The Big Bang Theory holds that everything originated from a single point in space-time and that the universe is expanding from that original point even as we speak. Many who criticize this theory and support others, such as Creationism, typically base their argument on largely the sheer improbability of intelligent, intricate human beings coming from primordial sludge. Yes, this is true, but first, let us take a look at the implications of the universe.

I have heard it said that it is nearly impossible for something like our world to develop out of pure chance and random processes, that the anthropic principle must necessitate intelligent design. However, by the very definition of space and the universe, infinity is a possibility. Take, for example, a combination lock with, let us say, an immensely large number of digits. Sure, it would take an exponentially greater amount of time for a brute force attack to crack the code, and sure, that would be near impossible by our standards, but what if time was infinite? Surely, the correct combination would eventually be found.

We can apply the same logic to our existence. Sure, it would take an infinite amount of tries to get it right, and sure, it could take an infinite amount of time to get it right, but if space-time is continuously expanding in the universe, you can see why it might be possible for nature to finally succeed. Our existence may be highly improbable, but it is definitely possible. Perhaps it is the one successful attempt out of many preceding it. If we look at it in the manner, you can see why that argument against the Big Bang fails. The boundlessness of space, the continuity of time, and the eternity of the very essence of God contradicts with the basis on which it is founded.

On the other hand, I have also learned about the way evolution facilitates the acquirement of complex traits. Some characteristics are obviously quite advanced, and to explain this, scientists have adopted a step theory. They postulate that through gradual, incremental adaptations, in which they retained the beneficial ones and selected out the maladaptive ones (natural selection), organisms developed the complex traits which were based upon each other. However, some complex attributes are interdependent and cannot exist without each other. How does the theory account for this?

Please understand that this is not meant to be an argument for either side of the origins debate. I am merely pointing out faulty reasoning. It just bothers me when people say there is only one in however many chances that the universe as we know it can occur, when, by the very definition of the Almighty Lord, this small number hypothetically does not matter. I am not against Creationism. I am against this manner of supporting it.

“Ride to California” is a highlight.  It opens with a slightly ethnic beat and rap and goes into a more hip-hop/pop/rock groove that you can’t help but bob your head to.  And all along, there are deep, soaring synths and guitar riffs accompanying.  It’s hard to keep their music in a box.  That’s one of the things that stand out to me.  Paper Tongues is original.  Mark my word, I predict “Trinity” will be a radio hit, and “Ride to California” will be popular among clubs, dances, and college campuses.

Be sure to download “Trinity” for free from iTunes.  Also, you can get “Ride to California” for free on the Paper Tongues MySpace page and the music video on the Paper Tongues website by entering your e-mail in the form on the right side of the page.  Definitely check this band out.

So a while ago I was casually looking over at my roommate’s desk when I noticed a bag of Starbucks coffee…it was a really nice bag of coffee.  I kept looking at it over and over again, just studying the design, layout, and color scheme.  I would grab it, put it on my desk, and slowly spin it around to look at the details.  Finally I decided, why not, to make a website design out of it.

I wanted something pretty simple, yet classy, to reflect the look of the bag.  It’s complete, for the most part, but something still doesn’t look quite right.  Something’s still bothering me for some reason.  Maybe the footer overpowers the rest of the design, especially the header.  What do you think?

For many years, when I was back home, I listened to Air 1 in the car.  They played “You Are Here,” “Streets Of Gold,” “Signature Of Divine (Yahweh),” and “Washed By The Water” regularly.  For various reasons, including the fact that it is usually hard for me to appreciate a song by listening to it on the radio because of the missing frequencies, I dismissed NeedToBreathe as any other band.

A month or so ago, however, I was in a movie theater watching trailers before the feature presentation when I saw the one for Extraordinary Measures.  When I saw it again before another movie, I noticed the song that played in the background of the trailer.  When I returned home, I immediately looked it up and discovered that it was “Nothing Left To Lose” by NeedToBreathe.  Then I thought, “Hey, isn’t that one band that I heard on Air1?”  Though I did not really pay much attention before, I recognized the band’s name.

I looked on their website to find “Nothing Left To Lose.”  I absolutely loved it. I listened over and over.  Discovering that the track was from their album, The Heat, I also recognized “Streets Of Gold,” “Signature Of Divine (Yahweh),” and “Washed By The Water” in addition to the album cover.  I then checked out Daylight and found “You Are Here.”  Then I thought, “Yep, it is them.”

I became addicted to their music, and I think I still am.  Unfortunately, I am currently not in the position to purchase the actual, physical albums from the store, I listened through all three of them on their website.  Bo Rinehart’s voice is just so deep and rich (reminds me a little of Caleb Followill’s), and the music is filled with so much warmth.  You can really hear the band’s small South Carolina town origins in some of their very soulful songs.  Listening to the tracks, I cannot help but be moved with the passion and emotion.

