The Apocalyptic Discourse

What I am about to share is completely my opinion; my observations, my thoughts, my feelings...and completely abbreviated. I'm not presenting this as a debate, though religious topics usually spurn such things. If you want to discuss - please feel free by all means... If you have questions, I'll do my best to expound upon/explain; however, I don't consider myself a scholar.

For centuries people have been proclaiming the end of the world, with theories from the burning out of the sun to the threat of a nuclear disaster - and with exact dates even! It has always amazed me that the Bible, so well preserved, as been so greatly ignored in these matters. At one time, a large portion of the Bible was unfulfilled prophesies, proclaiming the coming and redemption of the promised Messiah. Now, we find that most of the Bible is historic with some yet unfulfilled prophesies. And yet, we ignore this fact - or simply state that it is not a fact. We look at other options, anything that circumvents the idea of a creator - regardless of how ridiculous the idea or story. It can't possibly be as ridiculous as the story of a creator and the evidence that has been found to support it. Why? Because it's prophetic.

So, where am I going with this? I'll be blunt. I've never been the "doomsday" type; I've always been labeled a "skeptic" in most all things, including "doomsday proclamations." I will say however, that I feel God has been revealing a lot of things to me through Scripture, prayer, and study. What does it come down to? "...the kingdom of God is near." - Matt 4:17, 10:7, Luke 10:9. - A message given time and time again throughout the Bible. Are we listening yet?

Ok, the apostles were saying it back in Biblical times, so how close is "near" really? Well, let's discuss. Back to prophesy - "But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near." - Luke 21:28 "So you also, when you see these things happening, recognize that the kingdom of God is near. Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass way until all things take place." - Luke 21:31-32.

From this, it's safe to say that the religious zealots who have proclaimed the coming of God with dates have done so without the facts - without the fulfilling of Biblical prophesy. "All things" prophesied have not yet taken place. So what's left? Well, this could be a week long discussion, but I'll try to boil it down to some of the basics.

Yeshua (Jesus) predicted the fall of Jerusalem and the fall of the Temple, the scattering of the Jews among the nations because they would not obey, and the survival of the Jews and the Church. "And among those nations you shall find no rest nor shall the sole of your foot have a resting place; but there the LORD will give you a trembling heart, failing eyes, and anguish of soul." - Deuteronomy 28:65 "And the LORD will scatter you among the peoples, and you will be left few in number among the nations where the LORD will drive you." - Deuteronomy 4:27 Wow, um...WWII anyone?

Never before has a people group been so hated, so mistreated, and yet still survived - and thrived! They are the "chosen people." (I do not believe in the "replacement theory.") And because they have been chosen, God continues to show His strength and power through them, fulfilling prophesies and promises He had made. You show me a people group so small and so "exterminated" who is still here - and a vital part of the economy, etc. He proclaimed a time when Israel would then again be reestablished... - Ezekiel 36: 24-28 and Jeremiah 32: 37-38 The Jews have been scattered three major times, and three times they have been supernaturally reinstated in the land that was promised them. How much even greater this third time - no one would have put money on that.

1. They fled to Egypt and returned through Moses.
2. The twelve trips fled through 722-586 BC and returned under Zerubbabel, Ezra, and Nehemiah through 538-444 BC.
3. The Jews fled again a third time in 70 AD under the Romans...

Notes on #3: Yeshua had prophesied that the huge temple would be completely destroyed, not even one stone left on another. - Matthew 24:2 That generation saw it happen just as he said when Titus demolished it in 70 AD. The Jews fled and over hundreds of years, lived in varying nations. And they have suffered greatly as prophesied...during the Holocaust (and yes, it did happen) 1/3 of the World-Wide Jewish population was exterminated! And yet, they thrive!

