How old is the earth

My counterpart in our sister company is a geologist. The other day, we had a discussion about God, he isn't a believer, and how old the earth is. As a geologist, he believes that they have effectively used radiometric dating to date the age of the earth at about 4.54 billion years old.



If you believe in creation, 4.54 billion years old doesn't hold with the story in Genesis. When two theories are presented, at least one has to be wrong.



The question is, which one is right.



As someone who believes in creation, i tend to lean more toward the biblical explanation than the scientific explanation. Now go back and re-read Genesis 1:1. The answer may lie in the time frame between the first and second sentence of Genesis. Nowhere does it mention time. You see, time as we know it, it determined by the rotation of the earth and its orbit around the sun. This is how we define time.



If you read Genesis, you notice that the sun wasn't created until day four. One may argue that time didn't exist before day four. Those first 3 days of creation could be hundreds, thousands, millions, or billions of years.



We know from reading in Job and Isaiah, Psalms, Luke and Ezekiel that angles existed. I am tending to believe that the angels ruled the world and the war in heaven between God and the angels took place between the first and second sentence of Genesis.

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth" (Genesis 1:1, emphasis added throughout). "Heavens" refers to the galaxies, planets and stars, including our sun. We aren't given a date when this occurred. This verse does not restrict the time frame to either 6,000 or billions of years ago.

Verse 2 then says, "The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep." As with most of the Old Testament, this verse was originally written in Hebrew. And the Hebrew word translated "was" here can have the sense of became. The same word is used in Genesis 3:20, where we read that Eve "became the mother of all the living" (New American Bible).

Next let's consider the phrase "without form." The Hebrew word for this phrase is tohu, which means formless, confusion, empty, wasteland, a place of chaos. The word "void" is the Hebrew word bohu, which means emptiness, void, waste or ruin.

Dr. Arthur Custance, in his book Without Form and Void: A Study of the Meaning of Genesis 1:2, states, "I am persuaded that there is, on the basis of the evidence, far more reason to translate Genesis 1:2 as 'But the earth had become a ruin and a desolation, etc.' than there is for any of the conventional translations in our modern versions" (p. 7).

Since Genesis 1:2 can either mean that the earth was or that it became "without form, and void," what do additional scriptures indicate?

Isaiah 45:18 says of the earth that God "did not create it in vain [tohu]," but instead "formed it to be inhabited." The Hebrew word for "vain" is the same word used in Genesis 1:2. If God did not create the earth (originally) as a formless wasteland, then something happened that caused it to become that way, sometime after God created it. We'll address what likely caused this state of confusion in a moment.

Genesis 1:2 continues, "And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters." Psalm 104 also describes some of God's creative works. Verse 30 says, "You send forth Your Spirit, they are created; and You renew the face of the earth." The word translated "renew" means to rebuild, renew or repair. This harmonizes with the understanding that the first two verses of Genesis show an initial creation of the heavens and the earth that was not in vain (tohu), followed by a catastrophic event that left the earth in ruins, followed by God renewing the earth by His Spirit.

Verse 3, then, actually begins the record of God's creative work of renewing the earth and preparing it for His new creative masterpiece—human beings!
Now, how long before this destruction and renewal was the earth itself created? A day before? A year before? A million years or more before? The account simply does not say when the earth itself was created. What it says is that during the six-day period described in the verses that follow, God brought the planet into an orderly arrangement that would support life as we know it.

Angels and the biblical record

The creation of angels and the record of their activity best harmonizes with a creation that existed prior to the seven days of re-creation or renewing the earth for human beings.
In Job 38:4-7 God asks Job, "Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth...when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?"

The terms "morning stars" and "sons of God" both refer to angels. They all shouted for joy when God first created the earth. All the angels—including Lucifer, who later became Satan—were in agreement with God and were ecstatic about what He had just made. When the earth was first created, Lucifer was not yet corrupted with iniquity. It certainly seems that considerable time must have passed between the creation of the earth, when Lucifer was in agreement with God, and his later appearance as the evil deceiver to Adam and Eve in Genesis 3.

