Paul writes in Ephesians 4:21-24,

But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.

“So Long Self” by MerceMe in the album Coming Up to Breathe puts this in a witty song. The format is the same as many love / breaking up songs. However, it is a song about how were are to forsake our old selves and follow Christ.

Well if I come across a little bit distant,it’s just because I am.Things just seem to feel a little bit different,you understand.Believe it or not but life is not apparentlyabout me anyways.But I have met the One who really is worthy,so let me say

So long, self.Well, it’s been fun, but I have found somebody else.So long, self.There’s just no room for two,so you are gonna have to move.So long, self.Don’t take this wrong but you are wrong for me, farewell.Oh well, goodbye, don’t cry,so long, self.

Stop right there because I know what you’re thinking,but no we can’t be friends.And even though I know your heart is breaking,this has to end.And come to think of it the blame for all of this,simply falls on me.For wanting something more in life than all of this,can’t you see?

So long, self.Well, it’s been fun, but I have found somebody else.So long, self.There’s just no room for two,so you are gonna have to move.So long, self.Don’t take this wrong but you are wrong for me, farewell.Oh well, goodbye, don’t cry,so long.

Don’t feel so bad (don’t feel so bad),there’ll be better days (there’ll be better days).Don’t go away mad (but by all means),just go away, go away.

So long, self.Well, it’s been fun, but I have found somebody else.So long, self.There’s just no room for two,so you are gonna have to move.So long, self.Don’t take this wrong but you are wrong for me, farewell.Oh well, goodbye, don’t cry,so long

We are studying water in my Biology class and I am realizing that water is a very odd thing. It has many properties that are found in virtually no where else. If even one of these properties is missing, life would cease to exist.

This information is based off of chapter 3 of Biology, 6^th edition by Campbell, et. all.

Water is Wet

The majority of “liquids” are not liquid at room temperature. Some, like oxygen, hydrogen, and nitrogen are liquids at very cold temperatures but are gasses at room temperature. Others, like iron are solid at room temperature and liquid at very high temperatures.

Since living organisms are mostly water, they would cease to function if water was a gas or solid.

Water is Cohesive

Water is cohesive, meaning the molecules of water tend to stick to one another. This is why you can drink water through a straw. The water molecules stick to one another and syphon water up the straw. In plants, water evaporates from the leaves and like the straw, syphons water up from the roots. If Water wasn’t cohesive, plants wouldn’t be able to get their nutrients and vegetation would die.

Water Moderates Temperature

Water has a the strange property of being able to absorb or release a relatively large amount of heat with only a slight change it is own temperature. This helps to stabilize the Earth’s temperature and protects the marine creatures by keeping a relatively constant temperature. In addition, since we are mostly water, that water helps to stabilize our temperature as well. If water did not have this property, not only would the Earth’s temperature wildly fluctuate like a desert, but we would freeze and overheat much quicker.

Water Floats

Most elements, when frozen, are more dense and sink. However, water becomes less dense and floats. If water didn’t float, whenever the surface of the water froze, it would sink to the bottom. This process would repeat itself until ponds, lakes and even oceans would freeze solid, making life impossible. Even in the summer, only a small portion of the water would thaw before refreezing.

Water Dissolves

Water is one of the best solvents in existence. Relatively hard substances such as salt and sugar easily dissolve in water. Our blood is mostly water and relies on this principle to transport nutrients and waste around the body. In addition, with out this, plants would not be able to get their nutrients from the water.

Wow!

There is truly no element quite like water. Water is essential for life; that is why scientists first look for water when looking for signs of life on other planets. However, even if water exists, if any of these many properties changed, life as we know it would cease to exist. The chances that water could have been created with all these properties and with no additional, harmful properties (like radioactivity) is staggeringly low. So what is the chances that all of life could have evolved?

Today I learned about encouraging others. Abby tends to be a very slow eater. She tends to eat slow on purpose for whatever reason and can be very stubborn about it. This morning, Abby was particularly slow and I became irritated, upset, and harsh to her. Later, Mom and Dad talked to me about the importance of encouraging others; the way to change people is to encourage them in the right direction, not just punish for wrong doings. I know in my heart that this is the right thing to do (this is how I would want to be treated). However, I have a hard time accepting this. When a little sister is getting on my nerves, it is a lot easier, and gratifying to be harsh. However, I know that this is how God would have me act, so I need to try my best. It sure isn’t easy, though!

Encouraging others is one of my goals for the new year. Currently, my list of goals are: