Average life expectancy

 

I received an e-mail today that gave some facts about the year 1908.  I found some of these very interesting.  The average life expectancy of was about 47 years old. About 14% of homes had bathtubs.  About 8% of homes have telephones.  There were only 8,000 cars in the world and 144 miles of paved road.  The Eiffel Tower was the tallest structure in the world.  The average worker earned about $200.00 to $400.00 dollars a year.  About 95% of all births took place at home.  About 90% of all doctors had not attended college.  Women would generally wash their hair about one time a month and they used Borax or egg yolks as shampoo. The population of Nevada was only 30.  Marijuana, heroin, and morphine were sold as over the counter drugs.  There were only about 230 reported murders in the entire U.S.A. The United States flag only had 45 stars.  There were a lot of other facts like these and I could not help but think how much the world has changed in the past 100 years.  No doubt in the next 100 years (if the Lord delays that long) there will be major changes. The question is what will those changes be?  Will they be good or bad?  What will the church be like in 100 years?  It is easy to get depressed and say we are going down hill and the world is going to be a much worse place in 100 years.  If that is our attitude then we are defiantly going to be right. However, that does not have to be the case.  With God on our side and a determination to follow His will and convert others to Him. We can change the world for the better.  Remember that "with God all things are possible" (Matthew 19:26b).  Let's work hard and change the world for the good, because it is possible.  

Garrett Bookout

 

free makeup

You may have heard about the $175 million class-action lawsuit settlement made by several of the upscale department stores.  If you bought makeup between 1994 and 2003, you are entitled to receive an item from a giveaway list worth $18 to $25.  These cosmetics are free while supplies last or until January 26th.  The products are being offered on the honor system.  All one has to do is a sign a form stating they made the purchase.  The details are at CosmeticsSettlement.com (info via TheDenverChannel.com).
 
This is going on all over the country, with routine reports of long lines in department stores everywhere.  People like free stuff.  They will burn the gas, park in far off spaces, and endure long lines in order to get the most ultimate of bargains.  Offers like these do not come along very often.  How many will take advantage of this offer?  One would imagine the final tally will be exorbitant.
 
It is interesting that there are no long lines of people standing and waiting to get the benefit of the greatest offer of all times.  There is an offer being made to give people an escape from eternal condemnation and a home in heaven for a never-ending eternity.  It is not restricted to people who have bought something or been somewhere at a particular time.  It is for anyone who will accept the most reasonable terms of all times.  It is said to be "free" (Rev. 22:17).  Three times in Romans (5:15,16; 6:23), Paul calls it the "free gift."  Sadly, an exorbitant majority will not take advantage of this offer to their own eternal ruin.  It is hard to fathom, but sadly true.  Let us do the best job we can of getting the word out about how truly incredible this offer is.  It comes from the storehouse of the Richest One and constitutes His Greatest Gift!

Neal Pollard

The Shallows: What The Internet Is Doing To Our Brains

Nicolas Carr's 2008 article in "The Atlantic" entitled, "Is Google Making Us Stupid?" caught a lot of people's attention.

 

To even ask such a question is audacious, one might think. Isn't the purpose of Google to help us find information on the Internet? How could finding new information make us less intelligent?

 

Carr intensifies his argument in a new book, "The Shallows: What The Internet Is Doing To Our Brains." In a nutshell, here is what Carr claims: The way we browse items on the Internet changes the way we focus on information.

 

We are acquainted with a greater array of information, but becoming less able to maintain a focus on that information.

 

"What we are losing is a whole other set of mental skills, the ones that require not the shifting of our focus but the maintaining of our focus," Carr said. He has a prescription for those who feel their ability to concentrate for long periods of time has diminished: "... turn off the Internet and practice the skills of contemplation, introspection and reflection."

 

Carr seems to be in the tradition of others, such as Marshall McCluhan, who made popular the phrase "the medium is the message," in a 1964 book. How we receive our information can affect how we process that information.

 

Being able to properly process the information God gives us, is vitally important. He has given us an entire volume of messages, and we must not lose our ability to concentrate on what he has said.

 

Paul spoke of the importance of maintaining a focus on God's word: "Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine" (1 Timothy 4:13, NKJV).

 

The order of his instructions is not coincidental. If we don't give adequate attention to reading the Scriptures, how will we know how to exhort one another? What will we teach as doctrine? If we bypass contemplative reading, how can we know our religion is what God wants?

 

In another place, Paul wrote, "How that by revelation he made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)" (Ephesians 3:3,4).

 

Clear understanding of what was once a mystery depends on careful reading.

