DNA

I have been watching The Atheist Delusion and realized something. Our computers are all run on binary code, zeros and ones. The DNA strand has four components in its coding. So imagine how complex DNA can be. If you have the complexity of computer codes by just using two digits, how much more complex can the “codes” be that are formed from four digits? 

With two digits, 1 and 0, in a three unit chain, you can have 8 combinations. Why three unit structure? That is the basic codon or identifier for amino acids in DNA. The DNA codon is composed of three “digits,” called bases.. They are adenine, guanine, cytosine, and thymine, (A, G, C, and T) which are all linked to a ribose sugar and phosphate backbone. So a series of three bases would have 64 possible combinations. DNA, recall, is the blueprint for all of life. But it starts with proteins.

(For the scientifically interested, there are 20 basic amino acids used in proteins. A specific codon on the DNA tells which amino acid goes next in the amino acid chain that produces proteins. If the codon was two sets of bases, it could specify 16 amino acids. But since there are three in the codon, more than enough combinations, 32, for all of the amino acids exist. Is this just “luck” or another evidence of design? Hummmm.)

Proteins vary from about 100 to thousands of amino acids in length. So a short DNA strand would have about 100 codons or 300 base pairs lined up in a row. The bigger ones would be thousands times three. And if it just stopped there, the information storage of DNA would be pretty impressive. 

But DNA has a secondary level of information storage. Every DNA “strand” is attached to another, complementary one in the famous “double helix.” This effectively doubles the storage capacity of a “single” DNA unit.

Further, the chains are looped. They double back on them selves. This folding or tertiary structure contains information that scientists are just beginning to understand. If the DNA chain is stretched out straight, it will not operate. It must have the loops. And just for good measure, many, not all, DNA molecules interact with one or more other ones to produce the information. Again, an isolated DNA molecule does not function without the coordinating structures of other molecules. 

And all of this is contained in the genes that comprise chromosomes and direct every aspect of life. The genes are required to produce another cell like the parent. The point of this discussion is that for life to arise spontaneously on earth, the DNA structure, all four levels, would have to be present in the very first cell. Then when the “lucky strike” that vivified the cell into life hit, it could replicate and begin the evolution process. Note that this whole enterprise must be in place and perfect in order for the nascent living cell to do anything.

(Note: We have ignored the pre-life problems of organizing itself into a coherent structure and  containing itself within cell walls. It would require having mechanisms for respiration--breathing, and nutrition--eating, and all of the necessary components such as oxygen and organic materials to conduct life activities once it was struck. Only once all of that is operating and effective, can it begin the process of replicating itself.)

For someone to assert that life simply began spontaneously by good luck is, to be blunt, demonstrating a abysmal ignorance of life, its structures, and activities. We have abandoned the arena of science and entered the world of make believe and whimsey. Even Tolkien and Lewis failed to achieve such elevated levels of imagination.

Ray Comfort, in The Atheist Delusion, follows a simplified line of reasoning to provide proof that there is a God. When faced with such overwhelming information provided by DNA, even the most ardent atheist must admit that something is going on. They do not believe IN the one true God, but they are compelled to admit that there must be something or someone. It is so far beyond the possibilities of chance that a reasonable, logical person must agree.

John 1:12 sums it up for us: 

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name....

Jesus believed the Genesis account. He quoted it often as authoritative. I follow Jesus here. I believe. It is a delusion to be atheist.

CURSE

I just noticed something in Genesis. When Adam sinned, God cursed the GROUND. When Cain sinned, God cursed HIM. (Below Genesis 3:17 and 4:11) What do you suppose the reason was for that? One thing that occurs to me is that even both had sinned against God, Cain had the added offense of sinning against another person. He murdered his brother.

Even though a sin against God is much more serious than one against another human, there is no “personal” harm done. Adam had offended God’s person, but he could not actually "injure” Him. But Cain had taken the life of another bearer of God’s image.

That seems to be a theme in Scripture. The offender is responsible for making restitution. The penalty was “eye for eye, tooth for tooth.” One who steals paid back three or four times what he took. But for personal injuries that were life altering, such as murder and adultery the only equivalent price would be death. The life or innocence cannot be recouped by any payment. So it boiled down to “life for life.”

Even in this we see God’s mercy and grace. An offense against God’s holiness is far more egregious than that against a person, even if it results in death. But God graciously will forgive one who offends His Person. But even God cannot forgive an offense against another person. That person was the offended party and is ultimately the only one who can absolve the offender.

