March 23, 2011
ICE, ONE OF EARTH’S SAFETY VALVES
In the use of something as potent as energy, safety stops are necessary to keep runaway things from happening. In the case of nuclear power plants, meltdown is always a threat if safety controls fail. Or, when steam is used as a medium to power heat engines, pressure sensitive safety valves are placed on the alert to prevent explosions. In this writing, let’s consider “safety valves” God has placed on either side of the temperature zone we were designed to live within here on the Earth. These safety stops are built into the design of water.
The materials our bodies are made of will break down with very high temperatures. Such a breakdown occurs when we cook the meat we eat. Very low temperatures also have their own way of breaking up body cells and disrupting body functions. In a limited way, we can ward off this threat by wearing heavy clothes and warming our houses. But in the end, our delicate makeup calls for limited temperature swings in our local environment.
Because we are at ease with temperatures here on Earth, we may not realize how narrow our temperature range is. Never mind your discomfort on what we count as a very hot day. An absolute thermometer would need a scale reaching from 460 degrees below zero on our Fahrenheit scale to millions of degrees in other parts of the universe. Earth’s climatic temperature range would only be a dot on this scale.
We are aware of the large heat capacity of water and how it moderates the temperature of the Earth. This writing will be about another wonderful design of water and how it acts as a safety valve on the cold side of Earth’s temperature range.
Freezing water molecules give up their fluid state and move into a state of “hibernation.” Like a bear in the dead of winter sleeping in a state of greatly reduced metabolism, water molecules give up much of their freedom of motion while becoming locked into place in ice crystals. And while moving into this solid state, water gives up much of its heat to the environment when it is most needed.
During the freezing of water, the temperature does not move while losing an enormous amount of heat. Citrus farmers use this property of water to protect their crops during severe temperature drops in the surrounding air. By turning on water sprinklers during the frigid night the mixture of ice and water on the tree leaves remains at 32 degrees without falling further. Since serious tree damage does not occur until about 28 degrees, the morning thaw of ice from the branches finds the leaves unharmed. Without the sprinklers and water-ice mixture on the leaves during the night, the freezing process would have continued through the extreme chill period and the crop would have been lost.
Consider how much of the earth is covered with ice, and how much heat has been released in the process. Exclamation marks are used to emphasize importance or surprise when writing. The heat exchange in the freezing of water deserves such emphasis for its wonder. For if this latent heat of fusion were not built into water, and the same amount of heat were pulled out as occurs during freezing, the temperature of an isolated drop of water would fall 144 degrees Fahrenheit. Life on earth would be threatened by such a temperature drop, and few latitudes would be habitable. Still more astonishing is the safety valve in the evaporation of water. In that case, the heat soaked up in change to the gaseous state is much larger than the heat of fusion. And we need still more protection on the hot end.
Snow is a special kind of ice with dramatic crystal structure. It occurs as a result of water vapor freezing and bypassing the liquid phase of water. While we marvel at this fluffy white stuff , we find that it also comes to our aid.
We will never cease to marvel at the Lord’s forethought and design in taking care of us here on earth. He has wooed us in a thousand ways by letting us see what he has done.
-- James Gibbs
SHEPHERD TALK
This edition of Shepherd Talk contains several reports of interest to members:
Report # 1:
The protracted recession in the property market continues to put on hold our Plan #1 to sell the Kings Hwy. property, buy another property and build a new facility. With no foreseeable breakthrough, we are following Plan #2 to maintain the West Main property, keeping it safely functioning, reasonably comfortable and an attractive part of our community. For this reason, thanks to the extra-budgetary generosity of members, we have expanded the auditorium, closed the courtyard, redesigned and re-roofed the full roof areas and carpeted the outer foyer (old courtyard), along with some landscaping.
Report # 2:
To maintain, keep safe and keep the building presentable, a thorough study has been made by Bob Tisdel and Bill Viera, complete with a pictorial album. Some of the main features include: replacing the outdated and over capacitated electrical board, refurbishing the auditorium and inner foyer to increase the lighting capabilities, updating the exterior view of the building, adding landscaping and sidewalks, etc. The greatest need is for additional classroom space which would likely require a city mandated increase of property. The funding for these projects will need to wait for greater congregational growth and larger Sunday contributions or an extra-budgetary giving by motivated contributors.
