Banana Nut Bread

3 cups white wheat flour
3 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
3 tsp ground flax seed mixed with 1/4 cup water
6 large bananas
1 1/2 cups honey
1/2 cup applesauce
1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
Mix dry ingredients and set aside. Combine ground flax and water and let rest for a few minutes, mash the bananas and mix with honey, apple sauce and flax mixture. Add in the dry ingredients then the nuts. Bake at 350 degrees for 50-60 minutes. Do not over cook, it is actually better to under cook a little bit.
Makes 6 mini loaves or 2 large loaves.
Recipe from Chef Mark Anthony

Anti Biotic Resistant Viruses

Viral Infections

Did you know that there are viral outbreaks happening more frequently ?

Antibiotics have been used for many years to treat outbreaks of viral infections.

Avian flu started about a 100 years ago. More recently in 2009 there was the serious outbreak of H1N1 or Swine Flu in Asia. Outbreaks of Avian Flu, Bird Flu, MRSA and Swine Flu have been reported by the media for many years now.  According to Pub Med which is the National Library of Medicine:

MRSA stands for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. MRSA is a “staph” germ that does not get better with the first-line antibiotics that usually cure staph infections. When this occurs, the germ is “resistant” to the antibiotic.

Symptoms

It is normal for healthy people to have staph on their skin. Many of us do. Most of the time, it does not cause an infection or any symptoms. This is called “colonization” or “being colonized.” Someone who is colonized with MRSA can spread MRSA to other people.

A sign of a staph skin infection is a red, swollen, and painful area on the skin. Pus or other fluids may drain from this area. It may look like a boil. These symptoms are more likely to occur if the skin has been cut or rubbed because this gives the MRSA germ a way to “get in.” Symptoms are also more likely in areas where there is more body hair due to hair follicles.

MRSA infections in patients in health care facilities tend to be severe. These staph infections may be in the bloodstream, heart, lungs, or other organs, urine, or in the area of a recent surgery. Some symptoms of these severe infections are:

  • Chest pain
  • Cough or shortness of breath
  • Fatigue
  • Fever and chills
  • General ill feeling
  • Headache
  • Rash
  • Wounds that do not heal

Medical providers are now having problems treating people that come down with viral infections.

Pharmaceutical drug companies do not want to invest a billion dollars in antibiotic drugs that people will only take for one week or so.

Drug companies are more interested in spending money on researching lifestyle disease drugs that treat diseases like Diabetes, Heart Disease and Obesity.

Many people do not respond to antibiotics now and medical personnel have very little to treat some of these viral infections.

There is hope.

Nature provides an all natural antibiotic.

Stabilized Allicin is a powerful natural product that has been available since around 1999. Dr. Peter Josling is a British Biochemist that found a way to capture the Allicin Powder through a process that he discovered in his lab.

Before you rush off to your local grocery to buy some garlic, you should understand a little more about the process of stabilizing the allicin from crushed cloves of garlic. When you peel a clove of garlic and take a knife to begin chopping up the garlic, the chemical allicin is released. Allicin has been proven to kill the MRSA virus in a petri dish in the United Kingdom.

Dr. Josling has created a natural antibiotic that contains Stabilized Allicin and Organic Camu Camu. The product Dr. Josling formulated is Camucin.

When you take one veggie capsule of Camucin, you are getting the equivalent of eating 30 cloves of raw garlic but without the taste! You won’t even smell like Garlic either!

Find out more about Camucin by going to my page below:

Camucin

Health Benefits of Pomegranates

If you’re not familiar with the pomegranate, it is a red fruit with a tough outer layer; only the juice and the seeds inside are edible. Pomegranate juice is available year round, but you can purchase fresh pomegranates in most grocery stores from September through January. When refrigerated in a plastic bag, pomegranates keep for up to 2 months. This fantastic little fruit recently made its way back into the news after some spectacular clinical results. Here’s what you need to know:

Compounds found only in pomegranates called punicalagins are shown to benefit the heart and blood vessels.

Recent medical research studied heart patients with severe carotid artery blockages. They were given an ounce of pomegranate juice each day for a year. Not only did study participants’ blood pressure lower by over 12 percent, but there was a 30 percent reduction in atherosclerotic plaque. Just as astounding, participants who did not take the pomegranate juice saw their atherosclerotic plaque increase by 9 percent.

