A Gary Larson cartoon depicts a meeting of several dinosaurs discussing their ultimate fate – extinction. The caption say; “Wings, feathers, nests? A crazy idea, but it just might work!” It certainly does sound like a crazy idea, but several science centers we visited lately have actually made the statement that dinosaurs are still with us – they “merely” evolved into birds. So, somehow, legs must have developed into wings and scales into feathers. Let’s take a close...
Read MoreResurrection Day Drive and Blessing
When we are on speaking trips, even our “holidays” can sometimes be spent on the road or traveling. This last one was a very special time for Mary Jo and me! We began on Friday evening by joining friends in Payson, Arizona, for a Passover Seder sponsored by their church. The visiting minister explained the details of Passover and how it relates to Jesus and our faith. The next morning we had great fellowship with our friends before heading toward home. Since it was getting...
Read MoreGrand Canyon
Following some pretty iffy weather heading north from Scottsdale, we were very glad that the weather was just great for a hike in the Grand Canyon. Part of the group saw the sites on the canyon rim, while Mary Jo and I led 18 of the students for a 3 mile hike into the canyon. Although we only went a fifth of the way down into the canyon, it was just far enough for the students to get a little appreciation for the immensity of the canyon and the nature of some of the...
Read MoreSunset Crater and Volcanism
A very intriguing place we chose to take the students to was Sunset Crater National Monument. The landscape is an interesting blend of black and red volcanic cinders interspersed with green ponderosa pine trees, junipers, and pinyon pine. The area is dotted with dozens of volcanic peaks, cinder cones, and lava sputter cones. The most recent eruptions occurred around 1100 AD. Since Native American Indian tribes lived in the area surrounding the eruptions, it really shows...
Read MoreFlexibility
Talk about flexibility! Due to inclement weather, we had to make adjustments to a very packed schedule. After only 12 hours since writing my last blog, we ended up in the Scottsdale, Arizona area. This was after 500 miles of driving. The day also included 1.5 hours at the Indian museum in Blanding, and a 2.5 hour hike into a canyon to see the drawing of a dinosaur on the rock at Natural Bridges National Monument. We were supposed to camp at Bluff, UT, but high winds and...
Read MoreBirds in Flight
Flying birds are compact, well-integrated flying machines capable of producing the large amounts of energy necessary for flight. Their powerful wings are properly shaped to utilize the physical principles of moving air. In addition, the wing size and shape varies with species, according to the size of the bird and its speed and type of flight. In fact, birds can often be identified by their characteristic flight pattern. The feathers of a bird serve to streamline the...
Read MoreLittle and Big Blessings on the Road
It is always amazing to see the big and little blessings God brings while we are on the road. We were blessed with gracious hosts, at our stop in Pecatonica, IL, who have an overflowing gift of hospitality. They fed us like kings, and made us feel very much “at home.” Even the use of their showers and laundry facilities were huge blessings while traveling. Thanks, Paul and Rose, for serving us! On the day after an evening seminar in IL, a grandmother shared with...
Read MoreNational Park Ranger Led Hikes and Philosophy
It is always a good experience for the students, on our 12 day field trip, to hear how the various philosophies are presented at the national parks. The pictures in this blog were all taken at Arches National Park. Because of our larger group, we had two ranger led hikes in Arches by two different rangers. The first ranger was quite knowledgeable in geology and did a very good job in explaining the normal park perspective for the formations (which involves millions or even...
Read MoreIndian Drawing of a Mammoth
One of the places we just visited on our 12 day field study, we are leading for the Jackson Hole Bible College, is a place where the ancient native inhabitants drew pictures on the sandstone walls. Among pictures of animals we see today, such as: deer, bighorn sheep, and lizards, there is also a picture of a mammoth. At first glance, this shouldn’t be a problem unless you view it through evolutionary glasses. According to what is traditionally taught, mammoths became...
Read MoreWonders of Creation Astronomy Book
This Biblically based book by Dr. Danny Faulkner is a great introduction to the universe that will capture the attention of any budding astronomer. Every page has color pictures with text to beautifully illustrate your journey through the universe. Faulkner uses a logical progression starting with what is astronomy and the overwhelming immensity of the universe. Before the galactic tour begins, he has two very interesting chapters: “Why did God Create the Heavenly...
Read MoreTeaching and a Deer Fry
Seminars are going great here in Illinois. We were very busy on our first stop in Mackinaw, IL, it included: a two night church seminar; a Saturday morning homeschool group; a Saturday evening deer fry; and teaching again three hours on Sunday morning. We also had a special time of fellowship with several families in their homes for meals. They were a great blessing to us. The Deer Fry held at New Castle Bible Church, Mackinaw, IL, was a unique event. I had the...
Read MoreCreation Field Trip through the Southwest
Our caravan is 40 strong! Mary Jo & I are leading a group of 31 Jackson Hole Bible College students, plus their staff, on a 12 day field trip of the Southwest. So far, we have had a series of Creation classes before we left Grand Junction, a tour of the Colorado National Monument, Dinosaur Journey Museum, Dinosaur Valley excavation site, and now we are at Moab, Utah. All along the way, we are giving “mini” lectures relating to the site, putting them in the light of the...
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Friends - Richard's Life was Changed!! - And this is why he is leading AOI's Colorado Family Camp! Join us July 30 - Aug 4 - conta.cc/3X4JroB pic.twitter.com/u8j1AP1Pmu
