Try Higher

If you’re a science major or just looking for some interesting reading for Spring Break, take a look ‎at Dr. Stephen Meyer’s Signature in the Cell: DNA and the Evidence for Intelligent Design. In this first-‎ever book to make a comprehensive case for intelligent design based on DNA, Dr. Meyer ‎investigates current evolutionary theories and the evidence that ultimately led him to affirm ‎intelligent design. Chuck Colson from BreakPoint ministries says that what lies at the heart of ‎Dr. Meyer’s book is the concept of information. Scientists have learned that molecular DNA is a ‎vast storehouse of information that when “precisely arranged” (key words) provides the ‎instructions for forming the structures that living cells need to survive. Could such an advanced ‎code or “software for life” have happened by chance? ‎

As Dr. Meyer shows, given the vast complexity of information required to create the 250 proteins ‎necessary to sustain the simplest living cell, the probability that life originated in the primordial ‎soup by chance is beyond astronomically slim--only 1 in 10 to the 41 thousandth power! Listen to ‎his conclusion: “Our uniform experience affirms that specified information--whether inscribed in ‎hieroglyphics, written in a book, encoded in a radio signal, or produced in a simulation experiment-‎‎-always arises from an intelligent source, from a mind and not a strictly material process…Indeed, it ‎follows that the best, most causally adequate explanation for the origin of the specified, digitally ‎encoded information in DNA is that it too had an intelligent source.”‎

Buff up on your understanding of intelligent design to make sure you know how to argue for the ‎hope that is in you (1 Peter 3:15). The argument for intelligent design is not based on ignorance or ‎‎”giving up on science” but instead upon our growing scientific knowledge.‎

You can read an excerpt from Signature in the Cell here: http://www.breakpoint.org/features-‎columns/articles/12705-dna-darwin-and-the-appearance-of-design

Colson, Chuck. “Signature in the Cell: Information and Intelligence.” BreakPoint. Sept. 24, 2009. ‎http://www.breakpoint.org/commentaries/12708-signature-in-the-cell ‎

The National Anxiety Center in New Jersey lists the following as America’s Top Ten 2010 ‎Anxieties:‎
‎1.‎ Out of Control Government Spending
‎2.‎ Iran
‎3.‎ Afghanistan War
‎4.‎ The Economy
‎5.‎ Inflation
‎6.‎ Medicare
‎7.‎ Illegal Immigration and Amnesty
‎8.‎ Education
‎9.‎ Diet and Health
‎10.‎ American Culture

Any of these on your “top ten” list? Maybe your list looks a little different: Family, Friends, ‎Significant Other, Finding a Job, Passing Finals, Choosing a Major, Fitting In, Looking Good, ‎Being Successful…Some of these are on mine. I like what Chuck Swindoll says though: “While ‎nobody has the same list, all lists have the same effect.” The very root of the word “anxiety” ‎means to choke or to suffocate. Anxiety chokes the joy and the clear thinking out of our lives. It ‎distracts our focus. Remember what Paul wrote in Philippians? Read this out loud:‎

‎”Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at ‎hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be ‎made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds ‎through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are ‎just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue ‎and if there is anything praiseworthy–meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and ‎heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:4-9)‎

How inspiring is that?! We don’t have to fear the chaos in the world or the confusion in our lives. ‎We are instructed to be anxious for nothing. It’s a hard lifetime lesson, and we have to ‎purposefully pass off our anxieties to God instead of dwelling on them. We have to choose to ‎focus on the things or the perspectives that are good, noble, and true. If you’ve given your life to ‎the Lord, then it is His! You need only to put your trust in Him, focus only on Him, and He will ‎use your life for His glory. Sounds a lot better to me than the alternative!‎

http://factsnotfantasy.blogspot.com/2009/12/2010s-top-anxieties.html
http://www.insight.org/broadcast/‎

I recently finished reading Max Lucado’s new bestseller called Fearless: Imagine Your Life Without ‎Fear (2009). In an easy-to-read style, he calls us out on our fears: Fear of Not Mattering, Fear of ‎Overwhelming Challenges, Fear of Global Calamity, Fear of Worst-Case Scenarios, Fear of ‎Disappointing God, and so on… While reading this book, it struck me how easily our minds fly to ‎fear. How quickly we imagine the worst or limit ourselves. We give fear such power in our lives, ‎when really it’s all just the Deceiver’s sham.‎

