I had a dream

I saw the face of Jesus.

It was dark outside, and cold. Snow swept across the fogging windshield and piled around the already buried tires. No doubt, like last year, I had never gotten around to putting on winter tires. To add to my frustration the engine was sputtering out as well.

There was a glow from a house close by, and a stream of thick smoking lifting into the night sky. My sister and I hesitated, but finally we decided to trudge through the knee high snow and knock on the door. A woman appeared in the doorway. I don't recall for sure, but I believe she wore an apron and had something cooking on the stove. To say the least it was a warm, cozy place, and with open arms they welcomed us in.

They were a sweet couple. They offered us a cup of hot something, and a place to sleep. The next morning we awoke, and from there it blurred for a bit. We must have stayed for a couple days because we got to know them fairly well. It was through one of our conversations around the fireplace when they brought up the rumors of the traveling train.

There had been several accounts of a man, many whom claimed was Jesus, passing through from town to town along the railroad. The accounts all said children accompanied Him, and that wherever He visited many had believed on the Lord, giving their life to Jesus. It was then they told us that He would be passing through that town in just a few short days. Obviously there was no exact schedule, but the rumors claimed His next destination was there.

A few mornings later news spread that He would be arriving in a few short hours. Alina and I were skeptical, yet curious. Bundled up in borrowed boots, jackets, hats and scarves, we made our way to the train station. There was a small crowd gathering, whispering to one another in anticipation. We all had the same question in mind. Who was this man whom touched the hearts and inspired so many people? Who was this man whom they called Jesus?

It first came as a small light, flickering off in the distance. As it grew closer, the light brightened and lit up the sky. The engine rumbled, smoke bellowed high, and the rhythmic grind of the gears. What surprised us all was the sound of laughter. Child laughter, starting out faint and barely audible and growing louder.

Before we knew it, the train was hauling in right beside us. Odd as it may sound, the cars had no roofs, and thus were exposed to the weather. Yet no one appeared cold. There were children everywhere, and suddenly just being in there midst made one bubble up in laughter and joy.

We ran along with the train until it came to a complete stop. When it did, I climbed up the side of one car and found myself looking right into the face of the man whom everyone called Jesus. In an instant I knew that all the rumors were true. I was looking right into the eyes of the Son of God. I saw His love. I saw Him looking at me, and I crumbled from the intensity of His love for me, and I cried. My whole body shook. In that moment I was overwhelmed in His presence.

He was surrounded by little children of all ages. He wore no fancy robes. He wore no crown of jewels. He was dressed quite simple. He was clean shaven save something of a three day stubble. His hair was brown, curly locks. His eyes I cannot put into words. Imagine a light hue, almost the color of blue and like glass. When He looked at you He looked into your soul. All knowing, yet entirely and altogether loving. I cannot explain this love that I felt, but when He set His gaze on me I felt so comforted, so rejuvenated, so full of hope, and so loved. I didn't want to let Him go. I understood in that moment what true unconditional love was. And his smile. He smiled at me. After seeing beyond the walls I had built up over the years, after seeing and acknowledging every hidden secret within my heart, after beholding my dirty and blemished soul, He smiled at me.

What is in a smile? I tell you, I cannot know save the smile of Jesus Christ. He did not condemn me. He loved me. He greeted me like I meant everything to Him. That was how He greeted everyone. It reminded me of that verse,

"For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved." John 3:17 KJV

He didn't say much, but this one thing I remember well. I don't recall the exact words, but one thing He kept repeating over and over was, “Trace my image and share it with the world.”

I told Him I did not understand. I told Him I had a sore hand for art, and that I could never do His glory justice. He only replied with the same request. I understand now that He did not mean literally draw His face, but rather share to the world the image of who He was and what He had done. I finally told Him I would. (This is me trying.)

The train had to pull out not long after that, and I begged Him to stay. I clung to Him, and nigh willed Him to remain, but He said He must continue. I begged to follow Him. I did not want to ever leave His side again. He was suddenly all I cared to live for. But in a still, small voice He told me to stay and pursue the calling He had given me. It reminded me of the man whom Jesus delivered from the demons when He crossed the sea of Galilee. The man begged to follow Jesus, but Christ commanded him to stay and go and share with the town what the Lord had done.

