There is no doubt the Taliban, now taken control in Afghanistan, are even more convinced that God is on their side! How very typical this is of humans throughout all of history, no matter how great or small the ruling empire may have been, or how many people they ruled over, Babylonians, Assyrians, Egyptians, Romans, British or American, just to name a few, all share this one religious thought; ‘God is on OUR side!’
Well I’ve got news for all forms of national sovereignty* the one and only true God and father of mankind Himself declares he is ‘not on your side‘! Not yesterday, not today, not ever!
The real distinction to be made is ‘claims to have God on YOUR side’, rather than being ‘ON SIDE WITH God’!
How can this be said? Of course the historical failures of virtually all human governments confirms this fact, but please read on;
First; consider the universally admitted fact that ‘we’ (namely all mankind) ‘are imperfect.’ If anyone doubts this basic truth please raise your hand!?
Second; similarly, why would God, our heavenly Father, support continuous changes of imperfect human governments, much less never ending wars and conflicts between them?
Third; as mentioned, if God actually supported a particular human government, why have not one of them successfully brought lasting ‘peace and security’ to its subjects , much less fair and equitable distribution of material benefits to its subjects, no matter how long it lasted!?
No ‘the jury is not out’. The plain fact is God has set an unalterable agenda for establishing ‘His’ rulership (i.e. sovereignty)! One government that will rule the entire earth. The Kingdom Jesus said we should pray for as recorded in the Bible at Matthew 6:10 *. Jesus himself being the King designate of that kingdom (a.k.a. government).
For 3.5 years Jesus demonstrated his exceptional love and miraculous abilities to heal mankind, claiming to be an ambassador and messenger from the Creator!
He left no doubt his designated rulership will bring true peace and security for all who adopt it. Any who willfully oppose it will simply be no more, that is God’s purpose, not support for imperfect unqualified human governments
* ‘Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10 KJV)
‘..the wicked will be no more…..But the meek will possess the earth and find exquisite delight in the abundance of peace…the righteous will possess the earth and they will live forever on it. (Psalm 37:10,11,29 NWT)
“Nationalism is an infantile disease. It is the measles of mankind.” Albert Einstein
Please note; There never has, and never will be, an evolutionary jump, gradual or otherwise, from one genetic ‘kind’ to another!
I know that probably isn’t what you’ve been taught, or what the general media promotes, but I truly believe reasonable people will at least have serious doubts after considering some factual evidence.
For example; there has never been, nor ever will be, a ‘beneficial’ mutation!
Think about it; mutations, animal or vegetable, always result in degradation of some kind. Mutations simply do not result in improvements, period. In simple terms a mutation is a damaged DNA gene, causing defects or illness. And even though the theory of evolution dictates there has to have been millions of them to produce some significant change in life forms, there is simply no evidence this ever happened, not even one, except in science fiction such as ‘Mutants’ movies!
On the other hand there’s a a very natural and normal process called ‘entropy’! Entropy is literally thebreaking down to ‘disorder’ from something that is ‘ordered’. This applies to inanimate objects as well as animate (living) cells. Think about what would happen to your car if you were to park it in a farmers field and do nothing to it for years. In time it would deteriorate and eventually be reduced to little more than basic elements.
With living cells the same natural process is simply called aging (or ageing). Remember the Eagles song ‘All We Are Is Dust In The Wind’? Even better stated in scripture; “For dust you are and to dust you will return.” (Genesis 3:19)
The same principle applies to any living creature born with an abnormality, not withstanding the help of modern medical science. A defect will not and cannot be an improved version of any particular kind, much less be a ‘stepping stone’ to becoming an entirely ‘different’ kind of creature!
Indeed, all biological creatures, human or animal age, (atrophy) and die, returning to dust just the same as physical objects eventually do.
This is science fact, not fiction, and it cannot be ignored. Yet that is what is done by those advocating evolution.
To further demystify this theory; within the dog ‘family’, there are a great variety of animals, all related, from foxes to wolves to jackals and coyote’s, besides a countless number of domestic dog’s. Great diversity within the dog family for sure, and all genetically linked. Yet at no time has a ‘dog kind’ of animal ever been a ‘bird kind’, a ‘fish kind’, or an ‘insect kind’ of creature, or vice versa, except in human imagination!