 

When Philip approached the chariot in which the Ethiopian was riding he asked a simple question: "Do you understand what you are reading?" (Acts 8:30).

 

Today we can no longer assume they are reading. "Are you reading what you are browsing?" might be the inquiry needed.

 

--Tim Hall

ANIBAL ARCHILA

 

Journalists distinguish themselves and often become legendary for getting right in the middle of the action to report on the news.  Occasionally, this can cause them to become the news.  Several media personnel have lost their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan since these conflicts began.  Danger can often go with the territory.  While others are fleeing it, reporters must rush to it.  The case of Anibal Archila is particularly tragic as he was reporting the volcanic eruption of Pacaya on the outskirts of Guatemala City, Guatemala. Wikinews reports, "Fellow worker Vinicio Fuentes said that Archila couldn't escape from the rain of volcanic stones, but his cameraman and another group of local reporters could. Archila was found with several lava and rock injuries on his body. Archilla was lying in a fetal position, still holding his video camera" (http://enwikinews.org).  He died by being what his job called for him to be.

We may be inclined to think Archila foolish for putting himself in harm's way or to even think his death was in vain, but there is a principle to consider here.  He might have saved his life by running away from this breaking news story, but by doing so he would have been revoking and renouncing his very identity as a journalist.  It is sobering for me to consider that, though we have enjoyed religious freedom in our nation for a couple of centuries, the moral decline and political trends may make Christianity increasing unpopular in the coming years.  By being a Christian, we may find ourselves pressured by adversity and in a position to make a decision--either to revoke and renounce who we are or to rush to defend our Lord and His cause.  People may think us foolish and wasteful for putting our lives on the line, but we must make the difficult choice.  Even in this present hour, when physical death or injury is not so likely, we must have the courage to make the right decision.  Jesus said, "He who is not with Me is against Me; and he who does not gather with Me scatters" (Matt. 12:30).  Let us be willing, every day and by the choices and decisions we make, to take any risk for the One who gave everything for us.  

 

Neal Pollard

 

Home is where the heart is

Like me, you probably have heard the saying, "Home is where the heart is."
In reality I think we can testify that there is a lot of truth in that
saying. Home is not necessarily a physical place, but a place that warms
your heart when you think about it. Sometimes it's not even a place, but a
way of being or living. It is sometimes that feeling of peace and comfort
when you are with a person who touches your heart.

This past week we moved once again, we stayed in the same community, but
moved to a different house. We often talk about our life as an adventure,
never dull, always active, always doing something new. We are hoping that we
can remain in this home for many years to come as the adventure of moving is
not something we look forward to again.

I know our life seems somewhat unsettled to many of you and that you would
find it difficult living as we do and moving as we sometimes need to do. But
ask yourself; just what it is that you want from life. Where is your home?
What is it that fills your heart and gives you peace?

For Melody and I, home is being with one another, no matter where we are
physically. This week we celebrated two anniversaries. The first is our
first year of living in Tehachapi, California and the second our 43rd
anniversary of our marriage. We are living 2,700 miles from our families in
Ohio, (which we often refer to as home), but Home is where our heart is and
for us that is serving God together.

The apostle Paul understood that concept, notice what he wrote in 2
Corinthians 4:18-5:1, "So we don't look at the troubles we can see right
now; rather, we look forward to what we have not yet seen. For the troubles
we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever.

For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down, when we
die and leave these bodies, we will have a home in heaven, an eternal body
made for us by God himself and not by human hands. (NLT)

We are looking forward to that "home in heaven." How about you?

Russ Lawson

hippies and the coast to Santa Cruz

When the 1960s ended, many hippies moved down the coast to Santa Cruz.
They got married and had children. But they didn't name their children
Melissa or Brett. People in the mountains around Santa Cruz grew accustomed
to their children playing with little Time Warp or Spring Fever. And
eventually Moonbeam, Earth, Love and Precious Promise all ended up in public
school.

That's when the kindergarten teachers first met Fruit Stand. Every
fall, parents applied name tags to their children, kissed them good-bye and
sent them off to school on the bus. So it was for Fruit Stand. The teachers
thought the boy's name was odd, but they tried to make the best of it.

"Would you like to play with the blocks, Fruit Stand?" they offered.

And later, "Fruit Stand, how about a snack?" He accepted hesitantly. By
the end of the day, his name didn't seem much odder than Heather's or Sun
Ray's.

At dismissal time, the teachers led the children out to the buses.

