Tag: Culture

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Artificial Intelligence?

How many of you have thought about – I mean, deeply thought about – what is called AI, or Artificial Intelligence? Before we talk about it, let’s define and understand it.

At some point in history, the word “artificial” was given the meaning of insincere, fake, or forced. But that’s not what it means.

According to an etymology dictionary, “artificial” comes from the Latin in the 14th century, artificialis, which came from artificium, and that is: a work of art; skill; theory; system. The overall concept is: “made by man; contrived by human skill and labor.” The artificium was not the THING that was made; it was the SKILL, CRAFT, or TRADE that made the item.

Today, when we talk about Artificial Intelligence – or AI – there’s a lot of misunderstanding. AI today, in its broadest sense, is the intelligence or knowledge manifested by machines that are run by computer systems, and you might be surprised at how much of our industry is run by computers.

AI applications are systems such as web search engines (Google, et. al.), YouTube, Amazon, Netflix, Alexa, Siri, electronic chess games, cell phones, and thousands more! But remember, they are all run by computers. However, AI is used in so many systems – such as the computer I’m using at the moment – that they are not thought of as Artificial Intelligence any longer.

There shouldn’t be any mystery associated with AI. Remember, all Artificial Intelligence is man-made. There is nothing spooky, weird, or mysterious about it. Everything the computer or computer-operated machine can do or say has been programmed by man. And humans have been programmed by our Creator God to be very creative.

For example: One time I asked my cell phone, “Hey Siri, where’s my wife?” The machine answered, “If you don’t know, you’re in trouble.” (My wife and I burst out laughing!) That’s an application of AI, and someone programmed that as one of the possible responses.

Please understand this: Computers and computer-operated machines cannot – repeat, CANNOT – create information or responses without the information to generate those responses being programmed into it. They are wired and programmed by humans to scan thousands of computers and hard drives, then copy various bits of information and paste them together to give coherent responses. And the science involved has grown so well that it seems that the computer is thinking as a human. But it is not, and it cannot think as a human.

The most complex device or machine you can think of might seem to have a mind – or spirit – of its own. But remember that many primitive people thought compasses were possessed of spirits, and early native Americans thought photographs captured people’s souls. But, that was only because they didn’t understand the science involved.

So we need to understand that machines are not people, and they cannot think and respond like people. The movie, 2001 – Space Odyssey, was only science fiction; and the computer, HAL, was not real.

AI, in and of itself, is not evil. Here are several comparative examples:

Guns, by themselves, cannot kill or hurt anyone; people do.

Bows & arrows cannot hurt anyone; people do.

Knives cannot hurt anyone; people do.

Bats cannot hit a ball; people hit the ball with the bat.

Cameras, both movie and still, are not evil; but some people use them to glorify immorality, heinous murder, and evil spirits.

In like manner, AI is not bad. Instead, it’s being used in thousands of applications for the benefit – and amusement – of humanity. However, as with guns, bows & arrows, bats, knives, movies, and almost every other good thing, AI can be used wrongly for the detriment of man.

But listen: there definitely is an intelligence that overshadows anything and everything that man can do and ever could do. He is Almighty God.

When we pray, answers can come immediately: not because some AI can process at super speed, but because the Holy Spirit already knew what we were going to ask. The Bible says in I Chronicles 28:9b, “the Lord examines all minds and understands every motive of one’s thoughts.” And Isaiah 65:24a tells us, “Before they call, I [God] will answer.” Now that is fast!

So, if you want to know when Alexander the Great was born, and why some people thought of him as a god, check AI – the internet.

But when you need wisdom and guidance for living, call on the real God we read about in the Bible, and He will answer. God is omniscient – all knowing – and He cares for us.

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Life is Changing for a Lot of People

What’s happening? Approximately 3.7 million young adults are graduating from high school, around 4 million are graduating from college, and about 1.65 million will continue to pursue their masters degree. Oh yes, and about 30% of the American work force will change vocations.

