Well here goes…
Have you ever eaten Ramen Noodles? You are probably thinking “DUH!!! Hasn’t everyone on the face of the earth?” Well, that would be a slight exaggeration, but perhaps it is close to the truth. In 2004, annual servings sold worldwide topped 70 billion. So lots of people have eaten them, but have you ever wondered how and why Ramen Noodles were invented?
Momofuku Ando, a Taiwanese inventor and entrepreneur, invented Ramen Noodles in 1958. At the end of World War II, Japan was going through a food shortage and Ando wanted to help the poor people that had to stand in long lines in order to get food from charities. He had the idea of inventing a kind of noodles that would be very inexpensive and easy to cook. He experimented with various kinds of noodles until he finally came up with a method of making and moistening noodles, and then drying and flash-frying them. They were ready to be eaten within minutes of being covered with boiling water. They were also the world’s first instant noodles. At first considered a luxury, they were expensive. But after cup noodles were invented, the company saw immediate success. The world wide demand for them increased, and Ramen were eventually sold as one of the cheapest noodles in Japan.
After hearing this story, I have a deeper appreciation for Ramen Noodles, and respect for a man that wanted to help out his fellow countrymen in their time of need.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Do Aliens Exist
Do aliens exist?
Yes:
1. Other planets exist
2. Many people have claimed to have seen UFO’s
3. God created people, so what would stop Him from creating another world where there are more people
No:
1. No planets have been discovered that life can survive on
2. We have never made confirmed contact with any life form that wasn't a human from earth
3. God never mentions creating any other people on different planets in the Bible
There are people that would swear on their lives that aliens do exist, but it is a more common view that you are not a very intelligent person if you believe that aliens exist. From a Biblical perspective we are inclined to think that aliens don’t exist because they are never mentioned in the Bible. Is it possible that there is another world out there with another human life on it? What do you think? If there is another world with humans on it?
Yes:
1. Other planets exist
2. Many people have claimed to have seen UFO’s
3. God created people, so what would stop Him from creating another world where there are more people
No:
1. No planets have been discovered that life can survive on
2. We have never made confirmed contact with any life form that wasn't a human from earth
3. God never mentions creating any other people on different planets in the Bible
There are people that would swear on their lives that aliens do exist, but it is a more common view that you are not a very intelligent person if you believe that aliens exist. From a Biblical perspective we are inclined to think that aliens don’t exist because they are never mentioned in the Bible. Is it possible that there is another world out there with another human life on it? What do you think? If there is another world with humans on it?
Thursday, November 6, 2008
“Oh, my friend, it’s not what they take away from you that counts. It’s what you do with what you have left.” -Hubert Humphrey
If you are anything like me, well, pretty much if you are a human being, you have had someone hurt you at some time. The question is, how did you respond? There is a lot of hurting in the world, but the sad thing is that almost all of the pain in the world is caused by humans.
As I think about the cruelty of the world, I think about how perfectly right Jesus was when he said that the second greatest commandment was to love our neighbor as ourselves. If people treated others as they want to be treated, most problems would be solved. Of course, it is almost impossible to always treat others as you should without the grace of God.
When caused pain, most respond in anger. Whether because of unwisely chosen words, or because of being physically harmed, most people just want to return in like kind to the offender. A word of gossip spread for a cruel remark, or a punch in the nose for a slashed tire; it always seems as though the wrong doer deserves to be punished. But is isn’t up to us to punish anyone. Romans 12:19 says “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.“
Some people respond in anger, but others pity themselves. Feeling pity for yourself all the time is not a good habit to start. It is probably better than getting overly angry, but both reactions are wrong. Mr. Humphrey wisely tells us what to do. GET ON WITH YOUR LIFE. Don’t dwell on the negatives. Forgive whoever needs to be forgiven, and be a stronger person because of the experiences you have fought your way through.
If you are anything like me, well, pretty much if you are a human being, you have had someone hurt you at some time. The question is, how did you respond? There is a lot of hurting in the world, but the sad thing is that almost all of the pain in the world is caused by humans.
As I think about the cruelty of the world, I think about how perfectly right Jesus was when he said that the second greatest commandment was to love our neighbor as ourselves. If people treated others as they want to be treated, most problems would be solved. Of course, it is almost impossible to always treat others as you should without the grace of God.
