Sing of My Redeemer!

Four years later...

2009-06-16T22:47:00.000-07:00

UC Graduation

2009-06-12T08:56:00.000-07:00

Jesse Tyler Caldwell
Class of 2009
—
Graduating from
University of California, San Diego
with the degree of
Bachelor of Science
in
Mechanical Engineering
—
Revelle College Commencement Ceremony
Sunday, June 14th
Anno Domini Two Thousand and Nine
At five o’clock in the evening
RIMAC field, UCSD

—

Dear family and friends,

During a hot August day, four years ago, I started work on my first undergraduate classes at a local community college. I was fresh and ready to start on what I thought would be one of the hardest things I would ever tackle in life—an engineering degree. Now, four years and thousands of hours later, I have finally arrived at the end of the mission and will be graduating this June with a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of California, San Diego. Looking back, there are many memories of the last four years. Some to be forgotten and others to be remembered.

I clearly remember the day I started at the community college. It was a Monday and was my senior year in high school. My first class was Calculus I at five in the evening. Except for SAT tests, it was the first time I had been in a classroom. Walking in, I set down in the front row fully determined to do my best. Although I had studied calculus briefly before, most of the material was new and challenging. I worked hard and learned as much as I could. It was difficult at first and at times I thought I might not pass the class, but in the end I did.

Three semesters later I unexpectedly ended up at UCSD taking courses through their university extension program and was admitted officially for the fall 2007 quarter. Classes at the university level were harder than I ever thought they would be. I learned this first hand when just one of the homework problems on my first Junior level engineering class took me over 10 pages to complete. The mathematics in the classes also increased dramatically and although, sometimes it did not seem worthwhile, it has proved very rewarding later on.

Now, two and a half years later, I am looking forward to saying good-bye to my time as an undergraduate and beginning a new chapter in life. This fall, I will be attending graduate school at UCSD for a Master of Science degree in engineering with a specialization in fluid mechanics and applied mathematics. It is not that learning such things merely for the sake of learning them is the goal of education. But rather, with education also must come responsibility accompanied with the resolve and firm dedication to use what one learns for the benefit of others

We live in a culture where doing one's best is looked down on and underachievement is the goal of millions. The peer pressure to accept these neo-American ideals is overwhelming, and yet, unfounded. Success is not wide-spread affirmation, but rather it is doing what is right regardless of the difficulties, the long days, or temporal rewards. While some think otherwise, I did not walk this difficult road in undergraduate education alone. Rather, I had many who helped me, encouraged me to do what was right regardless of the cost, and challenged me to always do my best. Without my teachers it would have been much more difficult. Without my friends it would have been much less rewarding. And without my family it would have been lonely, not to mention impossible.

My brother, Isaac, and I both will be graduating on Sunday, June 14, 2009 at five in the evening at the Revelle College Commencement Ceremony held on RIMAC field at UCSD. If any of you happen to be in San Diego this coming Sunday, you are welcome to attend.

Soli Deo gloria,

Jesse Caldwell
Class of 2009

—

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Psalm Eight

2009-04-24T13:24:00.000-07:00

O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!

Who hast set thy glory above the heavens!

Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.
When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers......the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;
What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son
of man, that thou visitest him?
For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.
Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands;
Thou hast put all things under his feet:
All sheep and oxen... ...yea, and the beasts of the field. :)
The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea,
...and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.
O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!
-

In spite of everthing that is happening in the world today -the new presidential administration's unprecendented bailout budget, the terrorist takeover of the Swat valley in Pakistan, or even the Solmali pirates' hijacking of multimillion dollar ships- God is still the ultimate Master of the world. Western civilization as we know it is changing, perhaps not declining, but it is unlikely to remain the Christian-centric culture that it has roughly been for the last thirteen hundred years. However dim the future is though, we should be thankful that our God is no mere god, but the Soverign Creator of the world and only Redeemer! Truly his will is being accomplished in the world.

*****

Note: Yes, I am still around! School has been extremely busy and other priorities have been keeping me from blogging. Look for another post shortly (ie. several weeks :) )!

Life that was Unworthy of Life

2009-01-12T17:37:00.000-08:00

It turns out that the Netherlands, one of the most progressive of the European counties, is openly killing infants under 12 months—in some of the cases even without parental consent.

Although, euthanasia had been practiced on infants for sometime undercover, this was made public in late 2004 when a prestigious Dutch medical center released statements condoning the practice of infant euthanasia. The university also released a set of candid infanticide guidelines, known as the Groningen Protocol.

