5/3/21

Sticky Business by Eric Lyons, M.Min.

 

https://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=12&article=2250

Sticky Business

by  Eric Lyons, M.Min.

Advances in the science of biomimetics increasingly are reported in major scientific journals around the world. Scientists have attempted to mimic various designs or processes in the biological world for centuries, and 21st-century scientists show no signs of slowing down. In fact, it appears that now, more than ever, scientists are looking to nature for inspirations for their inventions. In June 2007, the journal New Scientist announced a new self-healing glue inspired by human bones (see Butt, 2007). In July 2007, MIT’s Technology Review reported the flight of a robotic fly at Harvard University, and how the government hopes eventually to use such “flies” in surveillance missions (see Ross, 2007; cf. Lyons, 2007). Nature, an international, weekly science journal, recently highlighted another impressive, life-inspired product—a biomimetic adhesive called “geckel,” that can adhere to both dry and wet surfaces (Haeshin, et al., 2007, 448[7151]:338-341).

The term “geckel” is derived from the names of the two creatures that inspired the new versatile adhesive: geckos and mussels. (Gecko + mussel = geckel.) Scientists closely examined the gecko’s “foot pads composed of specialized keratinous foot-hairs,” which “allow the gecko to cling onto vertical and even inverted surfaces” (Haeshin, et al., p. 338). By developing “nanotubes” that mimic “the bundles of fibers that make up the hairs on gecko feet” (Bullis, 2007), scientists have produced small tape samples that can be reused dozens of time. One obstacle to “gecko tape,” however, is water. Re-usable tape that mimics “gecko adhesion is greatly diminished upon full immersion” (Haeshin, et al., p. 338). Thus, scientists turned to the mussel.

Mussels have the ability to adhere to wet or fully immersed surfaces. Northwestern University biomedical-engineering professor Phillip Messersmith observed: “Mussels can stick to anything.... They adhere to a piece of wood, which is organic. They also adhere to the skin of whales” (as quoted in Patel-Predd, 2007). Their astounding stick-to-itiveness comes from a secretion of “specialized adhesive proteins” (Haeshin, et al., p. 338). After years of study, scientists have been able to manufacture a polymer that imitates the adhesive proteins of mussels.

Now, by combining what they have learned from gecko and mussel adhesion, researchers have developed a new adhesive, complete with nanotubes and a sticky protein polymer. Geckel is sticky, reusable, and can attach both to dry and wet surfaces. Scientists foresee it being used in many things, including medical tape and electronic equipment.

Sadly, many of the same scientists who spent thousands of hours studying the marvelous qualities of geckos and mussels believe these animals just evolved over millions of years. They believe that a big bang, plus spontaneous generation, plus time, plus chance equals awe-inspiring animals that hold the key to the invention of many impressive products. Researchers are designing new products based on living creatures that supposedly were not designed. Does this make any sense? None at all. The fact is, design demands a designer. Geckos and mussels, which scientists still cannot fully imitate, were designed by an intelligent Being—“The everlasting God, Jehovah, the Creator of the ends of the earth” (Isaiah 40:28, ASV). “O Lord, how manifold are Your works! In wisdom You have made them all...living things both small and great” (Psalm 104:24-25).

REFERENCES

Bullis, Kevin (2007), “Climbing Walls with Carbon Nanotubes,” Technology Review, June 25, [On-line], URL: http://www.technologyreview.com/Nanotech/18966/.

Butt, Kyle (2007), “Nature Sticks to Design,” Apologetics Press, [On-line], URL: http://apologeticspress.org/articles/3413.

Haeshin, Lee, Bruce Lee, and Phillip Messersmith (2007), “A Reversible Wet/Dry Adhesive Inspired by Mussels and Geckos,” Nature, 448[7151]:338-341, July 19.

Lyons, Eric (2007), “Who Makes the World’s Best Fliers?,” Apologetics Press, [On-line], URL: http://apologeticspress.org/articles/3436.

