The Origin of Sex

One concept that is rarely mentioned in the evolutionary storytelling is the origin of sexual reproduction (sex). Asexual reproduction is a very effective method of reproduction compared to sex.

The origin and maintenance of sex and recombination is not easily explained by natural selection. Evolutionary biology is unable to reveal why animals would abandon asexual reproduction in favor of more costly and inefficient sexual reproduction. Exactly how did we arrive at two separate genders-each with its own physiology?

"The first sex cells may have been.... By chance, some may have been.... Perhaps some were.... Over time, the.... It is little wonder that, in their more candid moments, evolutionists admit, as Ackerman eventually did, that “when it comes to sex, we inhabit a mystery.” (1)

Lewis Thomas, the highly regarded medical doctor who served for many years as the president and chancellor of the prestigious Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in Manhattan, was unable to contain either his enthusiasm or his praise for the system we know as “sexual reproduction.” In his book, The Medusa and the Snail, he wrote about the “miracle” of how one sperm cell forms with one egg cell to produce the cell we know as a zygote, which, nine months later, will become a newborn human being. He concluded:

‘The mere existence of that cell should be one of the greatest astonishments of the earth. People ought to be walking around all day, all through their waking hours, calling to each other in endless wonderment, talking of nothing except that cell.... If anyone does succeed in explaining it, within my lifetime, I will charter a skywriting airplane, maybe a whole fleet of them, and send them aloft to write one great exclamation point after another around the whole sky, until all my money runs out." (1)

Dr. Thomas’ money is perfectly safe. No one has been able to explain—from an evolutionary viewpoint—the origin of sex, the origin of the incredibly complex meiotic process that makes sex possible, or the intricate development of the embryo (which is itself a marvel of design).

Read more here.

Marital sex is a beautiful thing that we should cherish and uphold with God. We should learn WHY it was created so that we can savor it the way it was meant to be savored.

Learn more here.

We Haven't Had Sex In Over A Year
This is a big problem in Japan too...

(HT: Z)

Flight
I have been amazed, right along with my students, as we have delved into how God made flight, not only possible, but through careful, intricate and intentional design. I encourage you to watch the following video and be amazed too.

Intricacies of Flight

Thank you, Rudy!
What a blessing it was to have my good friend, Rudy V. come and share with my science students on Friday about flying airplanes. The kids loved it, and the good news of God was clearly shared in many ways. What a beautiful thing to see God working among us.

Why Is Keiko Sick?
"A Conversation with Your Child about Why Bad Things Happen"

On multiple levels I really recommend this book to you.
In a solidly biblical, straightforward and easy to understand way, this book brings out truth for your kids (and yourself!) that will warm their
hearts to God's goodness and sovereign plan.

"Explaining illness and death to children is one of the most difficult tasks adults undertake. This heartwarming story by Stacia McKeever explains sickness and death in a wonderfully sensitive way. Readers are introduced to Emily, whose friend, Keiko, has leukemia. Through a conversation with her parents, Emily comes to understand why the world is the way it is. From a discussion of the first two people, Adam and Eve, through an explanation of death, sin and spiritual rebirth, Emily is comforted in the knowledge that God cares very much for her friend."

Please Pray for Japan
A Franklin Graham Festival is much larger than the few days of the actual event. Please pray that the months of work and partnership among churches and training among Christians throughout the Kansai region of Japan will result in a large harvest this October 22-24, as Franklin Graham and others come to minister here. As you may know, less than 1 % of Japanese are Bible-believing Christians.

Wonderful New Album: Merciful To Me

My brother Doug writes:

"My friend, Eric Schumacher, in collaboration with David Ward (and others) through the ministry of Reformed Praise, just released their latest album, Merciful to Me. It was co-produced by David Ward and Steve Cook (of Sovereign Grace Music). It contains the vocals of Devon Kauflin, Shannon Harris, Jake Armerding, Lucia Newell, and others, as well as a host of great instrumentalists from around the country. The 13 tracks are an eclectic mix of styles, including bluegrass, pop, classic jazz, driving rock, and orchestral arrangements. This album is rich in the deep realities of the gospel."

Personally, I really enjoyed the song, O Jesus, but every song makes me sing! Eric and company not only have a great heart for God and the deep doctrines of grace, they also know how to make amazing music.

