Westfield Studios

Uh...like we said...

2012-01-21T22:02:00.000-08:00

Yes, as we were saying, Physics 101 first and then General Science 101! After much consideration and input, including the two posts at this blog site and emails, we are continuing our course to finish the tri-series of biology, chemistry and physics and will continue the preproduction of Physics 101 with a tentative release date of winter 2013.

Thanks for all of your input!

General Science 101

2012-01-12T11:05:00.001-08:00

Chemistry 101 is out and doing well! We were starting research for the next film, Physics 101, but had a major shift in the plans.

We see a much greater need for a broad introductory course that encompasses more of the sciences in the beginning levels of high school. As a result, General Science 101, is now in preproduction and will come before the physics course.

General Science 101 will touch on all the sciences and introduce students to the world of science as a whole. We are still early in the research phase but so far some of the the proposed topics include:

Earth Science (including meteorology and geology, seismology, paleontology,etc)
Space Science (astronomy, observational astronomy, rocket science)
Life Science (biology, plant science, medicine, etc)
Social Science (including theology, philosophy, political science and probably a section of forensic science too!)

and we plan on introducing

Formal Sciences (including computer science and logic)

Completed!!!

2011-09-12T19:13:00.000-07:00

6,000 hours (not counting the rest of the production crew) and 3.5 years and you get...Chemistry 101!

The film is out of the bag and into home DVD players! Check out the entire 35 minute segment #1! Go to...

www.chemistryfilm.com

Are we excited? oh yes.

Almost there

2011-09-03T10:37:00.000-07:00

We have just spent a week working almost 20 hours a day ( I am not making this up) to get the masters to the press. So many families are starting school and want to get chemistry going.

Then...just hours away... the rendering computer decided to...how shall I say it...be disobedient. Refusing to render, rendering bad files, corrupting information.

Elizabeth Elliott says, "With acceptance comes joy." God is way more concerned with how I deal with my daily struggles than he is with my getting Chemistry 101 out. He wants the project...but He wants my joy and thanksgiving more than the project.

Pressing on! Hopefully it will be out this week!

98% done!

2011-08-03T11:11:00.000-07:00

We just completed the final edit on all nineteen segments of Chemistry 101! All that is left is tweeking the film, music and documents. We should be set by mid-September!

Yes!

Pressing on!

2011-04-20T07:56:00.000-07:00

Just a quick note...we are editing segment 16 of 18 now. It looks like we actually might make the fall release!

Back in the Saddle...

2011-02-14T18:09:00.001-08:00

Yes after 6 weeks of computer limbo we are back up and faster than ever before! The problem turned out to be the back Central Processing Unit (CPU...like in the main brain of the computer!) which almost never goes out. In addition to a new CPU I upgraded the graphics card so the machine is now a "smokin' unit"...which is computer language for a much faster computer. Almost finished with segment 8...and there are 16 segments! Still looking for a Fall release...God willing.

Time Off

2010-12-20T20:30:00.000-08:00

It's been months since I've posted something in this blog...BECAUSE...I've been 100% busy editing Chemistry 101. Chemistry 101 is coming along very nicely and I can't wait to get it out into the hands of curious families!

BUT...then the motherboard on the editing computer died. i sent it back to Intel and they will replace it.

I have this history with electronic things. I can't wear analog watches as they always stop. My sons, employers and friends have all testified that if I get close to a computer, it is sure to malfunction. Hmmmm....

Although the history is true, I really am highly skeptical that I produce some sort of something that causes an abnormal malfunction of electronic components. To my knowledge, lots of people claim the "I can't wear watches" syndrome but I don't think any real studies have been done.

Regardless, I am being forced to take a couple of weeks off of editing and thus this blog. No motherboard...and of course, I don't have a wrist watch on either.

June 2010

2010-06-05T07:56:00.000-07:00

We are nearly 75% completed with onscreen filming. Graphics production is well underway and Ii suspect we will begin scoring the music withing the next few months. Very pleased with the project and can't wait to get it into hands eager to learn!

My oldest daughter Rebekah goes out on all the shoots and she is doing a great. We're having a blast together.

Can't quite predict when we will be done, but still looking to Fall or perhaps Spring.

Chemistry 101

2010-02-25T14:41:00.000-08:00

Chemistry 101 is progressing really well...but it takes time! So I'll blog when I get a moment...until then, back to editing!