Report # 3:
A new, activity booklet is being prepared. It will include the following activities for the rest of the year:
--A seminar for Deacons in May.
--The Second Annual CIA Summer activities for all members.
--VBS, Bible Camp, PUMP, Faith Quest for our youth people – maybe another Mission Trip.
--A Spiritual Disciplines Seminar in the Fall. Other Seminars are on-line.
--A possible launching of the West Main Bible Institute for Concentrated Bible Students.
--The regular activities: Safe Harbor, Cell groups, Bible Classes and Worship, Daughters of the King, Father-Daughter Banquet, Prison Ministry, Prayer Ministry, etc.
--Training classes for prospective Elders and Deacons; confirmation of revised Church Bylaws.
Be praying for the Mexico Mission Team and their return at the weekend – all 71 of them. Both ministers are with the Mission Team. Lance Lake spoke last week and Charlie Michael will be preaching this week in Terry's absence.
Your Shepherds (Lance Lake, 2011 Chairman, Merlin Ragsdill, Mel Hamilton, Charlie Anderson, Truman Scott, Larry Denn, Gerry Flock)
DON LOGSDON
With a long history of faithful membership at West Main Church, Don Logsdon passed away last Thursday in Grants Pass. Don had been a missionary in the Bahamas and remained a fervent supporter of the mission work on the Islands. He had preached in the Northeast states before coming to this area. Here, he married Barbara, and together they spent a number of years in owning and managing restaurants in the Applegate, Jacksonville and Medford areas.
Don was a leader in the Prayer and Visitation Ministries at West Main and a staunch advocate for Mission Work. He and Barbara were active members of the Farris Cell Group. In their later years, Barbara was the manager of a large, mobile park on the Rogue River out of Grants Pass. Her own battles with her heart forced a retirement while they continued to live in the park. An improvement of Barbara's health has allowed her to reassume her park manager's position in April. While missing Don, we look forward to the sweet fellowship with his dear Barbara.
– Truman Scott
Who Wants to be Like Jesus seminar will continue on March 30th at 7:00 p.m. Children’s classes will be available.
Daddy-Daughter Dinner Dance April 30th
Girls, invite your dad, uncle, grandfather or favorite male loved one to a fun evening of dinner and dancing. Please arrive promptly at 5:00 p.m. to get your photo taken with your special guy. Tickets are $7.00 per person and are non-refundable. This special event is for young ladies ages 5 years through high school. Tickets will only be sold through April 10th. No tickets will be sold at the door. Please make checks payable to West Main Church of Christ. For more information, please contact Marcie Dixon. More info to come at a later date.
Prayer Requests . . .
Please continue to pray for a complete healing for Mel Hamilton and Connie Kennedy ... Mary Ragsdill is still not feeling well ... For our families traveling on the Mexico Mission Trip ... Leslie Miller requests prayers for her three daughters who are all expecting babies ... For Carol Chappell who will have colon surgery on Thursday ... Susanne Fine requests prayers for her daughter, Rachel, who will soon be graduating from Pepperdine ... Wynter Thomas requests prayers for her son, Jacob Johnson and his family, as they will be stationed in Okinawa, Japan for three years ... Roger Thomas has been diagnosed with kidney disease; also Dolly, an aunt of the Thomas family, has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Pray for healing and that they would accept the grace of Jesus ... Bud Sanderbrink fell and broke some ribs and is in RVMC ... For our President and all of our military men, women and families.
Coffee Servers Needed for the months of April and June. Please sign up on the sheet posted on the bulletin board by the stairs. Thanks. April is one week from Sunday.
Changes in Class Schedules Remember – On Sunday, March 27:
The Adult Bible Classes will meet together in the auditorium and there will be no Children’s Worship Service. There will also be no Youth Cell Group that evening.
Camp is Coming July 10-16 -- Cost is $155.00 if paid by the early-bird deadline of June 13th, otherwise the cost is $180.00. Final registration deadline is June 27th. Invite your friends to come join you. Our theme this year is "The Outsiders."
Calendar of Events
April 2: Daughters of the King
April 30: Father / Daughter Banquet
