MARANATA !!!

MARANATA !!!
Showing posts with label Religion and Spirituality. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Religion and Spirituality. Show all posts

Sunday, April 28, 2013

ALISTAIR BEGG:MY TIMES ARE IN YOUR HANDS- (1) Biola University


Alistair Begg: My times are in Your hands (1) Biola University

Biola Chapel from April 22, 2013 - “One of the distinguishing marks of a Christian, of a Christian worldview is to be found in the way in which  he or she views the passing of time and the ordering of the events of life.”

Psalm 31: 

A Psalm of Complaint and of Praise.

1In You, O Lord, I have taken refuge;
Let me never be ashamed;
In Your righteousness deliver me.
2 Incline Your ear to me, rescue me quickly;
Be to me a rock of strength,
A stronghold to save me.
3 For You are my rock and my fortress;
For Your name’s sake You will lead me and guide me.
4 You will pull me out of the net which they have secretly laid for me,
For You are my strength.
Into Your hand I commit my spirit;
You have ransomed me, O Lord, God of truth.

I hate those who regard vain idols,
But I trust in the Lord.
7 I will rejoice and be glad in Your lovingkindness,
Because You have seen my affliction;
You have known the troubles of my soul,
8 And You have not given me over into the hand of the enemy;
You have set my feet in a large place.

9 Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am in distress;
My eye is wasted away from grief, my soul and my body also.
10 For my life is spent with sorrow
And my years with sighing;
My strength has failed because of my iniquity,
And my body has wasted away.
11 Because of all my adversaries, I have become a reproach,
Especially to my neighbors,
And an object of dread to my acquaintances;
Those who see me in the street flee from me.
12 I am forgotten as a dead man, out of mind;
I am like a broken vessel.
13 For I have heard the slander of many,
Terror is on every side;
While they took counsel together against me,
They schemed to take away my life.

14 But as for me, I trust in You, O Lord,
I say, “You are my God.”
15 My times are in Your hand;
Deliver me from the hand of my enemies and from those who persecute me.

Alistair Begg:

Gauguin, the post impressionist painter, painted large and very graphic pictures, particularly of women from the islands. He led a dissolute life, although brought up as a Roman Catholic and catechized, and he was not known for writing on his paintings, apart from signing them. But, on one of his most famous paintings, depicting the journey of man form birth to the grave, he wrote on the top corner, he wrote 3 questions: Where do we come from? What are we? Where are we going? Unfortunately, he had no answer for those questions. He died in his fifties, as a result, really, of a life that was lived in excess, without finding answers to those questions.

In contrast, the catechism, the Heidelberg (corrupted a little), asks the question: What is our only hope in life and death? And it provides an answer: That we are not our own, but belong, body and soul, both in life and death to God and to our Savior, Jesus Christ. You see, one of the distinguishing marks of a Christian, of a Christian worldview is to be found in the way in which  he or she views the passing of time and the ordering of the events of life. To think Christianly is to have a radical shift in the way in which we view all of these issues and to be able to affirm, “My times, o God is in your hands,” is a Christian thing to do. And so, I want to say just 3 things on the strength of that this morning

 

Alistair Begg: Never Forgotten – Biola University Chapel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=I39OdPpI2RU
Reblogged from
15222_543466175705136_437430743_n

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

A NEW BOOK AT ICR-THE DESIGN AND COMPLEXITY OF THE CELL by Jeffrey P. Tomkins, Ph.D.


    

The Design and Complexity of the Cell

by Jeffrey P. Tomkins, Ph.D.


The majority of scientifically trained biologists and geneticists are taught that the apparent design that is observed in cells is the result of only random chemical and energy processes operating over eons of time. Such a belief system prompts their thinking to rest on purely natural logic, producing materialistic conclusions—and often ignoring or marginalizing the implications of careful engineering and design.

There are, however, multiple thousands of scientists who accept the Bible’s message that there is a Creator who planned the creation, designed the intricate engineering efficiencies into that creation, and then built the product: our planet and its wonderfully unique life and functions. That belief system not only fits empirically with what is observed (design, precise function, operational efficiencies, etc.), but provides insight that enables creation-based scientists to grasp the significance of the information more readily—without having to invent a supposed eons-long story for the development of what is actually observed.

Dr. Jeffrey Tomkins and his contributing colleagues have provided an excellent resource that documents and helps explain the intricate processes of cells, and gives keen insight for “clearly seeing” the obvious hand of the Creator in the “things that are made” (Romans 1:20).