Listen to how Max puts it:‎

Fear, it seems, has taken a hundred-year lease on the building next door and set up shop. Oversize and rude, fear ‎is unwilling to share the heart with happiness. Happiness complies and leaves. Do you ever see the two together? ‎Can one be happy and afraid at the same time? Clear thinking and afraid? Confident and afraid? Merciful and ‎afraid? No. Fear is the big bully in the high school hallway: brash, loud, and unproductive. For all the noise fear ‎makes and room it takes, fear does little good. ‎

Fear never wrote a symphony or poem, negotiated a peace treaty, or cured a disease. Fear never pulled a family out ‎of poverty or a country out of bigotry. Fear never saved a marriage or a business. Courage did that. Faith did ‎that. People who refused to consult or cower to their timidities did that. But fear itself? Fear herds us into a ‎prison and slams the doors.‎

Wouldn’t it be great to walk out?‎

Max goes on to explain that we can. We can walk away from fear. The Gospels list some 125 ‎Christ-issued commands. Of these, 21 urge us to “not be afraid” or “not fear” or “have courage” or ‎‎”take heart” or “be of good cheer,” almost three times as many than the second most common ‎command (to love God and neighbor – 8 times). What does this tell us? Jesus knows our tendency ‎toward fear, and he takes it seriously.‎

Are you letting fear creep into your life, hindering your potential and stealing your joy? What are ‎you doing to combat your fear? How about memorizing a verse or two? When you catch yourself in ‎the grip of fear, remember these words straight from the mouth of Christ:‎
• ‎”So don’t be afraid. You are worth much more than sparrows.” (Matt. 10:31)‎
• ‎”Take courage, son; your sins are forgiven.” (Matt. 9:2)‎
• ‎”I tell you not to worry about everyday life–whether you have enough.” (Matt. 6:25)‎
• ‎”Don’t be afraid. Just believe…” (Luke 8:50)‎
• ‎”Take courage. I am here!” (Matt. 14:27)‎
• ‎”Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.” (Matt. 10:28)‎
• ‎”Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” (Luke 12:32)‎
• ‎”Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me…” (John 14:1)‎
• ‎”Don’t be troubled or afraid.” (John 14:27)‎

And check out Max Lucado’s book Fearless for a good read and good reminder. You can download ‎the first chapter for free at www.maxlucado.com/fearless/. ‎

‎”For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity but of power, love, and self-discipline.” (2 Timothy ‎‎1:7)‎

Today, why not try feeding your spiritual self? When you leave your room for class or work, instead of replaying the same old recording of ‎all the same old thoughts, read these out loud. Don’t look to the outside this time, but really look at your inner ‎person. Try seeing yourself and others the way God does.

‎– I am a child of Almighty God. ‎
‎– He loves me with an everlasting love.‎
‎– God is taking care of all of my needs.
‎– I am forgiven; all my sins are washed away. ‎
‎– God has a magnificent purpose for my life. ‎
‎– He has plans to give me a future and a hope. I can change the course of history. I’m going to impact this culture for good in ways that others have never dreamed.‎
‎– God has given me a spirit of Strength and of Power.‎
‎– God wants to give me the right desires. ‎
‎– God has forgiven me, so I’m pressing on toward the victory line.‎
‎– God has given me the strength to do everything He wants me to do.
‎– I am free to grow and reach the goals God has given me.
‎– I am holy and without blame before God.
‎ ‎
When you talk to yourself today, or when you talk about others, be accurate and choose to see yourself and others ‎like God does. Continually remind yourself!

