Methuselah

The Bible says that Methsulah lived to be 969 years old, and many other Bible characters lived almost as long (Adam, Noah, Enosh, etc.) Which obviously is quite surprising, and to many people quite impossible.  While I've always taken the stand that God can do anything He sees fit, so if He wants someone to live 969 years then it's going to happen (there are some interesting natural Biblical theories out there to explain how this could have happened).  This has been a stumbling block to many when reading the Old Testament and specifically Genesis.

In my readings over this past week though I came across this article on Gizmodo entitled "Science Finds Fountain of Youth Brain Region That Slows Down Aging".  Basically the article is claiming that there is a section of the brain that ages the person.  So as you grow older this section releases chemicals that actually age your body, and you as a person (which is why certain people seem to age differently and why someone on certain drugs/stress can seem to age faster).  What they are trying to do is actually reduce the speed at which we are aging by stimulating this section of the brain (which they have down in mice). 

So going back to Methuselah, Adam and Noah, what if God, after the flood, simply changed some brain chemistry to speed our aging?  It isn't too far fetched apparently.  Maybe living 969 years is just around the corner...... I hope not :)

Most Post-Christian cities in America

Barna Group always does some amazing statistical research and this is no exception.  Here are the most Post-Christian Cities in the United States.

Quick view for Ohioans:

Columbus is #25

Toledo is #39

Cleveland-Akron-Canton is #43

Dayton is # 55

Cincinnati is #57

New Perspective

Homosexuality is discussed openly where ever you go currently, especially with it being an issue coming from the supreme court.  So much so that many are tired of hearing about it.  Here's a new perspective I thought worth sharing from Prodigal magazine.  Check it out HERE.

Interesting Idea

Church Tells Gentleman's Clubgoers 'Strip for Me' on Billboard

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us" Hebrews 12:1

Why the rich give less.

Apparently I have been thinking about wealth this month... The Atlantic has an interesting article comparing the giving habits of the rich and the poor.  As a Christian and a pastor I think it's foolish and maybe dangerous at times to compare who is giving what, however, this study gives some interesting statistics and thoughts about the subject that should be thought about.  So check out the article here.

What do you think?

Are we rich?

Here's a video about wealth floating through the interwebs:

The Resurrection Changes Things

Anyone who quotes N.T. Wright deserves to be read :)  Here is a great article on Relevant Magazine's website that talks about the resurrection.

What has the resurrection changed in your life?