PART 4 -2008 Creation Conference-Binghamtown Baptist Church with Dr. Jim Gardner

http://www.answersingenesis.org/creation/v20/i2/ancient.asp

On our last set of notes we left off talking about the confusion at Babel. We will now conclude these notes from Creation Conference 2008.

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*** Babylon (Modern Day Iraq) -
- Saddam Hussein spent charity money to restore Babylon.
- He believed that he was in the direct line of Nebacunezzar and that he was rightful heir to his world.
- Hussein even had his image placed over Nebacunezzar's on a gold coin to signify that he was in this direct line.


***What is the story of the Tower of Babel?***

Now the whole earth had one language and few words. And as men migrated from the east, they found a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there. And they said to one another, "Come, let us make bricks, and burn them thoroughly." And they had brick for stone, and bitumen for mortar. Then they said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth."

And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which the sons of men had built. And the Lord said, "Behold, they are one people, and they have all one language; and this is only the beginning of what they will do; and nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for them. Come, let us go down, and there confuse their language, that they may not understand one another's speech."

So the Lord scattered them abroad from there over the face of the earth, and they left off building the city. Therefore its name was called Babel, because there the Lord confused the language of all the earth; and from there the Lord scattered them abroad over the face of the earth. - Genesis 11.

More Notes on the Tower of Babel

*** The Tower of Babel was built astronomical!

- Babylon was to bring (and stil is to bring) a one world order.

- PreBabylonian men were far superior to us.
- They had far better memories (we use about 10% of our brain, men from Adam's time used 100%).
- They also had smarter brains.
- They spoke 1 language and they lived five times longer than we do today.

***The foundation of the Tower of Babel has possibly been found.

(From http://unmuseum.mus.pa.us/babel.htm 's website)

Archaeologists examining the remains of the city of Babylon have found what appears to be the foundation of the tower: a square of earthen embankments some three-hundred feet on each side. The tower's most splendid incarnation was probably under King Nebuchadnezzar II who lived from 605-562 BC. The King rebuilt the tower to stand 295 feet high. According to an inscription made by the king the tower was constructed of "baked brick enameled in brilliant blue." The terraces of the tower may have also been planted with flowers and trees.


***The people took the science of astronomy and created astrology.

(From http://artvam.com/Article/Astrology_A_Little_Background/187 's website)

Astrology goes back to about 2900 BC. During this time, the Sumerians built temples in the form of pyramids. They did this to observe the stars and planets. Some say that it is even possible that Astrology goes back even farther than this but there is little evidence to support this theory.

It wasn't until about 2000 BC that the magi of Mesopotamia believed that there were indeed no accidents. He believed that everything in the universe including people, objects and all events, was connected. Not only did these magi, or priests study the stars but they also looked for omens in weather patterns. They would predict future events from the internal organs of many animals and even listened to the words of trees, dogs, cats and insects to hear what they had to say.

The main use of astrology, however, was to study the relationship between the position of the Earth and other bodies in the heavens such as planets, stars and even meteors and asteroids. They believed beyond any doubt that the position of each object in the universe has an effect on every person and even on our planet. It should be pointed out that with astrology, our Earth has no effect on these bodies themselves. This may or may not be true. Nobody knows for certain.

***WE DO KNOW FOR CERTAIN. ASTROLOGY ISN'T A SCIENCE, RATHER A PERVERSION OF THE SCIENCE OF ASTRONOMY!

Random Note *** First century batteries have been found. These were found among the ruins of the Minoans.


Other Ziggurats as Copies of Babel: Other Places Folks Worshipped gods


STONEHENGE

- These stones are in astronomical alignment. They are so technologically advanced that we couldn't even figure out the alignment until computers came about.

- None of the stones have a foundation, so the folks who made Stone Henge had to figure out how much soil would compress. We didn't even start worrying about soil compression until about 75 years ago.




*** Eg. Myans : Cancun, Mexico

- Cancun means "nest of vipers"
- In one section, there was a stone ring sticking out of the wall. They placed a colored cloth about 12 ft off the ground and the object of the game was to take the cloth out of the ring while the other team tried to get it, too.
- The winner's prize was to get their heart ripped out and sacrificed.


