METTLE Monthly Newsletter Volume 5 Issue 9

Volume 5 Issue 9 September 2010

Hippolite Musings	Gentlemen, In September, I: Successfully installed my sister’s new wireless home network (after two failed attempts); Attended a Microsoft briefing (Telecom only) with Donald Farmer and Nicholas Dritsas; Took minutes at a couple of Align Leader’s meetings; Celebrated Father’s Day at Cadillac Restaurant with my family; Learned to play Amazing Grace on my guitar; Got prayed over by Bob Hartley at Elim Conference; Taught my Align Bible Club about Joseph for the first time (3 lessons); Had a WHEN committee meeting at our place, at which I divested myself of Website duties (still to handover Treasurer role); Attended Promise Keepers Conference in Upper Hutt (GPS – God’s Positioning System); Took boys to Transition breakout at PK Conference; Took minutes at Grenada Village Association Committee meeting; Attended children’s Advanced Students Concert; Attended second mediation hearing between local property developer, DOC, WRC and residents.  Forced to capitulate under threat of legal proceedings; Various prayer meetings; and Attended Victoria University’s Engineering and Computer Science Department’s Student’s Final-Year Project Demonstrations. Blessings, James.
World Outreach	PLEASE PRAY! PAKISTAN.  WOI humanitarian coordinator, Grahame Orpin, has just returned from Pakistan where he did an on-field audit of the 3 organizations that WOI is partnering with in flood relief distribution. Grahame was very impressed with the effort of all 3 teams. In talking with some village elders he discovered that the only help people are receiving is via friends of WOI. He was also overwhelmed by the vastness of the task to help so many with so little resources. WOI has made a commitment during the next 3 months (which are critical), to do all we can to help as many families as possible with basic food and household items. (See attached pics from one distribution team). Further donations are urgently needed – now!  They can be done online via www.world-outreach.com or cheques can be made out to World Outreach, and marked on the reverse side Pakistan Flood Relief, and posted to your nearest WOI office.  Thank you.  Please pray for Pakistan. The nations is ripe for anarchy and desperate for a move of the Holy Spirit. Jesus is the Answer for Pakistan! Leadership Conference.  This October 05 – 08 World Outreach International is conducting a leadership conference in Karachi, Pakistan where some 500 delegates are expected. With the recent devastating floods that affected 1/5th of the land, this is a very timely event. Many of the participants will be coming from flood affected regions and in need of much encouragement. It will also be an opportunity to equip them for when they return to their churches on how to mobilize their members to go and demonstrate the practical love of Jesus Christ in their communities. Please pray for the success of this important event and for the protection of all who are involved. INDONESIA. From October 11 – 14 WOI will be conducting a field retreat for all personnel serving in the province of West Kalimantan. WOI has 3 ministry bases here with large numbers of personnel and short-term workers. To reach the retreat venue in Sanggau many will have to travel long hours over hazardous roads, so please pray for the protection of all involved and for a wonderful time of both ministry and fellowship.  Opportunities To Serve.  Two of the WOI bases in West Kalimantan are looking for short to long term help of people with the following skills: builders, joiners, block layers, tilers, electricians, plumbers, doctors, nurses, dentists, teachers, administrators, agriculturalists, fish & chicken farmers. Know of anyone?  If so please email singapore@world-outreach.com  Healing.  A number of WOI personnel are in need of the Lord to heal their bodies. Indonesia: Please pray for Ben & Noah Brooks (Living Waters Ministries, West Kalimantan).  Ben is having rib problems (they keep falling out of place) which is very painful for him and requires him to travel to Malaysia (11hrs) for treatment. Pray too for his son Noah who continues to have 3 sores that continually itch. Treatment via a doctor and a specialist in Malaysia has not helped. Pray against infection and for healing. Please uphold Adi (also LWM) recently married who is very sick with tuberculosis which could easily turn into pneumonia. Sth Africa. Pray for Pastor Ana Koster who is recovering at home after a bout of pneumonia and remains very weak.   Nth Africa. With God’s help and provision, the WOI evangelism & church planting team in Burkina Faso is beginning a new initiative into the Nth African nation of Mali, specifically among the Senofo and Marka ethnic people groups. After research and much prayer the goal is to establish approx 1,000 village house churches a year for the next five years.  One key entry strategy is providing a water well in 5 key districts. USD1,800.00 can provide a 10 meter water well/bore & motor pump. It is hoped that 5 different wells can be sponsored. Further sponsorship is needed for both training and outreaches. Please pray for this provision and for Danny & Ruby Bayasen and team, and for the trainee graduates who will go cross-culturally to reach the Senofo and Marka people with the Good News of Jesus Christ.    PRAISE! USA.  After the sudden collapse and death of their 19 year old son Adriaan in Sth Africa back in July, we in WOI rejoice with fellow missionaries Hendrik & Bets Vermooten and their daughter Este (& her husband Matt) over the safe birth of Este & Matt’s baby daughter Monte, born 3 weeks early and weighing in at 4lb 8ounces (2.2kg).   THAILAND.  In the seven months since World Outreach held its first CPM training at the end of 2009, between 50 and 60 churches have been planted in the Isaan region. From these churches more than 400 new followers of Christ have been baptised!  This rate of church multiplication and baptism is unheard of in N-E Thailand. A typical church planting ministry would do well to plant one church a year and then possibly stall after 3 years. Testimony.  The following is a cute story via Lorraine Dierck, WOI Thailand field leader about one of the new believers who sells water-melons in the market. “It is the rainy season here now and the melons easily go rotten. Last weekend, Mrs Nit bought 40 watermelons – but the first five she opened were rotten. Her customers said, "Forget it! We’re not buying watermelons from you." She shared this with the rest of her group, all new believers, and told them she would give the fruit to the monkeys the next morning. But the believers said "If Jesus can heal deaf ears, can’t he heal your watermelons too?" So they prayed, just a simple prayer. When she took the watermelons to the monkeys the next day, every single fruit they cut was unusually fresh, sweet and juicy. Tough luck for the monkeys, but she made enough money to pay the rent on her house this week! God is good.”  John Elliott
Koinonia House News	IMPORTANT NEWS HEADLINES Intelligence Agencies Foil Multi-City European Terror Plot September 29, 2010 Intelligence agencies have disrupted plans for multiple attacks on European cities by a group thought to be linked to al Qaeda, Britain’s Sky News said on Tuesday. Militants based in Pakistan were planning simultaneous strikes in London, as well as cities in France and Germany. - Haaretz Court Allows Embryonic Stem-Cell Research To Continue September 28, 2010 An appeals court has permanently lifted an injunction imposed by a federal judge, thereby allowing federally funded embryonic stem-cell research to continue while the Obama administration appeals the judge’s original ruling against use of public funds in such research. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit agreed Tuesday to permanently lift the injunction and allow the National Institutes of Health to continue research. The court had temporarily lifted that injunction September 9 pending further consideration. - CNN Simple, Sweet Stories Of Forgiveness September 28, 2010 "In childhood, I understood the concept of admitting and apologizing when I did something wrong (though I was a well-behaved little girl) and I always felt better when my parents forgave me, showing me their love. Here’s what I didn’t get: I didn’t understand the connections between repentance and God’s forgiveness, and how it all worked… Next, I wasn’t viewing God as a "Father" who would really forgive us our sins… Let me share with you what some Canandaiguans have learned about forgiveness…" - Messenger Post (Canandaigua, NY) Small Town Mexico Mayor Stoned To Death September 27, 2010 A small-town mayor and an aide were found stoned to death Monday in a drug-plagued western state, the fifth city leader to be killed in Mexico since mid-August. Michoacan state Attorney General Jesus Montejano said the bodies of Tancitaro Mayor Gustavo Sanchez and city adviser Rafael Equihua were discovered in a pickup truck abandoned on a dirt road near the city of Uruapan. - AP Palau Uganda Evangelistic Meeting Draws 82,000 September 27, 2010 The Love Kampala Festival with Andrew Palau drew around 82,000 people to Uganda’s capital city over weekend while proclaiming the love of Jesus Christ. BMX biking, freestyle motocross and skateboarding professionals – regular features at Palau festivals – also performed at four prisons, including a maximum security prison, in addition to at the festival. Team members spoke to 3,000 inmates and helped lead more than 2,000 prisoners to fill out decision cards accepting Jesus Christ as their Savior. The Palau team also trained thousands of Ugandan Christians on how to follow up with decision-makers and how to engage in friendship evangelism. - The Christian Post
Why I Am A Climate Realist	Michael Coren with Dr Tim Ball This is really worth watching – all parts, and recommending it to others.  What is even more worth watching is an interview between Michael Coren and Monckton which is available from the list which follows the Ball interview.  Note particularly Monckton’s explanation of the resulting re-radiation! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16bxVS-UtTA
Why I Am A Creationist	If the world was created ‘very good’—what about parasites? Parasites cause diseases and suffering—where do they fit in a ‘very good’ creation? Read What about parasites? to find out how parasites fit into a biblical worldview. Are ‘look-alikes’ related? Evolutionists say that similar structures mean that creatures evolved from a common ancestor. But there are some ‘look-alikes’ that pose problems for evolutionists. See how all ‘look-alikes’ are really evidence for creation in Don Batten’s classic Creation magazine article, Are look-alikes related? Was Eve Adam’s second wife? The idea that Adam had a wife named Lilith came from rabbinic Judaism with possible roots in Babylonian mythology, but has been popularized by some authors. Jonathan Sarfati explains in the feedback Black Holes and Lilith. Is the Bible morally evil? Many atheists claim that the Bible advocates behaviour that is morally abhorrent, such as rape, murder, and human sacrifice. Lita Cosner’s article Is the Bible ‘evil’? takes on some of the most common accusations against Scripture and shows how those who accuse God of moral atrocities have misread Scripture. The rabbitfish—another ‘living fossil’ When scientists discovered the supposedly extinct rabbitfish alive and well in the sea south of Brazil, it was described as being as significant as finding a live T. rex. See the connection between such ‘living fossils’ and creation in What’s the rabbitfish-T. rex connection?
