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Sunday, April 27, 2014

A new room. Silence, negative sound.


04/27/2014 Writing Practice




After what seems 10 days, as per the marks on the box, Ash wakes to the sound of his food being delivered for breakfast. He eats in silence. He doesn't even hear the noise they've been pumping into the room for 10 days. When he is done he places his tray on the shelf and it disappears into the wall again.



*Click* The sound in the overhead turns off. A voice, deep and gravely. "Good, good Mr Ashlund. You've done excellent. Now we head to the second phase of our test. In the next room you will find a chair. Please take a seat. You won't be here long. Less than a day by our last calculations. Then you are free to go."



A slit in the wall opens to a dimly lit room, if you could call it that. The floor is stretch chicken wire, over triangles of foam cut at different angles. The walls, ceiling, all made of the same substance. One chair, bolted to the floor. It looks comfortable enough. Like a dentist chair. Seeing no other option, he takes a seat.



The silence is deafening, immediately. If you have ever clapped your hand, and heard the reflections of that clap come back to you from the walls in a room. Imagine that you heard no such reflection. Imagine that it was just the sound of the two hands coming together that came directly to your ear and nothing else. It's negative sound. It's as though the sound is sucked right out of you, so that all you can hear is your own heart beat, and breathing. Even your ears, so accustomed to sound begin to make their own ringing.



Ash takes a seat. The lights are turn out. Cool air is keeping the room a comfortable 74*F.



After the silence of 10 days, all of Ash's racing thoughts of subsided. He's moved past wondering where he is, when he'll leave, he's now just him. Alone with his thoughts. And increasingly, his past.



Alone, in the dark now, with no sound of any kind, negative sound. He sits. Lays back in the reclining dentist chair, and he waits. He waits. He sleeps.



***



Ash... Ash... 



He sits up. How long was he asleep? Is he still asleep? How would you know in dark silence?



Ash... we know about you Ash... We know who you are... what you've done... how could you... 



Ash shakes his head... the voices vanish. What as that?





***



"He's incredible. Getting a trained military man, accustomed to being alone for days and weeks, a survival expert. He is already outlasted every scientist, street volunteer, and audio geek we've ran through these tests. Many of them didn't make it through the prep room, but we've never had anyone last over and hour, he's been in there for three and just now he's starting to show signs of a dimensional tear. You are a genius!"



"Yes, Dr. I am! That is why you brought me here. To fix this reject project and bring something valuable out of it. Keep me appraised of any changes."



The white lab coated man turned and left the room. His tuft of white hair bouncing along as he walked away.





******



Thank you for reading. I hope you enjoyed this. I'd love to make a community with this project. If you would like to add, comment on, critique, or otherwise participate... that would be great!



Please include any information about yourself, your blog/wesbite/amazon author page that you want to share with the community also.



* I may include "Affiliate Links" which means I earn a commission when you buy products I link to. To see my full about page and disclosures: Click Here



It's Author Fun By Darrell Wolfe



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For Non-Fiction writing by Darrell G. Wolfe: Click Here














A new room. Silence, negative sound.

04/27/2014 Writing Practice


After what seems 10 days, as per the marks on the box, Ash wakes to the sound of his food being delivered for breakfast. He eats in silence. He doesn't even hear the noise they've been pumping into the room for 10 days. When he is done he places his tray on the shelf and it disappears into the wall again.

*Click* The sound in the overhead turns off. A voice, deep and gravely. "Good, good Mr Ashlund. You've done excellent. Now we head to the second phase of our test. In the next room you will find a chair. Please take a seat. You won't be here long. Less than a day by our last calculations. Then you are free to go."

A slit in the wall opens to a dimly lit room, if you could call it that. The floor is stretch chicken wire, over triangles of foam cut at different angles. The walls, ceiling, all made of the same substance. One chair, bolted to the floor. It looks comfortable enough. Like a dentist chair. Seeing no other option, he takes a seat.

The silence is deafening, immediately. If you have ever clapped your hand, and heard the reflections of that clap come back to you from the walls in a room. Imagine that you heard no such reflection. Imagine that it was just the sound of the two hands coming together that came directly to your ear and nothing else. It's negative sound. It's as though the sound is sucked right out of you, so that all you can hear is your own heart beat, and breathing. Even your ears, so accustomed to sound begin to make their own ringing.

