Marlayne Giron's Blog: Marlayne's Blog, page 5

Fasting & Prayer

Yesterday I started my 39 day fast to pray for our nation to repent and turn back to God. The last time I fasted was four years ago for two weeks off solid food before the 2008 election.  My unbelieving family thought it was just another confirmation that I truly am a religious nut.  I survived on soups, juices, Ensure and milk-shakes for 2 weeks. When I happened to mention again to my sister that I was going to do it again this year only for about 40 days, she looked at me askance and said: "Well, it didn't work out so good last time now did it?"  To a nonbeliever, when you fast and pray for something not to happen and it does, they think that somehow God either misinterpreted what you were praying for or did what He wanted to do out of spite. I even turned down a steak dinner at Fleming's Steak House for a family party and had soup instead. They really thought I was nuts then!

This year I am not alone. There is a national movement afoot calling upon Christians throughout our nation to fast and pray (the website is here: 40 DAYS TO SAVE AMERICA.  The website says the following:

All around us, we see economic decline, immorality, corruption, growing secular humanism and attacks on religious liberty. For 40 days leading up to Election Day, we will humble ourselves before the Lord, and cry out to him with one voice to save America.

I have actually been praying for quite some time about the same thing before I heard of this. You'd have to be living under a rock not to have noticed all the apocalyptic events occurring lately. Here are just some:

Recent Mega Earthquakes:
Concepcion, Chile earthquake (February 27, 2010) - 8.8 mag.
Christchurch, New Zealand earthquake (September 4, 2010) - 7.1 mag.
Japan earthquake (March 11, 2011) - 9.1 mag.
Fiji earthquake (September 15, 2011) - 7.2 mag.
Mexico earthquake (March 20, 2012)-7.4 mag.
Baja, Mexico had a 6.2 (September 24, 2012) 6.4.
SW Colombia (today - 9/30/12) 7.2
In the past year there has been massive animal and fish die off's around the world, flooding, drought, massive crop destruction, economic melt-down of entire countries (and ours is on the way there). I don't think it's any coincidence on the timing of the book, The Harbinger, by Jonathan Cahn. God is trying to get our attention! The book and the video were recently mailed to every member of Congress.
In the book of Jonah you can read about how God was getting ready to destroy Ninevah.  He sent Jonah to warn them (even though Jonah did everything possible to avoid doing so, even going to far as to take ship in the opposite direction!). Jonah wanted that evil civilization destroyed! He thought they deserved it. So instead of telling people to repent he just told them they were all doomed and that they were going to get it within 20 days or so. Usually when Old Testament prophets told people to repent it would engender the exact opposite reaction; often resulting in persecution, punishment or even death for said prophet. Jonah was probably the most successful prophet in the Old Testament. He told an entire city that God was going to destroy it (no mention of repentance or mercy) and the entire place got down onto their collective knees, rent their clothes, cried out to God in sincere repentance and were spared!


Obviously I'm not the only Christian who can read the signs of the times. I think a lot of us are very alarmed at the outright hostility and hatred for God in general and us specifically. (The vote at the Democratic National Convention and the boo's about including God and Israel in the platform were eye openers!) We have ceased being salt and light and as a result the world is growing darker and more evil. Judgment starts at the house of God first so it is only fitting that we who call ourselves followers of Christ should be the first to repent and seek God's face!
That is why I am fasting. I managed to get through my first day. I had to endure going to Wood Fire Ranch BBQ with hubby's band members and was absolutely tortured by the smell of baskets and baskets of garlic buttered rolls sitting in front of me. I would rather have garlic bread than chocolate cake, hands down. I took a walk during dinner and bought myself a blender to take to work to make my shakes at lunch time. By the time I got back everyone had finished eating. Just finished a vanilla shake. I'm hoping for cooler weather so I can make some homemade split pea soup and cream of mushroom. The fruity shakes are going to get old really fast.
Today is Day Two and my husband says I'm already super grumpy. Now I understand why Jesus went into the wilderness to fast and pray...can you imagine what a grumpy, hungry Jesus could do in a moment of weakness? Just saying (and kidding....)
If you want to join in this fast and prayer for America, please keep in touch through this blog and let me and the followers here know what you are doing and how you are doing as you go and I will do the same. 

Interview and Book Giveaway with Elaine Cooper

Tells us first how you came to faith in Jesus.
I first became a believer in Jesus Christ when I was 21. My sister had invited me to a revival at her church and that's when I understood the meaning of the cross, and the sacrifice that He paid for my sins. I had been to church most of my life and knew about Jesus, but had never surrendered my life to Him before then. Having Him in my heart to guide my life was a whole new experience and a most joyous transformation.
Where did you get the idea for your latest book?My latest book, "The Legacy of Deer Run," is loosely based on my third great-grandparents. I knew that my grandfather had worked at the Springfield Armory in Massachusetts so that became the setting for this historical novel that is filled with intrigue, romance, faith, and forgiveness.

