Tag Archives: Richard and Tina Kleiss

When I Consider! – Fossils

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When I Consider!

When I Consider!

“Evidence From The Fossil Record”

For over 200 years paleontologists and geologists have been digging in the hills, valleys, and plains of the earth. During this time they have uncovered and cataloged over a billion fossils. Thousands of fascinating plant and animal fossils from extinct organisms have been found. Fossils, like living organisms, are found fully formed and distinctly different in structure. Evolutionists claim to have found animal bones having features intermediate between similar creatures, proving that evolution has occurred (e.g., small horses to big horses). Yet there are no examples in the fossil record of one animal slowly changing into a different kind of animal. Diagrams have been made which show variations within the same type of animal in an effort to organize them into a supposed evolutionary order. Textbooks promote this type of evidence because no transitional evidence showing one animal slowly changing into another has been found.

It is astounding that over a billion fossils have been found, yet there is no undisputed transitional form between very different types of animals or even animal features (such as reptile’s scale turning into a bird’s feather). How can we say that evolution-the idea that man is the result of slow changes over time from earlier creatures-is a reasonable theory in light of evidence?

All flesh is not the same flesh; but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds. (I Corinthians 15:39 KJV)

Letting God Create Your Day, Vol 3, p 213

A Closer Look At The Evidence, by Richard and Tina Kleiss, January 20

Typed by Phyllis

See: Texas Fishapod fry!

When I Consider! – Uniformitarianism

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When I Consider!

When I Consider!

“Evidence From Biblical Accuracy”

The belief in uniformitarianism (that the past history of our planet can be explained by slow processes over long periods of time) is not a new scientific revelation. Belief in evolution is built upon this foundation of uniformitarianism by denying that there have been major interventions by God in the past. God knew and forewarned mankind of this errant viewpoint thousands of years ago in 2 Peter 3.

1. Evolution denies the instantaneous creation of very different forms of life.
2. Evolution ignores that there was ever a curse on man and nature as a result of mankind’s rebellion.
3. Evolution suppresses the evidence for the worldwide Flood in spite of enormous geological evidence supporting the reality of this event. This global Flood explains the fossil record without the need for evolutionary concepts or time scales and must be denied in order to accept evolution.
4. Evolution undermines Christianity by assuming that death has always been around is the natural order of things. If this is true, then Christ did not die as a final payment for Adam’s (and our) sin because death is normal and not a specific penalty for our rebellion.

Once evolution is accepted as a fact, is it any surprise that Christianity rapidly becomes irrelevant? Is it any surprise that Europe became almost devoid of true Christian faith in the same time frame in which it totally embraced evolutionary theory as fact?

First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scuffing and following their own evil desires. They will say “Where is the ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” (2 Peter 3:3-4 KJV)

A Closer Look At The Evidence, by Richard and Tina Kleiss, January 12

Typed by Phyllis

When I Consider! – Mabbul (Flood)

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Rainbow by Mike Bader

Rainbow by Mike Bader

Evidence From the Worldwide Flood

Mabbul

When I Consider!

When I Consider!

Many people claim that Noah’s Flood was just a relatively small local event. Yet God clearly stated in Genesis 6:17 that the coming judgment would be a mighty flood of waters (mabbul mayim). The word for flood (mabbul), used in Genesis 6:17 for the first time, is only used for Noah’s Flood; other floods are denoted by different words in the Bible. The Genesis Flood was the “mabbul,” unique in all history. God not only used a unique and exact word for the worldwide Flood, but also made it clear that the waters covered the highest mountains.

God promised to never send another flood upon the earth. Yet there have been countless local floods throughout history. Either the Genesis Flood was something different, unique, and worldwide–or God is a liar.

Enormous and widespread geologic features around the planet also testify to the global extent of the Flood. From the rapid formation of the Grand Canyon as backed-up waters rushed off the continents…to widespread coal deposits…to over-sized river valleys around the world-it is apparent that this planet was once covered with water.

(The Genesis Record, p 183) – From A Closer Look at the Evidence by Kleiss, November 8.