Ash takes a seat. The lights are turn out. Cool air is keeping the room a comfortable 74*F.

After the silence of 10 days, all of Ash's racing thoughts of subsided. He's moved past wondering where he is, when he'll leave, he's now just him. Alone with his thoughts. And increasingly, his past.

Alone, in the dark now, with no sound of any kind, negative sound. He sits. Lays back in the reclining dentist chair, and he waits. He waits. He sleeps.

***

Ash... Ash... 

He sits up. How long was he asleep? Is he still asleep? How would you know in dark silence?

Ash... we know about you Ash... We know who you are... what you've done... how could you... 

Ash shakes his head... the voices vanish. What as that?


***

"He's incredible. Getting a trained military man, accustomed to being alone for days and weeks, a survival expert. He is already outlasted every scientist, street volunteer, and audio geek we've ran through these tests. Many of them didn't make it through the prep room, but we've never had anyone last over and hour, he's been in there for three and just now he's starting to show signs of a dimensional tear. You are a genius!"

"Yes, Dr. I am! That is why you brought me here. To fix this reject project and bring something valuable out of it. Keep me appraised of any changes."

The white lab coated man turned and left the room. His tuft of white hair bouncing along as he walked away.


******

Thank you for reading. I hope you enjoyed this. I'd love to make a community with this project. If you would like to add, comment on, critique, or otherwise participate... that would be great!

Please include any information about yourself, your blog/wesbite/amazon author page that you want to share with the community also.

* I may include "Affiliate Links" which means I earn a commission when you buy products I link to. To see my full about page and disclosures: Click Here

It's Author Fun By Darrell Wolfe

To Subscribe to the RSS: Click Here

For Non-Fiction writing by Darrell G. Wolfe: Click Here






Saturday, April 26, 2014

Todays Biggest Economic Threat: Fear



In a recent interview I was asked an interesting question.

"What do you think is the biggest challenge facing our economy right now?"


My answer felt well thought out and solid, but somehow surface and hallow. And it's got me thinking about the real answer, behind the answer.


Lego Man In Nuclear Radiation Protection Suit. Attribution: [220365] Nuclear Fear (Explored) by Pascal
Attribution: [220365] Nuclear Fear (Explored) by Pascal



My original answer was basically this:

"... the unemployment rate is still too high, the true unemployment rate is much higher than currently being reported because so many have just dropped out of the job market search. We have more people of working age not working than in any time in recent history. 
This leads to less income which leads to weak sales. Weak sales leads to less hiring. Less hiring reinforces the people-out-of-work numbers. 
It's a retail cycle with serious long term side effects. 
The solution is complicated and potentially political but that's the biggest issue,  off the top of my head."

In 2008 there were 73,225 people over the age of 18 NOT in the labor force in the USA. In 2014 there are now 84,883. bls.gov
Screen Shot From BLS.GOV
In 2008 there were 73,225 people over the age of 18 NOT in the labor force in the USA. In 2014 there are now 84,883. bls.gov One recent stat as of March 2014 says the number is now closer to 90,483. We're still not as low as we were in the 1940's, but we are at the lowest since 1978. (bls.gov Percentage)

Labor Participation Rate BLS.GOV


But my answer is still bugging me...


That is the symptom not the cause, the fruit not the root.

Fear.


Fear is the real problem.

It sets itself up in many ways. Consumer Confidence. Investor Confidence.

But also...

The fear of striking out and starting your own business because it could fail.

It is fear that causes you to give up, instead of taking action.

Fear that says: "I'll never get there so why try.."

Fear is keeping America and the World economy in a vice grip.

This Fear can only be replaced with confidence,  but in what or whom?

Only He with the power to prosper you despite the economy can give you power over this Fear.
Here are some things to meditate on:

Deuteronomy 8:18;

And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.

See Also: Deuteronomy 28Job 33Malachi 3:103 John 1:2

So here is the real question:

Whose in your wallet?


Todays Resource will teach you how to think outside of the circumstances and think God's thoughts about your life; past, present, and future.



By Darrell Wolfe




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Friday, April 25, 2014

Circle of Life Cycles



Thus the circle of life cycles; ebbs and flows. 



There was a moment in time.



