Fully Mature Universe

[AlexB23]

Even at 47, my son still likes to hear me sing! He's paralyzed from a surfing accident 25 years ago, so he's a quadriplegic. I'm retired now, so I take care of him during the day. He's paralyzed, but he loves the Lord and loves to edit surf footage. He was almost pro before he broke his neck. Had a lot of sponsors. He stayed connected to the surfing community, so he has friends who send him footage from all over the world and make short videos of them. If you want to see his videos, go on YT search to "Bobby DuCharme Can't Keep Me Down". I'm one of his part-time videographers.

Dang, that sounds rough for your son. It is good that he still glorified God, as there are sadly people who go through trauma and ditch Christianity. God bless Bobby DuCharme, a gift from God to you. He could have made it into the Olympics back then, but maybe God had other plans for him. I will pray for him.

There is even a DVD on Amazon and other online storefronts about his story, so I might buy it, even though I prefer renting DVDs from the library for free, but the library does not have it in stock, and this movie seems too good to pass up on. Heck, the disc is factory sealed and 2x-4x cheaper than going out to the movies, at only $5.

 

[CoreyD]

My only concern with an old Earth perspective Professor is this: IF, and I say if, because I am unsure of your full perspective, but if smaller life forms evolved on an ancient Earth before the rise of Mankind in Adam, then death and dying was present long before sin entered the world, rendering the Bible in error. Or, perhaps you believe only the Earth and the universe took a very long time to form, but Man was created out of dust instantly? There are so many views, I don't want to assign you one you may not hold.

Hi again, Keith.
Why do you believe that if death and dying was present long before sin entered the world, this would render the Bible in error?

There are many things that die, which God made.
Grass; flowers; trees; seaweed... fruit... Why not animals?
The only reason man would have lived, and not died, would be that God would sustain him.
God allowing man to eat from the tree of life would have guaranteed man's eternity.
Not that the tree had special properties, but God would be granting man eternal life through man's faithfulness.

Mortal creatures, unlike angels, were created from matter that depend on various sources to sustain life - air (oxygen); water; food... Without these, these creatures die.
Having all these, man... not animals, still depends on the source of life - God, to live forever.

Angels on the other hand are created from matter that is self sustaining. So, angels do not need to eat, drink, or breathe air.
God did not create animals to live forever. They serve an important purpose in earth, but so do their death. Decaying matter serves as vital resources in the earth.

Also, can you imagine if insects lived for ever? Soon, people would have to really live in space stations.
Did the earth take a very long time to form?
Contrary to the view that God "snapped his fingers" or spoke, and viola, something instantly appeared, the Bible presents God as a creator, who took pleasure in the work of his hand... and fingers. Deuteronomy 33:11; Psalm 19:1; Psalm 102:25; Isaiah 40:26; Luke 11:20 (Compare Genesis 1:2))

You are right though... There are quite a lot of views out there, and they are getting weirder, and weirder, as they grow.

 

[LoriSaysHey2U]

Even at 47, my son still likes to hear me sing! He's paralyzed from a surfing accident 25 years ago, so he's a quadriplegic. I'm retired now, so I take care of him during the day. He's paralyzed, but he loves the Lord and loves to edit surf footage. He was almost pro before he broke his neck. Had a lot of sponsors. He stayed connected to the surfing community, so he has friends who send him footage from all over the world and make short videos of them. If you want to see his videos, go on YT search to "Bobby DuCharme Can't Keep Me Down". I'm one of his part-time videographers.

Thanks!

 

[AlexB23]

Thanks!

You are welcome. Your son sounds like a cool guy, and is strong in the faith. I have to tell you something. A Christian guy named Joe has an agnostic/atheist friend who became paralyzed, and his friend used to be Christian until he became paralyzed. Is it okay if I tell Joe about your son's testimony, showing that one can still retain his/her faith in adversity?