And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man’s sake; for the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done. (Genesis 8:21 KJV)

When I Consider! – Amazing Stick Insects

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Stick Insect - Ctenomorpha chronus (by Wiki)

Stick Insect - Ctenomorpha chronus (by Wiki)

When I Consider!

When I Consider!

Evidence From Biology

“One of nature’s masters of disguise is the stick insect. Stick insects are leaf eaters designed to look like little twigs. One tropical stick insect is as thick as a finger and the same color as the bamboo on which it is found. It even has swollen ridges just like bamboo! Other types have leafy flaps that match the leaves of the plants which they like to eat. Some stick insects even lay eggs that look exactly like the seeds of the plant on which they feed. A stick insect that’s found in New Mexico glues its eggs to grass stems. The position and shape of their pointed eggs exactly imitate the seeds of the grass!

New Zealand Stick Insect - (Landcare Research Manaaki Whenua)

New Zealand Stick Insect - (Landcare Research Manaaki Whenua)

Although stick insects don’t fly, some of them have brightly colored wings that can fold quickly to scare away nervous birds who want to investigate them for lunch. Some stick insects will often sway with the breeze to make their illusion even more effective. Others will sit motionless for hours as if they are just another piece of dead wood.

Stick insects are even geniuses at using their predator’s weakness for their own protection. Birds understand this and will closely examine non-moving twigs in search of a meal. Stick insects will not even move when being carried away by a bird, thus fooling many birds into dropping them. Although these defense mechanisms were likely designed after the Fall, stick insects are clearly not the result of random mutations, but the intelligent design of a Creator.”

(Letting God Create Your Day, Vol 3, p194) – From A Closer Look at the Evidence by Kleiss, February 17.

Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness. (Psalms 29:2 KJV)

When I Consider! – Woodpecker

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Rufous-bellied Woodpecker (Dendrocopos hyperythrus) by Nikhil Devasar

Rufous-bellied Woodpecker (Dendrocopos hyperythrus) by Nikhil Devasar

When I Consider!

When I Consider!

Evidence From Biology

Consider the probability of all of the following characteristics evolving simultaneously into an effectively functioning system in the woodpecker:

1. Its beak is connected to its skull with a resilient shock-absorbing tissue that is not found in any other bird.

2. The beak is much harder than the beaks of other birds, enabling it to bang away a hundred times a minute without hurting itself.

3. The tongue is barbed in most of the 200+ species and is about four times longer than the beak. In certain species the tongue wraps around the back of the bird’s skull, enabling it to reach deep into tree trunks and remove insects.

4. A sticky coating on some woodpecker tongues helps them grab insects.

5. Its tail feathers are constructed so that they are stiff enough to help brace against trees as it climbs.

6. Its keen senses of smell and hearing help detect insects crawling around under the bark of the trees.

7. It short legs and powerful claws are uniquely designed to help it climb tree trunks.

The engineering behind such a technological wonder as the woodpecker boggles our minds. Try to imagine the obstacles the first bird, which was trying to turn into a woodpecker, would have had to overcome!

The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season. Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing. The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works. (Psalms 145:15-17 KJV)

From A Closer Look at the Evidence by Kleiss, November 6.

“The woodpeckers, piculets and wrynecks are a family, Picidae, of near-passerine birds. Members of this family are found worldwide, except for Australia and New Zealand, Madagascar, and the extreme polar regions. Most species live in forests or woodland habitats, although a few species are known to live in treeless areas such as rocky hillsides and deserts.

