Another Benefit of the Coronavirus Quarantine

My friend discovered during the Coronavirus Quarantine that he spent most of his time focused on the current moment. He savored the precious present experience, “as is”. He realized how much time he had previously wasted regretting the past and worrying about the future. Many people live with past remorse or fears of the future.

While the value of the present moment seems self-evident, some prefer to be mired in the acclaim of past achievement. My friend knew a man who would introduce himself with a job title from a previous decade. His 3 jobs since, were of lesser stature. He couldn’t accept the reality of his current position. So, he continued to bask in the glory of times long past gone. This was sad at best, unhealthy, at worst.

He never understood that fame is fleeting. In ancient times, the conquering hero would be paraded through the streets of Rome in a single chariot. This allowed the hero to be the sole beneficiary of all the adulation. Except, his servant would stand behind him, whispering in his ear, “Sic Transit Gloria” – “Fame is fleeting”. Or as Evita sung, “Fortune & Fame are not the solutions they promised to be. They are illusions.”

Others prefer to pick the scabs of old wounds. There is some sinister delight in not letting a spouse off the hook. Rather than enjoy any moments of current happiness, some would rather skewer spouses with the pain of past mistakes. It’s awful to be moored in misery. The seething cauldron of offenses, real or imaginary, are stirred constantly, until they spill over scathing both, the offender & offended.

There’s no escape until they discover forgiveness. “Forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds on the boot that crushed it.” It’s the unconditional Love of the Redemptive Cross, which Christ expressed to His false accusers & brutal executioners, “Father for give them, for they know not what they do”. Only then, can the past be abandoned, and the present, enjoyed.

The beauty of the present moment is that it is constantly changing. There is always something different to enjoy. Each majestic sunrise & sunset differs from day to day. The “Swings of Pleaides” or the “Reddening of a Rose” appear differently each day. The changing Seasons provide series of differing delights: from the blossoming of Springtime flowers, to the verdant pastures & bubbling brooks of summer, to the awesome colors of Autumn, to the breath-taking beauty of a winter’s snowfall embracing bare tree limbs and blanketing barren fields.

When the challenges of daily life can be viewed as “Temporary Inconveniences”,  the disappointment of failed expectations can be accepted “As Is”, and real or imagined fears can be endured, then, the slightest joy from a smile or a hug can be treasured, and the present moment becomes a blessed event, to be enjoyed and savored.

It is not by accident that God described Himself as, “I Am Who Am” -an affirmation of only being in the present. Clearly, by definition, God is timeless, always was and always will be. Yet, He describes Himself as only existing in the present moment. Which, upon reflection, is all that we have. Yesterday no longer exists. Tomorrow is promised to no one. So, “Carpe Diem” – “Seize the Day”. Don’t regret the past or fear the future. Just enjoy the present, “As Is”.

 

Science Debunks Darwin’s Theory of Evolution

My friend told me the following scientific refutation about “Darwin’s Theory of Evolution”:

Many people think that evolution simply means “Change”. We see change everywhere in nature.

But, Darwinian Evolution means Very Specific Change:

• A pool of non-organic chemical ooze somehow produced life-sustaining amino acids.
• All life (fish/birds/animals/man) are descendants from that pool of common ancestry.
• That common ancestry morphed into different species “Through Many Mutations, by Random Chance Through Time, guided by the “Natural Selection”, of the “Survival of the Fittest”.
• The Fossil Record would produce MILLIONS of “Transitional Fossils” as Proof of these many mutations through Time

Haeckel’s Embryos are considered the “Best Evidence” – that ALL living creatures are modified descendants of a common ancestor that lived millions and millions years ago.

Darwinism claims that EVERY NEW species can be explained by descent of modification from a “Common Ancestor”, resulting from the “Natural Selection”, by “Random Chance”, of genetic mutations.

Haeckel’s renowned sketches depict the embryos of a fish, salamander, tortoise, chicken, hog, calf, rabbit, and human side-by-side at three stages of development. However, when actual photographs were compared to Haeckel’s drawings, they didn’t fit. There were huge discrepancies between the Actual early stage embryos and Haeckel’s illustrations:

In some cases, he distorted his drawings to appear more similar than they are. In other cases, he used the SAME wood-cut to print embryos from different classes. Haeckel “cherry-picked” his examples, showing only a few of the 7 vertebrate classes, that happen to be more similar than the omitted classes – stacking the deck.