Since the victim is dead, he cannot offer this absolution. Likewise, adultery “murders” a marriage and no amount of restitution can resurrect it. It can be overcome, as with the story of Hosea, but the damage is lifelong and indelibly marks both lives. (Or even all three: husband, wife, offender.)

We think back to Paul’s comments in Romans 6. Since sin leads to a display of grace, Paul asks if we should sin more to multiply grace. His answer is very subdued and reserved. NOT! M`e genoito! That has been variously translated as:  "By no means!" Or, as it is literally in the Greek, "May it never be!" Absolutely not. King James Version sounds horrified: "God forbid!" Phillips seems to catch this same note of horror: "What a ghastly thought!

Even if we can observe God’s grace, we are admonished not to do so in not uncertain terms. Cain was not physically executed, but his “family” died. He was estranged from his parents, family, and ultimately God. The cost of sin is high, and sometimes I, and I suspect, we, need to be reminded how expensive it is.

God graciously delineated the 10 commandments to guide us in our relationships with Him and our fellow man. “Love the Lord your God and your neighbor as yourself.” That is a good way to avoid the “curse.”






3:17 Then to Adam He said, “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree about which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat from it’; 
Cursed is the ground because of you; In toil you will eat of it All the days of your life.

4:11 Now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand.

If We Say....

1 John contains a list of statements that begin, “If we say....” There is an interesting progression here. These are not just hypothetical inquiries, it is a series of interrogatories designed to elicit false doctrine and bad practices. Lets look at the five.

1: 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 

The first is a practical examination of “walk and talk.” If you talk the talk, then you better walk the walk. Claiming to be in fellowship with the Lord implies that a person is living in a pleasing manner. That is not “walking” in darkness. That does not refer to taking a stroll after the sun has gone down.

It means to walk outside of the revealed Word of God. (John talks a lot about light and darkness. Check out his Gospel. It occurs 14 times.) Specifically, Jesus said that belief in Him is equivalent to having the “light.” John finishes it by characterizing it as “practicing the truth.” And living a life in concert with His revelation avoids a lot of missteps.
7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

The fellowship with God involves having fellowship with others. No fellowship is also equivalent to “darkness.” The first lesson is to walk in dark. Walking in light and truth is also a life that has forgiven sins. This leads to the next step. (Pun intended.)

8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
We are not sinless, we are self deceived until we have been cleansed. Verse 9 explains:
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

We are now walking in the light, experiencing the cleansing “light” that removes darkness. Being “darkness free” enables us to have fellowship with our Creator. Next we come to...
10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.

Notice the progression. Claimed, but spurious fellowship, claimed, but absent purity, and now claimed, but faulty holiness. We are not just ignoring our condition of sin but we are denying our way of life which involves our actions. The condition or nature produces walking in darkness and a propensity to continue in lawlessness. This does not reflect a life that has been “cleansed.”

The fourth challenge now focuses on interpersonal actions:
2:9 He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. 
One cannot walk in light and hate anyone, especially his brother.

John gives the converse:
10 He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him.
Notice the reference to walking again. It is without a stumble. But...
11 But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

Did you ever walk through an unknown room in the dark? It is implied that stumbling is the least of the mishaps. “Does not know where he is going.” Been there. Done that. And have the bruised big and pinky toes to prove it. I was walking with eyes wide open, but still did not see. Darkness blinded my eyes. And Jesus commented that this darkness, self imposed as it is, is very great. Matthew 6:23

The “if...” theme continues:
4:20 If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? 21 And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.

John almost seems incredulous that anyone can be so “dark” as to think that it is possible to love God and hate someone, especially his brother. John uses the “L” word again. Calling a person a liar is one of the most severe insults possible. V. 6 “...we lie...” implied to others. v.8 “...deceive ourselves....” v. 10 “...make Him a liar....” 4:20 “...he (me) is a liar.” If we do this, we lie to others. We lie to our self. We call God a liar. And finally, God calls us a liar.

If your toe getting sore yet? The steel-toed boot we need is right here: “If we confess....” We can leave darkness and walk in light. Barefooted, with no pain.