It was that moment.



The moment everything changed.



The change happens. The bud comes forth.



The flower blooms. The flower dies.



The plant appears to die.



But... it comes in circles.



It's not dead.



It's merely hibernating.



Spring comes, winter thaws.



Leaves push forth, new stems, a bud appears.





Thus the circle of life cycles; ebbs and flows. 




















Circle of Life Cycles


Thus the circle of life cycles; ebbs and flows. 

There was a moment in time.

It was that moment.

The moment everything changed.

The change happens. The bud comes forth.

The flower blooms. The flower dies.

The plant appears to die.

But... it comes in circles.

It's not dead.

It's merely hibernating.

Spring comes, winter thaws.

Leaves push forth, new stems, a bud appears.


Thus the circle of life cycles; ebbs and flows. 










Saturday, April 19, 2014

Want A Better Life? Change Something!


I'm going to be straight with you... I don't like to change. 

Does anyone?  It's uncomfortable.

But I find change is necessary if you want a better life. 

Lately I've been thinking about how I can make some changes in my life and routine to produce better outcomes in my life. At Work. At Home. Beyond. 



Attribution Changing the World by Celestine Chua. Quote: "History shows us that the people who end up changing the world - the great political, social, scientific, technological, artistic, even sports revolutionaries - are always nuts until they are right, and then they are geniuses.” John Eliot
Attribution: Changing the World by Celestine Chua

One Little Change, Then Another. 


Garden: We've always wanted a garden. My wife planned it out, and did the research. So I jumped in and got involved. Every week I take steps. The first week I ripped out the old bushes and replanted a rose bush. This week I planted a second rose bush, some asparagus and succulents and put down soil and mulch. Next Week We're planting three Artichoke Plants. All that was just the front yard. The REAL garden is starting out back tomorrow. Each week taking more small steps to the bigger vision.

Attitude: I had fallen into a rut at work, saying the same things to the same people, my heart was missing from my work. So I've done two things. 1. I'm actively looking for a new job. 2. But in the mean time I'm putting as much of myself as I can into each call. Being present for the caller. Finding anything I can do to make their day better. I feel better at work, surprise, and I'm getting better sales results too!

By definition "better" means change. 


Better means something has changed from how it was to how it now is.


As we used to say in AA, :

"The definition of insanity is: Doing the same thing over and over again, expecting different results." Albert Einstein

Or as Pastor Art Aragon says:

"Change isn't change until there's change; if you want change you have to change."

Sometimes a small change is enough to shift the balance and the rest of the pieces fall like dominoes.

Your Assignment, should you choose to accept it:

Take a new route to work.
Read a new book/author.
Eat at a new restaurant.
Say something you've never said.
Get up earlier.
Stay up later or go to bed earlier.
Fill out a job application
Fill out a job application for a different role than you've had before.

Try something new.

    Resource: Here is a book that radically changed my personal and spiritual life regarding personal change.

    Grace: The Power To Change, by Dr Jim Richards. (Affiliate Link)


    Comment To Answer: What change have you been resisting?


    By Darrell Wolfe

    Connect

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    Wednesday, April 16, 2014

    What is seed really?




    What is a seed?



    Mark 4 (New King James Version)
     

    13 And He said to them, "Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables? 14 The sower sows the word. 15 And these are the ones by the wayside where the word is sown. When they hear, Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts. 16 These likewise are the ones sown on stony ground who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness; 17 and they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the word's sake, immediately they stumble. 18 Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word, 19 and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. 20 But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred." 21 Also He said to them, "Is a lamp brought to be put under a basket or under a bed? Is it not to be set on a lampstand? 22 For there is nothing hidden which will not be revealed, nor has anything been kept secret but that it should come to light. 23 If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear." 24 Then He said to them, "Take heed what you hear. With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given. 25 For whoever has, to him more will be given; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him." 26 And He said, "The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground, 27 and should sleep by night and rise by day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how. 28 For the earth yields crops by itself: first the blade, then the head, after that the full grain in the head. 29 But when the grain ripens, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come." 30 Then He said, "To what shall we liken the kingdom of God? Or with what parable shall we picture it? 31 It is like a mustard seed which, when it is sown on the ground, is smaller than all the seeds on earth; 32 but when it is sown, it grows up and becomes greater than all herbs, and shoots out large branches, so that the birds of the air may nest under its shade." 33 And with many such parables He spoke the word to them as they were able to hear it. 34 But without a parable He did not speak to them. And when they were alone, He explained all things to His disciples. 35 On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, "Let us cross over to the other side." 36 Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. 38 But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?" 39 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace, be still!" And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. 40 But He said to them, "Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?" 41 And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, "Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!"