Not only are pomegranates good for your heart and blood vessels but they have been shown to inhibit breast cancer, prostate cancer, colon cancer, leukemia and to prevent vascular changes that promote tumor growth in lab animals.

Pomegranate juice contains phytochemical compounds that stimulate serotonin and estrogen receptors, improving symptoms of depression and increasing bone mass in lab animals.

This is one fruit that you can’t afford to exclude from your diet!

Features of a Pomegranate

Most powerful anti-oxidant of all fruits
Potent anti-cancer and immune supporting effects
Inhibits abnormal platelet aggregation that could cause heart attacks, strokes and embolic disease
Lowers cholesterol and other cardiac risk factors
Lowers blood pressure
Shown to promote reversal of atherosclerotic plaque in human studies
May have benefits to relieve or protect against depression and osteoporosis

Early Writings Chapter 10

Chapter 10 End of the 2300 Days



 

I saw a throne, and on it sat the Father and the Son. I gazed on Jesus’ countenance and admired His lovely person. The Father’s person I could not behold, for a cloud of glorious light covered Him. I asked Jesus if His Father had a form like Himself. He said He had, but I could not behold it, for said He, “If you should once behold the glory of His person, you would cease to exist.”

Before the throne I saw the Advent people–the church and the world. I saw two companies, one bowed down before the throne, deeply interested, while the other stood uninterested and careless. Those who were bowed before the throne would offer up their prayers and look to Jesus; then He would look to His Father, and appear to be pleading with Him. A light would come from the Father to the Son and from the Son to the praying company.
 
Then I saw an exceeding bright light come from the Father to the Son, and from the Son it waved over the people before the throne. But few would receive this great light. Many came out from under it and immediately resisted it; others were careless and did not cherish the light, and it moved off from them. Some cherished it, and went and bowed down with the little praying company. This company all received the light and rejoiced in it, and their countenances shone with its glory. 

I saw the Father rise from the throne, and in a flaming chariot go into the holy of holies within the veil, and sit down. Then Jesus rose up from the throne, and the most of those who were bowed down arose with Him. I did not see one ray of light pass from Jesus to the careless multitude after He arose, and they were left in perfect darkness. Those who arose when Jesus did, kept their eyes fixed on Him as He left the throne and led them out a little way.

Then He raised His right arm, and we heard His lovely voice saying, “Wait here; I am going to My Father to receive the kingdom; keep your garments spotless, and in a little while I will return from the wedding and receive you to Myself.”

Then a cloudy chariot, with wheels like flaming fire, surrounded by angels, came to where Jesus was. He stepped into the chariot and was borne to the holiest, where the Father sat. There I beheld Jesus, a great High Priest, standing before the Father. On the hem of His garment was a bell and a pomegranate, a bell and a pomegranate. Those who rose up with Jesus would send up their faith to Him in the holiest, and pray, “My Father, give us Thy Spirit.” Then Jesus would breathe upon them the Holy Ghost. In that breath was light, power, and much love, joy, and peace. 
 

I turned to look at the company who were still bowed before the throne; they did not know that Jesus had left it. Satan appeared to be by the throne, trying to carry on the work of God. I saw them look up to the throne, and pray, “Father, give us Thy Spirit.” Satan would then breathe upon them an unholy influence; in it there was light and much power, but no sweet love, joy, and peace. Satan’s object was to keep them deceived and to draw back and deceive God’s children.


by Ellen G. White

Today


Ben Franklin may have said it best: “One today is worth two tomorrows.” That is because today is the only day we have. Yesterday is gone. We cannot call yesterday back to do what we failed to do. Nor can we reuse yesterday to undo what we may have messed up really bad or to repeat what we may have done well. All we have is today. Tomorrow is not here yet, and we are not even promised a tomorrow. So what are we going to do today? How will I spend its precious gift of time?


What is time, anyway? Clearly it is not a thing that you can touch, save up, or store. You can measure it and mark it off as it passes, but, as long as you keep your feet on mother earth, you can not speed it up or stop it, because it keeps marching on, second by second. Some describe it as being a dimension of the universe, a way to characterize things or events. Others prefer to think of time as an abstract, nothing more than an intellectual way to compare and sequence events.


As your time passes today, will you use it to build up or to tear down? Will you employ it to promote yourself and your cause or God and His kingdom? Each moment in time is a gift from God. The psalmist said: “This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it” ( Psalms 118:24, NKJV ). And the Lord Himself declared: “I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work” ( John 9:4, NJKV ).