Why I Am Pro Maori	Tenei te mihi aroha kia koutou The Marine and Coastal Area Bill, which replaces the Foreshore and Seabed Act 2004, was introduced to Parliament on 6 September and will have its first reading in the House today – Tuesday 14th Sept about 3.15pm after oral question time. You may wish to listen/watch the proceedings which will most probably include speeches by our Party co-leaders, and others. As you know, the previous Labour Govt. enacted legislation denying Maori the right to go to Court to test ownership of the foreshore and seabed, which had the effect of being "the largest single land grab in history". Subsequently, the Maori Party was spawned in protest and with the promise of pursuing repeal of that FFSB Act. It has now done that as a condition of its coalition agreement with the National party. The new Marine and Coastal Area Bill repeals Crown ownership of takutai moana. It seeks recognition and restoration of the mana of tangata whenua in the takutai moana. It is important to note that it is not a full and final settlement ie, it allows tangata whenua and Crown to negotiate a settlement. The bill acknowledges and clarifies the role of tangata whenua as the treaty partner to engage direct with the Crown, supported by the Maori Party as an independent voice of Maori in Parliament with political influence. The bill is expected to pass its first reading today and be referred to the Maori Affairs Select Committee for its consideration, including consultation with tangata whenua and a call for public submissions.
How to…	Engage the Culture A couple of groups got up my nose this month so I’m going to rant about them now. Atheists Their supposed intellectual superiority details their hubris (pride); As if, were somebody sufficiently intelligent, then they would naturally be atheist; This blinds them to the possibility that there are some very intelligent deists; Intelligence does not define worldview and worldview does not define intelligence; There are intelligent and foolish atheists; There are intelligent and foolish Christians; The difference is on another level; “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.” In this sense, an intelligent atheist is “worldly wise” but still a fool (morally corrupt). “Be wise as wolves but innocent as doves” means worldly wise and morally wise too. Worldly wisdom, tempered with Godly instruction, is not evil per se. But where evolution goes wrong is it places worldly wisdom, or man’s limited, fallible, temporal, scientific knowledge above the plain, incontrovertible, eternal truth of God. True science will only confirm and expand upon Godly revelation. Science which appears to contradict the Word of God is in error. Not the other way around. Greens I heard a NZ Green party MP today accuse the government of being influenced by the liquor industry to do nothing about a current bill before Parliament. As if this was a bad thing. Let me explain. What I heard was a socialist criticising the government for listening to the people, instead of ramming legislation down the throats of the people. Here’s what else I thought about:   Party Rating Attributes Body Mind Spirit Greens Death Abortion, Euthanasia Evolution, Drugs Gaia Ideal Life Pro-Life Creation, No Change Christ In short, I can’t see a single reason for a Christian to vote Green. So, if we want to get the Greens out of Parliament, the solution is simple: make more Christians! Quake Law Dangerous Here’s what my mate Matt has to say: Good morning, gentlemen; I have, for some time, been concerned regarding the level of legislative changes in New Zealand’s parliament that seems to push more and more power onto the executive arm of government. One example we have discussed is the amendment to Section 59 of the Crimes Act 1961, in how it seems to give less power to the judiciary to interpret the law and greater power to the executive. Now a group of academics have condemned recent legislation that seems to push further powers to the executive in cases deemed as emergency. I thought I would ask your opinion on the attached letter and the article in stuff.co.nz where the letter can also be found: http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/canterbury-earthquake/4176800/Quake-law-dangerous-lawyers-say Cheers Matt
Great Scientists…	…Who Believed the Bible Joseph Clerk Maxwell (1831-1879) Joseph Clerk Maxwell developed a comprehensive theoretical and mathematical framework for electromagnetic field theory. Einstein called Maxwell’s contributions "the most profound and most fruitful that physics has experienced since the time of Newton." Maxwell rejected the theory of evolution and wrote that God’s command to man to subdue the earth, found in the first chapter of the book of Genesis in the Bible, provided the personal motivation to him for pursuing his scientific work. He acknowledged a personal faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour.
Friday Fax	Dear Colleague, The false veneer of the international development lobby is rapidly disappearing.  Bono, the head of the rock group U2, had his anti-poverty ONE foundation exposed as a self-serving advocacy group that funnelled most of its $15 million budget into salaries. Tied into this story, is our exclusive reporting on a  UN head admitting to massive failure and arrogance on the part of UN agencies and donor countries in development. Our second story digs deeper into the new UN report on maternal mortality, which grudgingly affirms the lower figures of an independent study released earlier this year.  In typical UN fashion, the report advocates for safe abortion even though no backing data is offered in support. Spread the word. Sincerely, Terrence McKeegan, J.D. Vice-President PS – Princeton University is hosting an important conference on the abortion debate in October. Register here. Rock Star Scandal Upends UN Development Meeting By Terrence McKeegan, J.D. NEW YORK, September 30 (C-FAM) A rock star’s scandal and a surprising critique of aid programs last week underscored heightened criticism of international development efforts. The two incidents upended the intended message of a summit on UN development policies, reflecting a growing disconnect between rhetoric and development results. Critics Call New Maternal Death Report Faulty By Susan Yoshihara, Ph.D. NEW YORK, September 30 (C-FAM) A UN report has rankled experts for promoting abortion while also obscuring its research methods.   The new maternal health report endorses a UN strategy that recommends “safe” abortion services and family planning alongside antenatal care and skilled attendants at birth.
Train a Child	In September, Tane has volunteered to work as a shop assistant in a Christian cafe.  This is a temporary work experience.  So far, so great!  His attitude is positive, and his employer is pleased.  It gets him out of the house for a bit.  He even cycles to work.  Next step: paid employement and paying board!  (Only dreaming.) Hamish has also learned to accompany me on his guitar when playing Amazing Grace.  I’m loving our time together rehearsing.  I’m also reading "The Hobbit” to him.  I’ve finally acquiesced in the face of his dyslexia, and reconciled myself that he won’t soon conquer Tolkien.  I’m now looking forward to introducing him soon to my Lord of the Rings extended DVD set. Aimee has conquered cycling.  She’s now very confident.  It’s a great activity we can do together, and what’s more the weather is starting to come around to letting us get out more.  PTL!
Why I Am Pro-Israel	Dear Friend of Jerusalem, Here are the latest headlines from the One Jerusalem Blog: In Memory of Rabbi Hillel Lieberman:  Ten years ago when the Palestinians destroyed the Tomb of Joseph:During the High Holy Days 10 years ago, after control of the Jewish Holy Site had been turned over to the Palestinians, Joseph’s Tomb was virtually destroyed by a rampaging… 9-11 Firefighter Responds to Mosque Developer:  watch the video Israel’s Strange Priorities:  Once again, Prime Minister Netanyahu has publicly pleaded with the Palestinians not to leave the "peace talks." And his Defense Minister (who did his best to give Arafat the Old City of Jerusalem) joined in by promising that a compromise… Jerusalem’s Future Is In Doubt:  In response to former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert’s recent call for Israel to continue his initiative to divide Jerusalem, several members of the current Likud Government quickly proclaimed that Jerusalem will never be divided under their watch. These declarations should… Sincerely, The One Jerusalem Team
Humour	Who’s Marrying Whom? My husband was performing his first wedding. Our children knew the bride well, and so for several weeks they heard comments about Daddy marrying Amie. As the wedding approached, our 5-year-old daughter became depressed. One day I took her on my lap and asked why she wasn’t happy. In a burst of tears she said, "I love Daddy, and I don’t want him to marry Amie!" —"Rolling Down the Aisle." Christian Reader
Events Schedule	In this section, I highlight dates, times and venues of events either I am presenting at, or of interest to METTLE.  I’m available for bookings. When What Where Who 1-2 October Godspace Children’s worship Hope Centre, Lower Hutt Kids 3-October The Invisible God – Getting to Know Him Align Church James Hippolite 5-October Farewell for Anne and Selwyn Jackson Elim Church Mike Knott 7-October Verdi’s Macbeth Opera House Shakespeare 11-October Grenada Village Residents Association Committee Meeting 4 Mandeville Crescent Bruce Patterson 16-October VEX Robotics Scrimmage Wellington High School James & Hamish 17-October Amber Days Discovery Christian Centre, Kelson Fiona & Align Girls 21-October SQL Server User Group Meeting Intergen, Lambton Quay TBA 23-October Screen Audition Workshop Wellington City Library Kids 29-October Aimee Hippolite’s 9th birthday Wellington James & Aimee 30-October TYG Paintball Onslow Community College Tane 31-October Halloween Event Alternative Salvation Army Johnsonville Hamish & Aimee 26-27 November 2010 Stayin’ Alive Pro-life workshop for youth Grace Hall, 8 Tongariro St, Paraparaumu Bob McCoskrie (Family First NZ) Brendan Malone (FLI NZ) Greg Flemming (Maxim Institute)
Bible Reading	You can look up for yourselves at: http://BibleReader.AlignChurch.org.nz/.
End Notes	METTLE is an acronym for Men’s Evangelical Team Together for Learning Experiences. We are primarily Christian businessmen from Wellington, who meet occasionally in the CBD to encourage each other in our daily walk with Jesus. This Monthly Collaborative Blog (MCB) is our primary means of communication.  If you know of anyone who may benefit from this MCB, you are welcome to forward them along. Similarly, if your circumstances are such that membership in this distribution list is no longer relevant, then hit reply and type UNSUBSCRIBE to have it removed. If you choose to respond to any item raised in this MCB, please indicate clearly which items you wish to remain Private, as any correspondence may be considered Public and could be published. If this newsletter has been of benefit to you, why not drop a line and say so.  Or better yet, visit the TVORNZ website to read past issues and add a comment! Published by The Voice of Reason, New Zealand, copyright © 2006-2010

