How Do We Know God Exists?

20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. 21 For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened...14 For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves, 15 in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them  Romans 1:20,21, 2:14,15


      How do we know God exists? Philosophers have debated and pondered this since the days of Plato and have come up with some interesting, if not complicated arguments for the existence of God which I will try to summarize here in a way that the common person (me) can understand. I would divide them into 3 categories as seen in the above passages -  the attributes of God argument, the nature argument, and the moral argument.

    The attributes of God argument or ontological argument goes something like this; if the definition of God is that which nothing greater can be conceived -Therefore, if He exists in the mind, He must of necessity exist in the world because that would be greater than existing in just the mind. It's like if a painter has the most beautiful painting ever in his mind, it isn't the most beautiful painting ever unless he paints it. Likewise, if we imagine there could be the most perfect being ever, He must exist because that is greater than the conception of Him. To me this sounds like mental hocus pocus but people much smarter than me think this is a great argument.

     The next series of arguments are nature arguments.

 1. The teleological argument - Any object in which we discern evidence of purposeful adaptation of means to some end implies a creator. For example, let's say you are on a deserted island and you are walking on the beach and you see white smooth stones. That would tell you nothing. Now you come upon a white stone liked object with a handle, a circular rim and a hollow cylindrical center - a coffee mug. What would you assume? Someone has been there before you! How much more a human body with skin, eyes, lungs, heart, etc. should point us to a creator. Extended to our earth we have the anthropic principle which states that our earth has over one hundred finely tuned conditions which if not there would make life impossible. It's as if a creator prepared just the right conditions to put life on the planet.

 2. The sufficient reason argument - Nothing happens without a sufficient reason. Why is there something rather than nothing? The reason for the universe's existence must be found  outside the universe in a being whose sufficient reason is self contained.

 3. The cosmological argument - This is the cause and effect argument. Every effect must have a cause. Traced back far enough there must be a first cause and chance can't be a cause because chance isn't a thing. One variety of this states;
        A. Anything that begins to exist has a cause
        B. The universe began to exist (Einstein's theory of general relativity and Hubble's finding that light from galaxies is moving away from us, and the resultant heat death of the universe implied by infinitude in light of the 2nd Law of Thermodynamics are just some of the findings that have led most scientists to agree that there was a beginning)
       C. Therefore the universe has a cause

       Lastly you have the moral argument for the existence of God. This is the one that C.S. Lewis uses in Mere Christianity. The fact that all of mankind appeals to a non-existing moral code when saying things like "I was here first", "You promised", or any "You ought to" or "You shouldn't" phrases. Not only that, but there is a hierarchy of morality which enables us to say, "The extermination of Jews may have been acceptable in Nazi Germany but it isn't acceptable behavior for human beings. It was wrong"! Or to say child abuse is wrong or rape and theft when those things are practiced in the animal kingdom. How does something like a moral code come about when we are a random accident in the universe with no purpose or meaning and where survival of the fittest should be the acceptable behavior.

    For me it takes a whole lot more faith to believe there isn't a God than there is a God!



     

Thoughts From James Day 9

                                                          James 5

5 Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you. ² Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. ³ Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. ⁴ Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. ⁵ You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter. ⁶ You have condemned and murdered the innocent one, who was not opposing you.

⁷ Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. ⁸ You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. ⁹ Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!

¹⁰ Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. ¹¹ As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

¹² Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple “Yes” or “No.” Otherwise you will be condemned.

¹³ Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. ¹⁴ Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. ¹⁵ And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. ¹⁶ Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

¹⁷ Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. ¹⁸ Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.

¹⁹ My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, ²⁰ remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.