We find more details in Isaiah 14:12, where God says: "How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground." Jesus Christ, who lived in glory with the Father from eternity past before becoming human, said that He saw Lucifer fall from heaven (Luke 10:18).

Isaiah 14:13-14 explains some of Satan's motivation: "For you have said in your heart: 'I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.'"

In Ezekiel 28:14-16 God sheds more light on the story: "You were the anointed cherub who covers; I established you; you were on the holy mountain of God; you walked back and forth in the midst of fiery stones. You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, till iniquity was found in you. By the abundance of your trading you became filled with violence within, and you sinned; therefore I cast you as a profane thing out of the mountain of God."
Something caused the beautiful earth—which all the angels were thrilled to see—to become a wasteland, choked with debris and incapable of supporting life. It seems likely that the rebellion of Lucifer led to this devastation.

Notice also Jude 6: "And the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day." These angels abandoned the domain God gave them, the earth, either by leaving it (perhaps in the attempt to take over God's throne) or abandoning their responsibility to properly maintain it.

Summary of the scenario

So we don't know how long ago God originally created the heavens and the earth, but the biblical account reveals:

• God first created the angels at an unspecified time in the past.
• He then created the earth and material universe—including the sun and other stars. At this time all the angels were still righteous and rejoiced.
• The angels were given a domain, which included the earth.
• The angels may then have spent hundreds, thousands, millions or billions of years active in this domain, which likely included plant and animal life on the earth. There is nothing in the Bible to prohibit the existence of life-forms such as the dinosaurs in this pre-Adamic world.
• Lucifer eventually deviated from God's righteous way. He ultimately convinced one third of the angels to follow him in rebelling against God (Revelation 12:4).
• These angels became dissatisfied with their domain. Satan plotted to ascend into heaven and dethrone God.
• God cast Satan and the sinful angels down to the earth to await judgment. We find Satan already here to turn Adam and Eve against God soon after they were created.
• The result of Satan's rebellion likely resulted in the devastation (whether suddenly or over a long period of time) of the beautiful earth God originally created.
• God renewed the surface of the earth to support life and be suitable for His new creation—human beings! The Bible actually shows an existing creation—earth and universe—preceding the six-day account of Genesis 1:3-31. Based on this record of angelic activity before the preparation of the earth for humankind, we conclude that the earth is much older than 6,000 years.