When caused pain, most respond in anger. Whether because of unwisely chosen words, or because of being physically harmed, most people just want to return in like kind to the offender. A word of gossip spread for a cruel remark, or a punch in the nose for a slashed tire; it always seems as though the wrong doer deserves to be punished. But is isn’t up to us to punish anyone. Romans 12:19 says “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.“
Some people respond in anger, but others pity themselves. Feeling pity for yourself all the time is not a good habit to start. It is probably better than getting overly angry, but both reactions are wrong. Mr. Humphrey wisely tells us what to do. GET ON WITH YOUR LIFE. Don’t dwell on the negatives. Forgive whoever needs to be forgiven, and be a stronger person because of the experiences you have fought your way through.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Men and Shorts vs. Women and Short Skirts
I grew up in a conservative holiness home, where my brother and I were taught that it was not right(or modest) for men to wear shorts. I understand that my parents are trying to teach us what was right but I always wondered why I could wear a skirt 2 inches or more below the knee, and still be modest, while my brother couldn’t wear shorts to the knee without being immodest. One person I talked to said, “Well, its just not professional. Nobody wants to see a guy’s hairy legs.” But when he is not in a situation that demands him to be professional, is it ok for a guy to wear shorts?
A lot of people say no. So I have another question. Is it ok then, for women to wear skirts that come up to their knee, or even 2 inches below their knees? If its completely modest for a woman to wear a skirt that short, why can’t men wear shorts that reach their knee, or 2 inches below the knee?
It is common knowledge that men are more tempted by sight. So shouldn’t it be the other way around? Shouldn’t the men be wearing the shorts to their knees, while the women wear skirts to the floor?
I have thought about this, and I can’t come to a satisfying conclusion. I don’t feel the conviction to stop wearing skirts that show any of my legs, yet it seems like the logical conclusion. Even aside from the guy’s shorts issue, I’m not sure women should show their legs. Some men are very aroused by looking at a women’ legs; others don’t find it to be a problem area for them. So my major question is, can men wear shorts and be modest if women can, or is it immodest for men or women to show any of their legs? Please feel free to leave a comment about what you think is right, or just your personal convictions on the subject.
A lot of people say no. So I have another question. Is it ok then, for women to wear skirts that come up to their knee, or even 2 inches below their knees? If its completely modest for a woman to wear a skirt that short, why can’t men wear shorts that reach their knee, or 2 inches below the knee?
It is common knowledge that men are more tempted by sight. So shouldn’t it be the other way around? Shouldn’t the men be wearing the shorts to their knees, while the women wear skirts to the floor?
I have thought about this, and I can’t come to a satisfying conclusion. I don’t feel the conviction to stop wearing skirts that show any of my legs, yet it seems like the logical conclusion. Even aside from the guy’s shorts issue, I’m not sure women should show their legs. Some men are very aroused by looking at a women’ legs; others don’t find it to be a problem area for them. So my major question is, can men wear shorts and be modest if women can, or is it immodest for men or women to show any of their legs? Please feel free to leave a comment about what you think is right, or just your personal convictions on the subject.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Is The Bible True?!?
OK, there has been much debate on the Bible since the very early centuries when it was written. There are people who base their whole lives and decisions around this book, and those who burn it. Who is right? Is the Bible a reliable book, or just a harmless fairytale about things that didn't ever really happen.
The very first thing we have to do is analyze the Bible. Instead of getting all worked up and arguing in a excited manner, lets take a long calm look at the Bible.
The first thing we have to do is look at the facts. Scientific facts and historical facts are the two different kinds of facts to look at here.
Scientific facts are observable and repeatable. We cannot observe the events that are recorded in the Bible, neither can we repeat them. So do we throw out the Bible as an unreliable book based on these two observsations? I think not. We do not throw out a biographical book just because we can't observe or repeat the events of someone's live. These writtings are generally excepted as true although we cannot observe or repeat the things recorded in them.
This brings me to the second kind of facts: historical facts. Historical facts that are accepted have eye-witness testimonies and multiple corroborating witnesses. Historical documents are assumed reliable until proven errant, so lets assume the Bible is true for now. What does the Bible claim? Well, Jesus claimed to be the truth in John 14:6, Jesus claimed to be the Son of God in Luke 22:70-71, Jesus claimed that knowing his teaching is knowing the truth in John 8: 31-32, and Jesus claimed that he would raise from the dead three days after he died in John 2: 19-21.
So do we have eye-witness testimonies? Paul testifies that he saw Jesus after his resurrection in 1 Cor 15:8, and 1 Cor 15:5-8 names the eye-witnesses, including 500 unnamed witnesses who were alive around A.D. 55 at the time Paul wrote the first Corinthian epistle. Also the gospel writers all provide testimony of eye-witnesses of his resurrection in Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, John 20, and Acts 1.