- The ziggurrat contained a serpent head and during the Autumn and Spring equinox it appeared to look like a snake slithering

(From http://www.stevealten.com/Domain/professor.htm )
The Kukulcan pyramid in Chichen Itza is an example of the unexplainable Mayan ingenuity. The pyramid is a perfect ziggurat of stone, with 4 sides, each possessing 91 steps. With the platform at the top the count it equals 365--as in days of the year. What is far more amazing is that for over 1,000 years, on each Autumn and Spring Equinox, the afternoon sun creates the shadow of a giant serpent on the pyramid's northern balustrade. As the sun sets, the body of the serpent appears to descend the steps to meet with its stone head.


- Aztec/Myan Calendar was 365. (some decimal) days.

- They figured this out 4 places past the decimal. They were extremely smart people. They were right because we still consider 365 days/1 year.

Genealogy draws 4,000 years to Christ and 2,000 years from Christ to us.

- There is no problem with genealogy and the truth. The Bible lines it all up and shows us.

Bishop Usher calculated Oct. 4,004 B.C. was the year of Creation.

Ussher next turned his attention to identifying the precise date of Creation. Like many of his contemporary scholars, he assumed that God would choose to create the world on a date that corresponded with the sun being at one of its four cardinal points—either the winter or summer solstice or the vernal or autumnal equinox. This view sprang from the belief that God had a special interest in mathematical and astronomical harmony. The deciding factor for Ussher came from Genesis. When Adam and Eve found themselves in the Garden of Eden, the fruit was invitingly ripe. Ussher reasoned, therefore, that it must have been harvest time, which corresponded with the autumnal equinox: “I have observed that the Sunday, which in the year [4004 B.C.] aforesaid, came nearest the Autumnal Aequinox, by Astronomical Tables, happened upon the 23 day of the Julian October.” (FROM: http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/scopes/ussher.html)


(Book: Animals of the World)

- The Mayans were the most accurate time keepers.

- Their calendar at year zero is within 50 years of the year Bishop Usher came up with.

- So you have a Biblical source and a very non Christian Source.

- Noah took the books already written on board to preserve the time line.



- Angkor Wat in Cambodia

Southeast Asia of a ziggurat set up to worship the sun, moon, and stars.



- Peru: Eldorado, city of gold Inca temple of the sun

- Machu Picchu built on rock, rapid running river, the base of Machu Picchu mountain is a village where people worship evil spirits and Jesus.

"The Temple of the Sun is a round tapered tower. The stonework of this temple is some of the finest in the city, outlining its importance. In the center of the temple is a carved rock with a straight edge. During the Summer solstice, this edge will precisely align with the light falling through the only window of the temple.

Observing the sun was very important to the Inca. During the winter solstice (when the Sun is furthest from the Earth), the Inca would hold a festival, which included sacrifice to bring the sun back.

Below the Sun Temple one can find the Royal Tomb, where it is said that Bingham found the remains of some important people. Unfortunately you cannot enter the Tomb, but you can have a peek inside.
Entrance into the Temple of the Sun is prohibited, but you can look inside from the structure above it.

Next to the Temple of the Sun stands a two-story building that got named Princess Palace. The stonework of this building with slightly inclining walls is better than that of most ordinary houses. This fact and the fact that it is bigger than most other housing structures suggest that someone important lived here (maybe even a Princess, who knows)." (From: http://www.opentravelinfo.com/travel_guide/south_america/peru/andean/machu_picchu_peru_inca_city_in_the_sky

- They built all houses they have 2 bulls with a basket between them and put a cross in the middle. They put their petition in the basket for the evil spirits, so they just added Jesus to the other gods.

"On the way up the hill you get a view of the grimy housing made out of Adobe bricks topped off with a corrugated iron roof and a Cross with at least one bull statue on every roof. " (From: http://www.epinions.com/review/trvl-Dest-Latin_America-Peru-Machu_Picchu/content_212559761028)



- Cusco - like a bowl and the light blinds you


-Massive stone blocks put together so tightly cut perfectly




- When you look at the shapes in the wall, you can see how they put animals in them.
Eg. Platypus found in the stones

- According to Evolutionists it evolved in Australia, what is it doing in an Incan stone wall?

- Either Inca is sailing or it was from Inca instead of "evolving" from Australia

- Noah's Ark and the flood ... everything died.

- Coal, oil, gas are all from the vegetation buried in the worldwide flood.

* If we study Nimrod, it will show us the prophecies of 1 world government today.

- We are in a crisis and the devil will take full advantage of it.