Life is definitely changing”

Another thought to consider: about 80% of our population would like to write a book, but only about 3% actually do it. Why only 3%?

It takes time, and many folks feel intimated at what they think is a complex process. But I have good news for you.

Yes, it takes time, but we at P&L Publishing & Literary Services can coach and mentor you in the process. What about the complexity? We at P&L handle that easily and you won’t have to worry about it.

So if you are part of that 80% who would like to write a book, let P&L help you become part of the 3% who are successful. Our award-winning staff who will turn your manuscript into a beautiful book that you’ll be proud of.

Contact us at https://plpubandlit.org/ and click on Formatting Services to start the process, and be sure to …

Write Creatively. (Our editor will help you.)

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Working Together

I was sitting in my office in Lemon Grove, California, looking out the window. I was waiting for the next person I was going to interview, and watching for the next trolley to rush past. I had about 10 minutes and was also wondering what my next article would be about.

About that time, the trolley came barreling past. If they don’t stop for passengers, they are going 45-50 miles per hour here. During the weekend, only 2 cars run in tandem, but during the week, 3 cars run together. I walked outside to take this photo.

I began wondering about which one is either pulling or pushing, but then I observed the power system. Each car was receiving its own power from the electric cables above the cars. I suddenly realized that each car – the 3 of them connected together – was pulling its own load. And I had to write about it!

I tell you, inspiration happens in the most unusual ways and at the most interesting times. Always try to be alert as you go about your day, and capture those fleeting thoughts, those inspirations that rush by like the trolley cars. Even though connected together, each car was pulling its own load.

In like manner, each writer must make his or her own progress, but we at P&L Publishing & Literary Services can connect with you and assist you in your pursuit of publishing your book. We can take the complexity out of the process and make your pursuit of excellence easier.

Feel free to connect with us at https://plpubandlit.org/ and click on Formatting Services for more information.

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One Nation Under God

For some time now, our government has felt obligated to divorce Christ and Almighty God from the public domain. For those of you who either haven’t studied history or don’t believe the historical record, I pray that the following reflections on history will help you to understand the path we have trod that made us a great nation – Under God.

“A patriot without religion in my estimation is as great a paradox as an honest man without the fear of God.” So stated Abigail Adams, wife of John Adams.

On July 2, 1776, the Second Continental Congress adopted Richard Henry Lee’s resolution to be independent from Great Britain. It was a unanimous vote with only New York abstaining. The next day, July 3, John Adams wrote a letter to Abigail in which he wrote:

“The day is past. The second day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha [sic], in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding generations, as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty.”

It took two days for news to spread throughout the colonies, so July 4 became the Great Day. But the point is the same: true freedom is a gift from God, and God is to be praised for it.

Decades earlier, William Penn – after whom Pennsylvania was named – said, “Men must choose to be governed by God, or condemn themselves to be ruled by tyrants.”

On this topic, the esteemed Benjamin Franklin said, “Freedom is not a gift bestowed upon us by other men, but a right that belongs to us by the laws of God and nature. I never doubted the existence of the Deity, that He made the world, and governed it by His Providence.”

And Thomas Jefferson, the chief writer of our Declaration of Independence, said, “The God who gave us life gave us liberty. And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are the gift of God? That they are not to be violated but with His wrath? Indeed, I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that His justice cannot sleep forever.”

Do you remember the firebrand Patrick Henry? He said, “It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded not by religionists but by Christians, not on religion but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”

And I cannot ignore the colonists’ premier general and president, George Washington. He said, “It is impossible to account for the creation of the universe, without the agency of a Supreme Being. It is impossible to govern the universe without the aid of a Supreme Being. It is impossible to reason without arriving at a Supreme Being.”

