|
~ The following articles were written by Mr. Allen ~
A
Correlation Between Dinosaurs And Creationism
was published in:
1)
www.ezinearticles.com
- (6/30/10)
2)
www.articlealley.com
- (7/8/10)
3) www.amazines.com -
(8/15/10)
My family and I recently took a trip to the Creation Museum near Cincinnati, Ohio. It's a nice place with sprawling Botanical
Gardens nearby and exhibits that are top notch at a reasonable price. Since opening in 2007 they claim to have had over a million
visitors already. For some it's a wonderful place, for others who deny its claim it's an abomination.
Creationism is defined as a doctrine that’s a true story of the creation of the universe as recounted in the Bible. God created out of
nothing a new human soul for each individual born. That doctrine conflicts with the evolution theory Darwin envisioned, which in essence
states we evolved from apes. Or the Big Bang theory someone theorized happened when the cosmos came in line and a chain reaction
threw it all here.
I, myself, am a believer in Creationism. In essence, I'm convinced God created it all. But after visiting that Museum I began to question
their explanation for when Dinosaurs existed. The curators of the Museum believe Dinosaurs lived right along with Adam and Eve ~ I'm
not convinced. A scale model of Noah's Ark at the Museum had Dinosaurs inside, and that got me to thinking.
Later, my wife began to ask what the correlation between Dinosaurs and Creationism was.
I'd like to point out I'm no Theologian, and have never heard an explanation pertaining to this from any pulpit or Theological circle.
I've been told I have an analytical mind, I don't dispute that, but when I question something I’ll dig away in search of truth - as best explained.
I have a theory and I explain it as: Genesis 1: 1, 2 says, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was
formless and empty, and darkness fell upon the face of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters.”
(The Modern Language Bible)
The text states in the beginning God created the earth, yet it was formless and empty. Darkness fell upon the face of the deep.
Then it
goes on later in the chapter to explain how He created Adam and Eve, in His image, and all that which exists in six days, and He rested
on the seventh.
I'm a firm believer in that, but the text doesn't elaborate on Dinosaurs and things of that nature. There's no denying that Dinosaurs lived,
for there have been numerous fossils found.
One scientific theory, that I tend to give credence to, says the Dinosaur age was a tropical one. And that a large meteor hit the Earth
sending a dust cloud into the atmosphere that blocked out the Sun's rays for a long time. If the Sun were to no longer shine it would
become quite cold and nothing would grow. That would seem to explain the simultaneous extinction of the Dinosaurs of that age.
Thus, the world became void and “Darkness fell upon the face of the deep.” {Take notice of the words Darkness
fell upon in Verse Two}
Did God create the Dinosaurs, or cavemen for that matter, I'm sure He did. Was He busy experimenting back then ~ who knows?
He's God after all, and can do as He pleases.
Dinosaurs once roamed the earth, but became extinct. There became a void with that, then that’s where the Bible begins. I believe
that's where the Dinosaurs ceased to exist, and out of the darkness God created man and everything we now know.
That's how I've explained my theory to family and coworkers. The theory’s one which raises a few eyebrows at first, but once I explain
it there seems to be a bit of reasoning to it they can somewhat grasp.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
The Sum Of Our Parts
was
published in:
1)
The Lebanon, Indiana "Reporter" newspaper - (5/28/10)
2)
www.ezinearticles.com - (6/22/10)
3)
www.articlealley.com
- (7/3/10)
4)
www.amazines.com -
(8/15/10)
Time is an important thing. The years, months, days, hours, minutes and seconds of our lives tick away without much thought, few
seem to notice. Take a moment or two and stare at a clock with a secondhand, then ponder the direction of life. Is television or a video
game really all that important? How should I spend my time? What's deemed most important? I'm sure thinking of others would be
a far less priority if we dwelt on it.
While running a machine at work the other day I became intrigued with watching the seconds elapse on a digital readout screen. The
computer was tracking the process of producing a part, and the time it took to do so, then the comparison of how my life is ticking by
without much thought began to stir me. What was I producing in life? What would I fashion in the end, scrap or something useful?