This must not be confused with the well proven capability of most life forms to adapt to environmental conditions, so please ‘read my lips’….
‘Adaptation is not evolution!’ It simply does not result in a stepping stone or so-called big jump change to a different family kind of creature!
A good example is Darwin’s own observation of Finches. He noted there was a change in the size and shape of bird beaks as they ‘adapted to different food sources‘. But that ‘natural adaptation’ does not begin to support evolutionary changes from a bird kind of creature to some other kind!
Variations in each ‘family kind’ are often confused by the human designation of ‘species’. For example a wolf and a fox terrier may be regarded as different species, as categorized by anthropologists etc, but that does not make them different ‘family kinds’ of animal. The same is true of black or gray squirrels, varieties of moths, or even the 10,000 ‘species’ of birds!
In other word, differentiating creatures as different species does not necessarily separate them genetically, they may simply be a member of their own ‘family kind’. Describing animals within each ‘family kind’ as different ‘species’ merely tends to obfuscate reality.* Separation of family kinds by this arbitrary and often confusing method is a little like classifying basketball players as different from each other because they play on different teams, wearing different colored shorts!
The point is that there has never been fundamental changes within each and every ‘family kind’ so as to become a member of a ‘different family kind’.
And that includes us humans. For example; Asian, Caucasian, Negroid, Germanic, et al, are all simply members of ‘human kind’. All are of the very same genetic pool, not different ‘species’. Evolutionists designations not withstanding, humans are not, and never have been, part of the ape family kind, or any other family kind of creature.
Recent genome studies are adding more proof of this every day. Humans and apes are simply unrelated, that is a science fact.**
Therefore please do not be misled by a confusing and completely unsupported theory. So-called ‘transitional’ human artifacts, namely bits and pieces of bone which likely could be contained in a single travel trunk, and do not even begin to support the idea of millions of years of so called ‘dead ends’ as required by this theory, or its many variations. Evolutionary theories, based on the mythical idea of ‘millions of years’ of mutations has been so frequently revised and re-worked is not even just a single unified theory anymore.
No matter how many millions of year’s are suggested, basic well-proven scientific principals apply, and those principles completely contradict evolution. It will always remain just a theory no matter how frustrating that is for its advocates.
Frankly, in my view, the main proponents are those who are too proud to accept the obvious… namely; all life on earth, animal and vegetable, is so highly complex and detailed that it simply could not be other than the product of a power and intelligence far beyond our human understanding, well known in most cultures as the ‘Creator‘.
Creation, often described as ‘mother nature’, should not be marginalized by theories which attempt to undermine the glory and beauty of our blue marble planet, and especially not its wise, supremely intelligent Creator.
Indeed all life on earth, including ‘mankind’, gives abundant evidence of an awesome Creator, the one who made “each one according to its kind” so that everything was “very good”. (please read Genesis, chapter 1, in the holy Bible).
But if you are still in doubt, please view this very revealing Youtube video. If your not convinced of ‘divinity’ after seeing what this Mathematician has to say, there is nothing more to be said!
** International science team concludes; “During the last decade it was commonly accepted that humans and…. chimpanzees, only differed by 1.24 % in our DNA sequences. This (new) discovery shows that this figure is absolutely incorrect and, what is more, may be ten times higher.” Also; “Humans and primates are qualitatively different.” (extract from 2009 study), click here for… 2009 science team report
For views of a DNA scientist, visit my post: ‘Evolution vs Intelligent Creation’
Noted quotation: “The first gulp from the glass of natural sciences will make you an evolutionist, but at the bottom of the glass God is waiting for you.” Werner Heisenberg (father of Quantum Mechanics.)
There exists a symbiotic relationship between humans and animals. We only need to hear heartfelt, passionate, experiences of pet owners to confirm this truth! That we share genetics, perhaps even physical features in some cases, with other living creatures on earth is undeniable.* And who has not been humored by similarities, even resemblances to human characteristics in many plants and animals, including marine animals? (Bird of Paradise; Orchid Owl; and many more are not a fake pictures)
Humorous similarities in nature may contribute to belief in evolution. But is such reasoning the ‘only’ logical conclusion possible? I invite you to consider an alternative line of reasoning.