Then, in both the political and summer heat of 1787, when the fledgling nation was floundering as Congress of the newest nation on earth tried to stabilize the country, Old Ben Franklin once again stepped to the forefront on June 28. He said, in part:

“I have lived, sir, a long time; and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth, that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid? We have been assured, sir, in the sacred writings, that ‘except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it.’ I firmly believe this….I therefore beg leave to move that henceforth Prayers, imploring the Assistance of Heaven, and Its Blessing on our deliberations, be held in this Assembly every morning before we proceed to business; and that one or more of the clergy of this City be requested to officiate in that service.”

So, on what are our civil liberties based? Noah Webster (1758-1843) said, “The religion which has introduced civil liberty is the religion of Christ and His apostles….This is genuine Christianity and to this we owe our free constitutions of government.” Therefore, it is clear to me that our national perils, natural and political, are because our nation, our government, has divorced God. Our rescue is dependent upon returning to the faith of our fathers – both spiritual and political.

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Valentine’s Day Special

P&L Publishing and Literary Services is offering a $100 discount as a Valentine’s Day special.

If you are writing a book – or are ready to publish one – contact us on our “Get In Touch” or contact page and tell us you read this blog. You’ll be surprised at how little it costs and how quickly we can publish your book. Contact us on or before Leap Day (February 29, 2024) to receive this offer. Look us up on our web site at https://plpubandlit.org/.

And just as this critter is communicating with its friend, share this blog with your friends.

Write Creatively

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Valentine’s Day

As a child in elementary school, Valentine’s Day wasn’t a big event for me. In third grade I liked a girl named Nancy. However, I didn’t like her very long because when I told her I liked her, she kicked me. End of liking Nancy.

The down-side of Valentine’s Day in elementary school was that the teachers wanted us to give Valentine Cards or notes to everyone in the class, and that was a bummer: I didn’t even know most the kids in class.

In fifth grade, I liked Mrs. Wells. She was the only person in school to whom I wanted to give a card. When mom took me to the 5ȼ – 10ȼ store (we called it the dime store), I bought the usual bag of cheepies for the class, but found a good one for Mrs. Wells. I waited until no one was looking, and quickly put the card on her desk. None of the other kids knew what I had done until Mrs. Wells called me up and gave me a hug.

Have you ever been embarrassed to tears and elated up into the clouds at the same time? That was me.

Fast forward eight years.

In college, I met a girl named Carol Ann Winton. Okay, you probably figured it out. Yes, she has been Carol Ann Linzey for over 57 years now. Back in 1964-1966 when I saw her across campus walking to class, I broke into a run to walk with her. Just being with her pumped joy into my life! It still does!

In 1965, Valentine’s Day was on Sunday, I was eighteen years old, and Carol and I were attending SCC (Southern California College: now Vanguard University of Southern California). I remember thinking: “If Carol accepts my invitation to the Valentine Banquet, I’ll know that she is the girl I will marry.” So, nervously, I asked her.

Guess what? She didn’t kick me and I was elated. Yes friends, she accepted. I was thrilled to tears but not embarrassed; and for the first time since I was in fifth grade, Valentines Day was a special event.

Our wedding was on August 22, 1966—my 20th birthday anniversary.

I would be lying if I said we never had a problem. We are human beings with minds of our own, wills of our own, and our own stubbornness. But through the years the stubbornness in both of us has worn down because we wanted to love each other.

Did you read that last sentence? We WANTED to love each other.

The meaning is this: we were young and loved each other with an immature love. But because we made a dynamic commitment to each other, and expressed that commitment to the church, to our friends, and to God, we worked through the problems.

And listen: because we wanted to love each other, we learned what it meant, what it took, and how to do it. Learning to truly love isn’t easy, and it is not a 50-50 emotional split. It requires that we put our pride aside, release our stubbornness, and go out of our way to help our mate, even if we don’t want to. And it works both ways. Therefore, our early love matured into true love – the love that surpasses emotion.

In 1969 while working at Boeing Aircraft Company in Everett, Washington, one of my workmates had just become divorced – for the 3rd time. As we were discussing marriage, he said, “I’m sorry for you: you’re trapped and can’t have any fun.”