This protocol establishes among other things categories of nonviable infants. Here, non-viability is not merely defined as having no chance of survival but the definition also includes infants “not depending on intensive medical treatment but for whom a very poor quality of life…is predicted.” In other words, Dutch doctors have an ability to terminate a life when the outlook is not favorable enough.

It should be noted that the euthanasia itself is currently condemned by the World Medical Association of eighty-two countries. The Association has adopted resolutions condemning both euthanasia and physician assisted suicide as “unethical” even at the patient’s own request or those of his or her relatives. Interestingly, even the ancient oath of Hippocrates, the father of medicine also has reference to euthanasia:

“I will not give a lethal drug to anyone if I am asked, nor will I advise such a plan…”

Although it is not clear if there is currently any legislation permitting Dutch infanticide, the Dutch government has made no attempt to halt the practice. Adult euthanasia was legalized in 2002 and was subsequently expanded to minors as young as 12 last year.

The euthanasia program in the Netherlands is virtually allowed to regulated itself with no executive or judicial oversight. When Dr. H.S. Cohen, a Dutch general practitioner was asked whether there was a possibility of abuse ever occurring in the program, he calmly dismissed the possibility stating coolly that the Dutch medical establishment is of such high integrity that it is “not corruptible”(Right to Die Conference, 1990).

In 2006, Carlo Giovanardi, Italy’s Parliamentary Affairs minister criticized the Dutch program saying: “Nazi legislation and Hitler’s ideas are reemerging in Europe via Dutch euthanasia law and the debate on how to kill ill children.” The Dutch Prime Minister, Jan Peter Balkenende, responded by calling Giovanardi’s comments “scandalous” and “unacceptable”. “This is not the way to get along in Europe,” he fumed.

Indeed, Europe is not the place it once was. There are dreams in Europe. Dreams of a final solution and dreams that will usher humanity towards its destined place. It seems to be looking for a new world order and an ideal society—something that only dictators have promised before. In an ideal society, there would be no pain and no prejudices. There would be nothing to divide the people. People would become totally unselfish and live for the mutual benefit of others.

Consequently, the Dutch Prime Minister wasn’t angered merely because the Italian minister criticized the Dutch program. It was more than that. What the Italian minister was criticizing is what is being considered by more and more people in Europe to be ideal society.

To some Dutch people, euthanasia is viewed as part of the final solution or part of the ultimate plan for an ideal society. This is echoed in a 2005 report by ABC news discussing the case of a couple whose six-month-old daughter was euthanized, presumably not because she was unviable, but rather that her life was deemed by others to not be worth living:

“Anita and Frank go often to the burial place of their daughter Chanou…. Chanou died when, with her parents consent, doctors gave her a lethal dose of morphine…. ‘I’m convinced that if we meet again somewhere in heaven,’ her father said, ‘she’ll tell us we reached the most perfect solution.’”

This is not a science fiction tale like The Giver or any other book with one of those brave new world plots. It is real.

Max Planck & Intelligient Design

2008-11-24T08:49:00.000-08:00

Our modern culture tells us to be a scientist or an informed person in the world, you must accept evolution. It is inferred that being a scientist requires you to give up Creation and that all intelligent design is merely a product of scientific cavemen. Yet, do not accept that modern science has no place for God! It is not true because history stands as a record.

To show this, I would like to share an excerpt of a speech. It was delivered by Max Planck, a German physicist, in honor of Leibniz’s 276th birthday on June 29, 1922. In 1918 he had been awarded the Nobel prize in physics for his theory of radiation that paved the way for modern quantum theory.

Planck was a firm believer in the divine ordering or intelligent design of the universe. He believed that our world was designed to operate at maximum possible efficiency and this concept itself is a mark of intelligent design because it points to a loving and infinite Creator. In fact, the mathematical representation of his theory is an exact statement of this. This maximum efficiency principle is also known as the principle of least action. And, as Planck points out below, it is the guiding principle behind most of our physical laws that govern the universe.

He starts out by discussing Leibniz’s philosophical treatise The Theodicy where Leibniz (who discovered differential calculus) argues that of all possible processes, only the best and most efficient occur. Planck then goes on to explain in light of then current developments why this is was a correct deduction:

“The Theodicy culminates with the statement that whatever occurs in our world, in large as in the small, in nature as in spiritual life, is once and for all regulated by divine reason, and in such a way that our world is the best among possible worlds....

Modern science, in particular under the influence of the development of the notion of causality, has moved far away from Leibniz’s teleological point of view. Science has abandoned the assumption of a special, anticipating reason, and it considers each event in the natural and spiritual world, at least in principle, as reducible to prior states. But still we notice a fact, particularly in the most exact science, which at least in this context, is most surprising. Present-day physics, as far as it is theoretically organized, is completely governed by a system of space—time differential equations which state that each process in nature is totally determined by the events which occur in its immediate temporal and spatial neighborhood.