Consider famous artists, like Van Gogh, Michelangelo, or Leonardo Da Vinci. It doesn’t even take an expert to identify their particular works of art. Experts, or even qualified laymen can readily identify their distinctive style, subject matter, canvass, brush strokes, techniques and more!
I submit for your consideration, that, similarly, all life on earth is likewise a perfectly identifiable product of a single creative Artist! His distinctive style, brush strokes, and ‘living subjects’, being easily recognizable throughout the earth.
In fact, DNA of ALL life, greatly adds to the credibility of this line of reasoning! More and more it has been revealed that genetic building blocks of DNA are, not only common, but ‘nearly identical’ to all other life forms. Amazingly, all life on earth is based on the very same DNA constructs!
This is far different from the concept each individual life form is an accidental result of some unknown force of necessity. It is not an over-simplification to say that, to the extent that geneticists have been so far able to analyze DNA/RNA, only minor differences account for all the diversity of life on earth!
Yes we all share a very common basic makeup, from man to plants and animals! Simple comparisons might be an auto assembly line producing many different models of cars using the very same construction methods, or Lego blocks used to build an unlimited number of designs. Of course the building DNA strands of life are immeasurably more complex than those simple examples! *
The point is, just as works produced by famous artists clearly identify those creative geniuses, fundamental makeup of all life forms on earth provides a major identifying mark for a singular, incomparable, Artist-Creator! For more detailed DNA information go to my post: Evolution vs Creation.
With all that said, there are distinct differences between humans and all other forms of life on earth. As the ultimate Artist-Sculptor he’s made mankind the ‘apex production’ of his earthly works, how? By generously granting humans qualities in his very own likeness!You might say we are, spiritually, his self-portrait in love, wisdom, justice, and power!
Clearly every form of life has unique features, abilities, and appearances to it alone. Yet we need to acknowledge human capabilities exceed all other life forms on earth. For example; ‘conscience; and free will’!
While those exceptional and unique characteristics have been suppressed and eroded by the many adverse conditions today, there is no denying they do exist from the day we are born. And when properly trained they provide a supreme separation from the animal kingdom granted by our Artist-Creator.
In conclusion I want to emphasize the known common fundamental makeup of all life on earth provides strong evidence of an awesome ‘Artistic Creator‘ **. One who not only designed endless forms of life using genetic programming only beginning to be understood by mankind, but described by scriptural inspiration literally thousand of years before modern discovery! ** At the same time he’s granted humans superior attributes in His very own likeness, plus a free will to develop them!
Contributed comment:
“It is interesting that in some basic ways all animal creation follows a closely designed formula with overlapping characteristics. Eat, drink, eliminate, cohabit, bring forth offspring, etc., yet humans are several notches above… and consciously worship, design, plan, innovate, improve, etc. Is life on earth designed? Only the uninformed would say no! What about our future,… only the uninformed would say it has been left to chance in the hands of problematic human creations that seem to not recognize limits…”
* e.g. a mere teaspoon of DNA has a nearly ‘infinite’ data storage capacity!
** “Your eyes even saw me as an embryo; All its parts were written in your book Regarding the days when they were formed, Before any of them existed.” (Psalm 139:16)
Ergo: “For his invisible qualities are clearly seen from the world’s creation onward, because they are perceived by the things made, even his eternal power and Godship, so that they are inexcusable.” (Romans 1:20)
Please visit JW.org for more encouraging scriptural information!
I’d like to address an issue that I believe has confused many of us, namely; ‘does the well-proven age of dinosaur’s support the theory of evolution?’
If this issue hasn’t confused you, good for you! However, as a result of colorful media, e.g. ‘planet of the apes’ etc. there may very well be a large percentage of the population who are, at the least, confused about this matter.
If that is the case with you, please allow me to shed some light on this subject. First of all, the age of the dino’s is certainly a well-proven fact. A great many fossils present a fascinating picture of what a great variety of creatures, large and small, may have looked like, even if much of that evidence has led to controversies as to their appearance, form, or functions, such as whether they were predators, grazers, or whatever.
And yet as interesting as they are, and their past existence indisputable, according to experts in the field, The dinosaurian paradise ended some 60 million years ago.
interestingly, no one can point to any ‘transitional’ creatures either prior-to or after their existence among the fossil record either. What do I mean by that?
