The above verse is a well known and often quoted verse. Unfortunately it also abused in its application. But that is not the point of this article. My purpose is to share some thoughts about human pride being on full display this week during and after the Nor'easter of this past week. 

The following are three examples of human pride getting in the way. 

1. ​The NWS and other meteorologists were harshly criticized this week for the incorrect forecasts made in the regions of NYC, Long Island, Coastal Connecticut, central NJ, Philadelphia and extreme SE Pennsylvania. Blizzard warnings were issued for many of these areas. Most were expecting 12-18" or 18-24" of snow. They got some snow, lots of sleet. but now blizzard.
2. Twitter was filled with insults and anger. Media ran headlines about the failure to not make a last minute change forecast change, the storm fizzled, it gave only a glancing blow, too much hype as public loses faith in weather prediction. .
3. Forecasters came to the defense of their colleagues. They pointed out it was better to be safe than sorry, and the danger of flip-flopping on forecasts.  

In each case human pride played a role as I show below ... 

1. When I make a decision, I resist changing it, unless something very compelling is shown to me. We all do this. We defend our decision as being right before we act upon it.

In terms of this forecast was there compelling data that would lead to a forecast change in the I-95 corridor?  The maps below are snow maps from the NAM and Canadian RGEM. Both are from the Monday(13th) morning model runs. This would be the last runs prior to the final forecast for the storm. The maps reveal the area where sleet was predicted: SE PA, Philadelphia up to NYC, Long Island and Connecticut. The very areas that got it.  

Why not change the forecast?  Pretty compelling evidence.  ​ 

God teaches us that pride goes before a fall (Proverbs 16:18). In other words, my pride can cause me to stumble and fall in front of others, because I refused to change my decision, even though there was a strong reason to do so. We must all be careful. For we are all human and all have the pride.  

2. Jesus also teaches us about casting the first stone, but only if you are without sin (John 8:7). Human pride reared up and the harsh critics jumped on the bandwagon of criticism. But they failed to look beyond their own little world. And with headlines speaking of a glancing blow, a fizzling storm, they looked like fools themselves.

This storm produced huge area of 20-40" snows throughout the Northeast, inches of sleet in NYC (which is really hard to move. Worse than snow), and caused winds to exceed 70 mph from NJ to MA. A widespread 1-3" of precipitation was measured in many places. This was not a glancing blow or a storm that fizzled. 

Pride rears up when the opportunity comes along to tear down someone else's work. I confess it is easy to see the errors of someone else, and fail to see my own. This is why having good friends who hold you accountable is a true gift from the LORD above.

It’s a PC World.

No not a personal computer world; although one can argue it’s a phone or tablet world.( If you don’t believe that just take a look around. Even on the AGT Results show last evening, of the 5 people in the Duncan Lounge, only 1 was not looking at a phone.)

I am talking about a politically correct world. There has been lots of attention draw to it during this presidential campaign, so far. So I thought I would tackle it here this morning.

• (NLT) James 1:19 … My dear brothers and sisters, be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.
• (NIV) Proverbs 22:11 … He who loves a pure heart and whose speech is gracious will have the king for his friend.
• (NLT) Colossians 4:6 … Let your conversation be gracious and effective so that you will have the right answer for everyone.

All three of these verses address our speech. 

1. Be slow to speak. I find when reflecting on the past, that the times when I am prone to say things that hurt, insult, tear down or ridicule another person are when I speak in rapid response.  If only during these times I just waited, took a deep breath, I am certain my words would have been different.
2. Who would you want as a friend?  One whose words are kind and uplifting?  Or one who insults you?  Pretty simple, isn’t it?
3. Graciousness is easy to come by when I am slow to speak. It means I use my words carefully. Careless words get people in trouble. Instead of giving people what they “deserve,” our words should give them something good that they don’t deserve.

Romans 8:28 promises us that God will use all things for the good of those who love Him. So perhaps God can use this PC world to help you and me and all our brothers and sisters in Christ to take better care of the words we use every day. To use them wisely and for the benefit of those who hear or read them.  

Recently the Ark Encounter theme park opened in north central Kentucky. It is right along I-75 south of Cincinnati, Ohio.  It is a life size replica of what is believed to be Noah’s Ark as recorded in Genesis 6-8, but despite this architectural marvel, being the largest wooden structure in North American and possibly the world, there is plenty of criticism being leveled from Christian and non-Christian groups alike.
​

For example:

• Complaint: The Park will cost $100 million. This money could have aided many homeless people.
  • Response: Yes, this is a lot of money, but how about Walt Disney spending $5.5 billion, yes billion, on a new park in China? Complaints?  Perhaps the Ark Encounter will help people to place greater faith in God and thus be more willing to help those in need. Not so sure about the Disney park in that regards.

 

• Complaint: This is a Christian for profit theme park.
  • Response: The Bible speaks of running a godly and fair business; in having honest scales, not dishonest. There is nothing against making a fair profit.

    

• Complaint: The Ark Encounter is not true to the Bible. Ark means box. This ark is not a box.
  • Response: Ok. So the length, height, and depth are accurate. The global flood idea is accurate. The housing of animals is good. But the actual final design of the Ark is not what some think it could have been, therefore it is to be rejected? I am speechless.    