Update on #3: After hundreds of years and great suffering, Israel was reestablished in 1948 after the Holocaust - thanks to God who fulfills his promises and the supporting nations He uses. (Many started returning as early as 1871, but this had been minimal). When Israel was reestablished in 1948, only 650K Jews lived there. 2006 was a historical year for the Jews! It was then that Israel became home to the largest Jewish population in the world, after 1900 years! It's Jewish population is now well over 5.3 million! They have returned as prophesied - after 1900 years! "Then my people will know that I am the LORD their God, because I sent them away to exile and brought them home again. I will leave none of my people behind." - Ezekiel 39:28 Though the possibility exists that representatives from all 12 tribes have returned (only 3 tribes can be identified through lineage), obviously not all of the Jews have returned. Is it the tribes or all the people, I don't know. If people, how many are left? I don't know. To what extent of Jewishness, I don't know.

He also claimed that the world would once again become globalized in control, finances, religion, etc. We still have yet to reach the "globalization" prophesied in the Bible. The world has always seemed too large and too disconnected to ever be "globalized" in such a way. It was so far reaching - seemed like such a remarkable futuristic event in even our grandparents generations... The last few decades have really brought this closer to fruition with the expansion of the internet, television and world news, the end of the Cold War, the creation of the World Trade Organization, global terrorism, and the "industrial gold"...oil. Now, in our generation, we see the stage is quickly setting for such an event.

Side Note: Keep your eyes on Iran and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the Iranian president, who openly declares his desire to "wipe Israel off the map", is trying to convince the world the Holocaust was a myth, and plans to hasten the return of the Islamic messiah by ushering in his vision of the apocalypse, which includes the annihilation of the Jews.

Prophesy clearly states that Israel would be reestablished before end of "the period of the Gentiles." And non-Jewish nations were still going to be in control of Israel's destiny during final judgment and suffering. The Jews "will be killed by the sword or sent away as captives to all the nations of the world. And Jerusalem will be trampled down by the Gentiles until the period of the Gentiles comes to an end." - Luke 21:24 This clearly shows that the struggle for Israel (Jerusalem) will continue until the end. Currently Israel, surrounded by Arab nations, is a target on all sides. And those who hate Israel also hate their supporters. With such a history of survival, how will Israel be "trampled down"? Won't God save them again? Well, the Bible states that such a battle will exist and because Israel can't win this last battle, Yeshua will bring the "period of the gentiles" to an end. Then the lion will lie down with the lamb...

And now the introduction of terrorism... We are seeing it now. How do conventional military forces beat unconventional terrorist? The US and Israel have the greatest military forces in the world, yet terrorism continues to evolve... Is this how Israel will be "trampled?" I think it's quite possible - With the threat of nuclear weapons in the hands of terrorist and/or Arab nations, at any moment we could see a call for worldwide jihad. Don't even get me started on oil... This is quite longer than I anticipated already.

I will say this: With the Middle East being the only location with enough oil reserves for the US demands, in addition to terrorism, the US is extremely vulnerable. Depending on how things come about abroad, I also believe the US is on the verge of another civil war, fighting among ourselves... Long story short: If ever there was a time for the Arab nations to come to power, it's now during the oil crisis while they are holding all the industrial nations' cards. I find no reference to the West or America in the end times...makes me curious of its outcome and loss of influence.

Ezekiel 38-39: These chapters prophesy about the evasion in Israel in the end times by a vast coalition of nations, all of whom are Islamic today, with the exception of Russia. Many believe the rise of Islam (especially Radical Islamic terrorism), is a foreshadowing of Ezekiel's prophesy. This isn't to say that this will happen "soon." It suggests that Israel will be at rest, which they obviously are not currently. It is possible they will ever be?

Daniel 9:26-27 talks about the group of Ten world leaders who will lead a coalition, much like that of the Roman Empire. Out of them will come one who will be the "strongman" or leader... Daniel 9:36 states, "a ruler will arise." He (the Antichrist) will enter into a seven-year treaty of protection and peace with the people of Israel...and then break his covenant, desecrating the Temple by demanding praise/worship to himself. Most believe this will take place after the rapture with a "false treaty" that will dupe Israel into being at rest. Point being - we may never see the Antichrist come to power if the rapture happens first... So, don't bet on watching for this sign. Other theories suggest that this prophesy was fulfilled when Yeshua walked the earth and died...which creates a different spin on a lot of common teachings about end-time prophesy, to include common theories on the rapture, the Antichrist's timing, and the length of the tribulation period (basically, there is no second chance after the rapture as the first theory suggests).

