Impossisble or just Improbable

One of the most interesting things that I have learned in the last ten years is that there are connections between elements of our world that cannot exist if we depend on the science we know.

As a science person, I watch some programs on Nova, PBS television. The special on magnets includes the "new" ceramic super magnets which are used to levitate the super-trains and are a critical part of the new generation of wind-turbine generators that are at the heart of the "green" technology that has been touted to replace our carbon based economy.

These magnets are unusual in several respects: First, they are made of ceramic materials that include the rare earth element Niobium. The most unusual thing about them is that research has found that when laser lights of different frequencies are merely shown on them, the strength of their magnetic force is either increased or diminished. Blue laser light of a certain spectrum will increase the force by a factor of 10 x; while a beam of green laser light will diminish the force to only 40% of the origional. I am not a physics student but what I know of electricity and magnetism does not include such a connection. It sounds like evidence for String Theory. Are there connections through time and space that transcend our understanding of the universe?

Much of the (so called) science that has been used to "prove" evolution, and to "disprove" God, has no concept of string theory. Could such "strings" explain some of the miracles recorded in both the Old and New Testament. Why must Christians prove what they believe, when the geniuses of our world cannot explain forces implied by String Theory, or such basic elements of the universe as Light and Magnetism

Whats in a Name?

I have borrowed the name Theophilus from the Luke, the physician: better known as the author of the third of the synoptic gospels in the New Testament. Luke also wrote another book of the New Testament called Acts of the Apostles. He addresses both of these historical accounts to Theophilus: You may not know, but the name is derived from two Greek words, Theos - God, and Phileo - friend of= friend of God, or lover of God.

So, why did I choose this as a name for a blog? I was hoping that there would be people who were still searching for answers. It seems that like Diogenes in ancient Greece, I find it difficult to connect with those honest souls who care about the things of God. Maybe it is simply a matter of knowing how to work the system. I will keep trying. As I hear of things that could use a Godly focus, I will write. Keep faith with him and continue to search for truth; I will.

Conservative: There are several meanings, first to conserve is to protect and to preserve. Some seem to have redefined this word to mean- restrictive, limiting. Well if what is given for service is not limited in some ways, the resource will be exhausted.

Liberal: also has several meanings: one of the most important is freely given. Abundant, without limits (in a good sense). Too much rain may be liberal, yet it can flood the land (not good!)

Both Conservative and Liberal can have both good and bad meanings. I was once told that I was liberal in my conservativism. It seems that when we take the best and disregard the questionable or erroneous content of political or philosophical systems, then we are left with what used to be called "Truth".

Some might call me old fashioned because of my reluctance to accept the new "green technology" that has been proposed to totally replace our present, (world wide) carbon based economy.

As we drove through eastern Arkansas yesterday on our way to visit family for Labor-Day, It was a bit disturbing to see the tons of smoke and carbon-dioxide rising into the sky as a brown cloud as the farmers burned the stubble ;in the fields after harvest the rice. Well what is the option: If the straw is plowed under, then the oxidation of this unwanted "waste" will introduce carbonic acid into the soil and next years crop will be adversely affected (this would affect the food supply of the human population of the world as well as domestic animals upon which we depend and feed ; run-off from these acidic soils would then pollute the streams and rivers and aquatic organisms in the Biosphere would be killed.

If we shift from a carbon based economy to a "green economy" will we be free of pollution? If we consider the requirements of "green" technology, we must accept the collateral damage to our planet that is caused by this shift. One of the key elements in our shift toward clean energy is wind-power. The giant turbines used to generate electricity depend on ceramic Niobium magnets. The effeciency of this type of generator and corresponding motors for electric cars and other electrical devices depends on the mining of this rare earth element, Niobium. Herein lies a serious problem. Currently there is a spreading chemical desert in Northern China, where the only economically feasible source of Niobium currently known is being mined. Hundreds of square miles are spreading related heavy metals into the ecosystem of our world. Thousands of people are affected by these poisons and the number will grow as the watershed carries these minerals downstream- eventually to the sea and into the food chains there.

What other unknown byproducts of the "green" revolution will be discovered

BEAUTY PAGEANTS AND TRUTH:

Last night I heard a comment by Donald Trump during an interview with Gloria Van Sustern: The observation by Mr. Trump that Carrie Prejean's beliefs were important (only) because she was an exceptional beauty is disturbing. To paraphrase, he said that if she had been moderately good looking or ugly or a man, then her comments would not have mattered. What ever happened to our acceptance of truth because it is good and right? Should we give special credibility to what the "beautiful people" have to say?

Shopenhauer said (paraphrased) that only a child or a saint would expect truth to be accepted because it was true. Is our world view so corrupted by the artificial enhancements of wealth and plastic surgery that what is beautiful and just are respected only because they meet the standards of the politic?

Should those with greater stature, beautiful hair, perfect teeth and a great smile have a monopoly on wisdom and truth? It seems to me that we are manipulated by the physically elite: car salesmen, cosmetic sales people and newscasters all seem to be chosen because of their physical type. Are we so pathetic that we allow ourselves to be persuaded by these to buy their products and to believe what they say even when our own innate logic tells us that it is too good to be true? Do we believe that they will be our friends because we buy their spiel?

