And then ... the World Was Flat

Not too long ago, a friend invited me to check out a book that's been on the market for a couple of years. It's called The World is Flat. I first heard about this book at work ... some random comments from bosses, managers, and other co-workers had circulated around the office for a while. At the time I didn't read it.

However, when my friend suggested it, I picked it up and started checking it out. So far I've read about 175 pages of the book. He's laid out a very convincing argument about how the world is shrinking, becoming more integrated across countries, and shifting away from American leadership.

To be fair, I haven't read the whole thing, but I also don't plan on it now. Since I started reading it, every time I pick it up I get depressed, worried, stressed, and irritated. It's almost as if the book has a spirit of depression enveloping it. I had been reading it, and then I spoke with Chris about how I was feeling, and I decided enough was enough. No matter how good it is, I'm not going to put myself through this torture just because he is a brilliant author.

I do plan on browsing through it to find out how he suggests coping with the flattening of the world, but I don't intend on spending one single minute longer being sucked into his world of hopelessness and his reckless agreement with, and condoning of, corporate profit mongering. I've had it with many of those sentiments. They suck! Even if you agree with the 'thinning of the herd' mentality, I hope the herd runs you over for your blatant disregard and disrespect for the value of a human.


What do you think of the book?
Most of all ... what am I missing here?

Al

The Daniel Fast

Hello there again ...

I just got to day 7 of a 21 day cycle of what people call the Daniel Fast.  It has been an interesting experience.  Not nearly as bad as I was expecting.

According to the Daniel fast you basically lean towards a vegetarian diet.

- No sugar
- No meat
- No dairy
etc. etc.

I wasn't sure how I was going to do, or what I could possibly eat for 21 days.  But actually finding food hasn't been that bad at all.  Lots of fruits, veggies, and organic, whole grained foods.

Here's the greatest part of it all!  Now, instead of being just a good pooper ... I'm an Optimal pooper.   HA!  Love it!


Anyhow, all of that background to say this ...

I am sharing this to seek your assistance in backing me up with prayer support.  We are beginning to feel very unsettled and unsupported in our current situation.  I am looking for some sort of indication of direction and leading for our family.  Thus the reason for my personal fast.

I would appreciate any thoughts and prayers you could send our way to help move us in God's direction for us.  There are LOTS of factors that all have to come together to make these types of decisions work ... and I want to be aware of what I feel is our calling.   I believe and expect big things to happen on our behalf.

Thanks again for all your love and support.
I appreciate you sharing a few moments with me. 
Talk soon!
Al

Finding Your Passion - And Work

What is it that keeps you up late at night ... dreaming, hoping, plotting, and scheming? Those are the things we should be pursuing for our life's work and goals. Instead, most of us end up doing crappy 40 hour torture tours of duty.

Why? What is it that compels us to live with mediocrity and second choices?

I have been wondering this for a long, long time. And ... truth be told I still don't know the answer.

However, after several recent lay-offs, deaths, and job losses of loved ones, and friends whom I know - I have slowly been realizing that we absolutely MUST pursue our passions. Even if we can't quit our 40 hour ball and chains, we simply HAVE TO try and go after our dreams, our hopes, and our life goals.


In fact, although I've been selling online products for the last 3 1/2 years, it hasn't been until the last 6 months that I've hit my stride with a product that I am truly passionate about, and love. The difference in the amount of product I can create, and content I can write is truly staggering. In the past 3 1/2 years I have struggled to come up with as many different ways to create products as I can, simply because I don't know my topics that well. However, now that I'm writing about something I love ... the writing, videos, audio, and content simply flow out of me because I can't keep it inside.


If we don't pursue these things we love (and that we dream about), what would we have to look back at, and be passionate about?


Take, for example, our trip last year. While it was very costly, and a bit scary, we will always have those memories.


Or ... pretend you have worked for a company for 20 years. And all of the sudden, they decide they don't need you anymore. So, they let you go. How does that make you feel about yourself? What do you do with your future after that?


