Splinters of Silver Scripture declares that the Words of God are pure, as silver tried in a furnace [Psalm 12:6], that God proves us as silver is tried [Psalm 66:10], and refines us as silver is [Zechariah 13:8-9]. I pray through this blog, not my words but, through the reading of the scriptures, through the presentation of thoughts and of comments, splinters of silver may prick and stay with us throughout our lives. Statistics Unique Visitors: Total Unique Visitors: Outgoing: Total Outgoing: 1 1147 64 7768

Articles from Splinters of Silver

Would a World with God or Without God Look the Same? 2007-07-30 10:32:00 In my latest blog post [Faith vs. Unbelief], a commenter posed this statement, “A world with a deistic "god" looks exactly the same as a world without one.”I have pondered this thought, and even posed the question, “What do you base this thought on?”I received no answer from the original commenter, but another commenter added to the same thought, “A universe with a deistic god is indistinguishable from one with no god at all; that being the case, the deistic god can neither be proven nor disproven, nor is it useful in any way for explaining why the universe is the way it is.”So now we have the idea from two persons that:1. A world [universe] with God would look [be indistinguishable] like a world [universe] without God.2. God can not be proven or disproven, and is not useful to explain why the universe is the way it is.I would just like to consider this thought here, and there is a lot of other thoughts left waiting on that post that I would like to get to this week, hopefu ...

Apology to Roy Chui (Beast) and Commenters 2007-07-28 09:53:00 As some of you may know, yesterday I had a post concerning some comments from Beast. If you don’t know, please do not ask.In my haste, I believe I did more harm than good, seemingly only causing more friction between commenters.I would like to apologize for publicly singling out his comments, which caused a stir, and since I publicly did so; I am publicly giving this apology. I would also like to apologize to the commenters that I may have caused to maybe get a little more frustrated or out of character by this post, in their comments.I apologize for taking the issue public, when I should have contacted you personally first, to work out our differences.This post will be left for the rest of the day, as the other post was.There will be no comments available for this post, and it will be deleted.I would like for us all to consider this issue dead and to try to start over a fresh next week.Thanks. ...

Personal Threats From Atheist (Beast) 2007-07-27 17:18:00 I just received the following threat from Beast, (Roy Chui), from http://atheisthaven.blogspot.com/."Tim:If you don't want to be abuse, try not to make me abuse you.I don't wish to reiterate the same old s--t, only for you to revert back to your original claim.You know shit about me. If you stand in front of me, I will wack your f--king face so flat your mother won't recognize you. "Is it really necessary to visit my blog and tell me that you want to abuse me and wack my face flat? Or comments like, "F--k you."?Do other Atheists believe this to be the norm or proper character of an Atheists or person in general, to visit another's blog and threaten them?Could this be the beginning of a "hate crime"?Honestly, Beast, continue with this type of comments, and I will certainly reject all further comments of yours and forward, if necessary, the comments to necessary persons.Don't take this as a threat, but as asking you to show proper character and respect if you wish to continue to com ...

Faith vs. Unbelief 2007-07-27 07:54:00 What I have recently learned on my blog while speaking to Atheists:1. Acceptance of science’s theory of evolution is not belief that it is actually true, but merely holds that it is the best theory science has. The word “consensus” is used, meaning “opinion”, which cannot be used as authoritatively fact.2. Science has not/can not prove there is no God (some assume because it is a negative), because He is out of the natural realm.3. Science cannot prove there is a God, because He is out of the natural realm.4. To science, God is non testable, because “The idea of a supernatural explanation (i.e. god) is not even considered, because science cannot test or falsify supernatural explanations. They are outside the bounds of science.”5. Science does not work with absolutes, so all is relative to current knowledge which may change at any given time due to new evidence overwriting old evidence, or “consensus”, meaning “opinion”.6. I am not to use science to prove there is ...

Islamic Creationist Sends Scientists His Evidence Against Evolution 2007-07-26 10:03:00 In an article by the New York Times, “the voice of Adnan Oktar of Turkey, who, under the name Harun Yahya, has produced numerous books, videos and DVDs on science and faith, in particular what he calls the “deceit” inherent in the theory of evolution. One of his books, “Atlas of Creation,” is turning up, unsolicited, in mailboxes of scientists around the country and members of Congress, and at science museums in places like Queens and Bemidji, Minn.”Not really any comments from me on this issue, I just found it interesting. ...

Science Must Acknowledge a Creator to Hold to the Big Bang 2007-07-25 10:22:00 We are told, by the definition of The law of conservation of mass/matter, that “matter cannot be created nor destroyed, although it may change form.” It has been noted that “Matter can become energy, and energy can become matter, but always according to e=m2.” And it is noted that, the “Law of Conservation of Energy states: Energy cannot be created or destroyed.”So there is a problem with the Big Bang.Where did all of the matter/energy originate from, since the Big Bang could neither create nor destroy matter/energy?Simple answer: A Creator.Even now, there are those which desire to claim “another universe whose collapse appears to have given birth to the one we live in today”. Man can continue to grasp straws from the great unknown, but science returns to their own FACTS that matter/energy cannot be created or destroyed.It is merely simple to understand where the idea of the Big Bang originated from:Genesis 1:1 says, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the ea ...

Personally Slaying Sinners Not Taught In the New Testament 2007-07-24 13:52:00 Concerning the article of a “false prophet” killing a homosexual, an atheist writes this and:[MB]Oh, this murderer wasn't obeying the scripture?Leviticus 20:13 If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them....Ye shall therefore keep all my statutes, and all my judgments, and do themPlease explain to me how he wasn't following your murderous religion? Or are you one of these christians who thinks he knows which parts of the bible count and which don't? Because, you know, you're better qualified to say what should be in "god's written word" than god is.And in the New Testament, gays and their supporters are worthy of death:Romans 1:31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them ...

