Successful gardening depends on good soil, and one of the best ways to improve soil quality is to add organic material (dead and decaying matter). Basically, dead dirt is good dirt.
The Bible says that good soil will produce crops that are thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times what was sown (Mark 4:8). Well, I don’t know about you, but I want my life to be fertile soil that the Lord can use. I want those things that I sow into the Kingdom of God (whether it be one hour or one dollar) to be multiplied a hundred fold. If it all starts with good dirt, then spiritually speaking, how do we know whether we have it -- and if not, how do we get some?
Typically in the natural world, finding a dead body buried in dirt requires forensic techniques such as cadaver-sniffing dogs or ground-penetrating sonar. However, a new technique developed by scientists at the National Institute of Standards and Technology just made the search easier. These scientists have created a simple probe that can be inserted into the ground to find decaying flesh by detecting chemical changes in the dirt.
In the spiritual world, soil is symbolic of our lives. Good soil stands for a noble and good heart, for one who hears the word and retains it (Luke 8:15). However, just like in the natural world, the more death in our dirt, the more fertile it is. The quality of our soil can be tested by using techniques similar to those used by forensic scientists:
1. By Smell: Our lifestyle should be full of praise and worship-- a sacrifice to God. The aroma of it is pleasing to Him (Gen 8:21). How do we smell?
2. By Sound: We are not to let any unwholesome talk come out of our mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs (Eph 4:29). How do we sound?
3. By Changes: We are not to be conformed any longer to the pattern of this world, but to be transformed by the renewing of our mind (Rom 12:2). Can changes be detected in us?
If we test our soil and find that it isn’t good, then we need to add some death to it. The Bible says to count ourselves dead to sin but alive in Christ (Rom 6:11). We can improve our dirt by putting to death the misdeeds of our body and our earthly nature such as sexual immorality, impurity, lust, greed, and idolatry (Rom 8:13, Col 3:5). We must die to sin, live in Christ, grow in the knowledge of God, and bear fruit of the Holy Spirit.
Friday, September 10, 2010
Monday, August 23, 2010
A Hunting He Will Go
Bats emit an ultrasonic call and then locate their prey by the echoes they hear in return. While many moths can hear this call and skirt an attack, there is one species of bat they don’t often escape. The barbastelle bat is a very successful hunter that consumes large numbers of moths daily. Until recently, many researchers assumed that these moths were earless and thus unable to hear their enemy approaching. As it turns out, though, the barbastelle preys almost exclusively on moths that have ears.
A team of researchers uncovered the secret of barbastelle's success. This bat uses a sneaky hunting strategy to catch its prey–it whispers. Whereas moths can detect other bats more than 30 meters away, the barbastelle can get as close as 3.5 meters to the moth without being detected. By whispering, the bat can hear the echo from an unsuspecting moth before it even becomes aware of its hunter.
Our enemy uses this technique on us too. He especially seeks those with ears to hear his rhetoric. Listen how our adversary tried to consume Job by whispering lies that God didn’t care about him (Job 4): "A word was secretly brought to me; my ears caught a whisper of it. A spirit glided past my face, and the hair on my body stood on end. I heard a hushed voice: If God places no trust in his servants, if he charges his angels with error, how much more those who live in houses of clay, who are crushed more readily than a moth! Between dawn and dusk they are broken to pieces; unnoticed, they perish forever."
Sometimes as Christians, we put on our armor and stand with our hands on our hips; we dare the enemy speak death over us. And as we proudly stand there with our fists in the air, rebuking his calls, and evading his obvious attacks, we fall prey to the whispers. The Bible says that all of our enemies whisper together against us; they imagine the worst for us (Psa 41:7-8).
So what are we to do in these times when we’re standing firm yet being hunted by the enemy? We listen for another voice. Whether we turn to the right or left, our ears will hear a voice behind us saying, "This is the way; walk in it." (Is 30:21) And as we walk with God, let the only echo the enemy hears be the Holy Spirit resonating in our lives.
A team of researchers uncovered the secret of barbastelle's success. This bat uses a sneaky hunting strategy to catch its prey–it whispers. Whereas moths can detect other bats more than 30 meters away, the barbastelle can get as close as 3.5 meters to the moth without being detected. By whispering, the bat can hear the echo from an unsuspecting moth before it even becomes aware of its hunter.
Our enemy uses this technique on us too. He especially seeks those with ears to hear his rhetoric. Listen how our adversary tried to consume Job by whispering lies that God didn’t care about him (Job 4): "A word was secretly brought to me; my ears caught a whisper of it. A spirit glided past my face, and the hair on my body stood on end. I heard a hushed voice: If God places no trust in his servants, if he charges his angels with error, how much more those who live in houses of clay, who are crushed more readily than a moth! Between dawn and dusk they are broken to pieces; unnoticed, they perish forever."
Sometimes as Christians, we put on our armor and stand with our hands on our hips; we dare the enemy speak death over us. And as we proudly stand there with our fists in the air, rebuking his calls, and evading his obvious attacks, we fall prey to the whispers. The Bible says that all of our enemies whisper together against us; they imagine the worst for us (Psa 41:7-8).