What do you want readers to take away from your writing and this book in particular?In writing fiction, you always hope that your reader gets entertained. With historical fiction, I endeavor to teach my readers accurate history of the time period. But with inspirational fiction, there is the added layer of showing my characters' spiritual lives grow as they struggle through the difficulties in their lives. In "The Legacy of Deer Run," I endeavored to write about the importance of faith and forgiveness, sprinkled with romance!

What is your favorite Bible verse?My favorite verse is Proverbs 31:8-9 "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy."
There are so many verses throughout the Bible about compassion for the poor, but this is one of my favorites.

What is your favorite comfort food?Homemade oatmeal chocolate chip cookies with a glass of milk. YUMMMMM!

What are your hobbies other than writing?I love to cross stitch and crochet. Wish I had more time for both!

How does your faith play into your writing?My faith plays a huge role in my writing and I try to weave it into my manuscripts in an unobtrusive way. My faith in Jesus is woven throughout my life so it cannot help but thread its way through my chapters.

Favorite childhood book?"Jane Eyre." I still envision her on that window seat hiding with her books. :)

Which movie has inspired you the most and why?"To Kill A Mockingbird." Gregory Peck as the ultimate dad fighting for his children and for justice; Scout, ornery and rebellious, finding her way in a lonely, sometimes frightening world. Inspiring script!
Have you ever had a mentor when you were first starting out? Who was it and how did they encourage you? When I was first starting out, an online writing friend named Jennifer Slattery was the first person that encouraged my blogging attempts and efforts to contact devotional resources like "Chicken Soup for the Soul." She gave me the encouragement I needed to believe I could try, even though I was a rookie. Thank you, Jennifer. :)


Elaine Marie Cooper is the author of The Road to Deer Run (Finalist in Next Generation Indie Book Awards for Religious Fiction, Honorable Mention in Romance at 2011 Los Angeles Book Festival) and The Promise of Deer Run (Romance Winner for 2012 Los Angeles Book Festival, Finalist in Religious Fiction for ForeWord Review Book of the Year). She is also a contributing writer for Fighting Fear: Winning the War at Home by Edie Melson.  Elaine is a wife, mom, Grammie to triplets, and a registered nurse.
Website: http://DeerRunBooks.com 
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ElaineMarieCooperAuthor
To win a copy of Elaine's book, you must be a follower of this blog and leave a comment.

Interview and Book Giveaway with Karen Arnpriester

I'm happy to introduce Karen to you. Not only is Karen a prolific writer and graphic artist, she is also the adoptive mom of two little girls (just like me); bringing them out of a world of darkness into God's marvelous light through her love and compassion. Karen also created the book cover for my third book, In Plain Sight.





Tells us first how you came to faith in Jesus.
I grew up in church, in the Midwest. Our social life was intertwined with our church life. I was saved at 7 the first time.  Again at church summer camp when I was 16. Oddly, I was making out with a cute boy only hours later.  So don’t think it was as profound as it should have been.  I talked the talk but didn’t walk the walk for the next few years.  At 19, I pulled away totally and struggled through a difficult marriage, divorced at 21, remarried at 23. Life was complicated, painful and God felt a million miles away. I would tell myself now and then that I needed to get back to church, would try a new one, and drift out. I was very angry with God and had lots of unanswered questions. Many of the questions covered in Raider’s Vendetta were my questions. Issues that kept me separated from God for many years. When I came back, God began revealing answers. I can’t say all are answered, but I have a much stronger foundation with my faith now.  My true faith in Jesus came at the age of 40. Of all things, I was watching Jimmy Swaggart (before the drama) and God just reached in and pulled on my heart. It was time to stop running and deal with my faith head on.

What do you want readers to take away from your writing and this book in particular?
I want them to know that everyone has a story. We each process pain and disappoint differently.  That no one is beyond God’s grace. Never stop praying for that child who has refused everything Godly. Also, that once we plant the seeds of Heaven’s love, it doesn’t stop growing. We may not live to see the harvest in our Earthly life, but it doesn’t change the fact that we planted truth and God will find ways to nurture the growth.

What part of this book did you enjoy writing the most and why?It was so fun to climb into the mind of a angry, mean person. I know that sounds odd, but we bite our tongues, play nice and pretend everything is fine. Raider just let it go, all the frustrations, anger and vengeance. I warned my husband, in jest of course, that he better watch out. I didn’t realize how mean I could actually be.

What is your favorite Bible verse?Ezekiel 1:28.  I included this experience in my book, for my character Charley. My sister had prayed for a verse to help me make some big decisions about my second marriage. I was separated at the time. I had stepped away from God, but humored her. She didn’t get a verse or word and we moved on to other things. While talking about our kids, I had a brain whisper. Ezekiel 1:28.  I thought, how odd and ignored it. Moments later EZEKIEL 1:28 blasted through my head. I jumped, realizing that God was yelling at me. This verse has been my anchor to God. Even when I thought I could be an atheist, I couldn’t explain away this experience. God was real whether I liked it or not. He knew how to keep me close enough that I would eventually return to Him. The verse clearly states that it is He who was speaking to me.