Joy at Hand

2009-11-12T10:15:00.000-08:00

A brief blog. I'm still working on the storyboards. It's amazing how this simple exercise profoundly impacts your script and forces you to really think through what you will put on the screen.

This morning as I was waking and praying a bit, my outstretched hand reached toward the ceiling and this is what I saw:

Chemistry 101

2009-10-09T07:00:00.000-07:00

"The Challenge: Make an overview of chemistry that is visually rich, captivating and honoring to the Creator. The Result: Chemistry 101."

I realize I haven't posted in several months. I have been so focused on getting the script done for the new film. After nearly 15 months of working on this, I finally finished the script of Chemistry 101-the second in the 101 Series. Chemistry is a challenging subject and the film contains a lot of interesting stories of amazing people on the path to discovering the Periodic Table of the Elements. This is going to be a very fun film to edit and watch!

How Does It Work?

Preproduction

First you get your idea. In this case-Chemistry 101!

write write write write. Research research. write write write write write.

Develop your script into a screenplay. A screenplay is your story rewritten so it can be filmed and made into a movie. I also make my shooting script at the same time so I can actually film it.

Make a story board of the screenplay. This is essentially comic book of your movie so you can previsualize how the film will work.

Make a schedule that says exactly where you will be on what day and exactly what scene you will be shooting.

Production

"lights, camera, action!"

Post-production

Edit all your material, select the shots, graphics, pacing, music...all the stuff that makes the film a film!

proof proof proof. Publish.

Write the Guidebook and Accreditation booklet. Publish.

Get a cup of tea and relax.

Get a coffee mocha and start Physics 101!

God Rolls the Dice

2009-04-04T19:52:00.001-07:00

FADE-IN EXTERIOR SHOT PARK AT A PICNIC BENCH ON A SUNNY DAY

God and Wes are sitting at the bench with a large oak tree shading them. They are playing another game of Yahtzee©. Wes is right in the middle of his roll. He hesitates.

WES

(somewhat exasperated)

I, uh…I think I’m done.

GOD

(looks up)

But I like playing games—this game especially.

WES

Yeah, but it just occurred to me that playing a dice game with you seems pretty pointless. And besides, how can you enjoy playing when you already know the ending?”

GOD

Yes…that is a good question. Hmmmm. Well here, let’s try something. Take the dice cup. I think you will roll two 6’s, a 4, a 2 and a 1.

Wes rolls the dice and it rolls those numbers.

WES

Hey, big surprise.

GOD

Yes…here let’s try again. Roll again, but this time, not even a suggestion of randomness. You will roll a 5, a 4, a 3, a 2 and a 1.

Reluctantly, Wes rolls the dice. It’s a Straight. Raises his eyebrows… unmoved.

GOD

So you see, not only did I predict what would happen in the first rolls, I actually made it happen exactly as I wish on the last roll.

WES

And thus, no fun to play with.

GOD

Perhaps you’re right. Here, maybe this will engage you—or disturb you. Try again BUT before you roll, I have a question for you. Have I ever lied to you?

WES

(taken aback by the odd question)

Lied? Well… no, of course not. I mean sometimes you say some of the most bizarre, unpredictable…

GOD

(interrupting him)

Do you think I’ve ever will lie to you?

WES

No.

GOD

Excellent! Okay. Roll again because this time, I have absolutely no idea what the dice will say.

WES

Wes’ head jerks up in astonishment.

What?! How can you say that? That…That’s impossible! You…

GOD

(interrupting)

Do I lie?

Staring at God for a moment, Wes slowly picks up the dice cup and puts the dice inside. He slowly shakes the cup while looking at God -simultaneously shakes his head in disbelief. He rolls the dice. Three 6’s and two 5’s. He lifts his hands in a state of not knowing where to go next.

WES

Okay, well, there it is. Three 6’s and two 5’s—and this is news to you? You, didn’t know what that was going to be?

GOD

Hmmm. Yes, I see this is a little disturbing. Let’s try one more time but here’s a little twist.

God writes something on a piece of paper, folds it and hands it to Wes

WES

Now what? Now what are you doing? This is really too much.

GOD

Take this but don’t look at it yet. Roll and once again, I have absolutely no idea what the dice will say.

Wes rolls a Yahtzee in 6’s! Five 6’s. He sort of jumps back, looking at the dice. Looking at God his eyes narrow in confusion. Then he reaches for the paper… the paper says ‘Yahtzee in 6’s.’ Wes actually starts scooting away a little like maybe something has just gone very, very wrong.