So what are we to do in these times when we’re standing firm yet being hunted by the enemy? We listen for another voice. Whether we turn to the right or left, our ears will hear a voice behind us saying, "This is the way; walk in it." (Is 30:21) And as we walk with God, let the only echo the enemy hears be the Holy Spirit resonating in our lives.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Fishing in the Dark
Psychoactive drugs include antidepressants, anti-anxiety drugs, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, and painkillers. Abuse of these drugs continues to increase, and as a result, the drugs excreted in urine and feces are making their way through waste water and into our rivers and estuaries. This drug migration into our coastal areas is causing shrimp and other marine life to become drug users too.
A recent study investigated changes in shrimp behavior when they were exposed to various psychoactive drugs at the same levels found in waste water. The results of the study were astounding and showed that shrimp behavior was dramatically affected. In fact, the shrimp were five times more likely to swim toward light following exposure to the drug. According to these findings, drugs make shrimp swim toward light, thus making them more likely to be eaten by fish or birds.
The Bible tells us that Jesus is the light of the world. He said that whoever follows Him will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life (John 8:12). In addition, the Bible often uses the sea to represent humanity. Jesus was using this symbolism when He said, “Come follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matt 4:19) We know that there are people lost in a sea of darkness. So, how can we as Christian use this information in conjunction with the research?
Just like the intoxicated shrimp who swim toward the light, drug abusers seek a seemingly lighter life that’s free of cares, and this make them more likely to be swallowed up by death. Every day, folks are drowning in the sea of humanity; they are being poisoned by toxic waste waters. We need to give these people something other than drugs – something that will draw them to Jesus instead of death. We need to turn on His light in us and fish them out of their darkness.
A recent study investigated changes in shrimp behavior when they were exposed to various psychoactive drugs at the same levels found in waste water. The results of the study were astounding and showed that shrimp behavior was dramatically affected. In fact, the shrimp were five times more likely to swim toward light following exposure to the drug. According to these findings, drugs make shrimp swim toward light, thus making them more likely to be eaten by fish or birds.
The Bible tells us that Jesus is the light of the world. He said that whoever follows Him will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life (John 8:12). In addition, the Bible often uses the sea to represent humanity. Jesus was using this symbolism when He said, “Come follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matt 4:19) We know that there are people lost in a sea of darkness. So, how can we as Christian use this information in conjunction with the research?
Just like the intoxicated shrimp who swim toward the light, drug abusers seek a seemingly lighter life that’s free of cares, and this make them more likely to be swallowed up by death. Every day, folks are drowning in the sea of humanity; they are being poisoned by toxic waste waters. We need to give these people something other than drugs – something that will draw them to Jesus instead of death. We need to turn on His light in us and fish them out of their darkness.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Monkey See, Monkey Say
Humans are imitators, whether they know it or not. We unintentionally mimic other folks, especially in terms of mannerisms, facial expressions, and speech (including voice inflections, talking speed, and style).
Researchers at the University of California recently investigated this unintentional imitation. They instructed a group of normal hearing individuals with no formal lip-reading experience to watch a silent video of someone speaking a list of words. After each word, the test subjects were to identify that word by saying it out loud clearly and quickly. They were never asked to imitate the silent person on the video. The researchers found that when people say aloud what they’ve lip read, their speech sounds like that of the talker. In fact, the words spoken by the test subjects sounded more like the lip-read words of the talker (whom was never heard and only seen) as compared with the words the subjects spoke when simply reading from a list.
While this interesting research will help to shed light on speech recognition, there is a deeper, more fundamental principle to be gleaned here. Basically, we sound like those around us act —and— they sound like we act.
Think about it. For example, if we are surrounded by people who act crabby and irritable, does our language sound upbeat and happy? Probably not. Chances are we sound more like them. We are mimickers by nature.
So, every now and then we all need a good sound check. We need to stop and ask ourselves what do I sound like and what do those around me sound like. If we don’t enjoy what we hear, then either we’re acting bad and causing others to mimic us by grumbling, or we’re mimicking the actions of other cranky folks with our speech. Either possibility requires us to refocus our attention.
The Bible warns us to not imitate the detestable ways of others (Deut 18:9). Instead, we are to remember our leaders who speak the word of God to us and imitate their faith (Heb 13:7). Ultimately, we should imitate the ways of Jesus so that when others watch and mimic us, they sound pleasing to the Lord.
Researchers at the University of California recently investigated this unintentional imitation. They instructed a group of normal hearing individuals with no formal lip-reading experience to watch a silent video of someone speaking a list of words. After each word, the test subjects were to identify that word by saying it out loud clearly and quickly. They were never asked to imitate the silent person on the video. The researchers found that when people say aloud what they’ve lip read, their speech sounds like that of the talker. In fact, the words spoken by the test subjects sounded more like the lip-read words of the talker (whom was never heard and only seen) as compared with the words the subjects spoke when simply reading from a list.