In a recent article on www.careerealism.com, J.T. O’Donnell discusses the “10,000 Hour Rule.” ‎Ever heard of it? The 10,000 Hour Rule simply says that no one gets to the top of their field unless ‎they log at least 10,000 hours of practice. Malcolm Gladwell describes the idea in his book called ‎Outliers: The Story of Success about how professional success doesn’t just depend on intelligence and ‎talent. Of course we know that another factor should always be considered in seeking a successful ‎career, the direction and favor of Almighty God. But Gladwell has a pertinent point.‎

Consider this. Bill Gates’s private school gave him access to the latest computer technology, ‎ultimately allowing him to learn computer programming at a faster rate. He was able to put ‎thousands of hours of programming under his belt as a teenager. Gladwell maintains that this series ‎of events was the real catalyst for Gates’s success. ‎

O’Donnell goes on to comment in his article that one of the biggest complaints he hears from ‎managers is the lack of professionalism they see from recent college graduates. He points out that ‎the 10,000 Rule explains why: most college grads today have not been required to work through ‎high school and college in professional settings. They are under the mistaken impression that ‎college teaches this sort of thing when it doesn’t; young professionals end up trying to log their first ‎office hours in the workplace, frustrating management in the process.‎

Lesson to learn? You don’t necessarily have to hold down a full-time job while balancing a full ‎school load, but you can seek out paid or unpaid internships, part-time jobs, volunteer work, or ‎opportunities to advance your career skills on your own time. Look for ways to set yourself apart ‎from the pack of other college grads, and try to seek out extracurricular activities that complement ‎your chosen career path, not just any old position to make money. But most importantly, ask God ‎for wisdom and the opportunities He knows you need. He’ll provide when you let Him be your ‎guide.‎

O’Donnell, J.T. “10,000 Hour Rule: Why Young Workers Struggle after College (and why some ‎seasoned professionals do too!)” Careerealism.com. December 3, 2008.‎

Eventually, our physical hearts will give out. But not our spiritual hearts. Our spiritual heart is the part of us ‎that lives forever. Isn’t it interesting, though, that the part of us that lives forever gets the least amount of ‎attention? When’s the last time you looked in the mirror and thought about your inner qualities? Your ‎integrity. Your peace. Your purity.‎

When was the last serious conversation you had with a friend? What did you talk about? Externals? The ‎valuable stuff in life? We are conditioned to over-focus on the externals in life. We give what’s on the ‎outside our highest priority with little regard to who we are becoming on the inside. The part of us that ‎matters most. The part of us that will live forever. The part of us that listens to the voice of God. The part ‎of us that grows in wisdom. The part of us that lives with joy. The part of us that experiences the good ‎that life has to offer!‎

Daniel is one of my favorite examples of a heart focused on the right stuff. A teenager with a heart like a ‎pristine, springfed lake. Pure, balanced, focused, insightful, and full of life. I talk with a lot of college ‎students, and Daniel is the best example for how to approach college. Why? Think about it. Brand new ‎environment. New school. New friends. New teachers. And what was his response to all this? The first ‎thing that he did? Did he try to fit in by compromising his integrity? Daniel “purposed in his heart” not to ‎defile himself. He made a conscious decision to care more about his “inner person,” his spiritual self, than ‎how people saw him. He set himself apart from the darkness. He said, “I choose to fill my heart with ‎God.” And the result of his desire? He caused his classmates, a king, and a nation to look higher. ‎

I believe that if you will make the same decision Daniel did, to fill your heart with God, you will live up to ‎potential you didn’t even know you had. If what is inside your heart determines your destiny, then take the ‎lead from Daniel, and let your heart be guided by God. Why not make a commitment today to live like ‎Daniel and purpose in your heart that you will live for God with all that you are?‎

‎
Financial expert Dave Ramsey recently posted some poignant thoughts about paying for college expenses with student loans. He ‎remarked that these days many people think you can’t be a student without a student loan. It’s ‎easy to get a federal student loan or go to the local bank to finance your education, BUT, he ‎pointed out, doing so hurts both you and the economy in the long run.‎

How? He went on to explain that people are borrowing more than ever before. In 2001, $4 billion ‎student loans were taken out, while recently that number jumped to $17 billion. Though it may in ‎part be due to higher tuition costs, Dave maintains that more than likely a lot of it is due to ‎lifestyle choices. Rather than live in a dorm and eat campus food or even live at home, students ‎would rather rent the off-campus apartment, order take-out, and drive a new car. If you’re not ‎making any money, you shouldn’t be spending any money. Look at it this way: If you borrow ‎‎$47,000 for a student loan at a 5% interest rate, the payments will be about $500 over to years. ‎After 10 years of interest, you’ve actually spent almost $60,000. If instead, you had invested that ‎money in a good growth-stock mutual fund averaging 12% interest, after 10 years you would have ‎saved $115,000! Which sounds better?‎

