Today's verse

What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

Romans 6:1-2 (KJV)

Stumbling through mathematics: The chaos game (Part 1)

The Chaos Game is as follows: plot a point inside a regular n-gon (a polygon with n number of sides). Then plot a second point by calculating the distance between the original point and a vertex picked at random, and plotting the second point some fixed percentage of that distance towards the vertex. Repeat this process for as many points as you wish.

I wrote a Matlab program using the corners of an equilateral triangle as the vertices and letting the percentage be 50% (or 1/2). For 100 points the result was following plot:

For 1000 points:

For 10,000 points:

For 100,000 points:

Surprisingly the result is not a set of random points. The plot is the Sierpiński Sieve, which is a fractal. The results from the Chaos Game is sometimes (but not always) a fractal.

Today's verse

In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.

Psalm 56:4 (KJV)

Update on Asia Bibi

Suzan Johnson Cook, Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, mentions Asia Bibi's case during the release of the 2012 International Religious Freedom Report.

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.

Today's verse

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

John 5:13 (KJV)

Today's verse

But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.

Today's verse

Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.

Proverbs 20:17 (KJV)

Reading list

The Right Questions, by Phillip E. Johnson.

Today's verse

For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

Galatians 5:13 (KJV)

Movie night

The Big Street (1942).

Today's verse

Remember, O Lord, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses; for they have been ever of old.

Psalm 25:2 (KJV)

Today's verse

Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 15:5-6 (KJV)

Movie night

Leave Her to Heaven (1946).

Today's verse

Blessed be the Lord my strength which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight: my goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my shield, and he in whom I trust; who subdueth my people under me. Lord, what is man, that thou takest knowledge of him! or the son of man, that thou makest account of him! Man is like to vanity: his days are as a shadow that passeth away. Bow thy heavens, O Lord, and come down: touch the mountains, and they shall smoke. Cast forth lightning, and scatter them: shoot out thine arrows, and destroy them. Send thine hand from above; rid me, and deliver me out of great waters, from the hand of strange children; whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood. I will sing a new song unto thee, O God: upon a psaltery and an instrument of ten strings will I sing praises unto thee.

Psalm 144:1-9 (KJV)

Update on Asia Bibi

Mark Kellner writes about the presecution of religious minorities.

Key quote:

Farahnaz Ispahani, a former member of the Pakistan parliament who is now a scholar at the D.C.-based Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, says there has been a “steady decline in religious tolerance in Pakistan over the last 65 years. At the time of the [1947] partition [from India], non-Muslims comprised 25 percent of the population; now, they comprise only 5 percent.”

Forced conversions of Hindus and Christians to Islam are frequent, Ms. Ispahani said, citing a statistic quoted by Rep. Brad Sherman, California Democrat, who spoke of “20 to 25 kidnappings every month” in which victims are forced to convert

One of those who did not convert, a 42-year-old farmworker and mother named Asia Bibi, is perhaps one of the most famous Christian persecution victims in Pakistan. Three years ago, Ms. Bibi was accused of blasphemy and sentenced to death; her execution is on hold, but two of her defenders, Punjab Gov. Salman Taseer, a Muslim, and government Minorities Minister Shabaz Bhatti, a Christian, were assassinated in 2010. Ms. Ispahani said the killings were carried out, at least in part, because of their defense of religious minorities.

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.

Today's verse

Blessed is every one that feareth the Lord; that walketh in his ways. For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.

Psalm 128:1-2 (KJV)

Today's verse

O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!

Romans 11:33 (KJV)

Today's verse

The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.

Zephaniah 3:17 (KJV)

Reading list

Home Grown Heroes, by Tim Kimmel.

Today's verse

And the children of Israel said to Samuel, Cease not to cry unto the Lord our God for us, that he will save us out of the hand of the Philistines.

1 Samuel 7:8 (KJV)

Today's verse

For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

Psalm 139:13-14 (KJV)

Reading list

Strategy: An Introduction to Game Theory, by Joel Watson.

Gosnell found guilty

Dr. Kermit Gosnell has been found guilty of first-degree murder.

Much will be written in the days and weeks to come, but one thing is clear: Gosnell's actions were no aberration. Whether it takes place in filthy conditions such as Gosnell's "clinic" or in a sparkling clean office, whether it is done inside the womb or out of it, abortion is a barbaric, cruel practice that tortures babies before it kills them.