"And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him. 

"Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.

^"And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel."

Mark 5:18-20

I was not on that train when it pulled out. I remained behind. This truly applies to me in real life because for a long time I have been restless to go and do God's work in other countries right now. There have been nights where I could not sleep and would do anything to leave everything behind and just go. I have had really no patience to wait on the Lord's timing. But in that dream, when He told me to stay behind, I know that He was referring to me remaining here in the Flathead Valley and continuing school, being a witness here for Him.

When the engine began to rumble and smoke bellow out, I asked Jesus in my dream to let me look at His face once more. To gaze into His beautiful countenance, and behold His pure, innocent yet powerful glory. Pure love. Unconditional. Pure joy. I have never felt anything like it before.

I had cried when I looked into his face. Tears not of sadness, but an overwhelming of peace. I cried when I later rejoined the crowds and tried to tell them what I saw. I cried when I awoke this morning and discovered this all a dream. I cried when I realized that God did indeed care enough to visit me in a dream, JUST to tell me that He loved me, that He knew all I had and was currently going through, and to tell me He heard every prayer. He had been just as excited and anxious to meet me as I was to see Him. To show Himself unto me after all these years. He had seen my blind faith, and He at last manifested a small portion of Himself. I will forever remember that night.

Too often we think that because God does not come storming through and presenting His full majesty for us to behold, performing astounding miracles in our lives, that He must not see us or care for us. We think that God must not love us because He does not manifest himself to us. We think He doesn't care because He allows tragedies to befall us. We tend to think that we are too blemished for Him to care to love us or forgive us. We are so quick to condemn ourselves. But let me tell you this. To everyone who desires a relationship and reconciliation with Jesus Christ, He does not condemn you, but loves and cherishes you. He rejoices over you, and He is smiling on you right now though you cannot see Him. He hears you. I can vouch for that.

I looked on the internet about images of Jesus. Numerous life accounts poured through Google search, and everyone exclaimed over and over about His eyes and love. They claimed he had light eyes, some thought green and others blue. I personally believe they are a color no man can recognize, yet our mind struggles to tag a color our simple minds know.

I am positive with no doubt that I saw Jesus. I know it, and this I will cherish. I can hardly wait to see Him again in Heaven, and I desperately hope I have the most blessed opportunity to see Him again before then.

 "That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 

"May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 

"And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God."

Ephesians 3:17-19 KJV

Eurasia

I found an old bookmark in a book buried in a stuffed box in my closet last night. Actually, this "bookmark" was a folded up map that I had entirely forgotten about - a map of Eurasia.

http://eurasiacommunity.org/areas/what-is-eurasia/

Some months ago, a missionary had visited our church and shared with us the ministries going on there. He had provided us all with maps, requesting we pray for those people who had not heard the Gospel yet.

Eurasia consist of averagely 2.3 billion people, with 1.88 billion of them unreached by the Gospel. Christianity is not tolerable in many of these countries, but the Lord has been doing a great work.

I am reminded once again of the calling that the Lord has placed on all of our hearts: to preach the Gospel to the corners of the world. There is no place where it should not be heard. I know one day I will be over there in other countries, but for now I am here burying my nose in books at the college.

How I wish I could join our brothers and sisters across seas! How I wish I didn't have to wait and go to school! I know that God's timing is perfect, and in His will I vow to walk. Yet still I cannot say it is easy. He is teaching me patience.

I hung the map in my room last night, right where I could see it. I have been reading about Eurasia for quite sometime today, and every hour the restlessness within me increases. I am not restless only, but inspired. I am inspired to dare to step into the world unknown, beyond my borders, beyond the safety of home. I am challenged to reach into the darkest places of the world, but until then, I anxiously wait for the Lord to say to me "go".

Suicidal Deer

I can hardly wait for school to start! I just picked up my books today, and am reminded how blessed I am to have received financial aid. The total was over $800! Truly God has helped me through all of this. I could not have done this without Him, and the people He has moved to support me.