Strength and Courage

Joshua 1:9 has another memory verse meditation for us.
9 “Haven’t I commanded you: be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

This is the Lord encouraging to Joshua as he is about to take over the task that Moses left unfinished, namely the conquest of the promised land. No sweat, right? This group of wanderers, whose ancestors spent about 400 years in slavery in Egypt have had 40 years of literal wandering around in the desert. The good news is that they have melded into a single nation as they faced all types of tests. But their fighting skills may be a little deficient. I think they only fought one battle. (Exodus 17)

Notice God’s approach: “Haven’t I commanded you...” Yes, Joshua has not been without guidance. He saw the deliverance from Egypt and Pharaoh. He participated in the transit of the Red Sea. He went up on the Mountain with Moses. And, most importantly for this assignment, he had been the general in the Exodus 17 battle with Amalek. God had talked to him.

Now the message is reaffirmed. “...be strong and courageous.” That was buttressed with, “Do not be afraid.” There are over 360 “do not fear’s” or some variation of that phrase in the Bible. Adrian Rogers remarked it is like the Lord wanted us to have one for every day. Project idea: anybody want to write a book?

Notice the juxtaposition: “Strong and courageous. ...not afraid or discouraged.” S and C is better than A and D or dismayed. Let’s look again. Discouraged is not “couraged”, also lacking courage. When we encourage someone, we are adding courage to their arsenal. When we do not, we leave them discouraged, with a courage deficit.

The first couple is “strong...afraid.” As the opposite of courageous is discouraged, so the opposite of strong is fearful. Did you ever think that fear is caused by a lack of strength? It makes sense. When we have strength, we can be courageous. Not having strength leads to fear and discouragement.

The source of this strength is the Lord. That strength eliminates fear...wherever you go. Check out Psalm 27:1.
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

“Light and salvation” can certainly eliminate fear. And this light and salvation comes from the Lord. That strength eviscerates any enemy, including fear. David understood that.

He repeats it in a different way in Psalm 96:6
Honor and majesty are before him: strength and beauty are in his sanctuary. 

Honor and majesty are coupled with strength and beauty. We find that is the Sanctuary of His presence. Joshua was familiar with the Lord’s sanctuary and the strength to be derived from that. There is no record of his becoming discouraged or being afraid, like Elijah, David, and Job. E, D, and J overcame their flagging spirits. Daniel was another example of Joshua-faith with no doubts or discouragement. This prescription can help to avoid or escape when we fall prey to that. We can learn from the masters.

“Be strong and courageous.” That eliminates the need for fear and discouragement. “Don’t be afraid.”

Peter Guided by the Trinity

(1 Peter 1) Peter’s introduction “To those...” begins the Trinitarian teaching.
1 To those...who are chosen 2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood:
[the elipisis: (who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,) We will catch that some other time. ED.]

“They” were chosen by God the Father, sanctified by the Spirit, and obeyed the Son. The tripartite nature of God comes through. Peter had seen Jesus come out of the water, receive the sign of the Holy Spirit, and hear the voice of God. That was indelibly impressed upon his consciousness. But that is not all he said.

After addressing them, he notes their condition: Trouble. But the trouble has helped, rather than harmed them by increasing their faith. Seems like we have heard that refrain before. Maybe he was thinking of Andre Crouch’s song, “Trials only come to make me strong.” (“Through It All.”)

There is a good rabbit hole there, but let’s push on. Peter reports the result.
9 obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.
That is a pretty good result for a little discomfort.

Then look at v. 10.
As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful searches and inquiries, 11 seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ (italics added) within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow.

The prophets...heard the Holy Spirit of Christ and they spoke as moved by God. Did you catch that? Christ and the Holy Spirit are one and the same. And God “moved” the prophets to speak.  Christ the Holy Spirit predicted His own suffering, death, and (amen) the glories to come. (Time for a little shoutin’ I think. ED.)

Now back to the prophets:
12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things into which angels long to look.

Their message was from God, by Christ the Holy Spirit, about Jesus for us. (The “you.”) And, the angels are curious. It was revealed to us and they want to know what it means. Do we value it enough? But I digress. Nope, not really. Peter continues with the application. How do we react?

13 Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, 15 but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; 16 because it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

Here are our instructions. “Prepare your minds....” Notice the mind, again. Our minds lead, and the emotions will follow along. “Keep sober.” This is serious business in which we engage. Then, “...fix your hope on the grace...of Jesus.” And we can add, put on your “dress,” holiness.

The sovereign, triune God directs Peter to write to the strangers and “pilgrims.” (Depending on your translation.) And he gives us our marching orders. “Be holy.”

Wisdom From Ravi (Why is there evil?)

