Morning Glory on the Porch

They seem to be everywhere this season.

Some call them pests--but I enjoy their morning blooms.

The blooms are vibrant in the morning and most mornings I depart before they open to brighten the day.

Sadly, because we decided to let the vines run wild this year and they are adorning our porch with color and green.

Are they out of control? Probably--but who cares. When they die I will pull their dead vines off of everything and get ready for next springtime.

But I do enjoy the blue blooms that are so vibrant in the morning.

The Argument about the Creation of the Universe

Not content with tackling one volatile issue this week, I thought I'd throw some kerosene on the fire about another issue: Where did we come from? God or a cosmic calamity?

Stephen Hawking, a renown and respected professor at the University of Cambridge has declared the universe created itself. His new book, The Grand Design, coauthored with Leonard Mlodinow, reportedly details the procedure for creating your own universe in a bottle beginning with nothing but the vacuum of space.

OK--I'm being a bit sarcastic.

In a Wall Street Journal article titled: Why God Did Not Create the Universe , excerpts of the book are published to give a flavor of the book. Of course the article is designed to encourage people to buy the book to read more.

I'm not going to buy into the advertisement, nor will I be purchasing the book.

I think I've read enough to make a decision based upon the following three paragraphs from the article I referenced:

The emergence of the complex structures capable of supporting intelligent observers seems to be very fragile. The laws of nature form a system that is extremely fine-tuned. What can we make of these coincidences? Luck in the precise form and nature of fundamental physical law is a different kind of luck from the luck we find in environmental factors. It raises the natural question of why it is that way.

Many people would like us to use these coincidences as evidence of the work of God. The idea that the universe was designed to accommodate mankind appears in theologies and mythologies dating from thousands of years ago. In Western culture the Old Testament contains the idea of providential design, but the traditional Christian viewpoint was also greatly influenced by Aristotle, who believed "in an intelligent natural world that functions according to some deliberate design."

That is not the answer of modern science. As recent advances in cosmology suggest, the laws of gravity and quantum theory allow universes to appear spontaneously from nothing. Spontaneous creation is the reason there is something rather than nothing, why the universe exists, why we exist. It is not necessary to invoke God to light the blue touch paper and set the universe going.

I think it is pretty clear--man has again determined that there can be no other god than man, because if there were, then we would not be the masters of the universe!

Hawking says as much in one sentence, which is the final sentence of the Wall Street Journal article:

Although we are puny and insignificant on the scale of the cosmos, this makes us in a sense the lords of creation.

I think Stephen Hawking missed a fundamental underlying pivot point to his whole argument--and this is the reason that I will not buy the book and encourage the transmission of his modern humanistic view of the world.

Hey Stevie--where did the laws of gravity and quantum theory come from?

No matter how far back you go--you have to have something to start with and if all you think you need are these laws--then where did they come from?

Oh yeah, that would be God!

I was reminded of a conversation God had with Job, it could have just as easilyu been Stephen Hawking, when God said simply: “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you possess understanding!" Job 38:4 NET Bible

There is a whole lot more to the concept of foundation than mortar and clay--it embodies the basic laws that govern life and the universe. The laws of gravity and quantum theory. The laws of life and light and darkness. All of these are needed to sustain life. They didn't just happen--no matter how many complex mathematical formulas exist to define them.


Sorry Steve--you got it wrong.


Something from nuthin is nonsense.

Church to Burn the Koran Part II

I received an email from a blog reader about my earlier post: Church to Burn the Koran.

Suffice it to say--we see the issue differently, which is really great. That is why I am an American because I love diversity and I love being able to have differing opinions without someone winding up dead.

The comments were as follows, with the identity of the sender protected:

Good morning Bob. Was reading your blog this morning, a couple of thoughts occurred to me. If all of these Muslims are so peace loving, then why are we there? If the general is so bothered by the burning of a few books and even now our President chimes in, and is so concerned of the safety of our troops I have a great idea. BRING THEM HOME !!!!!!! Why can't these "peace " loving Muslims govern themselves? Why don't we go into China, Russia, Somalia, Venezuela, or Cuba for that matter??? Bob, What does 2Pe. 2:10 say about despising government say! Didn't PRESIDENT HUSSEIN have his government? Why didn't we respect him, or at least respect his government? Shouldn't we as Americans have respect for our government! When we want a change of government, we don't go to any other country for their military help!!! Just a few thoughts. I know I am not in the KNOW, But I have a question. How many people were killed by drunk drivers in our own country, without one book burned?