But, on the other hand ... what if you had been pursuing your passions all along ... even if they were on the side of your work. You would still have a tremendous amount of positive energy, memories, and experiences to live with. Instead of a dull, listless, after-taste left over from our years there.


Go for it!

Anna Marie Island - Sun and Sunset

Hi ... and Merry Christmas!


We are sitting right on the verge of Christmas Day, and I am pretty excited for tomorrow to come. Two of the gifts we got for Kaitlyn are absolutely astonishing - to me. I am thrilled to be giving them to her.

For me, this one gift has brought back some amazing memories from my own childhood Christmases.

- The year I got a red Schwinn road bike.
- The year I got the G.I. Joe Aircraft carrier
- The year we all got motorcycles
- The year I got my Oakland Raiders jacket

All of those things, engraved into the hard wiring of my memory. I am hoping this gift really knocks her off her tushie.



Anyhow ... I wanted to write and share a little bit of the sun and fun we've been having here in Florida, in preparation for this Christmas season.

This last weekend, we traveled out to Anna Marie Island for the first time. And, in fact, I had shot about 10 minutes of video that I was thrilled to capture and share with you all.

Unfortunately, when I got home, the camera ate the tape and then I broke it in 2 pieces trying to get it to play. So, alas ... I won't be sharing one single second of the video with you.

Instead, you get the pleasure of checking out some of our pictures of this gorgeous area.

I hope you enjoy. I was sorry to hear about the nasty weather in Oregon - although - to me it sounds like I would love it. Fresh powder in the mountains seems almost as wonderful as the warm, soft, white-sand beaches here in Florida.











Merry Christmas to everyone. May God truly Bless You and Your Families in this beautiful season in celebration of His Son!


Al

HO-prah and 20/20 Bringing Hope to the World ... One Show at a Time

So ... I'm not a big fan of Oprah, or the News. And there are many reasons for this.


However, I just had to comment on this one ...

Here's the links:
Oprah Saves the World
20 20 - What Would You Do?


Basically, these are experiments in 'ethics'. Or, in other words, things that we, the people, should know are RIGHT AND WRONG.


In other words, Oprah and Twenty 20 are educating us on right and wrong here.
In fact ... there is going to be a WHOLE ENTIRE series of shows based on this concept. I just saw a commercial for it tonight.


There's just one problem ...

When right and wrong are constantly moving and changing, how do you know what is right or wrong?

In fact ... take a look at this Yahoo headline:
A court clears the way for a paralyzed woman to sue the person who came to her rescue.

"You can't be careless when you're helping someone without consequence ...
I would have been better off if you had not helped me." ...
But instead you should let someone else help me.

"Many think this ruling flies in the face of human nature."

Just maybe ... MAYBE ... California will re-write their laws to give more protection to Good Samaritans.

Re-FREAKING-diculous!


Now ... you tell me ... what is right and what is wrong? And if the lines are always changing ... then how can we know from one day to the next, where it sits?


OOPS ... I almost forgot ... The Media is going to lead the way.

YAY!


On the other hand, maybe the Bible has some more timeless ideas for us to live by?

Whoa ... U.S. Religious Freedoms in Jeopardy!

I had NO idea this lawsuit was taking place.


If this thing has any pull ... it could have a HUGE impact on how we interpret our own personal religious doctrines. I ask you ... WHO do we want deciding these things for us?

Here's the gist:

lawsuit recently brought about by an individual in Michigan against Zondervan Publishing Company over the way I Corinthians 6:9 has been interpreted in the Bibles they print. The lawsuit is for $60, 000, 000. The suit contends that the Pastor of a local church preached a sermon some 20 years ago using this verse and during the course of his sermon, the Pastor made references to homosexuality that have, in turn, caused this individual emotional pain and suffering over the last 20 years.

If you have ANY qualms about your religious freedoms, this article is a 'MUST READ' warning.