Patel-Predd, Prachi (2007), “Nanoglue Sticks Underwater,” Technology Review, July 18, [On-line], URL: http://www.technologyreview.com/Nanotech/19061/.

Ross, Rachel (2007), “Robotic Insect Takes Off for the First Time,” Technology Review, July 19, [On-line], URL: http://www.technologyreview.com/Infotech/19068/.

Stephen Hawking Is Wrong, God Created the Universe by Kyle Butt, M.Div.

 

https://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=12&article=3768

Stephen Hawking Is Wrong, God Created the Universe

by  Kyle Butt, M.Div.

Stephen Hawking is a brilliant scientist. He has battled a crippling disease since he was 20, made a name for himself on a global scale through his scientific prowess, and been an inspiration to many. But in his latest book, The Grand Design, he is just plain wrong. Michael Holden wrote an article he titled: “‘God Did Not Create the Universe,’ Says Hawking,” in which he stated that Hawking’s new book, co-authored with Leonard Mlodinow, proposes the idea that the laws which hold the Universe together do not need an intelligent Designer.

In fact, Holden quoted Hawking as saying: “Because there is a law such as gravity, the universe can and will create itself from nothing. Spontaneous creation is the reason there is something rather than nothing, why the universe exists, why we exist” (as quoted in Holden, 2010, emp. added). While the book is not yet on the shelves, there are already glaring flaws with Hawking’s reasoning.

First, Hawking cannot explain why the law of gravity exists in the first place. He says “because there is a law of gravity,” but he can give no reason why such a law is present, and is constant. Without an adequate explanation for the origin of laws, such as gravity, any explanation of the origin of a Universe dependent on those laws is incomplete. Furthermore, regardless of what theoretical, mathematical calculations Hawking has concocted, the simple fact of the matter is, if there ever was a time when nothing existed, there would be nothing now. The mere fact that Hawking suggests that anything can “spontaneously create itself out of nothing,” is, with all due respect, ridiculously absurd and completely unscientific! It is impossible to get something from nothing—any way you slice it. Using Hawking’s way of thinking, we could suggest that this article you are reading “spontaneously created itself out of nothing.” Yet such a conclusion defies all known scientific laws.

In Acts 26:24, the Roman governor Festus said to the apostle Paul: “You are beside yourself! Much learning is driving you mad!” While that accusation did not accurately apply to Paul, it does, unfortunately, apply to Hawking’s concept of “spontaneous creation out of nothing.” The Psalmist wrote: “The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God.’” Sadly, Hawking’s brilliant mind has been turned to false, unscientific foolishness. Would to God that Hawking and all his fellow scientists would turn to the God of the Bible who speaks “the words of truth and reason” (Acts 26:25).
 

REFERENCE

Holden, Michael (2010), “‘God Did Not Create the Universe’, Says Hawking,” http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20100902/lf_nm_life/us_britain_hawking.

Sniffing Out Design by Kyle Butt, M.Div.

 

https://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=12&article=508

Sniffing Out Design

by  Kyle Butt, M.Div.

Thoughts about sinus drainage and mucus are not pleasant. Who has not been frustrated by the feeling of a raw nose caused by excessive nose-blowing during a cold? Have you ever wondered why mucus in your nose (more commonly called snot) is there? It just so happens that snot provides a vital tool that enhances your body’s ability to smell.

For many years, researchers have attempted to design electronic “noses” that can differentiate between smells. Such noses have a host of potential uses, including being used in airports to identify chemicals used in explosives. Researchers, however, have failed to master the art of smell. The “e-nose” simply cannot perform to the level of a human nose. Recent research, however, is sniffing out new ways to make the e-nose more useful.

Researchers from the University of Warwick and Leicester University came up with a novel idea. They composed a substance that mimics the properties of naturally occurring nose mucus. This synthetic snot “substantially improved the performance of their electronic nose allowing it to tell apart smells such as milk and banana which had previously been challenging smells for the device” (“Artificial ‘Snot’...,” 2007). Furthermore, the artificial snot helped the electronic nose process the information quicker. The teams involved in the research reported their findings in the Proceedings of the Royal Society in April of 2007.

