1 00:00:08,237 --> 00:00:09,177 Speaker 1: Life Audio. 2 00:00:11,137 --> 00:00:14,477 Speaker 2: Head over to the Jesus Calling YouTube channel for inspirational 3 00:00:14,497 --> 00:00:18,337 Speaker 2: video content that will enhance your spiritual life. Each week 4 00:00:18,357 --> 00:00:22,146 Speaker 2: you'll find beautiful devotional videos for morning, evening, and sleep, 5 00:00:22,557 --> 00:00:26,346 Speaker 2: as well as stories and readings from celebrities, authors, pastors, 6 00:00:26,686 --> 00:00:28,967 Speaker 2: and everyday people who share how God has worked in 7 00:00:28,987 --> 00:00:32,167 Speaker 2: their lives. You'll also find the Jesus Listen Stories of 8 00:00:32,247 --> 00:00:37,467 Speaker 2: Prayer series hosted by Susie McIntyre Eaton, Jesus Calling podcast episodes, 9 00:00:37,946 --> 00:00:41,166 Speaker 2: and a scripture-based bonus series where experts walk us through 10 00:00:41,207 --> 00:00:44,787 Speaker 2: specific books of the Bible. Subscribe today for new videos 11 00:00:44,927 --> 00:00:45,367 Speaker 2: each week. 12 00:00:48,617 --> 00:00:52,096 Speaker 3: I learned some really, really hard lessons about life at 13 00:00:52,097 --> 00:00:55,907 Speaker 3: 23 that would help carry me for the next 10, 15, 14 00:00:55,907 --> 00:00:59,557 Speaker 3: 20 years that's made me a better son, that's made 15 00:00:59,597 --> 00:01:02,107 Speaker 3: me a better husband, that's made me a better father. 16 00:01:02,127 --> 00:01:05,547 Speaker 3: I think the older you get, the more you realize 17 00:01:05,887 --> 00:01:06,927 Speaker 3: you don't control what. 18 00:01:06,827 --> 00:01:07,547 Speaker 1: Happens to you. 19 00:01:09,267 --> 00:01:12,187 Speaker 2: Welcome to the Jesus Calling Podcast. This week, we hear 20 00:01:12,227 --> 00:01:16,237 Speaker 2: from first-round NFL draft pick and former Cincinnati Bengals player 21 00:01:16,437 --> 00:01:19,837 Speaker 2: David Pollock, whose career was cut short by a devastating 22 00:01:19,877 --> 00:01:23,277 Speaker 2: neck injury. David shares the heartbreak of a dream lost 23 00:01:23,617 --> 00:01:25,887 Speaker 2: and the strength he drew from that time years later 24 00:01:26,307 --> 00:01:29,987 Speaker 2: as he watched his wife face a brain cancer diagnosis. Next, 25 00:01:30,027 --> 00:01:33,197 Speaker 2: we'll hear from physicist and author Dr. Brian Miller. While 26 00:01:33,217 --> 00:01:36,837 Speaker 2: studying at MIT, Brian found his faith challenged by skeptics 27 00:01:37,137 --> 00:01:39,737 Speaker 2: and began asking whether belief in God could stand up 28 00:01:39,787 --> 00:01:43,067 Speaker 2: to scientific scrutiny. The answers he found changed the way 29 00:01:43,127 --> 00:01:46,447 Speaker 2: he sees both science and the world around him. Let's 30 00:01:46,487 --> 00:01:47,527 Speaker 2: begin with David's story. 31 00:01:54,167 --> 00:01:56,647 Speaker 1: I was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Thank the 32 00:01:56,727 --> 00:01:59,247 Speaker 1: good Lord we moved down south. When I was four 33 00:01:59,287 --> 00:02:00,867 Speaker 1: years old, moved to Georgia. 34 00:02:01,777 --> 00:02:03,697 Speaker 3: I knew at four or five years old that I 35 00:02:03,737 --> 00:02:05,657 Speaker 3: wanted to play football and I wanted to play in 36 00:02:05,677 --> 00:02:06,237 Speaker 3: the NFL. 37 00:02:06,477 --> 00:02:07,737 Speaker 1: And I know that sounds. 38 00:02:07,457 --> 00:02:10,447 Speaker 3: Young, but my brother was two years older than me 39 00:02:10,947 --> 00:02:13,247 Speaker 3: and he started football. And I was like, this is 40 00:02:13,287 --> 00:02:15,207 Speaker 3: the most amazing thing in the history of the world. 41 00:02:15,307 --> 00:02:18,667 Speaker 3: And I was on the sidelines tackling everything. Like I 42 00:02:18,707 --> 00:02:21,047 Speaker 3: got in trouble because I mean, I would tackle cheerleaders. 43 00:02:21,207 --> 00:02:24,287 Speaker 3: I would tackle water jugs. Like I was just the 44 00:02:24,307 --> 00:02:24,867 Speaker 3: kid that was. 45 00:02:24,827 --> 00:02:27,567 Speaker 1: All over the place. And I knew football was amazing. 