I have been tagged by both Craver and Ted for the same meme, originally posted by LL Barkat - so here are the rules:
Write about 5 specific ways blogging has affected you, either positively or negatively.
Link back to the person who tagged you.
Link back to the parent post, so she can track the meme.
Tag a few friends or five, or none at all.
Post these rules-- or just have fun breaking them.
Humm - how has blogging changed my life.
1. It brought Andrew into it. We met through the blog of mutual friends and I joined his prayer team while he was in Turkey on the mission field for two years.
2. It brough Andrew into my daughter's life - now we call him "the boy" - meaning the man that is now her boyfriend and has moved halfway across the country to be near her so they can determine the next step in their relationship.
3. It brought my beloved Lorenzo into my life, through, I think, Craver's blog!
4. It made me realize that I wasn't in control of my own blog - it doesn't seem to matter what I post, people just have the conversations that are on their hearts.
5. It gave Craver a chance to teach me that the word is "regardless" not "irregardless" as I am so prone towards saying!
Let's see, since I like to break rules, I believe I shall only tag Lorenzo and, Tortoishell - then anyone else who is reading that would care to join in the fun, please do!
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26 comments:
Nice.
I thought Andrew would get top billing. And it's true, your blog has a life all its own. Though you're a most gracious host and people come/flock to your blog for a good reason -and good reasons!
Thanks Ted - I think I could have written a million other things too - but seeing as it's Sunday and he's been around a lot today, it was on my mind!
He is a great guy and I do enjoy having him around!
Oh Susan I haven't got time to do a tag posting as I'm off to Holy Isle in a couple of hours. However I'll do a quick answer here:
1) Blogging has brought me loads of new friends. I feel I could go to the States, Australia, New Zealand and Northern Spain and find a friend who would certainly put me up for the night.
2) Also new friends in England. Likewise above at being in their neck of the woods.
3) It has brought my brother and myself very close together as conspiritors and adversories on blogs. It makes a lot of difference as he doesn't live that close to me.
4) My nephew Tortoiseshell taught me to blog, and through this I have learned to be a lot more computer literate, and not so afraid to experiment on the internet. So far I haven't come across any illegal or unpleasant websites although I did google 'boobie' once (a bird) and I got a lot of pictures of semi naked women!
5) It has made me adventurous with photography. I have just been to the library and got a book out on 'photoshop' to show me all the wonderful things I can do with a digital camera, apart from cropping, magnifying and changing the size. Because of the blog it encouraged me to get a really good camera to play with and I am now saving up for a telephoto lens.
That's all for the moment. I want to put a couple of photos on my blog before we head north.
Love and Hugs, Lorenzo.
Lorenzo,
My wife and I would happily put you up for a week here in Nepal.
Susan, good to hear from you on Seedlings. I love the one about not being in control. Blogging surely has the ability to humble us and put our lives in perspective! Even as it gives room for others to comfort and encourage us. :)
I'm glad to know Andrew a bit better as well. I would love to be able to hang out with him more, but my schedule went from busy to manic. I'll keep my fingers crossed. :-)
That is funny about "irregardless." One of my sisters always makes a big joke of it.
Hey Lorenzo et al,
What do you think about this photo as my blog pic? Would it make my war of words fiercer? Perhaps it is not conducive to friendly debate, however. Very fun though!
I was given this tomahawk as a gift from three friends from Nagaland (northeast India). They gave it in thanks for the teaching I did at their school. I’m told it is one of the weapons their ancestors would use to cut off the heads of their enemies—before the time their people became Christian.... Hum? I wonder if Jesus has made a difference in the lives of the Naga people.
Hi Andrew,
Your comments strike me as one who loves theology and who is able to discuss deep issues intelligently and eloquently. So what are perhaps your favorite doctrines to discuss? Why don't we get the ball rolling? You pick the subject.
Blessings,
Triston
Close to 10 thousand spiritually dead and blind Scientists are involved in a 10 billion dollar project to disprove the existence of God. You guessed it: The big bang experiment. I really don't care if even Susan or Andrew wants to jump in and defend it because Paul spoke about people precisely like these Scientists:
“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them because God has shown it to them. For His invisible attributes, namely, His eternal power and divine nature have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking and their foolish hearts where darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools.” (Romans 1:18-22)
This text clearly applies to the scientists involved in the big bang experiment.
No Triston, that does not actually fit all the scientists that are there - or here for that matter! I have a good friend who is a strong believer that is postdocing there
some of us are just curious about how all thing work - and when we see how, or even just get a small inkling - it just serves to increase our faith in how amazing God is that He just spoke it into being!