I am reminded of my first semester of college and how scary yet exciting it was. One class in particular - public speaking - I was terrified to take. Yet in the end it was truly one of my favorites. Here is just one of the many speeches I had to give.

_________________

   It's 8:00 at night and the moon starts to rise just above the tree line. It's Christmas Eve and anxiously Billy heads home to his family. Over the frozen pavement his headlights beam, showing him the way. Intently he watches for black ice.

   Suddenly out of the middle of nowhere something leaps from the dense woods and onto the highway only several feet from his Dodge. It's a deer and steadfast it remains, its feet planted firmly in the middle of the road. Grabbing the wheel with both hands Billy steadies the vehicle and prepares for the collision. Of all days to hit a deer.

   We all experience a version of this sometime in our driving career. Perhaps we manage to swerve out of the way or break just in time. Perhaps we hit it instead and total our cars, sending us or a friend to the hospital. Living in a rural state such as Montana we are bound to find ourselves in some sort of wildlife accident.

   How can we stop this? How can we solve this ongoing issue? Every year, we spend $1 billion solely to vehicle damage. 10,000 people are seriously injured and 150 killed due to deer collisions in the US. Montana alone ranks #5 in the top states for such accidents.

   We need to put an end to this. The solution is simple. No deer near the highways, no more hits. As one sign posted along a back road, “Suicidal deer. Please drive slowly,” such cautions would no longer exist.

   Imagine how much safer we would feel driving down the roads at night. We wouldn't have to worry about our loved ones tangling with a buck leaping from the shadows. We wouldn't have to pay all those medical bills fixing our broken bodies because we swerved and flipped our car. We wouldn't have to spend $1 billion at the autobody and mechanic shop. We could drive confidently and at ease. Our only problem left would be drunk drivers!

   So let's take care of this! How? We all know deer hate the hunting season. They run at the crack of a shotgun. They hide deep in the forests, watching for the bright color of hunter orange. So send your cars for a paint job and upgrade your horn to the sound of a 30 out 6. Who says we have to stand for this nonsense?

Ebola Outbreak

While on Instagram today I saw a post from Doctors Without Borders. There are outbreaks of a virus called Ebola in West Africa. Many have suffered and died. Others have recovered. M.S.F. is fighting to save the infected, and prevent further spread of the disease.

Hearing about such outbreaks makes me want to join Doctors Without Borders even more so. I am stirred to continue to pursue my education in nursing. One day it will be me out there. One day... Until then I keep them in prayers, learning as much as I can about such illnesses.

Is it odd I find plagues and the like so fascinating? It baffles me how such little organisms can end the life of not just one person, but up to thousands and beyond. It makes me want to go out and fight alongside the Doctors Without Borders team.

I copied a link below that explains more about what is going on in Africa. Will you join me in prayer for those inflicted and those who are there serving?

http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/news-stories/field-news/battling-ebola-outbreak-west-africa

Restlessness

I have been growing restless again for minsitry. It's been nigh four years, and I feel I might break. Call me crazy, but I can't stop thinking about Mexico. I remember the life there. We didn't know many times what the next day would hold. We went where the Lord lead. We met people of all walks of life. Some were devout Christians, with the same stirring for ministry as us, others were back slidden, needing motivation and a revival in their hearts. Some had never even heard of the name of Jesus. We slept where they slept, wept when they wept, and rejoiced when they rejoiced. We grew together in Christ. We gained much, and we lost much.

Since Mexico, I have struggled to live a routine life. I am not used to planning months into my future. I am restless. I am reminded of those still suffering, those still hungry. I know I am preparing myself for eventually going across seas, and serving in the medical field, but I grow anxious to help and do something now. I'm afraid to step out on my own, but I am more afraid of doing nothing. I must do something.

The world can't wait for us to be good and ready. Everyday, everyone is one more day closer to death. Everyday, is one day closer to Christ's coming. And though we look forward to that day with exceeding joy, there are still those who have not heard of the Gospel. How can we sit idly by knowing the lost walk among us?