Lord, my commitment is to follow Your example in doing the work of Your Father today. Let my every decision instantly turn toward You now. Keep my heart open to the Holy Spirit.


God again set a certain day, calling it “Today.” “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.” Hebrews 4:7, NIV.

This meditation is from God of Wonders – A Daily Devotional written by David Steen, Ph.D. He is the Chair of the Biology Department at Andrews University.

Spinach & Mushroom Lasagna

This simple spinach-and-mushroom lasagna is a perfect dish to serve to the whole family for the holidays.

To make this dish even easier, use a jarred marinara sauce. Just make sure it is filled with simple, plant-based ingredients!

Makes 12 servings

Ingredients

1/4 cup water
1 onion, chopped 
1 carrot, grated 
3 garlic cloves, pressed or minced 
2 cups sliced mushrooms (about 1/2 pound) 
1 fifteen ounce can crushed tomatoes, low-sodium
1 twenty-eight ounce can tomato sauce, low-sodium
1 teaspoon dried basil 
1 teaspoon dried oregano 
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme 
1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds 
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper 
1 pound firm tofu, low-fat
1/2 cup finely chopped fresh parsley 
2 tablespoons soy sauce, low-sodium
1 10-ounce package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry 
12 ounces dry lasagna noodles (about 10 noodles)
Directions

Sauté onion and carrot in water, add more liquid as needed. Cook over high heat, stirring often until onion is soft, about 5 minutes.

Add garlic and mushrooms and continue cooking until mushrooms are soft, about 5 minutes.

Stir in tomatoes, tomato sauce, basil, oregano, thyme, fennel seeds, and cayenne. Simmer 15 minutes.

Preheat oven to 350 F.

Mash tofu in a mixing bowl, then stir in parsley and soy sauce.

To assemble, spread 1 cup of sauce in a 9″×13″ (or larger) baking dish. Cover with a layer of uncooked noodles, half the tofu mixture, and half the spinach.

Spread with half of remaining sauce.

Repeat layers of noodles, tofu, spinach, and sauce. Cover tightly with foil and bake until noodles are tender, about 1 hour. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

Note: This lasagna may be assembled up to a day in advance and baked just before serving. The noodles will soften while the lasagna stands, so the baking time can be reduced to 30 minutes.

Per 1-cup serving: 172 calories; 2.5 g fat; 0.4 g saturated fat; 12% calories from fat; 0 mg cholesterol; 9.8 g protein; 31.6 g carbohydrates; 5.9 g sugar; 5.8 g fiber; 123 mg sodium; 87 mg calcium; 3.5 mg iron; 13.4 mg vitamin C; 1,973 mcg beta carotene; 2.1 mg vitamin E

Adapted From: Healthy Eating for Life to Prevent and Treat Cancer by Vesanto Melina, M.S., R.D.; recipe by Jennifer Raymond, M.S., R.D.

Do People Have a Mind?

Do you have a mind? Even though none of us has ever seen a mind, we all believe in our minds. Same principle applies to faith.

Atheism requires much more faith than Christianity or belief in God. Atheism believes in just matter. Interesting issue is that when an atheist loses a loved one to a horrible crime, they will want justice.

By desiring justice, the atheist has internalized their grief and loss and now is touching on the spiritual component inside themselves that was put there by guess who? GOD.

Effective Weight Loss to Reduce Cellulite

Effective Weight Loss to Reduce Cellulite

This post is about Effective Weight Loss to Reduce Cellulite. Cellulite is not a life threatening condition but it does indicate an unhealthy lifestyle that can lead to serious health problems in the future. Cellulite is often associated with sedentary lifestyle and poor eating habits and this is evident even in slim people who do not practice healthy living.

Cosmetic treatments can only provide temporary relief while some creams can worsen your cellulite problem. To achieve a long term solution, you need to be willing to sacrifice your time and effort to achieve dimple free skin.

What is Cellulite?

Effective Weight Loss to Reduce CelluliteCellulite is basically fat cells under the skin. When these fat cells become big, the cells will push the connective tissues upward creating a dimpling effect on the skin. This skin problem is caused by different factors such as hormones, skin elasticity, lifestyle and diet.
To reduce cellulite formation, you need to reduce the presence of fat in your body and improve skin texture. You can achieve both through exercising and proper dieting.