“You’ve got it wrong.” I responded. “I can go out with anyone I want, go wherever I want, and go whenever I want.”

“You’re full of it! How do you get away with that while being married?”

“My wife is the person I always want to go out with. We go everywhere together, and we always have fun.” That embarrassed him, or angered him, and he walked away.

We’re working on our 58th year now, and I’ve never been sorry that I married her. That is a true statement. And in our upper 70s now, we still have fun being with each other and travelling together.

Please understand: we haven’t always been happy with each other, but we never forget that we love each other. We stay together, work through the issues, and the happiness always returns. Happiness and emotions are fluid, but our love is solid. That way there is never a breach in our marriage.

One more important factor in our marriage must be mentioned. Both of our lives are anchored in a relationship with the Lord, Jesus Christ, and the love of God is the lubricant that keep our marriage gears running smoothly. We both put our highest priority in living for Jesus, and our second priority is living for each other. Both those priorities reinforce our love for each other.

Happy Valentine’s Day.

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Be a Blessing to Society

Karl Marx once said, “People without a heritage are easily persuaded.” That is true, but why?

Do you remember watching Fiddler on the Roof or reading the book? When Tevye was asked why he does things in a certain way, he responded, “Tradition.” Tradition and heritage are anchors that help people know who they are. They give people stability and a sense of worth.

Thinking back on Karl Marx’s statement, one of the reasons our culture has been changing so rapidly is that our heritage, our values are being stripped away, and people are losing their national and spiritual identity. One of the ways to keep our identity is to read about our history. Another way is to write about our own personal history – including our family history and family values.

So, I encourage you to read and write. Read books that build character and emotional strength. And when you write, write creatively. At the start of this new year, determine to be a blessing to society.

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Happy New Year, Friends

On December 31, 2020, Carol and I spent a quiet New Year’s celebration together. It was relaxing because from 2008 through 2022, we had been home on December 31 only five times and on the road ten times. Hey, I just realized that we’ll stay home this year, too. YAY1

Several friends asked, “Can’t sit still, can ya?” My response is normally, “You find no moss under my wheels.” For example, in 2021 we drove over 29,000 miles and almost 21,000 in 2022.

It’s well-known by our families, friends, and those who read my articles, that we enjoy living in Siloam Springs, Arkansas. All cities, towns, and villages have their problems, but we’ve found this town to be one of the most pleasant places we’ve ever lived. With that in mind, why do we “hit the road” so often?

One quick answer is: our five kids live in five different states, and our siblings are spread out from the West Coast to the Mississippi Valley. We enjoy visiting them. We also have the privilege of preaching and teaching in our travels.

A second answer is: we enjoy seeing God’s creation first-hand. Seeing nature in books and on video is great. But nothing beats driving through the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range, seeing the Space Needle in Seattle, WA, the amazing Oregon Coast, Puget Sound in the great northwest, Niagara Falls, the red granite beaches of Maine, the snow-white beaches of Siesta Beach in Florida, seeing Yellowstone and Yosemite National Parks, and HUNDREDS of other places.

We also enjoy seeing the marvels of man’s creation, such as Mount Rushmore in South Dakota, the 605-foot tall Space Needle in Seattle, and the 630-foot tall Arch in St. Louis.

Historic sites such as the Yorktown, Virginia battlefield, the Gettysburg Battlefield, and Pearl Harbor cause me to stop and contemplate how different life might have been if the political and military tide had turned the other way.

The third answer is: we’re getting older, and some day our travel days will be over. So let’s travel while we can.

As we travel, we take thousands of pictures to document where we’ve been and what we saw. We’re grateful for digital photography because that’s a lot less expensive than the film we bought in the past. We often get our pictures out (on computer or other devices) and through our memory, we take those trips again.

The ability to remember amazes me. When I get to heaven, I want to ask God how He created memory. But I think He’ll simply say: That’s My secret.