Ezekiel 1:28New International Version (NIV)28 Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around him. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. When I saw it, I fell face down, and I heard the voice of one speaking.
How does your faith play into your writing?
My faith is why I write.  I submitted several devotionals for a devotional book our church was putting together. Quite a few ladies asked me if I had ever thought about writing. They loved my devotional stories.  I tossed the idea around in my head for awhile, not realizing they had planted God’s seed. He wanted me to write. I started a book just out of curiosity, Anessia’s Quest. I had only taken a semester of Creative Writing in high school many, many years ago. I didn’t take writing my book seriously at all, but it was fun. Total freedom in a world I created. I didn’t know where it was going and just wrote. Several friends found out and wanted to read along. They were my cheerleaders and probably why I ever finished. I would write myself into corners, and God would download a picture of where the story should go. The story became a collaboration and God was leading. Last week I was driving, not thinking about much. I remember my storyline when I really focus, but it’s fuzzy in general. Different parts kept popping into my thoughts. I’d smile, laugh or tear up. At first I didn’t understand what was going on, but then realized that God was sharing our experience with me. We were having a conversation about the book without words. Awesome!
What is your favorite book by another author and why?
The Shack, hands down. Not only did this book speak to me on a spiritual level for my own walk with God, it showed me that Christian fiction can be exciting, entertaining and profound without being dry. I hadn’t read a lot of Christian fiction. I was a Koontz and King fan for many years. Never a romance fan and so much of what I saw advertised for Christian fiction appeared to be romance or Amish.  The Shack played a key role in my choice to begin writing.  I was given the book to read just after doing the devotional book. God had it all worked out to seed, water and harvest.
Email: karnpriester@gmail.com Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/karen.slimickarnpriester
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KarenArnprieste Blog: http://karenskoncepts.com/mythoughts/
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cP5QrISKUx8Website: raidersvendetta.com  (trailer, synopsis, reviews, first 12 chapters free download)Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/217898Amazon: Search Raider's Vendetta for Paperback and KindleAlso available at iTunes

Review of a very special book about God's miraculous deliverance

To purchase this book
For 72 terrifying hours, Michelle Hamilton clung to her small capsized canoe in the middle of the South China Sea.  With no food or water, she endured the relentless sun, marauding sharks, and a violent storm.  But at the height of her desperation, she heard a voice. An audible voice. What she experienced could only be described as supernatural.
I first read this book as a "Drama in Real Life" Reader's Digest condensed book in the early 1990s and have never forgotten it. It is the true life, miraculous story of Michelle Hamilton who was lost at sea for 4 days and miraculously delivered by God when she wasn't even a believer.  The book is written both from Michelle's and her mom, Rachelle's, first hand experience. As you read the book you will experience the physical, emotional, and mental anguish of both mother and daughter as they each tell their own side of this amazing story of supernatural deliverance. I actually  have a relative to met Michelle Hamilton some years ago who in no uncertain terms told them to live for the Lord instead of themselves.  She is still serving the Lord and sharing her testimony of His divine intervention.
If you love to read about true life events of God working in supernatural ways, this book is a great reminder of what an awesome God he is!
I bought this book for my own reading pleasure. If you would like to visit Michelle's website, here is the link:http://www.jonahministries.com.au

Action, adventure and a timeless tale of an epic love story that concerns all of us

An epic battle between good and evil The Victor A book that can potentially change your life

The Rapture and Your Pets

When I first became a believer in Jesus and was reading my Bible for the first time, I remember being absolutely amazed, thrilled and in awe of the fact that Jesus not only had saved my soul but that He was actually coming back!  My first (and still to this day) continuing passion with regard to the Bible has always been Bible prophecy.  Not only was I amazed to discover that the Bible described my generation as the one in which Jesus would return (the generation that saw the rebirth of the nation of Israel in 1948) but that the book of Daniel had actually predicted several hundred years previous down to the very day that Israel's Messiah would declare himself to His people (what we know now as Palm Sunday) for the first time.

So every fall for the past several years I found myself watching, wondering and waiting; hoping that this year's fall feast of Rosh Hashana (which is predictive of the Rapture) will be the one where Jesus catches away "His Bride" the church...especially this year more so than any other.

I follow Bible prophecy blogs like www.raptureready.com quite a bit and the news and it seems to me that something big and terrible is upon the horizon.  At least once a week for the past couple of years there has been A MAJOR earthquake somewhere in the world. Living in Southern California as I do, I can't help but think that our turn may be next. Why should we escape God's judgement when my state has championed so many things abhorrent to God? But I digress...

Like many of you I have a pet. A rescue dog named Buddy who I love dearly. If the Rapture were to occur this September (the 27th or 28th) he will be trapped in our house with no one to care for him. I couldn't bear that! I love this little creature so much!

Well I read a news article about a year ago about several organizations created by pet-loving atheists who have offered (for a fee) to hook your pet up with a loving atheist in the event of the Rapture. Now I ask each of you...if you believe in a pre-tribulation rapture...how seriously do you take your belief? Enough to risk looking like a fool and contacting one of these agencies to find someone to take care of your pet should your entire immediate family disappear without warning? Enough to ask a good neighbor to do the same thing? I'm actually looking into the cost of this right now and if it's prohibitive, I think I will write a letter to my neighbor, enclose a check and a house key, seal it up and tell her to only open it if one day millions of people suddenly disappear (including us). My husband does not believe in a pre-trib rapture but I don't think that matters to God...I'll just be telling him I told you so! on the way up.