CONGRATS BELL CO. BOBCATS REGIONAL CHAMPS! GO BILLY #69! ALL THE WAY TO THE STATE PLAYOFFS!

BILLY BRITTAIN SR. 2009
OFFENSIVE GUARD
BELL COUNTY BOBCATS

Just making a little noise for my brother and our county football team who are playing their final game tomorrow in the playoffs to go to the State Championship. Hats off to you fellas! I am so proud of this team and I am especially proud of my little brother. He really has come a long way with this team. Today, the newspaper covered the team and the seniors. Coach Dudley Hilton spoke of my little bro this way:
"Helping pave the way for skill players is an offensive line led by senior tackle Jacob King, a four-year starter, and senior guard Billy Brittain.

“We’ve scored over 600 points this year and that’s a tribute to him and the whole offensive line,” Hilton said of King.

“I never thought Billy would get to play much at all, but he worked hard this off season and turned out to be a heck of an offensive guard for us and I’m very proud of him and what he’s accomplished for us.”'



Go little bro!



And I ask that each of you be much in Prayer for this team of Bobcats who are giving God all the glory for their victories this season and in years past. This is a good group of boys who really deserve to win a State Championship! God instructs us to bring everything to Him no matter how big or small.... so I am doing just that. I Prayed every play last Friday night and will spend tomorrow night doing the same. Please keep us in your Prayers all day tomorrow, at 7:30 tomorrow night, and always!

GO BELL COUNTY BOBCATS!

Bell County’s success built on senior leadership

By JAY COMPTON/Sports Editor

Published:

Thursday, December 4, 2008 2:53 PM EST

LOG MOUNTAIN — Success on the football field is nothing new for Bell County High School, but the Bobcats are working on putting the finishing touches on remarkable two-year run.

They’ve had back-to-back undefeated regular seasons and will be hosting Boyle County Friday night in the Class 4A semifinals.

The Bobcats are 25-1 over the last two years with their only loss coming in the playoffs last year after giving state champion Lexington Catholic their toughest test in the post-season.

One key to that success is the leadership on and off the field provided by 13 seniors.

Running back Spencer Greer, quarterback Shawnta Zachery, linebacker Matt Simpson, defensive tackle Tyler Harbin, receiver Chase Ely, offensive tackle Jacob King, defensive guard Robbie Slusher, fullback Justin Goodin, kicker Monte Merrick, and guard Billy Britton are all key starters. Adam Overbay, Kyle Fuson and Brad Slusher also help the team either in reserve roles or during preparation through the week leading up to gameday.

“It’s unbelievable what they’ve done here since they’ve been at this high school,” said coach Dudley Hilton. “We’ve beat everybody in the area who would play us for the last two years. Look back on it now and maybe that’s why people don’t want to play us.”

With 318 career wins over 33 years coaching high school football, Hilton has seen his share of good teams and good players. He says what sets the current group of seniors apart is their unity and willingness to sacrifice individual accomplishments for the good of the team.

“They’ve always been winners since grade school and they’ve stuck together,” he said. “Most of them are baseball players and you look at what they did last year on the baseball team — winning the first regional in school history. Now they’ve won the football regional championship too.

“I look at them more as a group of winners. Not only in football, but in other sports and they’re all good in academics, too.”

Hilton said many of the players have set aside personal goals and are excelling at positions that may not have been their first choice.

“I don’t know if Shawnta has always wanted to be a quarterback but he wasn’t until his senior year. Tyler Harbin always wanted to be a fullback. We played him there some, but we needed him at defensive tackle. Matt Simpson always wanted to carry the ball and be a big-time running back, but we’ve had to depend on him at linebacker,” he said.

“That’s what kind of kids they are. They fit in to where they had to in order to make us a good, solid football team. It didn’t matter which position they played, they did it for the sake of the team.

“That’s one thing I can say as far as leadership — They’ve been willing to sacrifice some individual things for team accomplishments.”

Hilton will tell you that he doesn’t play for stats or try to showcase individual players and a look a rushing and passing attempts for each play bear that out.

Though stats aren’t always the best way to evaluate players, many of their numbers are impressive.

Greer, who was a second team All-State selection last season, has put together his third straight 1,000 yard season.