According to the first theory, the Great Tribulation would start after the rapture (according to most) which would last approx 7 years? (There are very different theories on this.) The first 3.5 years (or half) of the Great Tribulation is a time Israel would be at rest - Then Russia and her Islamic allies will invade Israel, fulfilling the prophesy. We can talk more on this later if anyone is interested in researching/discussing. However, they would probably attack Israel for 4 reasons:

1. Gain territory (Ezekiel 38:8)
2. Gain wealth (Ezekiel 38:12)
3. Destroy people of Israel (Ezekiel 38:11 and 16)
4. Challenge Antichrist who is allies with Israel according to the treaty (Ezekiel 38:14-16)

Anyway, my message: I think we are definitely living in the last days... I think we still have the 7(?) years of Great Tribulation ahead...but I think the stage it pretty well set for that to begin very soon - could be a year, could be a few decades...who knows? I do think there is a great possibility it will be in our lifetimes. Regardless of your end time theories, one thing does appear to be clear - "the kingdom of God is near."

"Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: 'May they prosper who love you. Peace be within your walls, prosperity withing your palaces.' For the sake of my brethren and companions, I will now say, 'Peace be within you,' Because of the house of the LORD our God, I will seek your good." - Psalm 122:6-9

Note: I am by no means a scholar - please study on your own and don't take my thoughts/noted theories as fact. I just wanted to bring this to light and hopefully invoke some discussion and/or stirring up for the scriptures, meditation, and repentance.

US Air Force - In Big, Big Trouble

"Air Force Secretary Michael W. Wynne, left, and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T.
Michael Moseley resigned Thursday following a series of high-profile scandals and
disagreements between Air Force leadership and Secretary of Defense

Robert Gates." - Air Force Times, 6 Jun 08

Where to start? Just absolutely disheartening...

You can read the abbreviated story here if you want. Just a crappy end for the top two Air Force officials after a series of misfortunes and failures. And these two are just the beginning... I foresee a lot of open positions and potential early promotions for some high ranking officers in the very near future.

I will say though, that I have been very disappointed with the USAF over the last few years for a number of reasons ranging from crap like "Force Shaping" to the dealings of Air Force leaders whose actions have been swept under the rug (I won't publicly humiliate them...but I can give you MANY examples). There just seems to be an overwhelming lack of responsibility and accountability. It's not the same USAF it used to be... it's a "kindler, gentler Air Force"...that's going down the crapper.

Force Shaping: Many officers with 2-5 years of service (not to include any fliers, but did include prior enlisted officers with up to 15 years - 5 years from retirement!), many of whom spent four years as cadets earning their commissions, were laid off without any severance packages by senior officials who saw this as the "best idea" for budget cuts.

Anyway, I doubt many of my 4 faithful readers really care about this stuff, so I'll end it here. I just thought I would spread the knowledge - I predict this is just the beginning...

Maria Chapman - Tragic Loss

You may have seen it on the news, but my heart breaks for the Chapman family. Steven Curtis Chapman (Dove and Grammy Award Winner) and his family has suffered a tragic loss this week.

Steven's youngest daughter, Maria (5 years old), was accidentally struck by an SUV, driven by one of her teenage brothers, in their driveway on Wednesday. Maria was rushed to the hospital via LifeFlight, but died of her injuries. She had just celebrated her 5th birthday a week and half prior. The family was preparing to celebrate Caleb's High School graduation and the engagement of their oldest daughter, Emily, in a couple of hours. Now they are preparing to bury their youngest child tomorrow.

See a video of Maria and Steven Curtis Chapman, taped two months ago.

Steven has dedicated his entire life to the ministry of Yeshua - and has adopted half of his children from China, including Maria, continuing to supporting the adoption of children outside of the US. Satan hates this family - that much is obvious.