While this interesting research will help to shed light on speech recognition, there is a deeper, more fundamental principle to be gleaned here. Basically, we sound like those around us act —and— they sound like we act.
Think about it. For example, if we are surrounded by people who act crabby and irritable, does our language sound upbeat and happy? Probably not. Chances are we sound more like them. We are mimickers by nature.
So, every now and then we all need a good sound check. We need to stop and ask ourselves what do I sound like and what do those around me sound like. If we don’t enjoy what we hear, then either we’re acting bad and causing others to mimic us by grumbling, or we’re mimicking the actions of other cranky folks with our speech. Either possibility requires us to refocus our attention.
The Bible warns us to not imitate the detestable ways of others (Deut 18:9). Instead, we are to remember our leaders who speak the word of God to us and imitate their faith (Heb 13:7). Ultimately, we should imitate the ways of Jesus so that when others watch and mimic us, they sound pleasing to the Lord.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Quiet Eye
Expert golfers use a technique called the Quiet Eye. They line up the putt using quick, alternating fixations between the ball and the hole. Then right before and during the stroke, they hold a steady gaze on the back of the ball for around 2 to 3 seconds. After putting the ball, the golfer continues to hold his eyes steady for a further half a second.
To assess the benefits of the Quiet Eye technique, researchers recently measured the putting performance of a group of golfers before and after learning the procedure. The golfers realized an immediate improvement in their putting accuracy; they sank 6% more of their putts and reduced their average number of putts by two per round.
The Quiet Eye technique is effective because it allows the golfer to notice only the necessary visual information required to make the shot. It also benefits novice golfers by improving their learning speed and helping them to maintain performance under pressure.
Well, I admit–I’m not a golfer. In fact, I’ve never played. However, I can see multiple uses for this Quiet Eye technique.
The Bible says that a discerning man keeps wisdom in view, but a fool's eyes wander to the ends of the earth (Pro 17:24 NIV). In other words, keep your eye on the ball.
So many times we find ourselves in the same situation over and over again. We putt all around an important decision, never quite nailing the shot. Perhaps if we would use this Quiet Eye technique and focus on what is really important, we’d be able to sink the putt and decrease the number of bad attempts to get through the situation. By using this technique regularly, we could get out of messes more quickly and operate better when under pressure.
Golf training isn’t just for athletes; it can work for us too. The Bible says that everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever (1 Chron 9:25 NIV).
To assess the benefits of the Quiet Eye technique, researchers recently measured the putting performance of a group of golfers before and after learning the procedure. The golfers realized an immediate improvement in their putting accuracy; they sank 6% more of their putts and reduced their average number of putts by two per round.
The Quiet Eye technique is effective because it allows the golfer to notice only the necessary visual information required to make the shot. It also benefits novice golfers by improving their learning speed and helping them to maintain performance under pressure.
Well, I admit–I’m not a golfer. In fact, I’ve never played. However, I can see multiple uses for this Quiet Eye technique.
The Bible says that a discerning man keeps wisdom in view, but a fool's eyes wander to the ends of the earth (Pro 17:24 NIV). In other words, keep your eye on the ball.
So many times we find ourselves in the same situation over and over again. We putt all around an important decision, never quite nailing the shot. Perhaps if we would use this Quiet Eye technique and focus on what is really important, we’d be able to sink the putt and decrease the number of bad attempts to get through the situation. By using this technique regularly, we could get out of messes more quickly and operate better when under pressure.
Golf training isn’t just for athletes; it can work for us too. The Bible says that everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever (1 Chron 9:25 NIV).
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Christian Accents
In general, when we listen to people talk, we know where they come from. For example, people from London, New Jersey, or Tennessee are easily identified by their accents. Even those of royalty have distinct ones.
Different accents evoke different sentiments. Researchers at the University of Chicago recently published their findings on a study about accents and the influence they have on the perception of the speaker. The results indicated that a foreign accent undermines a person's credibility. Because an accent makes a person harder to understand, listeners are less likely to rate the speaker’s words as truthful. This credibility problem increases with the thickness of the accent.
The fact is--we all have an accent and whether we can hear it or not, other folks can. As Christians, what do we sound like? The words born again, spirit-filled, and washed in the blood are like a foreign accent to non-Christians who are unfamiliar with church vocabulary. If this scientific study is correct, then when we sound churchy, we lose our credibility.
So, how can we sound like a Christian without coming across as unbelievable or untrustworthy? Instead of trying to sound like a church-goer, we should spend more time sounding like a redeemed child of the King. People need to hear in our voices the hope that we have in Christ. When they listen to us speak, they should know that we come from the family of God.
Different accents evoke different sentiments. Researchers at the University of Chicago recently published their findings on a study about accents and the influence they have on the perception of the speaker. The results indicated that a foreign accent undermines a person's credibility. Because an accent makes a person harder to understand, listeners are less likely to rate the speaker’s words as truthful. This credibility problem increases with the thickness of the accent.