WES

There is something totally wrong with this. How could you not know? You just wrote it? You must know! That’s one of the very definitions of who you are!

GOD

You are disturbed because you have a construct in your mind about who We are. Your think I can only know everything, must know everything and cannot do otherwise. But I will tell you a secret.

Looks around as if making sure no one else is listening

GOD

(continuing)

I know a God so sovereign, He can not only predict what the dice say, but will cause the dice to say it. And I know a God so in control, He can even choose to not know what the dice will say—or choose not to know what the man will name his animals, because He chooses not to know.

Pointing to the Yahtzee paper.

And I know a God so enchanting, He can grant you the freedom to roll as you wish yet still accomplish His own will. And I know a God with a mercy so wide, He can choose to forget, and when He forgets, it is utterly forgotten. Forever. As far as the East is from the West. By chance, do you know a God like that?

Thoughtful, Wes slowly nods. His eyes looking at the dice, he glances up.

Wes

Yes. Yes I do. I do know a God like that.

GOD

(Smiling and taking the Dice cup)

Yes, I think you do. Now then, I believe it’s your roll.

FADE-OUT

The Heroic Minute

2009-02-06T07:56:00.000-08:00

I often find I don’t have enough time in my day to get everything done I think I need to get done. Tons of little stuff eats away. Plus I have a full time job. Plus I have a wonderful full time family.
I have discovered a secret.

I haven’t mastered it yet, mind you…still working on it.

Here it is.

Ready?

The secret…is getting up early.

Yep, that’s the secret. If I get up at 5:00 am just 5 days each week, I will actually add 1 whole work day to my week…for free! Imagine if someone said to you, “I know you’re real busy. Tell you what we're gonna do, just for you. Every Saturday, we’re going to stop time for 8 hours just for you. That’s right, we will actually stop the clock 8 whole extra hours for you to get done whatever you want to get done!”

All you have to do is get up early. And it’s not easy…which is the real problem in this whole scenario. In fact, it is such a problem and takes such effort and is often so difficult, that spiritual writers in the past actually called this “The Heroic Minute” referring to the sacrifice this habit entails! One writer described it this way:

"'The heroic minute'. It is the time fixed for getting up. Without hesitation: a supernatural reflection and... up! The heroic minute: here you have a mortification that strengthens your will and does no harm to your body." He said that virtue is an orderly thing and that waking up at a fixed time enables a person to fulfill a Christian plan of life involving prayers, study and work.

Feeling heroic?

Drawing by Jeff Appel
http://www.pbase.com/jsappel/profile

Way, Way in Debt.

2009-01-06T15:08:00.001-08:00

Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents.

This, by the way, is an unbelievable amount of money for one person to owe. A denarii is about $60. A talent is 6,000 denarii. 10,000 talents equals 60 million denarii. This man owed about $3.5 billion dollars! Way, way in debt.

But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, “Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.” Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt!

“But… that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii.

Which, by-the-way, is a lot of money but not too extreme. For a servant, a denarius is a day’s wage or about $60. So 100 denarii is about 3 months wage or about $6,000.

And he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, “Pay me what you owe!” So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, “Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.” And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done. Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, “You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me! Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?!’ And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him.

“So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.”

The Bells Tolled for Me

2008-12-01T10:35:00.000-08:00

I attended Multnomah Bible College in Portland, Oregon for three years and like virtually every other student there, I would often find myself studying my class work in the beautiful John Mitchell Library on campus. Diagonally across from the library’s main entrance is the quaint and quiet, old fashioned Prayer Chapel. It serves as an almost secret sanctuary in the midst of the campus.

From time to time, individual students will slip inside for a brief retreat from the hectic college life. It is very quiet inside and often there is no one inside, or at most one or two people silently praying, meditating or reading their Bibles. On the outside of the Prayer Chapel, on top of the little white steeple, is a clock and a church bell. It plays a short, traditional bell melody, then strikes out the hour. The bells may be digitally synthesized rather than actual bells but I remember the tone as always sounding very authentic.

Many of those days, more than I could count, I would be at a study cubicle right at the noon hour, when the Prayer Chapel bells would begin the session of their longest chimes. The rich tones would begin to play the familiar bell-tower type melody, I think it was the Westminster Chime. I would stop and listen to the tune which lasted for perhaps 15 seconds. Slowly, I would put my pen to rest on the desk.