Please pray and/or continue to pray for this family - they are most definitely engaged in some serious spiritual warfare. And please pray for the teenage brother (unknown which one) who is most certainly struggling emotionally at this time...

OKC to Chicago...and on to Denver, by way of Kansas

Well, it's been awhile since I have posted anything. And while some may say that no excuse it the world will cover my lack of posting for my audience of maybe four, let me offer some insight.

I had to go to a weekend conference, come back on Sunday night, and then leave Tuesday morning for a 10-hr drive to Colorado. And the week before? We'll, my brother-in-law was installing central air/heat in my house and I was helping after my last day of work on Tuesday...(I'll write a quick blog on that later).

(Roxy knows when I start packing, that I will be gone awhile - her passive-aggressive way of telling me she's not happy, or at least plans to go with me...which she did to Colorado, not Chicago)

Last weekend I had to go to a conference in Chicago. I flew out Friday afternoon (got delayed and stuck at the airport for 5 hrs) and instead of getting into Chicago at 7:30 pm, I got to the airport about 12:30 am, had to track down a shuttle to my hotel, and check in. Unfortunately, though I had a reservation, they didn't have a room available...so after a while, I was given a nice handicapped room. I think I crawled into bed around 1:45 am - and since I got there too late to register for the conference, I had to be at the morning registration at 6:30 am, showered and in uniform. I have never slept so good as I did in this "miracle bed." And the view was amazing from my 35th floor room.

(The view by day)

(and by night)

The conference was less than amazing - I took a few naps, drew an elaborate mosaic on my 5-page notepad I got with my $23 non-refundable conference fee...(still really irritated about this whole last minute, nothing on paper, cash conference fee.) Anyway, Saturday night some of us who were in the same training class in GA, met up and did the quick Chicago touristy thing.

We headed out to a local hot spot for dinner, took a group photo on "The Magnificent Mile," and then decided to hit the John Hancock Center (they let us in free) to see the view of Chicago from the observatory. The amazing view spans up to 80 miles and 4 states. I'm not sure how many floors it is, but I know we went to the 96th floor to check out the bar/restaurant with the live music. And since the tallest tower in Chicago is the Sears Tower at 110 stories, it's between 97 and 109...

(This is looking down on skyscrapers...)

(And it just keeps going...)

(And you could see the Sears Tower - the one with the pink lights)

So the girls decided to "shoot down" Chicago instead of paying a dollar to view it...(and yes we were sober, and cheap).

(Wendi [not my sis] and I apparently had 50 cals - and I was "lobbing it")

(Taken in front of the green screen at the observatory...notice it's magically daylight now)

Then I got home Sunday afternoon, after flying standby on a 4pm flight instead of my scheduled 8:50pm flight - yea!) . Monday I unpacked and repacked; Tuesday I trucked out on my 10-hr drive to CO. I've only been here since Tues night, so this will be brief - more to come later.

(My home for the next few months)

(You can kinda see the mountains - it's been real cloudy this week)

(The living room/office area - and Roxy)

(The office/kitchen/door area)

(My king size bed in it's own little room with the bathroom - notice all my clothes not put away - I had NO hangers...store trip #1 of 4 this week)

(The bathroom area)

So now you see where I have been lately - and where I will be camping out for a while. If you happen to come through Colorado this summer - shoot me line. I've got a king bed and couch that folds out into a queen in a separate room...

Trapped for 41 hrs: What Would you Do?

Basically, about 9 years ago, this guy (Nicholas White) left his office at about 11pm on a Friday night to take a quick smoke break and unfortunately got trapped in the elevator. No one came to his calls and then everyone left for the weekend. It wasn't until 41 hrs later, he was rescued. Now, 9 years later (and after a lawsuit he won), the elevator surveillance video has been released.