I noticed a transition from a pop/rock sound on their first album, Daylight, to a more folk/country-ish sound on their following two, The Heat and The Outsiders, which is interesting, yet they still seem to preserve some of their original pop/rock roots as well.  I do not usually like the folk/country sound, but NeedToBreathe is definitely an exception.  Somehow, I find their music comforting and fulfilling.  I also did some research on the band and discovered that quite a bit of their songs were featured on various television programs and commercials, as well as feature films including Extraordinary Measures.

NeedToBreathe is definitely a gem, and I am so glad I happened to stumble across them.  Hopefully, I will be able to purchase the albums soon, but for now, I will continue streaming the songs from their website.  This is probably my best find of the year so far.  I would absolutely recommend you check them out.

Now as we discussed this, a friend of mine in the Bible study brought up a valid point:  Of course, it would be ideal for us all to lay down our lives for someone we love.   However, in a moment when the time comes, it is honestly a very tough instinct to uphold.  I think we as humans are flawed with selfishness and conceit, and no matter how hard we try to deny or suppress it, that monster can sometimes take hold, even if we decide beforehand to not let it.  It is somewhat of a romantic ideal, a scene replayed in slow motion, to sacrifice you life for someone else.

Now, my intentions are not to belittle the sacrifice made by patriots for their country or anyone who has given their life for someone else, but honestly, it is tough, and when staring in the face, I think we would truly be standing on the line, and little we say now can decide what will happen at that moment for us.  That said, I also believe that at the heart of the matter, true love will show its face in the form of sacrifice if it is called upon.  I just point out that just because we say so now does not make it true for that time.

However, I think there is more to the verse than just the literal, obvious meaning.  As I pondered, I realized that life is not just “all or nothing.”  As in many matters, things appear in a gradient and not just in black and white.  Our lives are not just objects we pass around.  Our lives are the days we spend on this earth performing the actions we do everyday.  Life is how we spend our time.

When verse thirteen says, “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends,” it does not necessarily just mean dying for another person (although it could).  If we apply the other view of life with the verse, we get a different idea.  It definitely means sacrifice.  It means giving up what we normally do with our time in order to use the time to help someone else.  The very essence of this sacrifice is placing another person’s priorities above our own.

The blood of our lives is the precious time we have.  I think that is one of the most valuable things we possess.  We only get a limited amount, and how we use it is critical.  If we spend the time to help someone else, that is essentially one of the greatest sacrifices we can give.

Anyway, looking back on this year, I realize that it’s been crazy.  So much has happened.  Every new year, most people create their new year’s resolutions.  Although I do not really come up with a very concrete list things for the new year, I do usually have some goals, however abstract.

I hear most people say things like, “This past year has been great; hopefully the next will be better.”  I am not going to lie.  For me, this past year has been filled with failures and disappointment.  I have many regrets and things I wish I could do over.  But what can I do?  After looking back many times and tearing myself up, I can only keep moving forward.  Perhaps it’s a bit cliché, but really, it’s all I can do.

However, intertwined in my regrets are many fond memories.  Old friends, new friends, old experiences, new experiences, so much has changed, especially with the transition into college.  Right now, I truly am blind as to what the future holds.  It is a bit frightening approaching life this way, but I suppose that is how I must live it for the time being.  Hopefully something good will come out of all this.

I hope I can do something this new year.  I hope I can become someone worth becoming.  I hope I can change the world in some small way at least.  I hope I can touch someone’s life.  I hope I can live a life that is pleasing to God.  I hope I can be who I am supposed to be.  But all this must start with a year, a week, a day, only a small moment.  That is where it begins.

I just hope that I will not let the world pass me by as I stand watching complacently on the sidewalk.  Many times this past year, I have felt like this, and it has frightened me.  One of my worst fears is leaving this world without having done something, anything.

Some might just dismiss this as blissful ignorance, but this is my driving force, the fuel for my passion.  I watched The Blind Side today, and it has called me to action.  It is an incredible story.  Is this just another thing that will eventually die off?  Maybe.  But I hope I remember it.

A  new year.  A new day.  A brand new chance for something great.  I hope we all take advantage of this, and I hope that this new year is filled with many opportunities to be human, to breathe in the fresh air, to take in the beautiful sights, to enjoy every minute of life and not let it pass by without a thought.

I would like to thank all of my friends and family for being who they are.  I know that I am far from being the most attentive or the most kind or the most caring or even a good person.  I apologize and thank you for dealing with me, for putting up with who I am.  I hope that I will do better.  I hope this means something.