I just finished my second multi-maze. This one has three openings. By picking any one opening as a start and any other as a finish, you have six combinations of openings. In other words, this is six mazes in one! Each solution is relatively easy since I had to squeeze six different paths in the space of one maze. I plan my next multi-maze to be the Starry Night maze I mentioned back in January. This one will have four openings: a 12-in-one maze!
Continue reading →Here’s another new maze. This one is a bit harder than the previous, and it’s the first of it’s kind. Instead of a normal start and finish, there are two openings labeled ‘1’ and ‘2. First, find your way from ‘1’ to ‘2’, then find your way from ‘2’ back to ‘1’. Because of the bridges and arrows, you can’t take the same route back through the maze. So, it’s two different mazes in one!
Continue reading →I just added a new maze to my maze page. It’s small so it would fit in my company’s newsletter. This is the first new maze on this site since 1996, and it’s the first in a series. I just finished drawing the second (a harder one), and I’ll be posting it after I color it. As with all my mazes, there are bridges that allow paths to go over or under one another without intersecting, and one-way paths where you cannot go against the arrows.
Continue reading →…for the anger of man doesn’t produce the righteousness of God. – James 1:20 It’s a familiar verse… one that is easy, in hindsight, to apply to the rash actions of a believer who has let his temper fly with disastrous results. Those who have a temper problem may acknowledge the truth of this verse when everything is going according to plan. But awareness of such truth seems to flee when they need it the most. Those of us who do not have a problem blowing up may think we are safe here. Yet, we can take the word ‘anger’ out, replace it with another word, and the verse will address our weaknesses also. …the love of man does not … Continue reading →
The world of nature we live in is amazingly complex and well-tuned, from the macroscopic (general cycle of life) level, down to the microscopic level. Virtually all of life works to keep the system in balance and flourishing. In one part of the cycle, bees pollinate flowers so plants can produce fruit. Animals eat the fruit, and in doing so scatter the seeds so the plants can reproduce elsewhere. All of the participants in the cycle benefit. It appears simple when you look at the overall picture, but it is mind-bogglingly complex when you examine the role individual creatures play to keep the cycle going. When we add man into the equation, however, nature tends to get out of balance. … Continue reading →
“Have this mind in you which was also in Christ Jesus…” – Philippians 2:5 This phrase begins the best known hymn of the early church, a hymn of praise to Jesus who humbled Himself to the level of a slave, and died a slave’s death, to reconcile us to God. But we tend to overlook this command for all the good doctrine about our Savior that follows it. And when we consider obeying it, we think only in generalities. Next time you spend time in the gospels reading about Jesus, frequently recall this phrase: “Have this mind in you which was also in Christ Jesus.” Every time you see Jesus heal the sick, instruct His disciples, speak of the kingdom … Continue reading →
{Again, I have a two part argument. This first part is about man’s moral inclination and a general desire for justice. I don’t consider it as strong an argument as that from consciousness, but I feel it is strong enough to include here. The second part will be about the difference between what man believes morally and how he acts.} Man is a moral being. Regardless of a belief in the existence of God, everyone believes some things are right and other things are wrong. We might have significant differences of opinion on these things, but we do have opinions. If God does not exist, there are no absolute moral standards. Each of us can then define right and wrong … Continue reading →
(In the previous post, I talked about how our material existence is insufficient to explain self-awareness in general. While I think that argument was fairly strong, it might not be enough to convince a skeptic. So, in the following post I’ll use a stronger one based on something the skeptic is a constant witness of: his own personal and unique self-awareness.) Our bodies are made of atoms and molecules. Each of us has the same kinds of molecules. There’s nothing special about the oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and other elements that make up our bodies. They are common, everyday elements. Just the proportions are slightly different for each of us. If we are the same in physical essence, why do … Continue reading →
(In this and the next post, I want to open the door for the atheist to consider the existence of the spiritual realm. Materialism is the biggest stumbling block towards belief in God. My purpose is not to convince the atheist that materialism is false, but to get the materialist to think it through so he himself can recognize the inadequacy of his supposition and discard it.) Science and science fiction have dealt with the subject of consciousness. What makes someone aware of his existence? Many science fiction characters such as Andrew in Bicentennial Man, and Commander Data in Star Trek Next Generation have expressed the idea that an android can become self-aware, to the point of becoming a person. … Continue reading →
(What follows is the beginning of a series of blog posts I’m putting together on the defense of the gospel. Because my intended audience is those who have a purely materialistic world view, I’m going to use what I believe are reasonable arguments, personally convincing if given serious thought. My approach is to use arguments that the reader can investigate on his own, rather than rely on hearsay. I intend to express the results of my own thoughts and research rather than just reword what others have already said. Some Christians dismiss apologetics, saying you can’t argue someone into the kingdom of God. I agree with the premise, but disagree with the conclusion. I know I can’t argue someone to … Continue reading →