When I write I develop an outline, then elaborate on it. Inspiration isn’t my own, I know that, and what I think will be the finished
product isn't always the Creator’s aim - I've learned to accept that.
I generally try to develop a theme, and this article is no different. That theme is, "The Sum Of Our Parts," a collaboration of the whole,
a life spent, the devotion of time.
It never ceases to amaze me how creative God is. No snowflake is alike, nor is a fingerprint. If we take the time, and that most
certainly is what this article is about, then we may come to an understanding of something greater.
Darwin, an atheist, theorized we evolved from apes and another came up with the Big Bang Theory. Someone even envisioned we
crawled out of the sea as an amoeba once. My retort to them would be: Who created the explosion, your Big Bang? Who created the ape
we evolved from, Mr. Darwin? And who created the sea from which this lowly amoeba spawned?
I recently had surgery and in talking to the doctor realized how complex the human body really is. It's a wonderful working machine,
until something goes wrong. God gave us eyes to see, arms and a back to lift, ears to hear, feet to walk, legs to stand, a mouth to speak,
and a mind to think.
And the jest of it is the mind is in control; often times we convince or surrender ourselves to things in life and hence become the sum of
our parts.
I had an uncle who was a compulsive liar. He told so many whoppers he became convinced they were the truth. Everyone knew they
were fables, and hence he could be summed up as a liar.
We’re quick to forgive, and there's nothing wrong with that, but we often overlook the truth when diversion rules. Some say he may be
the greatest golfer ever, but he's an adulterer. Others wanna worship a fallen pop star, yet he was a pedophile. Then many looked up to
that Senator who recently died, saying he was a "Liberal Lion” for the poor, when in fact he was nothing more than a corrupt politician.
I know many people suffering with vices. He's a nice guy, but an alcoholic. She's beautiful, yet can't be trusted.
One of my elementary school teachers once said: “Greg handles the truth carelessly.” I’ve always been a storyteller and had to battle
that. I’ve made wrong turns and did some stupid things, but not given into them.
Begin by defining yourself. What’s the sum of your parts, caring, neglect of self, or something other?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
The Bull In The China Shop
Syndrome
was
published in:
1)
The Lebanon, Indiana "Reporter" newspaper - (12/4/09)
2)
www.ezinearticles.com - (6/30/10)
3)
www.amazines.com -
(8/15/10)
I must admit this was an intriguing piece, one that took on a life of its own.
I unknowingly criticized another's work one day, and soon after a coworker pointed out the error of my ways. After giving that some
thought I said he was right and apologized to the one I offended. He blew it off, but though I wasn't the one that made the mistake I was
wrong for having magnified it.
My mind reeled after that and over the course of the next month I began to interview coworkers without them knowing it, as I filled a
notebook with the scribbles of enlightening human behavior.
It wasn't long until the tide shifted and rolled over me, for I made a mistake only weeks after I pointed out someone else's. It was
one of those mishaps that drew a crowd. I was embarrassed and could only say, “It’s my fault!” No one was hurt, that was the
fortunate part, but my pride was utterly bruised.
There were those that stood afar who showed quiet concern - they're the ones who don't have much to say anyway. A gal offered
some support by saying, “We all learn from our mistakes ... don’t we?” And a few derogatory comments were made, but one guy
jumped in to help without saying a condescending word. (I admired that)
The following day I expected to get a barrage of ridicule; none came. The one I expected to heckle me the most never did. When I
asked him why he hadn’t razzed me he said, ”We all make mistakes, Greg … I've made a bunch.” (I was taken back by that)
I'm proud of everyone I work with, for they all contributed to this piece in some form. I'm proud of the fact that they didn't eat the
wounded or pile on, for instead they chose to embrace understanding and forgiveness by shining the light on their own shortcomings.
One I respect gave inspiration for the title by calling me “A Bull In A China Shop.” I've been called many things, but after toying with
the thought of that analogy I began to lean toward a new definition.