    2 Corinthians 9 (New King James Version)

    1 Now concerning the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you; 2 for I know your willingness, about which I boast of you to the Macedonians, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal has stirred up the majority. 3 Yet I have sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this respect, that, as I said, you may be ready; 4 lest if some Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we (not to mention you!) should be ashamed of this confident boasting. 5 Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren to go to you ahead of time, and prepare your generous gift beforehand, which you had previously promised, that it may be ready as a matter of generosity and not as a grudging obligation. 6 But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. 9 As it is written: "He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever." 10 Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness, 11 while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God. 12 For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God, 13 while, through the proof of this ministry, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal sharing with them and all men, 14 and by their prayer for you, who long for you because of the exceeding grace of God in you. 15 Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!

    I'm reading Simplifying Your Life, by Mac Hammond (Affiliate Link). In Chapter 10, page 132

    Mac Hammond points out that the harvest of your seed is an increase in spiritual fruit. First and foremost this is ALL about God's Kingdom, your personal financial prosperity is a byproduct of that mission, not an end goal.

    God obligates himself to prosper those who live a life that is poured out in service to others. In SOWING their time, talent, and treasure to deliver HIS WORDS TO HIS PEOPLE.

    So your seed isn't the check you dropped into the bucket.

    Your seed is the WORDS you sow into the lives of others that prosper them in the things of God.

    Your seed is the TIME you give, in any way, that allows HIS WORDS to be sown into others. When you serve at Church, you are sowing the Word.

    When you serve at work you do two things. You sow THE WORD into the people you touch, and you bring back resources to the body of Christ to sow the Word to others. The first part is the MOST important, not the second. The five fold ministry exists to train YOU to do the work of the ministry.

    Ephesians 4:6-16 (New King James Version)
    6 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. 7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift. 8 Therefore He says: "When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, And gave gifts to men." 9 (Now this, "He ascended"--what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.) 11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head--Christ-- 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.


    I am the minister. The Pastor is my trainer and equipment provider.

    How does this change my view of who I am, or what I do?

    It's not the "full time ministry gifts" that are the real ministers, it's you and I.

    My LIFE is the SEED that must be sown for the WORD of God to be brought to others.

    The Word of God is the bible, but it's more. Maybe God's word today is just the touch on the shoulder and the smile, followed by "Everything is going to be alright..."

    So... what is the PURPOSE of my seed?












    By DarrellWolfe

    www.DarrellWolfe.Com 



    Saturday, April 12, 2014

    Taking A Break Today 04/12/2014

    I'm not posting this week. 

    I decided that I'm not posting this week. I drained my mental engery on other things. But among those things was some writing I did for other topics. So I figured I'd let you know that I'm doing a prophecy study. Here is the first part excerpt from the first post I did for that study. If you'd like to read more click the link at the bottom.


    Daniel 2: The Statue of Nations and 4, make that 5, Kingdoms Of World History

    The Four Kingdoms Before Jesus' Coming

    Daniel lays out in perfect high definition the ages of world history from his time to the end of time, as it pertains specifically to Israel.

    Daniel is not giving us all of history from Creation forward. He is giving us history as it pertains to World Level affairs, or World Kingdoms. Even more specifically only those world powers which, at one point or another, will have possession of God's People and God's Holy City Jerusalem.

    Although the USA and USSR both like to call themselves "World Superpowers", they are not World Kingdoms. They also do not, at this time, have possession of God's Holy City, so they would not be included in God's Recorded Calendar.

    Let's look at the text of Daniel Chapter 2 and then break it down.

    To Read The Article Click Here


    By Darrell Wolfe

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    Saturday, April 5, 2014

    Genesis Chapter 1: God Created The Heavens And The Earth... But When?!

     

    A Response To All The Talk About Creation Science VS Evolution After The Ken Ham and Bill Nye Debates.