In our saner moments we may think that the "plain Jane" or the "ugly guy" is telling us the truth because he is not trying to sell us anything; after all what could he gain by saying what is not popular? I suppose that we deserve to be be "fooled" if we listen to the evangelist on TV because (he/or she) is so well dressed and he has such a wonderful voice. Does anyone really think that John the Baptist was a personality of the type that we regularly see on TV? Do you really think that the Messiah made his appeal to Israel on the basis of his fancy clothes and his physical presence? Of course not! The prophet Isaiah said that Jesus would not have any beauty that would attract followers. On the contrary, He would be poor and considered by many to be the illegitimate son of Mary, a teen-age girl from a wide spot in the road up in Galilee called Nazareth.

Don't get me wrong: I would gladly introduce Carrie Prejean to my son as a prospective bride, but not just because of her physical beauty. She has a self-confidence and presence that is seldom found in young women today in America. Unfortunately like so many young girls today, she has paid a high price in order to fit into the social parameters of beauty that are touted by the market. It is sad to see the beauty of innocence reduced to a marketable product. The market claims to have made beauties out of pimple faced children, yet they only focus on the few with natural beauty to sell their beauty products to those who, lets face it, will never win a pageant. Yet, many have bought into the idea that they too can be a queen: First they have to starve, or get implants; then buy hundreds of dollars of the right cosmetics and learn how to put on "the face", and the right hair color (maybe some weave); then for a few thousand dollars they can build a wardrobe that will accent the stunning figure (shaped at the expense of many hours in the gym, as well as starvation); then there are the perfumes, lotions and pheromone enhanced scents, followed by a marketing campaign complete with glamour shots and a press agent: all for what?
Although many young women do still have the idea of interesting a young man and getting married, most of them are taking the pill and have no interest in sex for other than bait to attract a man. To enter a relationship threatens all of the hard work and self sacrifice needed to compete in the world of beauty. Pregnancy must be considered a disaster for those who fall in love. If love leads to babies, then love must be a bad thing. If there is no thought of establishing a family, what is there to keep this man? You must face reality ladies, youth is a fleeting thing. Roses bud and bloom in a few short weeks; so will you. It is possible to freeze a rose, but it will have no fragrance or beauty. It will be brittle and fragile just like those women who refuse to accept the process of aging. All flowers exist for one purpose: reproduction. This has been forgotten and will lead to remorse when the beauty queen realizes that her chance at family is gone.

Young men, if there is no thought of any lasting relationship and family, why should any self respecting young woman allow herself to be used as a plaything by you?

Maybe the element that has been lost in our society is family. This seems to be at the heart of the "change" that many are speaking of when they call for gay marriage. After all why go through all the heartache and broken hearts for no real purpose? No wonder so many people are lost to the world of drugs, alcohol and gluttony. Without love and without purpose life can be an overwhelming proposition: no wonder there are so many suicides. Little wonder that some secular humanists have no compunction about ending the lives of those who are no longer (or never were) beautiful by their standards. Are we willing for them to decide whether we are worth the support needed by society?

If people have no moral center, no purpose in life, no goal other than pleasure, then these so called beauty pageants are just a vain attempt to get attention from others- at any price. When we see old beauties and hunks of yesteryear, we are often appalled at their appearance. They are often gaunt bags of bones or porcine tubs of lard, while many of those who were considered to be plain in their youth have matured into attractive respectable examples of real and loveable humanity.

Which is the life that you will choose? Are you going to pursue the goal of self which demands physical strength and beauty that is only going to last a very short time and will result in many disappointments and privations? Or, will you pursue a life that is connected: dedicated to others that will give you a lifetime of happy interactions with everyone around you. Only when you have a real family network are you safe from the dog eat dog competitiveness that will devour your soul.

If you want to be recognized as the ideal person, what better way to get attention than from your own children and grandchildren? Life is about life! The attempts to buy attention or to borrow it from others will never be as satisfying as to receive it generously from your own family.

DUBIOUS EVIDENCE : LBV

It is in hope that you may find encouragement and possibly guidance for your journey that I begin to post this log of my thoughts, opinions and reasoning. I will try to report my own experiences and discoveries that may help you navigate safely through the rocks and shoals of life. LBV

Seek truth! Do not follow blindly: be cautious. My advice and warnings may not meet your need, but I trust that they will serve to encourage others who are in distress and who must pass in storm or darkness. Each of us must light candles to illuminate the narrow way, so that other souls may pass safety. It is important that we share our observations, both Good and Evil.
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Recent discoveries of sunken treasure vessels have been possible because of the existence of ships logs. The U.S.S. America, the Titanic, and the Achota were all located because there exist in libraries, eye-witness records of the events written by survivors and captains of rescue vessels at the time of their sinking. These same logs contain important details about currents, shoals, reefs and shifting sand bars.