METTLE Monthly Newsletter Volume 5 Issue 7

Volume 5 Issue 7 July 2010

Hippolite Musings	Gentlemen, In July, I: Played in a squash tournament (lost utterly, but at least I competed); Celebrated the wife’s birthday; Release my daughter for a sleepover (slumber party); Watched the All Blacks decimate the South Africans; Hosted my big brother and his new family at my home (for the first time ever); Got some outside advice on improving my marriage (always a good idea, guys); Attended a fund-raising movie night (the chick-flick The Blind Side, was very good); Learned to strum the chords for “Hotel California” and “Stand By Me” on my guitar; Hosted my wife’s best friend from primary & secondary school in our home for the first time; Attended my two son’s school holiday programme drama production “Turn Back the Clock”; Attended a mid-winter Christmas party put on by our neighbours at the Grenada Village Community Hall; Blessings, James.
World Outreach	PLEASE PRAY! BEREAVEMENTS.  Dorothy Chismon’s 88 year old Mum passed away un-expectantly in NZ this week from a suspected brain aneurism.  Dorothy has been able to change her schedule so as to arrive in time for the funeral this Saturday.  Please uplift Dorothy (& family) in prayer during this sad time. Also remember to keep Hendrik & Bets Vermooten before the Lord in prayer as they adjust to life without their precious (& only) son, Adriaan (19yrs), who passed away suddenly earlier this month. EAST AFRICA.  Chris, Nadine and Matthew Brittain have just completed the WO 6 week NATIONS training course in Thailand and are about to touch down in Kenya to set up home and the new WO East Africa base.  They write:  “Can we ask the WOI family to pray for us as we arrive in Kenya this coming Monday to begin mission mobilization. We are very grateful for the Nations course which has been excellent preparation.  We would like prayer for finding suitable accommodation, a car and that we start well.  Thanks.” S’PORE.  This August 02-05 the World Outreach International Vision Team meet to sign off on a number of policies /  procedures / programs that are outcomes of our WO2010 journey.  The following week (Aug 10-13) the WOI Mission Council meets as part of its 2 annual gatherings. Please pray for all those involved and pray that these two weeks of leadership meetings will be mightily blessed of the Lord resulting in great outcomes that will help the many ministries in WO go forward with greater confidence and effectiveness – Praise the Lord!    INDONESIA. Continue to pray for God’s provision for the purchase of the campus land on Mount Tawangmangu in Central Java. Sam & Carol Soukotta are very grateful to those who are praying and who have contributed to the fund to buy the land on which the Tawangmangu Bible College premises are located. To date around half of USD330K has been received / pledged.  The deadline for full payment is January 2011. Please keep praying that the necessary funds will be forthcoming and this marvellous facility will continue to be used to train up Godly men & women for ministry service in Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim populated nation.  PRAISE! THAILAND. Testimonies from the 19 ‘students’ at the recently concluded 6 week WO Int Nations Training Course (NTC) in northern Thailand, are full of praise for how they all benefited from these studies.  Participants were from Nth India, Thailand, Australia, Malaysia, and all raved about the excellent material.  Lorraine Dierck who heads this WO training ministry, says that this course was the best yet.  The next 6 week NTC is set for Christchurch, NZ mid January to 3rd week of February. Email Lorraine lorraine@goodnewsteam.com for more info. Blessings. John Elliott International Director
Koinonia House News	IMPORTANT NEWS HEADLINES Olympia Food Co-op Is Boycotting Israeli Products And Tutu Agrees  July 28, 2010 South African Nobel laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu said on Wednesday that he supports the Olympia Food Co-op’s boycott of Israeli products. The Olympia Food Co-op, located in Olympia, Washington, announced last week that no Israeli products would be sold at its two grocery stores in the city. - Haaretz Christian Graduate Counselling Student Expelled for Opposition to Homosexuality July 28, 2010 A federal judge has ruled in favour of a public university that removed a Christian student from its graduate program in school counselling over her belief that homosexuality is morally wrong. Monday’s ruling, according to Julea Ward’s attorneys, could result in Christian students across the country being expelled from public university for similar views. "Christian students shouldn’t be expelled for holding to and abiding by their beliefs," said ADF senior counsel David French. "To reach its decision, the court had to do something that’s never been done in federal court: uphold an extremely broad and vague university speech code." - Fox News Judge Puts Damper on AZ Law July 28, 2010 A federal judge stepped into the fight over Arizona’s immigration law at the last minute Wednesday, blocking the heart of the measure and defusing a confrontation between police and thousands of activists that had been building for months. Coming just hours before the law was to take effect, the ruling isn’t the end. It sets up a lengthy legal battle that could end up before the Supreme Court — ensuring that a law that reignited the immigration debate, inspired similar measures nationwide, created fodder for political campaigns and raised tensions with Mexico will stay in the spotlight. - AP Boy Scout Jamboree This Year Celebrates 100th Anniversary July 28, 2010 Franks said Fort A.P. Hill becomes a city of 90,000 people every four years when the jamboree is held there. Scouts from throughout the world participate in hundreds of activities like scuba diving, camping, shooting and other outdoor activities associated with scouting. Scouts have the opportunity to work toward any badge offered by the organization including alpine skiing, Franks said. "This year is to celebrate the 100th anniversary of scouting," Franks said. "Traditionally, the jamboree is a way of bringing scouts across the country together to share in scouting skills and share in the fellowship of scouting." - The Daily Reflector Ahmadinejad Ready to Negotiate July 27, 2010 Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad abandoned preconditions for talks over Iran’s nuclear program late Monday, saying talks would start in early September regardless of the conditions he had set. Ahmadinejad last month gave conditions for talks with the UN Security Council and Germany including their stance on Israel’s nuclear program and Iran. Ahmedinajad told state TV late Monday, however, that Iran would "follow negotiations" whether or not the conditions are met. - The Jerusalem Post Obama Chooses The View Over the Boy Scouts July 26, 2010 President Barack Obama, the honorary chairman of the Boy Scouts of America, will not speak in-person before the group on Wednesday at Fort A.P. Hill in Virginia, as part of the organization’s 100th anniversary celebration. However, the president is sending a videotaped message to the scouts for Wednesday, the same day he will be in Manhattan to tape an appearance for ABC TV’s talk show "The View." - CNS News
Why I Am A Climate Realist	Climate Conversation Group Gluckman’s disreputable science The government’s Chief Science Advisor (CSA), Professor Sir Peter Gluckman, treats climate questioners as "deniers." Such tactics are the antithesis of science and deserve the firmest reproach. His attitude emerges from an analysis of a headline speech he gave on June 9, entitled "Integrity in Science: Implications from and for the Climate Change Debate" in which he raised the topic of people sceptical of the science of global warming, justified labelling them "deniers" yet gave no evidence of the reality of dangerous human interference in the climate. The analysis, by Richard Treadgold, Convenor of the Climate Conversation Group, in association with scientists of the NZ Climate Science Coalition, is available at Gluckman stumbles, Part 2 – Sludge. Or at a shorter URL: http://tinyurl.com/22nw8o7. At the same time, in a related and astonishing development, the CSA and the Royal Society reveal that they refuse to talk seriously to people about climate change. Since early this year, Dr Doug Edmeades, on behalf of the New Zealand Climate Science Coalition, has been trying to engage our CSA, Sir Peter Gluckman, and/or the Royal Society in a conversation about global warming. Regrettably, they have just confirmed their refusal even to talk to us, so it is time to bring the matter to the public. It is clear there have been serious failures in our public science framework in its handling of climate change. We now reveal to the people of New Zealand just how unkindly and unjustly their top scientist deals with those who disagree with him. Many will be surprised to hear the unscientific details. Richard Treadgold Convenor Climate Conversation Group Murrays Bay Auckland, NZ. 09-479-3396 0275-340-641 richard@wordshine.co.nz www.climateconversation.wordshine.co.nz
Why I Am A Creationist	As you read this thousands have already been reached After many years in the planning, we are incredibly excited at something that is taking place right now. CMI’s Dr David Catchpoole is currently in the early stages of a two-month ministry tour delivering the creation message in Indonesia. He is preaching in Indonesian—David spent many years working in Indonesia, and his wife Esther is Indonesian, and through attending an Indonesian-language church the last few years, his language skills have been refreshed and honed. After just a few days there, David has already spoken to over 3,000, but by the end we estimate that approximately 20,000 people will have heard him speak (and quite possibly more). Read The (long) road to Indonesia. A call to prayer Many don’t realize that the islands that make up Indonesia (one of Australia’s closest neighbors) constitute the world’s most populous Muslim nation. But with a total population in excess of 200 million, the Christian minority is nevertheless huge, and feeling pressure for their faith from many directions—not the least being the increasing teaching of evolution that challenges the foundations of the gospel. The hunger, and the excitement at the message, has been immense already. Please pray for David and his wife during this long arduous tour, and also for their children who remain back home in Australia. Their tour schedule can be viewed here. A special effort Hearing the message is one thing, but CMI’s ministry methodology has always been about getting resources into people’s hands. We know from over 32 years of ministry feedback that the life-changing resources we take along multiply the ministry outreach when they get shared around among family members