    I've been listening to the Phil Vischer Podcast and I was moved by all the positioning we Christians do on this topic of Evolution VS Creation. I love a lot of what he has to say about the bigger picture.

    I have a confession to make. I used to be that belligerent creationist that gave my science professors grief in college, in some ways I still am. I was the type that loved to argue too.

    But my understanding has shifted and broadened from the way most Christians in North America see this topic. It's been a slow change, but I've taken a dramatic leap forward in the last week.

    This post is kind of technical, it has a lot to do with using words correctly, but if you stick with me to the end, I think it will have real life application for you in your walk with God and with people. 

    If your curious what I could mean by this, take a journey with me to the first day of creation...


     

    First Things First: Language Comprehension

    Before we can get into Genesis, we need to take a quick look at language.

    So if you've applied for a college degree, or even an advanced job, in the last few years you'll have seen these language construction and comprehension tests.

    Like this one from "EnglishClub.Com"
    For each question, choose the answer that is closest in meaning to the original sentence 
    Example
    Linda has a white cat and a black cat.
     
    She has one cat.
    Linda's cat is black and white.
    She has two cats.
    Linda likes brown cats.

    This kind of ability to pick apart language construction is important if we are to properly understand what the bible is telling us, and just as importantly what it is not.

    There are things the bible makes claims to that we either need to believe or we must chuck the whole book as irrelevant. But it's important that we not make a claim for God, that He himself has not made. I believe that we've done this with Genesis 1, at least in part.

    Let's examine the basic language structure of the following sentence.


    "In 2010 I bought my house and moved in. And now the fence is broken, so I went to the store and bought a new fence post to fix it."

    One could assume by mere casual read that I fixed the fence post in 2010. Yet others might see this and assume that it was not in 2010, but in fact at some point afterward. How would you know who is right?

    There is not enough information here to make a firm decision on the exact time frame from when I moved in to when I fixed the fence.

    However, we cannot tell how much time elapsed between moving in and fixing the fence. Did the fence post need fixing 2 days after I moved in, 100 days, 6.5 Billion days after I moved in?

    All you can logically determine from reading this is that I moved in to the house in 2010 and at some point afterward the fence post needed fixing so I went to the store and bought a new post to fix the fence.

    This is important as we now take a look at what might be the most disputed three sentences of the entire bible. 


    God Created The Heavens And The Earth... Then some other stuff happened:

    Genesis 1 New King James 

    1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
     
    2 The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. 
    3 Then God said, "Let there be light"... So the evening and the morning were the first day.

    So, English students, what does the text say?

    The text says that:
    • Verse 1:
      • Time Began: at some point time started ticking, there was in fact a beginning.
      • In said beginning, God created the heavens (galaxies and such) and the earth (the planet on which we live now). 
    • Verse 2:
      • The Earth was present, void of any form, dark, and deep waters covered the earth. Form here would indicate formations (mountains, valleys, etc.)
      • The Earth was present before God said "Light Be". Minutes before, Hours before, days before, 6.5 billion years before... the text gives no indication. Therefore we cannot draw any conclusions regarding that time frame from this one verse. 
    • Verse 3:
      • God created light, and that was the first day of our creation story, or the creation that brought mankind into being and therefore, the creation that matters to us. 
      • At some point after the earth was created, God decided to move in and that is when the clock started ticking for the Story of Man.  

    And Now: Transition Statements


    Some translations even translate verse two: "And the earth was..." or "Now the earth was..." or And now the earth was...". A close look at the interlinear translation tool from Bible Hub shows us the construct of the compound Hebrew word translated "And The Earth" is "wə·hā·’ā·reṣ". And or Now is appropriate of the word in context.

    This would indicate a transition to a new topic, or next level idea, or transition from one event to another. The wording used in Hebrew is " X happened, and now Y is happening...". That is up for debate, but that's how I read it. Genesis 1:1 is an event that predates Genesis 1:3. Genesis 1:2 is the transition statement between the two.


    Read what is says, not what it doesn't say.


    However, even without the detail of "And/Now", we see a situation here where most people have read this to say something it doesn't say.

    They say:

    God created the heavens and the earth, and he did this by saying "Light Be" on the first day. 

    Yet we see clearly in verse two that before light was created the earth was already there, dark and void of life or form.