That analogy usually means a person is reckless, rambling through life with aimless abandon - but I choose not to see it that way. No
doubt many just stumble through life, making a mess of it, but there are those who take life by the horns and tackle it with
bullish fervor.
Sure they make mistakes, but they work hard at making a difference - I love those!
On the flipside there are those who are like fine china. They don't do much of anything but be pretty. They stand for nothing, have
no opinion, just barely do enough to get by, and blend into the background afraid to get chipped up.
The one I originally offended helped me by giving rise to a thought-provoking theme: We all make mistakes yet fall into two
categories, those that can admit they make mistakes and those who refuse to.
A wise lady once told me, ”If ya don't make a mistake, then ya ain't doin’ much.”
Statistically, 93% of all those who attend church in America contribute nothing. They don't volunteer or give monetarily. The other
7% carry the load. Which do you choose to be, the bullish one who isn’t perfect but strides to make a difference, or that shiny
earthenware that's seldom used?
The world is needy and crying out. Inspiration stares us all down; it's a tree ripe for the pickin.’
Lest we dare grab hold.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mama Didn't Raise A Quitter was published in:
1) The Lebanon, Indiana "Reporter" newspaper - (10/30/09)
2)
www.ezinearticles.com - (6/30/10)
3)
www.articlealley.com
- (7/8/10)
4)
www.amazines.com -
(8/15/10)
Whoever said, “Life’s a bowl of cherries” was either jokin’ or crazy - maybe both.
I remember an old guy I used to see around town who'd say, “Piece of cake,” every time I asked him how it was goin.’ To be honest,
he always had the persona he'd just lost a friend or the dog bit him the day before. He was a grump for sure, but at least he spoke when
spoken to. I'd whisper something like, “Yeah. Right!" when he’d say that. He’d often retaliate by giving me a verbal lashing of, “What’d
you say?” I'd counter with something like, “Great day! Ain’t it?” He'd often grunt and go on.
Then there was the time my aunt and uncle treated my brother and me to some ice cream after church. She was a big woman, much
larger than my uncle, and wore the pants. It was obvious he'd had his fill of her nagging that day, and when he opened the door for her he
said, “Get outta the car Fatso!” It didn't take long for her blood to boil, and she blurted out, “What’d you say?” My uncle immediately
became quite meek and whimpered, “Nothing dear.”
Life ain't easy. Some circumstances we bring upon ourselves; others we can’t help. Then there are the outside forces of others prying
upon us.
I'm reminded of someone else in my past that once said I’d amount to nothing more than a sanitation engineer. (Poor gal wound up
losing her mind and was institutionalized.)
I've had my shares of ups and downs, made mistakes, been beat up, knocked down, spit on a time or two, dealt my fair share of lumps of
coal, and been bit by fluffy, but I've never been a quitter!
I've always wondered what makes people just give up, or kill themselves. I don't claim to be a genius, but I know in my soul it's a lack of
HOPE that makes people do such things.
Call me a dreamer, there's nothing wrong with that, but I have expectation each morning - a faith in someone higher than me. A desire
to inspire before I expire drives me.
I remember that bully in school, there's always one! He'd beat on anybody that looked at him wrong, but I didn't fear him like everyone
else. I was dumb, I guess, and stood up to him one day. He was a good foot taller than me, that didn't matter. He hit me and I countered
with a swing. He knocked me down. I brushed myself off and got back up. He knocked me down. I got back up, and he knocked me down
again. I think he got tired of that after a while, cause he walked away. Oddly enough, he never picked on anyone again after that.
(There could be a whole lot said about those who won't quit)
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
In
Search Of True Friendship
was
published in:
1) The Lebanon, Indiana "Reporter" newspaper - (9/11/09)
2)
www.ezinearticles.com - (6/30/10)
3)
www.articlealley.com
- (7/8/10)
4)
www.selfgrowth.com - (7/20/10)
5)
www.amazines.com -
(8/15/10)
The passing of a relative made the
thought of inward examination all too evident - funerals have a way
of doing that.