 

[LoriSaysHey2U]

You are welcome. Your son sounds like a cool guy, and is strong in the faith. I have to tell you something. A Christian guy named Joe has an agnostic/atheist friend who became paralyzed, and his friend used to be Christian until he became paralyzed. Is it okay if I tell Joe about your son's testimony, showing that one can still retain his/her faith in adversity?

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[Joseph G]

I disagree. Nature is in perfect obedience adhering to God's will, His law. God did not give this to humans. We have a choice and therfore needed a written set of rules to go by.

Hmm... speaking the creation into existence is common in Nature? Creating a man from the dust, creating a woman from a rib, raising the dead upon a verbal command, instaneous healing, stopping the sun for a full day, ect. ect.?

 

[AlexB23]

Of course! My son grew up in the church, in AWANA, etc. He memorized tons of Scripture when he was in AWANA growing up. But later in life, he devoted his life to surfing, so God took 2nd place in his life. After he broke his neck, he was angry at God for a while, but as you'll see in the documentary they made about him, he rededicated his life to Christ and has been at peace with his situation since then. I believe that while a child memorizes all those Scriptures, they are hidden in their heart and they can never get rid of them. They are like God seeds that will eventually sprout one day when you get serious about your faith. I'll pray for Joe. Life is hell without the Lord, especially when you're disabled. We have a nonprofit org to help other paralyzed people. Lots of info on there that may help him. www.cantkeepmedown.org

I have heard of Awana. Pray for Joe, that he can convince his disabled friend to switch back to Christianity. It does seem that ending surfing has made your son get back onto focusing on God. Seems like your son and us have already won the prize, the gift of eternal life.

1 Corinthians 9:25 (NIV): "Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever."

 

[LoriSaysHey2U]

I have heard of Awana. Pray for Joe, that he can convince his disabled friend to switch back to Christianity. It does seem that ending surfing has made your son get back onto focusing on God. Seems like your son and us have already won the prize, the gift of eternal life.

1 Corinthians 9:25 (NIV): "Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever."

Amen!

 

[AlexB23]

Amen!

Amen to that. Salvation is our prize. I am only 24, and assuming the world will not end in my lifetime, or no accidents, that means I have 60+ years left until meeting Jesus in Heaven, though, I try to live every day praising Jesus. Hopefully, Jesus can return to Earth though. This broken world needs Him more than ever nowadays.

 

[LoriSaysHey2U]

Amen to that. Salvation is our prize. I am only 24, and assuming the world will not end in my lifetime, or no accidents, that means I have 60+ years left until meeting Jesus in Heaven, though, I try to live every day praising Jesus. Hopefully, Jesus can return to Earth though. This broken world needs Him more than ever nowadays.

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[AlexB23]

So precious to hear a young person today praising the Lord. Don't need to hope that Jesus will return, He promised He would return. Bless you!

Hey, thank you. A few years ago, I was not as much into going to church, and praising God, but now I am back, and praising God more than ever. And hey, if Jesus does not return in our lifetime, we will see Him at the end of our lives. Plus hey, patience is a virtue and Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).

If you ever want more songs to sing to you son, here are a few more, mostly from the 2000s, when Christian music was very good, though some stuff from the 2010s and 2020s are good as well. The one at the very bottom, was released in 2024 by a Canadian man named @Martin Barret, and his song reminds me of 1990s-2000s Christian music such as Newsboys or David Crowder.

Title​	Year​
Greg Long – Think About Jesus​	1994​
Michael W. Smith – Forever​	2001​
Jeremy Camp – Walk By Faith​	2002​
Tim Hughes – Beautiful One (Jeremy Camp Cover)​	2004​
Aaron Shust – My Savior My God​	2005​
Chris Rice – How Great Thou Art​	2007​
David Crowder Band – How He Loves Us (Radio Edit)​	2009​
Matt Redman – You Never Let Go (Stellar Kart Cover)​	2010​
Meredith Andrews – Not for a Moment (After All)​	2012​
Lincoln Brewster – There Is Power​	2014​
Big Daddy Weave – Lion and the Lamb​	2015​
Ryan Stevenson – Eye of the Storm (ft. Gabe Real)​	2016​
Casting Crowns – Who Am I (The Asidors Cover)​	2021​
Jason Ingram – Forever Reign​	2022​
Martin Barret – Only Thing I Need​	2024​