Al

And now ... a Word from our Sponsors

This whole move has been a strange, and interesting experience. And, for the record ... I'm still struggling to come to terms with how we ended up where we did.

However ...

I still feel like things are working out for us, based on the under-pinning of God's plans. It's all just kinda flowing in directions I never could have predicted.

Here's an odd / old / new development:


The company I used to work for, back in Oregon, has apparently been bought out by one of their competitors. Truly, it was a highly volatile market. But I had NO IDEA, when I left a little over a year ago, that this was going to happen. This next year they will be closing ... 'for good'. No more jobs. For all I know, none of the people I worked with will be moved over to the new company. No future there.

In fact, I was totally blindsided by the news just a couple weeks ago. I'm not saying that the circumstances couldn't have played out exactly as they have anyhow ... but I do think it is 'Providential' that I left there when I did. Unbeknownst to me that this was going to take place.


It's just strange, and blessed, at the same time.


However, I was very happy to hear that one of my old cronies is still pursuing adventurous travels to other states and countries over the last year, and in the days ahead. Recently we made contact with each other again, and it was like a breath of fresh air to hear all of the great things they have been doing.

Even my Dad made the LONG trek to the Rockies. It sound like they may never do it again ... but ... for me, how exciting to think about getting back out there on the road and seeing it all again. To be able to see Creation again. LOVE IT!


Even with all the negative floating around, it's inspiring to still have dreams and hopes and plans and aspirations. What's life without that Divine spark of inspiration?


Al

The Lakeland Revival - 'Battle Royal...'

Hi guys,

I haven't written about this at all. And tonight, I was inspired to finally crack open the vault a bit.

It's wild - we've been here over a year now. July 3 was one year.

Anyhow...

The 'Lakeland' Revival started not too long after we got down here. Well, I guess it's only been going for a couple months now.

The funny thing is - people from Oregon are asking us about this thing. That means - it's SO big, that it's spread across the U.S. In fact, people from all over the world are actually flying here (to Lakeland) to be a part of this revival. A person, whom I just won an ebay item from, included a note about it in her shipment to me. WOW!


The part that cracks me up is - we've never even gone to the thing. Why does it start, right here in Lakeland, after we arrive? It's odd. It makes no sense. I'm not claiming any part of it, not at all. It has nothing, at all, to do with me or us - it's just strange that it would happen here.


I don't know which side of the camp you sit on, as far as this revival goes - if you're thinking it's the next 'Big Thing' from God, then you'll definitely want to take a look at some of these thoughts:
Lakeland Revival Comments


Hopefully, just maybe, it'll make you think about the situation a little bit.



Al

Work and Money? OR Dreams and Risk?

Many of you know we've been here since July of last year. We left behind a life of relative security, for a belief in a calling to something different.

So, it was interesting to get this truly amazing question from one of my good friends...

'Do you think that it's good living "on the edge" instead of doing the daily grind and having more "security" financially???'

And so I thought I'd share some of my deepest thoughts on this one...

If you're interested?


The funny thing is - I've thought about this concept a tremendous amount lately. And I'm not sure I have the correct answer.


In Oregon - we had a lot more money coming in through work, but we weren't living within our means as well as we should have. So we never 'felt' caught up or secure.

Here - we are using up our money. But, the way I figure it, we are only one good job away from doing much better financially. No other debts holding us down. Now, the house is a big one, BUT we were paying this much for the apartment anyhow (LITERALLY), so it's no big deal.

HOWEVER - I can't seem to come up with that one good job yet.

If you would have told me 10 months ago that I would still be looking for a full time job in Florida, I'm not sure I would have been as gung-ho to do it. But I still have to believe that this is going to end up somewhere good.


Probably the very hardest part for me has been this... I have literally felt that God wanted us to come here. I believe it in my heart. But, to my natural eyes, nothing has worked out right here - the way I thought it should. So, it has forced me to question whether my belief in what I thought God was saying even matters anymore. Does that make sense? i.e. - should I have done what I felt I thought God wanted us to do? OR should I have done what I personally would have liked to do more? That is my biggest question right now. And I think it's still up in the air for me right now. But, sometimes, you can't look at things just with your eyes. You have to have a dream, and a belief, that things will work out.