This entire rich system of differential equations, though they differ in detail, since they refer to mechanical, electric, magnetic, and thermal processes, is now completely contained in a single dictum—the principle of least action. This, in short, states that, of all possible processes, the only ones that actually occur are those that involve minimum expenditure of action.

As we can see, only a short step is required to recognize in the preference for the smallest quantity of action the ruling of divine reason, and thus to discover a part of Leibniz’s teleological ordering of the universe.”

Truly, there are many great scientists who rejected the norms and searched for the truth in the wonders of the creation. For them, creation is not merely a engineering marvel of the Creator, but rather an expression of an loving, infinite God who created not just a normal universe, but the best and most efficient universe.

Philosophy 101

2008-11-24T08:38:00.000-08:00

If there is one issue that unites humanity more than any other, one deep desire that is universally manifested in the hearts of men, if there ever has been a question that has been asked, pondered, written about, and longed for an answer for, it is the question of existence and the true meaning of life.

All history has is a record of men trying to find the answer. Classical literature is rife with their attempts. One such story, the Gilgamesh epic, tells plainly how a Sumerian king spent his life seeking fulfillment and meaning. He tries many things including trying to attain immortality, pleasure, and friendship, yet the end of the tale is dismal: he fails.

He failed because he did not recognize the true source of fulfillment in life.

Nor is this the only tale of such seeking. King Solomon also tried seeking for an answer and recorded this seeking in the biblical book of Ecclesiastes. In conclusion, Solomon records that the duty of man is to “Fear God, and keep his commandments…” This is the correct conclusion, regardless of how he spent his later years.

It is this question that all religions seek to explain and it is this desire for true fulfillment that they try to satisfy. Yet, accepting the Creator as the true Lord in one’s life is the only thing that can give one’s soul true fulfillment, contentment, and happiness. Nothing in this world can satisfy the deep longing that has been entwined with the fate of humanity through the centuries—to find true meaning and fulfillment. And yet, people today are willing to try anything to avoid accepting Christianity as the solution.

In a 2007 report, the CDC stated that antidepressents have now become the most prescribed drug in the United States at 118 million prescriptions a year! Yes, that is 38% of Americans—many of whom are trusting medicine and doctors to make them happy and fulfilled. Yet, the doctors in our nation are not doctors of the soul. They cannot heal one’s soul; no person can, except One—the true Physician of the soul.

These are a few of the millions of people wish desperately for fulfillment and deep meaning in life and if they cannot find it, they wish to eliminate it.

And this is the very reason people spend their time in the “fast-paced” life, listen to popular music, hold to humanism and evolution; because they are trying to overcome the God given desire for fellowship and companionship with the Him. They are trying their best to be lords of their own life and drown what they truly need.

For many, the alternative is unacceptable. To surrender—No, that is unthinkable: weakness, a total loss of independence and control, yet our Savior demands just that—total surrender to Him. He demands that one give up every reserve, every doubt, and every fear in being a Christian. He does not want a half-hearted Christian. He wants all of you or none of you.

Most importantly, he wants one’s total commitment and a firm desire to live for Him regardless of the circumstances and situation in life. It does not mean he wants servile complaisance and obedience. No, he does not want a slave, he wants a cheerful, rational, thinking being.

This is what He wants, so simple, so plain, and yet, so repulsive to so many. They will try everything to avoid such a life. They are willing to spend thousands of dollars, indeed they are even willing to give up everything they own and live in ascetic self-denial all for the sake of trying to alleviate this burden. It is all in order to avoid a gift that will cost them the complete surrender of their lives.

“Taste and see that the Lord is good” (Ps. 34)

Be a Man of God!

2008-10-17T08:35:00.001-07:00

The calling to be a man is no trivial matter. Men are called to be true: to have a will of steal, a heart of silver, and a spirit of ardor. Being a man is not necessarily easy, but it is always worth it in the end.

As a man you have your life before you. Either you can spend it on things that do not count, or you can seek your calling. Make no mistake, there are millions of people who have stood in the shoes you are in right now. Many of these people chose to spend their time on things that did not count.

Of those who made their lives count, there were two different types. Some found it easy, and for some the choices they faced posed no great challenges or adversity. Yet, for others, it was difficult and sometimes treacherous. If you truly desire to be a man, you will more often find that you encounter the second type.