If he had only known

obama accomplishments

1. He has destroyed the Clinton Political Machine – Driving a stake thru the Heart of Hillary’s Presidential aspirations–something no Republican was ever able to do. Remember when a Hillary Presidency scared the daylights out of you!
2. He killed off the Kennedy Dynasty – No more Kennedys trolling Washington looking for booze and women wanting rides home. American women and freedom are safer tonight!
3. He is destroying the Democratic Party before our eyes!Dennis Moore had never lost a race – quitEvan Bayh had never lost a race – quitByron Dorgan – had never lost a race – quitHarry Reid – bid for re-election doesn’t look good .Powerful House leader 40 year veteran David Obey ( Wis ) refuses to run again and loseAl Gore lost his voice, his wife and now has TWO mansions to “live green” in.California ’s Barbara Boxer has gone silent….Carly Fiorina will beat her in Nov.
These are just a handful of the Democrats whose political careers Obama has destroyed! By the end of 2010 dozens more!
In December of 2008 the Democrats were on the rise. In the last two election cycles they had picked up 14 senate seats and 52 house seats.The press was touting the death of the Conservative Movement and the Republican Party.
In one year Obama put a stop to all of this and will probably give the house, if not the senate back to the Republicans.Obama was named Gun Salesman of the Decade. He also has helped the ammunition industry so much that the factories are operating 24-7 trying to keep up with the demand.
He has completely exposed liberals and progressives for what they are.
Every generation seems to need to relearn the lesson on why they should never actually put liberals in charge.
He is bringing home the lesson very well!Liberals tax, borrow and spendLiberals won’t bring themselves to protect AmericaLiberals want to take over the economyLiberals think they know what is best for everyoneLiberals aren’t happy till they are running YOUR life
He has brought more Americans back to conservatism than anyone since Reagan.In one year he rejuvenated the Conservative Movement and brought out to the streets millions of Freedom Loving Americans.
Name me one other time in your life that you saw your friends and neighbors this interested in taking back America!
In all honesty one year ago I was more afraid than I had ever been in my life. Not of the economy, but of the direction our country was going. I thought Americans had forgotten what this country was all about. My neighbors, friends, strangers proved to me that my lack of confidence of the greatness and wisdom of the American people was flat out wrong.
When the American People wake up, no smooth talking teleprompter reader can fool them!
Obama woke up these Great Americans!Again, I say, Thank you, Mr. Obama!
So, Let’s Recap “2009″………what a year! WOW!!!1. The American people inaugurate a president with a total of 142 days experience as a US Senator from the most politically corrupt state (city) in America whose governors have been ousted from office. The President’s first official act is to order the close of Gitmo and make sure terrorist’s civil rights are not violated. ( Honest mistake?)
2. The U.S. Congress rushes to confirm a black Attorney General, Eric Holder, whose law firm we later find out represents seventeen Gitmo Terrorists. ( An honest mistake?)
3. The CIA Boss appointee, Leon Panetta, has absolutely no experience.
4. We got the second most corrupt American woman (Pelosi is #1) as Secretary of State; bought and paid for.
5. We got a Tax Cheat for Treasury Secretary who did not properly file his own taxes for 12 years.
6. A Commerce Secretary nominee who withdrew due to corruption charges.
7. A Tax cheat nominee for Chief Performance Officer who withdrew under charges.
8. A Labor Secretary nominee who withdrew under charges of unethical conduct.
9. A Secretary HHS nominee (Daschle) who withdrew under charges of cheating on his taxes.
10. Multiple appointments of former lobbyists after an absolute campaign statement that no lobbyists would be appointed.
All this occurred just during the first three weeks. . . But who’s counting?
America is being run by the modern-day Three Stooges; Barry, Nancy and Harry and they are still trying to define stimulus…”it’s spending!!!”
The congress passes the $800,000,000,000 (that’s $800 billion) pork-loaded spending bill where the government gives you a smidgen of your tax dollars ($13 per week), making you feel so good about yourself [stimulated], that you want to run out to Wal-Mart and buy a new Chinese-made HDTV! Only with the Liberals…
Pray for our country.
Here’s the good news though – Obama took Air Force One to Denver to sign the stimulus package, wasting as much as 10,000 gallons of fuel OR 24 JOBS FOR ONE YEAR.
Don’t you just love hypocrites?Obama went to the International Olympic Committee to have them choose Chicago for a host city, he failed.Obama went to Copenhagen to lecture them on global warming, he failed.Obama went to New Jersey to promote the Democratic candidate for governor, he failed.Obama went to Virginia to promote the Democratic candidate for governor, he failed.Obama went to Massachusetts to promote the Democratic candidate for senator, he failed.Obama went to Louisiana 45 days late to calm the folks down, he failed.
B.O. went on bended knee to the Arabs to win their love & affection, and failed.
He spent nearly a trillion dollars to “stimulate job growth” and this month we get 41,000, another failure.
He has signed the death of NASA and blunted spaced exploration while being the “education president”, a failure.
He calls himself a Christian but has yet to select or attend a Wash D.C. church, failed again.
Obama ran in 2008 to end partisan politics, oops, failed yet again.
He promised to be the most “transparent” President and recent events within the White House have shown MORE FAILURE.
Obama is the 1st president in history who did not attend any Christmas religious observance.
He is the first President in modern times to ignore the laying of the wreath ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery , preferring to vacation in Chicago and play basketball as the Gulf Coast is drenched in oil….FAIL, FAIL, FAIL.
And finally, he is the 1st president to remain on vacation after a terrorist attack.
In these times I’ll keep my God, my freedom, my gun and my money.Anyone that supports this insanity can keep “THE CHANGE”.
Just Facts………………………….those on the Left will say this is no big deal!!!!!!!