I'm putting my money and preparations where my mouth is. How about you? Have you made any kind of preparations for your pet? If so, what? If not and you believe in a pre-trib rapture, why not?

Below are some actual links I got after a Google search on the internet for pet care services.


After The Rapture Pet Care | If The Rapture Happened Right Now ...www.aftertherapturepetcare.com/Cached - SimilarShareShared on Google+. View the post.You +1'd this publicly. UndoA couple weeks later Carol came back and suggested we start After The Rapture Pet Care together. She said she had asked several Christian friends the same ... Eternal Earth-Bound Petseternal-earthbound-pets.com/Cached - SimilarShareShared on Google+. View the post.You +1'd this publicly. UndoThe next best thing to pet salvation in a Post Rapture World ... ability and desire to rescue your pet and the means to ensure their care for your pet's natural life.FAQs - Contract and Payment - Contact Us Post Rapture Pet Care :: Care for your pets after you're gonewww.postrapturepetcare.com/Cached - SimilarShareShared on Google+. View the post.You +1'd this publicly. UndoPost Rapture Pet Care are a collective of confirmed atheists offering a unique service caring for pets after the second coming of Christ.

Review of Illusion by Frank Peretti

Dane and Mandy, a popular magic act for forty years, are tragically separated by a car wreck that claims Mandy’s life—or so everyone thinks. Even as Dane mourns and tries to rebuild his life without her, Mandy, supposedly dead, awakes in the present as the nineteen-year-old she was in 1970. Distraught and disoriented in what to her is the future, she is confined to a mental ward until she discovers a magical ability to pass invisibly through time and space to escape. Alone in a strange world, she uses her mysterious powers to eke out a living, performing magic on the streets and in a quaint coffee shop.
Hoping to discover an exciting new talent, Dane ventures into the coffee shop and is transfixed by the magic he sees, illusions that even he, a seasoned professional, cannot explain. But more than anything, he is emotionally devastated by this teenager who has never met him, doesn’t know him, is certainly not in love with him, but is in every respect identical to the young beauty he first met and married some forty years earlier.
They begin a furtive relationship as mentor and protege, but even as Dane tries to sort out who she really is and she tries to understand why she is drawn to him, they are watched by secretive interests who not only possess the answers to Mandy’s powers and misplacement in time but also the roguish ability to decide what will become of her.
Frank Peretti has crafted a rich, rewarding story of love and life, loss and restoration, full of twists and mystery. Exceptionally well written, Illusion will soon prove another Peretti classic.
My review:
I enjoyed this book: A LOT! Peretti's writing makes you feel as though you are in the book as the character. He took me on an emotional ride of sadness, pain, wonder, delight, suspense and even laugh out loud delight.

This book should really be made into a movie. It reads just like one; you can easily visualize everything that is going on.  The two main characters were real, very human and easy to relate to.

This book is a wonderful escape from reality and has a magical quality to it. I could never guess what would happen next but I was never disappointed!

A GREAT read!!!
To purchase a copy of this book from Amazon, click on this link:
http://www.amazon.com/Illusion-A-Nove...
I bought a hard copy of this book for my own reading pleasure.

How Can You Believe in God when...

I received this email yesterday from one of my best and closest friends. 

"Last night my daughter asked me basically how can Christianity be true believing that the world only began 6,000 years ago? I can’t answer those questions!"


The Bible directs us to always be ready to give an answer for the hope that lies within us and sometimes those answers involve the creation account.  It's important to know why we believe what we believe and not just to spout off with the old axiom: "God said it, I believe it and that settles it!"  A response like that is not going to do a thing for someone who doesn't believe when asking difficult but intellectually honest questions.  Here is how my husband responded to this email:

It is a legitimate and important question your daughter raises. You will find varying answer within the Christian church. There are some that argue the 6,000 year figure, though the Scripture makes no such explicit claim. There are others that argue that the Creation days speak of periods of time because the Sun was not created until the fuorth day! The fact is the Bible's specific claim is that God Created the Heavens and the Earth, all that is seen and unseen! The greater question is not to prove or disprove the 6,000 year figure, but to simply pose these questions: Is there a God? How could there be a creation without a Creator. The Genesis account speaks to authorship and order and not to Scientific process. What is time to the almighty to created it! He could have done it in a Day if he wanted to!

We all need reasons for Faith, even the Scientist, and the Scientist reasons change with each new theory. Some will use Science as a reason not to believe, but there are Sciences that give reasons to believe in God the creator. 

In anticipation of getting to discuss this topic with my friend's daughter to answer her questions, I began searching for and collecting fascinating information that might help to answer her questions and here below is just a small portion of the massive amount of information available to reconcile science with the Biblical account of creation. It is quite lengthy but also fascinating!