The Picidae are just one of the eight living families in the order Piciformes. Members of the order Piciformes, such as the jacamars, puffbirds, barbets, (also Asian and African barbets), toucans and honeyguides, have traditionally been thought to be very closely related to the woodpeckers, piculets and wrynecks. More recently, DNA sequence analyzes have confirmed this view.[1]”

“Members of the family Picidae have strong bills for drilling and drumming on trees and long sticky tongues for extracting food.[2] Woodpecker bills are typically longer, sharper and stronger than the bills of piculets and wrynecks; however their morphology is very similar. The bill’s chisel-like tip is kept sharp by the pecking action in birds that regularly use it on wood. Species of woodpecker and flicker that use their bills in soil or for probing as opposed to regular hammering tend to have longer and more decurved bills. Due to their smaller bill size, many piculets and wrynecks will forage in decaying wood more often than woodpeckers. The long sticky tongues, which possess bristles, aid these birds in grabbing and extracting insects deep within a hole of a tree. It had been reported that the tongue was used to spear grubs, but more detailed studies published in 2004 have shown that the tongue instead wraps around the prey before being pulled out.[3]

Acorn Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus) by Reinier Munguia

Acorn Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus) by Reinier Munguia

“The diet of woodpeckers consists mainly of insects and their grubs taken from living and dead trees, and other arthropods, along with fruit from live trees, nuts and sap both from live trees. Their role ecologically is thereby keeping trees healthy by keeping them from suffering mass infestations.The family is noted for its ability to acquire wood-boring grubs using their bills for hammering, but overall the family is characterized by its dietary flexibility, with many species being both highly omnivorous and opportunistic. The insect prey most commonly taken are insects found inside tree trunks, whether they are alive or rotten wood and in crevices in bark on trees. These include beetles and their grubs, ants, termites, spiders,and caterpillars. These may be obtained either by gleaning or more famously by excavating wood. Having hammered a hole into the wood the prey is excavated by a long barbed tongue. The ability to excavate allows woodpeckers to obtain tree sap, an important source of food for some species. Most famously the sapsuckers, (genus Sphyrapicus ) feed in this fashion, but the technique is not restricted to these and others such as the Acorn Woodpecker also feed in this way. It was once thought that the technique was restricted to the New World, but Old World species such as the Arabian Woodpecker and Great Spotted Woodpecker also feed in this way.[2]”Wikipedia”

See Also:
When I Consider! – Woodpecker and Bones

When I Consider! – Salt Concentration

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When I Consider!

When I Consider!

“Evidence From Geology”

Salt concentration in seawater can be used as a chronometer, because the oceans are getting saltier each year as rivers dump dissolved salts from the continents into the sea.  Traditionally, evolutionists have assumed that life evolved in a salty sea, some two to four billion years ago.  It is even taught that the mineral composition of our blood is similar to ancient seawater, because this is where the first living cell developed.  This belief is wrong, because the composition of our blood is not even remotely similar to the concentrations or types of the various salts in the oceans.   Furthermore, by measuring the rate at which salt is flowing from rivers into the ocean, scientists can estimate the maximum possible age of the current oceans.

Salt Fills The Sea Too Fast from AIG

Salt Fills The Sea Too Fast from AIG

Drs. Steven Austin and Russell Humphreys have done just that in a research paper called “The Sea’s Missing Salt:  A Dilemma For Evolutionists.”  In their research they systematically identified all known mechanisms and rates for the addition and removal of salt from the oceans.  This work has shown that there is nowhere near enough salt in the oceans if they are really thousands of millions of years old.  This is true even the oceans started as pure distilled water!  The oceans could not possibly be old enough for evolution to have taken place.

The Young Earth, p.85-87

Creation Magazine, Sept. 2000

In the beginning You  laid the foundations of the earth…   Psalm 102:25

(Typed by Phyllis)

Some more articles on this subject:
Reiterating: ok to use sea sodium as evidence for a young world
When I Hear… by Dr. Frank DeRemer
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When I Consider! – Capillary flow, Osmosis and Vacuum pressure

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When I Consider!

When I Consider!

Evidence From Botany – January 4

On a hot summer day, one large tree can pump over a thousand gallons—that’s four ton—of water from the ground to it leaves. The water is collected from the soil through the roots. But the real work of pumping four tons of water, often 100 feet in the air, occurs at the top of the tree. The water is suctioned toward the treetop by three remarkably efficient mechanisms—capillary flow, osmosis and vacuum pressure. Osmosis and capillary action act in concert to move the water partway to the top of the tree, but the real driving force is a pressure differential created by the leaves within the vessels of the tree. The pressure differential is a result of water evaporating from the leaves of the tree, creating a suction throughout the vessels. This suction (measured as low as 1/20 of atmospheric pressure) helps to draw water from the roots all the way to the top of the tree. If you were to cut one of these vessels, you could actually hear a hissing sound as air rushed back in.

