There are two distinct possibilities: the cosmos had a beginning or the cosmos has always existed.  It had previously been believed since Aristotle’s time that the universe was eternal, but since then discoveries such as the Big Bang theory postulate that the universe had a beginning. Edwin Hubble is credited with this discovery when he observed that galaxies appeared to be moving away from each other. 

This would point us to a transcendent creator who created the cosmos from nothing, an outside entity outside of space and time.   Psalm 19:1-2 states that, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.” Scripture (special revelation) tells us that the world of nature (general revelation) points to a creator and a designer. 

The most influential theory in modern civilization has been the Darwinian theory of evolution.  Many scientists and thinkers have accepted this theory as fact.  Carl Sagan claimed that the evidence of the fossil record and contemporary molecular biology support the fact of evolution.  So, how does the theory of evolution stack up against reality?  Stephen Myer, Director of the Center for Science and Culture at the Discovery Institute, observes that post 1953, the structure of DNA was thought to be a simple living glob that mutates and changes.  However, scientists now understand that the structure of the cell to be much more complex.  A cell is an exquisite miniature rotary machine caused by intelligence.  Before what scientists had to work with was matter and energy, but now a new feature is added: information. 

This presence of information implies design and purpose.  We do not have to peer through the lens of a microscope to see the evidence of design, it is all around us.  While some scientists like Dr. Kenyon recognize that an intelligent designer must exist behind the intricate complexities of life, others insist otherwise.  In fact, if the evidence takes them outside the box of naturalism, they will not go there.  Instead they compose other theories.  For instance, Francis Crick believes in directed panspermia (life started on another planet and made its way to earth), but it still doesn’t explain how it began on another planet.

In looking at the fossil record, there must be evidence of gradual changes leading to a complexity that would lead to the evidence of evolution.  However, we do not find any such evidence.  Yet again, scientists try to make up for this lack of evidence.  Stephen J. Gould came up with a theory called Punctuated Equilibrium, which means that slow gradual changes took place, followed by a stasis, then sudden great immediate changes, followed by another stasis. 

Though Sagan claims that science will follow the evidence wherever it leads, some scientists have not followed this path.  Romans 16:25 reveals that, “they exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator…”   It may appear that there is something much deeper at hand than a mere scientific theory because ideas indeed have huge consequences.

Do you struggle with the annual cycle of setting bold New Year’s resolutions in January… only to see them fade away before Spring Break?

Whether you want to lose weight, move ahead at work, or take some steps to deepen the spiritual side of your life, your goals are important.

Listen to this fast-paced workshop to learn what the research shows us about how people really achieve goals.

Donna Fox, an Austin-based productivity and leadership coach, explains:

• The 4 key “productivity culprits” that stand between you and the achievement of your goals
• A sure-fire framework that will get you into action… this week!
• Reliable methods that actually enable you to manufacture more willpower
• How Priority Associates and these principles have impacted Donna’s own life in the past few years

DETAILS

This workshop took place on Thursday, January 26, but we have posted a podcast of the
audio online at:  http://paaustin.podcastpeople.com/posts/45245

If you were unable to attend or you would like to share the workshop with someone
else, feel free to listen or download the workshop and these pdf tools:

2011 Goal Learning Worksheet  and   2012 Goals Worksheet

*Priority Associates is a faith-based, Christian organization that provides resources to business men and women to help them develop balance in their personal, spiritual and professional lives.

The biblical view of man consists of three states or modes.  The first is the essence of man, which is that man is made in the image of God.  The essence is also dualistic in that it is made up of flesh and spirit.  The second is the moral state of man which is fallen.  Because it is fallen, the third state is the need for redemption, to be rescued or saved.