Guess what? I might be teaching physics next year. Does that make me wicked? (I'm kidding, of course, Triston.)
But seriously, the majority of great physicists in history were Christian -- Galileo, Koeppler, Copernicus, Newton; Einstein was Jewish.
I think it's fitting that one of the aims of the LHC and the CERN lab in Switzerland is to figure out the mystery behind why it is that spinning galaxies, such as our own Milky Way, are not spinning out of control. They're pretty much stumped. They call it an inexplicable mystery; I call it a life-sustaining God. Physicists are astounded by the symmetry, beauty, order, and rationality of the universe, which points to me that a rational Mind is behind it all. Pretty far from evil discoveries, eh?
Hi Andrew (& Susan),
I agree with you in large part—that "if" God chose to create the universe through a "Big Bang", only He could have turned such a catastrophic event into such a symphony of order and purpose and continually sustain it as He does. I think what bothers me the most about the idea of big bang is that it is an invention to try and explain away God, which most have bought into hook, line and sinker.
I really don't get the non-Christian scientific community. Suppose they were right on everything they believe. Where did the original matter come from then? Did it just always exist? Is matter therefore eternal? Did it never have a beginning? There are many perplexing question which they cannot answer without turning to God.
Also, anyone reading this please give me an example where "symmetry, beauty, order, and rationality" comes out of chaos. Just one example PLEASE. As Andrew points out, all of these are found in the universe. There must be a cause to such order—especially if that order came out of a great and catastrophic explosion.
One example, please, of order out of chaos. Perhaps someone can think of one. If so, please share. For the life of me, I don't know what that example would be except the "theory" of big bang.
Andrew and Susan,
I personally have no problem with the theory of the Big Bang, but come from a distant second hand place on that. Doesn't it and mainstream science posit today that time and space and matter seems to have had a beginning?
What gets difficult is when scientists begin to speak beyond their discipline into areas really beyond science, at least arguably. Some theories have a good foundation scientifically and are thus scientifically sound. While other theories are beginning to move into the realm of the metaphysical or what's beyond the discipline, I guess just trying to make sense out of it all. Some naturalists hold to a soul in humanity, others deny such. But all in naturalistic terms based on their take of science. So this is all full of complexities for sure (and I may be making it more complex!).
But there does seem to be an underlying current of not reading in general revelation what God has written there. Is this correct? And what about this post? Isn't Mart on to something here (I can't get that post to come up right now, but will keep trying)? (and I know Mart well enough to believe that he'd completely concur with your comments here)
I think this is the proper link I referred to in my last comment, though at the moment the server for the site is still having some problem.
Triston "I really don't get the non-Christian scientific community.
I think the key word here is "non-Christian" and I'm not sure why you don't get it. Spiritual truth is spiritually discerned - so why in the world would you expect them to think as we think. That is what I don't get!
They are simply being true to who they are, people who do not accept scripture for what it is, God-breathed, and are searching for answers to very important questions in their own way. Would I prefer that they were believers, certainly. But sometimes searching for truth - note the small "t", is exactly what God uses to reveal "T" Truth about Himself. Take CS Lewis for example. He began his search to prove that all believers were foolish, simple and deceived - and you see where he ended up - in the arms of Christ.
Susan, perhaps I'm slow, but I also don't get the Christian scientific community so quickly buying into an unproven "theory" designed to undermine belief in God.
Why are we so quick to adopt the ideas of people God defines as fools?
Still no examples from anyone of "symmetry, beauty, order, and rationality" coming out of chaos?
What a waste of money. 10 billion dollars to figure out the origin of our universe?! And here all they had to do was read the first verse on the first page of the Bible "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."
LOL!
If you still don't get it Susan, then perhaps you should read Romans 1 more carefully. It says of unbelievers, those without the Spirit: "What can be known about God is plain to them because God has shown it to them. His divine nature and eternal power are "clearly perceived" by unbelievers.
Triston, I don't think the Christian scientific community is buying into anything. Most of us are just doing our jobs, whatever the research area is that God has gifted us for. Mine just doesn't happen to be physics!
I don't know any believers who also happen to be scientists, that have any motive other than doing their jobs well and hoping, even praying, that whatever they uncover will not only help mankind but bring glory to God.