The fact is--we all have an accent and whether we can hear it or not, other folks can. As Christians, what do we sound like? The words born again, spirit-filled, and washed in the blood are like a foreign accent to non-Christians who are unfamiliar with church vocabulary. If this scientific study is correct, then when we sound churchy, we lose our credibility.
So, how can we sound like a Christian without coming across as unbelievable or untrustworthy? Instead of trying to sound like a church-goer, we should spend more time sounding like a redeemed child of the King. People need to hear in our voices the hope that we have in Christ. When they listen to us speak, they should know that we come from the family of God.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Sleep vs. Eat
What are two things our bodies can’t live without? Sleeping and eating.
You may not realize it, but these survival behaviors work in concert. Starvation suppresses sleep, whereas sleep deprivation promotes feeding. Physical laws and observations can be translated to basic spiritual premises. For example, let’s use this observation about survival behaviors and apply it spiritually.
When we are low on food (ie, manna, bread, Word of God), we tend to lack sleep (ie, peace, rest, etc). Meaning, when we don’t get enough of the Word, we have more trouble finding peace in our lives. However, when we are low on sleep (ie, peace, rest, etc), we seek food (ie, manna, bread, Word of God). In other words, when the trials of the world come crashing down on us, we tend to read our Bibles, pray more, and seek God
These survival behaviors create balance in our lives. Everyone knows that it’s unhealthy to eat or sleep all day. Too much peace and rest in our lives can lead to ideas of complacency, self-sufficiency, and slothfulness. Likewise, being fat with knowledge, yet without experiencing the peace of God, has consequences. The Bible says that knowledge will mislead you when you say to yourself, “I am, and there is none besides me” (Is 47:10).
As we know, the Bible has instructions and answers for everything including balance in this sleep-vs-eat system. In Pro 19:15, we are told that an idle soul shall suffer hunger. Furthermore, in Pro 20:13 we are instructed to not love sleep or we will grow poor, and to stay awake so that we will have food to spare. While it’s evident that we need sleep and food to survive physically and spiritually, it takes a balance of them to live.
You may not realize it, but these survival behaviors work in concert. Starvation suppresses sleep, whereas sleep deprivation promotes feeding. Physical laws and observations can be translated to basic spiritual premises. For example, let’s use this observation about survival behaviors and apply it spiritually.
When we are low on food (ie, manna, bread, Word of God), we tend to lack sleep (ie, peace, rest, etc). Meaning, when we don’t get enough of the Word, we have more trouble finding peace in our lives. However, when we are low on sleep (ie, peace, rest, etc), we seek food (ie, manna, bread, Word of God). In other words, when the trials of the world come crashing down on us, we tend to read our Bibles, pray more, and seek God
These survival behaviors create balance in our lives. Everyone knows that it’s unhealthy to eat or sleep all day. Too much peace and rest in our lives can lead to ideas of complacency, self-sufficiency, and slothfulness. Likewise, being fat with knowledge, yet without experiencing the peace of God, has consequences. The Bible says that knowledge will mislead you when you say to yourself, “I am, and there is none besides me” (Is 47:10).
As we know, the Bible has instructions and answers for everything including balance in this sleep-vs-eat system. In Pro 19:15, we are told that an idle soul shall suffer hunger. Furthermore, in Pro 20:13 we are instructed to not love sleep or we will grow poor, and to stay awake so that we will have food to spare. While it’s evident that we need sleep and food to survive physically and spiritually, it takes a balance of them to live.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Prime Time
Prime numbers are numbers that are only divisible by themselves and one. For example: 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, and so on. Until around the 1970s, prime numbers were thought to have extremely limited use outside of theory of mathematics. This general opinion changed when the concepts of cryptography (use of secret codes) started to explode in banking and Internet.
Although mathematicians have known about prime numbers for thousands of years, they have yet to discover a mathematical formula that can predict the next prime number in a sequence. This is why this number system is so useful in banking and high security–it can’t be cracked, not even by the smartest or fastest supercomputers.
Needless to say, we are becoming increasingly dependent on this number system. Just imagine how many aspects of your life hinge on secure computer transactions: banking, social security, licenses, credit history, passport and other identity data, etc. Remember the 1995 movie, The Net?
Could you imagine the power that a person would have over the world if he were able to solve this formula and be able to crack security codes? He would control all technology, money, and subsequently nations. Know anyone who would want this power? Let me give you a hint: And he was given authority over every tribe, people, language, and nation. He also forced everyone to receive a mark, so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark (Rev 13:7&16-17 NIV).
Yes, we all know that the Antichrist and his regime will come to power in the last days. But do we realize how close we are to that time?
Just this past May, an important breakthrough regarding the theory of prime numbers was announced. The discovery is highly groundbreaking and will pave the way to solving the infamous prime number formula. When this number system is solved, digital security will never be the same and our digital lives will be at the mercy of few.
Sounds like it’s prime time to me.
Although mathematicians have known about prime numbers for thousands of years, they have yet to discover a mathematical formula that can predict the next prime number in a sequence. This is why this number system is so useful in banking and high security–it can’t be cracked, not even by the smartest or fastest supercomputers.