The question of evil inevitably emerges as we explore the states of man.  Man succumbed to evil, thus the consequeces of having fallen.  It is surprising (and I daresay a bit shocking) to assert that there is no evil in man.  Yet many prominent thinkers have said that man is essentially good, and evil does not derive from man.  For example, Abraham Maslow, the prominent psychologist, believed that there was no intrinsic instinct for evil in man.  His famous “Hierarchy of Needs” even elevates man’s need for self-actualization.  Yet the question remains: where does evil come from?  If it does not come from human nature, where does it come from?  Some may try to blame social institutions and culture, but the problem remains as people make up social institutions and culture itself.

Whether we acknowledge that evil derives from human nature or not, we cannot deny that it exists.   If man is only a material creature, working out the evolutionary process, then why does injustice or suffering bother us?  Why do we feel bad when horrendous acts occur?  Also, if man is only materialistic, there is no ethical basis to even address the “problem of evil”.  It makes more sense to believe that there is something transcendent in each one of us.  As Dr. Theodore Dalrymple says it well, “you don’t need to find yourself.  You need to lose yourself.”

Thinkers have used Philosophy as a starting point but have conjured up a myriad of worldviews such as naturalism, humanism, existentialism, postmodernism, etc to explain ultimate reality.  Carl Sagan, the well-known scientist, had his own naturalistic worldview that can be summed up in these famous words, “the cosmos is all there is, ever was, and ever will be”.  This implies that the only reality is inside the box of this world.  Naturalism makes no room for an outside entity – no room for an outside creator.  Although Sagan does not outright state “There is no God,” his statement that the cosmos is all there is assumes that there is no God.  The assumption is there, and the most dangerous form of knowledge is an assumption.  If you buy the statement, you buy the assumption.

Because humankind does not want to live in a sterile box, they invent a god to fill that void, but they invent this god inside the box to suit their own needs.  Humans then try to make sense of the universals by looking at the particulars, when God has given us the universals to help us understand the particulars.  For example, one great thinker used mathematics, science and art to find universal truth, but ultimately failed in his attempt to discover the Holy Grail.  He must have not looked outside the box.

What’s more, our understanding of right and wrong is directly dependent on our worldview: is the universe God’s creation or a closed cosmic cube?  If it is God’s creation, then there are objective moral standards for humans.  These standards correlate to the character and nature of God.  There is also a clear distinction between Ethics and Morality.  As the well-known theologian, R.C. Sproul states, “Ethics implies ‘ought’ and Morality implies ‘what is’.”  In other words, Ethics is what ought to be regardless of time and culture (transcendent) and morality has to do with the behaviors (mores) of a particular culture and society.

Everyone has a personal worldview, and this worldview determines people’s actions.  The Bible encourages believers to “… not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2).  The word “transformed” in the Greek is “metamorphoo” and is used in this verse, the transfiguration of Jesus and in 2 Cor. 3:18: “And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory”.  Let us seek to be transformed.

Dr. Tackett  is the former president of the Focus on the Family Institute and a former Senior Vice President of Focus on the Family.  He is also the chief spokesperson for Focus on the Family’s The Truth Project—a nationwide initiative designed to bring the Christian worldview to the body of Christ.  An adjunct professor at New Geneva Theological Seminary and Summit Ministries, he works with Coral Ridge Ministries as TV co-host for the show “Cross Examine “and publishes a blog, Truth Observed.

The first lesson examines the fundamental importance of truth.  There are 75 references to truth that Jesus makes in the New Testament.  Thus, it is crucial for Christians to understand that the most important question one can ask is “What is truth?”  There is an objective truth that Jesus came to testify to, a truth independent of humankind.  It is this truth that is at odds with the falsehood of this world, causing a cosmic battle of worldviews.  The first session ends with the question, ‘Do you really believe that what you believe is really real?” The study is not only meant to be informational but truly transformative.

Priority Associates has some great events on the calendar for the New Year.

Coming this spring: a six week series on Wednesdays, “The Art of Marriage” moderated by Larry and Diann Cotton.  The series is based on the “Weekend to Remember” conference that the Family Life Ministry has conducted around the country for more than thirty years.  Cost: $60 per couple.  Details Here.

