EvC Forum: A question for believers

I even added LINKS so you can read up on them, in case you were too "busy" to actually search out the scriptures yourself. Honestly though, your life must be perfect if your only real worries are concerning the amount of boost to add to your Subaru. When real problems come and you have no answers...pray to God and take a stroll through the Bible.

1) The space shuttle Columbia had suspected heat tile damage after a chunk of ice broke off and struck the wing leading edge on lift-off. Given the technology and resouces available to the NASA and the shuttle crew, use the Bible to provide a practical solution for this situation.

A bit out of context, but they really should've prayed before the actual flight as scripture would teach, "And pray that your flight may not be in 'winter' or on the Sabbath" (Mat 24:20). Then they wouldn't have to worry about that chunk of Ice! Also, they should really pray to God for their salvation & a miracle. If anyone can work a miracle, its God.

2) My neice developed epilepsy (or she is possessed by demons: it's kinda hard to tell) after an injury to her head. Use the Bible to explain to her why she developed this injury and what medical options are available to her to help alleviate or cure her condition.

In John 9, we find the disciples asking a similar question "...who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" In much the same way, both people were struck with an affliction, one was blind the other an epileptic. There is always a chance that these people will be healed in order to Glorify God (Luke 17:11-17;Luke 18:43; Acts 3:7-8). In ancient times, there were also people that could find no cure for their conditions. The Bible records one such lady who was afflicated for 12 yrs and only becamed healed by her faith in Jesus (Mark 5:25-29,34). So, if doctors, surgeons are specialists can't seem to find a cure for this persons epilepsy, try going to a "Bible" believing and Bible preaching church, ask the Pastor to pray over that person (James 5:14-16).

3) I do a lot of open water swimming, as a part of my triathlon training. For the first time ever, I was chased out of the water by a shark while swimming 100m offshore on the Gold Coast. I still wish to do long open water swims: so what can I do to eliminate the chance of shark attack while swimming alone, well of shore?

First off, as an unbeliever you have bigger problems. The Bible puts it plainly, "Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell" (Matt 10:28). So rather than worrying about the Shark which may gobble you up, you should fear God Almighty who has the ability to destroy both your soul & body in Hell. Now, to eliminate the chance of a shark attack, I go to Proverbs for sound wisdom concerning the matter. Proverbs 27:12 reads, "A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself; The simple pass on and are punished." Prudent in the dictionary says "to excercise good judgement or common sense." Try learning the area and ideal times for swimming, learn as much as you can to better minimize the chance of a Shark Attack. If you don't, then as Proverbs reads, "the simple pass on and are punished." So definately have a game plan!

4) My neighbours daughters are avid fans of the Charmed television series, and I suspect would-be witches. While it is probably only a harmless phase of adolescent make-believe, can the Bible suggest a way that their parents can help these kids develop critical thinking techniques as adults that will make them resilient to the scams, and flim flam of modern day new-agism and religions?
Why should they be allowed to live?

Again, their primary concern should be...do they know the Lord!? Now lets go to scripture to see what the Bible says about Witches. Exodus 22:18 reads, "Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live." The Bible doesn't distinguish between a "Good" witch or a "Bad" witch. So even the Good Witch of Wizard of Oz would be sharing hellfire w/the Bad witch. Again, scripture says, "Abstain from all 'appearance' of evil" (1Thess 5:22). Yes, that is why Christians don't let their kids play Harry Potter etc., As Christians we are to "Abhor what is evil & Cling to what is good" (Rom 12:9). So should you stone your kids? No, consult w/their parents and they are to raise their children in a Godly environment...once they find the true joy of knowing Jesus...Harry Potter and Charmed T.V. shows will pale in comparison.

5) My girlfriend is bi-sexual and I have no issue with her having girlfriends of her own. This has many benefits for our relationsip: it allows her to fulfill another apsect of her sexuality, assists me coping with her high maintenance nature as she gets additional support outside our relationship, teaches her what it is like the date women from a "male perspective", we both get to perve on women (and I don't get in trouble), and, I get the, ahem, occasional tid-bit. She left her girlfriends behind when she moved from Brisbane to Sydney to be with me. Syndey is a much more conservative town. What is the best way for us to go about finding her another girlfriend in this new city?

