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?)

Should you share your faith? (Part 4)

This month we conclude our 4-part mini-series which has been addressing several aspects of sharing our faith. As a reminder, here’s the series overview

Should you share your faith? (Part 3)

Two months ago we began a 4-part mini-series which addresses several aspects of this question. As a reminder, here’s the series overview:

Should you share your faith? (Part 2)

Last month we began a 4-part mini-series which will address several aspects of this question. As a reminder, here’s the series overview:

Should you share your faith? (Part 1)

This month’s question will be the beginning of a 4-part mini-series. I was initially tempted to answer the question with just one word… “Yes”. It would humorously make the point that it should really go without saying we are to share our faith with others. However, I have a lot more to say in response than just “Yes”.

Question of the Month – What’s wrong with this picture?

Sometimes when you hear the question, “What’s wrong with this picture?”, you are supposed to direct your attention to an actual picture in order to analyze it closely to see what is subtly out-of-place. In this case, I am not referring to the graphic on this page but to the scenario I’m about to paint for you.

Question of the Month – Should we just leave the Bible out of it?

Here’s a situation that might be fairly familiar to you regarding a discussion between a Christian and a skeptic. Part way into the conversation, a particular controversial social issue comes into focus (e.g. same-sex marriage, transgenderism, abortion, legalizing marijuana, etc.). At some point the Christian quotes a verse or makes a reference to Scripture in general leading the skeptic to say, “You can’t bring the Bible into this!” Too often, the Christian readily complies with this demand, going along with the popular belief that the Bible is “just one of many religious documents” and we should not be pushing our views on others.