We never came here with the expectation to stay that long. We have felt it would be 3-5 years maybe, but never permanently.

Sure... not having enough money coming in is hard, and stressful. But I really feel like if you think it'll go somewhere good in the end, then you'll make it work and struggle through it. However - if you do it all, and then you realize that it isn't going to work out to your benefit after all, then what? Have I chased after a dream and a hope, only to have my entire efforts come crashing down? That would SUCK!

Anyhow, it's a tough choice, and one that I'm not sure I'd do the same way now that I'm on this side of it. But I still think it might work out okay, even with the struggles. I DO think, if I had already had a job lined up here in Florida, I would probably have NEVER pursued the teaching thing. And I would have never known if it was a good fit for me personally.

Living on the edge isn't as easy as I would have thought. All things said and done - I want a full-time job. I will continue to run my side businesses even when I get a full time job. I want the higher income that I feel like I'm worth from a job. I definitely want the health benefits for my family (that has been another HUGE issue for us here). I will still pack up and leave here when I think our time is done, BUT I think I might have a more definite strategy planned for what will happen when I get to the other end of the move - i.e. I will probably have a job already lined up, and I may not move until I do.


Anyhow...

Just some thoughts from someone who's tried something that a lot of people have thought about, maybe even dreamed about doing, but maybe aren't ready, or able, to take those risks.


What do you think?

Al


P.S. - on a similar note - I read this interesting article at yahoo tonight, and thought I'd share it with you....

It talks about strategies for working into your dream job - no matter if you're in your 20's, or your 50's.
6 Tips to Getting YOUR Dream Job

Teachers... Your 1st Amendment Rights Are Under Attack

Hi everyone,

I am stoked about this!

I haven't been teaching long, but I've definitely seen and heard the discussions. I actually remember some killer debates in college about this topic.

I am thrilled to see that someone in Hollywood is taking this bad boy on...

Check it Out!
Watch the 'Super Trailer' OR the 'Teaser Trailer' OR even the 'Bill O'Reilly' Interview


Say what you want about the theory...

BUT the fact is, this is a violation of First Amendment Rights.



It's exciting to think this debate could become huge. And it could actually have an impact in my lifetime.


YEAH!
It's about freakin time!



Al

Churches in Lakeland

Hello -


This is just a rant in general about churches down here.

Chris, I, and the girls have been looking for a church we can all really get involved in, and that inspires us to do great things.

Unfortunately - even finding a church online in this general area is dang near impossible.

I don't know if it's because I've been marketing online so long, but I don't think any church in this town knows how to put an advertisement on Google. Which, to me, is freaking ridiculous! At the very least they could have a listing for the town, whenever someone looks up -- Lakeland and Church.

Anyhow - I've spent hours scouring the web, the phone book, newspapers, and even visiting some possibilities only to find nothing that matches.

Now, I know you might be saying...

'Well, there's no such thing as a perfect church, Al!'

And I totally agree with you. BUT - I do know, because I've experienced it, that our entire family should be able to leave a church, and feel 'semi'-comfortable having been there.

And that just hasn't happened yet.

SO...

My hat is off to Rob Goodwin, for marketing his church, even though it's WAY smaller in size that most churches in this town, better than any church in the city of Lakeland Florida.

We'll try another one soon.

Al

A Little Bit of Personal History

Isn't life strange sometimes?

It's funny - I had typed up a monstrously HUGE post about my thoughts on teaching history, and all that junk, but it just didn't feel right.


So I bagged it.

Instead, here's a light update for you.


It's wild to think that we've been here 6 months now - in Florida. At times I look back on our old lives, and our trip, with a strong sense of wanderlust. This place - with its flatness and monotony makes me itch for elevation, a view, and relief from the heat.