    We also see that the "First Day" actually isn't the first day of ALL creation, it's the first day of "Mankind's" creation story, or the current creation that is.

    We know from multiple passages that Angels predate mankind. Job 38:7 even shows us that angels were with God as he created the heavens and the earth. There are some who have built a case for a creation prior to ours, I haven't researched it enough to put full stock into it, but it is an interesting hypothesis and there's reasons to believe and to doubt it. But it's an interesting idea. (Click Here To Read PreAdamite World/Earth)

    Either way, it's not relevant to our story of redemption which is the only story God's Word records for us. The only facts recorded in God's Word are those that matter to us, shed light on our existence and the ongoing story of our redeemer and redemption. Hints are given of other things, but only hints.

    God hasn't told us the exact nature and details of Angels in full detail, because it doesn't matter to our story. It matters enough to drop hints and give a few details, that is enough for us. God tells us what we need to know, He doesn't indulge our curiosity at all times. In the same way, creation of the heavens and earth prior to day one of OUR creation are not fully relevant and so we only get to see a glimpse in certain places in the bible into that distant, "Pre Man" past.

    I think he may have done this hinting in Genesis one, which is why Creationists and Evolutionists, although fundamentally there will always been disagreements, aren't as far off from each other as they both might think.


    What can we say about creation then? 


    At some point in the past, there is no possible way from any scripture that we can determine when, God created the heavens and the earth. (6,000 years ago, 100,000 years ago, 6.5 Billion years ago... there is no way to know from the bible).

    At some point after that initial creation, the heavens and earth are DONE, and the earth is sitting here formless and void. God moves on the earth. God says "Light Be" and day one of creation kicks off.

    I do take these to be literal days, for now, but I'm open to considering any logical biblical interpretation that still holds to be theologically sound in the grand scheme of the whole bible. I suppose I'll explore that idea later.

    So where does that leave us?

    Given basic historical context and extrapolation of time-lines it's within reason to say that earth (as we know it with it's life forms) is between 6,000-10,000 years old. Earth (as a planetary body in the universe) could be any age, even 6.5 billion years, if true science can prove that age, I accept it.

    I would even postulate that charts (such as these) are indications that the Bible more accurately reflects evidence in the fossil records than evolution, but that is another article.


    http://www.nap.edu/books/0309063647/xhtml/images/img00104.jpg



    What if, as someone I trust as close to God told me recently, creation days were 1,000 years each? Making that 6,000 of creation leading up to Adam and Eve? Just a thought. Not saying it's true or not.

    Here the thing, if it's even possible to be unsure, can we place as strong a theological pressure on it as we tend to? Can we assign to "Young Earth" the same weight we assign "Jesus Literally Raised From The Dead"? Again, just thinking through it... not saying either way is true or not.


    So does that mean an old earth or young earth? You decide. Tweet That!

    Christians: Could Darwinians be half right?

    Atheists and/or Darwinians: Could Christians be half right?

    I know, too scary for both sides to admit.

    So, I promised you some life lessons to walk away with.


    I can't count the times I've seen some video or website putting out an idea, and some "Christian" is being loud and obnoxious about how the idea is "lies and heresy". It might be science and creation, or some person talking about Christian prosperity, or some other topic.

    I have to ask myself what is the fruit? What is the fruit of any conversation you are having with other people? If you are arguing, being mean, name calling, putting the person down (vs discussing the idea or concept rationally and calmly).... what is your end game? What do you hope to accomplish?

    It's tempting when I feel I'm right and I feel "they" are wrong, to dig in to them. But if I "win the argument but loose the person" was that really any help?


    I've learned that when I am feeling argumentative I secretly know I might be partially wrong, I appeal to emotion instead of reason to "Win The Fight"!
    My end goal in talking to other people ought to be two things (it's not either/or it's both of these):


    1. Win Their Heart
    2. Learn From Them

      It may be that someone who is wrong about one thing still has something to teach me, or may have facts I do not know about that thing or about other things. If I'm arguing with them I won't be able to acknowledge that information and learn from it. I may even be the one who is wrong, and not know it.

      It is also true that even if I am 100% right, which is pretty hard to do unless you are God, it is not the argument, idea, or concept that must be won. It's the heart of the person. If you win the person's heart to trust you care about them as a person, that you are a seeker of truth and not looking to beat them up with your ideas, then you have a much better chance of eventually winning them over to a useful conversation.