Though he missed one entire game and parts of two others because of injuries, he’s still ran for 1,314 yards and 21 touchdowns on 169 carries. He broke through for what proved to be the game-winning touchdown in the fourth quarter in last week’s regional championship win over Knox Central.

“Spencer’s had a great year,” Hilton said. “He got hurt early in the year and that kind of slowed him down a little bit, but he’s coming back into form.”

Zachery has completed 64-of-105 passes (61 percent) for 1,360 yards with 22 touchdowns and only one interception.

He kept his cool under pressure on a 3rd & long late in the fourth quarter Friday night and hooked up with junior Matt Raines for a 71-yard pass play that set up Greer’s late TD.

“Shawnta has been out there as a fixture for four years. He’s played at split end and cornerback, this year he’s taken over at quarterback and safety,” said Hilton. “He’s been true to it and I don’t know if we’ve still found out what all he can do.”

Ely has been Zachery’s favorite target this year as he has 23 catches for 419 yards and six touchdowns.

“He’s been out there as a three-year starter at safety and receiver,” said the coach.

Fullback Justin Goodin is a powerful lead blocker who has found the end zone 11 times. He ran for 329 yards on just 58 carries on the season.

“He’s been a two-year starter at fullback and he’s played a lot of linebacker this year,” Hilton said. “He’s a young man that’s really come along. He’s one of the key players on our football team.”

Helping pave the way for skill players is an offensive line led by senior tackle Jacob King, a four-year starter, and senior guard Billy Brittain.

“We’ve scored over 600 points this year and that’s a tribute to him and the whole offensive line,” Hilton said of King.

“I never thought Billy would get to play much at all, but he worked hard this off season and turned out to be a heck of an offensive guard for us and I’m very proud of him and what he’s accomplished for us.”

On defense the Bobcats allowed just 21 points during the regular season — the fewest in the state. They are ranked number three in rushing defense with just 71 yards per game allowed on the ground and are also in the top ten in passing yards allowed.

Harbin and Slusher up front and Simpson at linebacker are three of the cogs on Bell County’s top-ranked defensive unit.

“What can you say about Tyler, he’s played about everywhere we’ve wanted him to play — defensive tackle, tight end, full back — and he’s done a great job,” Hilton said of his defensive tackle.

“Robbie Slusher started at end last year and we moved him to guard and he’s really adjusted to that and had a great career,” the coach added.

“Matt Simpson started as a freshman at fullback and has played linebacker the last two years,” said Hilton. “He’s led us in tackling this year and has been all over the place. He’s also a good running back.”

Simpson has run for 428 yards on just 36 carries with six touchdowns and is nearing 80 tackles on the season.

Merrick’s field goals from 30 and 47 yards last week were huge in a five-point win. He added another extra point to his state career record in that game as well.

He’s been honorable mention All-State the past two seasons and after a big summer on the camp circuit he’s one of the top college kicking prospects in the country.

“He’s kicked here for four years and broke every record coming and going,” Hilton said.

Overbay sees some time at wide receiver, but has been especially valuable to the Bobcats as the holder for Merrick’s field goal and extra point attempts.

“He’s one that just came out for one year, but Lord are we glad he did come out,” said Hilton.

The coach said Brad Slusher was injured his junior year and got behind, but never gave up and continues to work hard with the team.

“Kyle Fuson has been good scout player for us and played hard,” Hilton said. “He’s just not been able to break into the lineup.”

Now just one game away from reaching the state championship game, the coach said he’s been impressed with how the team has handled high expectations this year.

“Rockcastle County and Knox Central were two hard teams to beat and we had to beat them twice and that’s a heck of an accomplishment,” he said. “That’s a lot of pressure on our kids. Like last week, we had a lot to lose and not a whole lot to win because everybody already had us winning.

“That shows you what kind of character this team has.”

Bell County’s seniors have led the team to 25-1 record over the past two seasons. Pictured above during pre-season picture day are the Bobcat seniors, front row (from left): Robbie Slusher, Justin Goodin, Spencer Greer, Adam Overbay, Kyle Fuson and Matt Simpson. Back row (from left): Billy Brittain, Monte Merrick, Tyler Harbin, Chase Ely, Brad Slusher, Jacob King and Shawnta Zachery.(JAY COMPTON/Daily News) (COURTESY OF THE MIDDLESBORO DAILY NEWS, YOU CAN READ MORE ABOUT THIS NEWSPAPER HERE.... http://www.middlesborodailynews.com/articles/2008/12/04/sports/997seniors.txt)

Psalm 46:1 - God is our refuge and strength; a very present help in time of trouble.



