Fwd: Commentary: Zero-sum (COrrection)

It was pointed out that I spoke as an evolutionist.  I am sorry.  Here is the corected version.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Raul Diaz <raul.diaz@gmail.com>
Date: Apr 30, 2010 10:56 AM
Subject: Commentary: Zero-sum
To:

Zero-sum 

The concept of zero-sum is used in game theory and economic theory.  Zero-sum describes a situation in which a participant's gain or loss is exactly balanced by the losses or gains of the other participant(s).  If the total gains of the participants are added up, and the total losses are subtracted, they will sum to zero. Zero-sum can be thought of more generally as constant sum where the benefits and losses to all players sum to the same value of money (or utility).  In contrast, non-zero-sum describes a situation in which the interacting parties' aggregate gains and losses is either less than or more than zero.  Situations where participants can all gain or suffer together are referred to as non-zero-sum.   An example of non zero-sum will be when a country with an excess of bananas is trading with another country for their excess of apples, since both benefit from the transaction, is in a non-zero-sum situation. An example of zero-sum is Cutting a cake.  It is zero- or constant-sum, because taking a larger piece reduces the amount of cake available for others. 

In political terms, socialists consider national economies as a zero-sum game (if A grows $5,000 richer, it is because this wealth was extracted from some number of victim Bs); whereas capitalists consider economies a nonzero-sum game (human enterprise actually creates new wealth far out of proportion to any transfers or resource depletions; and voluntary transactions address the preferential desires of both parties).  

Considering our current economic woes, we need to rethink the capitalist premise.  While more wealth is created inflation rises driving the current value of money down.  It ends up being mere perception.  We have also seen that the wealth created is in the hands of fewer and fewer, and an increasing majority is falling below the poverty line.  This fact leads us to understand that the wealth created is at the backs of those who are poor and/or become poor.  We have seen this pattern happen throughout the six thousand years of earth history.   

In the days before the flood this kind of evil was rampant.  Sister White speaks of this.  This is what she says, 

Instead of doing justice to their neighbors, they carried out their own unlawful wishes. They had a plurality of wives, which was contrary to God's wise arrangement. In the beginning, God gave to Adam one wife--showing to all who should live upon the earth, his order and law in that respect. The transgression and fall of Adam and Eve brought sin and wretchedness upon the human race, and man followed his own carnal desires, and changed God's order. The more men multiplied wives to themselves, the more they increased in wickedness and unhappiness. If any one chose to take the wives, or cattle, or anything belonging to his neighbor, he did not regard justice or right, but if he could prevail over his neighbor by reason of strength, or by putting him to death, he did so, and exulted in his deeds of violence. They loved to destroy the lives of animals. They used them for food, and this increased their ferocity and violence, and caused them to look upon the blood of human beings with astonishing indifference. (1 Spirit of Prophecy, page 68). 

Many antediluvians in their greed took more than what they needed depriving others of their needs.  They abused nature and people to get what they wanted.  Could it be that what we witness today is a fulfillment of Christ's prediction, "As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man" (Matthew 24:37)?   

Doctor Luke writes about how it was among the church members in apostolic time.  It is quite the contrast.  He says in Acts 2: 44-45,  

Acts2:44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;

Acts2:45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.

 

The church members were together, having all things in common.  No private property.  Agape, selfless and other-interested love, was the motivator; not self love.  There was no "equal and fair" division.  None took what they wanted, only what they needed.  Those who needed less took less, and those who needed more took more.  They all seem satisfied.  Neither socialism nor capitalism could have worked it out.  Only God's self denying love can do that. 

--
Raul Diaz
www.wolfsoath.com

--
Raul Diaz
www.wolfsoath.com

Commentary: Zero-sum

Zero-sum 

The concept of zero-sum is used in game theory and economic theory.  Zero-sum describes a situation in which a participant's gain or loss is exactly balanced by the losses or gains of the other participant(s).  If the total gains of the participants are added up, and the total losses are subtracted, they will sum to zero. Zero-sum can be thought of more generally as constant sum where the benefits and losses to all players sum to the same value of money (or utility).  In contrast, non-zero-sum describes a situation in which the interacting parties' aggregate gains and losses is either less than or more than zero.  Situations where participants can all gain or suffer together are referred to as non-zero-sum.   An example of non zero-sum will be when a country with an excess of bananas is trading with another country for their excess of apples, since both benefit from the transaction, is in a non-zero-sum situation. An example of zero-sum is Cutting a cake.  It is zero- or constant-sum, because taking a larger piece reduces the amount of cake available for others. 