As I mentally gaze on our blessings this past year, I read that approximately 3,273,707 people died in 2022 in the United States (around 69,163,777 worldwide), others have gotten sick, many have lost homes and businesses due to pandemics, government mistakes, the natural flow of economics, ongoing wars, and natural disasters. But sickness, wars, governmental problems, business failures, and all the other problems and catastrophes have been going on since shortly after Adam and Eve left the Garden of Eden. As we read in Ecclesiastes 1:9, “The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.”

The emphasis is: there’s nothing new under the sun. We have modern means of traveling, conducting war, studying, and getting work done, but the essence of life hasn’t changed throughout man’s history. Sickness, death, and all other problems related to life on earth will continue until Jesus stops it. And He will return one day.

But if He doesn’t return soon enough, I will die too. I don’t know by what means, but I will die, and the thought doesn’t bother me at all because death is part of life, and I know where I’ll go – to heaven to be with Jesus.

In the same concept as midnight on December 31 starts a new year, or a baby being born starts a new life, when my traveling days are over and I breathe my last on earth, I will start a new year, a brand-new life in heaven. It’s part of the Christian’s cycle of life.

However, as badly as I feel for those who have been hurt by various events on earth, I feel worse for those who die while not believing in Jesus Christ. We can start over after a catastrophe on earth, but when we die without faith in Jesus, there is no recovery. Think about it.

And I do wish you a Happy New Year.

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Peace in the Midst of a Storm

It was December 24, 1914. The battle lines had been drawn up between the English and German forces. As with the Union and Confederate forces in the American Civil War, the English and Germans thought the fight would be over in a few months. But five months after it started, the “hell” of war began to weigh heavily on them.

It had been raining during the day, and freezing at night. The dead between the opposing trenches could not be retrieved, so they froze each night. On December 7, Pope Benedict XV had suggested a cessation of hostilities in honor of Christmas, but neither England nor the German high command would agree. They thought the soldiers wouldn’t see the man across the line as an enemy if they dwelled for a day on Christ and Christmas.

But some men in the frozen, muddy trenches had other ideas. Christians were on both sides of the field, and Christmas Eve on this particular portion of the battle-line was peculiarly quiet.

German soldiers, who had spent time in England prior to the war, began singing Christmas Carols, some in English. Most of the Germans sang in their own language. Their English enemy, 100 yards across no-man’s-land, cautiously looked above the soggy sandbags to see what was going on. Seeing no weapons ready to fire, and no bullets whizzing over their heads, some English soldiers began singing. There, in the middle of the storm of The War to End All Wars, the peace of God was manifesting itself in the hearts of declared enemies.

Then December 25, 1914 – Christmas Day – dawned.

Against the orders of his commander, a German soldier climbed out of the trench, raised his hands in a gesture of peace, and nervously, slowly, walked onto the field of death. Orders of “Don’t shoot!” were issued from the English side. An English soldier, thinking this might be a trick, nevertheless, climbed out of his trench.

Then, he slowly laid his rifle down and raised his hands in peace. As the two men cautiously walked toward each other, men on both sides began emerging from the safety of the trenches and joined them. Those who knew the other’s language conversed, shared stories of home and family. Several reports I read said they played soccer that day, using cans or soggy sandbags for the ball.

The men in the German/Prussian uniforms did not hate those in the English uniforms, and the opposite was true. The unofficial cease-fire on December 25, 1914 verified that fact. They were pitted against each other because of the ideologies of their national governments.

There was another event in the history of the world that took place about 1,880 years earlier that set the stage for the English/German non-official cease-fire. It, also, manifested peace in the midst of a storm.

Not only was the iron hand of Rome harshly ruling the known world, the cruel and insecure Herod was ruling Israel. As the emperor mandated the death of those who would not bow to him or his gods, Herod ordered the death of anyone – including wife and son – who threatened his rule. In the midst of that deathly turmoil, the angel warned Joseph and Mary of the danger. They were granted a place of safety and serenity in a stable for the birth of the One who came to offer salvation and peace to the world – Jesus. Scripture says He would be called Emmanuel, which means, God with us.