(Photos courtesy of Elaine Ely... actually I think that's where they are from... I stole them from Billy)

PART 2-2008 Creation Conference-Binghamtown Baptist Church with Dr. Jim Gardner

In the last set of notes, I mentioned Dr. Gardener's thoughts on what a "day" really is. This is where we'll pick up with the notes on his talk today.

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***If a day was 1,000 years in Creation, the plants would have died. The plants wouldn't have been able to exist without the sun for that long.

***"Yom" is "Day" as we learned earlier.

The Number of times Yom is found in the Bible:

* Yom + a number = 410 times
* Yom w/o the word day = 38 times
* Yom w/ the word day = 23 times
* Yom w/ night and day = 52 times

We can see this throughout Genesis, including these verses:

5And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.

8And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day.

13And the evening and the morning were the third day.

19And the evening and the morning were the fourth day.

23And the evening and the morning were the fifth day.

31And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.

***Evening, Morning, Day, Night... AKA Yom is an ordinal number!

(From AIG's website)

In Genesis 1, God, through the 'pen' of Moses, is going out of His way to tell us that the 'days' of creation were literal earth–rotation days. To do this, He used the Hebrew word yôm, combined with a number and the words 'evening and morning'. If God had wanted to tell us it was an ancient creation, then there were several good ways He could have done this. If theistic evolution had been intended, then there were several constructions He could have used. If the time factor had been meant to be ambiguous, then the Hebrew language had ways of saying this. However, God chose not to use any construction which would have communicated a meaning other than a literal solar day.

The only meaning which is possible from the Hebrew words used is that the 'days' of creation were 24–hour days. God could not have communicated this meaning more clearly than He did in Genesis 1. The divine confirmation of this, if any is needed, is Exodus 20:9-11, where the same word 'days' is used throughout:

'Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, not thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.'

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Eg. Jonah in the whale 3,000 years? Nope!

Eg. Exodus 20:11 -For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.

- God actually wrote this in the stone tablets with His very own finger!

***The time frame of "Week" is found no where. Can scientist even explain where the "Week" comes from? The other time frames make sense:

Day: 1 Earth rotation
Month: earth and moon rotation
Year: Earth and sun rotation

(Book suggestion: "Old Earth Creationism On Trial")

*** True Evolution of 1 kind into another kind, takes the addition of outside information. The addition of outside information requires an outside intelligence. THIS ARGUMENT DEFEATS THE BASIS OF EVOLUTION!

- Evolution is the substance of fossils hoped for and the evidence of things not found! (haha)




- The lines on the Evolutionary Tree of Life are not connected and have missing links.

*** Richard Dawkins said that religion teaches us to be satisfied with not understanding the world. That is definitely not true. We can understand everything about the world by using the Bible as our guide.

*** Dawkins even states that people who do not believe in Evolution are "ignorant, stupid, and/or insane."

*** He also stated that "Evolution is observed, just not while happening."

*** Our modern day society had a fit when the Creation Museum was opened. One headline supporting this "fit" states: "Nationwide Oppose $27 Million Creationist Effort to 'Institutionalize A Lie'"

- What folks do not realize is that every idea has a consequence no matter what you believe.

Eg. Global Warming: This is taking the world by storm and Al Gore is the leader of the pack. However, it is a bunch of hype based on no evidence. Take this quote from an article interviewing John Coleman, creator of "The Weather Channel":

" John Coleman, founder of the Weather channel, claims that global warming is a complete hoax. His ideas have been a major obstacle in initiatives in greenhouse awareness for political pulpits on the issue like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Al Gore. Entertainment has even made moves to incorporate green ideas into sitcoms and shows while John Coleman has called these critical concerns about environment "the greatest scam in history."

(Suggested DVD: "Global Warming: You Decide")

Eg. Intelligent Design: Many folks are beginning to believe that aliens brought life to this planet.

Professor Provine, from Columbia University, believes that evolution is a worldview. Listen to this quote:

"Evolution is the greatest engine of atheism ever invented. Naturalistic evolution has clear consequences that Charles Darwin understood perfectly. 1) No gods worth having exist; 2) no life after death exists; 3) no ultimate foundation for ethics exists; 4) no ultimate meaning in life exists; and 5) human free will is nonexistent. "

(Provine, William - 'Evolution: Free will and punishment and meaning in life' 1998 Darwin Day Keynote Address.)