Ravi Zacharias continues to amaze me with his insightful comments. He can take the simplest and seemingly most common, well know passage and make it burst with meaning. Take the story in Genesis 3 for instance. In fact he ties it in to creation as well. The focus in Genesis is not about Who created the world or even who rebelled in the Garden.

The real question is, Whose reality and whose Truth will be realized?” Eve and Adam did not just eat the forbidden fruit. They accepted the invitation from Satan to be “like” God. “Knowing good and evil.” Actually he was saying that they could BE God determine and define what was good and evil. Look at Genesis 3:6. She saw that it was “good.” Not just tasty, but GOOD. She changed the definition laid down by Yahweh and substituted her own. God had warned that it was bad and would lead to death, but she redefined it.

So the rule of “law” became what was “good” or “right” in OUR eyes. Check the last verse of Judges 21: 25 In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.

Man was ejected from the Garden of Eden because that was where God’s law prevailed. He, and subsequently everyone since, has lived in the world defined and administered by, well you choose. (This is not denying the sovereignty of God. It is His relinquishing control to allow us to prove our ineptitude. Jesus did not rebuke Satan’s claim to own it all and offer it to Him in the wilderness. Matthew 4.)

This brings us to a startling realization. Instead of asking why God allows “bad” things to happen, we need to be turning our attention to the executive of this world. Man chose Satan and ceded control of the earth. Remember? God originally gave authority to Adam. (Genesis 2:15)

When a-damʹ (sic) forfeited authority in the Garden, he was removed and locked out. (Genesis 2:23 and 24) The governing authority over this world and its inhabitants is again demonstrated in Job. Satan had to ask permission from the Sovereign God, but he did as he pleased within that restriction. (Job 1 and 2)

It is irrational for us to blame God for what we ultimately unleashed on the world. A weak simile is for a country to overthrow a leader and install a less competent one. Then they blame the old leader for the troubles that the new guy caused.

It is not a hard question. “Why does God allow bad things to happen?” It is because we chose a different administrator and now are subject to the failings of our inferior, flawed choice.

The “good news” is that The Lord is going to take back authority. He has paid the penalty for our sins, and, “in the fullness of time,” the Savior will come back to make things right. (Ephesians 1:10) (I read the last chapter. Check out Revelation 19 and on.)

Maranatha!
(For those who have had my Revelation course: Another No More: bad choices!) Hint Revelation 21

Deity Reaffirmed (Six times actually)

The deity of Christ is a prevalent theme throughout all of the New Testament and even some in the Old. It just seems interesting that the very first chapter of at least six books hang that out like a Christmas wreath on the door. (Sorry for the “punny” type allusion. No, not really, it was intentional.) Three others reaffirm that. (In other words, every author of the New Testament.) It is getting to be overwhelmingly evident.

We all know John begins with a declaration that the “Word is God.” We have previously explored the first chapter of Hebrews (1:6) to find the Lord God, commanding the angels to worship the Son. Only God is worthy of worship, so if the Father commands it, and I want to honor the Father, I will worship, and honor, the Son. Then v. 8  has God directly addressing Jesus, the Son, as God. I am not going to argue with Jehovah. That is two.

I have had Matthew pointed out as the third book that affirms Jesus as God. First, the virgin birth, orchestrated by the Holy Spirit. (v. 18 and 23 )  Verse 23 identifies the Baby as “God with us.” Later on in Matthew (3:3) the book of Isaiah is quoted. “Prepare ye the way of the Lord," Yahweh. (40:3) We now have three.

Mark,(1:3) Luke, (3:4) and John (1:23) again echo that declaration. Four is the count now. And Luke waits until chapter 3 to address it. But chapter 1 references the virgin birth and Zacharias refers to John going before the Face of the Lord. We are now up to five.

(I may need to study more on this. I may find more. In fact, I have.) Revelation, another work from John blatantly proclaims Jesus is the First and the Last, the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the Ending, which are Old Testament names for Jehovah. (Isaiah 41:4, 44:6, and 48:12 ) Then verses 7 and 8 declare Jesus to be Jehovah. Six books begin with the deity of Jesus.

7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.

8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

Jesus (v. 7) is the coming One, identified as the One whom they pierced. Verse 8 quotes the A and the O, and identifies Him as the Almighty, and the coming One. (Different A and O) Jesus. God. One.

In conclusion, every author* in the New Testament has affirmed that Jesus is God as He Himself claimed. And at least six of them put that at the very front of their writings. (They did not have chapters. Those, and verses  were added later for convenience.)