The words,
"What if?" were a constant pry upon my mind for days.
"How old will I be when I go?"
A probe of, "What will it be like when
the end comes?" spun around in my head for a time.
A short non-scientific survey conducted
by self, in part out of curiosity, found that most people aren't
comfortable with talking about death.
That would probably give creed to the
notion that most
Live For The Moment.
I
watched and learned a great deal about life as visitors stood in
that seemingly endless line of those wanting to pay their last
respects to my departed loved one.
From the beginning of the ceremony, till
the end, the funeral parlor was a constant stir of remanent
humanity.
The emotions of each ran a gamut of
intrigue, yet, I stood in wonder of something vastly more important.
That being a concern of, "What will I
have done with my life when the end comes?
Will I have made a difference in the
scheme of things, or will it be just a fade?"
The line was indeed steady, and the
stories were plentiful.
However, the majority sought only a view
of the body before a quick departure of the facility.
The experience led me to wonder about
the true meaning of lasting friendship.
A lot of people say they have friends,
but, in reality, they have acquaintances - there's a big difference
between the two; far too often, they are mixed or confused.
I often state, "If you have one true
friend in life ... well ... you're rich."
A true friend does things without
thought of self; it's a different type of love by distinction, but
I'm convinced it's most certainly that.
First and foremost, your spouse should
be considered your friend above all else.
Then comes children and grandchildren in
the order of things.
Non-relatives should fall in there
somewhere.
But remember this:
Life's short, and friends aren't easy to
come by.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
That Day Of Reckoning
was published in:
1)
The Lebanon, Indiana "Reporter" newspaper - (7/24/09)
2) www.amazines.com -
(8/15/10)
Someone asked the other day if we’re close to a depression. I’ve done research on the Great Depression and things got quite bad. The
Great Depression not only affected the United States, but spread worldwide - sound familiar? Commodities had to be rationed, banks
collapsed, and a quarter of the population was unemployed.
“We shall pass this way again” might make a lyrical line.
A lot of people are asking how we got here. Quite simply put, the greed of a few and lack of restraint has effected us all.
I worked in the housing sector when it began to unravel. Government restrictions pertaining to mortgages was lax at best and I recall a
young couple buying a new quarter million dollar home from the builder I worked for. They both worked at McDonald’s and obviously
couldn’t afford it, but they were praising themselves for they had acquired a new home.
We’re spoiled brats and want it all. We don’t wanna hear, “No!"
Well, we’ve come full circle haven’t we? If we aren’t in a depression, then why are so many depressed?
With new leadership we should be full of hope. However, I’m not seeing it.
The bottom line is: No matter how much money the government floods into the economy it will have no effect when there’s no
confidence to be had. For you see, trust is a hard thing to regain when lost.
Old-timers I’ve talked to who lived through the Great Depression didn’t trust banks because their savings were wiped out. They kept
their cash under a mattress, buried in jars, or in a drawer somewhere.
How can you have faith in a bank, Wall Street, or the government when your savings are gone? How can one trust anything when a
lifetime of sweat is poured into a 401(k) or stocks to eventually learn they’re no more.
My wife and I employed the services of a financial
advisor once, until our savings vanished.
When I asked where our money was, he
could only answer:
“It’s tied up in the market.”
I remembered saying: “Our cash just
doesn’t vanish into thin air.”
Then
I watch the nightly news that conveys stories of CEOs raking in
millions and others plundering funds.
I’m convinced God can’t be pleased, yet we ask Him to bless us.
We’ve created a mess and now we have to live with it. There’s no magic fix for getting out of debt. It’s a hard pill few wanna
swallow.
We’ve become a materialistic society that needs to wise up and view things as just things
and place value on faith, family and hard work.
Those of the past lived within their means, and that was a good thing.