Now we have eye-witness testimonies and multiple corroborating witnesses. So what conclusions can we come to? Since Jesus claimed he would be raise from the dead, and we have evidence he did, we can also believe his claims to be the truth and the Son of God. Therefore, what Jesus says is true, because he is God. So since the Bible is the teaching of Jesus, we can conclude that the Bible is true.
The very first thing we have to do is analyze the Bible. Instead of getting all worked up and arguing in a excited manner, lets take a long calm look at the Bible.
The first thing we have to do is look at the facts. Scientific facts and historical facts are the two different kinds of facts to look at here.
Scientific facts are observable and repeatable. We cannot observe the events that are recorded in the Bible, neither can we repeat them. So do we throw out the Bible as an unreliable book based on these two observsations? I think not. We do not throw out a biographical book just because we can't observe or repeat the events of someone's live. These writtings are generally excepted as true although we cannot observe or repeat the things recorded in them.
This brings me to the second kind of facts: historical facts. Historical facts that are accepted have eye-witness testimonies and multiple corroborating witnesses. Historical documents are assumed reliable until proven errant, so lets assume the Bible is true for now. What does the Bible claim? Well, Jesus claimed to be the truth in John 14:6, Jesus claimed to be the Son of God in Luke 22:70-71, Jesus claimed that knowing his teaching is knowing the truth in John 8: 31-32, and Jesus claimed that he would raise from the dead three days after he died in John 2: 19-21.
So do we have eye-witness testimonies? Paul testifies that he saw Jesus after his resurrection in 1 Cor 15:8, and 1 Cor 15:5-8 names the eye-witnesses, including 500 unnamed witnesses who were alive around A.D. 55 at the time Paul wrote the first Corinthian epistle. Also the gospel writers all provide testimony of eye-witnesses of his resurrection in Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, John 20, and Acts 1.
Now we have eye-witness testimonies and multiple corroborating witnesses. So what conclusions can we come to? Since Jesus claimed he would be raise from the dead, and we have evidence he did, we can also believe his claims to be the truth and the Son of God. Therefore, what Jesus says is true, because he is God. So since the Bible is the teaching of Jesus, we can conclude that the Bible is true.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Pain
Why do I feel pain and disappointment when my dreams and aspirations are crushed? Why do I feel hurt deep within just because of the words or looks of others? Why do I feel as if my heart is crushed and bleeding through my chest, yet no one seems to see me when I walk through a crowd? Are they ignoring the pain they see in my face because it makes them uncomfortable, or do they simply not see me? Why do my tears beg to be released, when they will change NOTHING?
I believe God created us with the capacity to feel because not feeling anything at all, is far worse than feeling the hurt that comes from the lives we lead. Pain is what lets us know that something is going wrong. In fact, a lot of the hurt we feel is brought on by our own selfish actions. What people don't realize about God is that when He made rules for us to live by, they weren't to keep us from having fun, they were to keep us from the hurt that always follows our stupid decisions.
Have you ever heard the saying, "I'd rather have loved and lost, than to have never loved at all"? Well, I would rather feel the pain of an anguishing heart, than to have never felt at all.
I believe God created us with the capacity to feel because not feeling anything at all, is far worse than feeling the hurt that comes from the lives we lead. Pain is what lets us know that something is going wrong. In fact, a lot of the hurt we feel is brought on by our own selfish actions. What people don't realize about God is that when He made rules for us to live by, they weren't to keep us from having fun, they were to keep us from the hurt that always follows our stupid decisions.
Have you ever heard the saying, "I'd rather have loved and lost, than to have never loved at all"? Well, I would rather feel the pain of an anguishing heart, than to have never felt at all.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Roommates
In college, here at GBS, I have two roommates. If you have ever had a roommate, or ever will have, you will learn alot about getting along with others. I am not complaining, because I have the two best roommates on campus. But there are times when you are living with someone, that you will start to doubt their sanity. (Just Kidding, Elizabeth & Katheryn)
One major aspect of my relationship with my roommates is sharing my day, thoughts, problems, and stresses with them. It is really hard to keep secrets from the people who share your room.
My roommates have been a blessing to me by helping me get through rough days, and always caring enough about me to ask what is wrong. They are by best friends and feel like my sisters already. I can't wait to find out what the rest of the year will hold.
One major aspect of my relationship with my roommates is sharing my day, thoughts, problems, and stresses with them. It is really hard to keep secrets from the people who share your room.
My roommates have been a blessing to me by helping me get through rough days, and always caring enough about me to ask what is wrong. They are by best friends and feel like my sisters already. I can't wait to find out what the rest of the year will hold.
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