In political terms, socialists consider national economies as a zero-sum game (if A grows $5,000 richer, it is because this wealth was extracted from some number of victim Bs); whereas capitalists consider economies a nonzero-sum game (human enterprise actually creates new wealth far out of proportion to any transfers or resource depletions; and voluntary transactions address the preferential desires of both parties).  

Considering our current economic woes, we need to rethink the capitalist premise.  While more wealth is created inflation rises driving the current value of money down.  It ends up being mere perception.  We have also seen that the wealth created is in the hands of fewer and fewer, and an increasing majority is falling below the poverty line.  This fact leads us to understand that the wealth created is at the backs of those who are poor and/or become poor.  We have seen this pattern happen throughout the six million years of earth history.   

In the days before the flood this kind of evil was rampant.  Sister White speaks of this.  This is what she says, 

Instead of doing justice to their neighbors, they carried out their own unlawful wishes. They had a plurality of wives, which was contrary to God's wise arrangement. In the beginning, God gave to Adam one wife--showing to all who should live upon the earth, his order and law in that respect. The transgression and fall of Adam and Eve brought sin and wretchedness upon the human race, and man followed his own carnal desires, and changed God's order. The more men multiplied wives to themselves, the more they increased in wickedness and unhappiness. If any one chose to take the wives, or cattle, or anything belonging to his neighbor, he did not regard justice or right, but if he could prevail over his neighbor by reason of strength, or by putting him to death, he did so, and exulted in his deeds of violence. They loved to destroy the lives of animals. They used them for food, and this increased their ferocity and violence, and caused them to look upon the blood of human beings with astonishing indifference. (1 Spirit of Prophecy, page 68). 

Many antediluvians in their greed took more than what they needed depriving others of their needs.  They abused nature and people to get what they wanted.  Could it be that what we witness today is a fulfillment of Christ's prediction, "As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man" (Matthew 24:37)?   

Doctor Luke writes about how it was among the church members in apostolic time.  It is quite the contrast.  He says in Acts 2: 44-45,  

Acts2:44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;

Acts2:45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.

 

The church members were together, having all things in common.  No private property.  Agape, selfless and other-interested love, was the motivator; not self love.  There was no "equal and fair" division.  None took what they wanted, only what they needed.  Those who needed less took less, and those who needed more took more.  They all seem satisfied.  Neither socialism nor capitalism could have worked it out.  Only God's self denying love can do that. 

--
Raul Diaz
www.wolfsoath.com

Facts about water

Facts about water

Human beings use what is known as fresh water. Most water in the world is not fresh. In fact, 97% of the water in our planet is salt water; leaving 3% as fresh water. However, of that amount only 0.3% is available for our consumption – this is called surface water. And, this number is decreasing steadily. As man continues to abuse the environment and build in places where water use to exist, the sources for water are disappearing.

It is estimated that approximately 70% of the surface water is used for agricultural irrigation. Of this about 30% is lost due to evaporation or inefficient methods of irrigation. The other use for surface water is industrial. It is estimated that 22% of the water is used for this. Major industrial users include power plants, which use water for cooling or as a power source (i.e. hydroelectric plants), ore and oil refineries, which use water in chemical processes, and manufacturing plants, which use water as a solvent.

It is estimated that 8% of worldwide water use is for household purposes. These include drinking water, bathing, cooking, sanitation, and gardening. Basic household water is commonly called potable water. Other uses are recreational and environment. Both uses are in a small but growing percentage. Recreational uses would include swimming, skiing, white water rafting, and golf courses. Environmental water usage includes artificial wetlands, artificial lakes intended to create wildlife habitat, fish ladders , and water releases from reservoirs timed to help fish spawn.

We can see how versatile water is. And as our lesson states, water is also very necessary. we need water in order to survive; without it we die. In fact, every body cell, tissue, and organ needs water to function. Water helps to regulate body temperature, transports nutrients and oxygen to the cells, removes waste, prevents constipation, moistens tissues, cushions joints, and keeps blood flowing throughout the body. We need to drink more water than our thirst demands. Many liquids, such as water, milk, and fruit and vegetable juices, contribute to hydration; however, alcohol and caffeinated beverages may paradoxically increase fluid loss, which may be harmful.