I guess while most of the population was running up debt they never stopped to think that
That Day of Reckoning
would eventually
arrive.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
God's Self-imposed Concussion
was published in:
1) The Lebanon, Indiana "Reporter" newspaper -
(4/27/09)
2)
www.ezinearticles.com - (6/30/10)
3)
www.articlealley.com
- (7/8/10)
4)
www.selfgrowth.com
- (7/20/10)
5)
The Crawfordsville, Indiana "Journal Review" newspaper - (8/14/10)
6)
www.amazines.com -
(8/15/10)
Spring means the birth of new beginnings, but it also signals a dawning of mowing the lawn. For many, home improvement ideas begin
to dance around in our heads - I for one.
My wife and I live in an older home and we had a concrete pad in front of the side door for as long as I could recall. The thought
occurred to me it would be nice to have a roof with support columns over that.
Having a contractor background, I calculated the material needed and began to build it with the blessings of my spouse.
All went well until the day came to apply the shingles.
It was a Saturday, a warm one, and as I placed the finishing touches on the day's work I stepped back to acquire my work. I should
have paid more attention to where the edge was, because my foot slipped over the side and down I went - falling some ten feet.
I didn't remember much after that. I'm relying on what my wife said occurred.
She said I walked into the house and sat down at the kitchen table. My face was scratched up, my knee was bleeding, and I complained
of side pain. Cindy asked me what happened. She told me I said, "I think I fell off the roof ... I don't know."
After she'd cleaned the wounds, my wife said I told her, "I'd like to lay down for a while." As I lay in bed, Cindy said I started talking
nonsense. I asked her several times, "What happened?"
Her answer always was, "You fell off the roof!"
"What roof?"
"The porch roof, Greg!"
"We have a porch?"
Cindy said I then blurted out, "I think I may have a concussion!"
She asked me if I'd like to go to the emergency room, but I declined. According to her, I chose to take a nap with a cold cloth pressed
to my forehead.
Things slipping your mind is a symptom of a concussion, an injury to the brain. I was fortunate to awake a couple hours later with no
lasting symptoms.
A concussion is a serious matter and shouldn't be taken lightly - I'd like to make that clear. Now that I've had time to reflect upon that,
it brings me to my point and the comparison there of:
When we make mistakes, as we all do, we’re only a breath away from forgiveness. Asking God to forgive us of our sins is an easy
thing - if we only try. When we do ask for forgiveness He remembers the sin no more. I heard a minister once say, "He throws it into the
sea of forgetfulness. An analogy of God imposing a self-inflicted concussion upon Himself is what I compare it to.
Your relatives, or friends, never seem to forget - nor does the evil one. Remember that bonehead stunt you pulled? They may say.
God, on the other hand, can't recall a thing.
"What sin? You
sinned?"
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Moral Decay
was published in:
1) The Lebanon, Indiana "Reporter" newspaper - (4/8/09)
2)
www.articlealley.com - (7/3/10)
3)
www.amazines.com -
(8/15/10)
It troubles me to see the moral decay spreading across our land. I recently finished reading the book “Prayers Of Our Presidents” by
Jerry MacGregor and Marie Prys. America was founded by those who believed in Christian principles, by those who had a belief and faith
in God.
79% of Americans claim to be Christians, but we aren��t fighting that good fight.
President Gerald Ford once said, “A government big enough to give us everything we want is a government big enough to take from us
everything we have.”
Our President recently said, “America isn’t a Christian nation.” If we aren’t, what nation is?
We must fight the good fight, stand up for what’s right, and do what’s decent no matter what. I’m alarmed by what’s occurring in the
national and state capitals. Abortion, murder of a child, is okay. Same sex marriage is fine. Lying, cheating, stealing, and doing whatever it
takes to get to the top is not the American way - never has been!
Tyranny is the norm around the world, but the US has been at the forefront to fight that. Tyranny is defined as an arbitrary or
unrestrained exercise of power, an abuse there of, or an unjust government. It’s labeled by many colorful themes such as dictatorship,
communism, or socialism - none of those work to exploit the freedom of the individual. Time and time again such experiments have
produced riches for those in power and poverty for those in the citizenship.
“You can’t divorce religious belief and public service. I’ve never detected any conflict between God’s will and political service. If you
violate one, you violate the other.” Jimmy Carter once penned.
