Unusual ideas about science

The following ideas about science were gleaned from essays, exams, and
classroom discussions. Most were from 5th and 6th graders.

* Q: What is one horsepower?
A: One horsepower is the amount of energy it takes to drag a horse 500
feet in one second.

* The law of gravity says no fair jumping up without coming back down.

* When people run around and around in circles we say they are crazy. When
planets do it we say they are orbiting.

* South America has cold summers and hot winters, but somehow they still
manage.

* Most books now say our sun is a star. But it still knows how to change
back into a sun in the daytime.

* Water freezes at 32 degrees and boils at 212 degrees. There are 180
degrees between freezing and boiling because there are 180 degrees between
north and south.

* Vacuums are nothings. We only mention them to let them know we know
they're there.

* Some oxygen molecules help fires burn while others help make water, so
sometimes it's brother against brother.

* Some people can tell what time it is by looking at the sun. But I have
never been able to make out the numbers.

* We say the cause of perfume disappearing is evaporation. Evaporation
gets blamed for a lot of things people forget to put the top on.

* To most people solutions mean finding the answers. But to chemists
solutions are things that are still all mixed up.

* I am not sure how clouds get formed. But the clouds know how to do it,
and that is the important thing.

* Water vapor gets together in a cloud. When it is big enough to be called
a drop, it does.

* Isotherms and isobars are even more important than their names sound.

* It is so hot in some places that the people there have to live in other
places.

* Genetics explain why you look like your father and if you don't why you
should.

Oh, the wisdom of children! I especially like that last one. I would
say that, in a similar way, the Bible explains why those of you who are
Christians look like your Father, and if you don't why you should!

That's our goal, isn't it? To learn to love as He first loved us. To
have the kind of patience that He has shown with us through the years. To
grow in the wisdom to make right choices, as He is perfectly wise. To be
holy, just as He is holy.

"Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is
perfect." (Matthew 5:48).

Here's a personal question to cause you some reflection: When people
look at you, do they see the family resemblance?

Alan Smith

The Rescuers

When our children were young we watched a lot of Disney movies with them, as I'm sure that you having children did likewise. One of my daughter's favorites (and mine too) was "The Rescuers." This was the animated movie where "Bernard and Miss Bianca" (the heroes) were sent by the mouse version of the United Nations to rescue Penny, a little orphan girl who had been kidnaped by "Miss Medusa" (the villain). My favorite character was "Evenrude, the outboard dragonfly."

I know that this opening paragraph relates to a cute little movie, but it also serves to provide me with a lead-in to our lesson topic for today. I'm going to combine that paragraph with a phrase that we've all heard used several times in the past few months. That phrase is: "rescue mission." See, that's what Bernard and Miss Bianca were sent out on - a "rescue mission" to save a person from peril who could not save herself. Let's see if we can enlarge on this thought for a few moments.

Within a relatively short period of time we've seen "rescue missions" sent out to rescue a 17 year old girl who was attempting to sail solo around the world and her boat had become disabled. She was found and rescued. We've had a couple of "mine rescues" attempted, one with good results and one that didn't.

The one that went badly was the one in Australia in which all of the trapped miners perished. The good one is the one in Chile wherein all of the miners were successfully saved by the "rescue mission." We'll come back to these Chilean miners in a moment, but first, let me tell you about the greatest "rescue mission" ever sent out and I see this lesson as being appropriate to the holiday season that's upon us right now.

Approximately 2000 years ago God, the Father and Creator of all mankind, launched the greatest, most beneficial, "rescue mission" ever. He sent His "only begotten Son" to the earth to save the eternal souls of everyone on earth. And this was not a spur of the moment endeavor on His part. Because He created man "in His own image," meaning that man differed from all the rest of creation in that he has a soul, has an intellect and a conscience and thus is capable of making choices, God knew that man would make poor choices and in doing so, would put his soul in grave danger of being eternally lost.

From the very beginning of time, from the creation of man, God had a plan for rescuing man from the poor choices made in his life. Probably the poorest of man's choices is to "follow the pleasures of sin for a season." (Heb. 11:25) Those doing so are in the clutches of Satan, having been, shall we say, "soul-napped." And, God knew that man cannot "rescue" himself from that dire situation. Is not capable of saving his own soul, therefore a "Rescuer" IE: a "Savior" was needed.

So, about 2000 years ago, Jesus Christ was sent to earth by His Father for the sole purpose of rescuing all the souls of mankind from sure and certain death. Those souls that had become trapped in Satan's mine and were/are incapable of rescuing themselves. In Matt. 1:21 we see an angel telling Joseph exactly what I just said, only in different terms. The angel said, "thou shall call His name Jesus, for He shall save His people from their sins." There is no doubt as to who our "rescuer," our "Savior" is. Parabolically speaking, who our "rescue capsule" is - Jesus Christ.