***THE MOST DISTURBING PART OF THIS LECTURE***

According to the Barna Research Organization, the main things Christians should agree with and believe in are not being embraced by most "born again believers."

The Barna Organization gave a survey to see how many pastors agree with the following:

7 Things Bible Believing Christians Should Agree With and Confirm!:

1. The absolute moral truth
2. That the Bible is completely accurate
3. Jesus is completely without sin
4. satan does exist
5. God is omnipotent and omnipresent
6. Salvation by grace and grace alone
7. We are called to evangelize and spread the gospel message

Only 51% of pastors agree with all 7 statements!

57% of Baptist pastors agree

44% of Pentecostal pastors agree

28% of Protestant pastors agree

27% of Methodist pastors agree

35% of Black pastors agree

15% of Women pastors agree (withholding my own thoughts here)

***Then the Barna Organization asked church members the same question. Only 9% of all protestants agree with these 7 truths!***

QUESTION??????????????????????

IF WE SAY WE DON'T BELIEVE IN CREATION BECAUSE IT DOESN'T "FIT" WITH SCIENCE THEN HOW CAN WE SAY THAT WE BELIEVE IN:

1. A virgin birth.... according to science, virgins can't give birth.
2. Jesus being raised from the dead.... according to science, dead men do not come back to life.

*** Of course Atheist don't believe these things, but it is definitely something to think about as a Christian. You must believe it all or none at all. God's word is infallible and is truth from the first verse of the first chapter of the first book. Remember, God said:

John 3:12 - If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?

LASTLY, a post note from my pastor, William Boyd Bingham III, which included the reading of Romans 1: 18-32. This, he described as "A description of our society all because Charles Darwin's father died and went to hell and he did not want to believe it."

Romans 1: 18-32:

18For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

19Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.

20For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

21Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

22Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

23And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.

24Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:

25Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

26For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:

27And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.

28And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

29Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,

30Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,

31Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:

32Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

Waiting is hard....God grant me the grace to wait right!

Good Morning All,

I am in Louisville this morning and it seems like it is going to be a beautiful day. Just an update on the baby situation.... still nothing. I have come to realize that waiting is so hard. No matter how much I try to be good, I can't help but have thoughts that enter my mind about the situation. Sometimes I see folks who have never uttered thanks to God for anything. At other times I see young teenagers with children that they really weren't ready for and sometimes didn't and still don't want. I know children in my school who have parents that really don't want them around. The common link? They all have these children that some of us long for and can't seem to get.
Now before I get a ton of comments that say... "Alesha you know God has a purpose for each of those folks and for you" let me go ahead and answer that by saying "Yes, I know." I realize that. I honestly believe that. But it is still a hard row to hoe. (Throwing in some of my country vernacular there hehe) I'm not bitter and I'm trying hard each day to be happy, jolly, and grateful for what I know God will do. I do believe He will do it, it's just sometimes my mind gets overwhelmed by the thoughts of "What could be wrong?" My husband is fine. His tests all came back good. I am taking my meds as prescribed. I am being healthy. Probably healthier than I've been in a long while. I've dropped 10 pounds in the last couple of months. I am taking my vitamins, folic acid (have been on that since college just for this reason!), and I am not consuming myself with the whole thing. I'm not stressing and worrying every single moment of each day. Yet, I'm still babyless. And though I know folks mean well, some of the things they say just make me want to scream. It's almost as if they think I am sabotaging myself by wanting this to happen. I am tired of hearing, "You're trying too hard" or "When you stop thinking about it, it will happen." How do I not try so hard? I have to try on certain days and I have to think about it occasionally.
Oh, what a post, huh? I just realized that I hadn't posted in awhile and I thought to myself, "What is there to post about this morning?" and this is what developed. Please don't think I am grumbling, being mean towards folks who haven't had a hard time, or those who mean well with their thoughts. I'm not. I love each of you and each of those who don't read this but fit the "comment" category. I am just saying what's on my heart.
With that said, I am so glad that I can take this burden to Jesus and lay it at His feet because I don't know what I would do if I couldn't. Talk about heart ache, that would be heart ache.
So let me end with a prayer. That would be fitting. I'm always asking for God's guidance and grace.

