Enduring love

Read the story of Violet and Floyd Hartwig, who died together hold hands after 67 years of marriage.

Key quote:

The Hartwigs died at their beloved 20-acre Easton ranch Feb. 11. Scharton and other family members, sensing that death was imminent for each one, made sure husband and wife knew they were at each other’s side.

“We pushed the hospice beds together as close together as we could and then we put their hands together so they could be holding hands,” [their daughter Donna] Scharton said. “My father died holding my mother’s hand and then my mother died five hours later.”

Today's verse

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 12:1-2 (KJV)

Today's verse

Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

1 John 3:18 (KJV)

Today's verse

Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: but we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

1 Corinthians 2:6-8 (KJV)

The unsettling of "settled science"

John Hinderaker at Powerline Blog has a good article about a new paper in Science Bulletin, which was by Christopher Monckton, Matt Briggs, David Legates and Wei-Hock Soon. Apparently, the computer models used by Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) may be overestimating the rate of global warming.

The paper can be found here.

Unfortunately I fear that the paper will eventually be withdrawn. Not because of errors in the scientists' methodology or erroneous data (so far critics have not made many inroads on disproving the paper's findings), but because the conclusions upset the global warming hotheads. "Settled science" cannot tolerate authentic science, and "deniers" must be muzzled rather than engaged.

Today's verse

The hand of the Lord was upon me, and carried me out in the spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley which was full of bones, and caused me to pass by them round about: and, behold, there were very many in the open valley; and, lo, they were very dry. And he said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live? And I answered, O Lord God, thou knowest. Again he said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. Thus saith the Lord God unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live: and I will lay sinews upon you, and will bring up flesh upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and ye shall live; and ye shall know that I am the Lord. So I prophesied as I was commanded: and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold a shaking, and the bones came together, bone to his bone. And when I beheld, lo, the sinews and the flesh came up upon them, and the skin covered them above: but there was no breath in them. Then said he unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord God; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live. So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army.

Ezekiel 37:1-10 (KJV)

Update on Asia Bibi

An interview with Asia bibi's husband.

Key quote:

Ashiq Masih ... fears that something might happen to him or his daughters. Yet he wants to tell the story of his wife to the world. He has already collected more than 18,000 signatures through the Catholic relief mission.

On February 24, he is set to talk at this year's Human Rights Summit in Geneva, seeking more international support for his wife.

And he has a clear message: "I call on the human rights organizations and the international community to continue supporting us with the effective handling of the Asia Bibi case."

Since that summer day in 2009 when, according to Muslim villagers, Asia Bibi made derogatory remarks about the Prophet, his family has lost everything. "My children do not have their mother anymore. They are missing something very important. I need my wife, the children need their mother."

Giving up is not an option for Ashiq Masih, who has vowed to keep on fighting: "We trust in God's help and hope that one day my wife will be with us and then we can live in peace."

Read Asia Bibi's own words.

The online petition calling for mercy for Asia Bibi can still be found here.

For those who do not know who she is, here is the story about Asia Bibi's unjust imprisonment and death sentence for "blasphemy" against the Prophet Muhammad.

Please pray for Asia Bibi and her family. Also, please pray for those who are risking their lives to free her.

Today's verse

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

Jeremiah 29:11-13 (KJV)

Today's verse

He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.

Isaiah 40:11 (KJV)

Today's verse

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Romans 12:1-2 (KJV)

Today's verse

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

2 Peter 3:9 (KJV)

Today's verse

Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.

Psalm 51:1 (KJV)

Today's verse

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Isaiah 53:5 (KJV)

What ISIS wants

From The Atlantic - of all places! - comes this excellent article about ISIS.

Today's verse

Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

James 1:27 (KJV)

Today's verse

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.

Psalm 121:1-2 (KJV)

Today's verse

Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

1 Corinthians 15:51-52 (KJV)

Today's verse

And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

1 Timothy 3:16 (KJV)

Today's verse

He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names.

