Life Goes On...

Rob Reiner and his wife were apparently murdered on Sunday by their son, Nick, age 32. Horrible news of an ugly tragedy. 

Another headline reads: “All Life on Earth Comes From One Single Ancestor. And It's So Much Older Than We Thought.” Or so another headline reads. Amazing what scientists are “finding," or actually theorizing.

“Silent Night, Holy Night…” So the Christmas carol echoes with such a soothing melody. 

It's astounding what is bombarding us constantly in the form of headlines, news, noise, and bedlam (see the article this week by Ed Delph). We must choose what we listen to, or it could drive us crazy!

In the article about the LUCA, "Here’s what you’ll learn when you read this story:

• All life on Earth can be traced back to a Last Universal Common Ancestor, or LUCA.
• A study suggests that this organism likely lived on Earth only 400 million years after its formation.
• Further analysis also shows that this life form likely sported an early immune system, which means it was probably fighting off viruses."

So, at least we can now rest assured that we are all family, at least in their systematic thinking.

It's amazing to me that in their analysis (last line in quote above), this singular, original life form was the basis for all life, but “but it was probably fighting off viruses!" Where were these viruses from - other planets???

It is very sad that in the search for the origin of life, brilliant scientists discount the possibility that God created everything, and in doing so, just possibly created all the amazing different and unique life forms. Does it matter whether He created it millions, billions, or only hundreds of thousands of years ago? How are different life forms any more or less creative than making oxygen different from iron or gold? And did it all have to be created all at once? The God I believe in, if indeed He created everything, is amazingly powerful and creative, don't you think?

Each one of us has been given life from God, as He gave us the spark, the consciousness, the breath, the spirit and soul, that makes each one of us unique and beautiful and special. 

As you make your preparations and go through your own traditions during this holy-day season, lift up your heart and spirit and give thanks to God for the life you have. Know that God loves you, more than you will ever fully know. And share God's love with someone. That is your purpose for life!