If you want to know how to get rid of cellulite on thighs naturally and experience a successful weight loss program, you need to start right. Here are tips to help you get started with exercising and dieting.

Exercise

https://danielparsonsministry.com/permanent-weight-loss/Commit: The first step is always the hardest but the end result is rewarding. Whatever you do in life, real success comes with sacrifice and pain and this is true with exercise. Commit to exercise everyday whether you like it or not because this is what commitment is all about. Place reminder notices around your work area  if necessary.

Choose a fun workout: Choosing a workout that you enjoy is a good way to condition your mind that physical activities are fun and rewarding. If you don’t enjoy weight lifting, you can try running or zumba.

Motivate Yourself: Sometimes to help you get moving is to continuously motivate yourself. You can buy new shoes, dumbbells or even a yoga mat to keep the excitement running. These small things can do much for your success.

Find a Partner: Workout partners can help you become more accountable with your exercise routines. They provide you with support and competition at the same time.

Dieting

Plan: Planning your meal will help you stay on track. Creating a healthy eating plan is vital for successful weight loss. Eating crackers or following a fad diet will not yield lasting results. You need to create a habit of eating healthy and it starts with planning a healthy program.

Healthy eating plans involve plenty of vegetables, whole grains, lean meat, fruits and nuts.

Start Slow: Starting a weight loss program can tempt you to change everything all at once. This behavior is discouraged because your body needs time to cope with changes particularly your diet. Pushing too hard can lead to failure. Start with small changes because it will eventually become a habit and become a part of your lifestyle.

Think Small: Moderation is always the key to healthy eating. When ordering a big meal in a restaurant, share it with a friend. Use smaller plates at home when eating and incorporate plenty of veggies and fruits. Consume smaller portions of meals throughout the day.

Enjoy: Eating is easy but enjoying the food we eat is a lost art. To enjoy what you eat, chew your food slowly and take time to appreciate the texture and flavors of the food. Don’t gulp everything down. Chewing will also make you feel full faster.

The presence of cellulite can be managed and reduced with exercise and proper dieting. If you want lasting results you need to overhaul your lifestyle and develop healthy habits. When you see the result, starting again is not an option. You will experience Effective Weight Loss to Reduce Cellulite.

Raspberry Cranberry Sauce

Ingredients
1 lb. bag fresh cranberries, rinsed
1 can frozen 100% raspberry white grape juice
1 Tbsp lemon juice
¼ cup Florida cane crystals, optional
1 tsp arrowroot powder
¼ cup water
 
Directions
In a medium sauce pan add; cranberries, frozen juice, lemon juice and cane crystals. Bring to simmer and cook according to directions on cranberry package. When cranberries are done add arrowroot powder to water, stir and pour into cranberry mixture, stirring continuously for 3-5 minutes. Remove from heat and let set.  Serve warm or chilled. 
This recipe is from the Adventist Angels ( Chef Mark Anthony and Melody Prettyman )

What Does God Want from Me?

Micah was a prophet that stood up for the downtrodden. He taught that honesty, justice and fairness were critical facets for all humanity. Micah complained about dishonest people that cheated.

Micah 6:1-8
Hear now what the Lord says:

“Arise, plead your case before the mountains,
And let the hills hear your voice.
2 Hear, O you mountains, the Lord’s complaint,
And you strong foundations of the earth;
For the Lord has a complaint against His people,
And He will contend with Israel.
3 “O My people, what have I done to you?
And how have I wearied you?
Testify against Me.
4 For I brought you up from the land of Egypt,
I redeemed you from the house of bondage;
And I sent before you Moses, Aaron, and Miriam.
5 O My people, remember now
What Balak king of Moab counseled,
And what Balaam the son of Beor answered him,
From Acacia Grove to Gilgal,
That you may know the righteousness of the Lord.”
6 With what shall I come before the Lord,
And bow myself before the High God?
Shall I come before Him with burnt offerings,
With calves a year old?
7 Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams,
Ten thousand rivers of oil?
Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression,
The fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
8 He has shown you, O man, what is good;
And what does the Lord require of you
But to do justly,
To love mercy,
And to walk humbly with your God?

We desire truth from people.

Psalms 51:6
Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts,
And in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom.

Society has quickly moved away from honesty and truthfulness.

Proverbs 4:23
Keep your heart with all diligence,
For out of it spring the issues of life.

We have turned into a nation of corrupt Enron’s. Here is a dialogue from Jesus that will help us.