Very simply put, there is no evidence of ‘evolving, mutating, or experimental’ creatures, in other words creatures that were ‘dead-ends’. as would most certainly have to be the case in uncounted millions if a blind evolutionary process was responsible for either bringing them into existence, nor afterward over millenniums of time!
The general belief is that their demise was due to a meteor striking the earth and triggering a massive environmental change.
In fact, just as we see separate and distinct ‘kinds’ of living creatures today; mammals; birds; fish; and insects; all of which appear ‘suddenly’ in the fossil records, the very same was true of the dinosaurs. Just as with the dinosaur age, there remains not just one ‘missing-link’ but virtually millions of ‘missing-links’ that would have to have occurred in order to support the idea of evolution. In short the evidence of that kind of process is completely absent.
But I digress from the point of this blog, so allow me to specify it; not only does the existence of dinosaur’s in no way support the pseudo scientific theory of evolution, neither does it support the idea of ‘simultaneous’ existence of ‘modern man’- no matter how stretched and fractured that theory has become since Chuck Darwin introduced it.
The distinct and well-defined Dinosaur Age is dated as having existed at the earliest about 60 million years ago, ‘long before’ the very sudden appearance of bones of so-called ‘modern man’. Of that there is little or no dispute at all.
This means there has never been, and never can be, the slightest connection between the dinosaur age and humankind, no matter how much that idea has been imagined. That gap simply cannot be filled by the fossil record or by any other means, Its just that simple.
To summarize; there is simply no support for a connection between dinosaurs and mankind by evolution or otherwise!
While there is no denying the reasons ‘why’ dinosaurs existed or were created, the answer may lie in present day beneficial resources being exploited as a possible result of their existence and demise, but that is speculation only.
One thing for sure; the appearance of both dinosaurs, and ‘modern’ man seems very purposeful even though well separated in time, in other words neither of these events were accidental!
Its my hope this post might at least assuage the mythical ideas presented for public consumption by the entertainment media, such as ‘cave-men’ and such like.
For a very thorough scientific analysis of ‘Evolution vs Creation‘ please visit this post!
Is it possible for our puny human brain to actually be in touch with the Creator of all things? Arguably its a question philosophers and thoughtful people have struggled with since the beginning of written history.
For instance speaking of human history, year after year archeological discoveries confirm entire ancient civilizations now being uncovered in South America and elsewhere were ‘primarily’ based on worship of an all powerful god in one form or another!
In truth its simply no exaggeration to say there is an innate desire in all humanity to communicate with a supreme Creator! And with limited knowledge, many societies have conferred this desire on objects of wood, stone, or the stars, in the vain hope they would be heard and benefit therefrom.
Is so-called ‘modern man’ really so different? Or is technology filling that very same role today? Its a fair question considering how much focus of attention is given to it in all its material forms, from smart phones to orbiting satellites.
Of course its obvious to thinking people a far, far, superior entity does exist, which some refer to an unidentifiable ‘first cause’ of all life on earth. Yet ever more true science clearly points to a life-giving Creator of all genetic forms. Generations of observant mankind observe abundant visible evidence of this.*
Indeed this belief is also backed up by inspired ‘prophetic scriptures’ that provide positive reinforcement of that evidence, in spades! For just one example about 300 specific Bible prophecies describing the life of Jesus hundreds of years earlier were completely fulfilled down to the letter!
Can it therefore be said there is solid evidence to base real hope and belief on other than lifeless wood or stone; effigies; icons; paintings; and, yes, technology, but rather on an invisible all-wise and loving spiritual God who cares for us!
Albert Einstein epithet; “Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind.” [Science, Philosophy and Religion]
In fact scientific confirmation is being added every day, consider this….and keep in mind this was written thousands of years before DNA confirmed it;
“Your eyes even saw me as an embryo; All its parts were in your book Regarding the days when they were formed, Before any of them existed.“(Psalm 139:16 NWT Bible) Hebrew a scripture written by King David.
Another example; “He (God) stretches out the northern sky over empty space, Suspending the earth upon nothing” (Job26:7 NWT Bible)Again, recorded scripture written thousands of years before space travel confirmed this fact, during a time when most of mankind believed the earth stood on on the back of a turtle or an elephant or had some other ignorant idea!
These are just a couple of examples of the accuracy and authenticity of inspired holy Bible.As if simple observation of all life and newly understood ecological systems on planet earth were not enough in and of themselves!