    At this point in James, as I reflect on the whole book, I see the whole Gospel! And here it is;

1. I am a sinner with a multitude of sins (5:22), although even though I had just 1 sin I would be guilty (2:10), and headed for death (5:22)

2. I need to grieve, mourn, and wail over my sins (4:9)

3. I need to humble myself before God (4:10)

4. By faith believe God (2:23) and He will save you (5:22)

5. He will send His Holy Spirit into you (4:5)

6. We enter into a friendship relationship with Him (2:23) that eventually turns into a love relationship (4:4)

7. This, along with the changing power of the Holy Spirit causes us to think differently. We no longer make decisions based on self (worldly wisdom) 3:14-16 but based on WWJD (Godly wisdom) 3:17

8. This affects
   A. How we deal with troubles (1:2)

   B. How we deal with temptations (1:13)

   C. How we view God's Word (1:18-25)

   D. How we view the poor and the rich (1:27-2:19)

   E. How we speak (1:26, 3:1-12)

   F. How we plan our future (4:13-17)

   G. How we pray (4:3)

   H. How we view and handle money (5:1-6)

   I. How we treat others - grace, mercy, compassion, prayer, comforting (3:17,18, 5:13-16)

   J. Evangelism (5:20)

My Top 60 CCM Songs and 12 " Albums " of 2018

Before I get started, I always add disclaimers;

   A. music is like pizza, everyone prefers a different style and can't figure out why others think theirs is better. These are my style and I can't understand why they wouldn't be yours.

   B. Christian radio ruins songs because it plays them until you are sick of them. Thus, if I have one on my list that made it to radio, it must be really good for me to still like it

   C. Where as most stations play adult contemporary, or worship, or CHR, or rock, it's hard to hear them all in one venue. My list will have all styles.

   D. Few on the list may have come out before 2018 but I just heard of them this year.  So lets go.

   E. Most songs are distinctly "Christian" meaning when you hear them you think, "That singer must be a Christian".

                                                          TOP 60 CCM Songs

60. All My Days - 3c live   (Based on Psalm 23:5,6)   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ep8RfOFRi2I

59. Do it Again - River Valley Worship  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWaF11A9sIc

58. Another Chance(Rap version) - Joshua's Troop  (Kirk Franklin wannabe?)  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3F18At_5IU

57. Eyes on You - 7eventh Time Down  (Troy Bolton in HSM 4?)  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KG83ED-hA_0

56.  Don't Let Me Go  - Ethan Luck  (OK I'm a sucker for OC Supertones)  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKUdZvIXyMY

55.  Help Me - 7eventh Time Down   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwcbfJ-ojR8

54.  Find U  - Matthew Parker  (don't like the guitar solo)   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnF_t2RgH-0

53. All That I Need - Gateway Worship   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RbNiQ-jfBg

52. Three Birds in Babylon -  The Gray Havens  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1D05ZD71jI

51. As The World Shakes  - Hillsong Kids  (Yeah, I know, what do you do with an amazing kids album when compiling a year end list)  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcAG4PbNXaA

50.  Eyes on You  - Mosaic MSC  (The music played in Bill & Ted's Future)  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeKxYsBl-N8

49. You Never Change  - Inspiration Worship  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKrM3OKPClE

48. The Good Life - The Young Escape  (Fell in love with these kids when I saw them at Dollywood this summer)  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5JkzYrDY04

47. Moonlight  - Chris August  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRZie77_N7g

46. Starts With Me  - TobyMac  (tough for white guys to do racial reconciliation songs but Toby keeps trying, give him props)  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQaRiE7NSK0

45. Never Give Up  -  For King & Country  (or WHAM - take your pick)  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMumPIdFcxU

44. Living With a Fire  - Jesus Culture  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9DiSYCQ3wd4
       The cover is so cheesy that it is good. My favorite cover of the year


43. Joy -  Tori Harper   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_rC_qWlpjI

42.  Joy  -  For King and Country  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDQ1Asr1_kk

41.  Alive Again - Central Worship  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JejdyvdSa0s

40. How Could I be Silent  - Caitie Hurst  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9E26Tbo221s

39.  Not Dead Yet  - Ledger   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyvFpD55c6c

38.  Heaven Reigns  - Inspiration Worship  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTs7bqRUjrw

37.  Hold On - Cameron Moore  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UxclLyt5Qg

36.  Weightless -  Hawk Nelson   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvddMr24jZY

35. There's A Light -  Ethan Luck  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8h7umTzAly4

34. My Best Friend - Hillsong Kids  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fD4bCYalEc

33.  Endless - Remedy Drive  (one of my favorite lines of the year - "awesome is endless")  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3hs4iMthcQ

