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Science Meets Theology in David and Goliath

It is very possible that no tale from the Bible is more popular or recounted as frequently as the Old Testament account of David and Goliath. One of God’s best lessons of faith comes with this story and that lesson is if you trust in Him, no problem is too large to tackle. When seen through God’s eyes, what may seem to us to be insurmountable problems become less intimidating. With him behind you, you can handle anything.

The story explains the war that the Philistines initiated against King Saul and the Israelites. Goliath, a giant who towered 9-feet tall, was part of the army of the Philistines. Each day he came to the front lines of the fighting adorned in a full set of armor to intimidate the Israelites. Not one man was brave enough to take on Goliath. His mocking of Saul and the rest of the Israelite army was unrelenting.

While no “man” would fight Goliath, a young shepherd named David shook off his fear and doubt. With only a sling, a bag full of stones, and his faith in God, David confronted Goliath while shouting, “I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty.” Before Goliath could strike a blow, David pulled out his sling and struck Goliath in the forehead through the smallest of openings in his armor. Goliath dropped to the ground and was dead.

Tales from the bible are often the source of interest to scientists seeking to find the truth or fiction in them. This story is one that has fascinated them for years. Physicians have suggested that Goliath was actually a man afflicted with a disease called acromelagy or “gigantism”. The pituitary gland in people who suffer from this disease releases excess amounts of growth hormones, causing them to become unusually tall. If this theory were true, Goliath would probably have succumbed to this disease at any time.

Another question arises as to how David was able to catch Goliath by surprise to kill him so quickly. Again, researchers explain this scientifically suggesting that Goliath was partially blind or had tunnel vision, a result of the gigantism. A tumor is what is responsible for the excess production of growth hormones in this disease. It is possible the tumor compacted Goliath’s optic chiasm, thus pinching the optic nerves. An enemy with impaired vision and possibly no side vision would have made it easy for young David to get close enough to fire the deadly stone.

Others who are skeptical ask how a single stone could bring down the fearsome giant. The tumor is also the explanation for this. If it was the tumor that was struck by the rock, it may have ruptured and then bled, causing Goliath to die.

Even if Goliath’s size was a direct result of gigantism, this should not take away from the David’s bravery and faith in the face of danger. Neither the Philistines, the Israelites, nor the young shepherd David understood why Goliath was such a giant. The lesson still holds that God can make anything possible if you have faith.

Robert Mann is a lifelong poet and author living in California. Mr. Mann is also Executive Editor of the Christian news website http://www.FreeChristianPress.com. You can get a unique content version of this article from the Uber Article Directory.

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Giant-Sized Faith

In the Bible we read a story about two men: one a great, great big man who didn’t love God, and didn’t know God, and didn’t really want anything to do with the true and living God; and another, an average sized young man who did love God, and served God, and wanted to do whatever God wanted Him to do.

You know it as the story of David and Goliath, and you know how it turns out. Two opposing armies were camped in a valley and it led up to one of the most famous, and quick, battles in history. On one side were the Israelites, who were God’s chosen people. On the other side was the army of the Philistines, a group of people that wanted nothing to do with the God of Israel.

The army of the Philistines had threatened to wipe out the children of Israel and they sent their biggest man, Goliath, with a challenge to say, “Whoever will come and fight me, I will fight. If I win, you will be our slaves; and if you win, we will be your slaves.”

I hesitate to say it, but the army of Israel really was not doing so well. In fact, they were just plain scared; until David, a young man with his tremendous faith in God came along. Because you see, David knew something that the other people had forgotten about. David knew that God gives us the power to do whatever we have to do, no matter the circumstances.

David went out to face Goliath without the weapons and the strength that most people would think were necessary to even have a slim chance to come out alive, but David did have complete faith in God. He trusted that despite the odds, God would supply him with everything he needed to win this fight.

David defeated Goliath that famous day because he had faith in God and he was willing to act on it and trust God with his life. As he approached Goliath he told him that it was not in his own strength that he would fight, but that of God. As you experience trials and tribulations in your own life, follow the wonderful example that David set for us and simply trust God.