The chime would finish, and then…the hour bells would begin. And in my own little world, it literally seemed as though the whole busy, noisy library world around me quickly slowed down then froze in time and everything was silent, waiting for the striking of the bells.

BONG -----------------------------------------------------------------------one
BONG-----------------------------------------------------------------------two
BONG----------------------------------------------------------------------three

And like most clock chimes, these bells had a deep and slightly off-key tone that gave it an added feeling of seriousness---like it was something very ancient and significant.

As the bell went on a mounting sense of trepidation or foreboding would develop as each bell struck closer to the twelfth hour.

BONG----------------------------------------------------------------------four
BONG----------------------------------------------------------------------five
BONG----------------------------------------------------------------------six

It felt as though the bells were tolling out for the Final Judgment of the world; whose time had at last come. Everything stood still, waiting for the moment when the twelfth bell would sound and the Great and Terrible Judge of the Earth would take His place and where I and every one else would be required to give an account. The moment was transfixing.

BONG----------------------------------------------------------------------seven
BONG----------------------------------------------------------------------eight
BONG----------------------------------------------------------------------nine
BONG----------------------------------------------------------------------ten
BONG----------------------------------------------------------------------eleven

and finally…

the bell would strike twelve…

BONG----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The striking of the twelfth bell would hang in the air for three or four seconds as the sound slowly echoed off into the future somewhere. At that moment, it was as if the entire world had been given a reprieve. A stay of execution. Another chance. As if there were some great angel standing next to me, watching this whole event unfold and at the end would turn to me and say, “As you see, it is not yet. There is still time.”

The noise and motion in the library would gradually start up again, steadily replacing the little drama as if it had never happened. I’d look around a tiny bit; the other students studying, walking, talking, laughing and carrying on. And then I would slowly join back in, take my pen and pick up where I left off only a minute before. But I would remember.

And I was both sad and glad.

Sad that the time had not come and that I was still here—with work ahead of me.
And I was glad...glad that the time had not come and that I was still here—with work ahead of me.

That Works

2008-11-01T10:05:00.000-07:00

I have the hardest time writing for a blog. I think, “Who in the world is going to read this?” Then, every now and then, I get a comment from someone who has actually read it and was encouraged, or challenged. That works.

CHEMISTRY
I am still working through writing Chemistry 101. Man is that a challenge, but I nearly can’t wait to watch it myself! I think it has great potential to introduce a whole new discipline to those who otherwise may never even touch it for fear that it is beyond them.

WEDNESDAY
I facilitate a small group on Wednesday nights. We have gone through Tactics in Defending Your Faith which you can find at www.str.org. We’ve gone through The Truth Project by Focus on the Family. Both of these were terrific. Just recently we finished a wonderful series by Andy Stanley called The Best Question Ever. Highly recommended.

EAGLE
We just completed the Eagle Court of Honor for Micah. That means both sons are now Eagle Scouts. My, oh, my was that a lot of work, especially as the family did it through the Boy Scout of America’s Lone Scout program. It is wonderful to have set a goal many years ago and now to see it completed. In fact, all four of us are sitting down tonight and discussing what we would like to see accomplished in the next 10 years and setting goals toward that end. God superintends the affairs of all history, but with no clear vision, the people perish. If you aim for nothing, you hit it every time.

WIFE
Proverbs 18:22: “He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord.” I have found a good thing. I have obtained favor from the Lord.

Lose Your Baby Fat

2008-08-08T15:26:00.000-07:00

I was a chunky kid. That was a nice way of saying chubby and I hated it. My metabolism was on 4 but my mouth was on 7. Not obese, just chubby.

I fought this on and off for nearly 50 years. A lot of people call it “baby fat.” Trying to lose those last 10 pounds can be almost impossible. It hangs around. You get sick with the flu and the upside is you don’t eat for a couple of days, then get back on the scale and, “Yeehaaa! I lost those 10 pounds!!” Only to find them return with swift vengeance within a week.

We carry a lot of spiritual baby fat around. Here’s what Hebrews 12:1 says,

“Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.”

That’s the NKJV. The Message puts a sharper point on it; “We'd better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins.”

Baby fat. Those little sins and indulgences that weigh us down like we’re carrying 10 pounds of spiritual potatoes on our midsection.