He is still with us. The peace He offers was not only for the Jews back in the days of Imperial Rome. It wasn’t only for those who stopped fighting for a day in 1914. Jesus offers peace to us today – in the midst of the storm of covid-19, the turmoil of the presidential election, and social upheaval.

If Democrats, Republicans, Independents, Communists, Socialists, Green Party members, and the rest could stop fighting, study the Bible and allow the truth of Christmas – and the true Christ – to enter their hearts and minds, they could learn God’s purpose for their lives. Jesus also died for the Buddhists, Shintoists, Muslims, atheists, and everyone else who would accept Jesus into their tumultuous lives.

He came as a baby so He could grow up experiencing the pressure and pain we encounter. But His babyhood lasted only a year or so. He became a man Who suffered every kind of pain, trial, and temptation that we suffer. But He never sinned. And He died!

But three days later He came out of that tomb, and we have eyewitnesses to the fact: the guards on duty who were there to make sure no one stole the corpse. And because of His resurrection, He offers us His peace and joy in the midst of our storms. And He offers us eternal life with Him in heaven if we accept Him into our lives. He’s listening right now, so you can talk with Him. He loves you and will help you.

Have a Blessed Christmas.

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Part 2: Who were the Wise Men?

Who were the wise men, and why did they search for the new king? Matthew 2 says in part, “wise men came from the east to Jerusalem saying we have seen his star in the east… When they entered the house, they saw the young child with his mother.…”

The east is a big area, so we need to know what Eastern societies employed those who might be watching or studying the stars. China, India, and Persia are possible candidates.

China is the first that comes to mind, for they have written many things about the stars and the heavens throughout their history. But China’s Daoism (Taoism) was basically passive and stressed ethical action, and Confucianism stressed conformity as related to society, government, and family. Neither group was interested in religion or other governments at the time.

India is also an unlikely candidate because Buddhism (with its focus on the negative aspects of materialism) and Hinduism (with perhaps over 300 million gods, although possibly based on one central deity) were not interested in either the religions or the governments of other civilizations.

That leaves us with Persia. The main religion in Persia at the time was Zoroastrianism, and their priests were of a class called Magi (from whence we get magician). They were basically monotheistic. They acknowledged an evil one who was in opposition to the true Wise Lord, they believed the world would end when light finally conquered darkness, and they believed the Wise Lord was a loving God who desired communication with humans. These wise men, or scholars, studied the stars, and the languages, writings, cultures, botany, etc., of other civilizations.

They were the scientists of the day and carried status of nobility. In fact, the words “wise men” in Scripture refer to Babylonian officials who were of the Magian class. Remember also when the Jews (including Daniel who was Nebuchadnezzar’s personal counsel for years) were in captivity in Babylon in the sixth century BC, the Zoroastrians learned about the prophesies in the Hebrew Scriptures. Until about 220 AD, Zoroastrianism was sympathetic to any religion, including Judaism and Christianity, that taught kindness, justice, righteous thinking, truth, monotheism, etc.

The magi had various fields of expertise, including astronomy and astrology. Whenever a sign or star indicated a royal birth (Psalm 19:1), or when they learned of a royal birth through the communication system of the day, a delegation of three to seven was sent to acknowledge that royal event with expensive gifts fit for a king. Traveling with a caravan, they timed their arrival for when the child was about a year old (Matthew 2:11) because of the high infant mortality rate, and the visit was intended as an honor to God as well as an honor to the reigning king and the new prince.

Therefore, I believe that the Magi were monotheistic Zoroastrians from Persia, and they spread the good news of the new King throughout Persia when they returned home.

There is a small group of Zoroastrians today in India, but they believe somewhat differently than the Magi who took gifts to honor the Messiah, Jesus Christ.

Read part 3 tomorrow.