Click here for more information about Dr. Jeffrey Tomkins and contributing authors.

Primary Author


Dr. Jeffrey Tomkins

Research Associate


Dr. Jeffrey Tomkins earned a master’s degree in Plant Science in 1990 from the University of Idaho, where he performed research in plant hormones. He received his Ph.D. in Genetics from Clemson University in 1996. While at Clemson, he worked as a research technician in a plant breeding/genetics program, with a research focus in the area of quantitative and physiological genetics in soybean. After receiving his Ph.D., he worked at a genomics institute and became a faculty member in the Department of Genetics and Biochemistry at Clemson. He had become a Christian as an undergraduate at Washington State University in 1982, with a goal to eventually work as a scientist and author in the creation science field. In 2009, Dr. Tomkins joined the Institute for Creation Research as Research Associate. He is the primary author of The Design and Complexity of the Cell.


 Contributing Authors


Dr. Nathaniel Jeanson

Deputy Director for Life Sciences

 Contribution:

  • Chapter 9: The Biology of Stem Cells

  • Chapter 10: Processes and Implications of Stem Cell Research

For more information about Dr. Jeanson, click here.



Dr. Brad Forlow


 Contribution:

  • Appendix 2: The Development of Pharmaceutical Therapeutics


Dr. Randy Guliuzza

National Representative


 Contribution:

  • Life’s Indispensable Microscopic Machines

  • Life-Giving Blood

  • Human Reproduction

  • Immune Systems, The Body’s Security Force

  • Darwinian Medicine: A Prescription for Failure

For more information about Dr. Guliuzza, click here.



Brian Thomas

Science Writer


 Contribution:

  • Have Scientists Created a Synthetic Cell?

  • Where Did Flesh-eating Bacteria Come From?

  • Brain’s Complexity “Is Beyond Anything Imagined”

  • The Mysteries of Stunning Soft Tissue Fossil Finds

For more information about Mr. Thomas, click here.



Frank Sherwin

Research Associate, Senior Lecturer, and Science Writer


 Contribution:

  • Cells: Sophisticated and God-Designed

For more information about Mr. Sherwin, click here.

Click here to read the Foreword by Dr. Henry Morris III.

Foreword

The functions within the cells of our bodies are foundational to our existence. Understanding these functions has made the environment and the processes of our lifestyles healthier, more enjoyable, and more productive. All of humanity has benefited from the life sciences and the scientists who have dedicated their considerable skills to uncovering the functions and processes of the multifaceted variety of cells.

Although scientists have discovered, documented, and developed wonderful insights about the complex information, precise sequential processes, and unique interwoven controls within cells, there is a huge chasm among scientists when they try to understand how these highly efficient processes got started in the first place.

The majority of scientifically trained biologists and geneticists are taught that the apparent design that is observed in cells is the result of only random chemical and energy processes operating over eons of time. Such a belief system prompts their thinking to rest on purely natural logic, producing materialistic conclusions— and often ignoring or marginalizing the implications of careful engineering and design.

There are, however, multiple thousands of scientists who accept the Bible’s message that there is a Creator who planned the creation, designed the intricate engineering efficiencies into that creation, and then built the product: our planet and its wonderfully unique life and functions. That belief system not only fits empirically with what is observed (design, precise function, operational efficiencies, etc.), but provides insight that enables creation-based scientists to grasp the significance of the information more readily—without having to invent a supposed eons-long story for the development of what is actually observed. Dr. Jeffrey Tomkins and his contributing colleagues have provided an excellent resource that will document and help explain the intricate processes of cells and give some keen insight for “clearly seeing” the obvious hand of the Creator in the “things that are made” (Romans 1:20).

Each chapter is written for technical accuracy. Most high school biology students will find the information similar to what is in their textbooks—but more carefully explained regarding the clear presence of design. Interspersed throughout the book are short articles that will provide specific examples of the cellular functions as they impact system operation. These examples will provide observable applications of how these marvelous processes insure that the purpose of each design is fulfilled.

At the end of each chapter is an information summary that will reinforce the science discussed and outline the design characteristics easily identified by the discoveries.

This book is designed as a scientific resource and ready reference, as well as an apologetic tool to use as a witness of the omnipotent and omniscient Creator and Savior. Our prayer at the Institute for Creation Research is that you will find both of these purposes fulfilled in your life.

Henry M. Morris III
Chief Executive Officer
Institute for Creation Research

Click here to see the Table of Contents.