I enjoy looking at these lovely pics to remember and refresh my spirit.





Ahhhh...!
Man I could look at mountains for hours.


But at the same time - you know how it is when you reach a point in your life where something has to change? And once you change it, you can't ever go back.

Here's an example...

When Chris and I were first married, I took a job at a place called Berton's. I worked there for about 2 years, or so. Some people I know flourished there, but not me. I barely made it out of that place with my life. In fact, if it weren't for God looking over me, I wouldn't have made it out of there alive.

I am SO THANKFUL that I don't ever have to go back to that place - not so much physically - but mentally! I moved on, and I'm alive.

It may hurt, at the time. Change... that is! You may have to suffer from less money, from loneliness, from hurt, or who knows what all else. Surely you know the feelings I'm talking about - right?


Anyhow...

This change, that Christy and I have felt led into, has not been as easy here as we had hoped. But, I think, it was needed. For us to grow and change on many levels... personally, and maybe even professionally and spiritually.

So - thank you to all of you who have loved us, cared for us, and supported us - even IF you don't agree with what we're doing. We appreciate hearing from you, chatting from time to time, and catching up whenever we can.


For you, who may not know, I started teaching this week. Substitute teaching - that is. And man... am I tired. Bob Brayton - thanks for the tips on just being patient!

I've been to an elementary, middle, and senior high school all in one week. It's wild to be back working. It's almost surreal, like I've been living in another world. It's like having a dream, where you are the ruler of a kingdom and your loyal subjects are fanning you with palm fronds, as you sit there on your throne... only to bluntly wake up... freezing and shivering in bed because your spouse pulled all the covers onto their side and you set the thermostat super low to conserve energy.

Yeah... It's like that!

So - I'm back in the saddle again, but finding my rear-end a little 'saddle sore'.


But it just feels good to be doing something cool again.
Mostly, I just wanted to share with you.


All the best,
Al

A Real Modern Day Miracle - Part 1

Hello,

I'm not sure if you caught my previous post about teaching?

If not - you can check out my teaching dream here.

Anyhow...

I wanted to be a teacher since I was a junior in high school. But through things we call 'life' I've pursued other interests and professions instead. In fact, I never thought I would return to teaching again. And I definitely never planned to go back to college and take the year (or more) it would have taken to become a teacher.

BUT...

Through nothing I could have ever planned or imagined, the first steps of a teaching career have blossomed right in front of my eyes.

Is it a miracle?

Maybe, maybe not. To me... YES!

Why - because I could have NEVER planned, nor caused it to happen the way it did.

Here is where I sit right now...

I just received this:

Congratulations, you have completed the Substitute Teacher requirements for the Polk County School Board District

In addition to this, I've also received this:
An 'Official Statement of Eligibility Status' that says I AM eligible to receive my temporary 3 year certification for the State of Florida.

In other words - I am now qualified to become a substitute teacher, PLUS I am also eligible to become a temporarily certified teacher in Florida.


So - that is the start of the miracle that began 2 months ago. There are 3 more parts... 1. When I start substituting, 2. When I start teaching as a temporary / permanent teacher, and 3. When I become an officially certified teacher.

I'll keep you posted.

And most importantly...

Thank you God, for doing the impossible. I never would have dreamt it was possible.

Al

Always a Dreamer

Hello,

It's strange for me to write this.

Have you ever had a lifelong dream, or goal, you wanted to achieve?
One that you laid aside as impossible?

Maybe touring Europe?
Maybe hiking across the Himalayas?
Maybe owning a Harley?
Or how about graduating from college?

Who knows...

Some dreams seem too big. Too improbable.

Maybe you have one inside of you?


I have been out of work for almost 6 months - Nov. 15 or so will be 6 months. Like so many people across America, we could be in a completely painful place. To be honest... it does hurt.

But - there is one thing this move has done for me.


It has birthed a dream I once had, that was totally and completely dead.