and friends. For this reason CMI commissioned special translations of the Creation Answers Book and Stones and Bones for this trip, locally printed and suitably priced. The hunger with which they were taken up in the early meetings looks like we will have to reprint to meet demand on this tour. Praise God! You can read an article and early report on this incredible ministry opportunity called The (long) road to Indonesia that provides more insight than we can explain in this short Infobytes. It also contains short clips on David speaking in Indonesian and a video from a young Indonesian man who shares how David’s ministry impacted his life. He wrote: “I am so grateful to Dr David Catchpoole … because he was able to help me to understand that the creation by God in the book of Genesis is indeed the truth and fact, therefore, it is not a fairy tale, and it cannot be denied by anyone even by evolutionist.” “All the sermons and seminars run by Creation Ministries have helped me immensely and I am certain it will also help our friends in Indonesia to have a better understanding that evolutionism is truly misleading. I honestly worry because evolutionism is still taught at every school in Indonesia, started at primary level all the way to high school level even to university level.” Another CMI initiative Although CMI speakers from our various offices have ministered in many countries around the world as diverse as Namibia, Holland, Romania, China, Russia, Fiji, Malaysia, the scope and potential of this Indonesian tour is huge. We thank you for your support of all of our offices that allows such exciting opportunities to happen. In fact, CMI’s Dr Rob Carter only just returned from a ministry trip to Dominica (an island nation in the Caribbean Sea). Stay tuned for his report on that soon.
How to…	…Engage the Culture Chicken Came First! Hi James Check this out. http://www.stuff.co.nz/oddstuff/3919550/Chicken-or-egg-question-finally-answered If evolution was accurate and true, then the egg ought to have come first. Evolution means the change from evolution is passed to the surviving species, which means gradual change at the time an egg is laid. However, it is now seen by scientists that the chicken came first – meaning scientists cannot explain in evolutionary theory how the chicken came to exist first. Creation science, however, believes in God’s divine hand in creation. That would concur with the concept that the chicken came first. Matt
Great Scientists…	…Who Believed the Bible William Thompson, Lord Kelvin (1824-1907) Lord Kelvin is considered one of the all-time great physicists. He established thermodynamics on a formal scientific basis, providing a precise statement of the first and second laws of thermodynamics. Lord Kelvin was a strong Christian, opposing both Lyellian uniformitarianism and Darwinian evolution. In 1903, shortly before his death, he made the unequivocal statement that, "With regard to the origin of life, science…positively affirms creative power."
Friday Fax	UN Committee Attacks Motherhood, Demands New “Rights” for Women By Terrence McKeegan, J.D. NEW YORK, July 29 (C-FAM)  A United Nations (UN) treaty committee notorious for its promotion of abortion and ideological positions not supported by UN treaties, concludes its session this week after launching attacks on motherhood and traditional gender roles, while calling for an ever-expanded array of new sexual and reproductive “rights”.  The session was especially notable for the statement by the Russian Federation, which reported that decreasing abortion rates were helping to decrease the overall maternal mortality rates in that country.  Latin American Economic Summit Promotes Abortion, Condemns “Lesbophobia” By Amanda Pawloski and Susan Yoshihara, Ph.D. NEW YORK, July 29 (C-FAM)  A recent gathering of Latin America’s top economic commission issued a document praising secularism, condemning "lesbophobia," calling for redistributive social systems, and liberally promoting sexual and reproductive rights. Delegates from more than 30 Latin American and Caribbean countries attended the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean’s (ECLAC) Eleventh Session of the Regional Conference on Women in Brazil. The purpose of the conference was to address gender equality and women’s empowerment in economic terms. The delegates were mainly “gender” advisors, representing the government of member states.
Train a Child	In July, Tane & Hamish enrolled in a school holiday (ironic) programme.  They learned a new drama, called Turn Back the Clock.  They performed it at Newtown Community Hall. Aimee had a couple of sleepovers.  I was gently rebuked by a stranger for my attitude (disparaging) towards daughter.  This will improve.
Why I Am Pro-Israel	Dear Friend of Jerusalem, Here are the latest headlines from the One Jerusalem Blog: A Muslim Visits Jerusalem For The First Time:  He writes:"Palestinian, Arab and Muslim narratives of Jerusalem’s recent history, however, is a denial of what my experience affirms, and the larger denial of Jewish rights that is the source of conflict here."  Read the whole article here…. Liberal Opposition to the 9-11 Mosque:  We are usually on the opposite side of the Anti-Defamation League’s position on most issues. But the other day we were pleasantly surprised by the ADL’s opposition to the proposed 9-11 Mosque. The ADL shows that you can be in… Caroline Glick: Iran and Israel, After the Bomb:  watch the video Pataki: Cuomo can probe the nun but not Ground Zero Mosque?:  Israel’s Very Bad Week:  On July 22nd the International Court of Justice recognized Kosovo’s independent status. As we have stated the Kosovo model declaring an independent state without consent of Serbia is the model being pursued by the Palestinians. The decision by the ICJ… Sincerely, The One Jerusalem Team
Humour	Worried your Super will run short? Senior health care solution So you’re a sick senior citizen and the government says there is no nursing home available for you – what do you do? Our plan gives anyone 65 years or older a gun and 4 bullets. You are allowed to shoot 2 MP’s and 2 illegal immigrants!   Of course, this means you will be sent to prison where you will get 3 meals a day, a roof over your head, central heating,  air conditioning and all the health care you need!  New teeth – no problem.  Need glasses, great.  New hip, knees, kidney, lungs, heart?  All covered. (And your kids can come and visit you as often as they do now). And who will be paying for all of this?  The same government that just told you that you they cannot afford for you to go into a home. Plus, because you are a prisoner, you don’t have to pay any income taxes anymore. IS THIS A GREAT COUNTRY OR WHAT?
Humour	New Job At The Zoo A bloke starts his new job at the zoo and is given three tasks. The first is to clear the exotic fish pool of weeds. As he does this a huge fish jumps out and bites him. To show the others who’s boss, he beats it to death with a spade. Realizing his employer won’t be best pleased he disposes of the fish by feeding it to the lions, as lions will eat anything. Moving on to the second job of clearing out the Chimp house, he is attacked by the chimps who pelt him with coconuts. He swipes at two chimps with a spade, killing them both. What can he do? Feed them to the lions, he says to himself, because lions eat anything. He hurls the corpses into the lion enclosure. He moves on to the last job which is to collect honey from the South American Bees. As soon as he starts he is attacked by the bees. He grabs the spade and smashes the bees to a pulp. By now he knows what to do and throws them into the lion’s cage – because lions eat anything. Later that day a new lion arrives at the zoo. He wanders up to another lion and says, "What’s the food like here?" The other lions say, "Absolutely brilliant. Today we had fish and chimps with mushy bees."
Events Schedule	In this section, I highlight dates, times and venues of events either I am presenting at, or of interest to METTLE.  I’m available for bookings. Date Event Venue Speaker 2-Aug-10 Maori Group Elim International Christian Church Regina Tito 9-Aug-10 Grenada Village Residents Association Meeting Grenada Village Community Hall Bruce Patterson 12-Aug-10 WHEN AGM WHEN Library All 18-Aug-10 James and Tane leave to go skiing! National Park None
Testimony	Gave this testimony at Align Church What it means to me to be a Maori Christian Introduction (2 min) Gave my mihi last month I want to share about my (on-going) journey of discovering what it means to be a Maori Christian Not holding myself up as a model Maori at all: don’t korero (much) But I have researched and talked through this subject with some kaumatua[1] I respect and have something to say. Do I have to give up my Maori-ness to be a Christian? (3 mins) No more so than any other culture! E.g. shellfish: we are Gentile believers, not Jewish. Therefore: not saved by works but by grace alone. E.g. carving: like English photographs of ancestors. Not automatically evil. Not necessarily an idol. Can become one, like a photograph can be pornographic. I have been to South Africa. I have met black SA Christians and white SA Christians. Both sides are amazed that the other side calls themselves Christian! E.g. waste vs. theft. Are any parts of Maoridom absolutely opposite to Christianity? (2 mins) Makutu: cursing can only come from Satan Drugs: desecrating the temple of the Holy Spirit Sex before marriage: not God’s plan for a holy family What parts of Maoridom are God-honouring? (3 mins) Art: (carving, singing, dancing, etc.) can bless or curse Oral tradition: an example from Genesis Whakapapa: mine goes back to 30AD! Whanau: including te awhina ora (maori adoption) are examples of extended family, particularly biblical [1] Sam Chapman, Monte Ohia, Kim Workman
Bible Reading	You can look up for yourselves at: http://BibleReader.AlignChurch.org.nz/.
End Notes	METTLE is an acronym for Men’s Evangelical Team Together for Learning Experiences. We are primarily Christian businessmen from Wellington, who meet occasionally in the CBD to encourage each other in our daily walk with Jesus. This Monthly Collaborative Blog (MCB) is our primary means of communication.  If you know of anyone who may benefit from this MCB, you are welcome to forward them along. Similarly, if your circumstances are such that membership in this distribution list is no longer relevant, then hit reply and type UNSUBSCRIBE to have it removed. If you choose to respond to any item raised in this MCB, please indicate clearly which items you wish to remain Private, as any correspondence may be considered Public and could be published. If this newsletter has been of benefit to you, why not drop a line and say so.  Or better yet, visit the TVORNZ website to read past issues and add a comment! Published by The Voice of Reason, New Zealand, copyright © 2006-2010