It's a time lapsed video of the 41 hours he was trapped, condensed to less than 2 minutes. "Edited to a soundtrack of classical piano music, the video shows him pacing, trying to climb the walls, lying down, curled up in a fetal position, prying apart the doors." - video website

"After a certain period of time I knew that I was in pretty big trouble because it was the weekend..." "I relieved myself down the shaft when the doors were open." - White

Click on this link to watch the video: New Yorker trapped in elevator for over 40 hours.
__________________
I saw this while reviewing the news this morning and it sparked my interest... What would I have done if trapped in an elevator for 41 hours on my way back to my office?

First things first: What would I have on me coming back to my office?

I don't smoke, but let's make it across the board as close as possible to his situation. He went down to burn a quick one, not bringing anything additional back with him. So, perhaps he had a lighter - if you're thinking what I am thinking, we'd set the alarm off. However, we can't tell from the video that he had a lighter - and in some big places like that where there is a common smoking area/main street, it's not uncommon for people to just carry a cigarette or two down and light off someone else...(keep from getting bumbed off of all the time). So, for the sake of being conservative, let's say no lighter or any other cigarettes on you and, you didn't take your cell phone or purse to just burn a quick one - you're in a hurry so you can finish up your job and get home for the weekend...

So, you basically have on you what you have in your pockets or on your belt (minus a phone), etc while you are at work... And no one comes looking for you. And you can't figure/maneuver your way out - you're stuck for 41 hours.

Me: I have a couple of sticks of gum in my pocket and I have an ID card clipped to my belt. What am I going to do for 41 hours?

Initially, I would probably try to recall all the MacGyver episodes I ever watched as a kid in the 80's. "Did he ever escape out of an elevator with gum and a shoestring?" Then I'd crack a joke to myself like, "What would Brian Boitano do?" (for all you SouthPark fans) to relieve the sudden stress - and making fun of myself for thinking what MacGyver would do. "What about that Survivor board game I have? Man, why haven't I ever opened that?" And after several hours of trying to logically figure my way out of there to no avail, I think I would consider the fact that no one will find me until about 7 or 8 am on Monday morning - and I can live that long without food/drink, assuming the A/C or heat was still on since it's a large NY office building.

So then, after I threw a little tantrum kicking the door, for the next 30-something hours I think I would try to sleep as much as possible - that's how I normally try to pass time when I am really anxious about boring stuff like really long car rides/flights. (If you sleep until you get to your destination, then you're magically there in no time!) Then I would obsessively check the door to see if the elevator moved while I was asleep - every time I woke up.

Other than that, I'd probably pray and sing a bit, think about what I might want to do in the future - career and travel wise, count ceiling tiles/holes, do some stationary exercises (b/c I cannot be confined that long), vow to take the stairs, stretch, continuously monitor my watch - count down to Monday morning, plan a blog about it, try to sleep some more...think of a really good one-liner for why I will not be at work Monday morning, when I'm already there.

What about you guys? What do you think you would have done?

Top 10 Reasons We Don't Let Mammy Cook Anymore...

There are many reasons and stories behind why Mammy isn't allowed to cook at family functions anymore. I'll condense it for you to the top ten reasons and perhaps a few pictures to make it all make sense.

Reason # 10: Everyone starved to death or ate on the way there - and then had to collectively play pretend. It got too risky when everyone did it and nothing got eaten.

Reason #09: We got tired of having the rotating "bring your dog" schedule and the sickness that ensued on the way home.

Reason #08: My father still ate it anyway - and then we had to make 15 stops on the way home and cordon off one bathroom at home for 3 days...

Reason #07: "School of Hard Knocks." After the first food poisoning, you learn.

Reason #06: If you are going to can stuff yourself, you should probably label it and perhaps seal it...

Reason #05: What is the annual pink/green/white gelatin with carrots anyway?

Reason #04: Expiration dates aren't there to remind you for what occassion you bought it, nor are they just good ideas...

Reason #03: Buying the dented cans on sale is not always a bargain...even if it was during the Great Depression.

Reason #02: Leaving things to sit in the oven for 3 days does not constitute refrigeration nor does leaving things to cool down on top of the stove overnight...

