"Religuous" is Ridiculous

Bill Maher has been very clear as to what he believes "religion" is. He is wrong. I can't speak for other faiths but I can categorically assert Christianity is not about embracing the end of the world or wishing for death. It's about embracing and hanging on to life the only way possible: Jesus Christ. All the evils of the world montaged at end of Maher's movie can be traced to only one source: sin. If you want to be free of it faith in Jesus is the only way. Maher expresses the exact opposite of what the Bible says. Trust in God is the answer not doubt. Faith is not equivalent to shutting off your brain and not thinking. God has given us enough evidence that your faith can be based on reason. His and Christopher Hitchen's definition of faith is wrong. The Bible does not give us all the answers, just enough so that we can put our faith in the right place. I disagree with the following video in more ways that I can count. None of his arguments stand up to any kind of scrutiny.



One of the most important problem I see that Maher has is that he believes that he is angry that it appears that Christians believe that we have the answers. He thinks that we think we are better than those who confess that they don't know. To be honest, we know that we are not better than anyone else. It's only because of God's grace and mercy that we know what we do. We know what happens when someone dies only because God told humanity what happens.
So much of what the Bible teaches can substantiate by archeology, history, and science. As for everything else it cannot be refuted.

C'mon Now, We Gotta Be Fair

On James White's Blog, he made the following brilliant observation:

I noticed some of the websites/blogs I read regularly were complaining about this banner that has been hung in Nazareth:

I have not the slightest complaint about Muslims hanging this banner. This is Surah 112, Al-Ikhlaas, "the Purity." It is as close as you can get to a creedal statement in the Qur'an. I have referenced it often on this blog and in my YouTube videos. As such, if I were a Muslim, I would want Christians to know what the Qur'an says about Isa (Jesus), and hanging a sign with that text on it would be just as valid as my hanging a sign outside an Islamic event with a text such as the Carmen Christi (Phil. 2:5-11) or John 1:1 and 18, or something like this. I would, however, like to point out a few rather obvious things. First, the hanging of the banner once again reminds us of the fundamental nature of Islamic theology: at its core it is defined by its opposition to the central assertions of Christianity. Though Islam has promoted its own mythology about how all the prophets were Muslims and Jesus and the apostles were Muslims, etc., the fact is Islam comes six hundred years after Christianity, and as such, had to fight to define itself as the "newcomer." Its scriptures give witness to this battle. Notice, for example, Surah 5:116-117:

And behold! Allah will say: "O Jesus the son of Mary! Didst thou say unto men, worship me and my mother as gods in derogation of Allah'?" He will say: "Glory to Thee! never could I say what I had no right (to say). Had I said such a thing, thou wo uldst indeed have known it. Thou knowest what is in my heart, though I know not what is in Thine. For Thou knowest in full all that is hidden. Never said I to them aught except what Thou didst command me to say, to wit, 'worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord'; and I was a witness over them whilst I dwelt amongst them; when Thou didst take me up Thou wast the Watcher over them, and Thou art a witness to all things.

The essence of Islam as a denial of Christian belief cannot be ignored. Which leads us to my second observation. In the large portion of the world's nations Christians would not be granted the freedom to hang a sign similar to this one. Surely in no Muslim nation would they be allowed to, and in many Western nations today, a riot could quite possibly break out if it happened. Some places in France, or in England, would be very inhospitable places were a Christian to engage in such an act. Yet, if a Muslim chose to show up, say, outside one of our events with a sign bearing Al-Ikhlaas, how would we respond? We'd go witness to him! We would want him to know the Gospel, and we would make sure he realized that the sign he was carrying shows that his prophet contradicted himself! We would proclaim the biblical truth of the relationship of the Father and the Son, and make sure he realized what we really believed. But no true Christian would ever threaten the man, would never wish ill upon the man. We would pray for him and for his salvation. So at this Christmas season, pray that the Gospel would go forth with great power into the hearts and minds of the Muslim people. Oh Lord of the harvest, save these precious people! Reveal the glory of Christ to them, and bring them to yourself!

I thought it was important to post the whole thing. What is important to remember is that we can't silence Muslims just because we don't agree with them. That is what many try to do to us. Dr White is correct. Instead of crying foul because a Muslim challenges our faith, we should be able to stand up to them and explain what we believe and why we believe it. Anyone who honestly investigate the Bible will have to agree that it is unassailable. The Quran...not so much. If we stand for the truth, God will not let us down.