A good man is one who seeks to honor God, seeks His glory first, and lives for His enjoyment, who does what is right whether he does it alone or with friends and he is happy doing this. Let us pray that we will truly be such men!

Home Again!

2008-09-03T19:00:00.001-07:00

After five weeks of living in Moscow, classes came to an end, we received our diplomas (above) and began returning to the States. There was much to greet, become familiar with, and enjoy again--especially the American flag!
It is true that current day Russia is different in many ways from the former Soviet Union in outward forms and its appearance towards the West. Yet, in many ways it still seems to remain the same. Indeed, communism still lingers...
Just to enter the country takes five documents--passport, visa, registration, migration permit, and an invitation. Losing certain of these documents can prevent you from leaving the country. Sometimes it takes months to get the papers again.

There are other restrictions as well. Certian cities are still "forbidden" cities for internationals. The KGB museum has been closed to foreigners for several years. GPS systems and satillite phones must be registered with the militsia [police]. The list goes on.

Entering the country took merely an hour with a simple passport check. Leaving the country took nearly three-with my passport being checked five times.

However, I am truly glad for the opportunity of visiting a foreign country, especially a Cold War superpower and now renewed rival.

Indeed, such a trip makes one more thankful for being an American. We live in a country that is not perfect, but we have an enormous amount of freedom compared to those in other countries. We should be thankful for the freedoms we have and guard them carefully to prevent their being lost.

To think that our freedom and Constitutional rights will remain while the rest of the world plunges into chaos seems mere idealism. We cannot expect our rights to remain untouched forever. Other civillizations believed this and aren't here today because of it.

I am not advocating imperialism, I am simply advocating the protection of our freedoms from those who wish to abuse and destroy them--without, and especially from within. Such a duty is not easy. It requires constant vigulance and dedication. But it is worth it.

A Stroll in Neskuchniy Park

2008-08-28T13:18:00.000-07:00

The Thursday before I returned to the US, some friends from the dorms and from a Russian church went for a walk in Neskuchniy [not boring] Park.

Left to Right: me, Natasha, Andrey, Logan, and John at a memorial in the park commemorating the 10 year anniversary of WW-II (1955).

A fountain in the park.
Ahh...a tree...let's climb it!
American Squirrels!The three Americans on one of the foot bridges over the Moscow River.

Moscow State University & Victory Park

2008-08-27T18:27:00.000-07:00

Moscow State University. This is the MIT of Russia and excels in politics, economics, and technical subjects (engineering, physics, mathematics, ect.).

The entrance to the university. Inside, the first two floors are laid with marble and Persian carpets. The stair cases are also marble.
The back side of the university. The Institute for Sometype of Physics. I had to check it out!
Entering through the giant oak double doors, the first item of interest in the lobby was an memorial of those who were on the faculty and who served in WW-II. The included pictures of the "great" Soviet physicists and the red Soviet star .

Top of the star: "USSR". Bottom: "Victory". Plaque (something along the lines of): "Praise to the Soviet Army! -To the heroes of the Great Patriotic War be praise...."
Victory Park. This is the official WW-II memorial. It has fountains, squares, multiple parks, different museums, and war memorbilia including tanks and even aircraft!
There are hundreds of fountains, each set is dedicated to the "heroes" of a particular front in the war.
Looking South-South West Another view. The tall spiky things on the left are not palm trees. They are actually monuments to the "heroes" of each of the major Russian fronts during the war. The main building.

Central Museum of Armed Forces

2008-08-26T13:08:00.000-07:00

The Central Museum of Armed Forces

Vladimir Ilyich Lenin. The shadows of communism still remain in many forms, especially art and architecture. A Soviet field gun at the entrance
Ted, one of the program participants from University of Arizona, testing out some type of light gun.
A WWII-era Soviet tank
For the Mother Land!
The walls were decorated with murals detailing various campaigns of the Red Army.

A majority of the museum was dedicated to WW-II. In Russia, WW-II is actually called the "Great Patriotic War". While the emphasis on WW-II may seem overdone, it is perhaps very difficult for us Americans to recognize the horrific cost WW-II had on the Russian people. Conservative estamates put their dead at 20 million: 11.7 million soldiers and 6.7 million civillians. The Soviet population at the time was 194 million.

It makes one wonder why the American public complains about 3000 lives lost in the Middle East.

In one area, part of the entire wall was dedicated to those who had won "Hero of the Soviet Union" award--the highest distinction possible under Soviet rule.
The Gold Star Medal (H. of the S.U.) and the Order of Lenin. The order of Lenin, established in 1930, was prestigious, but not quite enough. So the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet (the top governing body of the USSR) established the H. of the S.U. in 1939. It truly was a reminder of Animal Hero First Class. :)

Life in the Capitol

2008-08-25T18:37:00.000-07:00

At the university, I was assigned to dorm 'D' through a long string of seeming misfourtunes that actually proved to be quite providential!