When asked about the new research, Anthony Turner of Cranfield University said that the study shows the importance of looking to biology to find useful innovations. He said: “It’s important to keep learning from it [biology—KB]” (Simonite, 2007). Notice that Turner attributes the innovations discovered by the researchers to biology. What does that imply? If intelligent men and women from campuses across the globe log thousands of man-hours to design an electronic nose, and base much of their research on naturally occurring substances and functions in a biologic nose, but the electronic nose fails to perform as well as a real nose, then we are forced to conclude that the naturally occurring nose was designed by a superior intellect to the ones now working on the electronic nose. Yet, when asked the origin of the biologic nose, many highly educated university professors would claim it evolved over millions of years by random, purposeless evolutionary processes. Ironically, they are forced to concede that the electronic nose has a design. Such disconnected thinking would be ridiculed in other disciplines, but somehow it finds a welcomed haven in the halls of evolutionary sciences. In truth, it is simple to sniff out the divine design of the nose.

REFERENCES

“Artificial ‘Snot’ Enhances Electronic Nose” (2007), Science Daily, April 30, [On-line], URL: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/04/070430093948.htm.

Simonite, Tom (2007), “Mucus Substitute Helps Artificial Nose Scent Success,” New Scientist, April 25, [On-line], URL: http://www.newscientisttech.com/article/dn11715-mucus-substitute-helps -artificial-nose-scent-success.html.

"THE GOSPEL OF MARK" The Last Supper (14:17-26) by Mark Copeland

 







"THE GOSPEL OF MARK"

The Last Supper (14:17-26)

 
INTRODUCTION

1. We come now to a crucial time in the ministry of Jesus of Nazareth...
   a. His enemies are plotting His betrayal and death
   b. His disciples are gathered to observe the Passover

2. It is the occasion commonly referred to as "The Last Supper"...
   a. For within 24 hours, Jesus will be crucified
   b. His disciples scattered, hiding in fear for their lives

[Jesus knew what would soon take place (Mk 10:33).  As we continue our
study of Mark’s gospel, let’s first turn to Mk 14:17 and consider...]

I. THE PASSOVER OBSERVED

   A. SPECIAL FEAST FOR THE JEWS...
      1. A Jewish feast observed annually - Deu 16:1-8
      2. Commemorating Israel’s deliverance from Egypt - Exo 12:1-28,43-49

   B. SPECIAL OCCASION FOR JESUS...
      1. He knew His death was imminent ("before I suffer") - Lk 22:14-15
      2. He was with those He loved ("He loved them to the end") - Jn 13:1

[As Jesus observed the Passover with His disciples, Mark records two
things that occurred during the dinner.  First, in Mk 14:18-21 there is...]

II. THE BETRAYAL FORETOLD

   A. THE PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT...
      1. To all, Jesus said one of them would betray Him - Mk 14:18
      2. One by one they begin to ask, "Is it I?" - Mk 14:19
      3. He confirms it will be one of the twelve who dips with Him - Mk 14:20
      4. It is part of God’s plan, but woe to one who will betray Him - Mk 14:21

   B. THE PRIVATE CONVERSATIONS...
      1. With Judas Iscariot - Mt 26:25
      2. With John, prompted by Peter - Jn 13:23-26

[Judas Iscariot leaves the supper to betray Jesus (Jn 13:27-30).  As the
rest continue to eat the last supper, Mk 14:22-25 tells us of...]