Psalm 147:4 (KJV)

"The science is settled because we say so!"

The idea that skeptics of global warming are ignorant of science appears to be a myth.

Are global warming skeptics simply ignorant about climate science?

Not so, says a forthcoming paper in the journal Advances in Political Psychology by Yale Professor Dan Kahan. He finds that skeptics score about the same (in fact slightly better) on climate science questions.

The study asked 2,000 respondents nine questions about where they thought scientists stand on climate science.

On average, skeptics got about 4.5 questions correct, whereas manmade warming believers got about 4 questions right.

One question, for instance, asked if scientists believe that warming would “increase the risk of skin cancer.” Skeptics were more likely than believers to know that is false.

Skeptics were also more likely to correctly say that if the North Pole icecap melted, global sea levels would not rise. One can test this with a glass of water and an ice cube – the water level will not change after the ice melts. Antarctic ice melting, however, would increase sea levels because much of it rests on land.

The rise of "settled science" is a troubling development in science, since it appears to be little more than telling skeptics of a particular theory to be quiet. In reality there is no such thing as settled science: obsolete scientific theories are abandoned by scientists because the evidence no longer supports them, not because some authoritarian-minded group declares the debate over and henceforth heretics must repent. "Settled science" turns the scientific method on its head by replacing experimentation and observation with polling and (sometimes) bullying. In fact, "settled science" advocates sometimes bear an eerie resemblance to religious extremists who feel their beliefs have been blasphemed.

Perhaps the two scientific areas most damaged by the “settled science” myth are the theories of evolution and global warming. There are plenty of good scientists who hold a variety of views on these theories. But you wouldn’t know that if you relied on the popular media and the journalists who are enamored with the “settled science” myth. According to these journalists, there are the rational, intellectual “good guys” (supporters of the theories of global warming and evolution) and the anti-science anti-intellectual “bad guys” (anyone who dares to be skeptical). Unfortunately, there are some scientists – who really should know better! – who take the easy way out and embrace "settled science" to stop pesky debates before they start.

Certainly the history of science shows us that scientific debate can be heated at times, but is stifling dissent in the name of “settled science” really such a good idea? Why not follow the evidence where it leads? And are the theories of evolution and global warming really so fragile they cannot withstand some scrutiny?

Today's verse

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

Genesis 1:1 (KJV)

Today's verse

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

Galatians 6:7 (KJV)

Today's verse

For 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: because 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. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

Romans 1:20-

Reading list

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, by Jules Verne.

Today's verse

I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty land. Selah.

Psalm 143:6 (KJV)

Today's verse

Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: that thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.

Matthew 6:1-4 (KJV)

Today's verse

O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; to see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.

Psalm 63:1-2 (KJV)

Today's verse

The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.

Psalm 14:1 (KJV)

Update on Asia Bibi

Fearing for their lives, Asia Bibi's family remain in hiding.

Key quote:

"We get death threats. We can't stay in one place for very long," [Asia Bibi's husband Ashiq Massih] said.

"We live in hiding. It's very hard especially for the children. They can't settle down or study. It's not a normal life to be constantly living in fear."

Read Asia Bibi's own words.

The online petition calling for mercy for Asia Bibi can still be found here.

For those who do not know who she is, here is the story about Asia Bibi's unjust imprisonment and death sentence for "blasphemy" against the Prophet Muhammad.

Please pray for Asia Bibi and her family. Also, please pray for those who are risking their lives to free her.

Today's verse

Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up; he fighting daily oppresseth me.

Psalm 56:1 (KJV)

Today's verse

Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? the goodness of God endureth continually.

Psalm 52:1 (KJV)

Today's verse

I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels. For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.

Isaiah 61:10-11 (KJV)

Isaiah 61:10-11 (KJV)

Today's verse

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

Psalm 51:10 (KJV)

Today's verse

The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us. There is no remembrance of former things; neither shall there be any remembrance of things that are to come with those that shall come after

Ecclesiastes 1:9-11 (KJV)