Wednesday, May 25, 2005
Faith or Science
By Nicky
Amy suggested yesterday that science and God go hand-in-hand. But, so often the world wants us to chose between our faith and science. I'm the kind of girl who likes to have my cake and eat it, too. What good is it to have cake if you can't eat it? I've gotta have my faith and indulge in every last bite of science that proves my God.
When I was in high school, my faith was constantly being challenged by peers and teachers. It sent me on a quest to find scientific evidence that supported what I believe. I found way more than I ever expected at the Center for Scientific Creation.
Look through the table of contents and click on the things that interest you. Then, when you have more time, go back and look at the other stuff.
Amy suggested yesterday that science and God go hand-in-hand. But, so often the world wants us to chose between our faith and science. I'm the kind of girl who likes to have my cake and eat it, too. What good is it to have cake if you can't eat it? I've gotta have my faith and indulge in every last bite of science that proves my God.
When I was in high school, my faith was constantly being challenged by peers and teachers. It sent me on a quest to find scientific evidence that supported what I believe. I found way more than I ever expected at the Center for Scientific Creation.
Look through the table of contents and click on the things that interest you. Then, when you have more time, go back and look at the other stuff.
Sunday, May 22, 2005
The Big Bang Theory
By Nicky
I was shuffling around in the dryer this morning and mumbling to myself about how the clothes needed folded when an idea hit me.
I know that the Big-Bang theory of creation is wrong. The Big Bang theory is similar (in concept) to throwing a load of laundry into the dryer, running the cycle, and it coming out neatly folded, exactly the way I like the clothes folded. If only once a complete load of laundry came out of the dryer perfectly folded, I would change my mind. It is impossible!
I was shuffling around in the dryer this morning and mumbling to myself about how the clothes needed folded when an idea hit me.
I know that the Big-Bang theory of creation is wrong. The Big Bang theory is similar (in concept) to throwing a load of laundry into the dryer, running the cycle, and it coming out neatly folded, exactly the way I like the clothes folded. If only once a complete load of laundry came out of the dryer perfectly folded, I would change my mind. It is impossible!
Thursday, May 19, 2005
We Do Not See
By Nicky
*Regarding things spoken to CFC-Rushville.
We do not see our signs;
There is no longer any prophet,
Nor is there any among us who knows how long.
Psalm 74:9 - An Instructive Poem of Asaph (NASB)
God has spoken to our church and told us of the things He has in store. Asaph's job was to praise God, but he was also a prophet. It just doesn't seem right to hear a prophet say, "There is no longer any prophet." Here is what Strongs says about this particular usage of "prophet":
H5030
נביא
nâbîy'
naw-bee'
From H5012; a prophet or (generally) inspired man
Here's what I think Asaph was saying:
Lord, You aren't doing anything in front of us. We can't see Your miracles.
None of us are inspired. You aren't speaking to us.
We are losing hope; no one knows how long this will last.
This sounds depressing to me. Asaph must have had Phil. 4:8 memorized, because He went on to praise God for all the miracles they had witnessed in the past. He built God up and said, "Hey, we know You can do this! Now, do it again!" Rather than act like humans do, Asaph against his own hope in hope believed that God would do it again.
I want to be like Asaph. God has spoken to us and I'm beliving Him.
Lord, I have seen You at work. I am a miracle. Where would I be without You? How could I live? I thank You for saving me and setting my feet on a solid rock to stand.
You have healed my sister. You uprooted her from the path of death and destruction and You transplanted her on the road of life. All through that I tried to believe You, but it was hard to see. I know that You are faithful and true.
You are the I Am. You have healed people in our church. You have torn down strongholds in my life. Lord, come and be big in our church! We have seen Your miracles. Come and do it again! I pray the words of Mary, "Let it be done to me as You have said." We receive Your blessings and Your outpouring. Be magnified in our presence.
(By the way, I was joking about Asaph knowing Phil. 4:8. It's my favorite Scripture, so I had to throw it in there somewhere. :)
*Regarding things spoken to CFC-Rushville.
We do not see our signs;
There is no longer any prophet,
Nor is there any among us who knows how long.
Psalm 74:9 - An Instructive Poem of Asaph (NASB)
God has spoken to our church and told us of the things He has in store. Asaph's job was to praise God, but he was also a prophet. It just doesn't seem right to hear a prophet say, "There is no longer any prophet." Here is what Strongs says about this particular usage of "prophet":
H5030
נביא
nâbîy'
naw-bee'
From H5012; a prophet or (generally) inspired man
Here's what I think Asaph was saying:
Lord, You aren't doing anything in front of us. We can't see Your miracles.
None of us are inspired. You aren't speaking to us.
We are losing hope; no one knows how long this will last.
This sounds depressing to me. Asaph must have had Phil. 4:8 memorized, because He went on to praise God for all the miracles they had witnessed in the past. He built God up and said, "Hey, we know You can do this! Now, do it again!" Rather than act like humans do, Asaph against his own hope in hope believed that God would do it again.
I want to be like Asaph. God has spoken to us and I'm beliving Him.
Lord, I have seen You at work. I am a miracle. Where would I be without You? How could I live? I thank You for saving me and setting my feet on a solid rock to stand.
You have healed my sister. You uprooted her from the path of death and destruction and You transplanted her on the road of life. All through that I tried to believe You, but it was hard to see. I know that You are faithful and true.
