God's Faithfulness

It has been a while since my last post. My dorm this term did not have internet so I was unable to keep up with my blog, but for my first post back I wanted to post a picture I took from my dorm. When I took this picture of the rainbow it reminded me of God's faithfulness. After God flooded the earth in Noah's day, He gave Noah the sign of the rainbow to show that he would not destroy the earth in this manner again. God is always faithful even when we are not. His love never fails. Seeing this rainbow and his countless other creative splendors I am reminded of this faithfulness.

Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye

After seeing the new Transformers movie on Monday night I have to say that I was impressed with what director Michael Bay did with the movie. The script was fantastic and the action scenes were phenomenal. Not only was the film a cinematic masterpiece but it also had a good message. Freedom is not free it requires sacrifice. The Autobots were willing, if need be, to fight to the death with the Deceptocons to protect the humans from destruction. In America we have grown accustom to freedom with out regard for its price. Optimus Prime reminds us that freedom is not being free to do as we please but being free to do as we should. This 4th of July let us not become complacent in our freedom but reflect on the sacrifice our forefathers made for our freedom. Also let us meditate on the sacrifice Christ made on the cross to secure our freedom from the power of sin and its eternal destruction. Say a prayer this 4th of July for all our troops who are fighting overseas today to bring freedom to others and to maintain our freedom here. The Transformers movie is definitely more than meets the eye and well worth the price of admission to see it. God bless and Happy 4th of July.

What I Learned From Grenada!

I have been home for a few weeks now and I still have not completely gotten used to being back. This was the longest time I have spent out of the country and it changes you being outside the US for an extended period of time. The Grenadian people are wonderful and the island is beautiful. I figured I would share a few of the things I learned from my time in Grenada. First, I learned that not everyone lives a fast paced life like the US does. The Grenadians are very laid back and get in a hurry for no one. This took some getting used to and I kind of enjoy the more laid back atmosphere. It gives you a chance to think and reflect rather than always rushing to the next thing. Secondly, I learned that I can live on a whole lot less food than I am used to consuming in the US. We have an abundance of food in the US and most of us consume more than we really need. Eating less in Grenada helped me to be more productive rather than feeling tired after a huge American meal. It also made me realize how much I had let food control me. Lastly, I learned that much of what we think are needs are nothing more than disguised wants. One of the mnemonics we used in anatomy to remember a portion of the body was "So I'm In Grenada Living Free Of Luxury" and it was true. You realize that you don't really need a lot of the stuff that you think you need. With less material possessions clouding your views it gives you a chance to let the beauty of God's creation really sink in. These are a few of the things I learned aside from school work. I hope it helps you to realize that the best things in life are free.

Save Darfur!

Since 2003, the government of Sudan has been supporting genocide of rebel factions in its country. The Sudanese armed forces and a government sponsored militia known as the "Janjaweed" have targeted civilian populations where the rebel factions have gathered support. They have burned villages, raped women, and slaughtered thousands. So far over 400,000 have been killed and over 2.5 million have been displaced from their homes. The UN has passed several resolutions condemning these actions and authorizing peacekeeping forces to be deployed but little has changed as the "Janjaweed" continue to kill thousands of innocent civilians with support from the Sudanese government. The world must come together to put an end to this genocide that has ruined so many lives. This week, April 23-30, has been set aside as "Global Days For Darfur". It is a chance for people around the world to seek an end to these atrocities. If you would like more information on how you can help click on the save Darfur image at the top and it will take you to the savedarfur.org website. There you will find information on progress in the region and how you can get involved. Don't sit back in the comfort of your homes while thousands are losing their homes and lives to this genocide. Get involved to save Darfur before it is too late.


Images provided by savedarfur.org

Cricket: The World's Baseball

On Saturday I had the opportunity to attend my first cricket match. The 2007 Cricket World Cup is holding some of the Super 8 matches here in Grenada. Cricket, a cousin of baseball, is an all day affair. South Africa went up against New Zealand and both teams gave an enjoyable performance. After sitting all day in the hot sun, I can see why the US has opted for baseball. My first cricket experience was enjoyable but I think I will stick with baseball. However, If you do get the chance to attend a cricket match I would encourage you to go and enjoy the world's baseball.

