Brain Talk

Creation Moments

Brain Talk

November 1, 2024 • Ian Taylor

There is a huge difference between computers and the human brain. While the computer transmits information using electricity, the brain communicates its information using powerful chemicals. Let's say that you accidentally touch a hot pan on the stove. In less than two tenths of a second, millions of reactions take place while your brain performs a huge number of operations. As a result, you pull your hand away from the hot pan – very quickly!

Depending on the need, your brain uses many different chemicals for communication within itself and with the nerves that connect your brain to the rest of your body. Over 50 such chemicals have so far been identified. And it has been learned that many of these chemicals work in combination with each other so that over 800 different messages are possible.

Nor does the brain have set paths for messages, like a computer. In fact, it has been compared to a chemical soup rather than the circuits of a computer. In addition, the information paths in your brain change based on experience. If we can use computer language for a moment, the brain writes its own programs, doing many complicated tasks of which you and I are never aware.

We know that the computer is the product of careful design, but to argue that the much more complex human brain is an accident of nature makes very little sense!

Psalms 119:100

"I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts."

Prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus Christ, more than any other thing which science can study, the human brain speaks most clearly of creation. Cause those who see this to desire to know more about You, and use me to help them find out about the saving gospel. Amen.

Photo: Envato.

The Unique Bdellas

November 22, 2024 • Ian Taylor

Scientists describe the creatures as mean, greedy and anti-social. They are also impressive chemists. That’s some reputation for a creature whose lifespan is only four hours. The short form of this microscopic creature’s name is simply bdella. Bdellas are predatory bacteria that live in fresh and salt water as well as in sewage. In the first stage of its life cycle, it swims freely, using large, whip-like flagella. The favorite food of the bdella is E. coli bacteria and, swimming ten times faster, the bdella rams the bacteria, punching a hole in its outer membrane and injecting six different enzymes. Then the bdella drops its flagellum and enters its prey, where it starts the second stage of its existence. Over the next two or three hours, the bdella consumes the bacteria and reproduces. The new bdellas rupture the membrane and swim free to start the cycle all over. Scientists believe that the fact that bdellas eat so many different kinds of bacteria means that their purpose is to control the bacteria population. It is interesting that even though many scientists reject the Creator, when confronted with an amazing creature like bdellas, they look for purpose. Truly the whole creation glorifies our Creator. Matthew 10:29 “Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.” Prayer: Father, I thank You that You are the Author of design and purpose. Forgive me for the times when I have talked about “luck” and “chance,” and thus failed to give a good witness to Your love and personal care. In Jesus’ Name. Amen. Notes: Martha Wolfe, “Pee Wee Predator.” Science News, Vol. 125, Jan. 28, pp. 60-61. Illustration: Bdellovibrio life cycle, Estevezj, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons, changes made.

Magic Mirror

November 21, 2024 • Ian Taylor

It’s a widely accepted modern myth in our computer-driven, technological age that people today are in some way more advanced than people of thousands of years ago. The biblical picture is that man has always been man. He has the same emotions, cares and needs today that he has always had. He has always been as curious about his world as he is today. The biblical measure of man is not technological, but moral. Most of these points are difficult to prove. However, occasionally modern man discovers ancient evidence that reveals amazing technology and inventiveness. The makyo, or magic mirror, was invented in China centuries ago. It’s a mirror made of polished bronze that has a design cast into the back. When the mirror is used to reflect light onto a screen, the image on the back of the mirror appears on the screen. Why does the makyo do that? The first scientific paper on the subject was published in 1877. Modern scientists have studied the mirrors using the most sophisticated metal analysis methods known. Yet, they have not been able to figure out the mirror’s secret. That nameless Chinese inventor who designed the makyo centuries ago was a genius, indeed. Man is ever curious and inventive. However, the true measure for each of us centers on the forgiveness of sins that has been won for us by Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary. 1 Corinthians 13:12 “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.” Prayer: Father in heaven, forgive me for those times when I have forgotten that we are measured in terms of our sin and the forgiveness of sins through Jesus Christ, not in terms of our cleverness. In Jesus’ Name. Amen. Notes: Dietrick E. Thompson. “Inscrutable.” Science News, vol. 125, Jan. 14, pp. 30-31. Photo: Makyo mirror, Metropolitan Museum of Art, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Purpose? To Glorify God!

November 20, 2024 • Ian Taylor

God has created us with a strong desire to know the purpose of things. Evolutionists generally believe that if a feature doesn’t serve a purpose, it should not have evolved. On the other hand, the Bible tells us that purpose is given by God. He gives the woodpecker its incredible tongue because it helps the woodpecker to make its living. In addition, this wondrous design glorifies its Creator. At other times it seems that the Creator has produced some living thing for which there is no apparent purpose other than to glorify Himself. These are the features that give evolutionists the most difficulty. Male antelopes show a vast array in the designs of their horns. Males may have spears, spirals, curves, twists or simply short daggers. These differences in design suggest that differences in purpose caused the horns to evolve, but that doesn’t make sense. Even stranger is the fact that female antelopes generally have smaller horns that are much more like daggers. Evolutionists are stumped about why female antelopes would evolve short horns while males evolved such a variety. As Bible-believing Christians, we have no difficulty accepting that the variety of designs in male horns, and the similarity in design of female horns, all serve to glorify the Creator and show that evolutionary explanations don’t really explain anything. Psalm 115:1 “Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, [and] for thy truth's sake.” Prayer: I thank You, dear Father, for the variety and beauty You have created in the living world. I also thank You that these features glorify You in so many ways. Help my life and words glorify You and bear clear witness to the salvation You have provided for us in the forgiveness of sins through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen. Photo: Impala antelope, Envato.