How can you do that? As you trust Him, He’ll just make things happen that you never believed possible. He’ll give you extra strength. He’ll give you extra courage. He can provide extra funds, extra work, extra assurance, extra peace, extra calm, extra kind people to help mend broken hearts. He can do all. Remember, my friend, He can give you the power to do and to take care of whatever needs to be, no matter what the circumstances.

Dr. Ann Shorb is a professional counselor in Pennsylvania in PA, speaker, and writer. You can get more information at the website of her ministry, Christian Counseling & Educational Services.

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Does God Really Speak Today?

Many people want to know if God still speaks to us today. The Christian answer comes down to two simple alternatives: Yes or no. There are lots of intelligent people out there who disagree on this subject. My own answer is an unqualified YES. Allow me to tell you why.

I am sure we could all think of a wierdo or a TV preacher who says that God is speaking through them when we know it isn’t true. However, just for the sake of the argument, let’s throw that out and discuss the matter sincerely as people who really want to know the answer. In fact, let’s get a little more specific. Let’s ask, “Does God really speak to Christians today apart from the Bible?”

The people that answer “no” to this question usually cite examples of someone claiming that God spoke through them and it was wrong or it harmed a person’s faith. That is a powerful experiential argument. If someone claims to speak for God and they are wrong, it gives God a black eye in the minds of the people around that person. But that is no reason to believe that God doesn?t speak at all anymore.

Think about this: In the history of the church, God has used two instruments to speak to his people: the Bible and the Holy Spirit. We all know people who don’t know how to correctly interpret the Bible, but is that any reason to start believing that God doesn’t speak through the Bible? No way. In a similar way, some people don’t know how to interpret what the Holy Spirit is doing, but that is no reason to believe that he doesn’t speak to us today.

The Bible and the Holy Spirit work together in our lives. We don’t possess a 100% fool proof method of interpreting what the Bible says or what the Holy Spirit says, especially about thorny ethical or moral questions. But just because we can’t be 100% sure of what they say all the time doesn’t mean that they are silent. We can’t be sure of what our best friends say some of the time, but we don’t write them off because we can’t always understand them. The fact that there are abuses or disagreements about what the Holy Spirit is saying doesn’t mean that we should cut off all belief that he speaks today.

A passage from the Bible that supports the speaking role of the Holy Spirit is John 14:6. “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit who leads you into all truth.” If the Holy Spirit really is God inside of us, then God speaks to us. The Holy Spirit is our comforter, encourager and helper. If he fulfills all these roles in our lives, it makes sense that he speaks to us as he helps us in so many ways. Listen to his voice.

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Malachy, Mayan Calendar, Pope Prophecies Correlating To 2012 or 2017?

Interestingly enough, for all the talk about 2012, it is quite difficult to find a simple listing of all the prophecies. Most of what you find on the Internet is vague generalizations of mass destruction or a transformation into a new age. I was able to find a couple decent sources, and I have listed them below. What I found odd was the ability to correlate more information about 2017 than 2012 using several different resources.

So now we’ve got Israel and Iran butting heads, who knows what’s next. Is this “nation rising against nation” from the book of REV? I happened to go on youtube and read a comment left by a person who claims to have visited the Mayan civilization while on vacation who stated that they have no calendar that ends on 2012. They said the Mayans didn’t know where the rumor was started. I found several links which seemed to correlate everything with the year 2017 as some sort of new beginning.

If you find this interesting you should also be able to find other links within these links on the video below. Malachy Prophecy of the popes states there would be 112 popes before the “end” would come. He named each pope. We are on the 111th now and very close to the year 2017.

112 popes prophecy and we’re on 111 now and close to the year 2017? St. Malachy prophecy:

St. Malachy prophecy: Many scholars of St. Malachy’s Prophecy believed that Pope # 111 would be ” Olive’s Glory” because he will be of the Order of St. Benedictine. Here are the prophecies of Malachy: The Last 10 Popes 1. “The Burning Fire”. PIUS X. 1903-1914. This Pope showed a burning passion for spiritual renewal in the Church. 2. “Religion Laid Waste”. BENEDICT XV. 1914-1922. During this Pope’s reign saw Communism move into Russia where religious life was laid waste, and World War I with the death of millions of Christians who were carnage in Flanders Field and elsewhere. 3. “Unshaken Faith”. PIUS XI. 1922-1939. This Pope faced tremendous pressure from fascist and sinister powers in Germany and Italy, but he was an outspoken critic of Communism and Fascism which enraged Hitler. 4. “An Angelic Shepherd”. PIUS XII. 1939-1958. This Pope had an affinity for the spiritual world and received visions which have not been made public. Peter Bander says Pius XII “has emerged as one of the great Popes of all time,” and he “was in the truest sense of the word an Angelic Pastor to the flock…” 5. “Pastor and Mariner”. JOHN XXIII. 1958-1963. John was a pastor to the world, much beloved, and the Patriarch of Venice. The connection to “mariner” is thus remarkable. 6. “Flower of Flowers”. PAUL VI. 1963-1978. Paul’s coat-of-arms depicts three fleurs-de-lis, corresponding to Malachy’s prophecy. His coat of arms included three fleurs-de-lis (iris blossoms). 7. “Of the Half Moon”. JOHN PAUL I. 1978-1978. John Paul I was elected Pope on August 26, 1978, when there was a half moon. He reigned 33 days, that is, about one month, when he died, although many think he was murdered. He was the 109th Pope – is “De Medietate Lunae” (Of the Half Moon). The corresponding pope was John Paul I (1978-78), who was born in the diocese of Belluno (beautiful moon) and was baptized Albino Luciani (white light). He became pope on August 26, 1978, when the moon appeared exactly half full. It was in its waning phase. He died the following month, soon after an eclipse of the moon. 8. “The Labor of the Son”. oJOHN PAUL II. 1978-2005. Pope John Paul II was the most traveled Pope in history. He circled the globe numerous times, preaching to huge audiences everywhere he went. He survived an assassination attempt. He has written a book which has enjoyed a large circulation. Like the sun which never ceases to labor and provides light daily, this Pope has been incessant. He was born on May 18, 1920. On that date in the morning there was a near total eclipse of the sun over Europe. Prophecy – The 110th Pope is “De Labore Solis” (Of the Solar Eclipse, or, From the Toil of the Sun). Like the sun he came out of the East (Poland). 9. “The Glory of the Olive”. The Order of St. Benedict has said this Pope will come from their order. It is interesting that Jesus gave his apocalyptic prophecy about the end of time from the Mount of Olives. This Pope will reign during the beginning of the tribulation Jesus spoke of. The 111th prophesy is “Gloria Olivae” (The Glory of the Olive). The Order of Saint Benedict has claimed that this pope will come from their ranks. Saint Benedict himself prophesied that before the end of the world his Order, known also as the Olivetans, will triumphantly lead the Catholic Church in its fight against evil. 10. “PETER THE ROMAN” – On several blogs this pope is thought to be Satan??! taking the form of a man named Peter who will gain a worldwide allegiance and adoration. He will be the final antichrist which prophecy students have long foretold. If it were possible, even the very elect would be deceived. The 112th prophesy states: “In the final persecution of the Holy Roman Church there will reign Petrus Romanus, who will feed his flock amid many tribulations; after which the seven-hilled city will be destroyed and the dreadful Judge will judge the people. The End.” Malachy’s final words, “Rome, the seat of the Vatican, will be destroyed and the dreadful Judge will judge the people.”

MSNBC ran a news story about a possible cashless society by 2017.

‘Can a microscopic tag be implanted in a person?s body to track his every movement? We are talking about that up here [Capitol Hill] and? you will rule on that!? – 2008 Vice President Joe Biden

Daniel’s Timeline ends in 2017: ARE WE SUPPOSED TO KNOW WHEN? There is a multitude of verses from the most ancient of all books concerning the Lords return and even an admonishment from Him saying:

There is a multitude of verses concerning the Lords return and even an admonishment from Him saying, Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that you do not discern this time?

daniel's timeline

That one verse should be proof enough that we should know, but He is not just going to spell it out. We also know there are NO idle words in the Word of God. If therefore, it is not meant for us to understand or know the time of His coming, wouldn’t all the verses with clues pertaining to the time of His return be counted as idle words? Here are only a few of many verses telling us that God will teach us all things; He will show us things that are to come which includes the return of His Son; And God says and He will show His servants things that must shortly be done. In Daniel, We are given a definite sequence of years that can now be understood. Just being able to understand things that have been a mystery for centuries should be a huge clue to us that time is short and approaching when all things will be finished.