Stem Cell Research: Out of the Freezer

Across the world, millions of stem cells wait anxiously in fertility clinic freezers for the day they are freed to help battle debilitating diseases. The senate brought hope to these cells today with the passing of a bill which would ease the restrictions on the use of embryonic stem cells. Though the president has vowed to veto this measure there is hope that he will have a change of heart and take these cells off ice. With a 63-34 passage the senate showed a resolve to helping millions affected by diabetes, parkinsons, multiple sclerosis, and other debilitating diseases by allowing scientists the use of embryonic stem cells.

Harmony of Science and Religion

Dr. Francis Collins, director of the National Human Genome Research Institute, recently told CNN that "he finds no conflict between science and religious faith." As a fellow scientist I have to agree with him. In Romans Paul says, "For His invisible attributes, namely His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made." So rather than being at odds with faith, science is meant to point us towards faith in Christ. The more I learn about science and about God's glorious creation it makes me stand in wonder at how great our God is. I am glad that as a scientist Dr. Collins was able to acknowledge the harmony that exists between science and religion. We need more scientists like him who are intimately acquainted with the God of the universe. God is the one who created what scientists seek to discover each and every day. May God open the scientists' eyes to behold the glory of God in their discoveries. By clicking on the picture you can read the complete article by Dr. Collins.

Karl Rove The Real Slim Shady

Karl Rove stole the stage at the annual white house media dinner. Whose Line Is It Anyway? stars, Brad Sherwood and Colin Mochrie, performed an improv rap with Karl Rove (aka MC Rove), white house advisor, as the star of the rap. Usually it is President Bush as the humorous one in the administration, but on this night Karl Rove proved he has a humorous side as well. Below is a clip from the night. I hope you enjoy it.

Half Past Forever

Take A Chance On Something Beautiful is a breath of fresh air in the world of pop and rock music today. Chis Sligh's writing ability is amazing. Many times you listen to an album and by the time you get to the last song you feel like you have heard the same song over and over again but not with this album. You get a different sound with each song on the album. Rarely do I find an album where I enjoy more than just a few of the songs. With this album you will not be disappointed with your purchase. My favorite song has to be "In a Moment". The key change at the end will leave you with goosebumps. So as the title says, Take A Chance On Something Beautiful, you won't regret it. It is available for download at halfpastforever.com or if you want the CD you can purchase it at amazon.com.


Track Listing

1. Forever (instrumental)

2. Waiting

3. Hero

4. Know

5. In a Moment

6. Naive

7. Transcendental (instrumental)

8. Need

9. Rise

10. Closer

11. Convenience

12. Cry Tonight

13. Somewhere

14. Tunnel Vision

15. Gone

16. Beautiful (instrumental)

17. How Long

Christianity: Dealing With Skeptics

The past few days I have pondered how does a Christian deal with skeptics. I ran across a blog and a site dedicated to raising questions about Christianity. They are the Skeptics Annotated Bible and The Price of Rice. Interpretation questions can easily be explained away but the harder questions deal with slavery, rape, and murder found in the Bible. (ie. Exodus 21:7) It is clear that these are found in the Bible and even seem to be condoned by God. How does one deal with these skeptics or should we. I give no answers but maybe you the reader can formulate some answers to these questions.

National Health Insurance: Health Care Created Equal

Throughout our nation's history, the idea of universal health coverage has been met with heavy resistance. Medical associations fearing loss of their monopoly on the health care system have derailed every attempt at legislation that would provide coverage to all citizens. With every failed legislation our health care system continues to unravel and fails to meet the needs of all citizens. With over 41 million uninsured Americans it is time that we stand up for the right of all Americans to have affordable and efficient health care. The US pays more per capita for health care than any other developed nation while still failing to provide care for all it's citizens like the other developed countries. In congress there is a bill, HR 676, in committee that would establish a national health program providing health coverage to every citizen. I urge you to call and write you representatives and encourage them to support this bill that would insure no American goes without the health care they need. Our founders believed that all men were created equal and our health care system should reflect that belief.