I am my father's son

The past few days i have been thinking about my childhood, in particular, the time spent with my dad and how he influenced me. I am the oldest child and i think dad wanted me to follow in his footsteps. He wanted me to be like him. In many ways i am like him and in many other ways we are polar opposites.

Dad taught me the basics that all fathers teach their sons. He taught me how to ride a horse and how to be a good rodeo cowboy. He taught me how to weld, to hunt, basic gunsmithing, mechanics, how to shoe a horse, how to doctor a horse, how to work cattle, how to be a man, but most importantly, he taught me pride and honor.

Though many of the lessons came later in life, he did teach them to me. He taught me well, and when i didn't listen, he used words.

I left home at 18. I was too smart to be living with a couple of antiquated people and joined the Navy. From the Navy i went to work in the oil patch and i have never looked back nor moved back home. As an adult, we have always had a long distance relationship.

I saw dad a couple times a year but we always met on the first weeked of October for hunting season. This has been a family gathering since 1994. A lot of issues were cussed and discussed in the camp over the years and a lot of life's lessons were learned there as well.

As i grew older, i started appreciating the time we spent together. Dad was my Best Man when i married my late wife and he was there when i laid her in her final resting place. Although many miles always seperated us, he was there when i needed him the most. I could always count on him to be there.

I have only seen my dad cry once in my life. It was at my grandmother's funeral. That was the first and last time. I guess maybe that is why it is so hard for me to shed tears.

I did my best to make him proud of me. I came back to the Church and became well versed in my faith. I joined the Knights of Columbus and moved up to District Deputy, the highest position he held. I say i did it for myself but deep down, i did it for him as well. It has been a journey worth taking and the change was for life.

The best advice he ever gave me came a few days after my late wife's funeral. He said "Son, don't worry about what other people think, you never have before. Live your faith, trust in God, be true to yourself, and follow your heart".

Following his advice, i picked myself up and moved on. It wasn't easy sometimes but i had to do it. I met the most perfect woman i could ever hope to meet and followed my heart. I proposed to her and took her home to meet the parents. They got along so well. Dad knew i had a winner.

We got married but dad couldn't be there because of his illness. He wanted to but just couldn't. As i moved forward in my new life, i talked to dad often. Saught his advice and told him he was full of shit from time to time. Just typical father/son stuff. We talked regulary after the wife and I bought our dream home in the country. Ever time dad called it seemed i was burning a fire.

Dad called me Sunday night and we talked for about 30-45 minutes or so. We talked about everything we had to do to prepare for our annual camping trip. He was getting excited and was ready to go. We talked about him stopping his medical treatments because he was tired of fighting it. We agreed to talk about it at the camp. About 2230 i told him i had to go to bed. Unlike him, I had to get up and go to work the next day. We said our goodbyes and I went on and went to bed planning all i had to get done before leaving for Louisiana. Sweet dreams lay ahead.

About 0630 Monday morning i am driving to work and mom calls me and tells me that dad passed away about an hour ago. I pulled over on the side of the road and let it sink in. I always knew this call was coming, just not this week. I turned around and went home and told the wife. After that, i loaded up and went to work. There was no need for me to rush to Louisiana. Dad has been fighting this disease and we knew he was on borrowed time. All arrangements had been made and his body was donated to the HHT foundation.

It will be a long drive home thinking of dad for most of it i'm sure.