Furthermore, he has promised to restore this sadly damaged planet to its optimal condition, including all mankind…. “….he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.” And the One seated on the throne said: “Look! I am making all things new.” Also he says: “Write, for these words are faithful and true.”(Revelation21:3-5)
“He is the Maker of the earth by his power, The One who established the productive land by his wisdom And who stretched out the heavens by his understanding.” (Jeremiah51:15)
Please visit JW.org for much more news and information a free study of the Bible, you’ll never regret it!
Isn’t it exciting to hear there may be earth-like planets, namely those that orbit suns similar to our own, perhaps even in abundance ‘out there’ in the universe?! Yes, but let’s take a step back and analyze ‘why’ its exciting for a moment.
Could it be that our human emotions are based on hope? What I mean is this; based on human history, (I refer to written history and not speculative pre-history), there have been many technological accomplishments, however, sociologically not so much, or to put it simply, human relations have, for the most part, been an abysmal failure.
Arguably, history has recorded that modern man is pretty much a failure in human relations. For instance when has there ever been an extended period in at least 2000 years that hasn’t included wars, genocides, oppression, atrocities, ad infinitum!
IMHO failures throughout history have engendered a present day ‘faint hope’ that somewhere, somehow, mankind will find relief, or to put it another way, ‘salvation’, from his earthly experience. (I would also submit this is the very basis of the ‘theory’ of evolution.) In other words an attempt to absolve humanity from our blood stained past, and even more so, its present!
Its no secret that the dramatic increase in world population has brought about the prospect of mass-extinction, despite enormous potential for increase… why? In a nutshell; the answer is clearly human mismanagement, be it environmentally, politically, or economically!
But I digress; returning to the aforementioned possible planetary discoveries; what is it that really excites us about them? Isn’t it all about finding relief from our human failures? The vain hope that if there is life on other planets it may somehow point the way to discover or make human life somehow successful, an existence that has eluded us on earth!?
For example, remember the classic Sci-Fi movie “The Day The Earth Stood Still”? An alien galactic envoy arrives to warn scientist and leaders that independent robots were authorized to enforce galactic peace. They were said to be programmed to obliterate any planet who threatened a galactic peace protocol by the misuse of atomic power! (A very human approach no doubt!)
In conclusion, I submit that mankind as a whole is missing the ‘woods for the trees’. What I mean by that is the greatest human to ever live provided us with the way out of our failed human condition, the only sure way to achieve what many are now seeking in the stars.
He told us what to seek, how and where to find it, and the result would be nothing less than everlasting life on a paradise earth! Therefore, shouldn’t that be our primary focus? Because whether we seek it or not, earth is scheduled for exactly that ideal future by its eternal Creator! Indeed, have faith: it really will happen, with, or without, our personal benefit, right here on planet earth!
Note: The following is a story based on real youth experience of the author.
Names, and story ending, are fictional. If you enjoy it please give it a positive rating, thanks!
No one remembered who had injected the ‘brain-wave’ into the usual excited chatter that noon hour… perhaps it was divine intervention.?
The day began normally enough. Terry’s customized English Morris Minor convertible squirted around the neighborhood picking up buddies. Their raucous 10 minute ride to school ended in a gravel-flying slide beside the shop teacher’s new Buick.
There was just enough time to jostle with the rest of the gang, while other students condemned world pollution. By the time the warning buzzer sounded a dozen cigarette butts lay crushed on school steps.
Classes dragged on even more than usual that morning. Dry school curriculum simply couldn’t compete with hypnotic shafts of autumn sunshine spotlighted pine desktops as it filtered down classroom aisles.
Acting like isolated prisoners, the youthful gang members only glimpsed each other between periods as they shuffled along crowded, green, locker lined halls to their next classes.
The student body was a multi-racial collage of shapes and sizes. Male recognition of passing friends resulted in heartily punched shoulders, while girls merely snickered and waved multi-ringed fingers.
As another long-awaited lunch hour reunion approached, final seconds were counted off. Finally the noon hour buzzer echoed through the neighborhood like amplified killer bees – it was a bugle call to freedom for the cafe crowd!
Exploding from school exits with miraculous renewed energy, some of the students foot-raced three full city blocks in order to claim scarce booth seats at the Roses’ café… (just outside school jurisdiction).