Anger. Worry. Faithlessness. Prayerlessness. Foolish talk. Gossip. Complaining.

Yessiree, I’m hitting home I know, because my toes are getting stepped on right now!

Imagine if you were finally at the weight you wanted to be, but you had to keep carrying a 15 pound sack of potatoes EVERYWHERE you went! To meeting, to bed, in the shower, on the airplane, in the elevator, at the store. What a burden.

Now imagine after months and months of this, finally being able to throw off that sack! Free at last, free at last, thank God I’m free at last! What a relief that would be.

This is what God wants for us. Physically and spiritually but especially spiritually. Throw off those little nasty sins you indulge in. Start running and never stop!

By-the-way, I told my sons when they returned from their trip back East to the National Home School Alumni Convention, that their Dad would weight no more than 155. I’ve got three pounds of 49 year old baby fat to go. Will I make it? Drop me an email and find out!

22 Questions to Ask Yourself

2008-07-23T09:58:00.000-07:00

We love lists. We like information broken down into bite-sized, digestible chunks. Plus lists are easy and fast to read. Especially “Top 10” lists.

John Wesley was a Christian minister back in the 1700’s. While studying at Oxford University, he and some friends started the “Holy Club.” Here is a list of questions they asked themselves in their private devotions.

1. Am I consciously or unconsciously creating the impression that I am better than I really am? In other words, am I a hypocrite?

2. Am I honest in all my acts and words, or do I exaggerate?

3. Do I confidentially pass on to another what was told to me in confidence?

4. Can I be trusted?

5. Am I a slave to dress, friends, work or habits?

6. Am I self-conscious, self-pitying or self-justifying?

7. Did the Bible live in me today?

8. Do I give it time to speak to me every day?

9. Am I enjoying prayer?

10. When did I last speak to someone else about my faith?

11. Do I pray about the money I spend?

12. Do I go to bed on time and get up on time?

13. Do I disobey God in anything?

14. Do I insist upon doing something about which my conscience is uneasy?

15. Am I defeated in any part of my life?

16. Am I jealous, impure, critical, irritable, touchy or distrustful?

17. How do I spend my spare time?

18. Am I proud?

19. Do I thank God that I am not like other people?

20. Is there anyone whom I fear, dislike, disown, criticize, hold a resentment toward or disregard?

21. Do I grumble or complain constantly?

22. Is Christ real to me?

I printed the list off and stuck it in the middle of my Bible. During my quiet time or during a church service, it will surface and I’ll read it again.

It’s a great list.

Missing God’s Glory

2008-05-08T20:05:00.000-07:00

I have been on a joy ride for the past 5 months. God has been after me and working with me to produce a constant joy in my life. Taking a vow of joy as opposed to being Mr. Grumpy. Joy in spite of the trials that life always is throwing at me. Now that I’m just starting to get pretty good at this joy thing, God has thrown me another curve.

His glory.

I don’t get this “glory” thing. Christians always talk about “do it all for the glory of God!” I never, ever, ever say this...ever. Because I don’t get it. But God wants me to get it. So…we are just starting to go through John
Piper’s “The Blazing Center” video series. Piper gets it and I bet by the time we’re done, I’m going to understand this too.

And I can’t wait.

Because I just know that this is going to deepen my relationship with God. Just like my quest for joy.

P.S. The supremacy of love. This is another lesson I’ve yet to firmly grasp. But it’s coming…I’m sure of it.

Teaching Science? Start with the Bible!

2008-04-23T10:39:00.001-07:00

This month I had the opportunity to present a workshop at the Washington State Christian Heritage Homeschool Convention. Here is a brief overview followed by many of the quotes from the Father’s of science who believed that to do science, you need to start with the Bible.

Science will not and cannot answer the four most important questions we ever ask ourselves. They do not answer them in such a way that corresponds to the deepest needs of mankind. Here are the questions:

1. Origin - where did it all come from?

2. Meaning – does my life have meaning?

3. Morality – what are good & evil?

4. Destiny – what happens after I die?

In brief, here’s how modern evolutionary science answers these questions:

1. Origin - where did it all come from?

Here’s what David Darling, the British Astronomer says:

“What is a big deal—the biggest deal of all—is how you get something out of nothing.

Don’t let the cosmologists try to kid you on this one. They have not got a clue either—despite the fact that they are doing a pretty good job of convincing themselves and others that this is really not a problem.”

