18.10.05

Scanning the skies for signs

“Did you see the movie Contact?”
“Sure,” I said. “It was based on Carl Sagan’s book.”
“That’s right,” he replied. “In the movie, scientists are scanning the skies for signs of intelligent life in space. Their radiotelescopes just receive static – random sounds from space. It’s reasonable to assume there’s no intelligence behind that. Then one day they begin receiving a transmission of prime numbers, which are numbers divisible only by themselves and one.
“The scientists reason that it’s too improbable that there would be a natural cause behind a string of numbers like that. This wasn’t merely unorganized static; if was information, a message with content. From that, they concluded there was an intelligent cause behind it. As Sagan himself once said, ‘The receipt of a single message from space’ would be enough to know there’s an intelligence out there. That’s reasoning by analogy- we know that where there’s intelligent communication, there’s an intelligent cause.”
Bradley’s eyes bored in on me as he delivered his conclusion. “And if a single message from space is enough for us to conclude there’s an intelligence behind it, then what about the vast amounts of information contained in the DNA of every living plant and animal?” he said, his voice rising in emphasis.
“Each cell in the human body contains more information than in all thirty volumes of the Encyclopaedia Britanica. It’s certainly reasonable to make the inference that this isn’t the random product of unguided nature, but it’s the unmistakable sign of an Intelligent Designer.”
It was an argument without an answer. “Then,” I said, “the origin of life is the Achilles heel of evolution.”
“That’s right. As Philip Johnson said, ‘If Darwinist are to keep the Creator out of the picture, they have to provide a naturalistic explanation for the origin of life.’
“Lee, they haven’t been able to do it. Despite all their efforts, they haven’t even come up with a single possibility that even remotely makes sense. And there’s no prospect they will. In fact, everything is pointing the other way – in the unmistakable direction of God. Today it takes a great deal of faith to be an honest scientist who is an atheist.”

Lee Strobel, The Case for FaithA Journalist Investigates the Toughest Objections to Christianity. Zondervan ISBN 0-310-23528-6 Also read: The Case for Christ - A Journalist's Personal Investigation of the Evidence for Jesus. Zondervan ISBN 0-310-20930-7

Both books are highly recommended!

Click here if you want to visit the official SETI site (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence). The mission of the SETI Institute is to explore, understand and explain the origin, nature and prevalence of life in the universe.

But of course you can also look here for some fascinating answers... Two examples:

For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. Romans 1:20

By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. Hebrews 11:3

My Utmost for His Highest

If you can afford to buy just one book, buy a Bible.

If you can afford to buy another book, buy My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers.

But what if you only want to read text from a screen? Lucky you! You can also read the Bible and My Utmost for His Highest online!

16.10.05

Walk away from your own preoccupations...


I pray that Gospel for Asia will become like a bridge, giving you the opportunity to walk away from your own preoccupations to the harvest fields of Asia--and see the perishing multitudes through the eyes of Jesus.
May you allow God to use your life to change the destiny of millions through your prayers and partnership with our native brothers and sisters.

K.P. Yohannan, Gospel For Asia.

Without law, no freedom

Alas, we often think that freedom exists and that it is law which binds freedom. Yet it is just the opposite; without law, freedom does not exist at all, and it is law which gives freedom.
Søren Kierkegaard

15.10.05

Oppeppers / Boosters - looking for a volunteer!


I have re-designed my Oppeppers blog... Sorry guys, it's all in Dutch. I do want to publish these weekly Bible verses with 'devotional prayers' on Monday Boosters, but writing AND translating these texts will cost me too much time.

Looking for a volunteer!
I need somebody who is Dutch (or knows the Dutch language), writes flawless English and is willing to translate these short meditations every week for FREE (it's Dutch, remember?) It is not a big job, but your help will be highly appreciated!

By the way, I send out the Dutch Oppeppers each Monday morning by email. I want to inspire and encourage people with my writings at the start of their working week.

14.10.05

Every knee will bow


Together with thousands of Christians around the world I am praying for the persecuted church in North Korea. Wait and see: the idols will be toppled, the statues will fall and God's people will be released! Not because of our efforts, but because of the Lord's faithfulness.

The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry; the face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth. The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:15-18

It's official: I'm an alien!

Everybody is a foreigner in most parts of the world,
but followers of Jesus are strangers everywhere.



They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.
(Hebrews 11:13-16)

Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.
(Hebrews 13:2)

Since you call on a Father who judges each man's work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear.
(1 Peter 1:17)

Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.
(1 Peter 2:11)

Click here and start reading a book that is truly out of this world! Warning: a very spooky sound and a strange voice will come out of your speakers if you click here... Hey, forget the sounds! Pay attention to the message! May God bless you with his Word.

13.10.05

The kind of religion God likes


Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. (James 1:27)

12.10.05

No fear in love

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. (1 John 3:14)

11.10.05

50 ways to help persecuted Christians

Following yesterday's entry... You can download a PDF brochure by clicking here. This brochure - 50 Ways to Help Persecuted Christians - is published by an organisation called Christian Freedom International.

Click to enlarge
So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples. (John 13:34-35)

Whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone, especially to our Christian brothers and sisters. (Galatians 6:10)

Don’t forget about those in prison. Suffer with them as though you were there yourself. Share the sorrow of those being mistreated, as though you feel their pain in your own bodies. (Hebrews 13:3)

10.10.05

If one part suffers, every part suffers with it

"Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." (Jesus in Matthew 5:10-12)



"Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it." (1 Corinthians 12:27)

If you are a follower of Jesus - and a member of his world-wide body - you must feel the pain of millions of persecuted believers around the globe. If you don't feel their pain - please ask yourself which part of the body is numb or not functioning properly...

PLEASE DON'T IGNORE THE SUFFERING OF YOUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CHRIST AROUND THE GLOBE !



Do you feel powerless? Overwhelmed? Guilty? That will not change a thing. So, what CAN you do? Start reading about persecuted Christians! Find out what is going on world-wide by visiting the websites from organisations such as Voice of the Martyrs and Open Doors. Be informed, get involved, stay connected, share your knowledge and let your brothers and sisters know that you care. And don't forget to pray, pray, pray!

"For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil." (1 Peter 3:12)

Please also read this post

Return to your God


Sculptured by Ruth Beloe (beautiful art!)

In the womb he grasped his brother's heel;
as a man he struggled with God.
He struggled with the angel and overcame him;
he wept and begged for his favor.
He found him at Bethel
and talked with him there-
the LORD God Almighty,
the LORD is his name of renown!
But you must return to your God;
maintain love and justice,
and wait for your God always.

Hosea 12:3-6

9.10.05

Pondering around the world


According to my site meter I now have blog readers from almost every continent. I guess I have to write more about Antartica ;-)

Avifauna


Autumn has come to the Netherlands...

...but we still had some sunshine today...

...and we saw this "ordinary" duck...

...and many birds of other feathers - like this colorful parrot in a cage. We went to Avifauna in Alphen aan den Rijn today with family and friends. It was just great! Click on my FLICKR badge (above right) or click on this link to see all the other pictures. Enjoy!

Where is your God?


Thousands of people may have died yesterday in yet another part of this globe because of a powerful earthquake. My thoughts and prayers are with the people from Pakistan, northern India and Afghanistan.

Lord have mercy on us - vulnerable people living in this broken, suffering world.
My tears have been my food day and night, while men say to me all day long, "Where is your God?" Psalm 42 (you can also listen to God's Word here.)

Jesus told us:
"When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains." Read this in context (or listen here.)

I wrote about these birth pangs a couple of months ago - click here if you want to read that post.