Time was of the essence, late comers and junior wanabees would be relegated to socially inferior counter stools.
A gray and grizzled waitress/owner braced herself as the first sweaty teenagers came charging in. Dusty venetian door blinds banged loudly against a steamy glass door. Moments later, all four plain wooden booths were filled…. only a few spaces were saved for less athletic but attractive females who would eventually make their entrance.
As brown-bagging students, like me, retrieved flattened peanut butter sandwiches from under shirts and sweaters, others competed for the harried waitresses’ attention by all shouting their orders at once.
Her body language quickly re-establish authority, with narrowed puffy eyes and flashes of nicotine stained teeth. The gang correctly interpreted this as the ‘cease and desist if you want to eat’ signal. It quieted them temporarily.
Brad Gawdin carefully timed his arrival to coincide with freshly delivered ‘tatter dogs and Pepsi’s to customers. His prized cherry red and chrome ex-police Harley skidded across boulevard and sidewalk, stopping just inches from the large greasy front window, (low on gas as usual).
Some of the gang acknowledged Brad with a subdued, but friendly, cheer as he made his grinning entrance, pleased to be re-united with his former school chums. Even a flicker of recognition from the scowling waitress’ didn’t go unnoticed. He quickly combed his lengthy black ‘duck tail’ hair while squeezing into the central booth.
Brad really hoped to forget his fruitless days of job hunting since quitting school at mid-term. For the moment, reconnecting by school friends, while mooching a few bites from their lunches, was comforting.
His lean semi-adult six-foot frame perfectly matched the prized Harley. He rode it with sublime confidence, hair flying up from under a vizard ‘Marlin Brando’ motorcycle cap. But away from his bike, a boy-man personality emerged with slouching posture, gaunt acne spotted cheeks; and deep dimpled chin.
His well-worn black leather jacket and sunglasses portrayed a motorcycle gang persona, but his friends knew him better.
“Good ‘old B.G.!” cried freckle faced Ron Andrews as self appointed spokesman.
Someone else chimed in;
“No books; no exams; no hassles; you’ve got it made Brad!!”
“Yeah, just call me Marlin, he said, slightly self- conscious of his noticeably deeper voice…
“Who’s got all the cig’s?”
Brad certainly wasn’t above taking advantage of the temporary adulation, besides, bumming cigarette’s served to temper the attention overload he was now feeling.
Soon a free-for-all conversation flowed quickly through familiar topics, including ‘schoolteacher dictatorships’; ‘bikes versus cars’; and of course ‘dating’. It was then that something truly unique came up…
Brad was expertly striking a huge wooden kitchen match with his thumbnail while maintaining a firm grip around Josey Scotts’ pink sweater with his left hand, as ever-grinning Gary Philips took advantage of a break in the general din of noise to ask;
“Hey, do you guys realize this is Halloween and no one’s got any plans yet?”
It was really only intended as a checkup, to make sure he wasn’t being left out of anything, but the immediate loud response surprised him.
“Yeah, that’s right!”
There was an immediate chorus of voices from all booths – each sex having a completely different agenda in mind.
“Last Halloween, me ‘n Bill laid a dummy on the Renfrew Street Hill and tied fishing line to it… we hid behind a bush”,
Gary continued between heavy bites on his tatter dog, while checking to see if he was getting sufficient attention.
“Along comes this guy in a pickup truck, screeching to a stop just before running over it.”
Gary began his very infectious chuckling…
“…so this old guy jumps out to check on the body, an’ just when he bends over to get a closer look, Bill yanks it across the street! The guy was so mad he chased us for two blocks!”
Rose cafe now exploded with unrestrained teenage cackling. The waitress could only shrug and sigh, conceding yet another noon hour without ‘legitimate’ paying customers.
Several more Halloween pranks were next recounted, some real and some imagined. Each sounded more daring than the last. Fiendish new pranks were quickly hatched with brain storming group input. Finally, as their fateful noon hour was running out, a proverbial fuse was lit…
“Hey Brad, why don’t you call the office and tell ’em there’s a bomb planted in the school, so we can all get the afternoon off!”
The source of the challenge was long debated afterwards. Now Unusual quiet suddenly fell over the cafe gang crowd, as if waiting for a mandatory response to a fight. Attention once again focused on Brad as his social instincts told him that ignoring the question might increase the growing distance with his former school peers. On the other hand he sensed an opportunity to improve his rebel image.
