Saturday, October 22, 2016

CREATION MOMENTS: 10.22.16

THE ANSWER IS BLOWING IN THE WIND

Psalm 92:4

"For thou, LORD, hast made me glad through thy work: I will triumph in the works of thy hands."
When you were a child, did you ever stick your arm out of the window of your car as it traveled at high speed? If so, you will remember how the fast-moving air currents would push your arm up, down, up, down and so forth.

As an article at the Engineering 360 website tells us, "Side forces come into play whenever wind flows across an elongated object – as when an arm is projected out the side of a moving car. As the air flows around the arm, it forms vortices that come off the top and bottom of the arm in an alternating fashion. This vortex shedding, as it is called, imparts periodic forces on the arm."

The article goes on to say that this phenomenon "affects any elongated structure caught in wind or water currents, such as lampposts, high rises and the long vertical pipes used for drilling oil at sea." It can even cause a bridge to collapse – like the Tacoma Narrows suspension bridge in the state of Washington.

This is why scientists are looking for ways to reduce these forces, and they think they may have found the solution in the shape of daffodil stems. Their twisting, lemon-shaped cross-section enables daffodils to turn away from wind and protect its petals – just like their Creator planned. By studying the unique geometry of daffodil stems, engineers hope to be able to design more stable structures in the future.

Today's "Creation Moment" is one of almost 300 you'll find in "Letting God Create Your Day, Volume 8" - the biggest collection of scripts we've ever published.

Oh Lord, thank You for Your ingenious designs that enable humans to live better and safer lives. I pray that scientists and engineers will recognize that such wonderful designs come directly from You! Amen.

"Daffodils Inspire Design of Stable Structures," Engineering 360, 5/24/16. Photo: In 1940, the Tacoma Narrows bridge collapsed during wind gusts of 42 miles per hour. (Fair Use)
 
LOOKING FOR LIFE ON ENCELADUS

John 5:39

"Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me."
In an article titled "Excitement Builds for the Possibility of Life on Enceladus," a Scientific American writer begins with these words, "Saturn's frozen moon Enceladus is a tantalizing world – many scientists are increasingly convinced it may be the best place in our solar system to search for life."

The writer adds, "Finding life there would be a profound revelation that we are not alone in the cosmos. Furthermore, the discovery of organisms – or the lack thereof – could answer the subtler mystery of how life started on Earth."

In other words, whether they find life there or not, scientists are not willing to accept what the Bible tells us about how life got started on Earth. And as this article points out, scientists have now lowered the bar of what they'll accept as evidence for life. As one researcher puts it, "If you went to Mars and found a dead rabbit on the ground, it's not alive, but it is compelling evidence of life. So we're not searching for something that's alive but searching for the molecules that life uses. In other words, we're looking for the body of the dead rabbit."

One type of molecule they're looking for are amino acids. Of course, even if they do find amino acids, this isn't even close to finding evidence of life. How much wiser it would be to search for the Creator of life in the pages of the Bible!

Today's "Creation Moment" is one of almost 300 you'll find in "Letting God Create Your Day, Volume 8" - the biggest collection of scripts we've ever published.

Heavenly Father, I pray that scientists involved in space exploration would give You glory for the universe that You created! In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Annie Sneed, "Excitement Builds for the Possibility of Life on Enceladus," Scientific American online, 6/28/16. Photo: Voyager 2 view of Enceladus in 1981. (PD)
 
 
ARCHAEOLOGISTS FIND GOLIATH

1 Samuel 17:4

"And there went out a champion out of the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span."
Sometimes you just have to feel sorry for Bible skeptics who cast doubt on the historical accuracy of the Bible. With each passing year, archaeologists keep finding evidences that the Bible is thoroughly reliable!

Take, for instance, the story of David and Goliath. Bible skeptics insist that the biblical account has no connection to reality. But in 2005, archaeologists digging at the biblical home of Goliath unearthed a shard of pottery bearing an inscription of the Philistine's name.

While the discovery does not prove Goliath's existence, it does support the Bible's depiction of life at the time of the supposed battle, said excavation director Dr. Aren Maeir of Israel's Bar-Ilan University. "What this means is that at the time there were people there named Goliath," he said. "It shows us that David and Goliath's story reflects the cultural reality of the time."

