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)."

God’s Plan in Car Troubles
God has been outdoing us in showing love (as usual) even in our troubles. We know that God is sovereign & in control of all things. But that is more difficult to believe when troubles come!

On August 7th we set out for a two week trip.
My dad had his car serviced and ready for us to take. (Thank you, Dad!) We made it within a quarter mile of our destination in Des Moines before the car started to overheat! What a blessing this didn’t happen on the side of the interstate with our two little boys! We were able to get to the church safely and then without my asking, my friend Marc offered to help us. To make a long story short, God allowed us to spend time with our good friend and his new wife, go to their church the next morning and get the car fixed for free! Without our car problems we would not have experienced any of these gifts of grace.
A few days later we arrived in KY to visit my twin brother, Doug and his family. While
there, our parked car was side-swiped and so we were given an extended stay with Doug and with our good friends, the Vaughans! The Vaughans have special missionary
housing, including a pool and 18 acres of land. It truly was an oasis for tired people! We want to personally thank each of these great people for their love and help. We also thank God for getting us safely back, in His timing... especially when we later found out the tie rod to the front wheel was not even fastened on tight! God truly spared our lives and gave us multiple opportunities to praise Him and love others.

And to think it all came through our troubles.

How Does God Love Us?
God gives us Himself in Christ, as our center, our everything... because He is the center; He is source and the end of everything that is good.

(HT:Z)

Something To Never Forget
God is fond of you...
If he had a wallet, your photo would be in it.
If he had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it.
He sends you flowers
every spring
and a sunrise
every morning.
Whenever you want to talk, he'll listen.
He can live anywhere in the universe and he chose your heart.
Face it, friend. He's crazy about you.
By the way, it may be difficult for you to believe that God knows your name...
but he does.
Written on his hand. Spoken by his mouth. Whispered by his lips.
Your name.
"I have written your name on my hand." Isaiah 49:6
Our hearts are not large enough to contain the blessings that God wants to give.
So try this.
The next time a sunrise steals your breath...
or a meadow of flowers
leaves you speechless...
remain that way.
Say nothing and listen
as heaven whispers,
"Do you like it?
I did it just for you."

Was he obliged to make the birds sing?
And the funny way
that a chickens scurry...
or the majesty of thunder when it rings?
Why give a flower fragrance?
Why give food its taste?
Could it be that he loves to see
that look upon your face?
So promise me
you'll never forget...
that you aren't
an accident
or an incident...
you are a gift
to the world,
a divine work of art,
signed by God.

Quoted from Max Lucado, "God Thinks You're Wonderful" (2003)

This Sounds Pretty Cool

RETINA DISPLAYS LANGUAGES

NEC Corp. has developed eyeglass equipment that interprets foreign languages into mother tongues and projects the translation onto a person's retina.

This device makes it possible to speak with a foreigner naturally in one's mother tongue without an interpreter.

If the accuracy of translation continues to improve, it is expected to be used in various fields and situations, such as international conferences and business negotiations with foreign companies.

The equipment comprises of a miniature script-projector and microphone attached to the glasses, and a tiny computer that can be attached to the waist of the user. When two people with different mother tongues speak to each other, the projector displays the conversation in both languages.

NEC's application of such technology to project images by casting light directly onto the retina is a world first. The retina transforms the optical information into a nerve signal, which is sent to the center of the brain via optic nerves.

Sources say that the device can be used for hours without eye strain as it is not necessary to focus on the script display. Because the script appears on the peripherals of a person's vision, it enables people to look at each other while they speak.

Possible future applications include car navigation systems and video games. It also would enable police to distinguish whether license plates that come into sight are stolen by using a small camera attached to the glasses.
Source: Yomiuri News, 2009-09-25

Is God Short-Tempered?

About 10 times the Bible says that God is, "slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love". And he, "is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance." (2 Peter 3:9) God wants all to know his grace and mercy and love.

However, sometimes we see God's righteous anger towards sin displayed. I thought this article was a good reflection on understanding that. As a good Parent, God will not forever be patient towards our rebellion towards him but will discipline us for our good and in the end will punish us if we do not change our way.

Here is a nugget:
How do we credibly preach about a God who willingly kills men, women and children? This question challenged me this past week as I preached from Genesis 6 and the story of Noah. It challenged me because I know that two dear friends of mine reject the God of the Bible because of this very passage and others like it. It also challenges me because I wonder the same thing about God. Over the years I’ve grown fatigued with callous doctrinal academics or simplistic Christian cliches. I want a reasonable answer that takes into account our genuine condition as human beings. Here is a snippet of what I offered regarding this question. What do you think? Am I missing the mark? How would you approach this?

Read the rest.