      I've learned the most powerful thing you can say to a person to win them over is: "That's a great question... I don't know for sure! Here's what I think might be true? (Or What do you think might be true?)"

      If you just argue the point you will turn off the other person, they will tune you out and leave un-changed, and your blood pressure will be higher. Neither of you wins. Both are unchanged. Both feel worse about the other person.

      That's called a Loose-Loose situation.

      If you are always seeking truth, and your idea is true, your idea will stand the test. If you are not seeking truth then you will be afraid your idea will not stand the test and you'll be forced to either abandon the idea or embrace a lie/myth. Just seek Truth, and Truth Himself will shine! ("I am the Way, the Truth, the Life...." Jesus)

      So here's my parting question: 

      Are You Seeking Truth? Or are you so committed to an idea that you aren't even open to truth seeking any more. 

      To Respond: Leave a comment on this post




      PS


      *JUST in case you wondered. I did buy my house in September 2010. Today is 04/03/2014 as I write the first draft for this post. I worked on that fence post today, and I will have put it back together tomorrow when the concrete dries. PSS: I put it back together! Yeah! PSSS: I actually replaced a fence post once in Summer 2013 and now. So I did it twice. 



      *Note to all my friends and family. 
      I still believe the bible is 100% accurate, to the very Hebrew/Greek Letter. But how much of our understanding is based on English interpretations and modern ideas imposed on a text to answer questions it was never intended to answer? There's a thought to ponder... 

      If we understand Psalms 23 better by learning about the background of the life of an ancient shepherd, could we learn more about creation by understanding more about who Genesis was written to and how those who heard it would have been thinking? Hmm... That's another article. 




      This Weeks Resources:

      Darwin's Black Box: The Biochemical Challenge to Evolution by Michael J. Behe (Author)
      Naming Darwin’s Black Box to the National Review’s list of the 100 most important nonfiction works of the twentieth century, George Gilder wrote that it “overthrows Darwin at the end of the twentieth century in the same way that quantum theory overthrew Newton at the beginning.” Discussing the book in The New Yorker in May 2005, H. Allen Orr said of Behe, “he is the most prominent of the small circle of scientists working on intelligent design, and his arguments are by far the best known.” From one end of the spectrum to the other, Darwin’s Black Box has established itself as the key text in the Intelligent Design movement—the one argument that must be addressed in order to determine whether Darwinian evolution is sufficient to explain life as we know it, or not.

      Expelled: No Intelligence Allowedby Ben(Hosted by) Stein (Author)
      Big science has expelled smart ideas from the classroom... What they forgot is that every generation has its Rebel! That rebel, Ben Stein (Ferris Bueller's Day Off) travels the world on his quest, and learns an awe-inspiring truth...that educators and scientists are being ridiculed, denied tenure, and even fired - for merely believing that there might be evidence of "design" in nature. Perhaps life is not just the result of accidental, random chance. In the film Ben says "Enough" - And NOBODY messes with Ben!




      ______________________________________________


      By Darrell Wolfe


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        Disclaimers:

        FOR MY FULL DISCLAIMER: See my "Start Here About" page. Click Here

        Information here is As-Is. These are the opinions of a fellow traveler and seeker of truth. I am not a doctor, lawyer, licensed financial advisor, tax preparer, etc, etc... I'm just one guy, sharing what he's learned. As such, the information may be as true or faulty as the guy on the buss stop giving you directions. If you need accurate information I encourage you to seek the help of a professional in your field. 

        * I do make money from this blog. 1 Tim 5:18 says the worker is worthy of his wages. I do earn affiliate commissions or freebies from some of the products I discuss at various points on this blog. Regardless I only suggest things that have personally helped me, or someone I know. If you click on an "Affiliate Link" and you buy something I'll get a cut. Thanks for your support! 

        I am a conservative Christian. I write from a bible-centric point of view. I welcome people from other points of view to jump into the conversation. If you don't like bible-centric writing: I encourage you not to read my posts.... Unless you want to learn something new. 

        * In all you do: Live Long and Prosper, with GOOD SUCCESS! 


        Thank you, Darrell Wolfe

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