If you are reading this, you are intelligent. You can also be assured that the writer of this item was not a machine. Not many years ago, many of the pioneers of artificial intelligence would have been disappointed to read these introductory words, because it was their hope that by now machines would have been able to read and write articles, but such an event is still a long, long way off. Intelligence is not as easy as it sounds.
When computing machines were invented, mechanical at first, and then digital, the idea gradually developed that one day a machine might be made ?in the image of man?. Science fiction picked this up and ran a long way with it, but so far the reality is nowhere near the crazy robots and egocentric computers of the movies. Just because a computer can play chess, does not mean it knows what it is playing, or even cares.
One of the early models for ?intelligent machines? was based on simply building a matrix as complex as the human brain. Some people thought that it was all a matter of quantity ? if you packed enough circuits into a computer its mass would provide enough complexity to produce intelligence, but of curse this does not happen. Models were also developed which . . .
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I once had to walk through a swamp with a heavy pack on my back. I stumbled at almost every step because of the muskeg, my legs chilled to the bone by ice-cold water that lurked beneath the hummocks we tried to walk on. But I had a friend with me who continually turned and encouraged me with words that made me believe I could do what had to be done. I finished that arduous trip only because I sensed he believed I could do it and it made me want to.
In Ephesians 4:1 ? The Apostle Paul writes- ?I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.? On the one hand this makes me smile and want to step forward with my head held high. On the other hand, it makes me cringe. As Christians we have received a primary calling, to be like Jesus and to glorify Him in all things. That calling is irrevocable. And I am painfully aware that I fail to be worthy of it every day. I continually fall into sinful attitudes and thoughts. It makes me think of Paul's cry in Romans ? ?oh wretched man that I am!? He too knew himself to be weak and unworthy, in his flesh, yet he also says ? ?Although I am less than the least of all God's people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ? (Eph 3:8). And in that I am . . .
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In 2004, if you had sharp eyes, you might have seen Venus passing across the fiery disc of the sun. This was called a transit, and it comes as a double, with a second transit eight years after the first. The next part of the double transit is due in 2012, but after that you will have to leave it to someone else, alive in 2117, to observe the event. Nobody this side of Noah has lived long enough to see two (double) transits because they happen every
243 years.
The event, which seems to be very exciting to some people, is hardly spectacular, amounting to nothing more than a small, dark spot moving slowly in front of a big, bright sun. It has only been recorded five times before, in the
18th and 19th centuries. In those earlier times, scientists tried to use the transit to gauge the distance between Earth and sun.
Venus is three and a half times bigger than the moon, but it is so far away it appears as only about 3% of the sun's diameter. It moves so steadily and predictably its position can be charted thousands of years ahead of time. As someone many years ago said, the universe runs ?like clockwork?, which is an allusion drawn from the invention of clocks, which work reliably and predictably thanks to beautifully designed . . .
243 years.
The event, which seems to be very exciting to some people, is hardly spectacular, amounting to nothing more than a small, dark spot moving slowly in front of a big, bright sun. It has only been recorded five times before, in the
18th and 19th centuries. In those earlier times, scientists tried to use the transit to gauge the distance between Earth and sun.
Venus is three and a half times bigger than the moon, but it is so far away it appears as only about 3% of the sun's diameter. It moves so steadily and predictably its position can be charted thousands of years ahead of time. As someone many years ago said, the universe runs ?like clockwork?, which is an allusion drawn from the invention of clocks, which work reliably and predictably thanks to beautifully designed . . .
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Donald Drusky of Syracuse New York took God to court. The one-time employee of USX Corporation blamed God for failing to rectify the wrong done to him when he was fired in 1968. Drusky waged a 30-year battle with the steelmaker, before deciding to take legal action against God. The suit reads:
The defendant, God, is the sovereign ruler of the universe and took no corrective action against the leaders of his church and his nation for their extremely serious wrongs, which ruined the life of Donald S. Drusky.
For damages, Drusky asked for the return of his youth, the skill of a great guitarist, and the resurrections of his mother and pet pigeon. Drusky hoped that God would fail to appear in court, allowing him to win the case by default.1
Drusky's case was declared frivolous and thrown out by a
Some folks quicky turn to blame God when life hands them disappointment, but thinking we can turn the tables on God is even too much for a court-room.
We forget that God is the law-giver and the judge of all the world.
If He were just our judge, and nothing more, then humanity might be understood if we spent our time thinking of ways to outwit our creator, as futile as that would be.
But God is not just creator, though that is enough to hold us accountable for all the law and commands we have been given. God is creator, and . . .
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"Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who's got the funniest face of all?"