Please take care as you seek facts; Some of the information on the charts is incorrect! One example of how unreliable such information has been, is at the heart of the story mutiny on the H.M.S. Bounty. It was possible for the mutineers to remain undetected for almost fifty years because the discovery of Pitcairn Island was plotted on the Admiralty charts as over one-hundred miles from its actual location.

Teachers come in many forms: Aristotle, Plato and Socrates are now praised for their wisdom; however, they were not universally praised while they lived. All that I can hope is that you consider the evidence presented, even if you may think that I deserve the hemlock. I am confident that truth can be found by careful examination of both Nature and the Scriptures. Some think that it is foolish to consider ancient writings, which have been challenged by Science. Remember: the scientific method demands that that we test All the evidence. It is not possible to disprove anything "scientifically" without honest unbiased review of what is now known.

I am always amazed at the absolutes that are claimed by those who think of themselves as scientific. The old "laws" of magnetism and gravity have had to be rewritten many times. Do you remember the "fact" that there are only three magnetic elements. Well, that is not true! It seems clear that every element and every compound is either magnetic or non-magnetic (even anti-magnetic) within its own unique combination of temperature, pressure, and other factors. Any blacksmith could have told the physicists that an iron blade will loose its magnetic properties at about 780 degrees Fahrenheit. They used magnets to test the temperature of things that they were working on in the forges. Today we know that ceramic magnets which are super-cooled with liquid nitrogen, will exhibit anti-magnetic, or anti-gravitational effects that allow the super-trains to float above the rails, thus eliminating friction.

My point is that there is a much more complex system to be considered than just the rudiments that we have been able to observe with our primitive instrumentation. As I watched a recent P.B.S special on Magnets, I was amazed to learn that electro-magnets made from Niobium alloys are affected by laser light as well. The force of attraction was multiplied by ten when a laser light certain wave length in the blue spectrum was shown on it. And then when a green laser was shown on it, the attractive force was reduced to half of its original strength. I know very little of the "String Theory", but evidence such as this points to a much more complex interaction of energy and matter than scientists ever thought about before. We do not have all the answers: Science can be wrong! If you doubt this, think back a few years to the Berkley University anouncement of their discovery of Element No. 114 (Ununquadium). Well, the experiments were found to be bogus when others tried to replicate the process.. The physicist lied: evidence can be fabricated,corrupted or mis-understood if it is practiced in a sloppy manner. Science must never be above scrutiny, or it becomes something other than a a body of knowledge. .

In the 18th. Century there were a number of Philosophers who challenged the existence of the God, Jehovah.. They looked at some stories in the Bible and concluded that it was a hoax: They said that it was foolishness to believe that the stories of Jonah were true, when there was no "fish" large enough to swallow a man; and further-more, there was no evidence of the existence of a great walled city of 120,000 people called Nineveh, as described in the "holy" Bible.


I would like to offer evidence to the contrary. I have personally stood inside the jaws of "Carchadon Megalodon", a fossil shark (not a whale), which was on display in the Aquarium of the Americas, in New Orleans. This specimen had a width of over five feet and an open height of more than seven feet. Such five-inch fossil teeth of these sixty-five foot monsters are on sale in many rock and fossil shops around the country and are quite common in the Chesapeake Bay area. So why is the Bible so hard to believe?

And as for the lost city of Nineveh, I invite you to see it yourself with the satellite images of Google Earth. Although the tell at Mosul, Iraq was not recognized until the 1920's, it has been universally accepted as the city to which the Prophet of God, Jonah traveled long ago. Once again the science of those who denied the Bible failed, because they were unable to see it with their own eyes, and touch it with their own fingers.

Our science, by definition is what we can see, hear, feel, smell or taste with our sensory organs. It is imperfect, and has in many instances been corrupted by impatient or greedy men. What about the "science" of human evolution? Is everything that is published in National Geographic scientific? After all the chalk fossil of the Piltdown hoax was accepted by these elitists who denied God.

The text books for General Science in the United States, all seem to include charts that show mans evolution from apes. Is this conclusion based on sound science? Has all the evidence been considered?

The fact that one human fossil skull (KNMER 1470) was found by the Leaky team at Olduavi Gorge is amazing. Homo Habilis is supposed to be 1.5 million years old (unquestionably human), however, the Sandia and Folsom cultures of N. America have never yielded a single human bone, and they are only 15-30,000 B.C. . Human bones are not dense like most animals ( such as Apes); therefore,none should have been expected to survive. The stone hand axes and flake tools and tool scarred bones which were burned give clear enough evidence that Man, the tool and fire maker, lived there in great numbers. Could paleo-anthropologists have mistakenly identified the bones of the hunters meal, as the cook?

Why is it that our current General Science books do not include the possibility of concurrent evolution which Louis Leakey proposed when his son Richard found unmistakable human fossils in the tuffa strata below the occupied middens where he found the Ape-like bones of Australiopithicus afarensis and Aegyptopithicus?

If spirituality is to survive in our society, we must insist that "scientists" examine all the evidence, and that what we know (truth) is not selectively controlled by pseudo-intellectuals, with partisan athiestic agendas. We must not allow bad science to mold our perspective of Natural History and our own origin.

LBV