Geek Post Monthly Newsletter Volume 2 Issue 7

Geek Post

Volume 2 Issue 7 July 2010

Hippolite Musings	Tena Koutou Katoa, In July, I: Added the new GST rate (effective 1-Oct) to a major pricing database; Farewelled a long-term contractor; Took back ownership of all his project work; Progressed a major data conversion project; Secured major funding for my team (sufficient for a new full-time equivalent) through negotiating a Maintenance Support Work Packet internally with other Telecom business units; Attended the Internet Industry Awards 2010 at Parliament; Blessings, James
Community Development	Grenada Village Online The Association has been involved in a legal dispute over the proposed use of newly cleared land in our area.  This is heading to a show-down.  A public meeting will be called soon.  I can’t say too much more than that.  Stay tuned.  Keep an eye on late-breaking news on the website link above.  It should all come out by next month. Align Church Online I’m stuck on adding functionality which will enable me to display photos (not hard) and insert photos (not hard) and add photos to an existing record (finding it difficult to do this in a GridView). I’ve also been asked to remove functionality for “security” reasons.  Bah humbug. I also don’t listen to the users (my wife) carefully enough (apparently) and misdiagnosed a function and have to re-do it.  Grrrr <Columns> <asp:BoundField HeaderText="Name" DataField="Name" /> <asp:BoundField HeaderText="Birthday" DataField="BirthDate" DataFormatString="{0:d}" /> <asp:BoundField HeaderText="Mobile" DataField="Mobile" /> <asp:BoundField HeaderText="Comments" DataField="Comments" /> <asp:TemplateField HeaderText="Photo"> <ItemTemplate> <asp:Image ID="PhotoImage" runat="server" ImageUrl='<%# Bind("imgFile") %>' Width="100" /> </ItemTemplate> <EditItemTemplate> <asp:FileUpload ID="fileUpload1" runat="server" /> </EditItemTemplate> </asp:TemplateField> </Columns> Wellington Home Education Network I’m manually editing PHP in Visual Studio without the use of a PHP editor.  Managed to reduce the size of the email which is sent from the Application Form, by eliminating the fields that aren’t actually used. Managed to find the magic Headers which turn a Plain Text email into HTML. Instead of tabs between field name and value, now I’m outputting a table.  Much tidier. function FindVal($fieldName, $varName) { if(isset($_POST[$varName])) { $varValue = $_POST[$varName]; if($varValue!="") return "<tr><td>$fieldName</td><td>$varValue</td></tr>\n"; else return ""; } else return ""; } $from = $HTTP_POST_VARS['EmailAddress']; $headers = 'MIME-Version: 1.0' . "\r\n"; $headers .= 'Content-type: text/html; charset=iso-8859-1' . "\r\n"; $headers .= "From: $from"."\r\n"; Wellington SQL Server Users Group We had Chandima Kulathilake from Knowledge Cue Ltd come and tell us about SharePoint 2010 Databases – What are they and why are they required? Wellington Dot Net Users Group Bevan Arps from Reserve Bank came and told us about Build Automation with NAnt. Kirk Jackson (Xero) and Graeme Neilson (Aura Software Security) came and told us Tales from the Crypt0 Bohdan Szymanik from KiwiBank came and told us about F# in Action
Developer News	SSMS Add-In This http://www.ssmstoolspack.com/ may be of use.  Martin particularly likes the window connection colouring, search in grid results and generate insert statements.
Study News	Not much has changed from last month. Still working my way through MCTS Exam 70-503 – Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 – Windows Communication Foundation. Up to chapter 8. Very slow going.  Lab examples suck.  Even with a Virtual Machine with exactly the right environment, the labs fail.  Security is soooo hard to get right.
Telecom News	As alluded to in my opening paragraph, the financial year ended in June, and a new one commenced.  A round of budgetary begging occurred.  I contributed.  My team won some well-earned dosh. This probably means I’ll be doing more support work (officially) and less new developments, which is probably for the best in the current environment.  Nobody knows about Physical Separation, so investment in new development work (especially across business units) will have to slow down. This is all speculation, but hopefully interesting speculation.
Microsoft News	A summary of significant Microsoft chatter: Not going to Tech-Ed next month (sniff).  Not my turn. Reading about the Model-View-ViewModel (MSDN Magazine, March 2009 & July 2010).  I need to be doing this stuff, in order to separate code from implementation and improve testing. Not coding F#, but still straddling C# and VB.NET. I was an Imagine Cup mentor last year, but as all the meetings were held in Auckland, there didn’t seem a point to re-sign up for it this year. Windows 7 Dev?  Not on my radar. IE9?  Telecom only just upgraded to IE7!
Situations Vacant	Analyst Developer .NET Make it happen Work with industry leading technology, tools, and methodologies and let your talents shine.  Join a productive team that provides both development and support for some of Telecom’s core applications.  You’ll own enhancements to the functionality of the existing application, plus have the benefit of experienced developers to mentor your progression through your career milestones! Work with customised technologies, in a dynamic and collaborative team environment, where your actions have a direct impact on what happens in the wider business.  Support and enhance the application as you troubleshoot, overcome incidents and diagnose issues.  Get involved in projects as you take a concept from brief to reality, actioning enhancements.   You’ve gained credible commercial .NET development and coding experience in a large scale environment.  You’re hungry to continue learning and build on your qualifications.  Technically savvy with HTML, SQL and Sharepoint, you’re known for commitment as you take ownership of the issue until it’s been efficiently resolved while keeping all who are impacted up to date.  In this Wellington based role you’ll join our Application Delivery team who work with both an operational and project focus to produce accurate and efficient code.  We design, develop and implement quality business solutions to support Telecom’s strategic business objectives Want to work where it all happens?  Apply today.   Senior Technology Consultant You’re the expert It’s a great feeling to be valued for your expert knowledge and advice. Customers and colleagues alike look to you to show them the way. Join our Consulting and Design team and get the recognition you deserve.   Your customers look to you to match high quality technical knowledge to their business drivers to create valuable technology solutions.  Be the most trusted of advisors as you consult on the issues that matter to them. Work at a variety of levels, from presenting whitepapers to the nitty gritty of technical designing. Significant experience in an ICT vendor environment is a given. Your knowledge of Microsoft networking, virtualization, thin client and storage technologies and ideally Citrix is robust.  Equally important as your superior technical design and delivery skills, is your ability to relate technical solutions to business outcomes. You have excellent communication and written skills plus a strong customer focus. Your experience with infrastructure strategic planning and technical evaluation is impressive. Providing a breadth of services unparalleled in the New Zealand market, Gen-i is NZ’s ICT market leader.  This Wellington-based role sits within our high-performing Consulting and Design team.  We help organisations generate greater value from their IT spend by offering innovative solutions for the issues important to them. Be valued for your expertise.  Apply today.
Training News	A summary of Signification Microsoft Learning Chatter July is an exciting month where Microsoft Learning just announced the brand new MTA Certification for academic students, New OneNote Trainer Packs that enable MCTs to prepare for courses and to take and share notes AND we are getting ready to launch a completely revised Courseware Library. Microsoft is pleased to announce the launch of Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) 2010. Review the planned MOS 2010 exams and get ready to certify for MOS 2010. Keep your technical skills up to date with help from the latest training opportunity for SharePoint 2010. In this new training course on Channel 9, you’ll explore design considerations to keep in mind as you start creating SharePoint solutions targeting SharePoint 2010. Additional videos, labs, and code available to help you learn more about SharePoint testing, deployment, and security.
INETA News	A summary of Significant Dot Net User Group Chatter Developer NetBook (6 replies) .NET Express Edition & Commercial Software (10 replies) Integrated EFTPOS (5 replies)
PASS News	A summary of  Significant SQL Server User Group Chatter DB Compare Tool (10 replies) DB Script Extract Tool(13 replies) MSSQL and Schemas (6 replies)
Events Schedule	In this section, I highlight dates, times and venues of events either I am presenting at, or of interest to Geeks.  I’m available for bookings. Date Event Venue Speaker 11-Aug-10 Windows Phone 7 Wellington .NET, Xero Kevin Daly 25-Aug-10 Advanced Azure Techniques Wellington .NET, Xero Dave Fellows 29-Aug-10 Code Camp (TBA) SkyCity Convention Centre, Auckland Lots 30-Aug-10 to 01-Sep-10 Microsoft TechEd 2010 SkyCity Convention Centre, Auckland Lots 8-11 Nov 2010 PASS Summit 2010 Seattle, Washington, USA Lots April 2011 ALM Conference Wellington Various
Humour	HOW TO PUT THE RIGHT PERSON IN THE RIGHT JOB Put about 100 bricks in some particular order in a closed room with an open window. Then send 2-3 candidates into the room and close it from outside. Leave them alone and come back after 6 hours, and then analyze the situation: If they are counting and recounting the number of bricks – PUT THEM IN ACCOUNTS. If they have messed up the whole place with the bricks – PUT THEM IN ENGINEERING. If they are arranging the bricks in some other order – PUT THEM IN PLANNING. If they are throwing the bricks at each other – PUT THEM IN OPERATIONS. If they are sleeping – PUT THEM IN SECURITY. If they have broken the bricks into pieces – PUT THEM IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY. If they are sitting idle – PUT THEM IN THE HUMAN RESOURCE DEPARTMENT. If they have thrown the bricks out of the window – PUT THEM IN THE MATERIALS DEPARTMENT. If they have already left for the day – PUT THEM IN MARKETING. If they are talking to each other and not a single brick has moved – PUT THEM IN TOP MANAGEMENT !!!!

