Do you check expiration dates?

It is my normal mode of operation to use these “Question of the Month” articles to explore various interesting topics in a fairly simple manner, while making an important “larger point”. This month will only be a slight, temporary diversion from the norm, taking somewhat of a break and providing some comical relief.

I recently received an interesting package in the mail from John P., one of the ministry’s supporters. It was a bulky envelope which piqued my curiosity. Upon opening the package, I discovered a salt shaker and a brief note stating the following:

“I hope you find this as humorous as I did. Perhaps I was just in a good mood. I was at a friend’s home and found this salt shaker on the table. Being a fanatical label reader, I picked it up and began reading. The label states that this salt is ‘250 million years old’. Not surprising, but then I read the label on the bottom and it said, ‘BEST BY 12 2023’. I’m glad I can use it up before it expires!”

Very funny!

Sometimes we walk into a store, and it just happens to be the last day of a week-long sales event. How lucky we may feel!

In the case of the salt, what a fortunate coincidence to have happened upon this very valuable, multi-purpose substance within the last 0.0000024% of its useful “shelf-life”! (Side note: Where did I come up with that figure? I divided the remaining years [6] by its current age [250 million years]). The obvious question is– if the salt is truly about 250 million years old, how do they know it’s just now soon to expire? And a closely related question– since the 250 million years is just an approximation, how can they be so precise with the “Best by” date?

As an added note of interest, the reason the label even mentioned the alleged age of the “Himalayan” salt was to make the point that this salt was created at a time when the Earth’s eco-environment was much more pure and pristine which, therefore makes their product more valuable than salts produced in more modern times.

Those of you who know me (and the ministry) realize I personally don’t believe the millions and billions of years designations are scientifically justified, but it is not my intention to turn this into a discussion of radiometric dating methods and the whole “age of the Earth” controversy. I simply wanted to pass along something of a humorous nature. I’m also not the kind to contact the company that produced this product to challenge them regarding their claim. Most likely, they are not experts in geology and simply had a clever marketer develop this label as an effective way to increase their bottom line. If you look carefully enough and often enough, you will find quite a few of these types of examples throughout the retail world.

How’s that for a brief article? I partially wanted to provide a slightly less serious “change of pace”, but maybe even more so, I was just too busy (with Christmas coming up in a few weeks) to write anything significantly more in depth or lengthy. (How’s that for transparency?)

What is the Cambrian Explosion?

In the minds of many, explosions are not good things. However, they can be good or bad, depending on whether they are planned and properly controlled. Every time I drive my car numerous explosions occur under the hood, and it is the very thing that helps me get from point A to point B. Fortunately, the series of explosions are timed and controlled just right as to transform the powerful forces they create into useful mechanical motion via the pistons and driveshaft.

A worm such as I?

It is becoming increasingly challenging communicating to the masses, primarily because I’m getting older, just about every year it seems! I often find myself using a phrase or reference that many in my audiences aren’t familiar with. Such is the case with this Question of the Month. A worm such as I? What’s that all about?

Did God create viruses?

Wow! What a time we’re living in! I was thinking the other day (which I do from time-to-time) that when you hear about a tornado that swept through a few counties in Kansas or a hurricane that ravaged a large portion of the Caribbean, you certainly feel for all the people affected by those tragic events. Even so, it generally doesn’t affect you directly.

Are we half bananas?

Statements and phrases often have more than one meaning. Such is the case with our “Question of the Month”. I could be asking if 50% of our physical makeup consists of bananas. Most likely, however, if someone heard this question, they would be thinking of whether or not we’re all “half crazy”. Right now, given the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19, spring 2020 for those of you reading this in the distant future), we all probably really are “half crazy”.

Climate change: settled-science or purposeful propaganda?

Talk about a “can of worms”! It’s hard to ignore “climate change” because we’re reminded of it almost on a daily basis. (Actually, I’d rather talk about a can of worms!)

Have they discovered Noah’s ark?

The discovery of hidden artifacts and lost treasures is always at least somewhat intriguing. It is also true that many news stories and claims regarding these supposed findings tend to be overly sensational and not necessarily in line with the actual facts.