 

[FaithT]

That is pretty awesome. It is good that you sang this song for your son. I do not have any kids, so I sang this song for God's Son, Jesus. We must lead the little kids to God, as much as possible, and folks of all ages as well. It would be nice if the Catholic church that I go to had some Chris Tomlin or other Christian songs from 20 years ago. Though, one day before Mass, Hillsong - Oceans was played by the pianist and sung by the choir. This was a week ago or two.

My only peeve about my church is the old songs. The Noon mass is said to have contemporary music but I prefer to attend the Saturday vigil.

 

[AlexB23]

My only peeve about my church is the old songs. The Noon mass is said to have contemporary music but I prefer to attend the Saturday vigil.

I like both old hymns/songs and 1970s-2000s Christian music. Also, I am not sure if my church plays contemporary music, but I could ask the priest which Mass has the modern stuff. It is cool that your church has modern stuff.

 

[LoriSaysHey2U]

Hey, thank you. A few years ago, I was not as much into going to church, and praising God, but now I am back, and praising God more than ever. And hey, if Jesus does not return in our lifetime, we will see Him at the end of our lives. Plus hey, patience is a virtue and Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).

If you ever want more songs to sing to you son, here are a few more, mostly from the 2000s, when Christian music was very good, though some stuff from the 2010s and 2020s are good as well. The one at the very bottom, was released in 2024 by a Canadian man named @Martin Barret, and his song reminds me of 1990s-2000s Christian music such as Newsboys or David Crowder.

Title​	Year​
Greg Long – Think About Jesus​	1994​
Michael W. Smith – Forever​	2001​
Jeremy Camp – Walk By Faith​	2002​
Tim Hughes – Beautiful One (Jeremy Camp Cover)​	2004​
Aaron Shust – My Savior My God​	2005​
Chris Rice – How Great Thou Art​	2007​
David Crowder Band – How He Loves Us (Radio Edit)​	2009​
Matt Redman – You Never Let Go (Stellar Kart Cover)​	2010​
Meredith Andrews – Not for a Moment (After All)​	2012​
Lincoln Brewster – There Is Power​	2014​
Big Daddy Weave – Lion and the Lamb​	2015​
Ryan Stevenson – Eye of the Storm (ft. Gabe Real)​	2016​
Casting Crowns – Who Am I (The Asidors Cover)​	2021​
Jason Ingram – Forever Reign​	2022​
Martin Barret – Only Thing I Need​	2024​

Wow! How nice of you to provide me with this list! I pretty much listen to the old hymns like "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, there's just something about that name." or "I love you Lord and I lift my voice, to worship you, oh my soul rejoice." or instrumental praise music like Maranantha "Lord I lift your name on high" and "Awesome God", Bobby likes the instrumental praise music as well, but we'll take a look at these too. Thanks!

 

[LoriSaysHey2U]

Dang, that sounds rough for your son. It is good that he still glorified God, as there are sadly people who go through trauma and ditch Christianity. God bless Bobby DuCharme, a gift from God to you. He could have made it into the Olympics back then, but maybe God had other plans for him. I will pray for him.

There is even a DVD on Amazon and other online storefronts about his story, so I might buy it, even though I prefer renting DVDs from the library for free, but the library does not have it in stock, and this movie seems too good to pass up on. Heck, the disc is factory sealed and 2x-4x cheaper than going out to the movies, at only $5.
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[AlexB23]

Wow! How nice of you to provide me with this list! I pretty much listen to the old hymns like "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, there's just something about that name." or "I love you Lord and I lift my voice, to worship you, oh my soul rejoice." or instrumental praise music like Maranantha "Lord I lift your name on high" and "Awesome God", Bobby likes the instrumental praise music as well, but we'll take a look at these too. Thanks!