2. Meaning – Does my life have meaning?

Richard Dawkins is a popular science writer, and holds the Chair for the Public Understanding of Science at the University of Oxford and is an outspoken evolutionist. Here’s how he answers this question:.

“If it's true that evolution causes people to feel despair, that's tough. It's still the truth. The universe doesn't owe us condolence or consolation; it doesn't owe us a nice warm feeling inside. If it's true, it's true, and you'd better live with it…Don't kid yourself that you're going to live again after you're dead; you're not. Don't imagine for one second you're going to paradise. You're not. You're going to rot in the ground."

3. Morality – What is good and evil?

Francis Galton 19th century anthropologist, explorer, evolutionist and half brother of Charles Darwin. He was knighted in 1909. Here is a paraphrase of what he though:

"I do not see why any of those in the gifted class should not treat others with all kindness, so long as they don’t have children. But if these less gifted people continued to reproduce children who are inferior in moral, intellectual and physical qualities, the time may come when such persons will be considered as enemies to the State, and will to have forfeited all claims to our kindness."

4. Destiny – What happens after I die?

William Provine is an American historian of science, and is a Distinguished University Professor at Cornell University. He is an atheist, evolutionist and a professor in the Department of History. He holds his from the University of Chicago. Here is how he sums up his views on the four major questions:

"Let me summarize my views on what modern evolutionary biology tells us loud and clear ... There are no gods, no purposes, no goal-directed forces of any kind. There is no life after death. When I die, I am absolutely certain that I am going to be dead. That's the end for me. There is no ultimate foundation for ethics, no ultimate meaning to life, and no free will for humans, either."

Here are some quotes from the very Fathers of various scientific fields. These men believed that if you want to teach science, you need to start with the Bible as your foundation.

Sir Isaac Newton, the Father of Physics and Calculus says we should start with the Bible:

"I have a fundamental belief in the Bible as the Word of God, written by those who were inspired. I study the Bible daily."

The Father of Thermodynamics, James Prescott Joule, says we should start with the Bible:

"After the knowledge of, and obedience to, the will of God, the next aim must be to know something of His attributes of wisdom, power, and goodness as evidenced by His handiwork."

How about the Father of Electronics…Michael Faraday? What did he say about using the Bible as the starting point?

“The Bible, and it alone, with nothing added to it nor taken away from it by man, is the sole and sufficient guide for each individual, at all times and in all circumstances…For faith in the divinity and work of Christ is the gift of God, and the evidence of this faith is obedience to the commandment of Christ."

And the Father of Modern Oceanography Matthew Fontaine Maury? What does the Father of Oceanography say about using the Bible?

"The Bible is true and science is true, and therefore each, if truly read, but proves the truth of the other."

Here are a few more…

Lord Kelvin – Pioneer in Mathematical Physics

"With regard to the origin of life, science...positively affirms creative power…Overwhelmingly strong proofs of intelligent and benevolent design lie around us...the atheistic idea is so non-sensical that I cannot put it into words."

James Clerk Maxwell-Pioneer in Theoretical Physics

“Almighty God, Who has created man in Thine own image, and made him a living soul that he might seek after Thee, and have dominion over Thy creatures, teach us to study the works of Thy hands, that we may subdue the earth to our use, and strengthen the reason for Thy service; so to receive Thy blessed Word, that we may believe on Him Who Thou has sent, to give us the knowledge of salvation and the remission of our sins. All of which we ask in the name of the same Jesus Christ, our Lord."

Samuel Morris – Father of the Telegraph

"Education without religion is in danger of substituting wild theories for the simple commonsense rules of Christianity."

Sir William Herschel – Father of stellar astronomy

“All human discoveries seem to be made only for the purpose of confirming more and more the Truths contained in the Sacred Scriptures.”

Robert Boyle – Father of Modern Chemistry

"Christ's passion, His death, His resurrection and ascension, and all of those wonderful works which He did during His stay upon earth,[were done] in order to confirm mankind in the belief of His being God as well as man."

Johannes Kepler – The Father of Modern Science

"I am a Christian...I believe... only and alone in the service of Jesus Christ...In Him is all refuge, all solace…let my name perish if only the name of God the Father is thereby elevated [for God] is the kind Creator who brought forth nature out of nothing."