 

• Complaint: The Ark Encounter is not Science.
  • Response: This is a smoke screen. Simply define science and the scientific method. Then go to the Ark Encounter and explain how science is ignored. Remember it’s all about presuppositions; the things one takes for granted to be true at the beginning of a line of research, testing, logic, etc.)

 
Basically, the Ark Encounter provides visual evidence that an ark made of wood with Gen 6 dimensions, could have had enough room for 8 people, the animals, birds, insects, along with food and waste storage. It could have been very stable, and floated over the surface of a global flood. This visual park will show that it is possible. I encourage all to go at least once, for it might challenge your thinking a little. 

And here lies the problem: It does challenge the preconceived notion that the first 11 chapters of Genesis are myth and fable. And that is why it is controversial. It will challenge the way people understand the world. And that is exactly why it was built in the first place. But I must ask, for those who oppose this, if you are secure in your understanding of the world, what then do you have to worry about? Besides, the more you criticize it, the more attention the Ark receives. And more attention means more people willing to go to see what the fuss is all about.

​So, fuss about! God may use it to draw people to Him!    

In this case the boy won and the gorilla died. I am sure you have heard about this sad story out of the Cincinnati Zoo.  

Somehow a little boy aged 3-4 climbed a 3’ fence, went through some bushes and then fell 15’ into a shallow moat where the silver back gorillas lived. The male gorilla took charge of the boy, dragged him through the water a couple of times, but did harm him physically. The zoo trained experts chose to shoot and kill the gorilla rather than risking a tranquilizer that would take 5 – 10 minutes to take effect. During those minutes the gorilla could grow agitated at being shot. This might endanger the child, and the gorilla had more than enough power to kill that child in any second.

Both support and opposition to this decision has been expressed both to the family and the zoo itself.

Personally I agree with the decision to save the child, but is that the end of it? As a Christian, the Bible ought to be my guide, so then what might the Bible have to offer as guidance in a situation like this?  

There isn’t much on zoos in the Bible, but Exodus 21:33 might offer a principle to help us:  

"If a man opens a pit, or digs a pit and does not cover it over, and an ox or a donkey falls into it, 34 the owner of the pit shall make restitution; he shall give money to its owner, and the dead animal shall become his.
 
Points to consider:

1. Normal Activity: Opening or digging a pit was normal.
2. Unintended Result: An animal (ox or donkey here) falls in and dies because it was left uncovered, with no ill intent in mind.    
3. Conclusion: Owner of the pit, must pay for the loss, even though it was an accident.

 
Application:

1. Normal Activity: Families with little children visiting a zoo is normal. Little children can wander away very quickly in less than 30 seconds.
2. Unintended Result: The parents did not intend on their child joining the gorilla. Nor do I doubt the child meant to fall 15 feet to join the gorilla (even if he thought the gorilla was “cute”).
3. Conclusion: If we applied the same principle, the family would need to pay the zoo for the loss of the gorilla, because it was an accident. We do not yet know the outcome of any investigation into this whole situation.  

 
I know things are different today, but the principle here might help in this situation, esp. since the family “thanked the Lord” for their child being rescued.  It is great that the boy is ok.  But should there be some fine or restitution that the parents pay because of the loss of the animal? 

Just something to think about …     

Yesterday afternoon the Second Circuit United States Court of Appeals ruled that quarterback Tom Brady will serve his 4 game suspension as discipline handed down by the NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. This came about because of the circumstantial evidence surrounding the less footballs discovered being used by New England Patriots in the 2015 AFC Championship Game. 

This whole episode is very sad indeed. It is evidence of greed and the unsatisfactory feeling wealth brings to a person. 

What I mean is this:  

During the 1990s and early 2000s baseball players reset the home-run records. Three players broke Roger Maris season record of 61, on more than one occasion, and Hank Aarons career record. But since MLB has gotten much tougher on performance enhancing drug usage by testing the players randomly, the home-run numbers have dropped dramatically. No one has even come close to Roger Maris' record for a season in the last decade (2006 Ryan Howard had 58 making that the highest total since 73 by Barry Bonds in 2002). Do PED's have an impact?

Football has drug testing also. But their rules are slightly different. But they too realize players will try to gain an advantage. But other things have occurred like illegal filming of practices, tampering with players in order to win them as free agents before they are allowed to, and now tampering with footballs.  

Even the fine game of Tennis has been hit with scandal. One of its top stars was caught using a banned drug (even if used for health reasons) due to its performance enhancing abilities. I won't even go into the Sport of Cycling (see Tour do France for many years of performance drug problems) or swimming or numerous others.   

Why do players and teams do these things?  I mean they make at least hundreds of thousands of dollars and most make millions over their careers above an beyond their salaries. You would think they would be satisfied and not feel the need to break the rules. But some still do. Why?  

Well, no one knows their heart and motivation except themselves and God. But this passage from the Bible (among others) might shed some light ... 

1 Timothy 6:9-11 (NIV):

"People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness."

In life one may be tempted to play outside the rules or to stretch them to ones advantage. But in the process some great athletes have tarnished their names and reputations. And they did so for what reason?  To gain just a little more than what 99% of us do not have nor will likely ever come have on this earth.  Am I judging them? No. I am only looking at decisions already made. I do not know their hearts. I only know what happens to athletes when they are caught breaking the rules of their sport and wonder why they do it ...  

It is a great gift from God to learn to be content with what we have (See Philippians 4).  We should strive and give our best always, but also be content with what you have so you do not pierce yourself with griefs you do not have to endure.