What's this? Russian practice? Well, I think not. With the dining hall being closed in the evenings and weekends, starvation was a reality. Faced with this reality, it took serious planning to avoid. :) It took planning...

...to make these!
Happy 4th. of July! There are 10000 Americans living in Moscow putting on the second largest 4th of July celebration in the world, outside of the US.
Soccer is very popular in Russia. Most of us Americans played every other day, rain or shine.
After a hard won victory.

The Kuskovo Estate

2008-08-25T18:06:00.000-07:00

One of the older estates near the university where I stayed, gave piano performances every Thursday. Before the Soviet era, this was the summer residence for the Kuskovo nobility. Now it is a museum of the state.The entrance to manor.
The estate gardensReady for the performance!
The Kuskovo mansion along with two small orthadox chapels that served the manor.

Red Square & The Kremlin

2008-08-11T17:41:00.000-07:00

One of the first places I visited was the Kremlin--the seat of the Russian government.
Looking south to Red Square; Lenin's Tomb, and the Kremlin to the left
St. Basil's Cathedral, ~450 years old, built during the reign of Ivan the Terrible. Looking north over Red Square and the Kremlin
Russia's Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from WWII
A pool in the gardens surrounding the Kremlin.
The Kremlin walls and the Grand Kremlin Palace in the distance. The walls date to the late 1400's.
Sunset on Moscow River & Cathedral of Christ Our Savior

Of all the impressions of Russia, the amount of ornate buildings, WWII monuments, and shear quanities of gold and marble is lasting. The wealth and opulence of the city is astounding.

Dobrey Polozhovatz Dom!

2008-08-06T13:31:00.000-07:00

I'm back! I arrived home here in San Diego late Saturday night after an 18 hour plane ride! My trip to Russia was outstanding and very relaxing as well. I hope to post pictures over the next few weeks and give more details about my stay.

The language classes at Moscow Humanities University were enjoyable and being in Moscow enabled me to practice my Russian in a practical setting. Russian is a very difficult language to master, so I am not close to fluency, however, I was able to improve my communication skills, which was a blessing.

Russia...

2008-06-27T14:34:00.000-07:00

I'm leaving the country tomorrow for five weeks to study Russian language in Moscow! There are computers at the university where I will be staying, however, their operational status is uncertain and only connect to the Internet between 10 am and 4 pm. Although, there usually aren't power outages, terrorist attacks, ect. ect. in Moscow, there is no telling what will happen. It is an adventure. Infact, some tell me that Murphy's law has a mysterious tendency to operate full time in Russia!

Mt. Whitney & High Adventure

2008-06-26T14:42:00.001-07:00

The mountain

The adventurers: Isaac, Dad, me, and Mr. Crestetto. We spent two days hiking around 8000-10000 ft. to acclimate to the altitude before trying to summit. The other member of the expedition,Dr. Lehman, (who appeared before here) arrived later that night.

It was our fist experience with the Sierra!

A good reason why one should put their ice chest in the bear box when in bear country!

Alpenglow on the peak, 11 miles away.

Gearing up! Preparation, preparation, preparation!

Weighing our packs at the trail head, 8300 ft.

Looking east over Owen's Valley

A ruffled grouse with a chick.

A member of the Caldwell Clan!

Dr. Lehman gave us pointers about using ice axes. This became very useful a bit later...

The beginning of the Mt. Whitney Zone.

Up, up and away we go!

Taking a break near the tree line below Trail Camp.

By the time we reached Trail Camp we were totally worn out...

Ahhh....what peaceful solitude...that is, there was until we suddenly became aware of the presence of some a strange creature...

It was a marmot. It decided to keep its distance, and so did we. Apparently, Marco Polo called them "Pharaoh's Rats", a term well justified with all due respect to the creature's rather enormous size!

Fellowshipping after dinner.

Up early, preparing for the ascent to the summit.

Our first breakfast at 12000 ft.

The melting snow froze during the night leaving a very slippery path!

This stretch can be very dangerous. Ice axes were a must.

Only three more miles!

The top!

A plaque marking the completion of the trail.

Looking west over the Sierra ranges.

What are these two young men doing????

What else is there to do at 14500 ft? Higher math at higher altitude!

Dr. Lehman: "The geek factor just pegged out at 11!"

Happy Father's Day!