Dear Father,

Please Lord grant me the grace that I need to continue on this path. I want to make it to the end of this experience and be able to say that I handled it in a way that is uplifting toward you. Please Jesus, when You feel that it is the right time, please send us a child. Let he/she be devoted to You in the womb and I pray that this child will serve You all the days of his/her life. I pray also that until I meet this child or even know of his/her existence, that You will let he/she enjoy getting to know those that I love so much that are already there with You. I know there's no proof that that can happen but I'm not living by proof anyway. I am living by faith. I have faith that Danielle, Mamaw & Papaw Brittain, Papaw Brock, Shauna, Uncle Bruce, Edie, Sister Helen, etc. can inspire this child even now. Maybe they are even molding it for me as we speak. How precious You are Lord to let those thoughts comfort me! Jesus, go before me and just prepare the way. I thank You for loving me even though I never, ever show You enough love as hard as I try. I praise You for the joy that I have in my heart even through the tough times and I thank You for all the healing and health that You have provided me and those that I hold so dear to my heart. I thank You most importantly for my salvation and Your saving grace that I know those that I am Praying the hardest for, will accept when the time is right. Continue to lead us on and help us through this situation. Help us to never let this time or any time be in vain. Mold and shape our hearts into what they should be. Help us to continue to grow.

In Great Love and Thanks,

Amen


(picture from http://www.easybabyhandprintcrafts.com/babyhandprinttshirt.html)

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

I ponder to thank God this morning for His many blessings upon my life. He is beyond magnificient! I think of all the things that I have been through this past year and I am amazed at the things God has brought me and my family through. I praise Him for that! I praise Him for letting me enjoy my family for another year and for comforting my heart when no one else could. I praise Him for the blessings I know are already on their way! Most importantly, I praise Jesus for dying on an old, rugged Cross for my sins... I deserved it... He didn't! How great is our wonderful, mercifiul Savior?!


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Saturday Evenings

One of my most favorite times ever is Saturday evening. What makes this time so special you may ask? Well, nothing actually. Just the fact that I get to relax. I love coming home after shopping with my family on Saturday morning and just relaxing. By this time, I usually have my house clean and everything caught up. It's so nice to hear the silence and to be able to relax. Today while relaxing I read some of the book of Romans. Here's some of the key verses that stuck out to me. Some of them I have seen and heard a million times, but they really stuck a chord with my heart.

Romans 2:11 For there is no respect of persons with God.
We are no better than anyone else no matter what we possess in earthly possessions!
Romans 9:
9 What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; 10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
Romans 4
24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;
25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.
Romans 5
19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.
(We shouldn't sin just because we know we are already going to Heaven. Salvation brings about repentance of sins and a "want" to do better.)
Romans 6
16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.
19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.
20 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.
21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.
22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
(We pay for our sin with death but with Jesus we get a free gift to live forever!)

If you want that gift.... Pray and ask Jesus to come into your heart and to forgive you of your sins. Tell Him you want to be his child and that you believe that He died upon a rugged cross for you. Accept Him into your heart. Don't worry about not being perfect, none of us are. God will help you do things the right way. Don't change to accept God, accept God to change!

This is Beautiful!

Please everyone, take 3 minutes and watch this entire thing. Think about how Jesus can pull us out of all the sins and demons that attempt to bind us. Praise His Holy Name!

1 down 1 to go

It's official............ my friend and coworker is pregnant. Her IVF worked! I am so thankful to God for her. She was really worried, but God is faithful and He answered her prayer.

I know that our time is coming. I know God has a precious child up there right now just for Michael and I. But I have to admit. I am growing weary. All of you who have tried for years and years, go ahead and laugh. I guess I thought that it would happen more quickly than this. All weekend I held myself back from testing and I finally did this morning, day 28. My results were negative. I have been really hopeful that this would be it, and still deep down I sorta still am. Until I get a visit, I am not fully convinced. But...... my request yet again is for all of you that read this blog to please, continue to remember Michael and I in Prayer. Pray for God's will in this situation. And any advice would be welcomed. Email at.... leshmike@barbourville.com

I Love You All!!!

Vaca to Lake Erie.... Creation Museum in Ky on our way home Day 4

I have been waiting since the museum opened at the end of May to get the opportunity to visit the Creation Museum. I finally got to go. It was great. Various scenes from the Bible spelled out Creation and God's purpose for mankind. There were tons of things to see and I could only capture so much.... here's what I got. Enjoy! And please visit Answers in Gensis for more information. (Click here for a visitor to the museum's view on his visit.)

