Why Evolution Is True shows how science has taken on the task of proving Darwin’s theory of evolution from many different angles using many different techniques. Each of these pathes have come to the same conclusion and confirming, supporting and expanding the conclusions of the other pathes, that evolution is in fact…fact.

Some time ago I wrote a post about Evolution vs. Creation. In that post I made the comment that the theories of evolution and creation are inconclusive and completely unprovable. After reading Why Evolution Is True I have to apologize to all the evolutions for not having done my research. They have…period! Evolution has been proven even to the point humans evolved as opposed to being created. Even the “open-minded” creationists concede that evolution is true but stop short of agreeing that man was evolved. I would, therefore, rewrite my comment that “the theory of creation is inconclusive and completely unprovable.”

In fact, the theory of creation is not even a theory. It is simply a belief. A theory must be testable and make verifiable predictions, neither of which creation can do.

When I think that creation essentially comes from the Bible (or any other religious book) I have to think then about when these books were written. They were written at a time when the world of science had not even begun to understand the implications of the world around us. With the knowledge and technologies that we have today, if the Bible were to be written now, what would it say. The Bible was written by men. The Bible was written to suite the belief system in place at the time (granted it was written over a large amount of time – in human terms anyway).

I do not want to be seen as discrediting the teachings in the Bible, as the principles of good and evil and doing well towards your fellow man have survived the test of human time. I simply want to point that that maybe the idea of creation was wrong and we have enough knowledge and proof now to say so.

I was trained as an engineer and I wasn’t a practicing Christian until after I was married, so right off the bat you could say that I have no business talking about a subject as complex as Evolution vs Creation. However, I believe I have the skills to simplify complex ideas into more manageable ones as well as the fortune of an open mind that lets me examine things from more than one angle. Also, I am convinced that I can speak of this issue specifically because I was not forced to accept a religion as a child and told by parents and clergy what I was to believe. I had the benefit of choosing my religion. Whether you agree or disagree is up to you. I will not think any more or less of you because of it.

This simple explanation comes from my point of view, from my experience, from my understanding. It comes from my heart.

There are so many amazing things in the world. Human beings being the most amazing of all. We have learned so much about ourselves and our world through science, history, archeology, etc. and yet we still know so very little. We may know how the body works and how the mind works, but we do not know the most important things. That is, why it work at all and how did it all start.

Evolutionists believe that everything occured by chance and that the evolution of animals and plants was necessitated by our need to adapt to our surroundings. Creationists believe that everything is as it is as a direct result of the intervention of the hand of God. What neither side seems willing to accept is that their theories are inconclusive and completely unprovable. Science has not yet explained fully how it all began and religion does not explain the scientific results that dispute it. And neither side can go back to the Big Bang or to the time of Genesis to learn it completely.

So, my view is this. There is a God and God did create the entire universe, not just the Earth. I see the Earth as simply a piece of a much larger project, experiment or exercise. I believe that He took his project/experiment/exercise only to a point at which it could become a self-sustaining entity. He created all the minerals. He created everything that is organic or inorganic. He created all the original organisms and then sent them on their way with the inherent ability to adapt and evolve to their environment.

To simplify then (as if that wasn’t simplistic enough), God created evolution.

Remember, I have no education or experience in any of this, but that is how I see it from my point of view. And I would love to hear an argument that proves me wrong.

So every night, we begin with our prayers. At the end of the prayers, we each say something we are thankful for and something we pray for. Natalie still gets these mixed up a bit, and the boys have a good laugh about it. Actually, this part came from a Marshall Sylver course we took. We had to give something to someone else for them to remember us by and each time we would look at it or touch it we would say what we were thankful for.

My gift was from Ryan. He gave me a flat, pink, polished stone that he had polished himself. Ryan, at the time, was a successful real estate investor at the age of 18. He was a great inspiration. Anyway, I walked around with that stone in my pocket for probably a year. Each time I touch put my hand in my pocket, I would touch the stone and it would remind me to be thankful for something. Anything. As I write this, I am remembering that I haven’t carried that stone with me for a long time. I will do that starting tomorrow (Maybe you could send me a reminder, okay?). Luckily, the “thankful for/pray for” that we do every night keeps me honest.

Some point along the way, Matthew added: “And now we shall live for Christ” to the end of this. He is very perceptive.

Next, as a transition between the prayers and the declarations, we all state something thing that Amelia added and that was:

Every day, in every way, it’s getting better and better!

Then we go straight into the declarations. We started out using the signature Peak Potentials laminated cards (I had created one card for each of the kids, each with their name on it). The declarations come from many sources, and mostly from the T. Harv Eker courses we have taken. After a few weeks, we didn’t need the cards anymore. This is how it goes:

Everyone loves me!
Because I love everyone!