Matthew 22:35-40
Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying, 36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?”

37 Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.

We have been created by God to be honest and love our neighbors. We were made to show mercy to each other. It is God’s Grace and unexpected kindness. Examples in the Bible include the stories of the Good Samaritan, the Prodigal Son, the Thief on the Cross, and the Woman caught in Adultery. All these examples show human mercy and compassion!

The display of God’s Mercy is the death of Jesus on the Cross at Calvary!

Be gentle with other people!

Self-Righteousness is reflecting Satan not Christ!

As the Prophet Micah stated we are to love mercy, show kindness and have mercy on other people!

Please contact me if you want to discuss how to establish and grow a personal relationship with Jesus Christ! I have many resources to share!

This is the message that was given by Pastor Taylor at Santa Barbara Seventh-day Adventist Christian church in November 2013.

Mashed Potato Casserole

TIME
40 minutes, plus 30 to 40 minutes’ baking

YIELD
12 to 14 servings

INGREDIENTS
14 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened, and more for the pan
6 pounds russet or Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 1/2 cups sour cream
1 teaspoon black pepper
6 tablespoons finely chopped chives
2/3 cup bread crumbs
2/3 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

As a vegan, I use Earth Balance instead of the butter, Tofutti sour cream and vegan cheese.

PREPARATION
Lightly grease a 9-inch-by-13-inch baking pan.
In a large pot, bring the potatoes, 4 quarts water and 2 tablespoons salt to a boil. Boil potatoes until fork tender, about 20 minutes. Drain.

Mash potatoes with 10 tablespoons butter, sour cream, 1 teaspoon salt and the pepper. (If you have a food mill or ricer, now is the time to use it; push the potatoes through and then gently combine them with the butter, sour cream, salt and pepper.)

Mash in the chives. Taste and adjust seasoning, if necessary. Spread potatoes into the prepared pan. At this point you can cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days, but it is best to avoid chilling mashed potatoes if you can.

In a small bowl, combine the remaining 4 tablespoons butter, bread crumbs and cheese. Mix together until it forms coarse crumbs. Crumbs can be refrigerated for three days.

Heat the oven to 400 degrees. Sprinkle crumbs over the top of the potato casserole and bake until golden and crisp, 30 to 40 minutes.

Recipe from Melissa Clark and published in New York Times

Sweet & Tangy Cranberry Sauce

A unique twist on classic cranberry sauce will wow your guests on Thanksgiving and have them going back for seconds!

Pair this sweet and tangy cranberry sauce alongside a No-Meat Loaf and some Roasted Veggies for a delicious and healthful Thanksgiving meal.

Makes 8 servings

Ingredients

2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries 
1/2 cup orange juice concentrate 
2 ripe pears, finely chopped 
1 medium apple, finely chopped 
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon 
1 teaspoon grated orange peel 
1/2 cup raw sugar or other sweetener, or to taste

Directions

Combine cranberries, juice concentrate, pears, apple, cinnamon, and orange peel in a saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Continue cooking, uncovered, until cranberry skins pop and mixture is thickened slightly, about 10 minutes. Add sugar or other sweetener to taste.
Serve hot or cold.

Per Serving (1/8 of recipe): 121 calories; 0.3 g fat; 0 g saturated fat; 2.4% calories from fat; 0 mg cholesterol; 0.7 g protein; 30.6 g carbohydrates; 25.8 g sugar; 2.9 g fiber; 6 mg sodium; 24 mg calcium; 0.5 mg iron; 30.4 mg vitamin C; 33 mcg Beta Carotene; 0.3 mg vitamin E

Source: Food for Life by Neal Barnard, M.D.; recipe by Jennifer Raymond, M.S., R.D.

Please feel free to tailor PCRM recipes to suit your individual dietary needs.

Spaghetti Squash

The texture and flavor of spaghetti squash are deliciously complemented with a fresh vegetable medley and flavorful marinara sauce!

Makes 6 servings

Ingredients

1 large spaghetti squash (about 3 cups cooked) 
2 cups fat-free spaghetti sauce 
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil 
2 tablespoons nutritional yeast [or dairy-free parmesan cheese substitute] (optional)
thinly sliced radishes for garnish (optional)

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 F. Wash the outside of the squash and carefully puncture with a knife 5 times. Place on a baking sheet and bake 30 to 40 minutes until tender when tested with a knife. Set aside to cool.