Yes, one can reach out in ministry to the local communities. Yes. There are ministry opportunities left and right, right here in Montana. But what about those beyond our borders? What about those forgotten? They are dismissed too often with the excuse that another will reach out to them. There are the few that do. Why can't I be that person? God has given me this restlessness for a reason.
I vow to go where the Lord leadeth, but I pray He leadeth me to venture beyond my borders.

End of the World?

One can't deny the fact that pollution is indeed effecting our environment, just like so many other things. I think this will always be a concern for us as there will always be certain resources we will be unable to replace, like fossil fuels. Whether global warming is indeed the initiation to the end of the world, we do not know. From a Biblical stand point, it is inevitable that there will be a day that will be our last. The earth is bound to come to an end, but whether it is in the near future or a million years from now we don't know. No man can possibly know the day nor hour.

I noticed that on Al Gore's YouTube channel he had made a video called How It All Ends: God's Will. He pointed out a very thoughtful idea when comparing global catastrophe to a small river with a pipe line installed upstream. Indeed it poses many questions that got me wondering. The answer that the Christian lady he had interviewed gave, was that global warming was far too big, and that it was out of our hands. Please understand that God does not literally MAKE these tragedies to happen. He ALLOWS them. Which for many might sound like the same thing if the Lord truly is all powerful, and is always in control.

It comes down to the fact that, putting God aside, we are currently making choices in today's society that WILL have negative consequences. The world is indeed being trashed as harmful chemicals and toxins are being released into the air daily. We take for granted this world that we live in, and its abundance of resources. I mean just think, it's been able to sustain life for thousand of years! Truly such longevity of this earth is a miracle. But we will have to eventually face the consequences of our actions. God doesn't cause such catastrophes to happen, He allows them to happen. He doesn't stop them, or at least not all of them.

Eventually there will come an end to this world. I believe it because that is what the Bible says and, heck call me a Bible thumper but, I would rather put my trust in the God who created this world than the people in it who are still arguing over whether or not pollution is something we should be worrying about.

No man, woman or child can ever know exactly how or when this earth will come to nought. That's why its so important to put our trust in God. People keep thinking they can outwit Him and figure out a solution on there own, but in a sense that lady was right: when it comes to a global sense, it is out of our hands. We can do our best to make small changes, and perhaps slow down the deterioration of the earth, but it is still bound to come to an end. Just as people cannot live forever, neither can the earth.


I wrote this for my sociology class at the local community college. Often what they teach in class is far different than what I believe. It comes to a balance of how to get your point across with love and kindness, just as Christ would have done. To know the time and place to speak up for my Faith is something I am still learning.

God is GOOD

God is so good! How often we hear those words, yet think nothing of it. Yesterday, those words came to life. God has blessed me so much I am losing count of them all. Lol. No I didn't win the lottery, and no I wasn't given a 2014 Jaguar. The Lord has blessed me with opportunities to serve, with a clearer understanding of His word, with a growing passion to be like Him, and love the world as He does.

In addition, I received an award letter from a scholarship. It truly came just in time, for my bills was going to be cutting into the negative. With that scholarship I have less then fifty dollars to pay for tuition this semester. See, God does come through when we take that leap of faith, and choose to follow Him.

It is through the times of testing and trials where we see His power the most. When we choose to let go, it is then He can move mountains in our lives. When we give Him the wheel, like that one song by Carrie Underwood, it is then that He will take control and show us the way. We can rest assured that under His wings we shall never be desolate. Take heart and never give up, for in the footsteps of the Almighty will we find victory. God IS good!

Behind the scenes

So this is pretty long, but this is an assignment for a college paper that I just finished and submitted. I never realized how desperate of a situation it truly was until I started researching it. Let me know what you think.

International Manufacturing of Technology at Foxconn

and the Work Environment

Flathead Valley Community College

Savanah Ontiveros

     When we think of technology we think of the future. We think of the birth of a new global revolution. We enjoy this luxury, reaping its service for work, school and entertainment. We never stop to think from where it came or how it was put together. The factories that built the software, the hands that ever so carefully wired the systems, all to eventually be shipped off to countries like the U.S. and be received to our hands. We are never told about the mistreatment, unsafe environment, or unpaid overtime hours these workers experience. We are often lost to the realities of what truly occurs in these factories.