Brad took a deep drag on his unfiltered Player’s cigarette, dramatically allowing twin streams of thick blue smoke to flow, mouth to nose, allowing tension to build.
Then he said flatly;
“I would if I had a dime.”
A wry grin flickered at the corners of his mouth as he inwardly congratulated himself on his politically correct, non-committal, answer.
But before his attentive audience could even react, a shiny dime seemed to literally materialize right out of the smoke filled air and came spinning to a stop on the initial-carved table, right in front of Brad!
Regardless of the dime’s secret launch-site, it was More than enough reason for delighted teenage howls of laughter. It seemed to bring noon hour festivities to a natural conclusion.
In fact within minutes the whole conversation was mostly forgotten by the cafe gang. Reluctantly paying bills, they headed back to their ‘love to hate salt mines’ just in time for afternoon classes.
None had even noticed Brad scraping up the dime and stuffing it into his worn jeans’ watch pocket.
Some of his former school friends watched admiringly as Brad expertly kicked the Harley to life and roared away down the street in a cloud of smoke and dust.
It was just over one hour later as fourth period class neared the end, when the Principal’s personal secretary disrupted classes with an urgent public address summoning the principal to the main office.
Only one of the gang suspected what was coming.
But when their portly white haired Principal, himself, came on the p.a. and ordered immediate evacuation of all 2200 students – followed by nerve-jangling fire bells – many of the cafe gang began to suspect that good old B.G. had indeed answered his Halloween challenge!
Strictly controlled by teachers, students quickly filed out of the school complex. They lined up on sidewalks and school playing fields, looking like military recruits. Most believed it was just another fire drill. With no opportunity to retrieve coats, shivering students and teachers complained.
Minutes dragged by as only the cafe gang crowd realized what was afoot, and they dared not break their code of silence!
Finally, instructions were passed along outdoors: “school is closed for the rest of the day – students are dismissed”. Only teachers willing to volunteer for unspecified duties were allowed to re-enter the building at all.
Finally, any remaining doubts in the minds of the cafe gang disappeared as a police ‘bomb squad’ truck arrived, escorted by several police cars, sirens wailing!
Forty minutes later wide-eyed fellow teenage conspirators tried to burn off excess adrenaline by dancing to the beat of ‘blue suede shoes’. They had rendezvoused at their favorite after school hangout, latch-key Ron Brown’s musty basement rec room.
Now they anxiously awaited their hero.
When Brad did arrive, after cautiously phoning first to make sure it was safe, it was clear he too was surprised and a little shocked by the dramatic reception to his telephone call to the school office.
Joining his back-slapping friends, his fearless motorcycle hands now trembled slightly. Pleased as he was to receive accolades from his contemporaries for his bold telephone booth performance, small seeds of doubt nibbled at his conscience. Still it was another good excuse to collect more cigarettes from his admirers.
Some of the group actually shared his telephone conversation experience vicariously. Other’s now proudly suggested they had a role in dreaming up the idea at the cafe.
But somehow, both the originator of the idea, and the fateful contributor of the dime remained anonymous.
However, unknown to the gang, major events were unfolding even as they reveled in their imagined triumph over authority.
In fact memories were being deeply etched in the minds of school volunteers. Fearful, anxious, men and women, police and teachers, searched courageously through storage rooms; boiler rooms; classrooms; and student lockers.
And after finding the carefully wrapped package containing 13 sticks of dynamite, breathlessly defused by the bomb squad with its simple but deadly timer; none of them could possibly know that teenage school drop-out, Brad Gaudin, was, really, a ‘true hero’.
– the end –
(editors note: kids involved eventually faced youth court charges.)
The media elevates an entertainer’s sad death (eg Gordon Downie and so many others) but are unable to provide any explanation as to ‘why we die’, and/or true consolation!
In fact religious elements shamefully fail to provide the well explained reason for the cause of (natural) death in Scripture *, and/or even worse frequently misrepresent God’s future purpose for all mankind!
In fact God’s plan and ability to provide life after death is not only clearly explained in scripture, but there are numerous well documented cases of resurrection, the greatest of these being that of his son Jesus Christ!