Apollo 8 Christmas

I found the video on YouTube. On Christmas 1968, the crew of Apollo 8 celebrated Christmas as they orbited the moon. They read the book of Genesis. What better way to celebrate Christmas?

Honda Foiled

I found a video on YouTube and it was funny....in a way. I felt sorry for the poor woman doing the presentation too. Apparently during a demonstration of human-sized, two-legged robot, the robot failed to walk up stairs. It walked across the stage just fine however. It's in Japanese but trust me you don't need to understand the narration to appreciate this. Take a look.



I noticed that the stage had the Honda logo. Could it be that Honda may shift gears to Robotics Research and Development? Considering the way the automobile industry is going in the United States, focusing on Robots my not be a bad idea.

Madea Goes To Jail

It's been announced that Tyler Perry's newest movie will be released February 20, 2009. It's called Madea Goes To Jail which is based on the play of the same name. Is it going to be exactly like the play? I don't know. I liked the play. Tyler Perry's work is wildly popular among Christians especially black Christians. A lot of Christians believe that it's wholesome entertainment because of the morality being taught and the fact that Christ is looked to as the answer for life's problems. I agree. You can completely see that when you see the plays. However, the movies are a little different. Perry has had to tone down the religious truths in the movies to give them more mass market appeal. I'm not really willing to "throw him under the bus" because of this. The movies still have good moral and Christian values. There is somethings that can't be ignored. God says in his word that men should not dress like women and women should not dress like men in order to pass as the other gender.
Deuteronomy 22:5 says:

The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God.

This is the bottom line. Based on this I'm not sure if I can, in good conscience, condone this movie. It's something I will be praying about. Here is the trailer:

New Clips from "Hulk vs"

Marvel.com has released new clips from the new DVD this January. I'm really excited about it. I'm re-posting two of the clips. I think they represent what will be final on the DVD. I'm amazed about the violence and ferocity of the Wolverine chapter but being familiar with the characters leads to the realization that it could be nothing else. Only criticism I have is that the Hulk's blood is green not red. And I'm not sure if Wolverine could really take that much punishment without being turned into jell-o. Here is a clip from the Wolverine chapter:


Here is a clip from the Thor chapter:

Trailer for Street Fighter IV

Here is a trailer for one of the characters in Street Fighter IV named Gouken. Gouken is interesting because I have never seen him before in a game. He is huge and he is the one who taught Street Fighter staple characters Ken and Ryu all of their moves. Fighting Gouken will never get old.

Street Fighter II is the seminal video game of my life. Without it,I would not have gotten into video games or engineering. It was the first game of its kind. There had been other head-to-head fighting games but I bet that most people would agree that Street Fighter was the tipping point for that genre of video gaming. Combining large characters, 6 buttons and a control stick, great music and graphics, with interesting characters made the game series a success. This success lead to all the other great fighting game franchises. Thankfully, Capcom followed up Street Fighter II with more games in the series. The lastest is Street Fighter IV and to be honest I'm excited. Makes me wanna run out and buy a PS3 right now (I won't). In terms of a legacy, I think Street Fighter may be one of reasons I am so attracted to MUGEN. Much of MUGEN is based on the look and feel found in Street Fighter II. Well, while I wait for the opportunity to own Street Fighter IV, let-alone play the game, I can enjoy the earlier versions of the game I do own and enjoying MUGEN.

Heroes: "The Recruit" Part 2

Movie Trailer: PUSH

There's a movie coming out next year called "PUSH". It's in the vein of X-men and Heroes. Young people with mental powers are running from the government, trying to get out of their control and live free lives. It looks really cool. Check out the trailer.