III. THE LORD’S SUPPER INSTITUTED

   A. JESUS INSTITUTES THE SUPPER...
      1. Using the unleavened bread to represent His body - Mk 14:22
      2. Using the cup (containing the fruit of the vine) to represent
         His blood, the blood of the New Covenant - Mk 14:23-24
      3. Stating He would no longer drink of the fruit of the vine until...
         a. "that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God." - Mk 14:25
         b. "that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom." - Mt 26:29
         c. "it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God." - Lk 22:16
         d. "the kingdom of God shall come." - Lk 22:18
      4. There are two plausible explanations for what Jesus means:
         a. Jesus having fellowship with us as we observe the Lord's
            Supper in the church, which is His kingdom - 1Co 10:16-17
         b. The special communion we will have with Jesus in His
            Father's kingdom, spoken often in terms of a heavenly feast
            - cf. Isa 25:6-8; Mt 8:11; 22:2-14; Lk 14:15-24; Re 19:9

   B. PAUL DESCRIBES THE SUPPER...
      1. As a memorial - 1Co 11:23-25
         a. Of His body whose death makes the new covenant possible - He 9:16
         b. Of His blood shed for the remission of sins - Mt 26:28; Ep 1:7
      2. As a proclamation - 1Co 11:26
         a. Of faith in the efficacy of His death ("you proclaim the Lord’s death")
         b. Of faith in the certainty of His return ("till He come")
      3. As a communion - 1Co 10:16-17
         a. Sharing in the blood of Christ
         b. Sharing in the body of Christ
      4. As an observance - 1Co 11:27-34
         a. With reverence  ("in a worthy manner")
         b. With self-examination ("let a man examine himself, and so let him eat and drink")
         c. With other Christians ("wait for one another")

CONCLUSION

1. "The Last Supper" ended...
   a. With the singing of a hymn - Mk 14:26
   b. With the walk to the Mount of Olives - ibid.

2. Today, "The Lord’s Supper" is observed...
   a. On the first day of the week - cf. Ac 20:7
   b. By disciples who commemorate His death, anticipate His return

3. As I think of the two suppers, Jesus earnestly desired...
   a. To eat the first with His disciples
   b. His disciples to eat the second together in His memory

Today, Jesus is our "Passover" sacrificed for us (cf. 1Co 5:7).

The Jews show gratitude for their deliverance from Egypt by observing
their Passover.

Do we show our gratitude for our deliverance from the bondage of sin by
faithfully observing the Lord’s Supper each Lord’s Day...?         
 
Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2016

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Rewriting Your Legacy by Ken Weliever, The Preacherman

 

https://thepreachersword.com/2019/04/09/rewriting-your-legacy/#more-13787

Rewriting Your Legacy

Last year after suffering a shocking and humiliating defeat in the first game of the NCAA basketball tournament, last night the University of Virginia Cavaliers won their first NCAA basketball championship.

“It was a painful gift,” said Cavaliers’ coach Tony Bennett as he reflected on being the first #1 seeded team to lose to a #16 seeded team in the 2018 tournament.

Last year the Cavaliers were the favorites to win the title. But the unthinkable happened. The University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) blew out the UVA by 20 points.

How do you recover and return from such an epic fall?

Bennett’s philosophy was summed up in a single sentence his wife shared with him from a Ted Talk that he’s been repeating to his players the whole year.

“If you learn to use it right, the adversity, it will buy you a ticket to a place you couldn’t have gone any other way.”

It’s called “a lesson in emotional intelligence.” It’s the ability to manage your emotions. To allow them to work for you instead of against you. Thus the “gift” of last year’s loss, became the “ticket” to this year’s victory.

It taught me a couple of things in losing that game,” Bennett said in a recent interview. “It sparked a fire in me that I want to compete at a higher level. I want this program to taste a level of success it never has.”

“But it also taught me something that I think is as important or more important,” he continues. “That, if we never do, I’m still okay. Because we were praised at the highest level last year [for our regular season accomplishments]…and it was enjoyable. And then, after losing, we were criticized at the highest level.”

“And neither of them really matter. I still love the game. We still have an opportunity to come back and play. And I think knowing that almost frees you up to go after it harder yet.”

As a result of this philosophy and their mental toughness, hard work, and old fashioned grit, Bennett and his team rewrote their legacy from losers to winners.

