Archive for April 2014

Thinking of Resurrection Bay

April 21, 2014
Resurrection Bay in Seward, Alaska. It was named by Alexandr Baranov, who was forced to retreat into the bay during a bad storm in the Gulf of Alaska. When the storm settled it was Easter Sunday. Today, Resurrection Bay, and all of Alaska, are part of the United States, purchased from Russia in 1867 for 2 cents an acre. Russia at the time was strained economically, after being humbled in the Crimean War of 1853-1856.

Resurrection Bay, Seward, Alaska

Yesterday (April 20, 2014) we celebrated Resurrection Day. The day got me thinking of one of my favorite places, Resurrection Bay in Seward, Alaska. The bay was named in the late 1700’s by Alexandr Baranov, a Russian fur trader who retreated into the bay during a bad storm in the Gulf of Alaska. When the storm settled it was Easter Sunday.

Today, Resurrection Bay, and all of Alaska, are part of the United States, purchased from Russia in 1867 for 2 cents an acre. Russia at the time was strained economically, after being humbled in the Crimean War of 1853-1856. Vladimir Putin has been compared with the czarist emperor, Nicholas I, who lacked the foresight to see how his prideful 19th Century actions in Crimea would adversely affect Russia.

Pray that Vladimir Putin will change his arrogant ways, before he leads his country through yet another death and resurrection. Like all countries, Russia doesn’t need another prideful leader, they need a servant leader whose king is Jesus Christ. Pray also that you and I can have some death and resurrection of our own prideful ways as well, and do more than just point out the folly of national leaders.

“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” Proverbs 16:18.

A sea otter feeds on mussels in Resurrection Bay.

A sea otter feeds on mussels in Resurrection Bay.

Resurrection Bay's beautiful, yet rugged coast.

Resurrection Bay’s beautiful, yet rugged coast.

A humpback whale surfaces in Resurrection Bay.

A humpback whale surfaces in Resurrection Bay.

Rockfish from Resurrection Bay.

Rockfish from Resurrection Bay.

Build a Better Engine

April 17, 2014

Over the last few years, I have talked to a lot of people who spew propaganda claiming Bible-believing Christians are “anti-science.” Because people like me are skeptical of the history claims of evolutionists and futurology claims of global warming alarmists, we are labeled “anti-science.” Fortunately, discerning between what is and is not a scientific claim is as easy as understanding a chocolate chip cookie recipe. Unfortunately, some refuse to acknowledge the differences, using the “Christians are anti-science” fallacy to create political division. For others,  it’s just another excuse to hate their neighbor.

One pattern I’ve noticed among the “Christians are anti-science” crowd is that the most outspoken individuals tend to have little or no background in science or engineering. When God gives me an opportunity to talk to unbelievers that promote this agenda, I have learned to 1) let them know Christians like me are most assuredly pro-science, 2) present the Gospel, and 3) encourage them to stop doing what they are doing and get into a science and engineering field.

Something I have encouraged more than one unbeliever to do is “build me a better engine.” Promoting the idea that fossil fuels are causing catastrophic global warming is foolish. In spite of increased atmospheric CO2 levels, there has been no warming for 17 years and 8 months now. If, instead of promoting unscientific future climate ideas and labeling those who disagree as “anti-science,” why not do something meaningful?  Why not be actively involved in designing less expensive, more fuel efficient engines, ones that could reduce air pollution and provide better lives for the poor? Wouldn’t a pro-science, love-your-neighbor mindset be better than an unscientific, hate-your-neighbor one? Well, of course it would, but the former is a difficult concept for those who don’t believe the foolishness of God is wiser than men (I Corinthians 1:25).

Unless God changes their hearts and they repent and turn to Christ, foolish actions are to be expected from unbelievers (Psalm 14:1). Fortunately, there are young Christian men and women out there who love God and His creation, and want to “build a better engine” for His glory. Listen to this testimony from David K., a homeschooling senior that is currently using our DIVE Calculus course (bold emphasis mine):

“Thank you also for all the work you have put into the DIVE CDs. Your teaching is clear, easy to understand, and you explain everything really well. Your lectures have helped me immensely, and I don’t know where I would be in math with out them. I definitely agree with you, in that God has allowed us to understand math so that we can get to know Him better. I love looking in Creation and seeing God Himself! I am a senior in high-school, and I plan to go to college to study Engineering Physics, with mechanical emphasis. I want to eventually perform engine research to produce a more financially feasible engine. I would do this by creating a new energy conversion process that does more work per unit of fuel than engines today. I have always had a love for science and math, and I really look up to people like you who know so much and use it for the glory of God. Thank you for being a great example for me to follow.” 

While David K’s words are incredibly kind and humbling to me, I hope they are an encouragement to you! A lot of people are surrounded by hopelessness and despair, but there’s also a lot of hope out there, too!

Are you a young person like David K who loves the Lord and wants to take what God has made and use it to design things that will serve others? Are you currently an unbeliever? Whoever you are, it is important to be intellectually honest and spread the word that Christians are pro-science. History proclaims this truth, as do present actions of humans all over the world.  So, enough of this blog post, get out there and build a better engine!