Church Discipline

More and more often the following situation is coming up in America: Churches are being challenged - are we going to do what God has commanded despite what the liberal media and society says - or will we compromise? I just found out from Dr. James White's YouTube channel that FOX News is reporting on a woman complaining against her church because they are going to publicly admonish her for engaging in premarital sex with her boyfriend who is not a church member. She says that they have no right to publicly disclose her private life and that they should leave it alone because she resigned from the church. The church followed Biblically mandated steps for restoring a member who has fallen into sin. Again, it's interesting to compare what secular sources report versus Christian sources. Fox News calls it an "outrage" and "extortion". Here is that article. I like the articles on the Christian blog called Church Matters. The bloggers there are correct. The idea of a church holding a member accountable for the choices they make in their day-to-day lives seems foreign in a world that tells us that you can do anything you want and live any kind of way and no one has the right to judge you. This is exactly opposite what the Bible teaches. A Bible-based church will be persecuted for taking this position. We must be. This world is not our home. We are merely passing through. The world considers it strange that what this woman does outside of church would affect anyone who goes and it does. Although she resigned, the church must still deal with situation. Just because she left, does not mean it's over. The church leaders must also consider the ones who are left in the church. They must make a public declaration that sin is sin and can't be tolerated. It really is "Holiness or Hell". The Fox News article tries to make the woman out to be a victim. "Look at the bad, intolerant, and unloving church!" I'm reminded of the snarling monkey from Family Guy that is always pointing a finger. Such is the state of our society. Interesting enough the actual letter the church sent to the woman has been posted on the Internet. I can't find anything mean or unloving in it. It appears that they are pleading with her to all them to help her restore her relationship to Jesus. Here is the letter (just Click on it to read it):




Here are Dr. James White's Comments

Tribute to Majel Barrett-Roddenberry

If you haven't heard the single actor to have participated in all 7 television series, webisodes, and 11 films (yes including the one that hasn't been released yet) has died. Majel Barrett-Roddenberry was not just married to the creator of the Star Trek but she was also a producer in her own right and an actress. She played the voice of the star fleet computer in every series and movie and she has also play major recurring roles in front of the camera. Remember Number One from the Pilot? What about Nurse Chapel in the original series? Deanna Troi's mother in Next Generation and D9? Yup, all her. One story I would have loved to have seen was about her reaction to Worf dating Deanna at the end of Next Generation. How would that I have gone down? Here is a tribute to her found on YouTube.

Update: Obama Picked Rick Warren to Participate in Inauguration

Barack Obama has come under fire for inviting Pastor Rick Warren to speak during the inauguration. Warren will be delivering the Invocation. I am amazed at how the same people who will accuse Christians of being intolerant and close-minded are so violently opposed against the Christian worldview. People who are for gay marriage are infuriated that Warren will be allowed to speak because Warren is against gay marriage and abortion. Why would that be? If America is supposed to provide freedom of expression, then why can't people like Warren be allowed to speak? Just because I disagree with you doesn't mean you should shut up. They act like they can't stand to hear anything contrary to what they have convinced themselves is right. Chances are he would not even bring up either abortion or gay marriage during the inauguration...it would be inappropriate in that context.

Thankfully, I like to see that Obama is not going to let these "supporters" push him around. I foound an article online in which he defended his decision. In a calm, well-reasoned manner he told them how it was going to be and that he was going to remain consistent.

Obama replied, "let me start by talking about my own views. I think that it is no secret that I am a fierce advocate for equality for gay and lesbian Americans. It is something that I have been consistent on, and something that I contend -- intend to continue to be consistent on during my presidency.

What I've also said is that it is important for America to come together, even though we may have disagreements on certain social issues. And I would note that a couple of years ago, I was invited to Rick Warren's church to speak, despite his awareness that I held views that were entirely contrary to his when it came to gay and lesbian rights, when it came to issues like abortion. Nevertheless, I had an opportunity to speak. And that dialogue, I think, is part of what my campaign's been all about; that we're not going to agree on every single issue, but what we have to do is to be able to create an atmosphere when we -- where we can disagree without being disagreeable and then focus on those things that we hold in common as Americans.

"So Rick Warren has been invited to speak. Dr. Joseph Lowery, who has deeply contrasting views to Rick Warren on a whole host of issues, is also speaking. During the course of the entire inaugural festivities, there are going to be a wide range of viewpoints that are presented. And that's how it should be, because that's what America's about. That's part of the magic of this country, is that we are diverse and noisy and opinionated. And so, you know, that's the spirit in which, you know, we have put together what I think will be a terrific inauguration. And that's, hopefully, going to be a spirit that carries over into my administration."

After I read this, I gained even more respect for the man. We need someone to regain credibility and honor for the office of the President of the United States. Looks like Barack Obama is off to a good start.