Though many skeptics tell us that David slaying the giant Goliath is a myth written down hundreds of years later, Dr. Maeir said that finding the inscription gives credence to the biblical story. As reported in Great Britain's The Independent, "The shard dates to about 950 BC, within 70 years of when biblical chronology says David squared off against Goliath, making it the oldest Philistine inscription found. It was at Tel es-Safi in southern Israel, thought to be the site of the Philistine city of Gath."

Clearly, the Bible's account of David and Goliath is no tall tale!

Today's "Creation Moment" is one of almost 300 you'll find in "Letting God Create Your Day, Volume 8" - the biggest collection of scripts we've ever published.

Heavenly Father, thank You for leading archaeologists to more evidence supporting the historical accuracy of the Bible. In Jesus' Name. Amen.


Rachel Hoag, "Shard of pottery supports Bible account of David and Goliath," The Independent, 11/11/05. Lithograph: David and Goliath by Osmar Schindler (c. 1888). (PD)
 
NUCLEAR PHYSICIST BLASTS EVOLUTION

Psalm 55:5

"Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me."
"The denial of the Genesis account is not a matter to be taken lightly by Christians," warns nuclear physicist Brandon van der Ventel. "If the biblical record is not true, then we are left with naturalism and atheism, of which the consequences are truly horrific."

In an August 2015 interview with the Christian News Network, van der Vental, who holds a Ph.D. from South Africa's Stellenbosch University, stressed the importance of having a biblical worldview while discussing the theory of evolution. "The final arbiter of any theory must be based on the strength of its description of physical reality. It is in this respect that the theory of evolution fails dismally."

He went on to say that physics can play a role when it comes to the sticky question of dating certain objects. "It is important to understand," he said, "that dinosaur bones, for example, are not found with a time stamp attached to them. Every publicized age is based on certain assumptions, and conflicting radioactive dates are commonplace."

According to The Christian Post, van der Ventel said that Christians "need to hold fast to the knowledge that God created the universe with a specific order." He argues that "if faith in the Genesis account is lost, the validity of the rest of the Bible can be questioned." He further contends that "the theory of evolution is the number-one reason why many Christians no longer believe in the creation account."

Today's "Creation Moment" is one of almost 300 you'll find in "Letting God Create Your Day, Volume 8." Click the box in the left column for more information.

Heavenly Father, thank You for scientists who aren't afraid to point out the weaknesses of evolution and speak out in defense of Your truth. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Vincent Funaro, "Nuclear Physicist Insists Evolutionary Worldview 'Fails Dismally;' Says Denial of Genesis Account Should Not Be 'Taken Lightly' by Christians," The Christian Post, 8/4/15. Photo: Dr Brandon van der Ventel, courtesy of Creation Ministries International.
 
 
MOST AMERICANS ARE PRO-ACADEMIC FREEDOM

Acts 22:28

"And the chief captain answered, With a great sum obtained I this freedom. And Paul said, But I was free born."
According to a nationwide survey conducted in 2016 by the Discovery Institute, most American adults agree that "teachers and students should have the academic freedom to objectively discuss both the scientific strengths and weaknesses of the theory of evolution." In fact, 88% agree that "scientists who raise scientific criticisms of evolution should have the freedom to make their arguments without being subjected to censorship or discrimination."

Though most evolutionists in the public eye strongly oppose such academic freedom, Americans overwhelmingly agree that dissenting views in science are healthy. Just listen to these figures: 84% believe that "attempts to censor or punish scientists for holding dissenting views on issues such as evolution or climate change are not appropriate in a free society." 94% believe "it is important for policymakers and the public to hear from scientists with differing views." And 86% think that "disagreeing with the current majority view in science can be an important step in the development of new insights and discoveries in science."

According to molecular biologist Douglas Axe – who is quoted in the report – "Freedom of inquiry is a cornerstone of the scientific enterprise, but it's under increasing attack by some who claim to speak for science. So it's very good news that a large majority of Americans still believe in open and free discussion."

Unfortunately, prominent evolutionists do not agree. This makes them not only anti-academic freedom, it makes them anti-science as well.

Heavenly Father, I pray that You will help Your people fight for the right to oppose evolution without being silenced by those who oppose freedom of thought and expression. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

"Poll: Americans Overwhelmingly Support the Right of Students, Teachers, and Scientists to Discuss Dissenting Scientific Views on Evolution," Discovery Institute, 7/1/16. Photo: Hungarian scientist Polányi Mihály argued that a structure of liberty is essential for the advancement of science.
 
 
 
 
 
 

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