The Oil Report BUSINESSDAY

I noticed the drop in the oil price in this article to day. Once again it reminded me that this whole business of oil pricing is susceptible to so many variables that obviously no one can predict. I can't help but think that we are being punished by those oil producing countries because of the war in Iraq. I hope that I am wrong on that, because it would mean more than just the war we would be dealing with in that case.

The funny thing about the players in the oil game is that one common denominator exists. The same entity that is always present in any commercial adventure. When supply and demand exists you always have to factor in the consumer, plus other variables such as weather, or politics, or even popularity, and anything else that would affect the supply and demand factor.

No doubt these professionals are well educated and trained in the science of deciphering the data accumulated and used to predict the future price index, but it’s still a prediction. Even the players in the oil business, the countries involved, with the best, or worst intentions and plans can only go so far, and even if they were manipulating that market to maximize their profits are subject to that same entity, supply and demand.

I must say I love it when those power moguls’ best plans go sour. It’s the freedom of an unpredictable future that is so fresh, so exciting that keeps life going, keeps life worth living. Ya just never know what the future will bring. No one can know either to the best of anyone's ability. No fortune tellers, no diviners, no one knows the future only God Himself.

The Christmas Tree

It is interesting that a Christmas tree has found its way into our celebration of the birth of Christ Jesus. I tend to think it is quite interesting, maybe even miraculous. At Christmas we go out and buy these trees and then bring them into our homes. We attempt to keep them alive as long as possible with potions of vitamins and fertilizers. We decorate them with just about anything you can imagine. Yes they are sights to behold, there fragrance fill our homes and signals excitement to all.

It just isn’t Christmas if you don’t have a Christmas tree. Of course there are those of convenience who have committed mutiny in buying an imitation tree. They purchase aerosol cans of imitation Christmas tree fragrance. They make a futile attempt to capture the environment of the real thing. Anyone with a average since of smell can spot the phony.

When I think of our Savior Jesus, His birth is like this tree. The fragrance of the Good News that has come to mankind fills the entire earth, the house of God. At the birth of Jesus, this tree is beautiful and fragrant it’s lush and fresh. Like this wonderful news that mankind has a way back to a relationship with God. As we hear from John the Baptist: But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. John 1:12, 13.

By the time Easter rolls around, the time we celebrate the death and resurrection of Christ Jesus this same tree has lost all of its branches. In fact it really doesn’t even resemble a tree any more. Then it looks like a log, which they cut in two and build in that day the ultimate punishment machine. Two pieces of wood they put together to form a cross as we call it today. Jesus was hung up on this torture machine where he continued to suffer until the punishment was complete for the sin of the world: The next day he *saw Jesus coming to him and *said, "Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! John 1:29.

One tree, yet we celebrate two entirely different events of importance to us. One new and fragrant and the other dead and dried up. The dead and dried up tree manufactured into the symbol of our invitation to return back to God the Father. Jesus Christ the one and only unique Son of God. Who now sits at the right hand of the Father. Who is busy preparing a place for us in eternity:

"Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me.”In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. "If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. "And you know the way where I am going." John 14:1-4

Evolution is limited

When I look at evolution, or the theory of, and consider the evolution of species. I have to ask the question why evolution is so limited. What or who determines what evolves and what doesn’t? Why when a donkey and a horse are mated, do we get a mule, and every mule is sterol? Where did these so called road blocks come from? In horticulture you can have a big robust plant, let’s say an orchid, and it produces a wimpy ugly flower. I’ve also seen a wimpy ugly little orchid plant produce a magnificent specimen of a flower. Its like evolution is being directed with its own set of checks and balances. Yes I know there is always the exception to the rule that can be argued, but in general everything seems to have its purpose like a giant puzzle. Now when you look at God’s Creation, you can’t help observing the magnificence of it. There are so many things that obviously are road signs pointing to Him.

Truth?

If you are talking about wanting to know the truth, well then it’s obvious it doesn’t come from us. All we possess is speculation. We must learn, even what truth is, and that must come from outside of us.

I have searched for truth all my life, only to find it was right under my nose all the time. Truth isn’t relative, meaning, your truth is yours and my truth is mine and we just need to get along. It doesn’t work in reality that way. Truth must be universal for all. Opinions can be relative, and as we can see in this convoke they are.

With that said, now I can tell you, in my experience of life, lies are much more prevalent. I long for truth, not just any truth, but truth in understanding the reason for my existence. Why am I here, for what purpose? In my search I must confess to you that the bible and only the bible have passed the test of time in telling me the truth. You see the bible isn’t just a bunch of stories, it’s a bunch of life’s experiences. The bible is a piece of literature that was written over fifteen centuries, one thousand five hundred years. It is one of the oldest complete writings known to man, and it has stood the test of time. For that alone it deserves respect. But there is a lot more, but for times sake, the bible comes down to expressing one main point. God loves you and me, and that’s it. No other religion or philosophy even attempts to communicate this fact. That God forgives us for our rebellion, and He wants to be involved in our lives being best friends with us. Just like He was with all of those people in the bible “stories.” I have come to know that the bible will never tell you to do something that will hurt you. It will never, through its council tell you to do something wrong. That is as far as morals go, or living by some law. The bible communicates freedom, peace with ones self and with others. It teaches that there is no condemnation from you, from others, and not even from God. I hope the next time you read the bible you will ask God to help you to simply understand what you are reading. Then you be, your own judge of what truth really is.