Global AIDS Week of Action

This week has been set a side as Global AIDS Week of Action. People from around the world have joined together this week to discuss how the world can combat the AIDS epidemic together. AIDS has claimed more lives than all of the major wars combined. It does not discriminate yet we have. Those with money can receive the medicine while those who can't are forced to suffer and eventually die. Isaiah 1:17 says, "...seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause." AIDS leaves many fatherless and many widows each year while the world chooses to ignore it. As the church we have an obligation to stand up and advocate for AIDS victims around the world that treatment would be provided to all regardless of their ability to pay. If Christ were here, they would be the ones whom he would visit and help. As Christians we are Christ's ambassadors and we should do for them what Christ would do for them. May the church no longer sit idly by while millions more die. May the world see our good deeds and glorify our God. History will judge us but even more God will judge us according to our action or inaction on this issue. May the grace that God has shown us free us to live a life of risk taking love to the world that the world may see how great and marvelous our God is.

And The Oscar Goes To!

©A.M.P.A.S.®

The votes are in and the winners have been announced. The 79th Academy Award winners are named below and compared to my predictions. I predicted correctly only 12 of the 24 winners. I guess I don't know the Academy as well as I thought I did. I guess that is what you get when you have a group of 80 year olds voting on the movies. Maybe I will have better luck guessing next year.



Best Picture:
Won: THE DEPARTED
My Prediction: BABEL

Actor in a Leading Role:
Won: Forest Whitaker - The Last King of Scotland
My Prediction: Forest Whitaker - The Last King of Scotland

Actor in a Supporting Role:
Won: Alan Arkin - Little Miss Sunshine
My Prediction: Eddie Murphy - Dreamgirls

Actress in a Leading Role:
Won: Helen Mirren - The Queen
My Prediction: Helen Mirren - The Queen

Actress in a Supporting Role:
Won: Jennifer Hudson - Dreamgirls
My Prediction: Jennifer Hudson - Dreamgirls

Animated Feature Film:
Won: HAPPY FEET
My Prediction: CARS

Art Direction:
Won: PAN'S LABYRINTH
My Prediction: PAN'S LABYRINTH

Cinematography:
Won: PAN'S LABYRINTH
My Prediction: CHILDREN OF MEN

Costume Design:
Won: MARIE ANTOINETTE
My Prediction: MARIE ANTOINETTE

Directing:
Won: Martin Scorcese - The Departed
My Prediction: Martin Scorcese - The Departed

Documentary Feature:
Won: AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH
My Prediction: AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH

Documentary Short Subject:
Won: THE BLOOD OF YINGZHOU DISTRICT
My Prediction: THE BLOOD OF YINGZHOU DISTRICT

Film Editing:
Won: THE DEPARTED
My Prediction: BABEL

Foreign Language Film:
Won: THE LIVES OF OTHERS
My Prediction: PAN'S LABYRINTH

Makeup:
Won: PAN'S LABYRINTH
My Prediction: PAN'S LABYRINTH

Music (Original Score):
Won: BABEL
My Prediction: PAN'S LABYRINTH

Music (Original Song):
Won: "I Need to Wake Up" - An Inconvenient Truth
My Prediction: "Love You I Do" - Dreamgirls

Short Film (Animated):
Won: THE DANISH POET
My Prediction: LITTLE MATCH GIRL

Short Film (Live Action):
Won: WEST BANK STORY
My Prediction: BINTA AND THE GREAT IDEA

Sound Editing:
Won: LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA
My Prediction: APOCALYPTO

Sound Mixing:
Won: DREAMGIRLS
My Prediction: PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MAN'S CHEST

Visual Effects:
Won: PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MAN'S CHEST
My Prediction: PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MAN'S CHEST

Writing (Adapted Screen Play):
Won: THE DEPARTED
My Prediction: THE DEPARTED

Writing (Original Screen Play):
Won: LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE
My Prediction: LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE

Oscar Time!