Journal of Mexico Mission Trip July 6-14 2007 to La Ciudad 2007-07-24 12:19:00 I recently returned from a mission trip in La Ciudad, Mexico.If you would like to read of our experiences, you can find a copy of my journal located here: http://stores.lulu.com/tlw97The PDF download is free.A printed copy is also available, but it is set to the lowest manufacturer cost (I do not make anything from any sales), so it does cost the base price of lulu.com to make it.I wrote this that other Christians may be able to share in our experience and hopefully motivate us all to do more to spread the gospel message of salvation found in Jesus Christ. ...

False Prophet Kills Homosexual Claiming God Said To 2007-07-23 07:00:00 Again we have a misrepresentation of God and the New Testament Scripture concerning how we are to live our lives as Christians. Any honest Christian or Atheist knows a person which claims “I believe I'm Elijah, called by God to be a prophet”, going around planning and desiring to kill a homosexual (or anyone) with a desire as, “I planned on sending him to hell”, is clearly confused to the Biblical message of Christ in the New Testament of Scripture.Scripture clearly notes that there are false prophets, false teachers, false Christs, and false doctrine which was even prevalent during the days of Christ. Interestingly noted is that this false prophet apparently said, “God first commanded him to kill during a "visitation," or dream, while he was in prison in 2001.” Why would God make a “house call” to give him a job opposed to what He has openly revealed in the New Testament? Sorry, that is not the character of God.Christians, we need to ensure that we follow the Scriptur ...

A Map of Faith, 2000 2007-07-20 08:42:00 This map is apparently of data from 2000, I wonder about 2007.I found the map above and individual group maps may be found at the website of American Ethnic Geography. Still not sure as to why there is no newer information posted since this copyright of 2002. They do note that "The U.S. Census Bureau, due to issues related to the separation of church and state, does not ask questions related to faith or religion on the decennial census. Accordingly, there are few sources of comprehensive data on church membership and religious affiliation for the United States. Perhaps the leading organization to address this gap is the Glenmary Research Center, which publishes Religious Congregations and Membership in the United States, 2000."Compared to the 2004 Electoral Map ...

God Gives Man the Ability to Create Artificial Limbs 2007-07-19 07:00:00 It appears that some would have us believe that since our human limbs do not automatically regenerate themselves if severed from our bodies, or grow later if we are born without them, that this may be used as a proof there is no God, or that He is not all powerful, or that He isn’t loving.I received the following post:“Beast,Science beats religion again:http://www.theage.com.au/news/world/scientists-give-a-helping-hand/2007/07/19/1184559904090.html Scientists invent most realistic replacement limb yet. And Tim, before you go saying "yes but god did that through them", then answer me why god has let all of the amputees to date suffer until now? Why not inspire someone to build this limb when the first arm was lost?” [MB]In response to another comment given:“"With God all things are possible".Alright then. Ask God to help amputees grow back lost limbs.If he can do that, I will go back to Church. No questions asked. Deal????” [BEAST]First, I would like to say this is great techn ...

“Alleged” Child Rapist Barbecue 2007-07-18 10:54:00 “"I stuck him in his butt!" Linda Rhodes told MyFOXdfw.com, explaining how she and her son John Jennings apprehended the 17-year-old suspect Friday night in Garland, Texas.”Click here to watch the video report from MyFOXdfw.com. ...

Mr. Pope Says We Have No “Means of Salvation” 2007-07-18 08:54:00 It looks like the new pope has tried to limit salvation again by limiting the true Church of God to only the earthly religion of Catholicism. I say, very well they may indulge themselves in believing they have “the ability to trace their bishops back to Christ's original apostles” for I would rather trace my salvation to Christ rather than man any day.To say those that trust in Christ outside of the Roman Catholic Church do not have the "means of salvation" is only opinion and/or tradition based nowhere in Scripture Mr. Pope. Scripture does not say, “The Catholic Church is the only way, truth, and life”, or that "The Pope is the only way, truth, and life", but that Jesus Christ is “the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me”.I do find it interesting that one says, “"I don't know what motivated it at this time," she said. "But it's important always to point out that there's the official position and there's the huge amount of friendship ...

ADHD Evolution 2007-07-17 07:00:00 We are used to hearing that “natural selection” takes “over hundreds or thousands of years” or even longer, but apparently scientists are now suggesting that it has happened in “less than a year” according to an article on the male Blue Moon butterfly.Does this mean that actually the time frame of millions and millions of years given to the evolutionary patterns of animals could be shortened, since, “the example in this study happened in a blink of the eye, in terms of evolutionary time"?Of course I don’t actually believe in macro-evolution (although this would be a story of micro-evolution), but I can’t help but wonder what the science community thinks about such a fast evolutionary process, which goes against their own theory of the long process of evolution. ...

Girls Return to Modesty 2007-07-16 07:00:00 An article at msnbc.com, presents a topic of “A new 'modesty movement' aims to teach young women they don't have to be bad, or semiclad.”“Consider the following style tips for girls: skirts and dresses should fall no more than four fingers above the knee. No tank tops without a sweater or jacket over them. Choose a bra that has a little padding to help disguise when you are cold.”Apparently Pure Fashion has the idea that: “They cater to what writer Wendy Shalit claims is a growing movement of "girls gone mild"—teens and young women who are rejecting promiscuous "bad girl" roles embodied by Britney Spears, Bratz Dolls and the nameless, shirtless thousands in "Girls Gone Wild" videos.”The article goes on to say that: “ModestApparelUSA.com, ModestByDesign.com and DressModestly.com all advocate a return to styles that leave almost everything to the imagination.”To this I say – Praise God for girls that refuse to dress like the harlot and “Instead, these girls cover ...