Okay, let's go back to the Chilean miners again for another illustration. Their "rescue mission" consisted of a "rescue capsule" sent down to where they were trapped. All they had to do was get into the capsule and be raised to the surface. To their salvation from a certain death in the location where they were trapped.

Let's use that "rescue capsule" as an analogy of how our souls are rescued from their trapped location. For our souls to be rescued, they have to get into the "capsule." Here's my analogy: the "blood of Christ" is our "rescue capsule." The mechanism that we must "get into" in order to be rescued, be saved. There are numerous scriptures that tell us this, but these three are sufficient to make this point: Romans 5:9, Ephesians 1:7 and Ephesians 2:13.

And, here again, we can make use of the Chilean miners and their situation to make a lesson point. What if some of the miners refused to "get into" the "rescue capsule?" It's almost beyond our capability to imagine that scenario, isn't it? Think about it - they couldn't save themselves. A plan was perfected, that when launched, would provide an avenue of rescue for them. "At just the right time," the rescue effort was sent forth that would bring them out of their peril.

We would consider any of the miners insane if they didn't choose to participate in this rescue effort, wouldn't we? We'd probably conclude that they had some sort of "death wish" if they refused to get in the capsule. Well, I ask you, isn't this the same principle to be seen when people refuse to accept God's "Rescuer" and choose rather to stay in the "mine?" Certainly it is.

God has a perfect plan, designed from the very beginning of time, for the rescue of man's soul. He launched His perfect plan by sending His Son to earth as the perfect sacrifice to initiate the "rescue mission." Again, parabolically speaking, He sent down the "rescue capsule" and all we have to do to be "rescued" is to get in it. Hard to imagine not doing so, isn't it?

Maybe some don't like this particular method of rescue. Maybe they prefer a different one that doesn't require them to leave their place of entrapment. Perhaps they believe that if they wait a while longer another form of rescue will come. If any of those reasons are subscribed to, I have sad news for them. There will not be another "rescue mission" sent for them. If they reject this one and refuse to "get into" the "rescue capsule" they will perish ETERNALLY. God said that He only sent out one "rescue mission" and if we don't take advantage of that one "....there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins." (Heb. 10:26)

In summation, we (mankind) are the "miners" trapped in our own "mine" to wit: a lost condition in which we cannot save ourselves. It was for this very reason that God sent us His "rescue mission." If we "get into" the "rescue capsule" we'll be like the Chilean miners - we'll be "rescued" (saved). If we ignore the "capsule" we'll be like the Australian miners - forever lost.

Ron Covey

Johann Gottfried von Herder

"Say oh wise man how you have come to such knowledge? Because I was never ashamed to confess my ignorance and ask others."

Johann Gottfried von Herder, German philosopher, theologian, and poet (1744-1803)

A two-ton vehicle spinning out of control

 

If you don't have to get out in it, it's absolutely beautiful.  The
weather service had issued a winter storm warning, and this time they
were right on target.  Early this morning rain began falling, though
the surface temperatures were subfreezing.  As a result a layer of
ice, perhaps a quarter of an inch thick, has coated everything -
trees, shrubs, blades of grass and driveways.

That last item in the list is where things can get tricky.  My driving
today has been seriously curtailed, but I had to get out and take a
few photos of the winter wonderland.  Just a step or two on the
asphalt told me to use extreme caution.  Even if I'm standing still,
I'll start sliding if there's any slope at all.  A person has no
control under such circumstances.

Driving is where danger can really occur.  A two-ton vehicle spinning
out of control on an icy road is a completely unsettling experience.
Even if you're driving carefully, there's always the other fellow who
doesn't adjust for the slick conditions.  Each of us probably has a
story or two on this subject.

Ice is not the only slippery thing to be found.  Walking through a
creek presents hazardous circumstances, as moss-covered rocks hide
underneath the water.  In the woods one has to beware of muddy slopes
or wet leaves.  In the mountains keeping one's footing is vital.  A
mere slip of the foot can be disastrous.

The Bible speaks of slippery places.  These are not places a good
person wants to be.

Asaph, the author of Psalm 73, wrote about his frustration while
observing the prosperity of wicked people.  Did it do no good to serve
the Lord? he wondered.  "Surely I have cleansed my heart in vain," he
wrote in Psalm 73:13.  He had stated at the beginning of the psalm,
"But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; my steps had nearly
slipped" (Psalm 73:2).