Japanese White-eye (Zosterops japonicus) by Daves BirdingPix

Japanese White-eye (Zosterops japonicus) by Daves BirdingPix up in a tree

The engineering excellence of this silent pumping system which efficiently delivers moisture to the very top of trees, is a not-so-silent witness against the idea that chance evolutionary processes (such as mutations) could have developed it.

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and His understanding no one can fathom. Isaiah 40:28

From A Closer Look at the Evidence, by the Kleiss’

(Typed by Phyllis)

When I Consider! – Snowshoe Rabbit

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When I Consider!

When I Consider!

Evidence From Biology – January 2

Although the original world was created perfect and without death, our fallen world requires creatures to adapt to difficult situations in order to survive. Even in the current world full of death and competition, the smallest of creatures exhibit amazing capabilities for survival in harsh environments. The female snowshoe rabbit is one such creature. During extreme drought or harsh winters, the stress of finding food triggers a chemical process in the pregnant female that stops and embryo’s growth. Her body then responds to this condition of physical weakness with a process called resorption. In this process, the mother completely reabsorbs the growing embryo. This mechanism allows the rabbit to survive by replenishing her own strength. She can later become pregnant during more favorable conditions.

Snowshoe Hare or Rabbit

Snowshoe Hare or Rabbit

The number of chemical and physical changes required for a rabbit to reverse a pregnancy is mind-boggling. There is no scientific evidence which explains how this remarkable resorption process could have evolved. The creativity of God to have provided for the common rabbit in this way is truly amazing!

The LORD is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion. Psalm 116:5

From A Closer Look at the Evidence, by the Kleiss’

(Typed by Phyllis)

When I Consider! – Dinosaur and Bee DNA

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When I Consider!

When I Consider!

Evidence From Microbiology – October 17

Science News, Nov. 18, 1994, reported that dinosaur DNA had been identified within unfossilized dinosaur bones found 2,000 feet below the surface of the earth in a Utah coal mine. The DNA did not match any known creature currently alive on Earth. The find was disputed on the grounds that dinosaur DNA should not have survived the supposed 80 million years. The DNA fragments also had no similarity to bird DNA (from whom the dinosaurs supposedly evolved). Therefore, this evidence has been largely ignored.

Oldest Bee (in Amber)

Oldest Bee (in Amber)

Science News, May 20, 1995, reported that scientists have extracted and revived live bacteria from the stomach of a bee which was encased in amber “over 25 million years ago.” Although the work was done with the greatest of efforts to prevent any “modern” bacteria from contaminating the results, many biochemists refute the find because, “DNA spontaneously degenerates to short fragments over a period of several thousand years at moderate temperatures.” Thus, this work has also been ignored because it does not fit the old-earth model.

These are just two examples showing how the assumption of evolution hinders the progress of knowledge. Evidence which does not fit into the “evolutionary mold” is ignored on the basis that it shows evolution—with its requirement of an ancient earth-to be wrong. The evidence fits perfectly into the biblical model of Earth history with a relatively recent worldwide burial of organisms. DNA fragments can still be found, because the earth is relatively young.

World By Design Newsletter,
Vol 2, no 6; Vol 3, no.3

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.  Proverbs 9:10

From A Closer Look at the Evidence, by Richard and Tina Kleiss

Some Interesting Links to Articles:
Dinosaur DNA Research: Is the tale wagging the evidence?
Dinosaur Protein Sequences and the Dino-to-Bird Model
Common DNA Sequences: Evidence of Evolution or Efficient Design?
Evolution Wilts in Light of Flowering Plants
Ancient Amber Discovery Contradicts Geologic Timescale

 

When I Consider! – Skunk Cabbage

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When I Consider!

When I Consider!