Bennett is known among his peers and players as a man of faith who once said, “When you have a relationship with the Lord, there’s a peace and perspective you have. The world didn’t give it, and the world can’t take it away.”

The son of retired coaching great, Dick Bennett, the Cavs coach has cited his faith and his father’s “Five Pillars” as impacting his coaching philosophy. Humility. Passion. Unity. Servanthood. And Thankfulness.

Wow! What a metaphor for life. For not only enduring adversity but for allowing your faith to make you bigger, better and stronger.

We could all learn something from Tony Bennett’s philosophy, faith and approach to the challenges we face.

We all suffer adversity in life. Obviously, some much greater than just losing a basketball game. The Old Testament patriarch Job opined that “man who is born of woman is of few days and full of trouble” (Job 14:1)

People of faith are not exempt from the troubles and trials of life. Physical ailments. Emotional heartache. Ruptured relationships. Broken homes. Spiritual temptations. Loss of love. Open ridicule. Financial hardships. And a public fall from grace. These and many more are obstacles we can all experience.

The question is not will problems arise, but how you will face them?

Will you “walk by faith and not by sight? (2 Cor. 5:17)

Will you “cast your burden on the Lord,” knowing He cares and will sustain you? (I Pet 5:7; Ps 55:22)

Will you lean on God’s power, learn from His promises, and look for His purpose? 2 Chron 32:7-8; Jas 1:18; 1 Pet 1:5).

The late Napoleon Hill, an American author and motivational speaker once wrote, “Every adversity, every failure, every heartache carries with it the seed of an equal or greater benefit.”

Will you allow you setbacks to give you a “gift” and produce the “seed” for some benefit?

If you do, you can rewrite your legacy from loser to winner.

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman

WISDOM AND TRUTH BY STEVE FINNELL

 

http://steve-finnell.blogspot.com/2016/11/wisdom-and-truth-by-steve-finnell.html

WISDOM AND TRUTH BY STEVE FINNELL


Without seeking wisdom from God; truth can become an illusion.

What is wisdom? Wisdom is the knowledge of what is true. Wisdom is being able to discern the truth and properly putting that knowledge into action.

YOU HAVE TO SEEK GOD'S WISDOM

James 1:5-8 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will  given to him. 6 But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, 8 being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

Without God's wisdom  it is difficult, sometimes impossible , to understand  even basic passages of Scripture. An example being: Mark 16:16 He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.

Many find (Mark 16:16) troubling and hard to understand; because Jesus said "he who has disbelieved shall be condemned." Some think that would void the requirement of water baptism in order to be saved.

If your doctor informs you that if you rest in bed and take antibiotics you will live, but if you do not rest in bed you will die. IS YOUR DOCTOR SAYING THAT TAKING ANTIBIOTICS IS NOT ESSENTIAL FOR YOU TO LIVE? Of course not, and Jesus is not saying baptism is not essential to be saved.

WITHOUT SEEKING GOD'S WISDOM, MEN HAVE A TENDENCY TO BELIEVE THEY ARE SMARTER THAN GOD.

Proverbs 14:12 There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.

WISDOM IS THE GATEWAY TO THE TRUTH!

(All Scripture quotes from: NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE)    

What Are You Worth? by Sandra F. Cobble

 

http://www.oldpaths.com/Archive/Cobble/Sandra/Fontaine/1933/worth.html

What Are You Worth?

"I am that I am", God told Moses (Exodus 3:14). And Genesis 1:21 says, "So God created man in his own image; in the image of God Created he him; male and female created he them." If, then, we are created in the image and likeness of God, why do we count ourselves to be of little worth? Why do we practice self- deprecation? What should be our attitude toward ourselves?

It is widely taught in the denominational world that Adam WAS created in the image and likeness of God, but that he sinned, and thus the rest of mankind inherited his sinful nature which causes us to sin. Well ... what, then, was there in Adam's nature which caused HIM to sin? But the primary purpose of this article is not to examine doctrine. Many knowledgeable brethren have already done that.

