

This post is to provide further information in response to comments made about my previous post, “Controversial Conundrum.” It is important to note that the conundrum I wrote about only applies to Bible believing Christians. It is also important to note that although I have picked scripture references to support the beliefs stated here, that true understanding does not come from a scripture here and there, but a thorough reading of the Bible and the interpreting ability provided by the Holy Spirit (John 14:17, Corinthians 2:11-14).

So, with that stated, here we go.

In reference to my observation from the Bible that God created the world and all life on it, that Adam and Eve brought sin into the world, that death is the result of sin, and therefore there was no death on earth before the first sin.

The comment, summarized:
Maybe the Bible was not meant to be interpreted literally, maybe it is full of metaphors.

My response:
The Bible does contain metaphors, however the beliefs that God created the world, Adam and Eve sinned, and sin brought death to the world are fundamental to the Christian Faith. These are literal Bible truths, not metaphors. The relation between sin and death, and the original sin, are the reasons that Jesus Christ had to die for payment of our sins. Here are the references related to these beliefs:

God created the world and everything in it: Genesis 1:1, Job 38:4-11, John 1:1-3, Exodus 20:11

Adam and Eve were real, literal people: Genesis 4:1-2, 1 Timothy 2:13-14

The first sin came through Adam and Eve: Genesis 3:1-20, Romans 5:12,1 Corinthians 15:21-22

Sin brought death to the world, and Jesus’ death was required to pay for it: Romans 5:12-15, James 1:15, Genesis 2:17, 1 Corinthians 15:21-22

In reference to my following two observations:
1) If one believes that God created the world and all things in it, then any science that does not support that is not revealing truth-so it is flawed science.
2) If one believes that sin and death entered through the first man, then it is not possible to also believe that many years of death led up to the development of man (as held by the general theory of evolution ).

The comment, verbatim:“And maybe God would not appreciate us focusing in on the Bible so exclusively that we discount logical conclusions about the world around us.”

My response:
God gave us brains, and there is nothing in the Bible that indicates we should not use them. The Bible does state we should seek wisdom, but that we have to be careful and not depend entirely on our own understanding. The Bible makes it clear that observation of nature should point to God as its creator, and that people that deny existence of God are not demonstrating wisdom. Here are the references related to these beliefs:

We should seek wisdom: Proverbs 3
We should not depend entirely on our own understanding: Proverbs 3:5
Observation of nature reveals God: Romans 1:18-20, Job 12:7-10
To deny existence of God is not wise: Psalm 14:1

The photo is of an interesting combination of footprints. From my very brief research it appears legitimate, but I want to dig into (pun intended) these types of findings more before finalizing any conclusions.

Controversial Conundrum

I don't usually use big words like "conundrum" but I thought it was appropriate for this post dealing with the situation where people find themselves with "an intricate and difficult problem."

The difficult and intricate problem I am speaking of is encountered when people who are Christians state that they believe in the general theory of evolution as the basis for the origin and development of life. The reason often stated for this belief is “because it is based on valid science.” Before going further, I must admit that I did not see a problem with God using evolution to create life, until I gave it some critical thought.

Before explaining why I believe this is a conundrum, I should explain what is meant by the phrase “general theory of evolution.”

The general theory of evolution holds that our earth and all life on it was created by gradual changes, beginning with non-living matter and leading to the diverse system of life that we see on earth today. The transformation of non-living matter to living organisms and the subsequent gradual changes were driven by a combination of random, undirected activity, mutations and natural selection. This theory holds that there is no evidence that a creator (intelligent life form) directed the origin and development of life on earth.

Why do I believe this is a conundrum? There are two primary reasons.

First, if one is a Christian, then they believe in the God described in the Holy Bible, and that the Holy Bible is divinely inspired-that everything in the Holy Bible is true. Christians must believe that God created earth, plants, animals, and people because it is clearly stated in the Holy Bible.

Valid science involves using the scientific process. The scientific process in its purest form eliminates subjectivity. It uses objective data to prove or disprove the validity of a concept (hypothesis). Valid science reveals truth. Any scientific theory that does not reveal truth is flawed, it is not valid science.

So, if one believes that God (a creator, an intelligent life form) created the earth and all living things, that means they consider it to be a truth. The general theory of evolution does not indicate creation of life by a creator. Since this theory clearly does not indicate what Christians hold to be true, can a Christian consider the general theory of evolution to be true, or consider it to be based on valid science?