The cameras have stopped rolling and the lights have dimmed, and now is the time for the nominees to sit back and wait to see how their movie fairs on Oscar night. In 4 days we will know what the best movie of the year was and what actor and actress gave the best performance at least according to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. This is the 79th awards presentation of the academy and this years theme is "memorable movie quotes". Below are my predictions on who will be taking home an Oscar on Sunday night. My predictions are not necessarily for movies or actors I actually enjoyed this year but for those movies and actors that I believe the academy voted for this year. Here are the predictions :

BEST PICTURE:
BABEL
THE DEPARTED
LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA
LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE
THE QUEEN

DIRECTING:
BABEL
THE DEPARTED
LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA
THE QUEEN
UNITED 93

ACTOR -- LEADING:
Leonardo DiCaprio – BLOOD DIAMOND
Ryan Gosling – HALF NELSON
Peter O’Toole – VENUS
Will Smith – THE PURSUIT
OF HAPPYNESS
Forest Whitaker – THE LAST KING
OF SCOTLAND

ACTOR -- SUPPORTING:
Alan Arkin – LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE
Jackie Earle Haley – LITTLE CHILDREN
Djimon Hounsou – BLOOD DIAMOND
Eddie Murphy – DREAMGIRLS
Mark Wahlberg – THE DEPARTED

ACTRESS -- LEADING:
Penélope Cruz – VOLVER
Judi Dench – NOTES ON A SCANDAL
Helen Mirren – THE QUEEN
Meryl Streep – THE DEVIL WEARS
PRADA
Kate Winslet – LITTLE CHILDREN

ACTRESS -- SUPPORTING:
Adriana Barraza – BABEL
Cate Blanchett – NOTES ON A SCANDAL
Abigail Breslin – LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE
Jennifer Hudson – DREAMGIRLS
Rinko Kikuchi – BABEL

ANIMATED FEATURE:
CARS
HAPPY FEET
MONSTER HOUSE

CINEMATOGRAPHY:
THE BLACK DAHLIA
CHILDREN OF MEN
THE ILLUSIONIST
PAN’S LABYRINTH
THE PRESTIGE

FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM:
AFTER THE WEDDING
DAYS OF GLORY (INDIGÈNES)
THE LIVES OF OTHERS
PAN’S LABYRINTH
WATER

ORIGINAL SCORE:
BABEL
THE GOOD GERMAN
NOTES ON A SCANDAL
PAN’S LABYRINTH
THE QUEEN

ORIGINAL SONG:
“I Need to Wake Up”
– AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH
“Listen” – DREAMGIRLS
“Love You I Do” – DREAMGIRLS
“Our Town” – CARS
“Patience” – DREAMGIRLS


SCREENPLAY -- ADAPTED:
BORAT CULTURAL LEARNINGS OF
AMERICA FOR MAKE BENEFIT
GLORIOUS NATION OF
KAZAKHSTAN
CHILDREN OF MEN
THE DEPARTED
LITTLE CHILDREN
NOTES ON A SCANDAL

SCREENPLAY -- ORIGINAL:
BABEL
LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA
LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE
PAN’S LABYRINTH
THE QUEEN

VISUAL EFFECTS:
PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN:
DEAD MAN’S CHEST
POSEIDON
SUPERMAN RETURNS

FILM EDITING:
BABEL
BLOOD DIAMOND
CHILDREN OF MEN
THE DEPARTED
UNITED 93

MAKEUP:
APOCALYPTO
CLICK
PAN’S LABYRINTH

DOCUMENTARY FEATURE:
DELIVER US FROM EVIL
AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH
IRAQ IN FRAGMENTS
JESUS CAMP
MY COUNTRY, MY COUNTRY

