River Youth Vlog April 30
Jesus is the true vine; He is our source. The last I am statement Jesus made in the Gospel of John before He went to the cross. He is the vine and we are the branches....
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Time for Renewal
I have been doing some research on times of revival and renewal. Historically, it is interesting to me how God has set certain times in history where the power of the Holy Spirit is on display in a very dynamic way. The methodology has varied from time to time, however, there are some common denominators in many of these movements....
What is a Quantum Vacuum?
This is not a household word; however, it is good to spend some time thinking about this in light of creation of the universe....
Emulating Daniel
Recently, I have been reading a book written by Frank Damazio titled The Vanguard Leader. He develops how our culture has taken on many similarities to the Babylonian culture at the time the book of Daniel was written in the Old Testament....
Refutation
In last week’s post, we talked about the synergistic effect of the multiple examples of fine tuning building an astounding case for a designed universe. After the post, I searched the internet for some atheistic refutation of this case and actually found one. Their arguments are weak and hollow. For today I would like to reveal some of their points and show their impotence....
The Cumulative Effect
While looking at the improbability of the fine tuning of the universe being the result of random chance, it is valuable to look at the cumulative effect of the many factors necessary for life to exist. While any one of these variables has an extremely low probability, the more of these that link together, it brings an even more astounding number....
Peace
There is something about the Peace of God that is so inviting and contagious. The scriptures say for us to taste and see that the Lord is good....
Beauty Vs. Utility
Well known atheist Richard Dawkins has described the universe as “cold, heartless and pitiless.” His idea that there is no design or designer of the universe, that it just happened to come into existence on its own, is blatantly stated as fact. However, I wonder what the universe actually should look like, if what he says is true?...
General vs. Special Revelation
There are two distinct types of revelation given by God to humanity in order for us to be able to make sense out of the cosmos. The two types are broken down into general and special revelation....
What about Morality?
We have been talking recently about aspects of worldview. What is the overarching narrative of how a person lives out their philosophical views? Not only in the aspect of theory, but how we live out the need for consistency in the laboratory of life itself....
The Purpose of the Cosmos
Recently there as been much emphasis placed on discovery of potential UFO’s. So much so, that congress is seriously looking into the matter. Not only this, but you see so many people that are interested in the possibility to find life on other planets. We are looking for potential water sources everywhere in our Solar System....
The Gospel Picture
Today I would like to share the direction or flow to what I would call the big picture of presenting the gospel....
The New Tolerance Part 3
Here we are at the third installment on this issue. When I wrote the first part, I thought that it would be a stand-alone article and I would move on to a different subject. However, I keep feeling that there is much more that needs to be said to help us to love those who are deeply enmeshed in this new tolerance, which actually is extremely intolerant of any other viewpoint than their own....
The New Tolerance Part 2
Last week we explored what the new tolerance looks like. If you express any form of dissonant position from another person, you are quickly labeled as intolerant and a bigot. Today I would like to look further into how we can respond in this new environment....
The New Tolerance
So, what does this redefining view of tolerance look like? It may be helpful to look at the definition of the word tolerance in order to better understand the seismic shift that has taken place. ...
Amazing Evidence for Design
We just finished our last Alpha evangelism class this week. It was a wonderful experience for all of those attending. We watched two incredible videos that display the intricacy of how spent energy in a cell is recharged to provide the necessary energy for all cells to survive. These mission critical components have multiple layers of complexity that are astounding to the human mind. These micro-molecular machines are astonishingly elaborate, so much so that it is impossible for all of these elements to be the product of any form of unguided processes....
Built to Last Forever
Christian people have much more meaning and purpose in life compared to those who do not believe in God. If our universe is just the product of random molecules in motion, the end point is a cold heartless unyielding survival of the fittest. And if survival is the ultimate goal, it is only temporary in nature. What happens when a person dies?...
Grinding Gears?
I was talking with a friend recently, who works at a gear manufacturing facility. Our conversation led to the discussion of the tolerance level of fine tuning required to make gears that will mesh together. He said that most of the gears that they make, are manufactured with the help of computer programs that measure to the thousands of an inch. One thousands of an inch is an impressive display of tolerance level, in order for these gears to seat properly....
By The Numbers Part 2
There is a completely different arena where these high multiple exponential numbers turn out in favor of a designed universe. Again, the odds of probability are so overwhelming as to eliminate unguided forces as the most likely cause. (If one will look at the evidence.)...