Second, according to the Holy Bible, death was introduced by sin. Therefore before sin was committed on earth, there was no death on earth. Adam and Eve committed the first sin at some point after their creation, and therefore after the creation of all living things on earth. The general theory of evolution depends on natural selection. Natural selection is the survival of the fittest, and the death of the least fit. Death had to occur for many years prior to the first sin being committed on earth for the general theory of evolution to be true. Can a Christian believe that the general theory of evolution is true when it contradicts what the Holy Bible states concerning the original sin, and the relationship between sin and death?

Sowing, Destiny

Here some quick food for thought. I don't believe in the "Power of Positive Thinking" in that my positive thoughts have some form of power to transform the physical world around me. I have had people respond to one of my pessimistic comments say something to the effect of "words are powerful, by saying something (negative) you may make it happen." Well, that is not exactly true, but thoughts and words are powerful in that they affect people. For example, I can sit in my office thinking that my client will give me a cherry project in Australia and it won't increase the chances of that happening. But, if thoughts of working in Australia are on my mind, and while having conversations with my client I bring up my interest in it, that will increase the chances of it happening-provided the client has such an opportunity available.

I think this quote from today's commentary from Greg Laurie accurately sums it up:
"Sow a thought, reap an act; sow an act, reap a habit; sow a habit, reap a character; sow a character, reap a destiny."

So, I must be careful with which thoughts I sow because it does, through a long chain of events, have the potential to shape my destiny.

Infected

"You may be infected" is the subject of many junk emails I receive trying to sell me anti-virus software for my computer. For some reason when I saw one of those while clearing out my junk email, it took on a new meaning to me. I think it is true that I am infected. I'm talking about me, not my computer. I have anti-virus software on my computer that seems to work well. It keeps out the malicious programs that can potentially cause my computer to malfunction, or even crash.

Unfortunately, I am not so sure that my own personal anti-virus protection is all that good. I am exposed all day to malicious material that can infect my mind and cause all types of malfunctions, even to the point of physical malfunctions. I am exposed to false teaching, false promises, mis-representations, dysfunctional behaviour, etc. Some of these things I am exposed to just in the normal daily activities that I must perform to exist and contribute to this world. Others I expose myself to due to my own lack of self-control. For example, I've seen a few movies that contain material that contain profanity, blasphemy and glorify dysfunctional behavior. I don't need to see those.

The point is, I was very clearly infected, as I realized when I read the book Battlefield of the Mind, by Joyce Meyer. I was letting my mind focus on many harmful and false thoughts. It was poisoning me, and had been for many years. There were many sources of these thoughts, and those sources still exist. Some I can avoid, others I can not. So, how do I install and continually update my anti-virus protection so these infections don't take hold and make me malfunction? The answer for me is to memorize truths that are stated in the Holy Bible. These truths turn on the light, and cause the darkness of lies to disappear. I have to live in this world, but I must be careful that I don't become infected, then conformed to this world. I have to constantly renew my mind with God's truth, as it is articulated in the Holy Bible. Romans 12:2 makes this point fairly clear to me.

For an example, if someone does me an injustice, or they treat me in an evil manner, one of the first series of thoughts that grind through my mind is "how do I rectify this, do I get revenge to prevent this from happening again? Do I just let it go and try to pretend it doesn't matter?" These thoughts can grind on and on causing stress about the indecision about what to do, or not do.

Here is what the Bible says to not do:
Don't pay back evil for evil (Romans 12:17, 1 Thess 5:15)
Don't take revenge, God will do that (Romans 12:19, 1 Thess 4:6)
Here is what the Bible says to do:
Show love, pray for the person who mis-treated me (Matt 5:44, Romans 12:20)

So, with those truths firmly in my mind, every time thoughts of revenge or seeking justice start darkening my mind, I just turn on the light of these truths. The indecision, the concern over "what to do", and the related stress dissappears because I know I am following God's will and that He has the job of righting wrongs. I know it sounds so obvious, maybe I am just slow to learn, but actually putting this to practice every minute of every day is not natural for me. I get opportunities for infection almost every minute of every day, so I need 24/7 protection. As I memorize more truths (update my anti-virus database) and monitor everything I am seeing/hearing/thinking/feeling and evaluate it against the truth (enable real-time virus protection) I am finding that my mental state is steadily improving, and my ability to function is steadily improving.