DOCUMENTARY SHORT:
THE BLOOD OF YINGZHOU DISTRICT
RECYCLED LIFE
REHEARSING A DREAM
TWO HANDS

SHORT FILM -- ANIMATED:
THE DANISH POET
LIFTED
THE LITTLE MATCHGIRL
MAESTRO
NO TIME FOR NUTS

SHORT FILM -- LIVE ACTION:
BINTA AND THE GREAT IDEA
(BINTA Y LA GRAN IDEA)
ÉRAMOS POCOS (ONE TOO MANY)
HELMER & SON
THE SAVIOUR
WEST BANK STORY

SOUND MIXING:
APOCALYPTO
BLOOD DIAMOND
DREAMGIRLS
FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS
PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN:
DEAD MAN’S CHEST

SOUND EDITING:
APOCALYPTO
BLOOD DIAMOND
FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS
LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA
PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN:
DEAD MAN’S CHEST

ART DIRECTION:
DREAMGIRLS
THE GOOD SHEPHERD
PAN’S LABYRINTH
PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN:
DEAD MAN’S CHEST
THE PRESTIGE

COSTUME DESIGN:
CURSE OF THE GOLDEN FLOWER
THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA
DREAMGIRLS
MARIE ANTOINETTE
THE QUEEN

Global Warming and Cold Weather

Photo Courtesy of GRID-Arendal

The recent heavy snow fall in the northeastern United States has given many people the idea that global warming must not be occurring. Hopefully I can get rid of that misconception. This picture is a diagram of the oceanic conveyor belt that brings the warm waters from the equator to the north where without these warm waters they would be sheets of ice. How this circulation works is that as the warm salt water cools in the north it sinks to the bottom of the ocean and travels southward. As it warms up it comes back toward the surface and makes its way back toward the north. This circulating current keeps the north from all turning to ice. If this circulation is slowed down or stopped it will produce increasingly cooler temperatures and if not corrected will throw the globe into another ice age. You may be asking how global warming plays into the situation? Well, glad you asked. The salinity and temperature are directly responsible for the global current. Saltier, colder water sinks creating the circulation, but with global warming the water in the north is getting warmer and with the ice caps melting it is becoming less salty. This change can cause a slow down or possibly even a total stop of this circulating pattern bringing about an ice age. So next time you look outside and see mountains of snow do not dismiss global warming.

Racism and the Church

Racism has plagued civilizations for thousands of years. Racism as defined by the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) is an explicit or implicit belief or practice that qualitatively distinguishes or values one race over other races. In Exodus we see the racism of Pharaoh and the Egyptians towards the Hebrew people. In Germany we all have heard of Hitler's hatred of the Jews. We know of apartheid in South Africa. Racism has shown many forms throughout history whether murder or slavery. The church has been spectator and sometimes an active participant in these racial atrocities. As Christians we have a duty to stand up in the face of racism and to fight it in our own lives. We have been shown such amazing grace by God almighty and we have no right to refuse that same grace to those of other races. In Revelation 7:9 it says that in heaven there will be people from every tribe and tongue and nation. What better preparation for heaven than to join with our brothers and sister from every tribe and tongue and nation here on Earth. William Wilberforce was a Christian in England in the late 18th century who fought diligently in Parliament to abolish the slave trade in England. On February 23rd there is going to be a movie released entitled Amazing Grace which is a story of his life and his fight against racism in England. I hope that as Christians we will go see this movie and that it would inspire us to fight against the racism that remains in our day. Below is a trailer of the movie and if you want more information about the movie you can go to Amazing Grace Movie.

Stem Cells: Why Throw Them Away?