Anthropic Principle: The Design Is In The Details.
Excerpt from “I Don’t Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist”by Norman L. Geisler and Frank Turek.
Anthropic Principle: The Design Is In The Details.Excerpt from “I Don’t Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist”
by Norman L. Geisler and Frank Turek.
Scientists are now finding that the universe in which we live is like a diamond studded Rolex, except the universe is even more precisely designed than the watch. In fact, the universe is specifically tweaked to enable life on earth. A Planet with scores of improbable and inter-dependent life- supporting conditions that make it a tiny oasis in a vast and hostile universe. The extent of the universe’s fine-tuning makes the Anthropic Principle perhaps the most powerful argument for the existence of God.
These highly precise and interdependent environmental conditions (which are called “Anthropic Constants” make up what is known as the “Anthropic Principle.” “Anthropic” comes from the Greek word that means “human” or “man”. The “Anthropic Principal” is just a fancy title for the mounting evidence that has many scientists believing that the universe is extremely fine-tuned (designed) to support human life here on earth.
It’s not that there are just a few broadly defined constants that may have resulted by chance. No, there are more than 100 very narrowly defined constants that strongly point to an intelligent Designer.
Astrophysicist Hugh Ross has calculated the probability that these and other constants (122 in all) would exist today for any planet in the universe by chance (I.e., without Divine design). Assuming there are 1022 planets in the universe (a very large number: 1 with 22 zeros following it), his answer is shocking; one chance in 10138, that’s one chance in one with 138 zeros after it. 
There are only about 1070 atoms in the entire universe.
In effect, there zero chance that any planet in the universe would have the life-supporting conditions we have, unless there is an intelligent Designer behind it all.

Here are fifteen of them.
Anthropic Constant 1: Oxygen Level On earth, oxygen comprises 21 percent of the atmosphere. That precise figure is an Anthropic Constant that makes life on earth possible. If oxygen were 25% fires would erupt spontaneously, if it were 15%, human beings would suffocate.
Anthropic Constant 2: Atmospheric Transparency If the atmosphere were less transparent, not enough solar radiation would reach the earth’s surface. If it were more transparent we would be bombarded with far too much solar radiation down here. (In addition to atmospheric transparency, the atmospheric composition of precise levels of nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide and ozone are in themselves Anthropic constants).
Anthropic Constant 3: Moon-Earth Gravitational Interaction If the interaction were greater than it currently is, tidal effects on the oceans, atmosphere, and rotational period would be too severe. If it were less, orbital changes would cause climatic instabilities. In either event, life on earth would be impossible.
Anthropic Constant 4: Carbon Dioxide level If the CO2 level were higher than it is now, a runaway greenhouse effect would develop (we’d all burn up). If the level were lower than it is now, plants would not be able to maintain efficient photosynthesis (we’d all suffocate).
Anthropic Constant 5: Gravity If the gravitational force were altered by 0.00000000000000000000000000000000000001 percent, our sun would not exist, and, therefore neither would we. Talk about precision.
Anthropic Constant 6: Centrifugal Force If the centrifugal force of planetary movements did not precisely balance the gravitational forces, nothing could be held in orbit around the sun.
Anthropic Constant 7: Rate Of Expansion If the universe had expanded at a rate one millionth more slowly than it did, expansion would have stopped and the universe would have collapsed on itself before any stars had formed. If it had expanded faster, then no galaxies would have formed.
Anthropic Constant 8: Speed Of Light Any of the laws of physics can be described as a function of the velocity of light (now defined to be 299,792,458 meters per second). Even a slight variation in the speed of light would alter the other constants and preclude the possibility of life on earth.
Anthropic Constant 9: Water Vapor Levels. If water vapor levels in the atmosphere were greater than they are now, a runaway greenhouse effect would cause temperatures to rise too high for human life. If they were less, an insufficient greenhouse effect would make the earth too cold to support human life.
Anthropic Constant 10: Jupiter. If Jupiter were not in it’s current orbit, the earth would be bombarded with space material. Jupiter’s gravitational field acts as a cosmic vacuum cleaner, attracting asteroids and comets that might otherwise strike earth.
Anthropic Constant 11: The Earth’s Crust. If the thickness of the earth’s crust were greater, too much oxygen would be transferred to the crust to support life. If it were thinner, volcanic and tectonic activity would make life impossible.
Anthropic Constant 12: The Earth’s Rotation. If the rotation of the earth took longer than 24 hours, temperature differences would be too great between night and day. If the rotation period were shorter, atmospheric wind velocities would be too great.
Anthropic Constant 13: Axis Tilt. The 23-degree axis tilt of the earth is just right. If the tilt were altered slightly, surface temperatures would be too extreme on earth.
Anthropic Constant 14: Atmospheric Discharge. If the atmospheric discharge (lightning) rate were greater, there would be too much fire destruction; if it were less there would be little nitrogen fixings in the soil.
Anthropic Constant 15: Seismic Activity. If there were more seismic activity, much more life would be lost; if there were less, nutrients on the ocean floors and in river runoff would not be cycled back to the continents through tectonic uplift. (yes, even earthquakes are necessary to sustain life as we know it).