Those grieving the loss of loved ones can read of these examples and find comfort from them. In fact there is abundant evidence a general resurrection ** NO NOT IN HEAVEN BUT RIGHT HERE ON OUR BEAUTIFUL PLANET EARTH! THAT is God’s future purpose for all those who humbly seek his approval, and, owing to his mercy, even those who do not!Their extended future life being determined by future, not past behavior!
*Matthew 5:12 “ That is why, just as through one man sin entered into the world and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because they had all sinned.
**Matthew 24:15,16: ” ….. there is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous.Because of this I always strive to maintain a clear conscience before God and men.”
I’ve touched on this subject before but am compelled to add to it because of ongoing observations. As a senior citizen, I feel very blessed to have been able to observe ‘some’ of nature throughout many years now, without being a back-woods hermit or luddite*.
Though I cannot claim to have been on African Safari’s, or an explorer in deep sea quests, yet from my viewpoint and experience it is utterly obvious that we have only begun to appreciate the complexity and diversity of life on planet earth.
That complexity and diversity of life on earth speaks volumes to me. It says that there is a power and intelligence far beyond human capability, yet still within our capacity to appreciate… if we are humble enough.
Humility is sadly lacking in most of humankind. Philosophers throughout the ages prefer to theorize, even that somehow we may only exist in a dream world. Descortes famously said ‘I think therefore I am!” A complex belief that internal thought and doubt are the only things we can trust. Even today’s science suggests by sheer accidental means we have developed into the ultimate life-form on earth. Even worse, that we are capable of managing our own affairs, and even all other life-forms of the earth wisely. Clearly real facts have proven otherwise!
These assumptions, supported by never-ending, conflicting and unsupported fanciful theories, strikes me as the greatest weakness of our kind, otherwise known as absolute arrogance!
Countless generations of mankind including first nations peoples, have proven beyond a doubt we desperately need superior guidance to manage our affairs in order to care for all life on earth, including the environment. This may well be the simple, primary purpose for mankind’s existence!
Its becoming more obvious to thinking people every day; this unique and beautiful planet was never intended to be managed in isolation from its designer and builder. Isn’t it about time we humbly and respectfully acknowledge that basic truth?**
*luditte: a person opposed to new technology or ways of working.
** He is “the Creator of the heavens, . . . the Former of the earth and the Maker of it.” (Isa 45:18) He is “the Former of the mountains and the Creator of the wind” (Exodus 20:11) and He is “the One who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all the things in them.”
In general the expression ‘over the moon’ means exceptional feelings of course, and many of us share them with NASA today. However the Artemis crew’s views also adds new thoughtful meaning.
Tonight I add to their appreciation by personally observing the stunning beauty of a radiant full moon (May 1st 2026)!
In contrast the visual impressions of the ‘far side’, from all camera views simply show a dull ‘brownish surface material’! To me that ‘dark side’ emphasizes the contrasting nature of ‘our near side‘! How so?
Although still to be verified, there appears to be a reflective surface aspect to ‘our near side’ of the moon that is significantly dissimilar to the dark side. Check this out! *
If so what could this unique ‘reflective‘ surface material be attributed to..? Indeed, what well known feature has the moon always presented for us earthlings? Needless to say it is, and always will be, ‘a shining light‘ * for all mankind
The blanket of fine, loose, fragmental material covering the entire visible surface of the Moon is often called lunar soil, though it lacks the organic content of Earth’s soil it consists of pulverized rock fragments, mineral grains, and tiny glassy particles called agglutinates.” (biology insights)
Yes, I’m suggesting the near side of the moon has been especially designed for us by a grand and loving Creator!
* And God went on to make the two great luminaries, the greater luminary for dominating the day and the lesser luminary for dominating the night, and also the stars. Thus God put them in the expanse of the heavens to shine upon the earth and to dominate by day and by night and to make a division between the light and the darkness. Then God saw that it was good. (Genesis 1:16-18)
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The following excerpt regarding prospects for mars habitation is not related but very interesting:
Exposure to the unmediated Martian environment isn’t just hostile to human beings; it’s immediately lethal. While it may be possible to create a habitable environment on Mars, those habitats would be closer to hermetically sealed space stations or submarines than frontier settlements. (by freelance writer Alan Bradley’s ‘five myths’ about habiting mars)
Earth Rise!