"Fruit Stand, do you know which one is your bus?" He didn't answer.
That wasn't strange. He hadn't answered them all day. Lots of children are
shy on the first day of school. It didn't matter. The teachers had
instructed the parents to write the names of their children's bus stop on
the reverse side of their name tags. The teacher simply turned over the tag.
There, neatly printed, was the word "Anthony."

We often hear folks say, "There's nothing in a name!" But there is very
much something in a name. Our name identifies who we are and where we came
from (and sometimes where we're going). That's why Abram's name was changed
to Abraham ("father of a multitude"), and Simon's to Peter ("the rock").

As Christians, we are proud to wear the name of the one who is our
Lord, our Savior and our head.

"If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the
Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed,
but on your part He is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer,
a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people's matters. Yet if
anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify
God in this matter." (1 Peter 4:14-16)

It truly does make a difference what name we wear. If you don't believe
me, just ask Fruit Stand.

Alan Smith

Wake Forest University, Last Fan Sitting

 

 

Wake Forest University just completed a promotional program called "Last Fan Sitting."  Early on Thursday morning, January 8th, after more than three days enduring wind, rain, and sub-freezing temperatures, Bob Yakos was dubbed the champion of this grueling contest.  He beat out 22 other fans, 8 of whom made it with him until Thursday morning.  He answered Wake Forest trivia questions and beat out his fellow-diehards.  For his trouble, Yakos will enjoy season tickets for four for the next 15 years.  He was not only prepared for the trivia, impressive especially for a Cooperstown, New York, native whose work relocated him to the research triangle area, but for the weather.  He wore a Gore-Tex suit and duck boots, both of which kept him warm when temps went low.
 
Jesus would point to world events and everyday situations to make a more important, spiritual point (cf. Mt. 13; Lk. 13:1ff).  There seems to be a formula in Yakos' success from which Christians can learn.  We can call it the "PIE" formula. 
 
P-Preparation.  Yakos boned up on Wake Forest trivia.  Even his clothing showed foresight.  It took groundwork to give him glory.  For Christians to overcome the overwhelming odds we often face, preparation is key.  What are we doing in our "off time" that helps us answer the spiritual challenges we face?  And are we properly adorned (Eph. 6:10ff; 1 Th. 5:8)?
 
I-Incentive.  Fifteen years of free tickets to watch college football is good incentive for quite a few sports' fans.  Yet, the overwhelming majority of the citizens of Durham and other Carolina cities opted not to even compete.  Of those who did, somewhere along the way either the elements or discomfort discouraged them from their original goal.  So, too, the masses are disinterested in the reward awaiting the faithful.  They may not believe it is real or it may not capture their desires and interests.  Of those of us who do begin the journey that leads to heaven, we cannot let adversity or anything else cause us to give up before the end (cf. Rev. 2:10).
 
E-Endurance.  Yakos would not quit, even when others did.  He would not quit, even when it may have looked enticing.  He stuck it out, no matter what.  When applied to spiritual things, what an approach!  Nothing is worth losing heaven or our souls.  You may often want to quit, but you cannot quit!  Our tribulation and troubles will last more than 74.5 hours, but compared to eternity we will have to endure but the proverbial blink of an eye.
 
Sixteen years from now, Yakos will have to buy a ticket if he wants to watch the Demon Deacons play football.  If we endure to the end of this life, our reward never expires.  Whatever we endure will have been worth it.  But, we must make proper preparation, so each of us will be among the "Last Christians Standing" before the king of Kings (cf. Mt. 25:34-40, 46; 2 Tim. 4:8)!

Neal Pollard

What does the word predestined mean?

 

 

Predestination simply refers to deciding on something beforehand or determining in advance.  John Calvin's ideas about it notwithstanding, predestination is a thoroughly biblical concept.  The word is used a good handful of times, referring to things God determined from His mind from before eternity.  It is interesting to see the things God has predestined.

The New Testament teaches a predestined plan (Acts 4:28).  The early church recognized this as they faced their first instance of opposition.  As they petitioned for divine help, they acknowledged how the Father saw as part of His divine plan that Herod, Pilate, and the Romans would crucify Jesus.  Reading passages like Ephesians 3:9-11and as we look at the Bible from a historical viewpoint, we can see this plan unfold with Jesus as the hero and central figure of scripture.

The New Testament teaches a predestined behavior (Rom. 8:29).  Christians are predestined to be conformed to the image of God's Son.  "Conformed" means to have the same or similar nature, and the point of context is that God's plan of redemption featuring His Son opened the door for us to also become children of God.  Through Christ's redeeming work at Calvary, God looks at us as He does His only begotten Son.  But, conformity is more than about form.  It is about substance.  Being in God's Kingdom means we have a new identity, but it also means we have a new way of thinking and acting.  We will think and act like Jesus!  God determined that as part of His plan, that Christians would behave differently from the unredeemed!