You are the I Am. You have healed people in our church. You have torn down strongholds in my life. Lord, come and be big in our church! We have seen Your miracles. Come and do it again! I pray the words of Mary, "Let it be done to me as You have said." We receive Your blessings and Your outpouring. Be magnified in our presence.
(By the way, I was joking about Asaph knowing Phil. 4:8. It's my favorite Scripture, so I had to throw it in there somewhere. :)
Sunday, May 15, 2005
The Best-Man's Toast
The single thing from my wedding day that gets the most attention was the best-man's toast. Jesse was the best man in our wedding. Saturday, it was Jason's turn to get back at Jesse for some of the things he said at our wedding. For those who may not have been able to hear the actual toast, here is a written version of it. It is not accurate as far as wording, but it's pretty close.
A TOAST FOR JESSE
To my brother, whom I've had the great pleasure of living with for many,
many years.
To the man who accused me of living like a pig when he had his own piles of
dirty laundry strewn throughout the house.
To the man who accused me of keeping a dirty home when he had his own
cultures of penicillin growing in his own dirty plastic cups tipped over on
the living room floor.
To the man that we thought would never get married because of his wild
dreams of traveling the world.
To the man who has explored every pro and every con of bachelorhood, but
who has recently proven that he is willing and capable of putting these
aside for the woman he loves. He has proven he can keep a clean house
(I've seen it with my own eyes).
To the man who truly has a heart after God and a heart for a godly family.
And to the woman who has captured my brother's love.
To the woman who is godly and virtuous enough to meet my brother's
exceedingly high expectations.
To the woman who was influential enough to transform my brother into a
man.
To Mr. and Mrs. Cupp, a toast.
May God bless you with an unbreakable marriage.
May the Lord prosper you with everything you need and everything your
hearts desire, especially love and happiness all the days of your lives.
A TOAST FOR JESSE
To my brother, whom I've had the great pleasure of living with for many,
many years.
To the man who accused me of living like a pig when he had his own piles of
dirty laundry strewn throughout the house.
To the man who accused me of keeping a dirty home when he had his own
cultures of penicillin growing in his own dirty plastic cups tipped over on
the living room floor.
To the man that we thought would never get married because of his wild
dreams of traveling the world.
To the man who has explored every pro and every con of bachelorhood, but
who has recently proven that he is willing and capable of putting these
aside for the woman he loves. He has proven he can keep a clean house
(I've seen it with my own eyes).
To the man who truly has a heart after God and a heart for a godly family.
And to the woman who has captured my brother's love.
To the woman who is godly and virtuous enough to meet my brother's
exceedingly high expectations.
To the woman who was influential enough to transform my brother into a
man.
To Mr. and Mrs. Cupp, a toast.
May God bless you with an unbreakable marriage.
May the Lord prosper you with everything you need and everything your
hearts desire, especially love and happiness all the days of your lives.
Jesse's Wedding
By Nicky
There is none like you
No one else could touch my heart like you do
I could search for all eternity long
And find there is none like you
My brother-in-law got married yesterday. It was the most beautiful wedding I have ever been to. As I was looking over the program, I began getting goosebumps. I wasn't exactly sure why...I thought I was just really emotional. As I noticed the song titles listed in the program, it grew more intense.
The wedding was very simple. The mothers lit the unity candles while the band played "How Great Thou Art". Then the wedding party came in while the band sang "There Is None Like You". At first I thought it was odd to chose a worship song, but the song crescendo'd as Jessica walked down the aisle and it just made sense. As Jesse and Jessica vowed their lives to one anther, again, I felt like crying. They wrote their own vows and I was honored to listen to them pour themselves out to one another. As if that wasn't enough, Jesse and Jessica invited their mentors, pastors, etc. onto the stage to pray over them. It was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. God's presence was thick.
When Jesse and Jessica took Communion together, Jesse broke down and began sobbing heavily. It was beautiful. At the end of the ceremony, the pastor made a comment about the presence of God being in the church and said that every wedding should be like that. It was the most beautiful wedding I've been to, but not because of the dresses and flowers...but because God was there. It was truly amazing. I am honored to have been a guest at their wedding.
There is none like you
No one else could touch my heart like you do
I could search for all eternity long
And find there is none like you
My brother-in-law got married yesterday. It was the most beautiful wedding I have ever been to. As I was looking over the program, I began getting goosebumps. I wasn't exactly sure why...I thought I was just really emotional. As I noticed the song titles listed in the program, it grew more intense.
The wedding was very simple. The mothers lit the unity candles while the band played "How Great Thou Art". Then the wedding party came in while the band sang "There Is None Like You". At first I thought it was odd to chose a worship song, but the song crescendo'd as Jessica walked down the aisle and it just made sense. As Jesse and Jessica vowed their lives to one anther, again, I felt like crying. They wrote their own vows and I was honored to listen to them pour themselves out to one another. As if that wasn't enough, Jesse and Jessica invited their mentors, pastors, etc. onto the stage to pray over them. It was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. God's presence was thick.
When Jesse and Jessica took Communion together, Jesse broke down and began sobbing heavily. It was beautiful. At the end of the ceremony, the pastor made a comment about the presence of God being in the church and said that every wedding should be like that. It was the most beautiful wedding I've been to, but not because of the dresses and flowers...but because God was there. It was truly amazing. I am honored to have been a guest at their wedding.