It is ironic that modern skeptics claim that the deity of Jesus was added to the story as time moved away from the original witnesses and His followers tended to mythologize and enhance Him. In actuality, the reverse is true. His deity was claimed by Jesus, Himself, His immediate followers and brother (James), and later chroniclers (Paul and Luke). The layers of doubt and ultimately denial came as the access to original witnesses dissipated.

It became so acute that the Council of Nicea (AD 325) was called to deal with the heresies that had arisen. It did not “invent” or impose the deity of Christ on church doctrine (per Dan Brown), but instead reaffirmed the original doctrine. The heresy has persisted until the present time, with even organized religions being based on this error.

They perpetuate the lie that Jesus is not God, and do so in the Name of Jehovah. I personally confronted one of their leaders with the Hebrews 1 declaration from Jehovah that Jesus, the Son, was God and that even the angels were to worship Him. This was from his own flawed translation.

And his response? “Well, I don’t believe that it really means that.”

“What does it mean then?” I queried.

“Not that.”

I persisted. “If it does not mean that, what does it mean? It has to mean something.”

“We will just have to agree to disagree,” was his rejoinder.

“No,” I responded, “that implies two equal and believable interpretations. That is totally incorrect. I will only agree that you are refusing to accept from even your own translation the testimony of all the New Testament authors, the rest of the Bible, and even the One you claim to revere, Jehovah.”

Think that was too harsh? Did I mention that this was his third visit to attempt to convert me? Maybe he saw the light. He has not been back. I pray that he did.

Jesus, the central figure of the entire Bible has been identified and acclaimed as Jehovah God. I can understand an unbeliever, as Brown, not accepting this, especially when it gives him a lucrative novel. But for people who supposedly base their beliefs on the Scriptures to deny that, is simply a contradiction in terms. You cannot claim to believe the Bible then deny that it is believable.

Jesus is Lord. Jesus is God. We jeopardize our eternal destiny, no completely compromise it, by disbelief.

*Hebrews included, but not attributed.

Causation or Coincidence?

There are two places in the Bible that discuss a “blood moon.” Those are in Joel 2:31 quoted in Acts 2:20 and in Revelation 6:12.
12 I looked when He broke the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth made of hair, and the whole moon became like blood;

Recently there has been several books talking about “Blood Moons” and attributing them to the reddish moon that is visible during a lunar eclipse. Recently we had four such eclipses in two years. This is unusual, but by no means unprecedented or prophetic. The “blood moon” is a natural phenomenon that occurs during every lunar eclipse. (I can explain the physics to you if you wish. Just ask. It has to do with bending red light and....)

A quick look at the Old Testament clarifies the meaning of the blood moon. It will accompany the “great and terrible day of the Lord.” Revelation clarifies that even more by specifying five signs (seals being broken) that precede the real blood moon. Incidentally, I have seen pictures of the eclipse “blood” moons and honestly, they are more like pale red instead of blood. But I digress.

The particular significance of the four blood moons is interesting, but, I suspect, an exercise in the confusion of our title. When two things happen at near the same time, it is tempting to examine them for a relationship.

A causal relationship means that one thing CAUSED the other to happen. When a boy invites my daughter to become his wife, he places a ring on a certain designated finger. That is causation. Ask equals ring. Now if the wife wears a black dress the next day, that is, hopefully, correlation or coincidence. In short, it is a casual relationship. She just happened to have that dress lined up in the queue for that day. (This has no relationship, causal or casual to the actual events. We love our son-in-law. It is just an example.)

So correlating the coming judgment with a natural phenomenon is a poor way to interpret the Scriptures. Even if the four moon set occurred in past, which it did, there is no proof of causation. The four moons did not cause the events. They coincidentally occurred in close proximity to the evil actions. Did they just foretell or predict the events? One, there may have been other four moon sets that were not accompanied by catastrophic events. And two, some extremely catastrophic and horrific events have occurred without the four moon telltale. The case for the coincidence of events is compelling to me, anyway.

And Revelation specifically defines the circumstances accompanying THE blood moon. Those five events have not happened, so this sixth in the sequence cannot be ready to happen. Revelation 6 spells them out: A one world ruler will arise, global war will ensue, a worldwide famine will result, and one fourth of the population will die. Anyone seen these “signs?” No sense looking for a blood moon, then.