Simple enough, the Bible tell us the elements by which they operate and how to avoid them...you need only do the opposite of its warnings & precepts. Even in ancient times the harlots hung out at corners during the black and dark nights, they would lurk around corners looking for their customers or prey. They would even be so bold as to come meet you face to face (Prov 7:7-15). Again, not much has changed...be careful what you asked for, you just might get it!

6) A acquaintance of mine is involved in a cult. This cult has been documented to be very damaging to the financial, pyschological and in some cases physical health of it's adherents. Many of the tenets the cult espouses are demonstrably false as they conflict with modern scientific knowledge, our understanding of history and fail controlled tests. How can the Bible help me show my acquaintance that what he believes in is false and damaging?

You can win the argument, but still lose their soul my friend. Even if you proved w/o a shadow of a doubt that the Bible & God were true through Prophecy, Revelation, Miracles, Secular History, Archeology etc., their Free-Will still causes them to follow blindly. Them's just the breaks man, I'm sure you know what I mean! Have them read about "The Prodigal Son" (Luke 15:11-31). Most you can do is let them know that when they have no where else to go, and everybody else has rejected & forsaken them...God hasn't and never will. His door will always be open. "For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you" (Heb 13:5).

7) What is the safest amount of boost that I can regularly use for my internally stock 2001 Subaru STI 2 litre, if I want to get at least 100,000kms out of the engine before re-building? The car is regularly driven hard.

Again, as an unbeliever...you should really focus on what really matters. "...seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you" (Matt 6:33). If you were a believer I would say, pray to God, ask for wisdom, knowledge & understanding (Prov 2:1-6). Being the unbeliever that you are, I somehow figured you wouldn't, so I have taken the liberty to pray for you concerning this question as the Bible would have me do. This is what I've come up with...

The safest amount of boost you can regulary use is:
1 Bar or 14.7psi if you live in the states.
1.1 Bar in 3rd, 4th & 5th Gear.
If your gauge reads in Mpa, then use this as references: .07 = 10.15 & .10 = 14.50
Keep in mind that the standard atmospheric pressure also plays a role in your PSI.
Example: If you were at 5000ft, the PSI would be 12.23 as opposed to 14.70 psi for being at Sea level. Click >HERE< for more info on that.

*Special Considerations:
-Try running a colder spark plug to keep your detonation down & the engine from melting down as well.
-Avoid Octane Boosters, they may contain lead or "lead-like" substances which cause damage to the catalytic convertor and oxygen sensor. It will usually retard engine timing along with reducing the maximum boost available from the turbo.
-Improving the gas will make your engine smoother and the economy will increase marginally. Not sure if the price of premium fuel justifies the marginal increase in performance though!
-When starting the engine from cold, avoid hard accelerations (high revs) until you have "fully" warmed up the engine. Most engine wear happens within the first few minutes of starting the engine when the oil is cold and hasn't had time to fully circulate.
-After doing your "Hard Driving," you really should let your engine idle for at least 1 min. This gives lets your circulating oil dissipate the majority of the excess heat built up in the turbo. If you don't, it causes increased thermal stress on the turbo (bearings usually) and can severely "fry" the already stationary engine oil. This then becomes useless slude...continued use leads to the "coking" of the internals (carbon deposits that damage become difficult to remove). Never switch your engine off immediately after "Driving Hard," no matter what kind of hurry your in.

Follow these measures and you'll easily be able to avoid rebuilding your engine before 100,000kms. I really did hope you would take this opportunity for questioning more seriously, the Bible does provide the answers for everyday living. Self-help books, psychologists and the wisdom of men won't give you the answers you need, only God's message for you will.

And your welcome! May God be with you...

This message has been edited by asciikerr, 12-30-2004 02:58 AM

Acts 17:11 "These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so."

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A question for believers - why the Bible?