Dave explains that borrowing so much hurts the economy as well. More debt means less money ‎invested. If money isn’t invested, the economy doesn’t grow as well. More debt also means less ‎money to outright buy things, which leads to more financing to buy things, which turns into a vicious cycle.‎

Before you strap yourself to a student loan, look at all your options. You can apply for scholarships ‎and grants, work part-time, save your money, or go to a cheaper school (see our How to Pay for College post here: http://tryhigher.com/?p=892). It’s not worth starting out behind the eight-ball as a new graduate, especially in this ‎economy. Get creative! If you are paying on a student loan, get on a budget, and work hard to start ‎paying it off quickly. The sooner you pay it off, the more money you’ll save in interest. Make ‎sacrifices if you have to. As Dave says, “Live like no one else, so that later, you can live like no ‎one else.”‎

Ramsey, Dave. “Student Loan Backlash.” daveramsey.com. Aug. 27, 2009.‎

Dr. John Maxwell talks about the power of momentum. Have you ever thought about your ‎momentum in life? That energy, that motivation that propels you forward? He says that it’s never ‎the size of your problem or your opponent that matters; it’s all about momentum.‎

As Christians, we are called to be the leaders in our communities and cultures. With our God, we ‎have the inside edge, and we should be setting the example for those around us. Others are looking ‎to us, whether we realize it or not, to take the lead in life. Dr. Maxwell explains that as leaders, it is ‎our responsibility to understand momentum, to motivate ourselves and those around us, and to ‎sustain that energy over time, in whatever capacity we serve. How do we do that? ‎

Enter the Momentum Breakers and Makers. Focus on a few of these momentum-building mindsets ‎this week to help you improve your leadership skills:‎

‎– Double-Mindedness vs. Focus
Don’t drain away your momentum by shooting at nothing or attempting everything. Develop ‎momentum by creating and following a clear and focused vision. Write goals for yourself and post ‎them where you can see them every day.‎

‎– The Past vs. The Future
Practice today what you want to be tomorrow. Stop gravitating around your failures, and use them ‎to motivate your next success. Pick up steam by making changes today that will positively impact ‎your future.‎

‎– Individualism vs. Teamwork
If you want to kill momentum, then insist on doing things by yourself. Momentum grows through ‎team victories in which numerous people can claim to have played a role. Share your goals with ‎like-minded friends and family, and pray for each other. Be open to learning from others’ wisdom.‎

‎– Critical Attitude vs. Constructive Attitude
Tennis great Chris Evert said it best: “The thing that separates good players from great ones is ‎mental attitude. It might only make a difference of two or three points over an entire match, but ‎how you play those key points often makes the difference between winning and losing.”‎

‎– Tradition vs. Creativity
Remember to balance the old with the new. Don’t tear down the fence until you understand why it ‎was built, but remember that what worked in the past may not be working anymore. Regularly ‎evaluate your progress on your goals and make changes as needed. Be open to new ideas.‎

‎– Apathy vs. PassionPassion energizes your talent and rubs off on those around you. If you have courage, then you will ‎influence people based on your passionate convictions. If you lack courage, then you will only ‎influence people to the extent of your comfort zone.‎

‎– Dishonesty vs. Character
Character is the sum total of our everyday choices. It cannot be built overnight. A trustworthy, ‎above-reproach leader has a much easier time generating momentum than a leader with a ‎reputation of being manipulative and deceitful. Start fresh today if you need to.‎

‎– Conformity vs. Change
As John F. Kennedy said, “Conformity is the jailer of freedom and the enemy of growth.” Don’t be ‎afraid to go against the crowd and stand for what you believe. Although it’s difficult and may ‎demand sacrifice, change is required to build momentum. ‎

‎– Ingratitude vs. Gratitude
As a Chinese proverb states, “Those who drink the water must remember those who dug the well.” ‎Express thankfulness to your friends and family for supporting you in your endeavors. Lead the ‎way in cultivating an attitude of thankfulness. ‎