WHAT ARE THE ODDS?.. Why is Only Earth Suitable for Life?[By www.y-origins.com. Science and the Origins of Life]
The odds that such fine-tuning could have occurred by chance is not just unlikely–scientists say it is virtually impossible.
THEY DON'T CALL THESE NUMBERS ASTRONOMICAL FOR NOTHING An article in U.S. News & World Report remarks, “So far no theory is even close to explaining why physical laws exist, much less why they take the form they do. Standard big bang theory, for example, essentially explains the propitious universe in this way: ‘Well, we got lucky.’ ” [1]
On Christmas Day in 2002, Jack Whitaker, of Scott Depot, West Virginia, got lucky, becoming the largest single-ticket lottery jackpot winner ever in North America. His prize? A Powerball jackpot of $314.9 million. Over a hundred million other tickets didn’t match. What are the odds of that? (And what are the odds that every time I go to the Quikie-Mart I’m stuck in line behind someone purchasing several dozen tickets?)
If someone won even two such lotteries consecutively, we would all assume the results were rigged. And yet, when it comes to life existing in our universe, the odds are far more remote than winning a hundred Powerball lotteries consecutively. Physicist Paul Davies comments, “The conclusion must be that we live in a world of astronomical unlikelihood.” [2]
Donald Page of Princeton’s Institute for Advanced Study has calculated that the odds against our universe randomly taking a form suitable for life is one out of 10124, a number beyond imagination. [3]To try and visualize the difficulty, imagine all the grains of sand on all the beaches on Earth. Then encrypt one grain with a special code known only to you, and randomly bury that grain on a beach somewhere on Earth. (Maybe enjoy a vacation in Maui while you’re at it).
The chance a blindfolded person would ever discover that one grain of sand on their first pick is one out of 1020 (one chance in 100 billion billion.) Yet, scientists tell us that the likelihood of a big bang explosion resulting in a universe able to support life like ours is many times more improbable.
Now offer a reward to anyone who can find it on one pick, even though they don’t know which beach to scour, or how deep it is buried. But what if they did? Would anyone believe they discovered it by accident? Yet, scientists tell us that the likelihood of a big bang explosion resulting in a universe able to support life like ours is many times more improbable.
As we consider the odds for the fine-tuning of our universe, galaxy, solar system, and planet, let’s keep in mind just how extreme these odds really are. Not just one, but all of them require unbelievably precise fine-tuning. Can such precision be a result of anything other than design? Let’s take a look at why scientists are baffled. Force of gravity. If the gravitational force were altered by 0.00000000000000000000000000000000000001 percent, neither Earth nor our Sun would exist—and you would not be here reading this. [8]
The balance of matter and antimatter. In the formation of the universe, the balance between matter and antimatter, and the excess of matter over antimatter, needed to be accurate to one part in ten billion for the universe to arise.
The mass density of the universe. For physical life to exist, the mass density of the universe must be fine-tuned to better than one part in a trillion trillion trillion trillion trillion (1060). [9] Thus, the mass contained in all dark and visible matter, including stars, is essential for the existence of our universe.
Space-energy density. The space-energy density of the universe requires much greater precision than the mass density. For physical life to be possible, it must be fine-tuned to one part in 10120.
[10]According to the big bang theory, all of this minute fine-tuning was programmed into the initial conditions of the first microsecond of the explosion that began our universe. At that instant the rate and ratios of expansion, mass, density, antimatter, matter, etc., were set in place, eventually leading to a habitable planet called Earth.

In addition to the 35 different characteristics of our universe that must be just right for life to exist, over 100 characteristics of our galaxy, solar system, and planet needed to be fine-tuned or we would not be here. [11]

A FINELY TUNED GALAXY
Galaxies are clusters of stars containing from millions to trillions of stars. Our own galaxy is called the Milky Way. It’s unknown how many galaxies the universe contains, but it may be around a trillion. Surprisingly, given the great number of these star groups, most galaxies are incompatible with life.
In order for life to exist in a galaxy, it needs to meet several criteria. [12] The following are just three of the fine-tuned characteristics a galaxy needs to support life:
Shape of the galaxy. The Milky Way is spiral-shaped. Of the three types of galaxies—elliptical, irregular, and spiral— the spiral type is most capable of hosting human life.
Not too large a galaxy. Our Milky Way is enormous, measuring 100,000 light-years from end to end. However, if it were just a bit larger, too much radiation and too many gravitational disturbances would prohibit life like ours.
Not too small a galaxy. On the other hand, a stable Earth orbit that is necessary for life could not exist if our galaxy were slightly smaller. And a smaller galaxy would result in inadequate heavy elements, such as iron and carbon, essential to life.Our Milky Way galaxy meets these and many other conditions essential for life. Most of the others do not. When we focus in even closer, on our own star and its planets, the odds for life being possible become even more extreme.