Needless to say, we are becoming increasingly dependent on this number system. Just imagine how many aspects of your life hinge on secure computer transactions: banking, social security, licenses, credit history, passport and other identity data, etc. Remember the 1995 movie, The Net?
Could you imagine the power that a person would have over the world if he were able to solve this formula and be able to crack security codes? He would control all technology, money, and subsequently nations. Know anyone who would want this power? Let me give you a hint: And he was given authority over every tribe, people, language, and nation. He also forced everyone to receive a mark, so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark (Rev 13:7&16-17 NIV).
Yes, we all know that the Antichrist and his regime will come to power in the last days. But do we realize how close we are to that time?
Just this past May, an important breakthrough regarding the theory of prime numbers was announced. The discovery is highly groundbreaking and will pave the way to solving the infamous prime number formula. When this number system is solved, digital security will never be the same and our digital lives will be at the mercy of few.
Sounds like it’s prime time to me.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
SKIN DISEASE
What is sin? It’s a skin disease. Well hello--what does that mean?
When we walk in the flesh (according to our feelings and emotions) we are prone to feed our desires and find ways to make ourselves feel good. The acts of the fleshly nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, debauchery, idolatry, hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and the like (Gal 5:19-21). Everyone who lives to please his fleshly, sinful nature will reap destruction. Basically, skin leads to sin. Or in other words, sin is a spiritual skin disease.
Melanoma, on the other hand, is a physiological skin disease. It’s a type of aggressive skin cancer, which is difficult to treat and rarely remains in remission. Recently, scientists have identified a cancer-initiating cell in human melanomas. These cells are the root of the tumor's growth. They not only can make more of themselves, but also can morph into other tumor cell types and appear to be very resistant to many common treatments. Any therapy that doesn't destroy all of these cells has no chance of completely eradicating the disease, and therefore, relapse would be imminent.
So if cancer stem cells are the root of melanoma, what is the root of spiritual skin disease? The answer is original sin.
Sin entered the world when Adam and Eve first sinned against God. The Bible says that we are sinful at birth, sinful from the time our mother conceived us. If we are born with a sinful nature and apt to please our flesh, then how are we supposed to treat our skin disease and kill the root of it? We apply similar therapies that are used for melanoma: chemotherapy (treatment with chemicals) and radiation (treatment with light).
Without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin. To effectively treat our spiritual skin disease, we must undergo chemotherapy with the blood of Christ to purify us from all sin. By His stripes, we are healed. In addition, we need regular radiation therapy. God is light, and the Bible tells us to walk as children of light and seek what is acceptable to the Lord. When we live in accordance with His Spirit, we will reap eternal life.
The reality is: just like with melanoma, we must totally destroy the root of our spiritual skin disease if we have any hope of a complete recovery with no relapse or backsliding.
When we walk in the flesh (according to our feelings and emotions) we are prone to feed our desires and find ways to make ourselves feel good. The acts of the fleshly nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, debauchery, idolatry, hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and the like (Gal 5:19-21). Everyone who lives to please his fleshly, sinful nature will reap destruction. Basically, skin leads to sin. Or in other words, sin is a spiritual skin disease.
Melanoma, on the other hand, is a physiological skin disease. It’s a type of aggressive skin cancer, which is difficult to treat and rarely remains in remission. Recently, scientists have identified a cancer-initiating cell in human melanomas. These cells are the root of the tumor's growth. They not only can make more of themselves, but also can morph into other tumor cell types and appear to be very resistant to many common treatments. Any therapy that doesn't destroy all of these cells has no chance of completely eradicating the disease, and therefore, relapse would be imminent.
So if cancer stem cells are the root of melanoma, what is the root of spiritual skin disease? The answer is original sin.
Sin entered the world when Adam and Eve first sinned against God. The Bible says that we are sinful at birth, sinful from the time our mother conceived us. If we are born with a sinful nature and apt to please our flesh, then how are we supposed to treat our skin disease and kill the root of it? We apply similar therapies that are used for melanoma: chemotherapy (treatment with chemicals) and radiation (treatment with light).
Without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin. To effectively treat our spiritual skin disease, we must undergo chemotherapy with the blood of Christ to purify us from all sin. By His stripes, we are healed. In addition, we need regular radiation therapy. God is light, and the Bible tells us to walk as children of light and seek what is acceptable to the Lord. When we live in accordance with His Spirit, we will reap eternal life.
The reality is: just like with melanoma, we must totally destroy the root of our spiritual skin disease if we have any hope of a complete recovery with no relapse or backsliding.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
JUST BREATHE
The hand of the Lord was upon me, and He set me in the middle of a valley full of dry bones. Then He asked me, "Can these bones live?"
Recently, a group of scientists asked the same question. They created a lung “skeleton”, which was made by taking a live rat lung and destroying the original lung cells with repeated cycles of freezing and thawing and exposure to detergent. The scientists then seeded mouse stem cells into the empty, lung-shaped shell. The results were astounding. The mouse stem cells not only lived, but also transformed into new lung cells. Quite a feat considering that in terms of different cell types, the lung is one of the most complex organs in the body--the cells near the entrance are very different from those deep in the lung--and in this new lung, all the different cell types were present and in their correct location. Man successfully created living lungs, but there was no breath in them.