     They are behind the scenes, these diligent workers. They are never spoken of, never seen, and if ever mentioned they are quickly forgotten. They reside in countries like China, in towns like Chengdu, Shenzhen and Chongqing. The majority of them come from small rural villages, seeking work and a means by which they can support their families.

     In one interview given by Jenny Chan, Ngai Pun and Mark Seldon (2013) a   senior human resources manager said, “over eighty-five percent of Foxconn's employees are rural migrant workers between sixteen and twenty-nine years old.” Most of them do not work with Foxconn by choice. Most of them have no other job openings available.

     Foxconn easily recruits them by telling them about a promising trade with good prospect and competitive wages. They assure fair hours, and installment of safety precautions, as well as proper training. Upon such promises, according the research done by Students & Scholars Against Corporate Misbehavior or SACOM (2011), the workforce in Foxconn grew to one million in 2011.

     “I come from a village to sell my labor at Foxconn, all I want is to improve the living conditions of my family," a twenty-four year-old worker expressed in an interview by SACOM (2011). These workers come with high hopes of making a better life. What they don’t realize is what lies beyond the public’s view, and into the heart of their newly acquired occupations.

     One such troublesome issue is the misuse of chemicals without proper protection. The workers are not informed of these hazardous products, nor are trained to safely manage them. They are lucky to be given a mask to wear while they excessively use the chemicals everyday, SACOM claims (2011).

     In addition, the workers are given long hours with few to no breaks in between. They are offered overtime, and eagerly accept it as the wages paid barely reach legal minimum. Without overtime hours, many claim they could never afford living expenses. Li Hui, a female worker in Chengdu expressed, "It was disheartening when I found that I was only paid less than CNY 1500 [approximately $240]. I had overtime work on several weekends, but the hours were not fully recorded on the payslip" (SACOM, 2011). This is another issue many have to deal with. Overtime is often underpaid if paid at all, not to mention requested even after legal limit.

SACOM’s (2011) study found the following: Article 41 of the Labor Law in China stipulates that overtime should not exceed three hours per day and thirty-six hours per month... In reality, except in low season, the production facilities in Shenzhen, Chengdu and Chongqing violated the thirty-six hours overtime work limit provided by law... In Chengdu, workers usually have eighty to a hundred hours overtime work on the top of a hundred and seventy-four regular hours per month.

     If workers do not accept overtime, they are fired. Those who do stay must bare the military management practiced by several of the Foxconn facilities. Foxconn claims they keep to humane ethics and respectable treatment, but there are those who dare to admit otherwise. From humiliation, threats, and unsafe work environments these companies slave their employees to the point of suicide.

     According to reports made by SACOM they claim, "We also revisited Foxconn's flagship plants in two industrial towns, Longhua and Guanlan in the Shenzhen, where employees are still housed in dormitories surrounding with anti-suicide nets”. Apparently, they are not only aware of these tendencies, but are making the efforts to prevent such by setting up "nets". You would think they would stop to wonder the reason for such tendencies in the first place.

     The question for many, is how this has been kept hush hush for so long. As the word is spreading in these recent years, attention is slowly being drawn to how these prized products are manufactured. We in America admire companies like Apple, Dell, and HP, but these are the companies for which Foxconn supplies. "The code of conduct of Apple also states Apple is committed to ensure workers are treated with dignity" (SACOM, 2011). It is in their interest to improve the workplace in these factories, but one must wonder how efficient they are in following through.

     A report made by Michelle Fitzsimmons (2013) states that “Apple posted a claim of $43.6 billion in revenue... and $11.6 billion in profit”. One would think such increase in income would result in better pay, and benefits for the miracle workers who put it all together. One must wonder if it is truly out of ignorance, or the turn of a blind eye, as to explain why Apple hasn't already aided in bettering the environment of the workplace across seas.