A FINELY TUNED SOLAR SYSTEM
Copernicus’s theory that Earth revolved around the Sun, seemed to relegate our planet to an ordinary status in the universe. However, if Earth was the center of our solar system, as Ptolemy and 16th century Catholic Church leaders had taught, we wouldn’t be here. None of them, including Copernicus, knew that in order for human life to be possible, Earth needs to revolve around a Sun that has just the right size, location, and conditions as ours does.
But that is not all. We need other planets such as Jupiter and Mars to act as defense shields, protecting us from a potential catastrophic bombardment of comets and meteors. We also need a moon of just the right size and position to impact our tides and seasons. Let’s take a look at just a few of the many conditions in our solar system that are just right for life.
The Sun’s distance from the center of the galaxy. Our Sun is positioned thousands of light-years from the center of the Milky Way, near one of its spiral arms. [13] This is the safest part of the galaxy, away from its highly radioactive center.
The Sun’s mass not too large. If the mass of the Sun were a small percentage greater, it would burn too quickly and erratically to support life.
The Sun’s mass not too small. On the other hand, if it were smaller, its greater flaring would disrupt Earth’s rotation rate.
The Sun’s metal content. Only two percent of all stars have enough metal content to form planets. Too much metal in a star will allow too many planets to form, creating chaos. Our Sun has just the right amount of metal for planets to form safely.
Effect of the Moon. The Moon stabilizes the Earth’s tilt and is responsible for our seasons. If it weren’t there, our tilt could swing widely over a large range, making our winters a hundred degrees colder and our summers a hundred degrees warmer. When astronomers consider our remarkable solar system, they acknowledge that if it was slightly different, advanced biological life would be impossible. But it is not enough to have the right universe, galaxy, and solar system for human life to be possible. The conditions of our home planet must also be fine-tuned to a razor’s edge.

A FINELY TUNED PLANET
You may believe that aliens have sent life to Earth from a far distant galaxy (the premise of that memorable drama from 2004, AVP: Alien vs. Predator). You may believe that the government is hiding something outer spatial in Nevada’s mysterious Area 51. Or you may simply believe that there is undoubtedly intelligent life on other planets. In any case, we have all been raised on the assumption that, given enough time, intelligent life will spring up anywhere in the cosmos (with perhaps a few more eyeballs or reptilian features). Yet new evidence from cosmology is really saying the opposite.
The reality is that we live on an extremely rare planet perfectly positioned in an extremely rare solar system, ideally located in an extremely rare galaxy, within a highly improbable universe. Let’s look at our rare Earth.
Water. Earth has an abundance of water, which is essential for life. Mars once had water and therefore might have harbored life. But water is only one of many requirements for life.
Oxygen. Earth is the only planet in our solar system in which we can breathe. Attempting to breathe on other planets, such as Mars or Venus, would be instantly fatal, Mars having virtually no atmosphere and Venus having mostly carbon dioxide and almost no oxygen.
Earth’s distance from the Sun. If the Earth were merely one percent closer to the Sun, the oceans would vaporize, preventing the existence of life. On the other hand, if our planet were just two percent farther from the Sun, the oceans would freeze and the rain that enables life would be nonexistent.
Plate tectonic activity on Earth. Scientists have determined that if the plate tectonic activity were greater, human life could not be sustained and greenhouse-gas reduction would overcompensate for increasing solar luminosity. Yet, if the activity was smaller, life-essential nutrients would not be recycled adequately and greenhouse-gas reduction would not compensate for increasing solar luminosity.
Ozone level in the atmosphere. Life on Earth survives because the ozone level is within the safe range for habitation. However, if the ozone level were much greater, there would be too little UV radiation for adequate plant growth. Yet, if the ozone level were much smaller, there would be too much UV radiation for adequate plant growth, and life would be impossible. For life to exist, these, as well as many other conditions need to be just right. [15]

Source: http://www.inplainsite.org/html/anthr... 

The End of Life as We Know It

Below are just a few of the headlines I have been reading off the Drudge Report and Rapture Ready sites; and they are truly sobering...
Israel TV: Netanyahu 'determined to attack Iran BEFORE US elections".
Billionaire George Soros has sold off some $50 million in corporate stocks and has purchased over $100 million in gold.
Prison Planet's Alex Jones reports that globalists have planned a staged bank collapse for late October in an attempt to bring in their dream of a new world order, one worldwide government.
Government agencies have been of late purchasing enormous amounts of hollow point ammunition with no reasonable explanation of why. The Department of Homeland Security alone has to date purchased over a billion rounds and is now redacting their purchase documents to hide what kind and how much of ammo they are buying.
‘Mark of the Beast’?: Elementary School Mulling Plan to Scan Kids’ Palms in the Lunch Line According to the Mayan Calendar and some other ancient civilizations, the world will come to an end exactly four months from today on 12/21/12. While I don't personally believe we will experience anything like what happened in the movie 2012 with Nicholas Cage I do believe that world events are all pointing to something enormous upon our horizon.
People are stocking up on nonperishable food stuffs like never before and under the current lawlessness administration we are seeing our constitutional freedoms destroyed and no one seems to have the backbone to stand up against it for fear of being labeled a "racist".
With the U.S. and other nations around the world experiencing total financial melt-downs, recording setting drought (even the mighty Mississippi River has dried up to the point where they had to stop shipping traffic),bizarre weather, the increase of radical Islam taking over Egypt and other countries in the Middle East it isn't difficult to see that we are teetering on the brink of events that could only be described as Biblical in proportion.
Unless our nation turns back to God in massive whole-hearted repentance, America is doomed to suffer the fate of ancient Israel when it was captured by the Babylonian Empire. I have a horrible feeling that severe persecution is coming to the church in America and very soon.  We have been luke-warm and compromised so much that we as the church have no longer been able to stem the tide of evil and depravity that has swept over our land. Judgement begins at the house of God and I believe the church is in for a very thorough "house cleaning".