On another note, you may wish to watch this psychic’s videos on her youtube page: name, ‘worldpsychic’ on youtube in which she makes predictions about the coming decade 2010-2019. Apparently these were made in 2004 or 2005. One of her videos she describes a “black pig” with a cross painted on this pig. Which she later describes is now swine flu.

Daniel’s Prophetic Timeline – An amazing 27% of the Bible is prophecy and 20% of the books of the Bible are prophetic. The existence of Jesus Christ is an historical fact so why should we ignore the prophecies of His Second Coming if it is mentioned almost twice as much as His First? Revelation 19:10 says, “The essence of prophecy is to give a clear witness for Jesus.” Prophecy is all about Christ and we are told to watch and pray for the Lords return. Keep in mind, parts of Daniel’s time line may turn out to be right, parts may prove wrong. Like I said before, Bible prophecy is a difficult subject. Thats why I say, if someone tells you that they have 100 percent proof for what they teach about Bible prophecy, dont believe them. There are many things we wont know for sure until all the prophecies are fulfilled and our Lord returns from heaven.

End of the world predictions have been common throughout Christianity and other religions for almost 2000 years.

An amazing 27% of the Bible is prophecy and 20% of the books of the Bible are prophetic. The existence of Jesus Christ is an historical fact so why should we ignore the prophecies of His Second Coming if it is mentioned almost twice as much as His First? Revelation 19:10 says, “The essence of prophecy is to give a clear witness for Jesus.” Prophecy is all about Christ and we are told to watch and pray for the Lords return. Keep in mind, parts of Daniel’s time line may turn out to be right, parts may prove wrong. Like I said before, Bible prophecy is a difficult subject. Thats why I say, if someone tells you that they have 100 percent proof for what they teach about Bible prophecy, dont believe them. There are many things we wont know for sure until all the prophecies are fulfilled and our Lord returns from heaven.

In conclusion, Christians have predicted several events that many believe are related: the second coming of Jesus, the war of Armageddon, the arrival on earth of the Antichrist, the Tribulation, the rapture, some horrendous natural disaster, etc. We have been criticized by some of our readers for whipping up hysteria about the end of the world. Our intent is the exact opposite: we would like to lessen the level of panic. We hope that by listing many of the past predictions that people will realize that some very important individuals have been totally wrong when they predicted the end of the world.

End of the world predictions have been common throughout Christianity and other religions for almost 2000 years. Here are a few predictions that didn’t come true: 1998 to 2012 Gordon-Michael Scallion predicted major catastrophic earth events: global warming, melting polar ice caps, earthquakes, volcanoes erupting, etc. Well, we’re not experiencing these right now and it’s 2009. 21st century: Thomas Chase predicted that when the world’s population reaches 6.66 billion, the war of Armageddon may occur. The population has already passed this number. Before 2019: Tathagata predicted in 1999 that the end of the world as we know it will happen within the next twenty years. an imbalance in gravity will cause the disappearance of all civilizations by a 1000 meter high tsunami, as well as earthquakes, volcanoes and “crustal formations. … Most of creatures are to be exterminated.” Here are the 2017 common predictions: The “Sword of God Brotherhood” believes that Armageddon will occur in the year 2017. The Prophet Gabriel has told them this. Only their own members will survive to re-populate the entire world. All of the others (including you and me) will “perish in hellfire.” Daniel’s Time Line bases their calculation on the concept of Jubilee years which occur every 50 years. The most recent three Jubilees were: 1867 when the Jews were emancipated in Austria and Hungary. 1917 when the Ottomon rule ended and the Balfour Declaration was created. 1967 when the Six Day War occurred. They predict that the next and final Jubilee yr will be 2017, “the time of the restitution of all things.” There is every likelihood that most (perhaps all) of these future predictions will never materialize. We will be very surprised if one of them did. The sole purpose of this article is to provide general internet links and interesting information. It does not reflect the views of the author.

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