     It's not a secret that companies like Apple have achieved an international market. Buyers world wide order their products at every available store, undeterred by the high prices marked on their labels. And as the demand for Apple increases, so do the fortunes of Foxconn. The only participants that do not benefit from this success are the very workers that fashion the electronics. For this reason SACOM is demanding companies like Apple to "raise [their] unit price to make a living wage feasible" for these employees. It is debatable, however, as to whether this will solve the dilemma faced by these workers. If these profitable gains and low wages are driven by greed, one must wonder if there is ever hope for them.

     "We have some really great stuff coming in the fall and across all of 2014." Time Cook explains according to one article (Michelle Fitzsimmons, 2013). With "exciting new product categories" there is no doubt that sales will continue to reach globally into every nation.

     Technology is a phenomenon to many of us, reaching beyond our understanding in how it works. Indeed, such electronic inventions are a masterpiece, as we all have geniuses like Isaac Newton to thank. Companies like Apple, Dell and HP will continue to grow as the competition rises. We will reap the benefits of masterminds as we sit back and wait for their upcoming products every year, improving our lives in ways like time-management, organization, and multitasking. We will continue to live daily forgetting who actually shaped these products within our hands. How much easier that would be than to approach reality, and realize what truly takes place behind the scenes.

     Underpaid wages, excessive overtime, military management, unsafe use of chemicals, and suicide attempts are just a small revelation of the daily life of these workers. Their voice is not heard, and for many they dare not utter a word against their occupations. We will continue to enjoy the comforts of technology in America, and in other rising countries. We will continue to pay the high prices for our education, work and pure entertainment. They will continue to work long hours to put food on their families table.

     Whoever said that life was not fair, was right indeed. For people like Karl Marx, “human societies progress through class struggle: a conflict between an ownership class that controls production and a dispossessed laboring class that provides the labor for production” (as cited by Wikipedia, last updated March 25, 2014). Such an unequal system is thought to be essential for the functioning of our globe. I disagree. I believe all peoples should be treated with the same respect, and with this newly acquired knowledge about Foxconn and its employees, I would hope we would spread the word of this grave mistreatment. Let us be their voice to the world.

Reference Page

Chan, J., Pun, N., & Seldon, M. (2013, August 12). The politics of global production: Apple, Foxconn

        and China's new working class. The Asia-Pacific Journal, Vol. 11, Issue 32, No. 2. Retrieved

        from http://www.japanfocus.org/-Jenny-Chan/3981

Fitzsimmons, M. (2013, April 23). Apple says to look at fall, 2014 for 'amazing' product

  developments. Retrieved from

  http://www.techradar.com/us/news/phone-and-communications/apple-sold-37-4m-iphones-19

  5m-ipads-as-mac-numbers-dip-1146484

SACOM (2011, May 6). Foxconn and Apple Fail to Fulfill Promises:  Predicaments of Workers after the             Suicides. Retrieved from http://sacom.hk/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/2011-05-06_foxconn-and- apple-fail-to-fulfill-promises.pdf

Wikipedia (last edited 2014, March 25). Karl Marx. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karl_Marx

College Debate over Creationism

"And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul." This is found in the book of Genesis, chapter two, verse seven, of the Bible.

Schools these days teach evolution, and how the world came into being through a series of combustible activity. They speak of how we were dealt a lucky hand in that life on earth was established when a Big Bang exploded in the sky. Indeed, there might have been a big bang, but not by accident. It did not take billions of years, but merely six days (thats less than a week) to complete creation, wrought by a sovereign God with unlimited power. Yet we are not taught this in most schools. Instead, we are told how the world and even the complexity and perfect functioning of the present human body, down to the alignment of every cell and its forming of our organs, can come from the evolving of simpler more flawed creatures. I beg to differ.

The eye itself is comprised of in numerous mechanical pieces. From the hundreds of cells, to the thousands of proteins, to how the eye reacts to light and expands in darkness, to the clarity of the lens and how it can focus from even a great distance, to even how the brain sorts through the information the eye sends, and creates an image for us to understand. This organ is complicated to the highest degree, and could not have developed over time. After all, how did evolution know the eye was needed when there was no telling there was anything to see? It must have been intentionally created. Not to mention that if chance could throw together a masterpiece such as the eye, then why can't we, with our intelligent minds, duplicate that same organ to give sight to the blind?