When I was a junior in high school, I took a class from Ms. Stribling. In that class, an idea was born inside of me to become a teacher. After college, I tried to take more classes and get back into teaching, but the timing and life circumstances just laid that idea to the side.

I thought... forever.


Amazingly...

NO

Miraculously...

About the only positive experience that has come out of Florida, for me, is a rebirth of that dream. I am saying this now, on the front side of teaching. I am NOT a teacher yet. I may not become one. But, I can truthfully say, if I am able to become a teacher through all of this -- that alone could be the entire reason we feel God has sent us here.

Strange? Yes! Miraculous? Maybe - depending on who you ask.

I can tell you one thing... if I become a teacher, it will be through absolutely ZERO planning and forethought by me coming here. It will come through purely outer circumstances that I had no idea were there.

I leave you with this...

My good friend - Rob Goodwin - wrote a song that embraces everything I've just said. I'm listening to it right now. I love it!

The song says it like this...

But unless the dream you're holding falls to the ground,
and it dies.
And gets buried up, just like a seed...
and you walk away forever.
You'll never know the wonder that this new life can be...

Listen to this song here:

Say You Will

I've travelled all over the U.S. now, and I've been to hundreds of churches. BUT I've still never met anyone who captures the spirit of worship, in music, like Rob does. Live performance - no one can touch him compared to what I've experienced during Rob's worship time.

Learn more about Rob here.


More to come...

Tough Times call for Desperate Measures

It has been a rough month and a half since we've been here. Truly one of the most trying for our whole family.

Trying to figure out where we fit in? How we can survive? How to meet new people? All kinds of things have weighed us (and me) down.


So, just yesterday, Christy and I agreed that I would take a day to spend some alone time and try to figure things out.

Here's the main point I came up with: (if you care - if not you can stop reading 'til next time)

1. This was a big one for me -
Philippians 2:13 (in the Bible - and depending on the version you read) - I'm paraphrasing here:
It is God who is working in you... In other words God likes it and it pleases Him, when you 'DO' and 'ACT' according to His purpose.

What does that mean to me? God actually wants me to (He likes it) when I do the things He designed me to do.

Huh?

From my studies, it is becoming clear to me that each and every person was created with a specific gift/skill/ability/talent/story that no other single person on this planet has. And with that gift, God wants you to do something with it. He has awesome plans for you.

Up until recently, I never realized that I had a gift. It's not something that I knew about when I was 5 years old, and have carried with me to this day. NO! Some people, I think, do actually know their gift from a very early age. But not me.
Who would have thought that I'd still be trying to figure this stuff out at my age? Not me - that's for sure! That's me at a young age, not thinking about these kinds of things.

This whole move to Florida has made me search, and think about, and figure out what it is that I am actually supposed to be doing here. And this verse hit me like a brick wall the other day... God wants me to figure out my gifting, so that I can use it to do AWESOME things.

Never-the-less, what that lead me to was this...

I'm going to pursue my web business as long, and as far, and as high, and as deep as I can. It suits me. It suits my temperament. It inspires me, and it keeps me awake at all hours, and yet I still wake up motivated and energized to keep doing it. It's fascinating and enjoyable all wrapped up into one amazing package. And it seems to work for me.

Here's the rub - it doesn't cover my income enough yet. So I'm still going to have to work another job, probably part time, to make ends meet.

But after my time away, I fully feel this is what was inspired inside my spirit.

Love,
Al

Giving and blessings...

It's no secret that I have always aspired to have a successful small business. It seems I am in the painful process of building one just to survive now.

However...

Several years ago, I started a small business with a guy named Gary, in Oregon. We sold sporting goods products online. In the process of buying, purchasing, and reselling the equipment for the business we often came across SCREAMING good deals on sport supplies.

Specifically, we bought some soccer shorts for about $.33 each pair, and then we also purchased some other soccer shorts for a little more - like $.60 per pair.