“To preserve our blessed land we must look to God … It is time to realize we need God more than He needs us … We also have His
promise that we could take to heart with regard to our country, that ‘If my people, which are called by my name shall humble themselves,
and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and will heal their
land.’ Let us, young and old, join together, as did the first Continental Congress, with a humble heartfelt prayer as doing so for the love of
God and His great goodness, in search of His guidance and the grace of repentance, in seeking His blessings, His peace, and the arresting
of His kind and holy hands on ourselves, our nation, our defense of freedom, now and always … The time has come to turn to God and
reassert our trust in Him for the healing of America … Our country
is in need of a spiritual renewal.” (Taken from a speech to the
American people by President Ronald Reagan on February 6, 1986)
For those individuals who feel they can do nothing to turn the tide, you’re wrong. In order to take back our land we must vote out those
who oppose our Creator and all that He stands for.
For some in authority to stand in the podium of public opinion and proclaim the words “God Bless America” surely boasts of falsehood.
Their actions are louder than the empty words they speak. For it’s hypocritical for a double-minded individual to ask for a blessing upon the
land when the Creator isn’t welcome in their own life.
It’s my sincere prayer that this piece will be circulated to others by all means, that we may deter the moral erosion that's washing
America away.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
A Random Act was published in:
1) The Lebanon, Indiana "Reporter" newspaper - (2/2/09)
2)
www.ezinearticles.com - (6/30/10)
3)
www.articlealley.com
- (7/8/10)
4)
www.selfgrowth.com -
(7/20/10)
5)
www.amazines.com -
(8/15/10)
Tired of winter, the cold? Feelin’ all Scrooged inside?
Well, here’s a prescription for what ails ya - A Random Act of Kindness
defined.
With so many responsibilities and pressures tugging at us, it’s hard to think of much else than self.
“Oh, we’re just human!” Some might say. It must be instinctive, for even kids wanna horde. Of course there could be something said
for adult toys too.
We could learn a lot from some folks, and I’ve learned a great deal from a certain gal. Mom, you’ve taught me well. Giving isn’t so
much an act with you as it’s a lifestyle that many could learn from. You live to give!
I remember her asking me to print some self-adhesive labels that said the following: “You’ve received a random act of kindness. If you
enjoyed receiving this kind act, please pass it along. Together we can change the world … one person at a time.”
Mom would leave a package upon an unexpecting person’s door, with the above label attached, then leave. The person receiving the
blessing never knew who the giver was, but that was the intent. (Feel free to use the idea)
I would say feelings of self-preservation like selfishness, indifference, callousness, and the general lack of concern for our fellow man
aren’t God’s pleasure. I’m sure He’s appalled by those lowly ways.
I challenge you to spread a few random acts of kindness around, then watch - they’re contagious.
Buy a coworker a can of pop for no reason. Buy a bag of groceries and put it on the doorstep of someone that’s hurting. Ring the bell,
then run. No one need know, except you and God.
Tell someone they’re beautiful inside. I don’t know of many frosted hearts that can withstand the warmth of a kind word.
There are hundreds of opportunities in any day to convey such charity.
The following are just a few examples of goodness:
I was in the post office and saw a friend in line. I told him to go ahead of me. He responded with, “Are you sure?” I said yes. Then
when he asked the clerk for a book of stamps I told her it was on me. Of course he was surprised and wanted to pay me. I would have
none of that. His departing words were, “God bless ya!” I later heard his wife had breast cancer.
When the weather got bad last year I bought a snow-blower. When the first storm came I plowed our drive. When I finished I stared
at our neighbors’ drifts. Then I proceeded to plow their drives. I recall being cold and tired, but it warmed me to see my neighbor standing
in his doorway, in stocking feet, to tip his coffee cup at me.
Then there was the time when our kids caught Ron, the neighbor, filling up our empty fuel oil tank - because a few local churches heard
of our plight and wanted to heat our home.
For you see, selfish motives can’t recognize all the opportune acts of kindness that abound all around.
|