Here is a video of the above comments:

Unfair Criticism

I have recently come across a video where Pastor Rick Warren is criticized for telling an audience of unbelievers that people should not worry about pleasing themselves but work to improve the lives of people around us. The critic is upset because Pastor Warren did not tell them that they need to be saved and give their lives over to Christ. The video is just a clip. I don't know if that he did or did not tell them about sin and the need for repentance but I know for sure that in his book Purpose Driven Life, Warren does talk about sin and the need for repentance. This I am sure about. I don't think that there is anything wrong in telling unbelievers to find out what God has purposed for them. I mean what higher purpose does God have but for us to trust Jesus and be saved from our sins. Warren is trying to inspire a world that denies the need of God to search for him. We know that if people search for God he will show them Jesus for only through Jesus will we reach our full potential and fulfill God's purposes for us.

This Is Separation of Church and State?

I just heard about a Muslim woman, named Lisa Valentine, who was arrested in a suburb of Atlanta, GA because she would not remove her head dress before entering the court room. She was sentenced to 10 days in jail for contempt of court. She said that she feels like her civil and human rights were violated because her religion dictates that she keeps her head covered.

I have found two articles on the incident. The first one is from the Associated Press and from Muslim Matters. It's interesting to see what information is shared and what isn't. They both explain and agree about the facts. The Muslim writer believes that the woman and all Muslims have been slighted and that they must push for the right to practice their religion. The Associated Press article tells us that when the bailiff told Valentine that she could not go into the court, she explained that she has been in court with the scarf before. She turned to leave and "uttered an expletive". At the point she was arrested and sentenced. Now, I understand that she was angry. However had she not cursed the bailiff, she probably would not have been arrested.

Here is my question: Where does "Separation of Church and State" begin? Where does it end? What I'm getting at is that right now prayer in public school is illegal under certain circumstances. Why is a teacher leading a Christian prayer in a school wrong, yet it's a human right for a woman to keep her head covered when everyone else in the court have to take their head gear off? I'm not saying that keeping the head gear on is wrong. I just wanna know why is one a right and the other isn't. I would like more information on this case. Could a Jewish man keep his head covering for religious reasons in the same court room? If so, the Valentine was being treated unfairly. I think that stinks. But if it is the policy that no one wears head gear than that changes things. This is a tough question. Is it a human right to be allowed to practice your religion despite the rest of society. It seems like America and Europe have become increasingly secular and Christianity is being relegated to second-class status. However, Islam seems to be protected. I think it's out of fear. In America, most people seem willing to allow Muslims a lot of latitude, after-all they think that if we don't they will be violent. On the other hand, society thinks that Christians are doormats and know that we are not supposed to be violent. They expect Muslims to be confrontational and violent. Not all Muslims are violent but is a stereotype.

Heroes: The Recruit

As I have already written, the last part volume 3 of Heroes just aired in North America. Volume 4: "Fugitives" will not start until February 2009. When I heard this I was vary, very upset because I want to know what will happen next. Fortunately, God, in his infinite forebearance and mercy, has moved upon the hearts and minds of the people who run NBC and make the series to give us another webisode series to tie us over until February. Here is the first part:

Bible GIS Using Goggle Earth

I have used the KML files for Genesis and Exodus and loaded them into Google Earth to get the following movies. The GIS data is from Bible Geocoding.

Ultimate Disrespect

Okay, I came home from church and was greeted with news that I never thought I would hear: The President of the United States was assaulted...with shoes!!! You can't make this stuff up! George Bush made a surprise visit to Iraq today. What amazed me was that I'm sure it was just politics. He was saying "Look, I made Iraq so safe I can visit." Bush refuses to admit that invading Iraq was a mistake. For an Iraqi journalist to throw his shoes at Bush ans shout "Here is your farewell kiss, you dog!", you have to admit that he must not like Bush very much. Added to the fact that in Islamic culture, hitting a person with your shoe is a high insult...akin to slapping someone upside the face with an empty glove in medieval and classical Europe or giving someone "the finger" today in American culture. It shows complete disrespect. I don't know how we should respond. But I don't think that this is something we can ignore. This is not just a slight against Bush but against the Presidency and America. I'm not happy about it at all.

Family Portraits 12-13-2008

My wife and I took Makayla out to make family portraits. I thought I would post them below. I love the technology that allows you to post your pictures in a virtual gallery. You may have to download the latest plugins for your browser to see this but it's cool to see.

Latin Comedy's "300" Spoof

I saw one of the most funniest parodies I have ever seen on YouTube. It made me fall out laughing.




I have to say that it not only perfectly reminds me of the movie "300" but also comments on the immigration problems of the United States. "Tonight! We dine in....San Diego!"

Wolverine Trailer

Here is the trailer playing in front of the 2008 version of the "The Day The Earth Stood Still".