The Battle of Ministry

On Sunday I am planning to speak at my brother Doug's church about the fight of faith for all the nations. We fight in God's power - our weapons being the love of God as expressed through the Scriptures and through continual prayer for God's help. In light of this, I felt that Dr. Pratt's vision of an ideal seminary was a great one!

Can you imagine what kind of soldiers our nation would have if basic training amounted to reading books, listening to lectures, writing papers, and taking exams? We’d have dead soldiers. The first time a bullet wizzed past their heads on the battlefield, they’d panic. The first explosion they saw would send them running. So, what is basic training for the military? Recruits learn the information they need to know, but this is a relatively small part of their preparation. Most of basic training is devoted to supervised battle simulation. Recruits are put through harrowing emotional and physical stress. They crawl under live bullet fire. They practice hand to hand combat.

If I could wave a magic scepter and change seminary today, I’d turn it into a grueling physical and spiritual experience. I’d find ways to reach academic goals more quickly and effectively and then devote most of the curriculum to supervised battle simulation. I’d put students through endless hours of hands-on service to the sick and dying, physically dangerous evangelism, frequent preaching and teaching the Scriptures, and days on end of fasting and prayer. Seminary would either make them or break them.

Do you know what would happen? Very few young men would want to attend. Only those who had been called by God would subject themselves to this kind of seminary. Yet they would be recruits for kingdom service, not mere students. They would be ready for the battle of gospel ministry.

Lies in Your Textbooks?

Do the finches on the Galapagos Islands show evolution in action? How about the famous peppered moths in England? Haeckel's embryos? Read more about these lies in textbooks that continue to try to promote the philosophy of evolution in our public schools.

Watch a video from Jonathan Wells entitled, "Icons of Evolution" here.
(UPDATE: FIXED LINK)

Stop Whining!

Needed this little reminder today from my twin brother, Doug.

The Preeminence of Ministry to Kids

The challenge we have in Japan is summed up nicely by Peter Hitchens, as he writes chiefly about the state of Russia today:

"God is largely absent from the hearts of the people, who know little of him and were not introduced to him at the age when we learn to love ideas as well as people. If we do not learn faith then, it is unlikely we shall ever learn it. If we do learn it then, we are unlikely ever to shake it off, though we are afraid to do so." (p. 192, The Rage Against God)

I have never had to convince a child in Japan that God exists - all of them, without exception, already know there is a God and tell me that that is the case. It is only when they grow older and learn to suppress that truth (rather than nurture it) that the obviousness of God's existence begins to fade. (Romans 1) As Jesus said, "Let the children come unto Me." Let us be like Jesus and not abandon our most vital ministry for another.

See more from an earlier post on this topic.

All Sinners (Including Christians) are Logically Inconsistent

Atheists want to establish a moral law (albeit one that suits their own interests) and yet throw out the idea of a moral law giver. Atheists also want to establish an ordered, rational, information-filled, beautiful universe and yet throw out the idea of an intelligent Designer. Peter Hitchens, brother of the famous atheist Christopher Hitchens, writes in his new book, The Rage Against God - How Atheism Led Me to Faith:

"From time to time I also try to wriggle out of the laws to which I have sworn obedience. I then reject parts of the teaching of my faith, those parts that condemn what I want to think or say or do. I can usually find clever and ingenious arguments for doing this. I invariably do so because it suits me personally. In this, I am doing exactly what the atheist does, only not to the same extent..." (p. 152)

Japan Needs This!
I'm with my friend Z - "This is one of the coolest things I have ever seen."

Store manager tells robber Jesus wouldn't approve
I was reminded by this story that most rebellious kids just need some practical demonstrations of love to help them turn around.

Quote of the Day
"I love Christ, therefore I love missions. Healthy churches are churches that are gripped by the urgency of the task to take the gospel to those who have not heard. Clearly, this must start in our own neighborhoods and towns, but it cannot stop there, nor should it be called “missions.” That should be called “normal Christianity.” The local church has a responsibility to look to areas of the world that are unreached and pray how they might be involved in the task." - Jeff Brewer

Learning New Languages Opens Up Your Worldview

The Wall Street Journal: “New cognitive research suggests that language profoundly influences the way people see the world.” Here are some highlights:

• Russian speakers, who have more words for light and dark blues, are better able to visually discriminate shades of blue.
• In one study, Spanish and Japanese speakers couldn’t remember the agents of accidental events as adeptly as English speakers could. Why? In Spanish and Japanese, the agent of causality is dropped: “The vase broke itself,” rather than “John broke the vase.”

Enjoying Iowa

After 300 years of Persecution

I thought this was an interesting piece:
See how the hidden Catholic Christians have changed in Japan, and what they are today. It made me realize how just a little compromise to avoid persecution in our lives can destroy so much.