I guess I should take a few hours (or days) to do a thorough scan and delete any malware that is detected. Maybe that is a good way for me to spend January 1, 2009.

Luck or Intelligent Design ?

As my friend and co-worker drove us from his facility to the restaurant he said to me "It was lucky that I had the 10 x 69 I-beams in my yard so I could build the test frame for you quickly." What he was referring to was the test frame we will use to load test a winch, winch support, and sheave support system that I had designed-before sending it to the rig. I had shown him the drawings while I was at his facility, and he had it built within about 8 hours. I had designed the test frame, the winch support and sheave support systems. My response to him was "Luck?, it was not by luck that you had the beams. You see, I knew you had to buy an I-beam about 40 feet long to make the sheave support. Since the sheave support only used a few feet of the beam, I designed the test frame to use the remainder of the beam. It wasn't luck, it was by design." The fact is, I used many common parts, plates, I-beams, and tube, to design all these parts so they shared common materials.

So, I pose a question to the reader. If you observe common features among various different machines, or various different life forms (very sophisticated machines, to say the least), what conclusion would you draw based on all your knowledge gathered from all your observations over all your lifetime? Would you assume it was due to luck, common descent, or intelligent design?

The ugly photograph is a shot of the rack drive and trolley assembly for one of the cranes I designed. These are being used on a oil drilling rig off the coast of Thailand.

Tapioca Development

This post is just a compilation of random observations and thoughts, with no cohesive theme, and no particular purpose. I hope you don't find reading it to be a complete waste of your time. Each observation or thought has it own title.

THE FISH IS BACK

I went to breakfast at the hotel the morning after leaving the rig. I turned the corner at the end of the buffet and saw...little tiny dried fish. Hallelujah!, they brought back the fish and got rid of the red cubes! I decided to be indulgent and have two bowls of my favorite rice/fish/chili pepper/soy combination. What a treat. I guess the waitstaff had grown tired of watching people spit their half-chewed red cubes onto their plates.

TAPIOCA DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

I saw a large industrial building with a sign on it which read "Tapioca Development Corporation." It made me think, just how much can tapioca be "developed?" I understand how business plans are developed, I understand how car designs are developed, I understand that organizations of people develop, but tapioca? I thought you just made pudding and, ate it. Not much development. Later that day I saw a billboard that read "tapioca, the magical plant." So, there must be something to this tapioca, something that I am just ignorant about. I will have to look into this to see what drives this interest in tapioca.

SLURP SPOON

The Thai people don't typically use chop sticks, they use knives, forks and spoons. But, they use a specially designed spoon for soup. The spoon is made of ceramic. It is uniquely shaped in a manner that ensures that you will produce a slurp sound with every bite. I am not kidding, I have yet to figure out how to eat soup quietly using one of the spoons. The only way I can imagine using one of these quietly would be to tilt my head way back and just use the spoon to simply pour it into my mouth. I have not tried this, I don't want to look like a complete goofball in a restaurant full of people.

BAD BABY PIE

If you want to laugh hard at some quirky humor, see the movie "Waitress."

STRESS DREAMS

I periodically have stress dreams. They fall into three categories:
1. I'm back in school
2. I can't effectively write my name and phone number, or
3. I can't find a suitable place to use the restroom

I won't go into painstaking detail here, but will just provide an example or two of dreams in each category.
I'm back in school, I can't find the classroom and I am running late for a test. I find the room, then realize I forgot to study for the test, and on top of it all, I notice that I'm only wearing boxer shorts!
I'm trying to write down my contact information for a client, or someone else important. We are in a hurry, maybe having to catch a plane or something of that nature. No matter how many times I try, I can't write my name and number. Sometimes the paper is too small, sometimes it tears, sometimes the ink from the pen flows out and blurs the writing rendering it illegible. Time is running out and the frustration builds as I try over and over to write my name and number.
I'm at a friend's house, or maybe at a client's office and I have to use the restroom, very badly. I can't find a suitable restroom for the longest time. When I find the restroom and begin to relieve myself, I discover that it really isn't a suitable restroom and all. Sometimes I realize that the "toilet" is actually a flower pot, or maybe just a small drain on the floor. One time, I realized that I was having to aim into those little plastic holders used for storing contact lenses!
Upon reflection on these dreams, I believe that I might be a little bit insane.

TOWEL ART

The photograph is of a towel that I discovered upon checking into my hotel room. I have not seen one of these since we went on a cruise several years back. I think they are pretty cool.