Nine Down, Three to Go

2008-06-23T17:33:00.000-07:00

In case anyone is wondering where I’ve been lately…Well, this quarter was very hard! With nine quarters completed, there are only three remaining. Lord willing, I will be graduating about this time next year. So, yes, I’m still around!

As was mentioned before, it is true that there is great evil at this place. However, God never said that people would not encounter great evil, but rather that people should be a witness and separate from the evil. I thank Him for His mercy, for His goodness, and His power over me and my life and that He has kept me from the evil! Where there is darkness, He gives righteousness to overcome it and live for what is good. And, that truly is something to praise Him for!

Mother's Day

2008-05-12T07:55:00.000-07:00

Being a mother or a father is a hard job at best. Unfortunately, many times it is these hardest jobs that are the ones least honored and least cared for. In popular culture, such jobs often have no recognition, no fame, and at times, gain no appreciation from those around you.

And yet, it is these jobs that hold the fabric of society together. The stakes on such a job are high, much higher than losing one's fortune in the stock market, or aerial combat. It is because this job has no ordinary responsibility, but rather a responsibility for the souls and lives of children. Let us be thankful for parents for they are truly a gift from our Redeemer!

************************

I ran across a poem several days ago that illustrates this very well in a different fashion...

Two Temples

A builder builded a temple,
He wrought it with grace and skill;
Pillars and groins and arches
All fashioned to work his will.
Men said, as they saw its beauty,
“It shall never know decay;
Great is thy skill, O builder!
Thy fame shall endure for aye.”

A Mother builded a temple
With loving and infinite care,
Planning each arch with patience,
Laying each stone with prayer.
None praised her unceasing efforts,
None knew of her wondrous plan,
For the temple the Mother builded
Was unseen by the eyes of man.

Gone is the builder’s temple,
Crumpled into the dust;
Low lies each stately pillar,
Food for consuming rust.
But the temple the Mother builded
Will last while the ages roll,
For that beautiful unseen temple
Was a child’s immortal soul.

~Hattie Vose Hall

Christianity that Is Not Free

2008-04-15T08:39:00.000-07:00

Living in America, we hear a lot about freedom. We hear songs about how we love to be free. We celebrate the fourth of July and proudly sing "Let freedom ring". We even tell stories about brave men and women who rather die than give up their freedoms. Advertisements often target people with products or services that are supposedly free. We really want things in life that are free. But, when it really matters, just how much in life is really free?

As Christians, we are often inclined to believe that Christianity is a free religion. That is, it costs one nothing. Yet, is Christianity really free? Of course, God gives salvation freely, but is the Christianity that surrounds it totally free?

Of course, the question is a theological one. Just the notion that such a gift can be free and still cost may seem to present an insurmountable paradox. However, while salvation is the free gift of God, the price associated with being a Christian is often forgotten, especially here in America where there are still many religious freedoms.

History bears record, that most all Christians at one time or another will suffer for believing as they do. For some, this cost is merely a sneer or a guff. For others, it may mean derision and imprisonment. Yet, still for others the cost is very dear--their friends, their material possessions, their careers, and at times, even their lives. Many have suffered the ultimate cost for the sake of Christianity.

No doubt, most Christians everywhere are familiar with the persecutions of various believers over the years to some extent. However, the idea of being willing to give up everything to follow the Lord of the universe is sometimes forgotten by many Christians today. It is remembered in words, but it is much less put to action.

Such a notion of Christianity being a costly religion seemingly contradicts what is often taught in many churches. Many say that the path to salvation is to “just accept Christ and be saved”. Of course, this is true. However, the significance of such a statement is often underestimated.

Indeed, the word “accept” probably means much more than reading four points and signing on a dotted line. This is akin to simply giving someone an appreciation certificate. Mere signature collections most likely have very little to do with Christianity. Anyone can sign on a dotted line.

At one time here in America, a signature was used to denote your agreement to a binding legal document or promise. It meant that you totally agreed to what your were signing. Now, a person’s signature is often worthless. Besides, what can a mere signature mean to a Savior who voluntarily paid a horrible cost to bring us ultimate freedom and true happiness?

True acceptance is the beginning of a covenant with God. It is a beginning of a life that is transformed. A life that does not rely on the government or society for happiness. It is a life that finds true happiness, contentment, and freedom by worshiping God alone, not science, human knowledge, or materialism.

This is where Christianity starts to cost one dearly. Many rather keep their gods rather than give them up for the true God! And yet, true Christianity demands the complete surrender of all things to Him. It demands the complete surrender of your actions, your heart, your soul, and your entire life to Him!

