The Language of God; A book by Francis Collins

Francis Collins is the head of the American Geneome Project and is a Christian scientist. His studies have led him to believe that Darwin was right about evolution, but Mr. Collins takes the position that God created evolution (it does not simply happen). His book on the subject is "The Language of God". I am in the process of getting it to read it for myself. I understand that there is similarity between humans and animals in that Adam's body was formed out of the dust of the earth; just as God said, "Let the earth bring forth living creatures...everything that creeps". But I certainly hope Mr. Collins is not saying that humans developed from apes. That simply is not scriptural. But I am looking to get his book and will read it with an open mind. Also, I am looking for a good book on the history of Israel, because I think so many people today are confused about Israel's right to have the land and think that the Palestinians have as much right to it as the Israelis. As for me, I just know that it is God who ordained the Nation of Israel to be re-established as a nation, and I would not want to be found fighting against God's master plan. I wonder if the horror of the holocaust needed to happen because without it there would have been no move to give the land to the Jewish people so that they may have a secure homeland. I am not saying God caused the holocaust, but He does take what is meant for evil and turn it for good.

Recreation = Re-create

People need recreation. I hope over the celebration of the 4th of July everyone had an opportunity to enjoy some sort of recreation. Getting out in the great outdoors is great if you can, but if you can't, in this day and age a person can still enjoy so much via technology. You can view winning photographs of an annual photo contest for the Lake Superior Area at: http://www.lakesuperior.com/news/contest.html. Getting in touch with God's masterful work in nature really can help re-create a healthy outlook and sense of peace in each of us. Take advantage of our resources in person or online.

Here is a view of Gooseberry Falls, not too far off the highway. I hope to go there again soon.

Up North

It had been quite a few years since we have been to the "North Shore". It was a real treat to go up north last week and find so much unchanged. Just being able to take the day and go was a treat. Being able to go and come back the same day so there was no need to stay in a hotel was another treat. It seems I enjoyed the North Shore more now than in years past. The water seemed bluer and the town not quite the old dirty town I remembered it as. Looking for Agates is still as relaxing as it was years ago. The simple pleasures of hiking in the woods alongside a river with waterfalls here and there really help to bring peace and sanity back into life. I understand why environmentalists want to protect our beautiful parks. It is not that the rest of us want to destroy them. It is not that we don't apprectiate them. I remember when we went to Hawaii and saw the whales and endangered turtles, I could understand why people gather together to rescue beached whales. Our world is really amazing and beautiful. It is so good to know too, that the whole world is not at war, or poverty striken, corrupt,or sick. There still is much that is good in this world of ours.