January 2, 2013
RIVERS OF ICE
Just as tree rings record the history of rainfall and climate, layers of ice in the Antarctic and other polar areas tell us a great deal about the past. Drilling into the Antarctic ice cap has recovered cores of ice from depths greater than two miles. Such cores, stored for future study, have been a treasure trove of information about Earth’s past history. The ash from ancient volcanos, composition of the atmosphere in the past, and much more can be seen in these samples.
However, our interest in this writing is in the amount of water that has been locked up in these huge ice caps that might be forever unavailable as a precious liquid. Although there are current concerns for global warming and melting ice, historically, such periods have occurred many times. Without unusual designs from our Creator, we might have a still bigger problem with the domination of ice on our planet, Earth.
Although we may think of ice as an immobile solid, that is not the case. Rivers of ice that we call glaciers can actually flow to lower ground. Viscosity is a measure of any material that describes the internal friction limiting its fluidity. Whereas liquid water has a very low viscosity, ice has a very high viscosity. Even so, it can flow very slowly in giant rivers. Time lapse cameras have been employed to measure the speed of such movement.
If the viscosity of ice were not as high as it is, the good that comes from glacial movement in the grinding rock into tillable soil would be lost. Much of the agricultural land in the northern American continent is thought to have had this origin. Evidence indicates that New England was once covered with glacial ice.
On the other hand, if ice did not have a limited viscosity, it would not flow in response to gravity. And if such flows did not occur, polar ice buildup that would result over time from precipitation would remain at the poles and be unavailable as water for the rest of the Earth.
When glacial flows meet the ocean, large chunks of ice break off and float out to sea. This writer, while doing studies of radar propagation in the Antarctic, sailed in waters beside icebergs that dwarfed our ship. As a young novice scientist at the time, I did not realize that what I was actually seeing was ice being recycled back into water. And the glacial flows that had given birth to the icebergs were evidence of the ability of ice to flow in rivers down to the sea. If ice had the same viscosity as stone, I would have never witnessed an iceberg.
In the follow-up writings we will consider another marvel of ice that keeps it from sinking to the ocean bottom when it forms. Most solids are heavier than their liquid form and will sink. If that were true of ice, when it formed it would sink and lose its exposure to sunlight. In such a case, the polar oceans would become solid ice.
Man is dependent on liquid water. Our God has not only been generous in our supply of it, but has insured that it will not be lost to its solid or vapor forms by his provident designs. I stand amazed.
– James Gibbs
Upcoming Seminar -- January 25-27 – Our focus will be on “Faith and Social Media.” Please be watching for details in the coming weeks.
West Main Bible Institute will begin their new classes on Thursday, January 10, at 7:00 p.m. at the building. Our topic will be “The Life of Christ.” Please note the change of date.
Directory Photos -- If your photo was not in our 2012 directory and you would like to be included in our upcoming 2013 directory, please contact Sandra Cummings to schedule an appointment for your photo to be taken in January. Photos will be taken after Sunday morning services.
Men’s Breakfast – We will be starting our Men’s Breakfast Meetings at the building this Thursday, January 3, at 6:00 a.m. If you would like to participate, please call Bud Rennels.
Coffee Fellowship Service – We need volunteers for 2013! Please sign up on the list posted on the bulletin board in the front entryway by the stairs. All help is greatly appreciated!
Nursery Help Needed – With the coming year, we have a new calendar to fill for our attended nursery. This is a service we can provide for our families with small children. If you are able to serve, please consider a couple of Sundays together. Please contact Diane Liles to reserve your dates.
Prayer Requests . . . For Leilla Sparks as she recovers from surgery...For Doyle Fenley who has been diagnosed with cancer...For the Pannell family as they travel to Colorado...For Matt Lake who has been having back problems and that it will heal quickly...For Lynne Olson as she recovers from foot surgery and for strength for Ron as he takes care of her...For the Newcombe family as they rebuild their house that was destroyed by arson. They also want to say Thank You for the wonderful gift basket that we provided to them this year for Christmas (please see the card posted on the courtyard bulletin board)...For our President and all of our military men, women and families.
Our Sympathy is extended to the family of Janice Young who passed away Monday morning, December 31. Please remember her husband, John, and their children and their families in your prayers. Services for Janice will be this Saturday, January 5, at 10:00 a.m. at the building.
Also our sympathy is extended to Nino Dimas and family on the passing of his father, Raymundo, this past week. Please remember the Dimas family in your prayers and the work in San Felipe, Mexico.
Thank You Note:
Thank you so much for your prayers and cards following my surgery. I look forward to seeing you all soon. Leilla Sparks
November Financial Statement
INCOME:
|
General Fund Contributions |
|
$ 20,425.00 |
|
Non Budgeted Contributions |
|
$ 494.37 |
|
Development Funds & Rents |
|
$ 1,747.00 |
|
Interest/Other Income |
|
$15.74 |
|
Total Income for Month |
|
$ 20,622.50 |
EXPENSES:
|
Administration and Payroll |
|
$11,987.83 |
|
Youth on Fire |
|
$250.00 |
|
Vision Ministries |
|
$415.29 |
|
Office |
|
$1,460.17 |
|
Nurturing Brethren |
|
$622.00 |
|
Operational Ministries |
|
$7,717.64 |
|
Worship & Facilities |
|
$1,621.73 |
|
Non-Budgeted Mission |
|
$531.22 |
|
Development & Kings Hwy |
|
$9,362.46 |
|
Total Monthly Expenses |
|
$33,968.34 |
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JANUARY SERVERS
Coffee Servers: Gloria & Jenny Way
Nursery: Jan 6: Becky Anderson
Jan 13: Shawna Chavez
Jan 20 & 27: Anna Lake
Greeters: Brian & Jessie Pannell
Buddy & Melanie Rennels
Children’s Worship: Trevin & Stacey Robbins
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DECEMBER ATTENDANCE
1st Sunday 241
2nd Sunday 212
3rd Sunday 239
4th Sunday 238
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Jan 8: Tuesday Morning Ladies Class Resumes
Jan 10: West Main Bible Institute Classes Begin; 7:00 p.m. at the Building
Jan 25-27: Faith and Social Media Seminar