Do you know of any building that did not have a builder? Do you know of any book that did not have a writer? Do you know of any song that did not have a composer? How about this one: Do you know of any world that did not have a Maker?

Sir Fred Hoyle, British mathematician and astronomer, was quoted in Nature magazine, November 12, 1981, as saying, "The chance that higher life forms might have emerged in this way is comparable with the chance that a tornado sweeping through a junk-yard might assemble a Boeing 747 from the materials therein."

Why then is this theory of evolution being taught to the future generations? Perhaps because many truly believe it. Perhaps because many do not wish to admit there is a God. It is obvious though, that throughout the world and for thousands of years, mankind have sought for a higher power. They seek something or someone to worship. They seek a dictator, a leader, a judge. The Muslims believe in Allah, Hindu does Buddha, and the early Egyptians gave reverence to a sun God amongst many others. In America, we too seek to worship and reverend something or someone, be it materialistic gain, fame, or a celebrity. The only conclusion we can draw is that we as humans are wired with a like mind, a hunger if you will, to put our trust in something.

Beyond this instinct of ours, there is more in nature that proves that we were created. Take a look at a common number that streams through all of the universe. There are 3,168 furlongs in the Earth’s radius, 31,680 miles in its perimeter, and when you add up the “square circle of the earth”, it totals 31,680 miles. All of these examples of the same number can only mean one thing. There is a common thread tying together all of nature. Further more, there is a fingerprint in all of the universe.

One of the main illustrations of evolution is how we came from monkeys. In truth, we do have similar characteristics to the chimpanzee. To name a few: we share 85-95% of the same DNA, we often eat a common diet, we both use a form of communication (theirs done mostly through grunts, hoots, even screams), and we both love to socialize and show affection be it hugging, giving a friendly pat or even tickling. Yes... even tickling. But one problem still seems to stand in the way of them being our ancestors. If evolution is the refining for a better creature, and we are that better and more accomplished creature, why then do chimpanzees still exist? Why do sloths exist? And why did the Woolly Mammoth become extinct?

There are answers to these questions. The answers do not hide from us, and they are at our grasp. They all point to one explanation. We are not alone in this universe. We have a Creator.

By the power of His words the world came into being. He said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. He molded the mountains and opened the valleys with just His voice. The waters, so deep and untamed, He constrained them about with beaches of fine sand and precarious and lofty cliffs. The seed He folded into the soil, and nursing it with care, it bore goodly fruits. 6 days and the work was complete. And yet as amazing as it all was, the best creation was mankind. The only, in which He breathed life into from His own self.

People will always seek proof and evidence of how the world came into existence. And indeed, as we have seen, there is proof but we often tend to forget the evidence that surrounds us. The evidence manifesting before our very eyes. When we first hold a newborn, or when our bodies fight a virus, or when we find ourselves falling in love for the first time. The things of the heart… emotions… our ever nagging consciousness… even how the earth spins and how we manage to not fall off. WE are that evidence that there is a Creator, and that life is an intentional creation. Not only is life intentional but we, you and me, are beautifully and wonderfully made by a sovereign God. And we have a purpose.

The Controversy Over Wolves

So this is an editorial I wrote for school. It's the first draft so a tad rough around the edges.

The controversy over whether or not wolves are a threat or an endangered species seem to rattle in the balance these days. We have both extremists and everything in between. Yet what are the facts that field researchers and biologists are coming up with? After much research I have come to realize that, like any other animal, wolves do best when left alone. We should not worry over the elks existence and daily habits because they do not kill many elk, they build up these herds rather, and they help sustain plant life.

The accusations against wolves often are linked with the diminishing population of elk. People claim they are the reason for the elk changing their migration patterns, for obtaining more diseases, and even for dying of starvation. According to researcher Arthur Middleton, that is not the case. "[Elk] on average, encounter wolves once every 9 days,” He states, “Elk did move slightly more when wolves were within 1 kilometer, but not by much. They only traveled an extra 30 meters per hour.” That is not frequent enough to affect even their body fat, which is yet another misconception about wolves. These canines travel up to 500 miles. They do not stalk a herd of elk beyond a single meal.