Making Sense: An Exploration of Science and Faith

Making Sense: An Exploration of Science and Faith

• Three FREE Public Forums
• Sunday afternoon @ 3pm @ Karori Baptist Church

 

Introduction

• Gavin Drew was to introduce this series.  He’s ill today.  Chris B., a 4-year lay member of KBC and member of organising committee took on this role.
• This topic is very relevant today: Yesterday in Dom Post was an article about a group attempting to bring Intelligent Design into NZ schools.  The article was structured as faith vs. science.
• We are scheduled to complete by 6pm, but the formalities will be end long before this, to give more time to questions and answers.

 

“What can we know, and how can we know it?” by Dr Sean Devine, PhD

• From perspective of someone who has come from a science background into an economics field.

 

The culture clash

• Christians are now under attack
  • By militant atheists like Dawkins, Hitchens and Harris
• Given “Truths” of the past are now suspect
• Anti-Christian views are the norm

 

People love “The Da Vinci Code” phenomenon

• Not because they believe it is actually true
• But because it is representative
• It captures how they see religion

 

The Atheist’s Slight of Hand

• The authors take it as given that the only way of knowing is through the scientific process
• i.e. Scientism: if it’s not scientific, it’s not knowledge

 

To challenge the fundamentalist atheist

• We must challenge the scientism assumption
• Must address the prior question
  • How do we know?

 

My outline

• Discuss the effectiveness of science
• The limitations of science from its on perspective
• Sense making beyond science

 

Science is what scientists do

• Not easily captured in philosophy
• Not really a method
• Rather an approach
• Scientists easily fall prey to the view of scientism
• As only later in life do scientists reflect on the limits of science

 

A parable about science sense making

• The scientist and the sociologist came home late at night and drop their keys.  Sociologist looks in the dark, near where the keys fell.  Scientist looks under the lamp-post where there is light, but no keys!

 

The issues of science:

1. The role of the observer.  Problems:
   1. Galton used science to justify eugenics.
   2. Relativity and Quantum physics
2. Is it true?
   1. Relativity and Quantum Physics are extremely effective; but mutually exclusive.
   2. Habgood – science has gone relativist
3. Reductionism
   1. Breaks down systems into understandable bits.
   2. But am I only the sum of my atoms?

 

Science hints at a Creator

• Universe does seem to show purpose
• The Anthropic principle suggests the universe is special “God’s Undertaker" by JC Lennox.

 

At this point the good Dr waxed lyrical about the evolution of the universe.  So, my questions are:

• If the universe evolved, when did God create the sun moon and stars?  E.g. Starlight and Time has the Earth at the bottom of a gravity well, consistent with the Genesis account.
• If Genesis is wrong, what else is wrong with the Bible?
• How do you know?  Why don’t you believe the only eye-witness that was there at the time?
• Was there death before Adam?

 

Limits of rationality

• Godel proved that many mathematical truths are un-provable.
• Chaitin based on complexity of logical systems

 

Despite limited computational power

• Science allows us to makes sense of much of the universe
• Things outside our model appear random, we term “noise”

 

“Intelligent Design claims too much”

• Claims that scientific evidence exists for an active designer of the universe
• We now have a propaganda war.
• My comment: good!  We should be engaging in these foundational truths.  We should be putting up stumbling blocks to anti-Christian religions.

 

My questions are:

• If SETI found order, they would claim ET.  Why doesn’t DNA prove God?
• Where does Revelation feature in your ability to know truth?
• “Irreducible complexity” ain’t difficult to understand.  Why don’t you?
• Why place fallible human theories above the straight-forward reading of Genesis 1?
• If a straight-forward reading of Genesis is wrong (also, the church founders were wrong; and Jesus was wrong) which parts of the Bible are true?

 

Science is propositional

• By-passes story, art, drama, poetry, music
• But story can integrate understanding and purpose

 

Faith needs story

• e.g. the proposition “God is Love” requires a parable to explain that.

 

Christians should affirm:

• Boundaries of science

 

Answers:

• Okay, I can understand he’s either a theistic evolutionist or progressive creationist. 
• My next question is: why believe in Jesus if there wasn’t a first literal Adam?  His answer was we sinned at the primordial soup!?  Inconsistent!
• He doesn’t see the question as Creation vs. Evolution; rather how did the creator create?
• He doesn’t see Revelation trumps Interpretation.  His definition of revelation seems to be personal interpretation; rather than an external affirmation of fact.
• Whole discussion on randomness; why?  What relevance?  Trying to prove evolution?
• Do you realise you are doing the work of the atheistic materialists for them?
• Do you acknowledge that:
  • There are intelligent believers in creation?
  • There are gaps in evolution which are better answered by creation?
  • The possibility that you are wrong?

 

Order, randomness and entropy:

• An outside observer might see the universe is uniform (statement of faith)

 

Does the Creation Science Research group have any real science?

• Not in his opinion

 

 

Genesis History or Long Age Myths

Genesis History? or Long Age Myths?

• Adrian Bates
• Creation Ministries International (NZ)
• (formerly Answers in Genesis)
• St. Hilda’s Anglican Church Island Bay Wellington
• Creation Magazine (Quarterly)
• www.CreationOnTheWeb.com

 

Resources:

• Stones & Bones

o        Carl Wieland

o        Booklet

o        Powerful evidence against evolution

·         The Creation Answers Book

o        the most asked questions about evolution, creation and Genesis

o        $18.00

·         INFObytes

o        email news alert service

o        free subscription

·         Creation Intro Pack

o        The Creation Answers Book

o        Refuting Evolution

o        The Lie by Ken Ham

·         Refuting Compromise

o        Jonathan Sarfati, PhD

o        Heavy duty

o        Refutes old earth science

 

The fundamental problem:

• Our beliefs colour our world view
• Our world view informs our beliefs
• Creation: God’s Word is Truth
• Evolution: Man decides “Truth”
• We share the same evidence
• What differs is our interpretation of the evidence

 

Mary Schweitzer’s Dangerous Discovery!

• T-Rex Dino tissue
• Her findings were rejected because it doesn’t fit the evolutionary time-frame

 

Biblical Interpretation of biology:

• Dinosaurs were just another land animal created on the sixth day
• Co-existed with Man
• Young ones (small in size) of certain types (diversity of species) taken on the ark
• Rest of them perished in the flood to make fossils
• Most species died out in the post-flood ice age
• Are recorded in the Bible as Dragons

 

2 forms of scientific enquiry:

• Experimental (for present processes)
• Historical (for past processes)

 

Historical enquiry requires:

• an eye witness
• we have God’s Word

 

Biblical Interpretation of geology:

• Grand Canyon and others like it were either created by little water over long period (uniformitarianism) or lots of water over little period (catastrophism).
• Implication of belief in millions of years: death, pain, killing, disease, thorns, struggle, suffering, extinction.
• Hebrew does not make possible any vague interpretation of “6 days of creation”.  Literal is only honest interpretation.
• Exodus 20:11 backs it up and makes it even more explicit.

 

Unsatisfactory reinterpretations of Genesis:

• Local flood
• Theistic evolution
• Day age
• Progressive creation
• Gap theory

 

If God is Love, where does death come from?

• Sin entered the world through one man and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men – because all men sinned.
• Romans 5:12
• Far better interpretation of fossil record is Noah’s flood

 

Radiometric dating problems (e.g. Uranium to Lead):

• Any gained?
• Starting amount?
• Any lost?
• Rate?
• Etc…

 

 

Acts & Facts – June 2007

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ICR Acts & Facts Online – June 2007 PRESIDENT’S COLUMN – Global Warming in the News IMPACT No. 408 – Who Is Jesus Christ? A Challenge to Christians BACK TO GENESIS 222(a) – Where Are Dinosaur Tracks Found? BACK TO GENESIS 222(b) – The Catch in Creation BACK TO GENESIS 222(c) – Geological Provincialism BACK TO GENESIS 222(d) – The Light-Distance Problem STEWARDSHIP – Stewarding the Sciences ICR RADIO PROGRAMS – Monthly Schedule EVENTS – Denver RATE Conference, September 15 TOURS – Yellowstone and Teton National Parks Field Study Tour, September 7-15 ICR does not send unsolicited e-mail. Scroll down for unsubscribe instructions. ACTS & FACTS  For a completed digital copy of June Acts & Facts, please visit: http://www.icr.org/pdf/af/af0706.pdf PRESIDENT’S COLUMN: Global Warming in the News The recent rush to enact legislation addressing "global warming" brings back memories, not all of them good. As has happened several times in the past, dire warnings of impending doom have predicted devastation to the planet, all backed up by pronouncements of scientists. While we recall them, let’s remind ourselves that science and the opinions of some scientists are two different things. Read it at: http://www.icr.org/article/3336 IMPACT No. 408: Who Is Jesus Christ? A Challenge to Christians The central question of Christianity, and of history itself, is: Who is Jesus Christ? Indeed, the Bible makes it clear that, whether we recognize Him now or not, all must one day stand before God and answer that question. Read it at: http://www.icr.org/article/3338 BACK TO GENESIS: BTG 222(a) – Where Are Dinosaur Tracks Found? Dinosaur tracks and trackways are found in dozens of places worldwide. They are not particularly rare, but still unexpected. Stratigraphically, they are usually found in sediments thought to have been deposited midway through the great Flood of Noah’s day, overlying sediments of marine origin. Read it at: http://www.icr.org/article/3339 BACK TO GENESIS: BTG 222(b) – The Catch in Creation When you think of getting your blood pressure taken, you no doubt think of the tight pressure on your arm and the loud ripping noise of the Velcro cuff. Indeed, we’ve all experienced the benefits of that amazing fabric, Velcro (brand name since 1959). Read it at: http://www.icr.org/article/3340 BACK TO GENESIS: BTG 222(c) – Geological Provincialism Geologists tend to be very provincial. Rarely do they stand back and look at "the whole canvas" of the sedimentary rock record. When they do, some remarkable things emerge. Read it at: http://www.icr.org/article/3342 BACK TO GENESIS: BTG 222(d) – The Light-Distance Problem Perhaps the question most often asked of Biblical creationists is how light from distant stars could get to the earth in a few thousand years. People usually want a quick one-sentence answer to this question, but to discuss it fairly would require understanding of many complex and seemingly counterintuitive laws of physics. Read it at: http://www.icr.org/article/3343 STEWARDSHIP: Stewarding the Sciences God’s written, historical revelation of truth — the inspired text of Scripture — provides a framework for numerous intellectual pursuits and a philosophy for understanding man’s role as steward over creation.   Read more at: http://www.icr.org/article/3337 UPCOMING RADIO SERIES:  June   2 – http://www.icr.org/radio/574 June   9 – http://www.icr.org/radio/575 June 16 – http://www.icr.org/radio/576 June 23 – http://www.icr.org/radio/577 June 30 – http://www.icr.org/radio/578 Read more at: http://www.icr.org/index.php?module=radio&action=archive&f_month=06&f_year=2007&f_keyword=&f_submit=%C2%BB+Search EVENTS  Denver RATE Conference on September 15, 2007. See: http://www.icr.org/event/345 For more information on other upcoming events, please visit: http://www.icr.org/index.php?module=events TOURS  Yellowstone and Teton National Parks Field Study Tour, September 7-15, 2007. For more information, please visit: http://www.icr.org/index.php?module=events&action=tours Subscribe to the ICR Website Updates & News newsletter to find out about new resources, special sales, and much more. ICR has a secure online store! You can purchase Bible and Apologetics materials as well as creation-related resources. Visit our online store today at http://www.icr.org/store
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In response to many inquiries about contributing to ICR’s ministry, we have created a page on our website that shows the ways you can contribute. "Acts & Facts" News Letter brought to you by the Institute for Creation Research. ICR is a donor-supported ministry and we desire to carefully use everything that the Lord supplies. If you are able, we would welcome your gift to the work here. God Bless.
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Acts & Facts – May 2007

