Evolution vs. Creationism

We're on the 5th video for The Truth Project (www.thetruthproject.org) and this one discusses in great detail "What is Science?"

So what do you think? Did we evolve as a species or were we created by some intelligent design?

Honestly, before this, I haven't given it too much thought - because it isn't a show-stopper for me in my walk with God. Whether God designed us as we see ourselves now or that we "evolved" into what we are - I still attributed this creation (us, life, everything) to Christ.

The Truth Project makes some incredibly valid arguments though for the idea of "intelligent design" and I'm inclined to think that's how God created us. There really is no example of evolution that can be shown today. Since we've been discussing this 'theory' for the last 200 years, nothing has evolved even a little bit... we're such complex organisms that the idea of evolution and natural selection doesn't seem as plausible. Example: the eyeball. I'm definitely NOT doing the argument justice with the above statement - just using one example.

What does perplex me though, is those (some people anyway) that do believe in evolution won't even entertain the idea of intelligent design - even when they can't answer all their own questions. Personally, I think it's more of a pride issue than anything... because even if I don't believe in evolution - I will still entertain the topic and be willing to "have" my mind changed if I'm wrong about something. Whatever I believe should stand up to criticism - if it doesn't, then I need to really re-evaluate my beliefs.

PUERTOS!!!

It's weird, I was walking out of my room tonight and suddenly a smell hit me (not bad, just random) that took me all the way back to Bowling Green, KY 2003.

I instantly remembered going to Puerto Vallarta's next to Western Kentucky University with Nicole when we first got married... I would get the "IS Special" & she would get a taco salad and a GI-normous margarita.

Those were some awesome (simpler) times... We're still living in awesome times (: but I enjoyed those a lot as well.

Brother pointed me to this band

take up your Cross...

-Nicole has to memorize a bible verse as part of her new adventure at Quest - she got accepted into the program, "Accelerate" This is one of her first assignments. It's a simple task really, but I can tell she's excited about the program, because she's nervous about it.

Luke 9:23 (New International Version)

²³Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

Luke 9:23 (New Living Translation)

²³ Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me.

Luke 9:23 (The Message)

^23-27Then he told them what they could expect for themselves: "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat—I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? If any of you is embarrassed with me and the way I'm leading you, know that the Son of Man will be far more embarrassed with you when he arrives in all his splendor in company with the Father and the holy angels. This isn't, you realize, pie in the sky by and by. Some who have taken their stand right here are going to see it happen, see with their own eyes the kingdom of God."

Luke 9:23 (King James Version)

²³And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

Ironman Quest

Why did I decide I want to do an Ironman Triathlon? What in me desires that... and really why did I sign up for one knowing that my preparation for such an arduous event would lack any swimming or actual bicycling for 90% of the training -

Questions that perplex the mind (my mind anyway).

My rationale for deciding to attempt, rather accomplish this race immediately following my post-deployment from Kosovo is two-fold (I insist on using the word accomplish here - because I'm crossing that finish line no-matter-what).

1. I figure to pull off a race of this magnitude, I'm going to have to train anywhere from 10-15 hours a week at a minimum. That's averaging over 2 hours a day training on some weeks. I definitely don't feel that I have this time available to me while I'm in the states and NOT take time away from my family. Work has x number of hours requirement - I can't go very long when I subtract sleep from my schedule, so the only flexible number in that equation is time with family. While I'm here - any time I'm NOT working, I can devote to training (if I so choose).

2. This gives me a goal & something to focus on while I'm here... if I start getting down on myself due to being away from family, I can redirect that focus/energy towards this race. In addition, with the amount of time I have to train, I'm usually too tired to be upset at anything when I do have time to sit down and think.

Big picture for me though. I've ALWAYS wanted to complete an Ironman Triathlon. Ever since I was old enough to understand what it was - 11 or 12 years old. Something in me, in each of us, desires to be challenged... to see what we're made of - to see if we stand up to the test.

...I definitely learned this lesson in the military. I grew SO much in such a short amount of time and it was because I WAS challenged. I think that a lot of young people today don't have that. They expect things to be easy and if they're not... then "obviously" they're not worth doing.

-back to Ironman. I want to push myself to the limit and I think, physically, the Ironman provides that.

www.ironmanlouisville.com

Skype & Family

Can't wait to skype with my beautiful wife & my little monsters Elijah and Kylie today.

"Sweep the leg Johnny"

This is a good band - (No More Kings) and the video makes me laugh - makes me think of CJ, Matt & Jeremy... from their sense of humor.