Evidence From Botany – August 16

The skunk cabbage is a uniquely designed plant. It generates enough heat to melt the snow around itself so that it can begin to grow and flower. Even if the air temperature drops as low as 10oF, the skunk cabbage produces the heat it needs to maintain a temperature of between 72°F and 74°F. However, if the temperature stays extremely low for more than 24 hours, the hooded blower exhausts its heating ability and the flower dies. The skunk cabbage then prepares more flowers and repeats the process.

Western Skunk Cabbage from Wikipedia

Western Skunk Cabbage from Wikipedia

This amazing plant also has a built-in thermostat. If the flower becomes too cold more heat is summoned. If the flower becomes too warm, the heat is withdrawn. Because of its amazing abilities, the skunk cabbage is one of the first plants to break through the snow in early spring. Normally, honeybees are unable to fly in temperatures below 65°F. However, when the skunk cabbages are in bloom, honeybees can fly when temperatures drop as low as 45°F. Inside the flower’s hood, the bees warm up enough to travel to the next cabbage flower. In cold weather the bees fly from one skunk cabbage to another, warming themselves as they travel back to their hive. Could this intricately designed flower be the result of random-chance mutational changes?

Character Sketches, Vol.III, P.209-212

I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds. Your way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God? (Psalms 77:12-13 ESV)

(Article typed by Phyllis)

Very interesting article from The Nature Institute, Skunk Cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus)
Skunk Cabbage by Fairfax County Public Schools

When I Consider! – Turkey Vulture

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Turkey Vulture Tree at Saddle Creek by Lee

Turkey Vulture Tree at Saddle Creek by Lee

We get to see lots of Turkey Vultures in this area. I have seen trees just loaded with them. They are ugly to look at, but are very useful.

The following is the October 6th’s “Evidence from Biology” article from A Closer Look at the Evidence, by Richard and Tina Kleis:

“The Turkey Vulture has incredible farsighted vision capable of seeing dead or dying objects several miles beyond what the human eye can detect. Yet it is designed with dull, weak, talons and a thin beak, forcing it to eek out an existence eating rotting flesh or decaying vegetables. Since the vulture eats the remains of animals that have died of disease, it has a digestive tract designed to destroy deadly bacteria (including anthrax!). The Turkey Vulture also has the ability to sanitize itself and its surroundings using a special disinfectant found in its own excrement. The same chemicals which kill the deadly bacteria in its stomach continue to kill the germs outside its body!

Turkey Vulture by Ian Montgomery

Turkey Vulture by Ian Montgomery

Because the vulture’s head is usually covered in blood, pieces of rotten flesh, and bacteria, it is especially vulnerable to disease. Therefore, this particular bird was created without feathers from the neck up. As the turkey vulture stands in the sun, the ultraviolet radiation kills any remaining bacteria.

By removing the carcasses of decaying animals, the turkey vulture serves an important purpose of limiting the spread of disease and preventing potential epidemics among both man and beast. One wonders how the turkey vulture could have evolved all of the specialized characteristics. The creation solution is that they were created with the original vulture-type bird. The survival characteristics needed for our fallen world were either given after the Fall or developed from originally created abilities.”

Character Sketches, Vol. III, p. 121-124

The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works. (Psalms 145:17 KJV)

Lee’s Extras:
We have mentioned the Vulture many times on the blog and especially in the places below. After all, they are one of the unclean birds that the Jewish people were not allowed to eat. After reading the above article, you can understand why they were off the “menu.”

There is a path which no fowl knoweth, and which the vulture’s eye hath not seen: (Job 28:7 KJV)

Birds of the Bible – Vulture
Vulture
Vulture Photos
Vulture Videos
Accipitridae – Kites, Hawks & Eagles

More When I Consider! articles

When I Consider! – Loon

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When I Consider!

When I Consider!

“Evidence From Biology”

The loon is designed quite differently than almost all other birds. While the bodies of most birds are designed as light and aerodynamic as possible, the loon’s body is heavier, allowing it to sink until only its head is above water. It controls its ability to float by inflating or deflating tiny air sacs under its skin. When flying at high altitude, where the air is thin, the loon can conserve oxygen by limiting the flow of blood to its massive leg muscles.