Ps. There were comparisons of how Mt. St. Helen's resembled the flood on a small scale. There were also tons of info proving the earth's true story from the Bible.

Click here to read the King James Version Biblical account from Genesis of Creation including the account of Adam and Eve, their sin, their kids, the first murder, etc.

Woolly Rhinoceros skeleton

A child and a dinosaur playing together.

The 7 C's

Fossils and their time line according to the Bible

A Chameleon

Models of Archaeologist surveying the bones.

Fossils

Keith and a Dino... looks like its about to eat his head!

Sign comparing God's Word and the real way fossils came about compared to human reason.

Up close of God's Word

A sign that some random man stepped in front of right as I was taking the picture. It shows a time line according to God's Word.

Abraham and Moses

King David

Martin Luther Posts His Note.

The Bible in another language.

The Bible in Hebrew.

Interesting... Charles Templeton, a missionary alongside Billy Graham, decided that he didn't believe that Creation could be exactly true according to the Bible. Sad!

I liked this wall.... a wall of current events and sinful things. It totally describes our world today.

This sign is so true!

That's sad! Only 44%! And only 9% of teens!

Pretty sad, too. My pastor has quoted this!

Astonishing!

Creation is scientific, just following God's science.

I really liked this sign. Sorry it's a little hard to read.

A bear in the forest.

Deer and Carrie.

In the beginning.... here's Adam naming the animals.

Interesting!

Dino

The Tree of Life

Adam and Eve knew no nakedness before they sinned.

Thinking of getting hitched? Here's the Doctrine of Marriage.

The Tree of Life upclose.

A dino eating.

Look who's lurking around the bin.

An upclose view of satan as a serpent.

Eww... even this scares me. I hate snakes.

Eve offering fruit to Adam. This was interesting to me because the fruit was small like grapes. We always think of apples, but it doesn't actually say that in the Bible. Reference....Genesis 3:6 KJV

I took this for my cousin Jessica... She and I had talked about birth pains being as close to death as you could possibly be. This happened after we sinned. Pain was introduced. Here's the verse we found that references birth being close to death....
Jhn 16:21 KJV A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.

Sacrificing .... offerings of sacrifice were now required... not now for us because Jesus was our sacrifice!

A dinosaur creeping around looking for flesh ... quite different than before when they only ate veggies... see the above sign.

After effects of Adam's sin

The dino that the other dinosaur was dining on.... the flesh he craved.

Interesting!

Adam bears a son.... Cain..... aka the saying*Raising Cain*

Adam teaching Cain to till the ground.

Their meager home.

A very pregnant Eve with son Abel. He grows up to be a keeper of the sheep.

Ever wondered this? I hope this pic is big enough to read.

"Am I my brother's keeper?" asks Cain after murdering Abel.

The story!

One of my favorite scenes....

Looks pretty good to be 969 years old : )

Sorry its sideways... I haven't figured out how to fix it yet.

The ark and how it was protected with Pitch.

According to the sign, Noah was probably a wealthy man who hired ship builders to help him build the ark. These builders were talking about how crazy he was.

Women discuss the *flood* Noah speaks of.

Michael alongside the replica of the outer wall of the Ark.

Rather large isn't it. Can you imagine?

Still showing off the height!

A replica of what the inside of the ark may have looked like.

A model of the inside

Interesting! It says the size of this replica (even though it was really tall) was only 1% of the volume of the real Ark!

A model of the ark.

The ark as it began to flood. Notice the mountain with people climbing up on top.

Upclose of the folks getting ready to drown.

Inside the ark.... what it may have looked like.

Again.

Hard to see, but this is a video clip showing the flood. The water looks like a tsunami! It also showed a model of the earth from outer space and it showed how fast the water moved to cover the whole earth. It was wild. The globe was covered in like seconds.

The ark lands.

The details.

More.

Sacrifices thanking God for surviving.

The outside of the museum.

Pretty butterfly.

Gazebo.

Lily pads

Pretty flowers.

Michael posing.

Pretty flowers.

Plant dinosaur!

Again.

Outside Deck!

Sorta like black-eyed Susan's below.

Black-eyed Susans.

Small waterfall

Front of the museum.