So Ezekiel prophesied as he was commanded. And as he was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the dry bones came together. Tendons and flesh appeared on them and skin covered them, but there was no breath in them.
This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: “I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe into these slain, that they may live.” So as Ezekiel prophesied, breath entered the bones and they came to life.
Man may be able to create body parts, but only God can breathe life into them. The Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.
Do you feel like dried up bones, like a shell of what life should be? Do you feel like those lungs that had life stripped from them? If so, just ask the Lord and you will receive. Let God breathe His Holy Spirit into you and bring life to your situation, your valley of dry bones.
Recently, a group of scientists asked the same question. They created a lung “skeleton”, which was made by taking a live rat lung and destroying the original lung cells with repeated cycles of freezing and thawing and exposure to detergent. The scientists then seeded mouse stem cells into the empty, lung-shaped shell. The results were astounding. The mouse stem cells not only lived, but also transformed into new lung cells. Quite a feat considering that in terms of different cell types, the lung is one of the most complex organs in the body--the cells near the entrance are very different from those deep in the lung--and in this new lung, all the different cell types were present and in their correct location. Man successfully created living lungs, but there was no breath in them.
So Ezekiel prophesied as he was commanded. And as he was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the dry bones came together. Tendons and flesh appeared on them and skin covered them, but there was no breath in them.
This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: “I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe into these slain, that they may live.” So as Ezekiel prophesied, breath entered the bones and they came to life.
Man may be able to create body parts, but only God can breathe life into them. The Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.
Do you feel like dried up bones, like a shell of what life should be? Do you feel like those lungs that had life stripped from them? If so, just ask the Lord and you will receive. Let God breathe His Holy Spirit into you and bring life to your situation, your valley of dry bones.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
CORD CARE
At birth, the placenta and umbilical cord start contracting to pump blood toward the newborn, and during this time, many good physiological "gifts" are passed to the infant. In fact, this can be considered nature's first stem cell transplant.
In a scientific review published March of this year, it was suggested that when infants are born, the clamping of the umbilical cord should be delayed. Currently in Western medicine, early clamping (from 30 seconds to 1 minute after birth) is common practice among obstetricians and midwives. I have to stop here and wonder why early clamping even started when it seems reasonable to let nature do its job. Perhaps folks are so pressed for time that they cut corners everywhere possible–even at the expense of the newly born.
All of this sounds simply scientific, but what if there were a spiritual element too?
Jesus said that we must be born again to enter the kingdom of God. As a physical newborn, we were born of the flesh. As reborns in Christ, we are born of spirit (John 3:5-7). Both births involve umbilical cords. If delayed clamping of the physical umbilical cord is better for a newborn, then likewise, delayed clamping of the spiritual cord makes for a healthier reborn.
Our Heavenly Father longs to give us good gifts, especially at rebirth. In Ephesians 4, the Bible tells us that God gives us these gifts so that we become mature, so that we will no longer be infants. Our greatest gift is the Holy Spirit. Our greatest promise is that God will never leave or forsake us; He will never clamp or cut His spiritual cord to us.
However, there is another spiritual umbilical cord to consider–the one to the Church. When reborns are birthed in the church altars, they become tethered to the body of Christ. I searched the Bible and couldn’t find any text which indicates that the Church is supposed to clamp or cut this cord early. So why is it that this is common practice? How many times does the Church lead someone to Christ and them leave them deposited at the altar? No follow up, no training, no discipleship.
So what does proper cord care look like? The Bible lays out the details of how to handle these newly reborn folks. Jesus gave us a great commission: Therefore go and make disciples of them, baptizing them, and teaching them to obey His commandments (Matthew 28:19-20). We should share with them the love, acceptance, encouragement, and wisdom through the blood of Christ that runs through our lives.
In a scientific review published March of this year, it was suggested that when infants are born, the clamping of the umbilical cord should be delayed. Currently in Western medicine, early clamping (from 30 seconds to 1 minute after birth) is common practice among obstetricians and midwives. I have to stop here and wonder why early clamping even started when it seems reasonable to let nature do its job. Perhaps folks are so pressed for time that they cut corners everywhere possible–even at the expense of the newly born.
All of this sounds simply scientific, but what if there were a spiritual element too?
Jesus said that we must be born again to enter the kingdom of God. As a physical newborn, we were born of the flesh. As reborns in Christ, we are born of spirit (John 3:5-7). Both births involve umbilical cords. If delayed clamping of the physical umbilical cord is better for a newborn, then likewise, delayed clamping of the spiritual cord makes for a healthier reborn.
Our Heavenly Father longs to give us good gifts, especially at rebirth. In Ephesians 4, the Bible tells us that God gives us these gifts so that we become mature, so that we will no longer be infants. Our greatest gift is the Holy Spirit. Our greatest promise is that God will never leave or forsake us; He will never clamp or cut His spiritual cord to us.