We were able to sell a bunch of those shorts with our business, but over time we had gathered up quite a HUGE supply of extras. And Gary had been storing them at his home for the last couple years - because we didn't really have the time to properly ebay them or anything like that.

Imagine my surprise when Christy and I were visiting Gary, for his wedding, and we met Gary's sister and brother in law. Val - the brother in law - is an amazingly nice guy, and through the process of talking with him I learned that they had recently taken a mission trip to St. Kitts. Val is actually from St. Kitts.

You can read more about the island here:
http://www.stkittstourism.kn/


What was really cool... all those shorts we had left over... had made the journey to St. Kitts with Val. He took them down and gave them to the kids down there.

Just talking with him, it was clear that the soccer shorts were a HUGE hit with the kids. They loved 'em.

I would have never even known that the shorts Gary and I bought 8 years ago could have been used for such purpose and benefit, all these years later. What an awesome and tremendous honor for me to be a part of that, even though I really had nothing to do with it today.


Sometimes it's the little things that can make your day turn around.

Also, real quick... a couple years ago, Rob (my good friend) took a trip to Cambodia. Christy and I bought about $30 worth of kitchen supplies to help a mission family there start a cooking school. The report came back that all the supplies not only helped them start the school, but ALSO helped some of the students get great jobs. Another fantastic honor for me to be a part of.


Love,
Al

Amazing NEW Discovery - Evolution Proven Wrong!

As I wrote about a few days ago - I studied archaeology in college so I have an immediate and real interest in evolution. In fact I had many, many hour long conversations with my college professors about the validity of evolution, and the impact that theory has on a person's morals and beliefs.

If you are totally honest and 100% truthful, the logical conclusion of evolution is moral relativism. What does that mean? Whatever is right for you is right for you, irregardless of who is hurt by it. Now I know you'll want to say... no we all have to take care of each other, but you MUST admit that true evolutionary thinking leads to 100% moral relativism - END OF STORY!


Anyhow, here is the major teaching of evolution...
If you understand evolution, then you MUST believe uniformitarianism.

Uniformitarianism - the present is the key to the past - in other words we MUST base every thing we see from the past, by the natural processes we see today.


PROBLEM:
- At some point in the past fossil preservation occurred on HUGE scales, and today we have NO (that's very, very little) observable fossilization happening anywhere in the world.
- Frozen mammoth preservation CAN NOT be explained by any modern natural processes.
- Extinctions of strong, well-established groups of animals no longer occurs.
- Petrified logs are not occurring anywhere in the world today.
- Polystratic trees, or trees that cross multiple layers of soil, that should have decomposed over the time it takes to lay multiple layers of soil doesn't occur today.
- Ephemeral markings, things like rain drops and wave ripples, are no longer seen to be preserved because they are so short lived.
- Preserving of soft parts in fossil is unheard of in this day, because the tissue decays so fast.

What this means is that the BASIC underpinning of uniformitarianism is in complete jeopardy.

And I didn't even talk about radioactive decay and its problems (see pictures below). And believe me... there are problems.

I'm not going to say this proves evolution is wrong for you, but you have GOT to look at it a little more open-mindedly - because I'm pretty sure the things my college professors taught me didn't include any of the doubts I just told you about up above.

Check out - The Collapse of Evolution, by Scott M. Huse, and the Creation Museum in Lexington, Kentucky for a little bit more radical opinion on the matter.

Hi from Al - a thought...

Hi, this is Al - instead of Christy.

I just wanted to let everyone know that, unfortunately, you'll have to hear from me as well as Chris. Sorry about that!

Today, I wanted to write about a note I made the other night in my Bible study. I thought it was pretty cool. I think it'll be pretty cool for you too!

Exodus 34:10 - I will perform wonders that have never been done before ANYWHERE in all the earth or in any nation. The people around you will see the awesome power of the Lord.

God - please do this in my world, where I am, and also in the lives of everyone around me. Help us know that YOU aren't done doing miracles in this world. Cool!

Al