The New Testament teaches a predestined message (1 Cor. 2:7).  1 Corinthians two speaks of the process of God revealing His Word to mankind.  Paul calls it God's wisdom, pointing again to His eternal scheme of redemption, predestined to our glory!  God's message to us involved the marvelous, thankfully intelligible, process of revealing or unlocking His mind and will through spiritual words.  Scripture is the deliberate and intentional communication from heaven to earth.

The New Testament teaches a predestined position (Eph. 1:5).  The book of Ephesians, in exalting the church of the Christ, exalts the position of those who have accepted Him.  Adoption into the family of God means access to all spiritual blessings (Eph. 1:3).  God determined before making us from the dust of the ground , before breathing into our nostrils the breath of life, and before making us in His image that we should be given a place in His family through Jesus!  He did this, making us sinless but knowing that we would become sinful.  No wonder grace is central to Paul's writing in this epistle.

May we never allow man's distortion and false teaching of a subject cause us to cower or avoid the truth on that subject.  It is a rich and marvelous study to look at the things and people (Christians) determined by God before even time began.  It elevates the way we look at ourselves and the way we look at Him!

 

Neal Pollard

 

When God’s Patience Runs Out

 

 

 

One of the great attributes of our heavenly Father is, without doubt, His longsuffering toward sinful man.  The apostle Peter told us God is "longsuffering to you-ward, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" (2 Pet. 3:9).   Someone once asked, "What is the difference between 'mercy' and 'grace'?"   Some years ago I heard the following explanation: "Grace is where God gives us what we do not deserve; mercy is where God does not give us what we do deserve."   All of humanity enjoys the benefits of God's grace.  The very air we breathe, the sunshine each and every morning, and every good gift that God gives in a physical way are a manifestation of His wonderful grace.   It was God's grace that sent His Son and provided instruction in the way of salvation (Titus 2:11). It was God's grace that established the church and demonstrated the manifold wisdom of God. It is God's grace that allows men yet another opportunity to repent and obey the gospel, even when they are living in open rebellion.   On the other hand, it is God's mercy that delays the sending of His Son.  Justice cries out for divine vengeance, but God delays, and in His delay men are provided yet another access to the wonderful blessings of God.  It is God's mercy that will eventually allow all of the redeemed to escape the punishment of His wrath. 

 

When grace and mercy are combined a most wonderful picture emerges.  When writing his letter to the church at Rome the apostle Paul chastised the rebellious Jews and reminded them: "Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?" (Rom. 2:4).   The "riches of his goodness" bespeaks God's amazing grace, while God's forbearance and longsuffering" point us to His great mercy.   The purpose of God's grace and mercy toward man is not that man might continue in rebellion in hopes that someday he will, by some magical and mystical formula, be allowed to enter into the home prepared for the redeemed.  No, by dear friend, God's grace and mercy are designed to "lead thee to repentance."   His "goodness" bespeaks His deep desire that men obey His will. 

 

The longsuffering of God is not a bottomless pit wherein He will continue to tolerate the foolishness of men.  His longsuffering is extended in view of the fact that there may be a few men and women with tender hearts that can be touched by the Gospel.  Someone has suggested that God delays the sending of His Son in judgment because in His eternal mind He knows of others who will, when taught, obey.   But at that precise moment when the last person who will obey, does in fact obey, the gavel will sound, and the time of judgment will not be in the too distant future.  Only God the Father knows of that time.  When that moment arrives, God's patience will be exhausted, and all men will witness the coming of the Lord in judgment.   That, my friend, is a most sobering thought!

 

by Tom Wacaster

DR. PEDRO ARA Sarria

 

DR. PEDRO ARA Sarria perfected a technique for preserving the body and applied it to Argentina's Eva Peron...

 

The embalmed body was kept intact but, for political reasons, was moved from place to place.  It went from his laboratory in Buenos Aries to a military camp, to a dusty storeroom in Bonn, Germany, to a secret grave in Milan, Italy, to an attic in Madrid, back to a chapel in Argentina, and finally to a family tomb.

 

What happens to our bodies after we die may not be very important.  What happens to the spirit is very important.  Whether our bodies are buried, cremated, lost in an explosion, or buried at sea, it makes no difference.  The real concern is that the soul be at home with God.

 

"And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, some to shame and everlasting contempt" (Daniel 12:2).

--Mike Benson