Then something happened to change his outlook: "... I went into the
sanctuary of God; then I understood their end.  Surely You set them in
slippery places; you cast them down to destruction" (Psalm 73:17,18).
Those who thought they were well established would find it impossible
to keep their footing, Asaph learned.  Though the path of sin may seem
easy now, up ahead will be a slick spot that will take the sinner
down.

David also used this image of slipping.  "The mouth of the righteous
speaks wisdom, and his tongue talks of justice.  The law of his God is
in his heart; none of his steps shall slide" (Psalm 37:30,31).  To
maintain traction and control of one's steps, it's always wise to walk
in God's paths.

Human nature, however, has not changed very much.  There are those who
will object, "I know how to drive in wintry conditions.  Don't be
lecturing me about safety on icy roads!"  Others will affirm their
ability to direct their own life; they don't need (they think) God's
help in navigation.

Paul's warning in 1 Corinthians 10:12 is timeless: "Therefore let him
who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall."  A car spinning out of
control is terrifying.  How do you think a life spinning out of
control will feel?  Walk in the sure paths of God and you'll never
have to worry about such a scenario.

Timothy D. Hall

Henry Drummond

"You will find as you look back upon your life that the moments when you have really lived are the moments when you have done things in the spirit of love."

Henry Drummond, Scottish preacher, writer, and lecturer (1851-1897)

 

strange dreams

It was a week before Christmas and at our house, the party was in full
swing. The whole family was there and boy can we celebrate. I was in the
living room "discussing" politics with my brother-in-law; we could just
about straighten out the county if given a chance. Part of the crowd was in
the kitchen finishing up the Christmas feast. The older kids and grandma
Melody were playing a board game, the younger kids were running wildly
through the house pretending to be pirates or some such, while in the
background Teresa Brewer belted out "rocking around the Christmas tree!" We
all were munching on the snacks set artfully around at convenient places
through the house. Yep, we know how to throw a party!

About that time the doorbell rings and the grandkids rush to the door in
mass to see who it is, hollering, laughing, pushing and shoving all the way!
They suddenly get quiet and I hear one of them holler, "Grandpa there's some
weird guy here in a dress and he wants to talk to you! So, I grudgingly
leave off saving the country and head to the door.

The kids are right, he is kind of weird looking, like he was someone heading
to a Christmas pageant, long hair, a short beard and wearing a robe. I say,
"Can I help you?" (I figure he either wants a contribution or wants
directions). He says, 'Didn't you hear the trumpet?" I replied, "Well it's
kind of hard to hear anything with all the noise this mob makes. What are
you talking about?"

He looked down and kind of shakes his head and then said, "The Trumpet of
the Lord, didn't you hear it? It's time to go!" It takes a minute for this
to register and I think this guy is some kind of religious nut and tell him,
"I'm sorry, but I can't talk to you right now, we have the whole family here
celebrating Christmas and I need to get back to them." He replied, "We know
that's why God chose this time of year, there are so many people gathered
together singing hymns and praising God, he thought more people would be
ready." In my mind I replay those words, "Singing hymns, praising God," as
Teresa belts out one more time, "deck the halls and let's be jolly."

Then I happen to notice what's happening outside. I get a chill down my
spine as I see folks floating upwards towards a cloud with someone at the
center with a bright glow around them. I holler for the wife and tell her to
get everyone together; we have to get out side right now.

As we try to get everyone attention, someone at the game table hollers,
"Wait until we finish this game!" The grandkids scream, "We don't want to,
we're watching Frosty the Snowman on Television." Someone in the kitchen
calls out, "I can't come, I have to finish basting the turkey, and the
potatoes are boiling."

In the mean time the fellow at the door is standing there listening,
observing this mass confusion. Again he looks down, with kind of a sad
expression on his face shakes his head and turns as if to go. He stops, cups
his hand to his mouth and calls our, "OK Lucifer, here is another house
that's yours. They aren't ready either."

About this time, I wake up in a cold sweat and lay there replaying this
dream in my mind and wonder if we; or our world are ready if Jesus comes
back at Christmas? Would we welcome him or complain because we have some
really nice gifts we don't want to miss out on. Are we more interested in
being jolly or praising God? Are you "Dreaming of a white Christmas," or of
celebrating with God?

I know it's a strange dream, but what if it really happened!

Russ Lawson

Colonel Harlan Sanders

"There's no reason to be the richest man in the cemetery. You can't do any business from there."

Colonel Harlan Sanders, American entrepreneur (1890-1980)