Darwin’s theory needs early embryo similarity to support the “Common Ancestry” required for decent, of modification, by mutation. Actual early stage embryos confirm the opposite reality – early stage dissimilarity. Embryologists rebuked Haeckel’s fraudulent drawings in the late 1860’s, but they remain in our text books today.

The Fossil Record & The Cambrian Explosion:

Darwin’s 1859 “Origin of the Species” postulated that there would be millions of “Transitional Fossils” of many mutations from one “Kind” to another, in the fossil record. The fossil record would be the ultimate irrefutable proof of Evolution. Without numerous transitional fossils, Darwin admitted that his theory would be false.

Paleontologists and anthropologists confirm that the dazzling display of thousands of fully formed fossils found in the “Cambrian Explosion” was created in a geological blink of an eye. This stunning variety of complex creatures has NO Transitional fossils, as required by Darwin.

The Cambrian Explosion gave rise to the sudden appearance of most of the major animal Phyla that are still alive today. These findings are absolutely contrary to “Darwin’s Tree of Life”. These animals, which are fundamentally different in their body plans, appear fully developed, all of a sudden, in what paleontologists have called, “The single most spectacular phenomenon of the fossil record.” It turns “Darwin’s Tree” upside-down, because the major groups of animals come first, instead of last, on top of the tree.

Fraudulent “Ape-man” Fossils:

The “Nebraska Man”, used as irrefutable evidence for evolution in the famous “Scopes Monkey Trial”, was a Fraud. It was formed from a single tooth found in 1922, that later proved to come from a pig.                                                                                                                                                                    The “Piltdown Man” was shown to be a hoax in 1953, because its teeth were filed and stained to appear old.                                                                    The “Java Man” was the misrepresentation of an ape’s skullcap and a man’s leg-bone.                                                                                                     “Lucy” was promoted to be the first creature to walk on 2 feet. “Lucy’s” skeleton is that of an extinct chimp.                                                                          The “Peking Man” supposedly consisted of 5 skulls, about 150 jaw fragments & teeth, and 9 thigh bones, discovered in part by the man involved in the “Piltdown Man” hoax. ALL of the “Peking Man” bones were lost before they could be examined for authenticity.                                      Not a single bone remains for examination for authenticity.  

Atheist and evolutionist, Richard Milton, sums up the fossil record of evolution: “In human anthropology, each new fragment of bone or tooth is enthusiastically greeted as further evidence of man’s decent by natural selection from an ancestral ape-like creature, when every single find of this sort has been definitively assigned to either Human or Apes, and not to any intermediate category.”                                                    NO transitional forms are found in the fossil record.

The sequential pictures of bent over creatures gradually standing erect in our text books are merely cartoon drawings that exist only in the imagination of the artist. Those pictures are not photographs of actual “Transitional Ape-Men” fossil skeletons. There are No Ape-Men.

Irreducible Complexity:

“Darwin’s Black Box” by biologist, Michel Behe, refutes the evolutionary process of many small random steps by the irrefutable scientific confirmation of complex biological entities that can only function if ALL OF THEIR PARTS EXIST AT THE SAME TIME, i. e. the human eye, the human ear, a bird’s wing, etc.

Einstein said that you cannot look at the human eye and not believe in God. The eye requires an intricate combination of complex parts to perform its function. Furthermore, even a complete eye is useless unless it belongs to a creature with the mental and neural capacity to process the information provided. Evolution allows only for small mutations and not this complex capacity all at once.

The ear is capable of sensory response to sound whose pressure at the eardrum is no greater than two ten thousandths of a millionth of barometric pressure. This pressure moves the ear drum about one hundred millionth of an inch. That dimension is approximately one hundredth the width of a hydrogen molecule. Random chance cannot accommodate that precision.

The bird’s wing cannot function as an organ of flight until the hooks and barbules are co-adapted to fit together perfectly. These interlocking hooks and intricate features suitable for flight are quite distinct from other feathers that supply warmth. Darwin and his disciples have no credible answers for this irreducible complexity.

Gould, a defender of “Evolution”, recognizes that “irreducible complexity” exists and that it refutes the principle of “many mutations by chance though time”. Gould stated that these things just occur, without explanation. Gould calls it “Punctuated Equilibrium”. He might as well call it “Abracadabra” – Poof.  A complicated thing just appears.

The DNA molecule is an example irreducible complexity and design beyond mathematical possibility of “chance”: “Signature in the Cell” by biologist Stephen C. Meyer is a 600 page comprehensive review and rebuttal of the evolution of random chance though time by many mutations, with recent scientific discoveries of the profoundly complex digital codes of the DNA molecule. (Darwin thought that the cell was a simple round blob with a brown center that split itself.) The actual machinations of the microscopic DNA molecule are mind-boggling.