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Subject: Acts & Facts – May 2007

 

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ICR "Acts & Facts" Online – May 2007 PRESIDENT’S COLUMN – Communicating Creation IMPACT No. 407 – Adam and Eve, Vitamin C, and Pseudogenes BACK TO GENESIS 221(a) – Why Does ICR Study the Mount St. Helen’s Eruption? BACK TO GENESIS 221(b) – The Amazing Jewel Beetle BACK TO GENESIS 221(c) – Great Turnovers! BACK TO GENESIS 221(d) – Supernova Shell Shock STEWARDSHIP – Angst and Anger ICR RADIO PROGRAMS – Monthly Schedule EVENTS – Upcoming Events TOURS – Yellowstone and Teton National Parks Field Study Tour, Sept. 7-15 ICR does not send unsolicited e-mail. Scroll down for unsubscribe instructions. "ACTS & FACTS"  For a completed digital copy of April "Acts & Facts," please visit: http://www.icr.org/pdf/af/af0705.pdf PRESIDENT’S COLUMN: Communicating Creation Methods by which we can best communicate creation truth continually occupy our thoughts. God has given us a strong body of evidence for creation and the desire to see it impact our lives, churches, and culture. But how to best do so? Read it at: http://www.icr.org/article/3265 IMPACT No. 407: Adam and Eve, Vitamin C, and Pseudogenes If vitamin C is such an important nutrient, and many other animals possess the ability to synthesize it, did humans once have the ability to synthesize vitamin C and lost it through genetic degeneration or is this ability something God chose not to give humans? Read it at: http://www.icr.org/article/3271 BACK TO GENESIS: BTG 221(a) – Why Does ICR Study the Mount St. Helen’s Eruption? Ever since the May 18, 1980, eruption of Mount St. Helens, ICR has made it a focus of intense research. From it we have learned a great deal about the origin of rocks and geologic features, and the processes needed to form them. Read it at: http://www.icr.org/article/3267 BACK TO GENESIS: BTG 221(b) – The Amazing Jewel Beetle Recently scientists made a startling discovery in the world of insects. It involved a common beetle called the jewel beetle which is designed with the uncanny ability to detect flames of a forest fire perhaps 80 kilometers (approximately 50 miles) away. Read it at: http://www.icr.org/article/3268 BACK TO GENESIS: BTG 221(c) – Great Turnovers! The book of Job contains interesting allusions to "overturning" of mountains and of the earth that, on the surface, appear to have relevance to geology. One must say "appear," because Biblical creationists like me can be accused of being overly literal! Read it at: http://www.icr.org/article/3269 BACK TO GENESIS: BTG 221(d) – Supernova Shell Shock They had told us a particular supernova exploded 10,000 years ago. How then, did the Chinese see it in AD 185? The answer is a case study in scientific inference. Read it at: http://www.icr.org/article/3270 STEWARDSHIP: Angst and Anger "Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil" (Psalm 37:7-8).   Read more at: http://www.icr.org/article/3266 UPCOMING RADIO SERIES:  May   5 – http://www.icr.org/radio/566 May 12 – http://www.icr.org/radio/567 May 19 – http://www.icr.org/radio/568 May 26 – http://www.icr.org/radio/569 Read more at: http://www.icr.org/index.php?module=radio&action=archive&f_month=05&f_year=2007&f_keyword=&f_submit=%C2%BB+Search EVENTS  For more information on upcoming events, please visit: http://www.icr.org/index.php?module=events TOURS  Yellowstone and Teton National Parks Field Study Tour, Sept. 7-15, 2007. For more information, please visit: http://www.icr.org/index.php?module=events&action=tours" Subscribe to the ICR Website Updates & News newsletter to find out about new resources, special sales, and much more. http://www.icr.org/lists/index.php?p=subscribe&id=1 ICR has a secure online store! You can purchase Bible and Apologetics materials as well as creation-related resources. Visit our online store today at http://www.icr.org/store
Read on for more information:
In response to many inquiries about contributing to ICR’s ministry, we have created a page on our website that shows the ways you can contribute. "Acts & Facts" News Letter brought to you by the Institute for Creation Research. ICR is a donor-supported ministry and we desire to carefully use everything that the Lord supplies. If you are able, we would welcome your gift to the work here. God Bless.
©2005 Institute for Creation Research | All Rights Reserved

 

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Acts & Facts – December 2006

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ICR "Acts & Facts" Online – December 2006   PRESIDENT’S COLUMN – Opportunities to Minister Creation Evangelism    IMPACT No. 402 – A Tale of Two Hourglasses     BACK TO GENESIS (a) – How Did Methuselah Die?    BACK TO GENESIS (b) – Those Amazing G Protein Receptors    BACK TO GENESIS (c) – The Big Thaw    BACK TO GENESIS (d) – There’s Only One Universe    STEWARDSHIP – Celebrating a Kingdom Christmas   ICR RADIO PROGRAMS – Monthly Schedule     EVENTS – Upcoming Events    TOURS – Upcoming Tours     ICR does not send unsolicited e-mail. Scroll down for unsubscribe instructions. "ACTS & FACTS"    For a completed digital copy of December "Acts & Facts," please visit: http://www.icr.org/pdf/af/af0612.pdf PRESIDENT’S COLUMN: Opportunities to Minister Creation Evangelism    During this Christmas season, as we ponder things for which we are thankful, let us not forget the opportunities to minister creation evangelism. Read it at: http://www.icr.org/article/3129/ IMPACT No. 402 – A Tale of Two Hourglasses    In your kitchen you start a three-minute egg timer and a 60-minute hourglass simultaneously and then leave. You return a short while later to find the hourglass fully discharged but not the egg timer! Read it at: http://www.icr.org/article/3131/ BACK TO GENESIS: BTG 216(a) – How Did Methuselah Die?    One of the favorite characters in the Old Testament is Methuselah, who lived 969 years (Genesis 5:27), longer than anyone else recorded. His father was Enoch, of whom it is said he "walked with God" (5:24) but who was taken to heaven without dying at 365 years. Read it at: http://www.icr.org/article/3123/ BACK TO GENESIS: BTG 216(b) – Those Amazing G Protein Receptors    Using freeze-fracturing and an electron microscope, researchers can indirectly view the plasma membrane of a human cell. What is revealed are large, globular protein molecules that stud the bi-lipid membrane. Read it at: http://www.icr.org/article/3125/ BACK TO GENESIS: BTG 216(c) – The Big Thaw    Ask anybody who has experienced spring "break-up" along the banks of an Alaskan river, and you will quickly learn that large amounts of ice seldom melt placidly. Read it at: http://www.icr.org/article/3126/ BACK TO GENESIS: BTG 216(d) – There’s Only One Universe    Recently a new word has appeared in cosmological literature: multiverse. You won’t find it in the dictionary, because it contains a contradiction in terms: multiple universes. Read it at: http://www.icr.org/article/3127/ STEWARDSHIP: Celebrating a Kingdom Christmas   Christmas is a great time to reflect on Kingdom matters, bringing us all welcome relief from a stressful election and having to tolerate the constant barrage of "bad" news from across the globe. Read more at: http://www.icr.org/article/3128/ UPCOMING RADIO SERIES:   December   2 – http://www.icr.org/radio/545/   December   9 – http://www.icr.org/radio/546/   December 16 – http://www.icr.org/radio/547/   December 23 – http://www.icr.org/radio/548/   December 30 – http://www.icr.org/radio/549/   Read more at: http://www.icr.org/index.php?module=radio&action=archive&f_month=12&f_year=2006&f_keyword=&f_submit=%C2%BB+Search EVENTS   For more information on upcoming events, please visit: http://www.icr.org/index.php?module=events TOURS   For more information on upcoming tours, please visit: http://www.icr.org/index.php?module=events&action=tours Subscribe to the ICR Website Updates & News newsletter to find out about new resources, special sales, and much more. http://www.icr.org/lists/index.php?p=subscribe&id=1 ICR has a secure online store! You can purchase Bible and Apologetics materials as well as creation-related resources. Visit our online store today at http://www.icr.org/store/
Read on for more information:
In response to many inquiries about contributing to ICR’s ministry, we have created a page on our website that shows the ways you can contribute. "Acts & Facts" News Letter brought to you by the Institute for Creation Research. ICR is a donor-supported ministry and we desire to carefully use everything that the Lord supplies. If you are able, we would welcome your gift to the work here. God Bless.
©2005 Institute for Creation Research | All Rights Reserved