One of the most telling attacks against the veracity and reliability of the Bible is unwarranted and unfounded “prophesies” made by believers that do not come true. Once past, they just contribute to the “fuzzy thinking” and unreliable factor that is associated with Christ followers.

Peter, Paul, and John, the prominent prophesy writers in the New Testament, did not set dates. Frankly, I believe that it is because they believed Jesus when He said that we should not try to predict the time. Just get ready.

When one tries to get a “deeper understanding” than the Lord gave us, he is delving into the area of “adding to” the Scripture. Actually he is making up new ideas. It is embarrassing and demeaning to the Scripture. IF such precision had been necessary to convince people to believe, do you not think that the Holy Spirit would have provided that from the beginning? Why wait until the 20th or 21st century to reveal it? Would that be unfair to those 19 centuries of earth denizens  who did not get the extra help to believe?

It does devalue and diminish the value of the revelation, if it “needs some help” in convincing people. There are a plethora of writers out there gushing more supposed Scriptural enhancements and additions. They all ignore both the Old and New Testament admonitions not to add to the Scripture. (Revelation 22:18, Deuteronomy 4:2;12:32,and Proverbs 30:5,) Actually, we call them cults if they are pervasive and expansive enough.

Be sure that you find causation in Scriptural interpretation. Beware of correlation or casual occurrences. Thus endeth the logic and reasoning lesson for today.

Rachel's Funeral

(This is presented essentially as given at the funeral with addenda below to expand what respect for time did not allow.)

This robe of flesh I'll drop, and rise to seize the everlasting prize.
And shout while passing through the air, farewell to thee, sweet our of prayer.
This old hymn came true for Mom on Friday morning. We can all agree that the “robe” was getting pretty well worn out. It had some hard miles on it these last six years. She endured it for the most part with a smile.

It reminds me of the green room or waiting room for a show or some big event where people wait to be called for their turn to perform. When it is time, an attendant calls the name and they leave to do their part. Mom has been waiting for a while. We might be tempted to ask if it was an accident and if it was it worth it.

An accident? That hardly seems likely since this incident could have been fatal had it happened anywhere besides the hospital where it did. She was surrounded by skilled medical personnel with both the expertise and equipment to initiate immediate life saving measures. Otherwise, we would have met several years ago.

Second, she told us often that IF she had to go into a nursing home, she wanted to be at the AC home. When she was released from the hospital, the home had an opening and could take her. They have cared for and about her since. What a blessing. It seems almost to have been orchestrated.

And was it a waste of time and life? Consider this. When the nurse called to tell Bev that her Mom was declining, she said that Mom was going downhill. “We knew that things were not going well because she had lost her smile.”

Think of that for a minute. A semi, or total invalid who has been unable to talk for about six years is known as the smile lady. Despite being impaired and not able to communicate verbally she touched the lives of numerous people. She was a ray of light, and sometimes a sunburst.

Her condition, obviously, was not the source of her happiness. Something inside her shined out as joy. It was her relationship with Jesus. I can positively affirm that both she and Dad–Cliff were saved. I asked both of them soon after becoming a part of this family.

And on Friday morning, her name was called. Her time of waiting is over. She is with Dad and her mom and lots of friends and family. Most importantly, she is with her Lord.

This reminds me of a song that we had at Dad’s funeral. It goes like this:
Just think of stepping on shore, and finding it heaven. Of touching a hand, and finding it God’s.           Of breathing new air, and finding it celestial. Of waking up in glory, and finding it home.

It will not do violence to the intent of the author if we interpret a little. These phrases could represent four different ways of leaving this life.

“Just think of stepping on shore....” We walk a lot and stepping over gutters or other objects is normal. One day we may step on a curb and instead of concrete it is a golden, heavenly street. This might depict a sudden catastrophic event like a fatal accident. One step we are on earth, and the next in heaven. Mom went for a medical procedure not knowing what to expect. She certainly did not anticipate a trip to the emergency room, hospital, and eventually the nursing home. She never did get back to her home.

“Of touching a hand....” We shake hands with people every day. One day, instead of a friend, family member, or associate, we will touch the hand of God. This could be a sudden, fatal medical event like a heart attack or stroke.

“Of breathing new air....” Hospitals used to have a very distinct smell. It rose from the carbolic acid used as an antiseptic. It has a biting, acrid odor. I wondered how anyone could get well breathing such noxious air.  As a disclaimer, modern hospitals and the home no longer use it and do not smell bad. But if they did, imagine someone struggling to breathe the oppressive air. They are in a hospital suffering from a lingering disease, like cancer. After a long struggle against the malady, the body finally gives out. Tortured, labored breathing, ceases, then....suddenly it is fresh, pure, celestial air.

