Stories from the Mission... bit 11

   You know how we got Dalmatians, right? A person was breeding white dogs, saw that a couple had some spots from different littler and put those together to make sure they bred, Over several generations of making sure just the right ones bred, you had white dogs with lots of black spots. Now, those spots would most likely fade away if you bred those spotted dogs with pure white ones enough. Out in the wild, dogs will be dogs and hump whatever other dog they come across, dogs will be dogs, lol. I was telling this to a nice lady that worked in the Dinosaur area of the Field Museum, and she laughed and agreed. So, I ask her, "How did all the animal variations happen in the wild if man wasn't there to control the changes?" She just stood there... unsure. I suggested that it was God. Her reaction was telling... her face paled and her eyes went wide as she said, "Oh, you're one of them!"
   I asked her again, "How did all these changes happen when animals aren't that choosy?" She explained that over millions of years these changes happen gradually.  I pointed out that without actually seeing this happen with our own eyes, no one lives long enough, that is her faith. Funny how people can totally accept that over huge amounts of time anything is possible, except that there might be a God that does it.
   I love science, don't get me wrong. I grew up reading encyclopedias in the bathroom, every one from A to Z. I soak in all the new findings and read science related magazines. Science has shown us many of the works of God that we wouldn't have been able to see with the naked eye. Science does not negate God though, only a human mind can do that. The science of evolution not having any higher being in control of parts of it is based on a kind of faith. You cannot prove it without millions of years of direct observation. The chances of there being an all powerful God that created life is slim, but the chances of evolution on it's own is slim, each time, millions of millions of times.  I'm not saying I'm right, I don't know. I'm just keeping an open mind to it all.
   Took my first walk today.When you join the program you agree to not leave the building for the first 30 days, then after that you get a one hour walk. So many of us have drug and alcohol problems, even that one hour seems like a rough temptation. I met more than a few guys that didn't go for a while. I have no money so I couldn't buy anything... didn't even bother looking even though everything out there seems to have a big ol price tag. I found a Fed Ex place that lets you get on-line for a dollar per minute, so I might get on Facebook a bit. The Mission gives you a 'gift' of $10 every two weeks so my internet time will be very limited. Checking my Facebook page might help me sell some artwork and help pay off some debts... one can dream.
   Ahhhh, service tonight was so good, from one end to the other! On Saturday nights they do a live recording of the radio program 'Unshackled' at the Mission. It's the longest running radio drama ever and is played over a ton of radio stations all over the world. It's cool to see the voice actors up on stage and see the sound effects being done live like that. About 6 of us program guys go every week. Saturday nights is also know for the 'Praise and testimony' service in the evening. All the guys get on their best clothes, ironing boards are packed with guys waiting to look smooth, hard soled shoes polished up. After the radio show lets out, we head to the Billy Sunday room which is across the hall from the dinning room. One of the guys will pray us in, sometimes we sign a hymn. We wait till all the women in their program to get situated in the dinning room, then we head over to eat. After we eat we head to the classroom and do some prayer warrioring, then when they are ready for us, we go into the main auditorium for the show.
   They always have some sort of music and tonight they had a Blue grass/ gospel band named 'Over by yonder'. that was awesome! The banjo picking was intricate and thew Mandolin player was maniacal.  The Banjo player brought out his nine year old son to play guitar with him, subtle but masterful, and then his daughter to sing. Stunning... so calm and full of soul, like hearing a young Jewl for richness and ease. What a blessing that was, thank you Lord.