It is true that no such life is easy. But, our Lord never promised that the life of a Christian would be easy or without cost. Yet, He did promise that such a life can give one's soul true happiness, contentment, ultimate freedom, and salvation. It is these things that truly matter most!

Homeschooling in California: Rachel L. et al.

2008-03-10T15:12:00.000-07:00

As most of you are probably already aware, homeschooling in California was recently outlawed by the Second Appellate court.

It was secret and it was confidential. The case was so secret that Homeschool Legal Defense was not even aware of the case until it had been published. (The family was assigned a defense lawyer by the state.) Publishing the case is a clear indication that the judges expect the case to be enforced and expect it to set a precedent for other cases across the state.

While much of the media's time has been directed towards the constitutionality of the decision, largely obscured was the fact that not only did the ruling claim that parents did not have the right to choose their child's form of education, but that, like Germany, it has now become a criminal offense to homeschool in the state of California. Read the actual court ruling here.

Trying to destroy the whole homeschooling movement in a single blow, the judges decided to outlaw it once and for all. In the opinion of February 28, Justice H. Walt Croskey wrote the following order:

"Parents who fail to [comply with school enrollment laws] may be subject to a criminal complaint against them, found guilty of an infraction and subject to imposition of fines or an order to complete a parent education and counseling program."

Even if this case turns out to be inconsequential, the concerned reader should be advised that court ruling itself contains many disturbing paragraphs, such as concerning the juvenile court's decision:

"Keeping the children at home deprived them of situations where
(1) they could interact with people outside the family,
(2) there are people who could provide help if something is amiss in the children’s lives, and
(3) they could develop emotionally in a broader world than the parents’ “cloistered” setting."

Yes, just when you thought you and your children were safe. They're coming for your children!

Evolution & Information Theory

2008-02-22T10:14:00.000-08:00

Unfortunately, today evolution is taught as hard scientific fact. Movies portray Darwinian philosophy, schools teach evolution as part of history, the media continuously is reporting that the “missing link” has been found, and even our museums are rife with evolution. Yet, it seems that evolution is not nearly as hard and scientific as the secular sources would have us believe.

When the creation vs. evolution debate surfaces in the media, journalists insist that evolution must be correct because it has been “proven by experts”. However, such proofs are often without fact. For example, no one has ever proven that random mutations can create new information in DNA. Yet, random mutations are consistently cited by authoritative biology textbooks as a reason for biological diversity.

Of course, no one has ever even seen a beneficial random mutation. Perry Marshall, an avid creationist, explains why this is so in terms of modern information theory: “In communication systems, Random Mutation is exactly the same as noise, and noise always destroys the signal, never enhances it. In communication systems this is called information entropy, and the formula for information entropy is exactly the same as thermodynamic entropy.”

Yes, here is a relation to our modern telecommunication theory. Completely random electrical signals (aka. noise) degrade the information that is wanted. The familiar garbling in a car radio is completely analogous to what a random mutation does to the double helix in DNA! A random mutation simply degrades or distorts the information stored in the acid.

Theoretically, it is probably possible for a beneficial random mutation to occur. However, assuming that there are no correction mechanisms, the complexity of the overall chain must decrease and consequently yield less and less complicated sequences of genetic code—not an increase as purported by evolutionary theory.

Of course, the face of evolution is slowly changing as scientists are realizing that evolutionary theory presents significant obstacles. Yet, for many people the alternative is unthinkable.

Legend has it that one of the freshmen biology professors here at UCSD told his class on the first day of the quarter, “Evolution is totally bankrupt; it is impossible.” The students gasped and the room became silent. “However,” the professor continued, “I am unwilling to accept the alternative.” Why? Because the only alternative is intelligent design and a Sovereign Creator.

Voting—But for What Party?

2008-02-11T15:23:00.000-08:00

As many of you already know, the Republican Party is slowly disintegrating. It is only a matter of time before the two super parties merge into an indistinguishable conglomeration of politicians, lobbyists, and foreign interests. Indeed, a brief look at this election’s Big Three—John McCain, Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee—leaves one wondering how different the Democrats and Republicans really are.

Interestingly, the bright spring day of 1854 did not bring just anyone to the one room school house in Ripan, Wisconsin to organize the Republican Party. It brought devout Christian men together to form a party specifically dedicated to the ending of slavery. Proclaiming “"Free Soil, Free Labor, Free Men”, they believed it to be the duty of Christians was to purge sin from society—especially those of slavery and alcoholism.