‎– Indecision vs. Action
Don’t succumb to the paralysis of analysis. Pray for guidance and clear direction, and act on what ‎God has shown you. Take the lead when others won’t, and activate your servant leadership. Keep ‎moving forward to build your momentum.‎

Maxwell, John C. “Momentum Breakers vs. Momentum Makers: Staying Energized in the Ring of ‎Life.” Enjoying Everyday Life. February 2010.‎

Take a deep breath, and then let it out slowly. Feels good, doesn’t it? You just inhaled all that great oxygen ‎and exhaled the carbon dioxide (the waste stuff). Your body is being refreshed by your now oxygen-rich ‎blood. Now, take a spiritual breath. Don’t know how? It’s easy. Bill Bright, founder of Campus Crusade ‎for Christ and a man who has influenced billions for Christ, says we simply exhale the impure and inhale ‎the pure. ‎

‎1.‎ Exhale — confess your sin — agree with God concerning your sin, and thank Him for His ‎forgiveness of it, according to 1 John 1:9 and Hebrews 10:1-25. Confession involves repentance – ‎a change in attitude and action.‎

‎2.‎ Inhale — surrender the control of your life to Christ, and appropriate (receive) the fullness of the ‎Holy Spirit by faith. Trust that He now directs and empowers you, according to the command of ‎Ephesians 5:18 and the promise of 1 John 5:14, 15.*‎

If you did that for the first time, you were just saved. If it was the first time that you realized Jesus made it ‎possible for you to be forgiven and to have a relationship with God, then you are saved. You were dead ‎spiritually, and now you’re alive. Your inner person has been given oxygen for the first time. If it’s not the ‎first time you’ve prayed that, then you got rid of the sin/the darkness that’s been guiding you, and now ‎you’re living by God’s Spirit. You’ve been filled with His Spirit. Refreshing, isn’t it? ‎

Every time you think about breathing, a process that refreshes your body, remember to breath spiritually. ‎Spiritual breathing, every chance you get, will refresh your heart and keep you heading in the right direction ‎in the right way. And while you’re at it, teach someone else how to breath spiritually!‎

‎* http://www.ccci.org/training-and-growth/classics/the-spirit-filled-life/index.htm

Christa Brelsford is a graduate student at Arizona State University. A few weeks ago, she was in ‎Haiti volunteering at the Cabois Literacy School when the catastrophic earthquake hit. Although ‎she was one of the first Americans airlifted to a hospital, her injuries were so severe that surgeons ‎had to amputate her right foot.

She met Wenson Georges before the earthquake at the literacy ‎center; he wanted to perfect his English so that he could come to the United States, obtain a ‎university degree, and some day open a computer software business. His mother sold coffee in the ‎local market, and he told Christa that he’d never lived in a house with running water or electricity. ‎He wanted to see what life in the U.S. was like. It was Wenson who helped lift the large concrete ‎slabs that had fallen on top of Christa during the quake. He carried her to the U.N. Peacekeeping ‎Mission office and stayed with her all night until she could get help.‎

Between surgeries and physical therapy in the hospital, Christa decided to start a nonprofit charity ‎to raise funds to rebuild the literacy school that crumbled during the earthquake and to give a ‎scholarship to Wenson for helping save her life. From her hospital bed, she chose a name and ‎created a website. Now she’s being interviewed on national news circuits to share her story. “If Americans give a little back,” she said, “it can make a huge difference.”‎

What has God allowed in your life that He wants to use for good? Just look at Joseph. Joseph was ‎certainly in a position to be bitter and vengeful, but listen to what he said to his conniving ‎brothers: “You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this ‎position so I could save the lives of many people” (Genesis 50:20). Instead of feeling sorry for ‎yourself or moping around depressed and dejected, ask God for an attitude change and clear ‎direction. Reach out to others instead of centering your focus on yourself, and call to mind the ‎blessings God has given you. Cultivate thankfulness regardless of your circumstances, and take ‎action to make a difference!‎

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/5min/story/1461777.html#/news/5min/v-flash_gallery/story/1461777.xml