Pure water is superior to many other drinks. Starting your day with one or two glasses of water and continue drinking water between meals will make sure you are well hydrated. Water has other healthful functions, as well. Hand washing may reduce transmission of many infectious agents from person to person. A large percentage of infectious disease would be eliminated by hand washing, especially before eating. Daily bathing removes accumulated dirt, which can lead to disease, as well.

Perhaps the point Jesus was trying to make to the Samaritan woman was that you need God as much as you need water. But, unlike water, which can only satisfy you and temporarily, His living water can satisfy you and others around you eternally. What is this living water and how can we partake of it? The following quote from Ellen White gives us an answer,

"The priest had that morning performed the ceremony which commemorated the smiting of the rock in the wilderness. That rock was a symbol of Him who by His death would cause living streams of salvation to flow to all who are athirst. Christ's words were the water of life. There in the presence of the assembled multitude He set Himself apart to be smitten, that the water of life might flow to the world. In smiting Christ, Satan thought to destroy the Prince of life; but from the smitten rock there flowed living water. As Jesus thus spoke to the people, their hearts thrilled with a strange awe, and many were ready to exclaim, with the woman of Samaria, 'Give me this water, that I thirst not.' John 4:15."—Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 454.

The ceremony she is referring to refers us to when Moses smote the rock in Exodus 17:6. She says this represented Christ as the Rock, and His Words are the water that flowed from out of Him. Paul wrote a similar idea in 1 Corinthians 10: 1 – 4,


1 Corinthians 10: 1 – 4 (NIV)
1 For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers, that our forefathers were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea. 2 They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. 3 They all ate the same spiritual food 4 and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ.


In Ephesians 5: 25 – 26 Paul says that Christ cleanses and sanctifies the Church "with the washing of water by the Word." Perhaps echoing the Words of Christ in John 17:17, "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth." However, John adds another dimension to the living water. Let us read what He says in John 7: 37 – 39,


John7:37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.
John7:38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
John7:39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

The Spirit of God is the water of life. He becomes the cleansing Word in us. Since He is God He is righteous. Christ's words are righteous because He is righteous. We can conclude that water of life is the righteousness of God. Therefore, the receiving of the Spirit is the drinking in of the righteousness of God by the faith of Jesus. This drinking in of righteousness by faith makes the sinner a righteous man – a keeper of the law of God. Abraham was a good example of this. God promised him son, and he believed what God said. His believing was the receiving of the Holy Spirit because it resulted in his being accounted righteous (Gen. 15:1-15). This experience can be ours too.

We see in Revelation 22:17, that God gives us all to take the water of life freely. We can experience an abundance of the Holy Spirit in our lives as long as we allow Jesus Christ, the Fountain of Life to be one indwell us. God has promised us an abundance of spiritual water; we just have to believe He will fulfill the promise, receive it and drink. In His love, He gives forever to everyone to drink freely of the Water of Life (John 4:13, 14). As God provided the children of Israel water from the rock, now Jesus provides this Water of Life (1 Cor. 10:1–4) to us today.
--
Raul Diaz
www.wolfsoath.com

Commentary: Exercising Faith

Exercising Faith

When I was a child one of my friends was climbing a tree. On his way
down he made a wrong move, slid down and fell on the ground. When he
made impact he let out a scream that showed his pain. He immediately
yelled out, "I broke my bone." I asked the question, "How does he
know?" My other friends look at me, and said, "When it happens to you
will know."

Years later, I corroborated their statement. I slid on a patch of
ice. I lost balance and my right knee fell on the concrete sidewalk.
The pain was unbearable. And, I just knew I had fractured my knee.
The paramedics did not believe me. But, the X-rays confirmed it. I
know first hand the process described on Mondays lesson,

Those who have suffered a broken bone or severe joint sprain have
experienced the immobilization necessary for healing to take place.
Supportive casts, bandages, and even surgical pins are used to help
stabilize an injured joint or fractured limb. As a result of the
immobilization, the muscles related to that particular area are not
used. With this lack of use, a process of atrophy or wasting occurs.
The muscles become thin and weak. When the healing of the bone or
joint has taken place, movement begins to return, and with sustained
use and exercise, muscle strength is regained.