I am beautiful!
I am perfect just as I am!

I always smile!
Smiling just feels right!

I am a master of my mind!
I see “awesome” in everything!

I am happy!
I choose to make it so!

I am here for a reason!
I add value to other people’s lives!

I am a child of God!
I make this world a better place!

I improve continuously!
I practice everything!

I am a warrior!
I succeed in spite of anything!

I am a champion!
I achieve anything I desire!

I am Kyle Edginton!

We end off the last part by saying our name (please replace my name with your own or that of your child) and giving each other a solid, energetic Hi-5. Okay, so not always energetic, but a Hi-5 nonetheless. It is bedtime after all. The point is that saying our own name and striking a Hi-5 afterwards, helps to imprint what you have just said in your mind and make it believable for you.

Has it made a difference? I think so. The kids fit over who gets to say their “thankful for/pray for” first. They have creative ways of giving Hi-5s…and 10s…and feet…and whatever else they can think of.  My kids are happy (generally). They care about other people (mostly). They are confident (nearly always). And they are beautiful (ABSOLUTELY!!!).

Has it made a difference?

I am Kyle Edginton!
I say it does!

Gospel: A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by grief of mind the spirit is cast down. -Proverbs 15:13

Reflection: A grain of sand finds its way inside the shell of an oyster. The intruder, though microscopic, is a source of irritation and pain to the soft body of the oyster. Unable to rid itself of the unwelcome pebble, the oyster seeks to reduce the irritation by coating it with layers of soft, iridescent mother-of-pearl material from its own shell. Over time, the oyster transforms a painful irritation into a beautiful pearl of great value.

Prayer: Dear Lord, please help me to make spiritual pearls of joy out of grains of the sorrow in my life.

When things are not going right, do your best to see the bright side of the situation and how you can change the situation so that it turns into something better than you ever expected. Many of the wonderful discoveries that have been made around the world,were made by mistake, through failed experiments, or unexpected results.

So go make pearls out of your challenges.

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The one thing I really enjoy about writing is you can say pretty much anything you want to get people’s attention. Elvis is not God, though you may get some argument from young ladies my age. Elvis did have God like abilities and I can prove it. God said, “Let there be light and there was light”. The most important single word in the last sentence is “SAID”. God “said” and it came to be. Because God believes that what He says will happen, and it does. Elvis said and believed he would die at the same age as his mother, and he did. Elvis followed God’s law; “If you say it with your mouth and believe it in your heart you can have anything you desire.” He was so attached to his belief that he created the circumstances that brought it to pass. It’s a negative proof, but hey let’s learn from the King and use it to our benefit.

My belief is we are made in the image of God and can use His principles right here and right now. He’s created certain laws that work for us all. And like most laws of nature and physics they can be used in both positive and negative outcomes. If we would just start paying attention to the words that come out of our mouth we can change our circumstances and our beliefs about ourselves dramatically.

Words are things and words mean something. Marilyn (my wife) gets frustrated with me because I’m always saying to her, “Don’t say that”. “I think I’m catching a cold”, no you’re not, don’t say that. “Traffic is going to be horrible”, “We won’t be able to get a table”, “I’ll be so tired when we get there”, no, NO, No….don’t say that!

You and I hear everything that spews from our toothy cavity. We don’t want to be liars and so our mind and body strive to create the world around us to match that which we say. Our mind is the computer we’re constantly programming, take charge of the hard drive. We also allow others to program us by agreeing with what they say about us. “You look tired; you must be coming down with something”. “No I’m not thank you, I’m fabulous, but I’ll get better”. I don’t allow sick or sloppy talking in my home, and you shouldn’t either.

Reverse the process and use it to your advantage. Start speaking good and positive things about yourself and your family. Why do is it so important to keep telling your spouse and your children I Love You. It’s almost impossible to say it too much.

And, just what is emotional abuse? It’s the opposite of saying I Love You. Encouraging words lift our spirits, lighten our load when someone says an affirming statement to us. And when they do; ACCEPT it and acknowledge to yourself that you are the wonderful person they just said you are. For some strange reason our mind wants to agree with our negative self image and dismiss the good we are and do as uncommon actions.

You are, I am who I believe and think and say I am. We have the God like ability, just like Elvis, to bring about circumstances that match what we said our life will become. So be alert and aware of your verbiage, especially your self-talk (that annoying voice in between your two ears). You will be amazed what you say about yourself if for just one day you write down some of the inner conversation.

If you analyze you own self talk you’ll understand you have in life exactly what you have said you’ll have.

I’m Fabulous; but I’ll get better;

CW

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I trust you enjoyed that message. To read more by CW, visit his blog at “Fabulous at 30, 40, 50 and Beyond.”