Cut the cooked squash in half lengthwise and remove the seeds. Remove the spaghetti-like threads with a fork and place in a baking dish. Toss with spaghetti sauce. Cover lightly with aluminum foil. Return to the oven for 20 to 30 minutes or until well heated.

Sprinkle with basil and nutritional yeast or vegan parmesan substitute, if using. Garnish with radishes if desired.

Stored in a covered container in the refrigerator, leftover Spaghetti Squash with Sauce will keep for up to 2 days.

Per Serving (1/6 of recipe): 48 calories; 0.3 g fat; 0.1 g saturated fat; 4.6% calories from fat; 0 mg cholesterol; 0.9 g protein; 11.7 g carbohydrates; 8.4 g sugar; 1.6 g fiber; 274 mg sodium; 25 mg calcium; 0.5 mg iron; 6 mg vitamin C; 205 mcg Beta Carotene; 0.4 mg vitamin E

Source: The Survivor’s Handbook: Eating Right for Cancer Survival by Neal D. Barnard, M.D., and Jennifer Reilly, R.D.

Christmas Season

Twas the month before Christmas
When all through our land,
Not a Christian was praying
Nor taking a stand.
Why the PC Police had taken away
The reason for Christmas – no one could say.
The children were told by their schools not to sing
About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.
It might hurt people’s feelings, the teachers would say
December 25th is just a ‘ Holiday ‘.
Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit
Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!
CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-Pod
Something was changing, something quite odd!
Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa
In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.
As Targets were hanging their trees upside down
At Lowe’s the word Christmas – was no where to be found.
At K-Mart and Staples and Penny’s and Sears
You won’t hear the word Christmas; it won’t touch your ears.
Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty
Are words that were used to intimidate me.
Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen
On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton !
At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter
To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.
And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith
Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace
The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded
The reason for the season, stopped before it started.
So as you celebrate ‘Winter Break’ under your ‘Dream Tree’
Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.
Choose your words carefully, choose what you say
Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS, not Happy Holiday !

Please, all Christians join together and
wish everyone you meet
MERRY CHRISTMAS
Christ is The ‘Reason’ for the Christ-mas Season!

Probability

Probability

Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life. John 6:47

Contrary to what you may have heard in advertising or political debate or what you may believe about science, real scientists don’t “prove” anything. Rather they hypothesize and test and develop theories and models that best explain data. And throughout all this activity, they work with probabilities, demonstrating that, given the conditions X, there is a high probability that Y is likely to happen ( or little probability, whatever the case may be ). OK, if nothing else, perhaps scientists have “proved” that everything in science is open for debate. Take gravity for example. All of us experience it every day.

Isaac Newton presented the universal law of gravitation to the Royal Society in 1686, a model that has worked wonderfully to describe attractions between bodies, so much so that we use his laws to calculate the orbits of space objects even today. So it’s settled….right? Wrong. Physicists are still trying to figure out exactly how gravitation works. So even the universal law of gravitation is still being debated.

A French mathematician and philosopher who did much to refine and mature probability theory was Blaise Pascal, a child prodigy and inventor of the mechanical calculator. In his Pensées, a collection of notes published after his death, Pascal wrote about the existence of God and how to think about it. He believed that God is incomprehensible-that we simply cannot know much about Him. Reason, he wrote, was not adequate to determine whether God does or does not exist. So in note 233 of his Pensées, he suggested the following logic to make a decision.

There are only two possibilities. God either exists or He does not. You must make a choice to believe or not believe-you don’t have an option. If you choose to believe in Him, that leads to only two outcomes. If He does exist, then you have won it all. But if He doesn’t exist, you have lost nothing. Think of the alternative now. Say you choose not to believe in God. Again there are two-and only two-outcomes. If God does exist, you lose it all, but if He does not, you lose nothing. Given the possibility  then of losing all if you don’t believe and gaining all if you do believe, Pascal decided that it was a philosophical no-brainer. One should choose to believe in God. This logic about the existence of God is known as Pascal’s Wager.

Fortunately, we have words from Jesus Himself. “Most assuredly” means “without doubt”. It is not a gamble or a game of probability, but a sure thing.
Lord, I choose to believe in You as my God.

This passage is the thought for 20 October 2013 from the daily devotional book titled:”God Of Wonders” by David Steen. He is a professor of Biology and the chair of the Biology Department at Andrews University.
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