I also believe the rapture of the church is very near. It could be as soon as this September 27th the day on which the Jewish feast of Rosh Hashanah occurs.
Are we living the way we should? Are we being salt and light in a dark world? Are we sharing the Good News or are we going along as in the days of Noah? 

For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. 38 For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, 39 and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be. 40 Then there will be two men in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. 41 Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one will be left. - Matthew 24:36

We all need to examine ourselves and make sure we are living the way God wants us to and being salt and light to a dying world!

God, Am I Nobody? Interview with author Sheryl Young

Author Sheryl Young has written a new pocket-sized devotional called God, Am I Nobody? It’s subtitled: Yielding Our Desire for Success to God's Will for Our Lives, and deals with how Christians might be conflicted between wanting “success” as the world defines it, or following God's plan for their lives. The big question is, why does God use some people in the spotlight, and others in the shadows?
Sheryl’s been a freelance writer since 1997 for newspapers, magazines and websites. This is her second book. I interviewed Sheryl about her journey with this project.
What made you write a devotional on how “worldly success” might differ from God’s plans for us? It was so hard for me to give all the glory to God when first accepting Jesus as my Savior. I grew up doing modeling and musical theatre where there was lots of applause, so I suffered from what I call "attention-itis" - the need for recognition. Even after finding the Lord and starting to write on Christian issues, it took many years to become conscious of giving all praise to the Lord for my endeavors.
One day, I brushed against a shelf in a Christian bookstore. A book tumbled to the ground, and landed open to a short sermon by Hudson Taylor, A Higher Calling.
Taylor, a 19th century missionary who devoted his life to serving the people of China, wrote about Christians needing to fully turn themselves over to the Lord, no matter the cost, and to put our pride aside even if we had to work in obscurity. This really touched me and made me feel like a self-absorbed fool! It became the basis for the devotional.
So how is the devotional structured?It’s a convenient, carry-anywhere little book consisting of 17 chapters. Each chapter includes segments of Taylor's sermonette, along with parallel Bible verses and thoughts for everyday application, like those I discovered during my own journey. The chapters are short enough to be studied one per day, but can also be absorbed at a reader’s own leisurely pace.
Who is this devotional good for?This devotional is good for many kinds of people, starting with those like myself who’ve wondered when their personal success might come, even while doing good works for the Lord! But also, for people preparing for missions; Empty nesters who are wondering what’s next, how can I be useful? Stay-at-home moms who wonder what their career friends’ lives are like; or on the contrary, people whose careers haven’t given them the fulfillment they wanted; teens and young adults who aren’t decided on their careers or future ministries; pastors or pastors’ wives who’ve become discouraged in the ministry; and it’s also good for small group Bible studies on topics like pride vs. humility, waiting on God’s timing, etc.
About Sheryl Young:
Sheryl's writing has been seen in:  Yahoo News, The Christian Post, The Underground Online Christian Magazine,Chicken Soup for the Soul, The Tampa Tribune, St. Pete Times and Florida Baptist Witness Newspapers; Better Nutrition and Today's Christian Woman Magazines


God, Am I Nobody was released in November 2011 by Treble Heart Book’s nonfiction division, MountainView. Although it’s not in bookstores, it’s available at many places online:
-At Amazon.com in paperback: http://www.amazon.com/God-Am-Nobody-Sheryl-Young/dp/1936127814/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1344909765&sr=1-1&keywords=God+Am+I+Nobody
or on Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/God-Am-I-Nobody-ebook/dp/B006E88XRO/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&qid=1329862262&sr=8-1
-At the publisher’s website in paperback or e-book: http://www.trebleheartbooks.com/MVSherylYoung.html
-At Barnes & Noble Nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/god-am-i-nobody-sherylyoung/1107956290?ean=2940032890683&itm=1&usri=god%2c+am+i+nobody
-At Smashwords as an e-book: http://www.smashwords.com/books/search?query=god+am+i+nobody
By the way, Sheryl’s first book, What Every Christian Should Know about the Jewish People(she’s a Jewish believer in Jesus), is still available in paperback at the publisher’s website: https://www.winepressbooks.com/What-Every-Christian-Should-Know-About-the-Jewish-People/products/1852/9781414110745
Or Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Every-Christian-Should-Jewish-People/dp/141411074X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1329925650&sr=8-1
Sheryl blogs about politics, faith and entertainment at http://20-20faithsight.blogspot.com. Follow her on Twitter: @sheryltruth