I admit--I don't like it when people disagree with me, after all, who does? And I love a good battle of thoughts and opinions--so I responded. And I wrote the following (I have removed one phrase where the writer of the original piece could have been identified).

I responded:

Really?

You don't see the difference between drunk driving and intentionally doing something which endangers your fellow citizens around the world? I think you are being really cavalier about other peoples lives.

What kind of statement is this church really trying to make? If they really want to live free and be brave in the face of Islamic extremists, they should join the military and go to the front lines and fight Al Qaida and the radical Islamic terrorists face to face. It is real easy to stand tall and be brave from Gainesville--knowing that millions of US soldiers and the entire Homeland Security apparatus of the U.S. is protecting you.

This church represents everything that can be wrong with "Christians" in America today. And it is radicals such as these which are potentially going to cause the rest of us problems.

In some circles, burning a Koran could be considered a hate crime--the same as burning a cross or painting a swastika on a synagogue. (Happy New Year by the way)

And the threat to Americans this causes is not just in Afghanistan--but unless you haven't noticed there is a lot of the world that is Muslim. It endangers every American everywhere!

And you are also not really asking me about Hussein are you? He used chemical and biological weapons on his own people and killed thousands--if not millions of his people. In the annals of history--he is not far from being the Stalin or Hitler of our time. Using your logic, we should not have invaded Europe in 1944. Hitler had established his government there.

You misapplied 2 Pe 2:10 while you were at it. And you know that too. Return to Romans 13:8. And the entire first part of Romans 13 for that matter. We as Christians should be supporting our government and praying for it.

When you boil it all down, Paul said it best in 1 Cor 10:23--which basically says that even though things may be lawful, some things are not wise to do because they don't build others up (edify).

So in the end, this church will likely burn about 200 Korans--good for them. But, they are not going to be paying the consequences for their actions. Others are. It's their right, but is it a right that really needs to be taken?

This is the end of what I responded to the email with.

I know this is a hot button issue for many of us. I think discussing it openly and rationally is good. So, I look forward to more comments.

Church to Burn the Koran?

I read with interest the article in The Wall Street Journal titled: Petraeus Condemns U.S. Church's Plan to Burn Qurans.

Why?

Why would a church want to make a statement like that--burning a Koran?

The leader of the group, Pastor Terry Jones, is quoted as saying the following in the article:

Mr. Jones, head of the 50-member Dove World Outreach Center in Gainesville, Fla., said in a statement that "We understand the General's concerns. We are sure that his concerns are legitimate." Nonetheless, he added, "We must send a clear message to the radical element of Islam. We will no longer be controlled and dominated by their fears and threats."

Really? That is how you are going to become and live as free people?

By burning a book? Get real.

These "Christian" zealots need to understand that they are putting a lot of Americans at risk by intentionally offending another group of people.

They have the right to burn the Koran--you bet they do. But it is ignorant (my view).

This is a 50-member church that is looking for its 15 minutes of fame. OK--they've had their fame, now they need to wise up and accept accountability for their actions.

I'm having a hard time reconciling what Paul says in Romans 13:8 with what this church wants to do. Paul wrote, "Owe no one anything, except to love one another, for the one who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law." NET Bible.

It appears to me that what they want to do is really torque-off (insert your own stronger word here if desired) a specific group of people which will potentially cause loss of life to Americans, when they should be praying for the very people they are trying to make a statement to.

We Americans are kind of numb and dumb to these kinds of statements. When someone burns an American Flag or hangs a public official in effigy, we just tend to brush it off and respect the emotion and rights of the demonstrators to be obnoxious.

Others in the world do not have this same view--and so we need to understand their reactions may/will be different than ours and consider our actions in view of the probable response.

So when the Commander of US Forces in the region says the following, quoted from the article:

"It could endanger troops and it could endanger the overall effort," Gen. Petraeus said in an interview. "It is precisely the kind of action the Taliban uses and could cause significant problems. Not just here, but everywhere in the world we are engaged with the Islamic community."

This church needs to ask itself--do they really want all of that blood on their hands and is it what they should be doing? Starting wars that other people will have to fight.

