Creation, the Virgin Birth, and the Resurrection

Creation

Evolution was conceived because an alternative to Creation was needed for pagans. They start with the premise that there must not be a God. For this reason, it defies the scientific method. Of course it has problems such as a lack of transitional forms in the fossil record, the ability to trace mitochondrial DNA to a single female, spontaneous mutation into complex structures, and lack of any observable continued beneficial mutation – just to name a few. I believe evolution should be taught in schools – as a theory with a lot of holes in it. It should be taught along side intelligent design, creationism, panspermia (exogenesis), and any other theories that have any merit. It’s a theory and until it is proven correct (which it never will be), it should be taught AS A THEORY.

Virgin Birth

The only reason people have a problem with the virgin birth is because that’s not how baby humans are made. I agree. But it is how God comes to earth as a human to empathize with the full human experience. However, if Jesus came in the “normal” way, he would lose distinction as the Son of God, so pagans would still argue. For Mary and Joseph to even claim her virginity would be embarrassing and possibly open them up to capital punishment for blasphemy.

Resurrection

Again, the only reason people have a problem with the resurrection is because normal people don’t rise from the dead all on their own. Again, I agree. Jesus was no normal person. He was the Son of God.

What’s Really Amazing

The most amazing thing about Jesus’ life wasn’t that he was born of a virgin, but that he was born at all. It wasn’t that he rose from the dead, but that he sacrificially allowed mere mortals to kill him. That he lived a life that was so close to normalcy is much more astounding than how he got here or left here. The God of the universe, who John 1 says was there in the beginning, loved us enough to take a human form, mingle among us for years to show us how to live, how to care, how to love, how to sacrifice, how to communicate with the Father, and how to live with him forever.

The beginning, the virgin birth, the resurrection – When you start with the premise of there not being a God, things get complicated and we get wild theories that don’t really hold water. The fact that He exists answers it all simply, easily, completely, and will never be disproven. We have a reasonable faith.

Chivalry Isn't Dead - But Women Are Killing It

Chivalry Isn’t Dead – But Women Are Killing It

They say chivalry is dead.  They are wrong.  I still open and hold doors for ladies.  I still try to walk on the traffic side of an escorted female.  I use an extra measure of politeness when around the fairer sex.  As long as I live, it will exist in some form.  However, there are those that oppose my efforts to keep chivalry alive.  The greatest surprise is that the biggest opponents are women.

I’ve been chided by a female more than once for holding the door for them.  The first time it happened, I was shocked.  It’s not often I’ve been treated as if I did something rude when I was intentionally being polite.  The woman was irate and offended. 

The problem seems to be that “liberated” women see it as a sign of weakness to accept help – even if it is as a courtesy – from a man.  They fought so hard for equality that they think they are giving up ground for a man to do something for them.  Their reactions are dealing the death blows to good manners.

This is chivalry’s death toll.  The gallant are being discouraged by those benefiting from the gallantry.  You see, chivalry isn’t convenient, or easy.  In fact it is often inconvenient and seems a waste of time.  It is rarely acknowledged by the recipient, and sometimes is acknowledged negatively.  So the gallant give up.  And chivalry receives another blow.  The next time the man encounters a woman at the door, he doesn’t hold it, and if the woman expected it, chivalry receives yet another blow.  The next time, she opens the door herself even though a man is nearby – and yet another blow is dealt.  Chivalry fades and swoons soon to be down for the count.

All hope is not lost.  As women are killing chivalry, they can also be its salvation.  Acknowledge every kindness by a chivalrous male quickly, positively, and enthusiastically.  Expect it.  Even demand it if need be.  I am convinced that if chivalry is to be revived it will be by the lips of women.

 

Get Your Nasty Purse Off My Table!

Get Your Nasty Purse Off My Dining Table!

Statistics tell us that most women wash their hands after using the restroom and most men do not.  While I think anyone that does not is downright disgusting, there is another issue that is seldom addressed and even more repulsive:  Handbags.

Women go everywhere with their handbags.  I don’t blame them.  As long as pockets are considered non-essential in high-fashion women’s wear it will be needed.  Where else is a female to carry her keys, cash, and ID?  Add to that the cultural need for lipstick, eyeliner, eye shadow, various other touch-up makeup, tissues, feminine hygiene products, photos, a checkbook, hairbrush, etc., the simple clutch can easily bloat to a saddle bag so big that it would have prompted the pony express to adopt a new policy that allowed for delays.

The problem I have is sanitation.  The handbag rarely gets washed, but is set down on the floor of the car, the floor of the public toilet, and various other unsavory locations, then it is set on counters and tables when paying a bill.  The same surface that was just in direct contact with dried vomit, urine, and any other filth that can overflow from a toilet is now on the dining table at your favorite restaurant where the next guest’s silverware will be in a few minutes.  Yummy.

Of course, I’m sure the quick wipe down by the bus boy will conquer the E. Coli deposited there.  After all, they are so highly paid we can expect them to be extremely thorough, right?

Nelson Labs recently ran tests on several handbags and nearly all popped positive for harmful bacteria including but not limited to Pseudomonas (cause eye infections), staphylococcus aurous (cause serious skin infections), and E. Coli (which causes you to stay within eight steps of a toilet for two weeks).  Four out of five were positive for Salmonella (same symptoms as E. Coli).

Nelson Labs also determined that cloth bags were filthier than leather or vinyl and people with kids consistently had dirtier bags.  So what can you do?  Use hooks to hang your bag instead of setting it on the floor.  Clean your bag often with a good antimicrobial cleaner.  Most of all, just be wary of where your bag has been and where you are putting it.

I’ll make you a deal.  I’ll keep washing my hands if you keep your bag off the table.

 

Education 1 - Wretched Homework

Education 1

Wretched Homework

I hated homework when I was in school and I hate it even more now.  Not only did it cut into my free time, but I think that in general it sets a bad precedent and is leading to the breakdown of family.  Here’s why:

First, it lets teachers off the hook.  They have an allocated amount of time to teach their particular subject.  In most other jobs, if you can’t meet your deadline, you don’t pass the work down to subordinates.  You have to work harder yourself because it’s your butt on the line.  Allowing teachers the freedom to give students assignments to take home lets them squander the time they have.  When I was in school, I remember listening to boring lectures, getting a reading assignment reiterating what was just lectured, then a writing assignment that went over the information yet again.  Two thirds of the work was done out of class.  It is a waste of time and allows inefficient and ineffective teaching.

Second, homework doesn’t give the teacher the opportunity to help students out of trouble.  Most schools don’t give out the teacher’s home phone number so they can’t help students if they have difficulty with an assignment.  While being a double standard (you work at home, but don’t bother me there), it also leaves the student in the cold.  The alternative is for the student to find a parent, another student, or a tutor to do the teacher’s job – teach.

Third, it sets a terrible example for life.  The core of America’s strength has always been its faith in God and the nuclear family.  Statistics show the breakdown of the traditional family at alarming rates.  One reason is the functional absence of fathers.  Although a parent may be home, they often supplement their office time with work at home.  Where do you suppose that father learned that it was okay to bring work home?  I blame homework.

Keep work at work and home at home for the family’s sake.  Restructuring core curriculum and refining teaching techniques should sufficiently allow work to be done in class where it belongs.  How should that restructuring be done?  That’s another can of worms for another blogging day (Education 2).