Today's verse

Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

Jeremiah 1:5 (KJV)

Today's verse

Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar. She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

Proverbs 31:10-31 (KJV)

Movie night

Dead Ringer (1964).

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.

Ecclesiastes 1:9-10 (KJV)

Today's verse

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

1 Corinthians 2:9-10 (KJV)

Bomb blast in Arusha

Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete promises to bring the Arusha church bombers to justice.

Today's verse

And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands: They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment; And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.

Hebrews 1:10-12 (KJV)

Update on Asia Bibi

This video is by Ooberfuse:

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.

Today's verse

Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

James 5:16 (KJV)

Today's verse

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7 (KJV)

Settled science?

Parts of Arkansas get covered with an inch or more of global warming, er, climate change. It is the first recorded snowfall in May in the state's history.

(h/t: Instapundit)

Today's verse

Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord: and they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the Lord, and shall not find it.

Amos 8:11-12 (KJV)

Today's verse

Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the Lord.

Psalm 4:5 (KJV)

Marvel at God's creation

Today's verse

And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. I and my Father are one.

John 10:28-30 (KJV)

About the light blogging recently...

I usually try to write at least one post every day, just a Bible verse, so that anyone who comes by will at least hear the Word of the Lord.

Part of the reason about my not doing even that small step has been my work schedule. No, that is not a valid excuse. My Savior laid down His life for me, yet I cannot take a few minutes to praise Him? Pretty lame!

But a larger reason - much larger - for my recent blackout has been a picture I came across not too long ago.

The picture is not graphic at all, yet it speaks of horror and blind terror. There is no blood in the picture, yet it is a silent testimony to the bloodshed by slaughtered innocents. The picture is both prosaic and evil.

The picture, which can be found here, is a picture of some empty seats. Seats reserved for the media at the trial of Dr. Kermit Gosnell. Seats that are empty because those who fancy themselves protectors of the innocent and downtrodden are in fact uninterested in anything that threatens their worldview. Many times in the last two weeks I have started to write something about Dr. Gosnell. Started - and stopped. Stopped because of the descriptions of the torture and murder of babies seemed to be something straight out of Nazi Germany. Live newborns fighting for life before having their necks cruelly severed. Babies tossed in the toilet and left to struggle while they drown in urine.

Kareema Cross, a “medical assistant” who worked at Gosnell’s Women’s Medical Society clinic for four-and-a-half years, testified in a Philadelphia court today, telling of the horrors of babies who survived abortions only to have their necks snipped with scissors.

“Did you ever see those babies move?” asked Prosecutor Joanne Pescatore.

“Yes, once in the toilet,” said Cross.

The baby “was like swimming,” she said. “Basically, trying to get out.”

Many self-styled pro-choice individuals have been horrified by Dr. Gosnell's private Auschwitz. All well and good, but have they ever stopped to consider what really goes on inside a "safe" abortion clinic? The torture, mutilation and murder of newborns that happened right in front of Dr. Gosnell's queasy aides goes on every day inside a typical average abortion clinics, conveniently hidden inside a womb. Does the fact that you can't see a newborn feebly struggle or hear it when it cries in agony really make abortion somehow ... ok?

That is why the picture of the empty seats at Gosnell's trial had such a profound influence on me. Just as there are those who believe that if they cannot see the violent deaths of others or hear their screams of pain then it somehow did not really happen, the media believe that if they ignore the trial it will somehow mean the crimes never took place. "All the news fit to print" has become "We create reality, and nothing exists unless we say so".

As a child many years ago I once waded out into the ocean up to my shoulders. All the time I was looking back at the shoreline or to the sides to see how far out others were going, and if I could go as far as they did. Then I turned around and was suddenly confronted by a dark wall of water breaking over me. The wave was not high - maybe three feet over my head - but I will never forget that feeling of terror as everything else was shut out and darkness engulfed me. The wave caused me to tumble head over heels; now scraping my knees on the sandy bottom, now feeling my face being shoved into the sand. Darkness everywhere.

When I saw the picture of the empty seats, I remembered that day in the ocean. Only this was not a puny water wave, but evil larger than a mountain, an evil so high I could not make out its peak.

Over these last few weeks I feel like I had a glimpse of what trying to fight the devil by myself is like. I got stamped flat. But remember that Christ will do battle for us. We cannot defeat our Adversary, but our Champion can.

Today's verse

For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.

Hosea 6:6 (KJV)