Reason #01: Because the old family saying says it all: "If you loved the turkey at Thanksgiving, you're really going to love it at Christmas." You can't keep refreezing it and recooking it - over and over and over...

Here are some garage pantry pictures for good measure:

(Note the BBQ on the top shelf from a previous post - 1987 baby!)

(And the marshmallow creme - top and bottom shelf. Anyone up for coffee?)

(Exploding cans - Here's a science lesson for you kids...Can anyone say "Botulism?")

bot·u·lism / Pronunciation[boch-uh-liz-uhm] –noun
a sometimes fatal disease of the nervous system acquired from spoiled foods in which botulin is present, esp. improperly canned or marinated foods.

So one may ask, "What do you guys do now that Mammy doesn't cook and how did you institute that?" Well, glad you asked. It was "painful" but as Mammy aged (and so did the grandkids) we convinced Mammy that everyone would like to participate in cooking and help her out, but didn't have time to come over all day and do it at her house - (that was her solution). Mammy conceded after many concerted efforts of cooking everything before we got there anyway, thinking we'd just stop bringing stuff....

So now my father, the only male left in the family older than my cousins/siblings, is responsible for bringing the meat (usually a turkey or brisket, etc). Everyone else brings side dishes, etc - pretty much whatever they want - we have a lot of great cooks in the family - thank goodness! Mammy still makes lots of side dishes - to include the annual gelatin...

And we've formulated and orchestrated this plan that no one in particular started; it just kinda happened and morphed into this brilliant system that naturally works like clockwork:

Everyone puts their stuff on the dining room table - it's like a buffet and we all go eat in the addition/kitchen. We place all of Mammy's items in a line down the center of the table, "the place of honor" - then everyone else puts their stuff around the outside of the table. All guests/boyfriends/girlfriends, etc are briefed on the table arrangement prior to the prayer - and everyone makes sure any new member/guest got the brief/understands (ask Kris).

We let Mammy go first - she makes her plate and leaves. Then someone, usually my father "Uncle Andra," (Mammy didn't know how to spell "Andre," so she guessed...) makes a big plate of "Mammy food" (sometimes 2) and dissappears to trash it/feed the dog - looks like everyone ate some! (insert magical music here). Everyone else then makes their plate, making a circle around the outside of the table - avoiding the middle line of food. It's a fine-tuned machine and Mammy has yet to figure this out... It's entertaining to say the least -

Life...Happens

I've always been fascinated with the human body (any living thing for that matter) from the study of biology to the study of physiology. It was the only subject I liked in school and I even took Anatomy and Physiology in high school as an elective credit instead of the "fun" courses. I remember my first Life Science course in 7th grade and reading ahead in my textbook on chapters that really interested me, though I didn't even read most of the assigned material in my other classes.

In fact, it was a dead cat that convinced me there was a God, and in turn I completely gave my life to God while hovering over this dead feline. How strange that the cat didn't even know its purpose in life (and death) was to act as a tool to save mine, in a sense? No one would have thought. Anyone in their right mind would say, "That cat's purpose was to teach students about anatomy."

I had grown up in church for the most part and felt God calling me at a very young age, about 2nd grade if I remember correctly. It was very clear to me, though I think many doubted it at my age - it was, and still is, very real to me. I remember it well. But over the course of time, I decided to live my own life under a "cheap grace" concept and eventually came to very much doubt a God I once knew to be calling me... Plagued by doubt through Jr. High and High School, I spent a lot of time researching - and stumbled across a lot of interesting things. I know, what Jr High/HS kid spends their time researching religion? Well, me. I've always been a seeker of truth and research minded. (I walked to the city library after school to wait for city league soccer practice to start across the street at 6pm) It was a passion within me - which I hid from most. Why? Because I didn't want to be swayed by bias evangelists who felt something, but had no proof they had the "right" answers - and got paid for it. I also really struggled with the fact that I didn't agree with a lot of teachings, compared to what I was studying in the Bible they claimed to be "infallible."