By the Numbers
It never ceases to amaze me how stacked the numbers of probability are in favor of a sovereignly designed universe vs. a non-guided naturalistic one. The comparison of this probability is not even close. In fact it is quite embarrassing, because the numbers are staggering against the atheistic/agnostic camp....
Information Enigma: Where does information come from?
For today’s post, I would like to explore with you some fascinating ideas from Stephen C. Meyers. Doctor Meyers has distilled down to common terms, the vast challenges that the naturalist faces when attempting to explain the diversity of life present on our planet. This video link includes graphics that display what is taking place in the synthesis of proteins being created inside of cells....
Self Creating Universe?
It is an important question, particularly for those who do not believe that God exists. Stephen Hawking, one of the most brilliant minds on the planet, has espoused that gravity has the power and creative ability to be the cause of the origin of the universe. It is surprising that this could possibly be the best answer that he could find....
1st Steps in Construction
We have spent significant time in this blog to develop how complex living structures are. The necessary functions of proteins found within living cells are numerous and so complex that design is the only viable explanation for their existence. Today I would like to look at an additional problem for the naturalist worldview, it is the sequence of priority of timing involved in the creation of these amazing structures that are an absolute requirement for life to be present....
The Infinity Loop
In my adventures of relating to many atheists, I have come to the conclusion that there is a common thread of thought processes that these folks hold. While many claim to open-minded, the reality is that there is a structure to their thought patterns that is locked into a four step process that will not allow any deviation....
The Eye Witnesses
In a court of law, the standard of proof is establishment of evidence in order to conclude that something has occurred “beyond a reasonable doubt.” The standard does not go as far as to say “beyond any possible doubt.” I would contend that this same standard should be held when a person comes to investigate the life, death and resurrection of Jesus....
C. S. Lewis' Trilemma of Christ
C.S. Lewis, one of best theologians of his day, famously said “A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things that Jesus said, would not be a great moral teacher.”...
Intuition of Design
Recently I have been looking at the idea that people at a very young age develop a keen sense of understanding that there is an inference to design in practically everything we see around us. By the age of about 5, kids understand that the toys they play with are designed and made by someone. They don’t just magically appear in their toy box....
The Intolerance of Tolerance
The posture held is that any grand over-arching truth claim is nothing more than an attempt to grab power in order to control or manipulate the masses. There may be a hint of truth in this perception, however, the blanket claim that all meta narrative truth claims are bad is taking things way too far....
Sam I am
I have been reading through the Bible in a year by Nicky Gumbel, the pioneer of the Alpha Evangelism Series. In it he shares a personal story of a man named Sam. I would like to share Sam’s story with you today....
River Youth May 28
The message that brought in 3000. Peter anointed by the Holy Spirit preaches the gospel to thousands. God can use ordinary people to do extraordinary things. ...
River Youth Vlog May 21
Have you ever seen something beyond belief? Well God did in Acts 2. In our series 'A few Parting Words', this week we check out what happened in the upper room....
Pastor VLOG Sept 27
Talking about Tanzania Oct 7th I'd like to share what God spoke to me while in Tanzania, how we are a chosen people, His church caught up on the mission of sharing the gospel. ...
Evidence for Resurrection Part 2
Last week we looked at some of the evidence to the truth of the resurrection. Today I would like to look a skeptical counter argument that attempts of subvert the historical record....
Keep ReadingRiver Youth Vlog April 16
In our current series on the 7 I am statements of Jesus, found in the gospel of John. We check out Jesus as the resurrection and the life....
Keep ReadingRiver Youth Vlog April 9th
Hey guys, here is this weeks vlog; we will be talking about the next I am statement of Jesus. "I am the Good Shepherd". Jesus is our shepherd and He is willing to lay down His life for His flock. Happy Easter...
Keep ReadingEvidence for the resurrection
As we are the edge of coming to Easter. I would like to lay out for you the historical evidence for the resurrection of Jesus to be true. Despite many skeptical objections, for over 2,000 year’s generation after generation of people have had a firm belief in the accuracy of the biblical accounts of Jesus raising from the dead....
Keep ReadingYour best life is to Trust God
For this week’s post, I would like to reprint a recent devotion from Galen Troyer. He is an elder here at the River Center Church. I feel that this is so germane to we are at, and Galen does a great job of encouraging us, so here it is....
Keep ReadingRiver Youth Vlog April 2nd 2020
We have been learning about the 7 I am statements of Jesus in the Gospel of John. Tune in as we explore the 3rd of these statements. Jesus is the Door...
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