Table of Contents

Page


Contributors
7
Foreword
9
Introduction
10
Chapter 1 Dogma and Science Surrounding Cell Origins 13


Abiogenesis 13


The Evolutionary Problem of the Cell 17


Have Scientists Created Artificial Life? 18


Summary 19


Application: Have Scientists Created a Synthetic Cell? 20
Chapter 2 A Basic Description of Cells and Cell Types 23


A Basic Definition of Cells 23


Two Basic Cell Types in Biology 25


Prokaryotic Cell Characteristics 27


Development of a Model System for Cell Biology 30


E. coli: The Prokaryotic Model for Evolution 30


The Role of Cells in Biological Creation 31


Summary 33


Application: Life’s Indispensable Microscopic Machines 34
Chapter 3 Eukaryotic Cells and Multicellularity 37


The Highly Engineered Eukaryotic Nucleus and Mitochondria 38


Mitochondria: The Evolutionary Model of Symbiosis Is Unsupported 40


Plant Cell Chloroplasts 41


Additional Eukaryotic Cell Characteristics 42


Summary 45


Application: Life-Giving Blood 46
Chapter 4 Genes and Proteins 49


DNA: The Cell’s Genetic Blueprint 49


Making a Protein 50


A Masterpiece of Design and Purpose 53


Summary 54


Application: Where Did Flesh-Eating Bacteria Come From? 55
Chapter 5 Cell Division and DNA Replication: How Life Is Engineered to Perpetuate 57


Cell Division: The Basic Biological Process Required for Life 57


Mitosis 59


Meiosis 60


Summary 64


Application: Brain’s Complexity “Is Beyond Anything Imagined” 65
Chapter 6 Cell Signaling: The Miracle of the Biological Network 67


Cell Surface Receptors 67


Neurons 69


Summary 71


Application: Human Reproduction 72
Chapter 7 The Cytoskeleton and the Extracellular Matrix: How Biology Achieves Shape, Form, and Movement 75


Actin Filaments and Microtubules 75


Junctions between Cells 77


The Extracellular Matrix 79


Summary 80


Application: The Mysteries of Stunning Soft Tissue Fossil Finds 81
Chapter 8 Cells in Creation, Sin, and Redemption 83


Plants 83


Photosynthesis and Respiration 84


Water, Air, and Land Creatures 85


Consequences of the Curse 86


Summary 87


Application: Immune Systems, the Body’s Security Force 88
Chapter 9 The Biology of Stem Cells 91


The Biology of Adult Stem Cells 91


Cellular Mechanisms of Self-Renewal and Differentiation 93


Molecular Mechanisms of Self-Renewal and Differentiation 94


The Biology of Embryonic Stem Cells 95


How Embryonic Stem Cells Work: Mechanisms of ESC Self-Renewal and Differentiation 95


The Origins of Human Cellular Diversity: The Fact of Creation and the Insufficiency of Evolution 96


Summary 97


Application: Darwinian Medicine: A Prescription for Failure 98
Chapter 10 Processes and Implications of Stem Cell Research 101


Reprogramming and Cloning 103


Stem Cells and Medicine: Cell Therapy 105


Stem Cell Ethics 106


Conclusion 109


Summary 110


Application: Cells: Sophisticated and God-Designed 111
Appendix 1 Biology and the Bible 113
Appendix 2 117


Therapeutic Intervention 117


Pharmaceutical Drug Discovery and Development 118


Pharmacological Inhibition 123


Conclusion 124
Glossary
125
Credits
128
Index
129

This beautiful, full-color book in hardcover is only $19.99 (plus shipping and handling). Click here to order your copy today!

Friday, May 18, 2012

MOVIE-JOHN BUNYAN-THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS TOWARD HEAVEN- FILM-CALATORIA CRESTINULUI SPRE CER

MOVIE-JOHN BUNYAN-THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS TOWARD HEAVEN-FILM CALATORIA CRESTINULUI SPRE CER-



http://vimeo.com/23437555

by Cornelius

This is an artist's rendition of John Bunyan -...
This is an artist’s rendition of John Bunyan — The famous Christian writer who wrote The Pilgrim’s Progress (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
One of the the bas-reliefs on the base of the ...
One of the the bas-reliefs on the base of the statue of John Bunyan in Bedford, sculpted by Joseph Edgar Boehm. They each represent a scene from “The Pilgrim’s Progress”. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)