Joyful as Scrooge

2008-03-03T07:46:00.000-08:00

I am currently reading a biography on the life and thoughts of G. K. Chesterton. If you haven't a clue of who this is, Google: "G. K. Chesterton Quotes". You'll get a kick out of Chesterton. Chesterton was a man who loved God, and loved life. But not everyone loves life. Many people are irritated with life because they don't have what they think they want.

Moremoneynewercarbetterjobbetterwifebetterhusbandbetterkids

newerwifebetterparentsnewcomputermorestuff.

The reality is they don't actually know what they want. Because as soon as they get it, they are dissatisfied and want something else. They live for the weekend only to actually hate the weekend because the weekend will end and Monday looms on the horizon. Their life is wearisome. More than one can say. But Chesterton really loved his life because of something he owned. He owned peace and joy. And this was his secret.

"In this world you will have tribulation.
But be of good cheer,
I have overcome the world."

If this cosmic fact will sink into our stony hearts, we'll be like Ebenezer Scrooge at the end of his story:

"Scrooge was holding up his hands in a last prayer to the Ghost of Christmas Future to have his awful fate reversed, when he saw an alteration in the Phantom's hood and dress. It shrunk, collapsed, and dwindled down into a bedpost. Yes! And the bedpost was his own. The bed was his own, the room was his own. Best and happiest of all, the Time before him was his own, to make amends in!

`They are not torn down!' cried Scrooge, folding one of his bed-curtains in his arms, `they are not torn down, rings and all. They are here--I am here--the shadows of the things that would have been, may be dispelled. They will be! I know they will. `I don't know what to do!' cried Scrooge, laughing and crying in the same breath; and making a perfect Laocoon of himself with his stockings. `I am as light as a feather, I am as happy as an angel; I am as merry as a schoolboy! I am as giddy as a drunken man!"

The time is still before us. Time to make amends in. It is time to act like the Christians we were meant to be. To love life and be full of joy.

The Invisible Generation of the 1970’s

2008-02-11T07:18:00.000-08:00

Every generation seems to have their moment of impact on society and of fond memories of their high school and college days. My days were the invisible and forgettable seventies. We just came out of the 60's which did not produce the promises hoped for. Instead, we fizzled out of Vietnam, went through Kent State, got burned out with hippies and assassinations and just went through Watergate. The Older generation didn't need another youth culture thing so my generation pretty much quietly took a back seat waiting for the decade to end. We were stuck between the slow sell out of the "love generation" of the 60's and the same generation going for the big money grab of the 80's. It wasn't until the 90's that the US was ready to talk about the youth culture again with the Generation X people. By that time, my generation was raising our families and wondering what happened 20 years before. We weren't Baby Boomers and we weren't Generation Xers. We were the Invisible Generation. The In-between Generation. The Waiting-for-"It"-to-Happen Generation. The "it" was our turn to change the world as a youth group. "It" never showed up.

The Baby Boomers were idealistic coming off the triumphs of WWII. The 60's promised a new world to the generation of the 70's but we didn't realize that the biggest change was going to be green and orange shag carpets. The Generation X people have been a cynical youth from the get go. They never were promised anything but impending Armageddon and broken up families. But the 70's people have continually been waiting...waiting...waiting for that something to show up.

The 70's was intolerable disco music, bell bottom pants, gas lines, inflation, Ronco TV ads, Brady Bunch and olive green carpet. Our Presidents were not Roosevelt and Kennedy Icons. They were Nixon (resigned in disgrace), Ford (unelected and tripping everywhere) and Carter (peanut farmer and goofy).

Although I largely missed the Beatles, I loved them...and I hated them. And I didn't know why. Whenever I heard John Denver sing "Rocky Mountain High" it would cause a deep sense of sorrow and heart sick in me. And I couldn't figure out why. But now I know why.

In the opening of the song, Denver sings

He was born in the summer of his 27th year
Comin' home to a place he'd never been before
He left yesterday behind him, you might say he was born again
You might say he found a key for every door

This was the promise. To come home. To find the key to every door. To be part of an ideal...a Rocky Mountain High. But they didn't deliver. They had the same fights, same broken dreams, same divorces, same drug problems, same attitudes and answers as everyone else.

And this was the attraction of Jesus. Here was someone who could deliver. Who showed me home. Who truly gave me the key to every door. Here was someone and something worth living for...and dying for. Here, at long last, I found what was promised to me when I was coming of age in the confusion and disillusion of the 1970's. At last I found rest for my troubled soul. And I've never looked back. And I never will.