“Of waking up in glory...and finding it home.” Home. Is there a more wonderful concept in the world, than home? There is no greater gift that a parent can give than a safe, nurturing home. And there is our eternal home with our Lord, Jesus.

This definitely happened to Mom. She went to sleep Thursday night. The staff told us that she slept that night. But she was still unresponsive on Friday morning and a few minutes after reporting that, the home called to say that she was gone.

To use our example, she got her call and when she woke up, she was home. She has been at the home for six years, but that was not HOME. Now she has rest. She has left her old worn out robe and is in a new white one.

And what about your appointment? Are you ready? And if Mom could say anything to us, it would be to make sure not to miss your call. Get ready.


Addendum: Mom’s ready smile was not because of her circumstances, obviously. But it was in spite of them. Her happiness was not affected by external events. It was driven from her inner peace. Peace which only Jesus can give.

Her demeanor was almost uniformly mentioned by visitors to her celebration of life. Less than a handful failed to marvel and even celebrate her constant smile. It was not a fake, pasted on smile. It was genuine and everyone could discern that. She was truly happy, or joyous, if you please. She had a reason to smile in regardless of her circumstances.

Does such “undeserved” suffering cast doubt on the existence of God? Or more, does it bring the goodness of God into question? Two points that deserve a look.

Does evil prove that God does not exist? In actuality, that is the wrong question. How can we define “evil” without a source of good? In short, we cannot. If there is no God, and we are merely the products of “survival of the fittest” then evil, in the form of violence and mayhem, would be the normal situation. It would not be good or bad, it would just be.

There would be nothing against which to measure the goodness or badness of what is. A Good God gives us a standard to determine the value and fairness of events and motivations.

Consequently, the existence of “bad” things highlights the “good” and we have confirmation that some ultimate good must exist. Evil proves that there is a God.

Which leads to the second question, is God good and or fair? At this point, a new consideration comes into play. Is “good” to be defined in reference to my personal peace and prosperity in a temporary context, or is good a confluence of eternal values for me and those with whom I interact? What might be “bad” for me now, might be beneficial to someone else both now and for eternity.

A simple example will explain this. My sister had cancer about a year and a half ago. She was subjected to “terrible–bad” treatments. The result was complete remission from the cancer. Had the “bad” not occurred, she would now be with our Mom and Dad, and of course, Jesus. The “bad” had an ultimate good. She was fortunate to be able to see the end while in the trouble. Not every “bad” thing is accompanied by evident value. We accept that by faith. But it is true.

This brings to mind the man blind, from birth. (John 9) When asked who was responsible for his “bad luck” of being blind, Jesus replied:“It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him.”

This guy traded a lifetime of blindness for an eternity of “sight” with God. “Once I was blind, but now I can see.” That was not a bad trade. He traded a temporal, minimal value for an eternal, immeasurable one. It is trading pennies for gold coins. More like trading monopoly money for platinum bars.

Paul sums it up for us. Romans 8:18
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

Now back to our question. Instead of accusing God of being unfair, we would be better served to ask, “When will be see the real value of our experiences?” And even if the answer is in eternity, why fuss? Paul reminds us that long term gain is to be preferred to short term advantage.

So even if things seem unfair now, we would be better served to consider the long term balance sheet instead of demanding immediate gratification. Our measure is not the fairness of God, but our ability to see beyond temporary discomfort.

The ultimate question is not a test of God. It is a test for us. God is fair. Are we discerning enough to realize it?

Second thought: Home. Mom lived in three places in Eureka. She assiduously decorated those houses to her satisfaction. The final one, the condo, in fact received much more upgrading than she would ever realize from it, even when it was sold. She knew how much she would receive when she surrendered it, yet invested her own money to make it more her home. It is just sad that she had such a short time to enjoy it. But it was definitely her (earthly) home.

Third thought: Do not wait to accept the Lord. We do not know how much she was able to comprehend after the stroke. It seemed to diminish over time. If she had not taken care of that business before, would she have been able to later? We are not questioning or diminishing God’s power, but on the other hand, why risk it? What if the stroke had been fatal or completely debilitating? There would have been no “second chance.” Take advantage of the “chance” you have right now.