The summer after my freshman year of HS, I again felt God calling me...strongly, and by 16 was rededicating my life, but was still plagued by doubt regularly, and was tortured mentally over it. "Had I fallen for my own psychological games? Maybe I psyched myself into this?" "It's still too early to decide - There is still so much I have not read/visited!" "But what if it is real and I deny it?..." But it was this dead cat, my senior year of high school, just before graduation, that convinced me more than any (live) human could about God.

The cat didn't say or do anything (obviously). It just laid there like any dead cat would, but as I continued to study the inner workings of this cat, I found myself in tears, completely marveled. "This is not an accident...The probability is too small...There must be a creator...This is too intelligent for happenstance..." And after pouring through all my thoughts in this hour and half class, I was convinced beyond anyone's reasoning, there was intelligent design; there was a God.

Even through college, taking numerous Biology and A&P courses, nothing has reminded me of this moment so much as the "Our Body" exhibit I saw a couple of months ago (If you haven't been - it's a must see. I know, I'm a big nerd for going to stuff like this "for fun.") But I was in awe of our Creator... there are no words to express except that it brought tears to my eyes, again. A reminder of how much God loved me; that he knew it would take a dead cat to convince my ever-doubting mind, and he made it happen just for me.

Today I was reading up on the discovery and furthering of DNA - regardless of who you believe truly discovered DNA (there is a big controversy over who should be credited), I think the words of Prof. F. Crick (1950's) are thought-provoking and that perhaps he was a "Doubting Thomas" like me, who required a dead animal (microscopic slides) to convince him of a "creator."


Professor Francis Crick, awarded the Nobel Prize for the discovery of DNA, wrote:

"An honest man, armed with all the knowledge available to us now, could only state that in some sense, the origin of life appears at the moment to be almost a miracle, so many are the conditions which would have had to have been satisfied to get it going. The trouble is that there are about two thousand enzymes, and the chance of obtaining them all in a random trial is only one part in (1020)2,000=1040,000, an outrageously small probability that could not be faced even if the whole universe consisted of organic soup.

In terms of complexity, an individual cell is nothing when compared with a system like the mammalian brain. The human brain consists of about ten thousand million nerve cells. Each nerve cell puts out between ten thousand and one hundred thousand connecting fibers by which it makes contact with other nerve cells in the brain. Altogether the total number of connections in the human brain approaches 1015 or a thousand million million. Numbers in the order of 1015 are of course completely beyond comprehension. Imagine an area about half the size of the USA (one million square miles) covered in a forest of trees containing ten thousand trees per square mile. If each tree contained one hundred thousand leaves the total number of leaves in the forest would be 1015, equivalent to the number of connections in the human brain! Despite the enormity of the number of connections, the ramifying forest of fibers is not a chaotic random tangle but a highly organized network in which a high proportion of the fibers are unique adaptive communication channels following their own specially ordained pathway through the brain. Even if only one hundredth of the connections in the brain were specifically organized, this would still represent a system containing a much greater number of specific connections than in the entire communications network on Earth."


Unfortunately, Crick came to another conclusion (1970's) about "the Creator," summarized as follows:
Some extraterrestrial civilization of another solar system, because of the fear of extinction, decided to "seed" other planets with the essence of their live matter. So they sent frozen bacteria out into space, and eventually it reached earth. While on earth, it was these live bacteria from outer space that evolved into life as we see it now...

The sad thing is, Crick had confided to a fellow professor that he didn't really believe his own theory, and his purpose in espousing this theory was to get people to drop all previous theories that they held as true (such as the chemical soup theory, and the mutation theory, etc., all of them built on the idea that live matter can evolve from dead matter, which he held can't be true) and give them an idea which they can relate to, such as unmanned rockets with live bacteria in them, to hold on to. Not that he really believed his own crazy story (though many did/still do), but it was to help people understand that this world could only have developed from live matter. He just didn't want to admit to a "Creator" with no scientific theory/proof - so he went to this extreme instead.

And to me, that's very sad. I think we were standing at the very same crossroad, decades apart. Today, I'm again amazed God spoke to me through a dead cat...with "faith like a child."