What about when they do? What about when they prey on elk and chase them down to feed on them? One point, which is almost never mentioned, is the fact that when these canines do prey on elk they do not go for the strongest. They kill the weakest, the young ones, or the old and injured. "Wolves help insure that the healthiest elk thrive and reproduce,” says one professor at Carroll College. Jonathan Matthews spends his time studying and researching on this topic, and has brought to the table much knowledge that otherwise would be left unsaid. “Generations of elk have suffered functional decline during the decades that wolves have been missing from Montana."  This clearly states the need for a population of wolves in an area. What a landscaper might do to a garden, pruning the trees and weeding, the wolves do to the herds. They encourage the top elk to rear up strong generations, while cutting out the weaker animals.

Another point Jonathan states is the fact that wolves help maintain healthy vegetation. Indeed, this might sound a little odd. To the average, unlearned American, it would seem wolves only kill and destroy. This is not the case.  "With elk no longer able to graze lazily in the river bottoms, they are no longer eating willow and cottonwood sprouts, so the unnaturally bare banks are greening,... [the wolves] are creating habitats that support insects, fish, birds, reptiles, amphibians and mammals." And this is not all. There have been countless situations where elk, bored and endlessly wandering, have found themselves to ranchers’ fields and their crops. Wolves help by keeping them on the move, thus giving vegetation a chance to survive and thrive. Without wolves, this couldn't happen.

Will all this evidence, it becomes clear that wolves truly are not a threat. Indeed, they do hunt elk. Indeed, they can be aggressive. But what shall we then say? Shall we accuse these animals of trying to survive? Shall we accuse them for hunting to feed their young ones? Shall we accuse them of first degree murder? As we have seen, they benefit the herds and surrounding wildlife in numerous ways. Without these wild canines, the animal kingdom would fall apart. So why not stand back and watch nature take care of itself? It has for thousands of years.

Persuasive Speech - World Hunger

So this is something I wrote for my public speaking class I am currently taking at the local college. It's sorta rough around the edges but I thought I'd post it here.

"If we can conquer space, we can conquer childhood hunger." These profound words were spoken first by Buzz Aldrin. Indeed, how true they are! So why hasn’t the world figured out a solution to this pressing issue?

According to a field report done by Medecins Sans Frontieres (also known as MSF) over 195 million children currently suffer from malnutrition worldwide with 20 million being acute cases. From these, only 3% actually receive the treatment they need.

Because of this deficiency in food, their bodies lack nutrients and thus become weaker and more vulnerable to diseases. From sudden blindness, to anemia (which is frequently exacerbated by malaria and worm infections) to iodine deficiency orders which jeopardize the child’s mental health, their frail bodies begin to disintegrate rapidly without the proper nourishment.

South Asia, the Horn and the Sahel of Africa are the most alarming hot-spots for child malnutrition and mortality. Half of the deaths in children under five in developing countries, occur in these three regions.

So how can we fight malnutrition? How can we prevent these deaths and outbreaks of illnesses? The answer is simple. We need more food.

With enough food there would be no more hunger. The mortality rate would greatly decrease. Fewer people would suffer from these diseases. Everyone could have their fill of nutritious foods and everyone could know what its like to feel stuffed after a Thanksgiving dinner.

So many great things would happen if world hunger no longer existed and the solution is simple. A single meal of nutritious food a day could keep a body alive and well. But we traditionally have three! What if we were to give up just one of our meals - that’s seven a week - and give the resources instead to those who suffer from starvation? Right now, over 300,000,000 people live in the USA. That’s 300,000,000 lives we could save, including in our own country! So what are we waiting for?! Why can’t you and I take the first steps to a better tomorrow? Imagine the possibilities!

Eyes on the prize

Its week two in my college studies n i must admit that i love it! The classes are easy enough and the instructors great. I only pray that i do well and "keep my eyes on the prize" so to speak. For i am doing this so that i might eventually be able to serve over seas. As long as i keep that in mind and seek forever the will of God, i know i will come out victorious =)