You are welcome, sister in Christ. I love Awesome God, and Agnus Dei as well. Marantha is also good, but I did not hear much of their stuff on the Christian radio as a kid.

This is another list of mine, and here are all the songs that are 20+ years old on it, with some going back to the 1980s-1990s.

Title​	Year​
Rich Mullens – Awesome God​	1988​
Michael W. Smith – Agnus Dei​	1990​
Dallas Holm – Chain of Grace​	1992​
Petra – Hand on My Heart​	1992​
Matt Redman – Better is One Day​	1995​
MercyMe – I Can Only Imagine​	1999​
Steven Curtis Chapman – Dive​	1999​
Tim Hughes – Here I Am to Worship​	2001​
Matt Redman – Blessed Be Your Name​	2002​
Casting Crowns – Voice of Truth​	2003​
Newsboys – He Reigns​	2003​
Steve Hindalong & Marc Byrd – God of Wonders (Third Day Cover)​	2003​
Building 429 – Glory Defined​	2004​
Chris Tomlin – Holy Is The Lord, and Indescribable​	2004​

 

[AlexB23]

You don't need to purchase the video. You can watch it for free on Bobby's YouTube channel or on our website "www.cantkeepmedown.org"

Awesome. A part of me wants to purchase the video though, cos $5 is a steal, and I want to own a hard copy now cos of that low price, and how powerful your son's testimony is. In the meantime, I can watch it online, maybe tomorrow after church.

 

[PastorKeith]

Hi again, Keith.
Why do you believe that if death and dying was present long before sin entered the world, this would render the Bible in error?

The Bible says in Romans that death entered the world through sin. Now even if you believe that only relates to man's death or a spiritual death of some sort, which I do don't... I do believe this: The garden of Eden and its contents (animals, insects, humans) were all designed for eternity. Had Adam not sinned against God, he would be very much alive today. Now we also know God provided trees to eat from, so obviously plants will be eaten to sustain creatures. But I do not think in the Garden Pre-Fall, plants or fruits would grow rotten or spoil.

After sin entered the world, the whole universe began to groan, we age now, only because of the curse of sin. Same with animals. In evolution, billions and billions of animals died before mankind arrived on the scene, and that is counter to the Biblical narrative.

Remember, you only believe this, because a man named Charles Darwin once walked the earth.

 

[LoriSaysHey2U]

You are welcome, sister in Christ. I love Awesome God, and Agnus Dei as well. Marantha is also good, but I did not hear much of their stuff on the Christian radio as a kid.

This is another list of mine, and here are all the songs that are 20+ years old on it, with some going back to the 1980s-1990s.

Title​	Year​
Rich Mullens – Awesome God​	1988​
Michael W. Smith – Agnus Dei​	1990​
Dallas Holm – Chain of Grace​	1992​
Petra – Hand on My Heart​	1992​
Matt Redman – Better is One Day​	1995​
MercyMe – I Can Only Imagine​	1999​
Steven Curtis Chapman – Dive​	1999​
Tim Hughes – Here I Am to Worship​	2001​
Matt Redman – Blessed Be Your Name​	2002​
Casting Crowns – Voice of Truth​	2003​
Newsboys – He Reigns​	2003​
Steve Hindalong & Marc Byrd – God of Wonders (Third Day Cover)​	2003​
Building 429 – Glory Defined​	2004​
Chris Tomlin – Holy Is The Lord, and Indescribable​	deleted​

 

[AlexB23]

Oh yeah, I loved that movie "I Can Only Imagine" and that song. Maranatha was very popular here San Diego in the 80s and 90s, because their music was created at a popular churh here is San Diego, called Maranantha, with an amazing pastor, Ray Bentley, who passed a few years ago. We got to meet him when they showed Bobby's documentary at their church. It was packed out with a couple thousand people!

Prayer that this pastor, Ray, rests in peace. I am wary of megachurches, but as long as his doctrine is sound, I might try some Maranatha music.