Check out those Halloween trick-or-treaters at your door in a few days...You?ll meet some pretty funny--and strange--faces...but you know what? They're all FAKE! When they go home, the mask comes off, the makeup comes off--and what you see is what you get!
How about you? OK, of course, your face is not "funny"...but is it fake? Ouch! How many times do people ask, "How are you?" - we smile and say "fine" and we really have a limp in our step, arthritis in our knees, clog-ups in our head, pains in our feet, hurts in our hearts--and if you told someone how you REALLY felt, they'd run the other way!
REALLY? Now of course, we need to be reasonable and not tell the world every ache and pain they don't really want to know. And of course, our face needs to reflect the joy of the Lord--a sparkle in the eye, a quickening in the step (oops...that's our feet, not our face!), a bright smile (flossed teeth and good breath helps too...grin!). We do need to let Jesus shine through--for that's Who we represent!
BUT--what about those days, when the frown . . .
Check out those Halloween trick-or-treaters at your door in a few days...You?ll meet some pretty funny--and strange--faces...but you know what? They're all FAKE! When they go home, the mask comes off, the makeup comes off--and what you see is what you get!
How about you? OK, of course, your face is not "funny"...but is it fake? Ouch! How many times do people ask, "How are you?" - we smile and say "fine" and we really have a limp in our step, arthritis in our knees, clog-ups in our head, pains in our feet, hurts in our hearts--and if you told someone how you REALLY felt, they'd run the other way!
REALLY? Now of course, we need to be reasonable and not tell the world every ache and pain they don't really want to know. And of course, our face needs to reflect the joy of the Lord--a sparkle in the eye, a quickening in the step (oops...that's our feet, not our face!), a bright smile (flossed teeth and good breath helps too...grin!). We do need to let Jesus shine through--for that's Who we represent!
BUT--what about those days, when the frown . . .
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The Spur Article Count: 92
Marcia Laycock is a pastor's wife and freelance writer living in Alberta Canada. Her devotional book The Spur of the Moment has been endorsed by Janette Oke, Phil Callaway and others. To order, and to view more of Marcia's writing, see her web site - www.vinemarc.com
Wonders of Creation Article Count: 37
Written By Richard Gunther.
Harris Dvores Article Count: 1
Harris Dvores is a corporate lawyer in Orlando, Florida. But only from 9 to 5. For more than 20 years, he has pursued his passion to create: everything from Christian music and church skits, to Star Trek scripts and board games. His new website, www.harrisdvores.com, is a playground for the mind and spirit. A Jewish believer, Harris has been given truly amazing stories to share about the power of God.
Rev. Spence Laycock Article Count: 49
Rev. Spence Laycock pastors at Church of the Open Bible, Ponoka, Alberta, Canada.
Pastor Bert Nieuwenhuis Article Count: 2
Pastor Bert Nieuwenhuis is the interim pastor at Somerset Bible Chapel, Manitoba, Canada.
Diane Davis Article Count: 1
Diane Davis, a former policewoman in Toronto, recently retired from a lengthy career as a civilian member of the Ontario Provincial Police. Amongst many things, she is now turning her attention to writing, music, and her 5 grandchildren. She is also Pastor Tim's mom.
Melva's Devotions Article Count: 48
Blog Writings by Melva Cooper.
Melva Cooper is a wife, mother and grandmother from Jonesboro, Arkansas. God has given her, in her retirement years, the ministry of writing for HIM. "Even in old age, you will still produce fruit" is a verse He has given her (Psalm 92:14). And it is her desire to serve Him all the days of her life.
Barb's Mantle Article Count: 59
Barbara, a Christian homemaker, began her Web Site through encouragement from her son, and a dream. It quickly became a ministry for the Lord. She began writing devotionals to encourage, inspire, and build up spiritually those coming to her site. Barbara is a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother.
Sandra Boyte Article Count: 10
Writing poetry that brings glory to God is Sandra's passion. No matter where she has lived, or what she has gone through, she has found that God is always there before her to lead her in His paths and to catch her when she falls. Married, with two sons two granddaughters on the way, Sandra's future goals include writing more poetry trying her hand at writing short devotionals for children.
Dr. Harold McNabb Article Count: 98
Dr. Harold McNabb pastors at Westshore Presbyterian Church in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
Peggie's Den Article Count: 77
"Ever feel as though life is a lions' den and like Daniel, you're right in the middle of it all? Enjoy these "Devotions from the Den" (Lions 'n Life at Peggie's Place) and delight in God's promises of love, joy and peace for whatever is happening in YOUR den today!"
Misc Article Count: 77
Miscellaneous archived items.