Photo Courtesy of RSNA

A lot of the evangelical contention on this issue comes from misinformation. I will try to shed some light on the issue. Embryonic stem cells are pluripotent, can give rise to all the cell types of the body, and are derived from fertilized eggs found in In vitro Fertilization Clinics. The cells are taken before they have a chance to differentiate. These cells are then placed in dishes and allowed to divide. Embryonic stem cells differ from adult stem cells in that they are able to become any cell type in the body. The adult stem cells show some ability to differentiate into other cell types but most are confined to the tissue they come from. Embryonic stem cells also are able to divide indefinitely in a culture where as adult stem cells are much harder to keep dividing in culture. I am not opposed to research with adult stem cells or umbilical cord cells but I believe we should allow the use of embryonic stem cells as well. In our fertilization clinics around the world there are thousands of embryos that are frozen or thrown away. As Christians we have two choices we can stop using fertilization clinics or support the use of these would be discarded cells to further research in hopes of helping people with debilitating diseases around the world. Psalm 139:13 says that God knits humans together in their mothers' wombs and for that reason I am against abortion, but these stem cells never make it to a mother's womb so I see no reason to put this kind of research in the same category with abortions. Stem cells as there name says are just that, cells. They have no human characteristics and look like any other animal in development. So my question is why throw them away?

references: http://stemcells.nih.gov/info/basics/basics3.asp
http://www.news.wisc.edu/packages/stemcells/

Katharine Mcphee Album Review

Track List
1. Love Story 2. Over It 3. Open Toes
4. Home 5. Not Ur Girl 6. Each Other
7. Dangerous 8. Ordinary World
9. Do What You Do 10. Better Off Alone
11. Neglected 12. Everywhere I Go

Another over-produced album from American Idol. American Idol is good at making stars but not at producing albums. Katharine's debut album is right out of the American Idol mold. Her self-titled album does not showcase the voice that America came to appreciate on the show. Pithy pop song after pithy pop song is what you get with this album. The album does open and close well with "Love Story" and "Everywhere I Go" but lacks substance through out the rest. If you want an mediocre pop album then this album is for you. I know with Katharine's great voice that she will do well. I just hope her record label lets it shine instead of hiding it behind cheap music.

Grenadian Independence Day!

Today marks the 33rd year of independence for Grenada. Through much of the 18th and 19th century Grenada went back and forth between French and British control. At the end of the 19th century, England controlled the island and would do so for several more decades. "Grenada received independence from Britain on February 3, 1974 and adopted this flag four days later on February 7, 1974. The color yellow in Grenada's flag symbolizes the sun and the friendliness of the inhabitants; the green represents the country's vegetation and agriculture; and the red stands for the courage and vitality of Grenada's people. The yellow stars represent the seven parishes of the country. The nutmeg signifies that Grenada is one of the world's largest producers of nutmeg."(WorldFlags101) Today let us celebrate with Grenada in their 33rd year of independence.

Abortion and the Hippocratic Oath

Hippocrates, sometimes called "the father of medicine", was born around 460BC. Hippocrates learned medicine from his father and grandfather and established a medical school on the island of Cos where he was born. He taught some of the first ethical principles of medicine. He and his students contributed to a group of works termed the Hippocratic Corpus. The famous Hippocratic Oath is one of the documents in this large work. Though medicine during this time did very little good for lack of scientific knowledge the oath does give some standards of professionalism such as confidentiality. This oath also gives us some moral standards to follow as physicians. Two of the lines deal specifically with physician assisted suicide and abortions. It says, " I will neither give a deadly drug to anybody who asked for it, nor will I make a suggestion to this effect. Similarly I will not give to a woman an abortive remedy. In purity and holiness I will guard my life and my art." These lines have been removed in most modern renditions of this oath, and it is a testament to how are moral standards have decayed over the years. Hippocrates and his students knew that it was a physician's duty not to cause harm of any kind even when it is desired. Though Hippocrates swore by Greek gods, it would serve us well to make an oath with the everlasting God to uphold life even when it is not the popular thing to do. "Choose life that you may live."(Deuteronomy 30:19)

Insanus Sum?

Albert Einstein once said, "A question that sometimes drives me hazy; am I or are the others crazy?" Sometimes I ponder this question, and as Einstein I rarely have an answer to it. Insanus Sum is Latin for I am crazy. I pose it as a question in hopes that someone will help me come up with an answer. In this blog I will discuss a hodgepodge of topics such as medicine, movies, music, theology, technology, and other various topics. My hope is that you will join me in the discussions. Happy pondering to you all!