However, there is another spiritual umbilical cord to consider–the one to the Church. When reborns are birthed in the church altars, they become tethered to the body of Christ. I searched the Bible and couldn’t find any text which indicates that the Church is supposed to clamp or cut this cord early. So why is it that this is common practice? How many times does the Church lead someone to Christ and them leave them deposited at the altar? No follow up, no training, no discipleship.
So what does proper cord care look like? The Bible lays out the details of how to handle these newly reborn folks. Jesus gave us a great commission: Therefore go and make disciples of them, baptizing them, and teaching them to obey His commandments (Matthew 28:19-20). We should share with them the love, acceptance, encouragement, and wisdom through the blood of Christ that runs through our lives.
Monday, June 14, 2010
TASTE OF BITTERNESS
Researchers have recently discovered a chemical that specifically blocks people's ability to detect the bitter aftertaste. This chemical, known as GIV3727, works by specifically inhibiting a handful of human bitter taste receptors. While the possibilities for GIV3727 are exciting, the most anticipated use will be to improve the taste of foods and beverages containing calorie-free sweeteners such as acesulfame K (ie, Sunett® and Sweet One®) and saccharin (ie, Sweet'N Low®).
While I pondered GIV3727, I was almost sure that I remembered a similar cure for bitterness in the Bible. So, I search the scriptures and found it – it’s none other than 4GIV.
Ephesians 4:31 instructs us to get rid of all bitterness. The next verse tells us how: Forgive each other as Christ forgave you (ie, 4GIV).
Most often bitterness grows out of perceived injustice -- in other words, holding a grudge and blaming others for something they’ve done to hurt us, and then becoming bitter because they didn’t get what we thought they deserved. If bitterness is allowed to take root, it will grow to cause trouble and defile many (Heb 12:15). It can even lead to Hell. The Bible says that if we don’t forgive others, God will NOT forgive us (Matt 6:15). Bitterness is a spiritual poison that can only be neutralized with 4GIV.
4GIV is a very powerful agent. It can be used for others as well as for ourselves. When Peter asked Jesus about the dosage of 4GIV, Jesus said to use it up to 70x7 times (Matt 18:22) for each occasion. Furthermore, it’s safe for all ethnicities and ages.
The next time life leaves you with a bitter flavor in your mouth, use 4GIV and taste that the Lord is good!!
While I pondered GIV3727, I was almost sure that I remembered a similar cure for bitterness in the Bible. So, I search the scriptures and found it – it’s none other than 4GIV.
Ephesians 4:31 instructs us to get rid of all bitterness. The next verse tells us how: Forgive each other as Christ forgave you (ie, 4GIV).
Most often bitterness grows out of perceived injustice -- in other words, holding a grudge and blaming others for something they’ve done to hurt us, and then becoming bitter because they didn’t get what we thought they deserved. If bitterness is allowed to take root, it will grow to cause trouble and defile many (Heb 12:15). It can even lead to Hell. The Bible says that if we don’t forgive others, God will NOT forgive us (Matt 6:15). Bitterness is a spiritual poison that can only be neutralized with 4GIV.
4GIV is a very powerful agent. It can be used for others as well as for ourselves. When Peter asked Jesus about the dosage of 4GIV, Jesus said to use it up to 70x7 times (Matt 18:22) for each occasion. Furthermore, it’s safe for all ethnicities and ages.
The next time life leaves you with a bitter flavor in your mouth, use 4GIV and taste that the Lord is good!!
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
EARLY DETECTION OF DISEASE BY VOICE ANALYSIS
Parkinson's disease is frequently diagnosed based on symptoms such as stiffness of muscles, tremors, and slow movement. Although there are various methods of brain imaging for detecting this disease, all these methods are expensive. Medical researchers have recently designed a simple diagnostic system that only requires the person to read out loud a few sentences. Using this voice analysis technique, the researchers could consistently distinguish the Parkinson’s group of people from the healthy group.
I would like to suggest that Christians could use a similar voice analysis to determine which diseases they may be at risk for developing.
The Bible tells us that we are to live by our words. When we have the Holy Spirit in us, we have the power of God. Like when God spoke the world into existence, we as spirit-filled Christians have the power to create life and death with our words.
Have you ever seen anyone curse themselves with ailments? For example, have you ever heard anyone constantly say that he can’t remember anything anymore? The more he says it, the more forgetful he appears to become. I wonder how much of senility is actually self-inflicted.
What about other declarations such as: I’ll probably need knee replacement before I’m 50; my immune system is shot; or my dad had a heart attack when he was in his 40s, so I probably will too.
If we want to know what our health will be like in our future, perhaps we just need to listen to ourselves diagnose it today.
I’ve decided to take this early diagnosis technique and give it yet another twist. I’m trying to use my words today as not only a diagnosis for tomorrow, but also as a treatment. A tongue that brings healing is a tree of life (Pro 15:4), and I am choosing to speak a healthy life over myself and family.