 

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Acts & Facts – October 2006

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ICR "Acts & Facts" Online – October 2006 PRESIDENT’S COLUMN – Creation Evangelism This Christmas IMPACT No. 400 – Presidential Support for Creationism BACK TO GENESIS (a) – Are All Men Created Equal? BACK TO GENESIS (b) – Creation and the Bird Flu BACK TO GENESIS (c) – The Fossil Record: Commending the Gnostics BACK TO GENESIS (d) – Mature at Birth: Universe Discredits Evolution STEWARDSHIP – Renewing Minds . . . Transforming Culture ICR RADIO PROGRAMS – Monthly Schedule EVENTS – Upcoming Events TOURS – Upcoming Tours ICR does not send unsolicited e-mail. Scroll down for unsubscribe instructions. AC TS & FACTS  For a completed digital copy of October "Acts and Facts," please visit: http://www.icr.org/pdf/af/af0610.pdf PRESIDENT’S COLUMN: Creation Evangelism This Christmas In this column I have often discussed the use of creation in evangelism; in fact, how creation is foundational to the whole Christian message. The gospel is woven into the creation message, how our mighty Creator made things "very good" (Genesis 1:31) in the beginning, and placed man in a gracious Paradise with the intention that he live forever, in perfect fellowship with his Creator. Read it at: http://www.icr.org/article/2941/ IMPACT No. 400 – Presidential Support for Creationism Several recent American presidents have openly supported creation thinking. A few "on the r ecord" statements of these presidents in support of their belief in creationism are reviewed below. Read it at: http://www.icr.org/article/2942/ BACK TO GENESIS: BTG 214(a) – Are All Men Created Equal? It is good to remind ourselves, from time to time, that the foundational charter of America, the Declaration of Independence, is a creationist document. Our founding fathers separated from England by citing the Biblical truth that all men are created equal. Read it at: http://www.icr.org/article/2943/ BACK TO GENESIS: BTG 214(b) – Creation and the Bird Flu We are all familiar with the unpleasant viral condition called influenza, or the flu. Adam and Eve were not created with viral diseases. Such pathogens were the result of the Fall (Genesis 3). Since then, history has shown tragic influen za outbreaks worldwide, including the epidemic of 1918 where … Read it at: http://www.icr.org/article/2944/ BACK TO GENESIS: BTG 214(c) – The Fossil Record: Commending the Gnostics What a man does with the fossil record tells a lot about his worldview. Is it the result of a world-covering deluge? Or did this sorry chronicle of pain, suffering, and death precede humans (and the reign of death) by millions of years? A lot hangs on this question. Read it at: http://www.icr.org/article/2945/ BACK TO GENESIS: BTG 214(d) – Mature at Birth: Universe Discredits Evolution Critics of recent creation ridicule the belief that a universe so vast, composed of so many diverse phenomena and processes running at diverse rates, could be fit into a few thousand years. They are less likely to acknowledge the ma ny and severe problems with an old, evolutionary universe. Read it at: http://www.icr.org/article/2946/ STEWARDSHIP: Renewing Minds . . . Transforming Culture Dr. Henry Morris was a gifted scientist, educator, and Biblical apologist who pioneered the creation science movement over 45 years ago. But he was also a man of great spiritual passion, deeply devoted to the will of God, which he continually insisted reached far beyond the obvious battle for creation.   Read more at: http://www.icr.org/article/2939/ UPCOMING RADIO SERIES:  October   7 – http://www.icr.org/radio/537/ October 14 – http://www.icr.org/radio/538/ October 21 – http://www.icr.org/radio/539/ October 28 – http://www.icr.org/radio/540/ Read more at: http://www.icr.org/index.php?module=radio&action=archive&f_month=10&f_year=2006&f_keyword=&f_submit=%C2%BB+Search EVENTS  For more information on upcoming events, please visit: http://www.icr.org/index.php?module=events TOURS  For more information on upcoming tours, please visit: http://www.icr.org/index.php?module=events&action=tours Subscribe to the ICR Website Updates & News newsletter to find out about new resources, special sales , and much more. http://www.icr.org/lists/index.php?p=subscribe&id=1 ICR has a secure online store! You can purchase Bible and Apologetics materials as well as creation-related resources. Visit our online store today at http://www.icr.org/store/
Read on for more information:
In response to many inquiries about contributing to ICR’s ministry, we have created a page on our website that shows the ways you can contribute. "Acts & Facts" News Letter brought to you by the Institute for Creation Research. ICR is a donor-supported ministry and we desire to carefully use everything that the Lord supplies. If you are able, we would welcome your gift to the work here. God Bless.
©2005 Institute for Creation Research | All Rights Reserved

 

ICR News for September, 2006

 

	NEWS & UPDATES September 2006
	New Morris Center Opens in Dallas DALLAS—Continuing the vision of founder Dr. Henry Morris, ICR begins operations at its new Henry M. Morris Center for Christian Leadership in Dallas, Texas in September. The launch of the Dallas center coincides with ICR’s RATE conference to be held on September 30, also in Dallas. Dr. Henry M. Morris III, Executive Vice President of ICR, has been appointed by the board to lead this new strategic initiative, which will be guided by three overarching goals: • Renewing minds • Defending truth • Transforming culture The Morris Cente r will develop ICR’s Distance Education programs, which include the current online Master of Science degree in Science Education from the graduate school, as well as a planned online professional development program. Additionally, the Morris Center will upgrade and manage our popular web portal, icr.org, providing up-to-date news, features, and additional resources to equip believers with evidences of creation and the Bible’s accuracy. The Morris Center will focus its efforts on training Christian leaders on all strata of society. Ministry and marketplace professionals will have access to courses, conferences, seminars, and resources designed to assist them in mentoring those in their charge with solid biblical worldview principles for living. Pray for God’s guidance and blessings upon Dr. Morris and his staff as they launch this new work for the expansion of ICR’s mission. "ICR exists not just to bring scientists to Christ, but to win science back for Christ." Henry M. Morris Film to Highlight Legacy of ICR Founder SANTEE—How does your worldview impact those around you? Can one man change the course of science for generations to come? Find out in Faithful Messenger for the Creator, the long-awaited film about the life and legacy of Dr. Henry M. Morris, set to be released this fall. The multi-disc documentary features dramatization and testimonials from personalities such as Tim LaHaye, John Whitcomb, Duane Gish, and others who knew the man and his message.   ICR Museum Day SANTEE—September 30th is Museum Day in Santee. In conjunction with the Smithsonian Museum Day, ICR scientists will be on-hand to interact with visitors and give talks on “African Eve,” “Mt. Saint Helens,” and “Design in Nature.” Doors open at 9:00 AM. Refreshments will be available. Go to icr.org/museum for directions.		$48 Million Criswell Center to Host RATE Scientists DALLAS—First Baptist Church of Dallas is hosting ICR’s popular RATE Conference on September 30, the first gathering to be held in the new state-of-the-art Criswell Center located on the church campus in downtown Dallas. RATE (Radiometric Dating and the Age of the Earth) will present the astounding results of an 8-year study on conventional dating methods. “Thousands, not Billions: A Young Earth Conference,” the name of the gathering, describes precisely the evidence uncovered by the RATE team scientists. Speakers include Dr. John Baumgardner, Dr. Russell Humphreys, Dr. Henry M. Morris III, Dr. Andrew Snelling, and Dr. Larry Vardiman. Scientists Dump Pluto Read Frank Sherwin’s article on the Pluto-Xena controversy. Neo-Darwinism should be considered as carefully as Pluto has been. Yosemite Tour ICR is leading a field study tour to the Yosemite and Death Valley National Parks from September 16- 23. Throughout the year, ICR faculty and scientists host domestic and international tours to sites of interest to creation research, exploring the many wonders of God’s creation and uncovering the evidences of the Bible’s authority and accuracy in the creation account. Contact Cindy Gabay at (619) 448- 0900 x6034 or email tours@icr.org for information about this and other memorable science adventures from ICR. Welcome ICR is pleased to introduce the following new employees to the ministry: Dr. Eddie Miller—COO, Santee Jane Lewis—Human Resources Manager, Santee Donna Montgomery— Receptionist, Santee Eileen Turner—Administrative Coordinator, Dallas Daryl Robbins—Web Programmer, Dallas Sheryl Cook—Web Coordinator, Dallas

 

News & Updates is a publication of the Institute for Creation Research. For information or comments, please contact us at: ICR News & Updates Henry M. Morris Center for Christian Leadership Institute for Creation Research 1806 Royal Lane Dallas, Texas 75229 Email: MorrisCenter@icr.org   The Institute for Creation Research equips believers with evidences of the Bible’s accuracy and authority through scientific research, educational programs, and media presentations, all conducted within a thoroughly biblical framework. ©2006 Institute for Creation Research All Rights Reserved