It is pretty easy to stand tall and be brave in sunny Gainesville, Florida.

I wonder how brave they would be standing on the front lines in Kabul?

Sunny September Afternoons

We made our annual trek to the State Fair on Saturday as a big, complete family.

It is something we do almost every year and believe it or not, it is something I look forward to doing.

Of course, I love the cows--but this year was really special. The weather was idyllic. The grandchildren are not only increasing in number, but their increasing ages make them more fun to be with at the fair.

Since I got to play with the camera a bit more this year, I do have a favorite action shot from the fair. It is Nicole and Jax coming down the slide together. Maybe just a bit out of control, but having fun together.

I enjoyed playing with the camera--because the sky was so blue and the colors so vivid.

We are able to expose the kids to so many different things at the fair--like baby chickens (chicks), or piglets, or lambs--all of the animals they read stories about and are finally able to see for real.

And of course we are all able to be together--which is also a treat.

The fair is fun and only a short drive from home. We assembled at 1000 and had a fabulous morning and early afternoon.

I hope next year is as much fun.

Monday Musings - September 6, 2010 (on Tuesday Morning)

Yes, it is a day late--but it was a holiday yesterday so I was busy.

1. Labor Day celebrations and family gatherings to celebrate together are really where it's at. I hesitate to call it the end of summer, but it surely is the last holiday of summer.  Of course, there is only one other holiday during summer anyway.

2. Busy days and busy nights lead to wanting to go back to work after a holiday.

3. I get exhausted during holidays making sure I see everyone and do everything that I need to.   Too bad I didn't get the things done I wanted to do like wash Cat, comb the dog, and mow the lawn among others.

4. Jax and I found a dinosaur nest on our walk yesterday morning. We were very quiet and departed the area to ensure they were not disturbed. I think we did OK because they didn't chase us!

5. Makayla was so tired from the weekend, she didn't want to get out of bed this morning. She's a dog, so she doesn't have to go to work. Lucky her!

6. I played racquetball this morning after the three day weekend--ugh!  It was really hard to get moving.

7. Sunny, clear, and mild. Who could complain?  Actually I did hear complaints about lack of rain. Someone please record those for later use as evidence against those complaining about the rain when it finally comes.

8. BP is still in the news playing with the oil well.

9. Hurricane?  What hurricane? Gaston fizzled. Earl missed. Fiona exhausted herself. Sounds like a bad "whodunit" novel.

10. Well--now it is full ahead into primary season, autumn, and Columbus Day. Remember Columbus Day? It is still a national holiday, amazingly enough!

Labor Day walk after breakfast

What happens after a huge breakfast? 

A walk. Especially on a beautiful day with cooler temperatures and bright sunshine.

What could be better?

Maybe a nap?

But the dogs enjoyed the long-ish walk to the playground.

On the way back Jax and I looked for acorns. And we found a lot.

I finally had to convince Jax to leave some for the squirrels.

Standing at the Door--Please Don't Knock, It's Open for a Reason

I work with some people who just cannot get used to informality.

They insist on knocking on my open office door before entering or even then wait to be invited to enter.

It really bugs me--because I do not like separating myself from my team with such trappings of either authority or power.

My boss does not require such from me--why should I retain psychological power holdovers from a previous era?

I want to be a member of the "team" and not just the coach/manager/leader.

That I am "management" should not be reinforced by holding on to the trappings of percieved power that separate us--but one of the strengths of a well functioning team is seeing that everyone has a job or position, they do it and they do it together.

I know when I hear some of the team some talk about "management" (or "them") they are referring to me and the office area I sit in, but still--I want them to know that when they say these things I understand that they feel disenfranchised and not part of the solution to the problem they are complaining about.

Teams are about shared responsibility and effort.

Some need to have the authority and responsibility to make decisions--but all should be invested in the outcome--personally.

Teams really work best when the team members care. One way everyone cares is if the barriers that separate team members are reduced.

If the leadership provides the general guidance and support that the team needs then there is a good chance the team will be efficient and adaptable to the changing stress of the moment.

If the door is open--come on in! We are all in this together.

Saturday at the fair

Hurricane? What hurricane.

It is a beautiful day.

Seeing the Fair

What is the best way to enjoy the Maryland State Fair on a beautiful Saturday morning?

Ask Lucas.