Doug's Worship Pastor, Benjamin Brainard, also reviewed the album and gave this recommendation:

This CD has been encouraging to my soul and is filled with lyrics that enjoy the full realm of the Christian life. I think of Sovereign Grace, Sandra McCracken, Fernando Ortega, Indelible grace, Red Mountain Church, CD’s when I hear this. Some songs are meant for contemplation, and others for congregational worship. I do enjoy the stylistic variance throughout the CD. If you want a CD to worship to, or to be encouraged by, compliment your collection with this one.

You can preview all 13 tracks here …

**UPDATE**
Eric just created a special coupon code ("Japan") for readers of this blog to receive 20% off the album! Simply go to the website, purchase the album (CD or download) and enter the coupon at checkout. This coupon will not expire, but it is good only for those purchasing the album in Japan.*

Quote of the Day

He who forgets the humming of the bees among the heather, the cooing of the wood-pigeons in the forest, the song of birds in the woods, the rippling of rills among the rushes, and the sighing of the wind among the pines, needs not wonder if his heart forgets to sing and his soul grows heavy.

A day’s breathing of fresh air upon the hills, or a few hours, ramble in the beech woods? umbrageous calm, would sweep the cobwebs out of the brain of scores of our toiling ministers who are now but half alive. - C.H. Spurgeon

(HT: JT)

Should Evolution be Called a Theory?

"Two problems prevent anyone from legitimately calling evolution a theory. First, there is no direct, observable experiment that can ever be performed. Scientists can measure bones, study mutations, decode DNA, and notice similarities in morphology (the form and structure of animals and plants), but they can never test evolutionary events in the past.

Some point to natural selection as a form of “evolution in action,” but natural selection can only act upon the genetic potential that already exists. What we do observe from natural selection fits perfectly with a recent creation and does not point to common descent.

Secondly, and related to the above, evolution misses the mark as a theory because all the supposed “tests” to confirm Darwinism do not necessarily and distinctively correspond to the idea. In other words, each has an alternate and equally viable explanation. A theory requires that the confirming experiments correspond to one specific hypothesis. Otherwise, the experiment cannot establish legitimacy. Evolution has no such legitimacy."

Read the rest here.

Fun News From Japan

DANGER OF NOISELESS CARS

For the first time in automobile history, carmakers who have been trying to make cars quieter, will try to make their cars noisy! If they run too quietly, pedestrians may fail to notice them approaching!

HVs (Hybrid Vehicles) make hardly any sound when they are driven slowly. The Toyota Motor Corp.'s ‘Prius’ makes a sound of about 30 decibels which is as quiet as a whisper. Experts are concerned that visually impaired people may fail to notice the vehicles approach due to this quietness.

The transport ministry is paving the way for HVs to make artificial sounds in order to insure safety on the streets. The ministry has set up a committee comprising of university professors and other experts, to address this problem. However, experts point out that the task will not be easy.

“We want carmakers to individually make efforts to develop their own sounds, and we hope such a situation will automatically narrow down good ones,” a senior ministry official said. “We don't want them to make background music as used in stores or other sounds that could be mistaken for something else other than cars.”

I was thinking if recording someone saying, "VROOM, VROOM" would be a good idea. Any thoughts?

Source: Yomiuri News, 2010-04-10

Greatest Catch Ever?

(HT:Z)

10 Years In Japan!

September marks ten years since I first came to Japan. It is amazing to think about all the Lord has done since I first came here as a naive 24 year-old foreigner. Though we may not see all of what God has done in those ten years, it is enough to know that He continually has given me a heart and a love for the precious people of Japan, and that it is a pleasure to give my life away for them every day.

More than 99% of Japanese are like sheep without a shepherd, going about life trying to find the best way, and yet lost, and starving, and dying. Every day more and more are suffering and dying. They do not know the wonderful food - the love, peace, and joy of God that surpasses all understanding, both in greatness and in duration. It is my longing for my dear brothers and sisters in Japan to know that, and to know Him personally. Please pray with me that they would; that their eyes would be open and that they would seek and find God through Christ Jesus.

"For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." - 2 Cor. 5:14-17

A Swampy 104 Degrees!

Today our hometown of Kyotanabe, Japan made the highest temperature ever recorded in September in Japan. For those of you who don't know, Japan had the hottest temperatures in 100 years this summer. We were thankful to be in America until now at least (and happy to be in the air-conditioning all day here)!
Two other times our hometown was the hottest temperature in Japan this summer!

The Scopes Retrial
Alleged, a new Hollywood movie to be released in theaters soon, reveals how the major media delivered a distorted view of the trial in an attempt to attack biblical Christianity. The film "provides a counter to the anti-creationist play Inherit the Wind (1955) and its subsequent namesake films (1960 and after)."