February 3, 2012, Priority Associates began  “Vision of a Leader,” a Friday lunch series hosted at our office. Robert Wickman will facilitate the 8-week study using the DVD presentation on leadership by author/speaker, Dr. Bruce Wilkinson.   Details Here.

Coming this spring: Find it hard to FORGIVE? Join us for a panel discussion on finding strength to forgive and move on in life. Don’t be enslaved to your past. Details: To Be Announced.

If you have ever struggled to deal with demanding people who try your patience, you will want to listen to an informative seminar designed to help you learn how to deal with the difficult people in your workplace.

In a lively seminar, David Wright, an internationally recognized trainer of employees and management, discussed the following points in dealing with conflict in the workplace.

• How your personality impacts conflict situations
• How to calm the emotional person
• How to make your point without creating resentment
• Nine ways to change another person’s attitude

This seminar is helpful for both managers and those who work for “difficult” managers!  It will also help you in other relationships, both at home and in the workplace.  Dave will also share how spiritual faith enables him to more effectively deal with conflict and apply the principles he will be sharing.

DETAILS
The seminar took place on  Tuesday, October 11 but we have posted a podcast of the audio online at our podcast site here:  http://paaustin.podcastpeople.com/posts/44374.

If you were unable to attend or you would like to share the talk with someone else feel free to listen or download off the site above.

*Priority Associates is a faith-based, Christian organization that provides resources to business men and women to help them develop balance in their personal, spiritual and professional lives.

Do you ever feel like you got the short end of the stick? Been dealt with unfairly in the marketplace? Having a tough time finding peace?

David Parsons was the best of the best in the Air Force. After a highly successful achievements as a pilot he thought he could do anything. So he became an Air Force surgeon.

After attaining success which others envied, false charges were made and his Air Force career was destroyed.  When David should have been respected and at the top of his military and professional career, he was devastated and empty. David felt crushed and alone, not knowing where to turn.

His wife got him to begin a spiritual search for answers. For two years David kept searching, but from a profoundly skeptical point of view.  He wanted to find peace but was unwilling to let go of his hatred. Those men had wronged him and he wanted justice!

David spoke to 94 men at the Austin Country Club on November 11, 2011 and shared his compelling story.

If you missed hearing him you can catch the podcast of his message at:

Are you someone who loves to pray? Join with us in calling on the Father on behalf of the requests listed below.

To submit a prayer request, email us at austin@ipriority.com.

If you would like to submit a private prayer request include the word “private request” in the subject line of your email and our prayer team will pray for you.

If you would like us to post your request below on this “Prayer Request Board” put “post request” in the subject line and we will post it below so we and others in the community can be praying for you.

ALLY DAVIDSON speaking on, “The Soul of a Gladiator.”

Not many women can say they won the national championship on NBC’s American Gladiator, much less competing as a newlywed.  But then not many women have the determined spirit of Ally Davidson who competed in 2008 and won the $100,000 grand prize.

Also in 2008 Ally, along with her husband Jeff, pursued her dreams of starting her own athletic boot camp, Camp Gladiator.  Camp Gladiator is the fastest growing boot camp in Texas with 2400 campers in 120 locations 5 cities.  In numerous publications, Camp Gladiator is consistently voted the best boot camp.

A home-grown girl here in Austin, Ally has always been athletic and persevering.  She came back from the heartbreak of losing family members to a homicide and then the physical injury of a broken neck in college.  She could easily have ended up as a quadriplegic.  Her boundless optimism, supportive family, and faith have been significant factors throughout her life.

We all have challenges in our lives.  Ally shared how her training, perseverance, and steadfast faith in God helped her overcome obstacles that would have derailed many women.

If you missed hearing Ally you can listen to her message on our podcast site:

http://paaustin.podcastpeople.com/posts/43110