Their second presidential nominee, Abraham Lincoln in 1860 was one of the most godly men to ever occupy the presidency. Contrary to popular opinion, Lincoln did everything in his power to avoid the Civil War and believed it to be a judgment from God for the hypocrisy of the nation. In his Thanksgiving Proclamation of 1863, he urged Americans to repent from the moral decadence and amoral philosophy that had begun to pervade the nation.

It is true that no person is perfect, and Lincoln is no exception. However, even a cursory glance at the leading Republican candidates today leaves one wondering what happened in a mere one-hundred and fifty years. No longer is sin some thing to be purged from society but…

· McCain on abortion: “…but certainly in the short term, or even the long term, I would not support [the] repeal of Roe v. Wade.” Interview, San Francisco Chronicle, 19 Aug. 1999.

· Romney on abortion: “I believe that abortion should be safe and legal in this country.”

On gay rights: “Mitt and Kerry Wish You a Great Pride Weekend!”—Gay Parade

And yet, our fearless candidates are arguing over who is more liberal?

What happened?

Quote

2008-01-15T14:42:00.000-08:00

I had not intended to continue writing about Biblical characters, but last week my family was discussing Biblical characters after dinner. Naturally, after some length, the topic of Gideon came up. Well, you guessed it. An article on Gideon is in the works. :)

****

"Virtues are qualities much desired but often lacked."

Truly, many people seek virtue but they can not give up what they must to attain such treasures.

Job II

2008-01-07T11:55:00.000-08:00

Thirty-five hundred years ago there was a man who lived in Mesopotamia. He was one of the foremost and notable men of his era. People spoke his name in hushed tones, princes respected him, and his wealth was fabulous. Yet, over time his legend faded, his wealth was forgotten, and his name was struck from history. Except for one document that we now possess, all trace of him has vanished. This man was Job from the land of Uz.

While it is well know that the book of Job tells a tale of heartache, sorrow, and final triumph, there is another theme often lost in our modern scholasticism of the book. This theme is one of longing for the One who was to come. In this document, perhaps more than any other, the characters clearly express this expectancy of a Redeemer.

Interestingly, this record of Job is unique throughout the whole Bible. Better than any of the ancients, he articulates the deep longing of the world for an intercessor. Many times in his saga, Job expresses his desire to plead face to face with God. One example of this is the twenty-third chapter where he expresses his longing for someone to come. Here he describes what he would do if he could speak with God. Few, except perhaps for David, expressed themselves as such:

"Oh that I knew where I might find him! That I might come even to his seat! I would order my cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments. I would know the words he would answer me, and understand what he would say unto me. There the righteous might dispute with him; so should I be delivered forever from my judge.
Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him: On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him:
But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold" (23:1-12).

Job describes looking for God. In his horrible situation, even when he believes he is close to death, he still trusts the Lord. "…when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold" (23:12). Yet, even here there is a longing for a relationship with God. There is a desire to plead, to dispute, and to leave his case with the Creator of the Universe.

Job expresses this same thought again in chapter nineteen where it records him telling his three friends of his supposedly impending death. Still undaunted, he does not give up his aspiration and wishes that a record of his misfortune were written down in a book and engraved in stone forever. Job explains his motives in the next verse: "For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth…" (19:25).

Critics argue that Job was written by Jewish scholars well after the time of Moses and this is how the book has come to contain these Messianic implications. Yet, the record itself does not support this. If the book had been written even by master poets of the day, why would there not have been at least some reference to either Abraham or at least the Hebrews in general? After all, such allusions would have helped to establish a common identity with the Jewish people and ease the acceptance of the book into society. Interestingly, the book is totally silent of such references!

Even before Moses wrote Genesis, and even before Israel was in Egypt, there was a knowledge, that one day, God would return to the earth. It was during this return that Job believed that he would be raised from the dead and he would then be able to plead his case with God face to face. "And though after my skin [? death,] worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another" (19:26-7). For Job, it was more than just a hope, it was a reality.

It is true that we do not know exactly when the book of Job was written. It is definitely possible that it was written as late as the time of Solomon. However, this is very unlikely considering that Job's lifespan seems to indicate that he lived during the patriarchal period or before (41:16). We will never know for sure but what we do know is that somehow it was preserved and was passed down through the centuries. By the time of Christ, it was well known, as James indicated (5:11).

The implications of these Messianic passages in Job are significant because a scholarly analysis seems to indicate that it is indeed an independent book. In other words, the book appears to have been produced outside of Jewish influences and yet, it still contains a passionate belief that death was not permanent and that the Lord would oneday return.

(During the firestorms in October, I had some extra time to write. Job had been on my mind for quite a while. Unfourtunately, by the time I had finished the initial draft, two very different articles were taking place! The first is below.)