This false doctrine does, however, cause many of us to think less of ourselves than we should. Some go so far as to refuse to use a capital "I" when writing in reference to themselves! And even sayings in which there is much merit, such as "God first, others next, self last" need to be examined to see if all the applications we make of them are true. Are these attitudes of self- deprecation ones we should have toward ourselves? Let us examine what the Scriptures teach.

First, the Scriptures teach that we are worthy of salvation! No, I do NOT mean to imply in any way that we, of ourselves, can do anything to merit salvation. But think a minute. How is worth determined? Is it not determined by the price the purchaser is willing to pay? And Peter says, "Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, -- but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot" (1 Peter 1:18,19). Paul, having spoken to the Jews of Antioch in Pisidia, said, "It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, AND JUDGE YOURSELVES UNWORTHY of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles" (Acts 13:46). If they judged themselves unworthy of everlasting life when they rejected the Savior, we judged ourselves WORTHY of everlasting life when we believed and obeyed the gospel by following our Lord and Savior in baptism for the remission of our sins. Why now should we think ourselves to be of little worth?

And when we heard and believed the Gospel, did we first run and tell others the good news? Or did we, ourselves, first obey, then go and tell others? Think about it! The saying, "God first, others next, self last" does embody a good principle in its proper context. Certainly we should prefer others before ourselves (Romans 12:10). And Jesus said, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it. Thou shalt love thy neighbor AS thyself" (Matt. 22:37,38). If we think of ourselves to be of little worth, and love our neighbor as ourselves, does it not follow that we will also think him to be of as little worth as ourselves?

In Philippians 2:5-9 Paul writes, "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God; But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." Jesus KNEW and recognized that He was the Son of God. For Paul, in Galatians 4:4-7 writes, "But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God sent forth the spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a SON; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ." If we are to let the mind of Christ be in us, should we not also recognize that WE are sons of God? Should we not "be conformed to the image of His Son (Rom. 9:29)?

How can we who have been redeemed by God and who have been made His sons consider ourselves to be of little worth? And if we let the mind of Christ be in us, will we not then be willing to give of ourselves for others, even as did our Lord? If one should say, "Yes, Christians are NOW worth something, but it is only because we NOW belong to God", let us inquire, "Did you not belong to God BEFORE you became a Christian?" And did not the fact that HE considered you worth something -- more than all the world -- lead him to pay that purchase price for you? Would God have paid the price of redemption He DID pay for a worthless piece of junk? Shall we presume to deprecate that for which God paid such a great price?

Rene Descartes, French philosopher and mathematician, may have said more than he realized when he made his famous statement, "Cogito, ergo sum" (I think, therefore I am). God said, "I AM", and since I am made in His image, I am worth enough that He sent his Son to die for ME! So, whether or not I think, I am!

Sandra F. Cobble

Published in The Old Paths Archive
(http://www.oldpaths.com)

Wonderful things by Gary Rose

 


Well, here is something that I’ve never seen before. Someone went surfing just after a storm and took this picture from the inside of the wave. Not only that, but there appears to be at least four ( perhaps more if you consider double rainbows ) rainbows.


Life is just chocked full of unusual things; things that are difficult to understand. For me, one of the greatest difficulties I have is understanding the Love of God. Why did God create man, only to see Adam and Eve disobey his word? To me, it would have been easier to just destroy the human race and start over; but no, God offered himself on a cross as a solution. God’s solution was based on love, a love that transcends all human understanding. One of the most familiar verses says it quite plainly…


John 3 ( World English Bible )

16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.


Whether or not I completely understand God’s love is irrelevant. God’s thoughts reflect the magnificence of his nature and his actions are based on knowledge that is above all human understanding. God loves me and proved that love beyond any doubt. My part is to humbly accept what HE has done for me and live to please him in all things.


My prayer is that you can say the same thing!