When they removed the cast, my leg and thigh seemed without shape or
form. But, as I started to exercise my leg, it toned and firmed up.
Eventually it returned to its original shape. This tells about the
importance of physical activity. The lesson cites the following quote
from Sister white addressing this,

"Action is a law of our being. Every organ of the body has its
appointed work, upon the performance of which its development and
strength depend. The normal action of all the organs gives strength
and vigor, while the tendency of disuse is toward decay and death.
Bind up an arm, even for a few weeks, then free it from its bands, and
you will see that it is weaker than the one you have been using
moderately during the same time. Inactivity produces the same effect
upon the whole muscular system."—Ellen G. White, The Ministry of
Healing, pp. 237, 238.

Our lesson continues saying that as it is with the body it is with faith,

"If faith is not exercised, it does not grow. The vital movements and
actions of the limbs and body of faith cannot take place. Though faith
is a gift, if it is not exercised, if we do not make choices based on
it, if we do not reach out and by it claim God's promises, if we are
not willing to take chances based on faith, if we will not exercise
faith to the point of being brought to our knees in submission and
humility—then we are in danger of losing it."

Ellen White addresses this topic also,

"The only way to grow in grace is to be disinterestedly doing the very
work which Christ has enjoined upon us—to engage, to the extent of our
ability, in helping and blessing those who need the help we can give
them. Strength comes by exercise; activity is the very condition of
life. Those who endeavor to maintain Christian life by passively
accepting the blessings that come through the means of grace, and
doing nothing for Christ, are simply trying to live by eating without
working. And in the spiritual as in the natural world, this always
results in degeneration and decay. A man who would refuse to exercise
his limbs would soon lose all power to use them. Thus the Christian
who will not exercise his God-given powers not only fails to grow up
into Christ, but he loses the strength that he already had."—Ellen G.
White, Steps to Christ, p. 80, 81.

Our lesson states that it is tragic,

"… because faith is one of the most precious of all God's gifts. Only
those who know what it's like to live in this world without faith,
without the knowledge of God, without the hope found in His promises,
can tell you just how wonderful and precious a gift it really is."

We know that Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God
(Romans10:17). Only those who have heard (and are hearing) the Word,
believed it and trusted it, know what a precious gift it is. For they
know what it is to live with out it. This process is akin to seeing
Jesus. Those who have are changed forever, not wanting to go back, so
are those who hear His Word believe it and trust it. It is these who
exercise the faith given to them. They hear the Word and they trust
that the Word will do what it says it will do, and they wait for the
Word to do it and they depend on the word to do it. Whatever is not
of faith is sin (Romans 14:23). So, any move they make is because the
Word said so. Realizing how precious a gift faith is, they strive to
do nothing to tarnish it. Pleasing God is their greatest motivation,
and they know that without Faith it is impossible to please Him
(Hebrews 11:6). Just as we are pleased when someone uses a gift we
give to them, God is pleased when we use His gifts to us.
--
Raul Diaz
www.wolfsoath.com

True Freedom is not Independence

True Freedom is not Independence

 

To illustrate how freedom works in the Biblical sense a script - of sorts - was included in our Teacher's section of our lesson.  I believe it is a powerful illustration.   It is a dialogue between a hand rag puppet and the wind. 

 

In summary, the puppet is a hand puppet that will only work when it is filled with someone's hand.  The puppet insisted that the hand filling it was grubby.  So, it did not feel good.  It saw another kind of puppet, the kind that are held up with strings – and thought that this was an option.  But, once it saw the strings, it realized the other puppet was not better off than itself.  It also noticed that, "Whenever I get up and get noticed, it means he's (grubby hands) in charge of my every move. It's nice hearing kids laugh, but deep inside I know I'm just getting dirty. Otherwise I live like this, a total flop." 

 

The Wind offered to come inside to live, cleanse the dirt inside from the grubby hands, and hold it up without the need for grubby hands to fill it or strings attached.  It was a very expensive procedure, but it would be free to the puppet.  And, it had to be with the puppet's permission.  The puppet had to choose to let the Wind do it.  The Puppet flew away yelling out excitedly, ". . . I'm soaring . . . I'm free!"   The puppet was still not on control, per se, after all the wind lived in Him.  The wind was in charge of every move.  The puppet was not independent, although the puppet felt free.  What was the difference? 