The book, “Darwin on Trial” by attorney Philip E. Johnson:                                                

Reviewed the “evidence” of peer-reviewed scientific findings and concluded that Darwin’s theory of evolution was guilty of fraud and misrepresentation. Attorney Johnson has taught Law for over 20 years at the University of Berkeley – California, and found that:

“In fact, there is a great deal more to the creation/evolution controversy than meets the eye, or rather than meets the carefully cultivated media stereotype of “creationists” as Bible-quoting know-nothings who refuse to face up to the scientific evidence. The creationists have a very good point to argue:

What science educators propose to teach as “Evolution”, and label as Fact, is Not Based upon incontrovertible empirical scientific facts, but upon highly controversial philosophical presuppositions. The more people learn about the philosophical content of what scientists are calling” facts of evolution”, the less they are going to accept it.”                

There are many mutations WITHIN a species (but None BETWEEN species of a different kind). There are all sorts of cats, and all sorts of dogs, but NO DOG-CATS, NO APE-MEN. Darwinian disciples demonstrate many similarities AMONG species, but NO transitional fossils BETWEEN species of a different kind.

Instead, all the current empirical scientific evidence proves that the “Facts” supporting “The Theory of Evolution” are wrong or fraudulent.

People who believe that “We are created in the Image & Likeness of God, to be children of God and heirs to heaven”, are NOT Bible quoting Know-Nothings. Their belief is supported by rock-solid, irrefutable, empirical, Current Scientific Evidence in Biology, Geology, Paleantology, Anthropology, and the Statistical Mathematics of Probability & Impossibility.

To believe otherwise is foolish.

Anger in My Friend’s & Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood

My friend recently watched the movie, “Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood”. He was unprepared for the movie’s story. It was about a cynical magazine writer’s bitter hatred towards his father. The anger was a result of his father’s adulterous philandering while his wife was dying in the hospital.

The son couldn’t reconcile his devotion to his mother with his father’s depraved indifference to his wife. The father never visited his wife in the hospital. The father preferred fornicating with some bimbo, in his wife’s bed, at home. This blatant disregard for sacred Wedding Vows to satisfy some shallow gratuitous pleasure, enraged the son beyond measure. The seething cauldron of the son’s anger & hatred boiled over when the son punched the father in the face, with a closed fist, at his sister’s Wedding.

The son’s bitterness also spilled over onto his wife & child, family members, and work. His editor assigned him to do a story on “Mr. Rodgers”. This story assignment demeaned his career as a “Feature Story” writer. He wasn’t some “Filler Story” scribe. But he made an appointment to interview Mr. Rodgers, and get it over with. Instead of meeting with the writer for an hour in-depth interview, Mr. Rodgers met with him for about 5 minutes at the TV set, in between scenes.

They met for a few minutes during the next several weeks, both men asking each other questions. During the writer’s visits at the set, he began to notice the simple messages of the scenes. Over time, the writer began responding to Mr. Rodger’s gentle nature. Eventually, experiencing, the life-changing moment that, “Forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds on the boot that crushed it.” The writer visited his father.

The writer’s transformation was complete with an entire family reunion at the father’s home, shortly before their father’s death. The magazine editor made the writer’s story the “Featured Article”, with “Cover Page” treatment.

The writer’s life-changing transformation was not the result of sanctimonious preaching. Mr. Rodgers followed St. Francis Assisi’s advice, “Preach the Gospel at all times. Use words when necessary.” The reflection of the presence of Christ’s forgiveness, acceptance, and love within Mr. Rogers was self-evident to others.

A different story about anger was closer to home. It involved my friend’s neighbor. The neighbor’s mother died, which was a blessing. She was suffering at the end. What troubled the entire family was the youngest brother’s disturbance at his mother’s bed-side, in the hospital, the night before she died. It was bitter, pent-up anger unleashed towards all present. Inexplicably, the youngest son attempted to convert his 86-year old mother from her life-long Catholicism to his Baptist religion.

He spewed a self-righteous bed-side conversion rant when his mother’ respectfully refused his effort. The son became belligerent when family members intervened on their mother’s behalf. When told that the funeral would be held in a Catholic Church, the youngest son’s anger erupted into volcanic proportions. He screamed, “You’re all doomed to eternal damnation if you enter that Catholic-Satanic-Temple, then left. Stunned silence remained. Everyone tried to console their mother. She died the next day.