32.  Storm the Bastille -  Cameron Moore  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqNCYaeqNqs

31.  Amen - For King & Country  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jThYchneZvw

30.  Edge of My Seat  - TobyMac   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkG7P_a-a3s

29.  Forever  - The Gray Havens   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_elPc1mjzU

28. Open the Heavens  - Gateway Worship  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ImLBEy1OFI

27.  Easy -  Sara Reeves  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3U4YAhSqklU

26.  Braver  - Matthew Parker  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PphwvQ4_6Bw

25.  Worthy  - Elevation Worship   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ak5WTb-mgeA

24. Overcome It All  - Planetshakers  (I would pay just to see the band play the end of this song)  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jUDjfvGtgM

23.  That's the Life -  Jordan Feliz  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxvIYKtwryM

22.  Stand Down  -  Ethan Luck  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xon7anmmHfk

21. Ask, Seek, Knock  - Hillsong Kids  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3vXskhI1ig

20.  Up Again  - Dan Bremnes  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_8DcQ0okpY

19.  Never Fade - The Young Escape  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsvMIpJfsxY

18.  Iconic  - Ledger  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcpAfOZlMnk

17.  Scepter and Crown  - Inspiration Worship  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nd7-CPl318w

16.  Ascending  - Ty Brasel  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMjsOeB_qno

15. I Don't Want It  -  Love Collide  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVEBA0PK2eg

14.  Good Memories  - Matthew Parker   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=toL2vY50Yes

13.  Lights  -  Caitie Hurst  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtPXFZA8IHM

12.  Brighter Than Apathy  -  Remedy Drive  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzBMfkSd6Ok

11.  Move Out Of My Way  -  Planetshakers  (Petra Praise flashbacks)  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tohWtYovHI

10.  Powerful Lie - Inspiration Music  (produced by Ian Eskelin -awesome)  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tf9WCbo1fmo

9. Your Beauty Chases Me  - Chrisafari   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8oqR4FnehE

8.  Grow Up  - Christon Gray  (The maturing view of love. Nicely done)  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JZVuXxROkY

7.  Changed  - Jordan Feliz    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGPMX4zU9jc

6.  Self Less - Josh Wilson  (where do you go after writing this song? He summarizes the whole Bible)  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Us8NVQRB30

5.  Always Loved Me  - Iron Bell Worship  (hoped for more songs like this on the new album)  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQxYcoAeT4Q

4. Everything  -  Toby Mac  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QurQEiOAQjA

3. Still Rolling Stones -  Lauren Daigle  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OieOPo8q7jE

2.. Break The Walls Down  -  Central Worship   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnDZOoISwy8

1. Sweet As Coca - Cola   -  Peabod  (OK, I know this is barely "Christian" by my definition but I never get tired of listening to it and it picks me up every time I hear it.  So go drink some Coca Cola with your pizza)  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fO9gKe0OUvo




                                        TOP 12  ALBUMS
1.

central live - worship

"Break the Walls Down"

2. 

Peabod

"Healthy Snacks"

3.

Inspiration Worship

"Powerful"

4.

                                                               Cameron Moore

                                                                "Alpen Glow"

                                                                      5.

                                         

                                                          Hillsong Kids

                                                    "Can You Believe It?"

                                                                  6.

For King And Country

"Burn The Ships"

7.

                                                                    TobyMac

                                                               "The Elements"

                                                                    8.

                   

                                                                 Remedy Drive

                                                              "The North Star"

                                                                    9.

                                                            Jordan Feliz

                                                             "Future"

                                                                  10.

11.

                                                              Matthew Parker

                                                               "Daydreamer"

                                                                       12.

   

Ethan Luck

"Let It Burn"

(worst album cover of the year)

Love to see your lists and comments. 2018 was a very good year for CCM