 

There were probably several factors.  One of which was the cleansing.  Another was the fact that it could soar and not be carried around for the needs and wants of Mr. Grubby Hands.  Also, there is an implication that it was permanent.  The Puppet would no longer be lying down, as long as the wind could live in it, which would be as long as the puppet allowed it to stay.

 

Based on John 3:8 we could equate the Wind with the Holy Spirit,

 

John 3:8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

 

The Holy Spirit follows Jesus mode of operating.  Jesus says to us in Revelation 3:

 

Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

 

So, Christ, via the Holy Spirit, always asks for permission to come in.  We can tell God always asks for permission by Paul's use of the verb, "To Let."  It implies permission.  One example of this word is Philippians 2:5, "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:" 

 

When we open our door the Holy Spirit comes in and begins His work of sanctifying; in other words: cleansing us (Ephesians 5: 25 -27; 1 Thessalonians 5:23).  Then we start experiencing freedom from the power of Sin.  Thus, we also experience freedom from the shame, burden, and guilt that results from Sin.  But, this freedom is only experienced if we are continually letting the Holy Spirit dwell in us.  (Ironically, this will only happen if and as we are looking at the Cross.)  As we become completely and continually dependent on Him, we experience more freedom from the shackles of Sin.  This frees us to serve God.   Thus, if by faith we are dependent on God, then we soar. 

--
Raul Diaz
www.wolfsoath.com

Commentary: Why does the moon shine?

Why does the moon shine?

 

When this commentary was written there was a full moon in Chicago.  The moon was shining brightly and gloriously over the night sky.  In areas with not as many lights than Chicago, you would also see a glow that enlightens the dark environment making the night lighter.  Even though the Moon is the brightest object in the night sky, it does not make its own light.  It "shines" when the sun's light beams onto its surface, and is reflected back to earth.  The light we see from the Moon is actually sunlight that is reflected from the Moon's surface.

 

Spiritually, we are to be like the moon; which is why Christ told the disciples, "Ye are the light of the world…" (Matthew 5:14).   The light we shine is not ours, but a reflection of God's light.  In the Biblical Greek the pronoun you is plural, but the noun light is singular.  There is one light, but many people.  Now, typically we associate glory with shining, and shining with light.  When we are light we shine, and when we shine we glorify. 

 

Does it mean then that we are light only when we sing praises, worship, and give God glory?    Or is it something more to it?  What is glory in the Bible?

 

When we read in Exodus that Moses asked God to show His glory, God responded in a different way that we would respond, let us read the passage,

 

Exodus 33:18 And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory.

Exodus 33:19 And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, …

 

God in essence said to Moses that His glory is His goodness.  God expands this concept in the next chapter.  Let us read,

 

Exodus 34:6 And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,

Exodus 34:7 Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.

 

God says to Moses that His righteous character is His glory.  Again, as the moon, we do not make our own "light"; we do not give up our own glory, besides we have none.  Any "glory" we give out comes from God.  From this we understand that those who reflect God's glory, those in which the righteous character of Christ is reproduced, give God glory.  It does not mean they do not speak it or sing it.  It means that when they do it comes from the heart and it shows. 

 

This is all the result of what the Holy Spirit does in us, if we let Him.  It is He that reproduces Christ's righteousness in us with our permission.    So, the light we shine is singular because there is one Spirit, but diverse gifts and several aspects to His fruit (1Corinthians 12: 4 - 13; Ephesians 2:18).  When the Holy Spirit indwells us then we bear His fruit.  This is true, since abiding in Christ and He in us is the same as the Spirit dwelling in us. 

 

In John 15 Christ tells the disciples about the relationship between abiding and the fruit,

 

John 15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

 

Again, without our abiding in Christ, which is really the Spirit indwelling in us, we cannot bear His fruit (Galatians 5:22).  And, according to Jesus that is the only way we glorify the Father. 

 

John 15:8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

 

So bearing the Fruit of the Spirit is the same as shining the light to the world, glorifying God, which is reflecting and reproducing His character. 

--
Raul Diaz
www.wolfsoath.com