The priest provided a comforting eulogy emphasizing that their mother rests in the palm of God’s hand. And that her relatives should allow the peace of the Holy Spirit to rest in their hearts. He also reminded family members that no sin, no matter how vile or frequent, can exceed the forgiveness, of the welcoming embrace, of the outstretched arms, of the Redemptive Cross.

Perhaps, over time, like the magazine writer, the softness of God’s Grace will break the youngest son’s heart of stone. Then, empathy will replace his anger. Understanding will replace his “Need to be Right”. And Peace will quench his hurt. That’s the Cosmic Mystery of Forgiveness.

Both stories portray the destruction of anger &  hatred. The 1st story provides life-changing transformation. The 2nd story offers hope. It was the best of times. It was the worst of times. The difference resides in the heart of man.

 

Punching a Corporate Bully in the Nose

My friend, his wife, and 12-year old son had Just enjoyed a two-week vacation in London and Scotland.

In London, they stayed at his wife’s cousin’s home, which allowed them ample opportunity to experience all the usual tourist attractions and then some: Parliament & Big Ben, Westminster Abby, the changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, The Tower of London, along with country visits to Winsor Palace, Hampton Court, and Winston Churchills’ home, Chartwell. In between were lunches at Pubs, shopping at Harrods and exquisite stores, and ending the day with dinners at amazing restaurants. It was awesome.

In Scotland, they stayed at the luxurious Turnbury Hotel. From there, my friend played 2 British Open golf courses, Turnbury & Troon. His wife & son went horseback riding on the beach, along with visiting quaint shoppes, and touring historic churches & castles. Dinners were enjoyed in the Hotel’s magnificent dining room, overlooking the sea.

My friend made the necessary confirmations with British Airways for their return flight home as required: 24 hours in advance of departure. They arrived at Heathrow Airport one hour before the mandatory 2-hour pre-boarding (this was before the increased security check-in procedures). When he went to the counter to get his Boarding Pass & seat assignments, the BA Rep said that the computer gave away his reserved NON-Smoking seats, and that he & his family would HAVE to sit in the Smoking Area for the 8-hour flight.

My friend told the BA Rep that his option was unacceptable and that his explanation was a lie and demeaning. My friend had complied with ALL of BA pre-flight requirements. He said,

“The computer DID NOT give away our seats. An incompetent BA Employee gave away our seats. Now, some BA Rep, obtuse to customer service and the health & well-being of my family, summarily dismisses our contractual rights, and must take it or leave it. NO!

My family will not suffer BA’s Bad Faith, unreasonable resolution, bordering on depraved indifference, as a result of BA’s gross negligence and contempt for their contractual obligation. I am seeking neither undue enrichment, nor punitive remedy. I simply expect Equity – The restoration of our 3 Non-Smoking seats. (My friend cobbled together every Legal Tort Term he could muster.)    

That scenario was repeated several times, with escalating voice and demand, for clarity & emphasis.

The BA Rep responded that he didn’t have the authority to do that. My friend replied that he would simply wait at the counter until the BA Rep found someone in authority who could remedy the situation. My friend wouldn’t budge, until BA moved to restore his family’s 3 Non-Smoking seats. The Rep relented.

The Rep relayed the situation to someone on the phone, and instructed my friend to meet a BA Supervisor at the Departure Gate. When my friend, wife, and son arrived at the gate, my friend repeated the statements he made at the check-in counter, to the BA Supervisor, in the same assertive tone. The BA Supervisor told my friend to sit on a bench behind the flight check-in kiosk.

His wife & son drifted away, down the Concourse. They felt that they were being kicked off the flight.

After all the other passengers were processed and boarded the plane, my friend also thought that they were kicked off the flight. The BA Supervisor approached him, and told him to get his wife & son, ASAP. He signaled and shouted for them to come back to the Departure Gate. Without an explanation, the BA supervisor handed them their Boarding Passes & seat assignments.

When my friend handed their Barding Passes to the Stewardess at the plane’s door, she escorted his family past 1st Class, to the Business Class Non-Smoking Section, with ultra-wide reclining seats. For 8 hours, they were pampered with warm, moist towels for their faces, soft blankets for their naps, and delectable food & drink served on china plates, with silver utensils and crystal goblets. It was their most luxurious experience on a vacation of luxurious experiences. Perhaps, sometimes you just need to punch a bully in the nose.