I would like to suggest that Christians could use a similar voice analysis to determine which diseases they may be at risk for developing.
The Bible tells us that we are to live by our words. When we have the Holy Spirit in us, we have the power of God. Like when God spoke the world into existence, we as spirit-filled Christians have the power to create life and death with our words.
Have you ever seen anyone curse themselves with ailments? For example, have you ever heard anyone constantly say that he can’t remember anything anymore? The more he says it, the more forgetful he appears to become. I wonder how much of senility is actually self-inflicted.
What about other declarations such as: I’ll probably need knee replacement before I’m 50; my immune system is shot; or my dad had a heart attack when he was in his 40s, so I probably will too.
If we want to know what our health will be like in our future, perhaps we just need to listen to ourselves diagnose it today.
I’ve decided to take this early diagnosis technique and give it yet another twist. I’m trying to use my words today as not only a diagnosis for tomorrow, but also as a treatment. A tongue that brings healing is a tree of life (Pro 15:4), and I am choosing to speak a healthy life over myself and family.
RELUCTANT TO RECEIVE REWARD
As part of a recent set of scientific experiments to investigate the evolution of selfless behavior, groups of people participated in games where they were able to choose how much money they wished to contribute to a public project. Players were then rewarded according to how much they gave. When the experiment was fixed so that the players would get the greatest reward when they contributed all of their money, people consistently contributed significantly less than 100%. In other words, even though the players knew that they would get the greatest reward when they gave all their money, they still wouldn’t let go of it.
Sounds crazy right?
If you say yes, then you probably tithe as instructed.
God asks: “Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me.”
Then we ask: “How do we rob you Lord?”
And God answers: “In tithes and offerings.” (Mal 3:8)
Tithing is not taking a tenth of our own money and giving it to God-- it’s about not taking from God what is already His. He owns it all (Psa. 24:1), and we become thieves when we keep something that God explicitly instructs us to release.
Just like those people in that experiment, we are being tested. Will we give all that we’re supposed to and reap the greatest reward, or will we horde it all for ourselves and forfeit a blessing?
God invites us to test Him in His faithfulness. He tells us to bring the whole tithe and then watch to see whether he won’t throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that we can’t contain it (Mal 3:10-11). He tells us to give, and it will be given to us. With the same measuring cup we use, God will pour into our lap a good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over (Luke 6:38).
So the question is: Will you be like those people in the experiment and be reluctant to receive reward? Or will you trust God at His word and give your entire tithe as He commands?
Sounds crazy right?
If you say yes, then you probably tithe as instructed.
God asks: “Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me.”
Then we ask: “How do we rob you Lord?”
And God answers: “In tithes and offerings.” (Mal 3:8)
Tithing is not taking a tenth of our own money and giving it to God-- it’s about not taking from God what is already His. He owns it all (Psa. 24:1), and we become thieves when we keep something that God explicitly instructs us to release.
Just like those people in that experiment, we are being tested. Will we give all that we’re supposed to and reap the greatest reward, or will we horde it all for ourselves and forfeit a blessing?
God invites us to test Him in His faithfulness. He tells us to bring the whole tithe and then watch to see whether he won’t throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that we can’t contain it (Mal 3:10-11). He tells us to give, and it will be given to us. With the same measuring cup we use, God will pour into our lap a good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over (Luke 6:38).
So the question is: Will you be like those people in the experiment and be reluctant to receive reward? Or will you trust God at His word and give your entire tithe as He commands?
WHEN YOU CAN’T SEE PAST YOUR PAST
Medical researchers have discovered that you use the same regions in the brain for recollecting your past as you do for envisioning your future. These findings illustrate why an amnesic person who can't remember the past, isn’t good at planning tomorrow. The same phenomenon is seen in suicidally depressed people.
Basically this research indicates that if you’re using your brain to think about your past, then that part of your brain is preoccupied and therefore cannot be used to visualize your future. It’s funny that researchers just now understand something that Christians have known for thousands of years.
Christians recognize that we have an adversary. He is the accuser of brethren and he will remind us of all our failures. Why does he do this? Because the enemy knows that we become ineffective in the future if we’re stuck in the past. He understands this brain game.
If we are to beat the devil at his own game then we need to do what the Bible instructs: Do not dwell on the past (Is 43:18). We need to bury those things from yesterday and use those regions of our brain to envision how we can become more effective for the Kingdom tomorrow. Simply put – we need to see past our past
Basically this research indicates that if you’re using your brain to think about your past, then that part of your brain is preoccupied and therefore cannot be used to visualize your future. It’s funny that researchers just now understand something that Christians have known for thousands of years.
Christians recognize that we have an adversary. He is the accuser of brethren and he will remind us of all our failures. Why does he do this? Because the enemy knows that we become ineffective in the future if we’re stuck in the past. He understands this brain game.
If we are to beat the devil at his own game then we need to do what the Bible instructs: Do not dwell on the past (Is 43:18). We need to bury those things from yesterday and use those regions of our brain to envision how we can become more effective for the Kingdom tomorrow. Simply put – we need to see past our past
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