While you are correct in saying that Rom 1 clearly says that what may be known about God has been made plain, it also says that if this is not acknowledged, the thoughts become futile and the heart darkened so they no longer can know. And we see the end result - further rejection of God and glorification of man. Why that should surprise you, amazes me. If the two people who saw God face to face, who lived in a perfect environment with no hardships or troubles - no struggles or pain - could still choose to reject the truth for a lie, aside from the direct intervention of the Holy Spirit, what hope is there for any of us anyway!
As to order from disorder - you are not likely to get any answers to your questions. Simon and Maalie are away for an extended period of time. I rather doubt that there is internet on Madagascar. So, there's no one for you to discuss this with.
Susan,
The idea of a big explosion creating the universe that we see (if God were not involved in it) is perhaps the most nonsensical idea ever proposed. I'm just calling them on it.
I'm certain there is internet in Madagascar, but perhaps Maalie and Simon have better things to do.
There are hundreds of false religions in the world, and there have always been worship in every culture, in every age. And the reason for this is because God has given a sense to all people of His existence. Unfortunately sin has taken them down the wrong path of worship--as it has done with the vast majority of Scientists today.
Triston,
Couldn't something like the Big Bang have been the way God spoke the universe into existence? I don't see why not. The Bible has true science in it in passing, but it speaks in a cultural context while at the same time ending up being relevant and adaptable to any cultural context (particularly true of the New Testament, but to some extent the Old, as well. The creation story, as I read somewhere, is especially noteworthy that way, avoiding the issues as it is told in other places.
But even the creation story is not a scientific textbook as to what all happened when God spoke. I see no problem inherent in much of science itself. The problem comes when they begin to speak beyond science into what it means for humankind as to our meaning or lack thereof, of existence.
I know I've read, and just to look at their photos, (and to know what we know from God's word- this can't be surprising to us!) of how scientists are utterly astounded over what they see. A good scientist will want to explore further. I'd love to be there myself just to observe.
Just because some scientists think it unlocks the secret to everything (though some may be thinking in strictly scientific terms there, while others seem to be going beyond that into philosophy or metaphysics) doesn't mean there isn't good in what's being done. More and more scientists I've read are theists (even if not Christian). And I think this is clear, even while believing that Mart's post, while slanted and not taking this part in, has a point as well. But the whole endeavor isn't poisoned just because some in it may have religious motives which reflect human idolatry in rejection of the Creator.
I of course speak, more like stutter here, for myself, NOT for Susan or Andrew for whom I am not possibly qualified to speak as to their knowledge in the first place. And of course I just speak from what I've gathered as an interested bystander, here.
My comments against the Big Bang theory are not against what Andrew has spoken on it but on how it is actually believed. The vast majority of people who believe in the big bang think of it as happening without a Creator and Sustainer. THAT is what is nonsensical to me. The idea of no God but rather some huge, random explosion causing such a well ordered universe is the stupidest thing I have ever heard! I guess I am just not speaking clearly enough for anyone to get my point.
I like Andrew's ideas on it. Maybe God did decide to create the universe through a big bang, and then it would make perfect sense why everything is so well ordered, even after a huge explosion, because God sustains it all. That’s great. I have no problem with that.
But I am trying to look at the theory from the actual theorists. I’m sure you know that most all of the proponents of the Big Bang theory are like Maalie, denying the existence of God. And so, I am trying to look at it as happening the way they say it happened (without God behind it!!) and then I cannot help but say it is the stupidest idea ever dreamed up! They believe in a world without any Creator, and think some huge explosion created all we have today. It is the most absurd thing ever. That is why I say “How can such smart people believe such a stupid thing?” I don’t know how to speak anymore clearly:
Andrew’s ideas on God creating the universe through big bang: Good
Atheistic ideas on a godless universe created through a big bang: Idiotic
And it is the atheistic idea of the Big Bang which drives the vast majority of scientists to the tests they are involved in now. Some of my students just today were bemoaning the experiment: "It is Western countries, countries everyone here believe are Christian, that are wasting billions of dollars to try and ultimately disprove the existence of God." It saddens them that such a negative testimony is coming out of supposed Christian nations. These aren't my words. They brought it up to me. A South Asian perspective on the big bang experiment.
I suppose it speaks litlLuther to the lack of wisdom in assuming that because a nation professes to be Christian it really is!
Susan, I agree. There are many false perceptions out there. That is one of them. It gets worse. The non-Christians blame us for what comes out of Hollywood, assuming everyone in the States is Christian. Their concept is that you are born into your religion. That is why they think the way they do. I faced the same misconceptions in India and Pakistan as well. Sadly, it is a virtually impossible misconception to overcome.
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