Red-throated Loon (Gavia stellata) by Daves BirdingPix

Red-throated Loon (Gavia stellata) by Daves BirdingPix

The loon also has a perfectly developed reflex which limits the flow of blood to its wings and digestive tract during underwater dives. This allows the loon to hold its breath for long periods of time. Although an average dive lasts about 40 seconds, three-minute dives that cover 300-400 yards are quite common. Astounding dives have been documented where loons have held their breath for as long as 15 minutes while swimming underwater for over 2 miles.

Both common sense and the laws of probability tell us that these many unique abilities could not have evolved by chance processes such as random mutations. The loon could not have developed its unique diving ability in some step-at-a-time manner. It would have starved to death long before it caught its first fish. The system had to work perfectly from the beginning.”

Great Northern Loon (Gavia immer) by J Fenton

Great Northern Loon (Gavia immer) by J Fenton

Character Sketches, Vol III. p.49

For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone. (Psalms 86:10 KJV)

From September 18, A Closer Look at the Evidence, by Richard and Tina Kleiss
More – “When I Consider!”

Lee’s Additions:

“any of five species of diving birds constituting the genus Gavia, family Gaviidae. Loons were formerly included, along with the grebes, to which they bear a superficial resemblance, in the order Colymbiformes, but they are considered to constitute their own separate order. Loons range in length from 60 to 90 cm (2 to 3 feet). Characteristics include a strong tapered bill, small pointed wings, webs between the front three toes, and legs placed far back on the body, which makes walking awkward. Loons have thick plumage that is mainly black or gray above and white below. During the breeding season the dorsal plumage is patterned with white markings, except in the red-throated loon (Gavia stellata), which during the summer is distinguished by a reddish brown throat patch. In winter the red-throated loon develops white speckling on the back, while the other species lose these markings.” (Britannica Online)
“Loons are excellent swimmers, using their feet to propel themselves above and under water and their wings for assistance. Because their feet are far back on the body, loons are poorly adapted to moving on land. They usually avoid going onto land, except when nesting.

Pacific Loon (Gavia pacifica) by Ian

Pacific Loon (Gavia pacifica) by Ian

All loons are decent fliers, though the larger species have some difficulty taking off and thus must swim into the wind to pick up enough velocity to become airborne. Only the Red-throated Diver (G. stellata) can take off from land. Once airborne, their considerable stamina allows them to migrate long distances southwards in winter, where they reside in coastal waters. Loons can live as long as 30 years.”

“The loons are the size of a large duck or small goose, which they somewhat resemble in shape when swimming. Like in these but unlike in coots (which are Rallidae) and grebes (Colymbiformes), their toes are connected by webbing. They may be confused even more readily with cormorants (Phalacrocoracidae), which are not too distant relatives of divers and like them are heaviset birds whose bellies – unlike those of ducks and geese – are submerged when swimming. Flying loons resemble a plump goose with a seagull’s wings, which seem quite small in proportion to the bulky body. They hold their head slightly pointing upwards during swimming, less so than cormorants do, and in flight they let the head decidedly droop down compared to all other aquatic birds of comparable habitus.

Males and females do not differ in plumage. Males are a bit larger on average, but usually this is only conspicuous when directly comparing the two parents. Their plumage is largely patterned black-and-white in summer, with grey on the head and neck in some species, and a white belly in all of them. This resembles many sea-ducks (Merginae) a lot – notably the smaller goldeneyes (Bucephala) – but is distinct from most cormorants which rarely have white feathers, and if so usually as large rounded patches rather than delicate patterns. All species of divers have a spear-shaped bill.”(Wikipedia)

See Also:
Peterson’s Field Guide Video Series on the Common Loon (Now the Great Northern Loon)
Gaviidae – Loons
Loon from Wikipedia
An interesting article in The Wilson Bulletin dated September 1947 – “The Deep Diving of the Loon and Old-Squaw and its Mechanism“