46 00:02:27,997 --> 00:02:28,797 Speaker 1: Something that I feel. 47 00:02:28,657 --> 00:02:32,056 Speaker 3: Like God created me to do with my energy, with 48 00:02:32,117 --> 00:02:36,277 Speaker 3: my build. And so I pursued football with everything in me. 49 00:02:40,687 --> 00:02:45,346 Speaker 3: There's so much that football does for your character. It's 50 00:02:45,427 --> 00:02:47,806 Speaker 3: hard to put into words, like being able to work 51 00:02:47,847 --> 00:02:51,007 Speaker 3: on a team, being able to learn discipline, toughness, how 52 00:02:51,047 --> 00:02:53,257 Speaker 3: to win, how to lose, how to show up when 53 00:02:53,277 --> 00:02:55,517 Speaker 3: you don't want to. How to lose when it's not 54 00:02:55,537 --> 00:02:58,387 Speaker 3: your fault, which means how to be a great teammate, right? 55 00:02:58,527 --> 00:03:01,327 Speaker 3: How to work together. Sport has just been such a 56 00:03:01,387 --> 00:03:04,596 Speaker 3: great teacher. And for me, as a kid that was 57 00:03:04,657 --> 00:03:07,977 Speaker 3: an ADD kid all over the place, overzealous, a lot 58 00:03:07,997 --> 00:03:08,377 Speaker 3: of energy. 59 00:03:08,757 --> 00:03:11,457 Speaker 1: It gave me a passion to chase and to pursue. 60 00:03:11,477 --> 00:03:13,947 Speaker 3: I knew from a young age that I wanted to 61 00:03:13,987 --> 00:03:16,127 Speaker 3: play football, but you get to high school and it 62 00:03:16,147 --> 00:03:19,147 Speaker 3: gets hard. And I'll never forget as a sophomore, didn't 63 00:03:19,167 --> 00:03:21,607 Speaker 3: play varsity, was struggling, was upset. 64 00:03:21,747 --> 00:03:23,167 Speaker 1: First inclination was to quit. 65 00:03:23,587 --> 00:03:25,537 Speaker 3: Thank goodness I had a coach that believed in me 66 00:03:25,597 --> 00:03:27,537 Speaker 3: before I did and when I forgot to. 67 00:03:27,937 --> 00:03:29,417 Speaker 1: And he taught me into coming back out. 68 00:03:29,977 --> 00:03:31,917 Speaker 3: And then between my sophomore and junior year, I grew 69 00:03:31,997 --> 00:03:35,407 Speaker 3: six inches and gained 60 pounds. And what I learned 70 00:03:35,447 --> 00:03:37,507 Speaker 3: was football was a lot more fun when you were 71 00:03:37,567 --> 00:03:40,227 Speaker 3: bigger and stronger and faster than everybody. And so I 72 00:03:41,007 --> 00:03:45,107 Speaker 3: started getting recruited nationally, chose to stay home to the 73 00:03:45,147 --> 00:03:48,107 Speaker 3: University of Georgia. The reason I went to the University 74 00:03:48,127 --> 00:03:48,927 Speaker 3: of Georgia. 75 00:03:48,647 --> 00:03:49,787 Speaker 1: Was very, very simple. 76 00:03:50,217 --> 00:03:52,457 Speaker 3: It was because it was 45 minutes down the road 77 00:03:52,497 --> 00:03:56,057 Speaker 3: from my baby doll, like my girlfriend, my wife now. 78 00:03:56,577 --> 00:03:58,337 Speaker 3: And I knew I did not want to go far 79 00:03:58,377 --> 00:04:00,637 Speaker 3: away from her. And so that's why I chose to 80 00:04:00,677 --> 00:04:03,697 Speaker 3: go to the University of Georgia. Played there for four years, 81 00:04:04,297 --> 00:04:06,837 Speaker 3: had a lot of success, and then got to make 82 00:04:06,877 --> 00:04:10,127 Speaker 3: my NFL dream come true after my senior year when 83 00:04:10,137 --> 00:04:12,807 Speaker 3: I got selected in the first round by the Cincinnati Bengals. 84 00:04:16,327 --> 00:04:19,107 Speaker 3: Coming into the NFL, I switched positions. I switched from 85 00:04:19,166 --> 00:04:21,547 Speaker 3: a defensive lineman to a linebacker. And so my first 86 00:04:21,566 --> 00:04:24,387 Speaker 3: year was really about learning and growing and trying to 87 00:04:24,447 --> 00:04:25,987 Speaker 3: figure it out. My second year, I was ready to 88 00:04:26,046 --> 00:04:28,707 Speaker 3: rock and roll. And the second game, second play of 89 00:04:28,746 --> 00:04:31,116 Speaker 3: that season... I come in and I try to hit 90 00:04:31,157 --> 00:04:33,676 Speaker 3: the running back as hard as I possibly could. And 91 00:04:33,697 --> 00:04:36,157 Speaker 3: when I did, it was the first time that I 92 00:04:36,217 --> 00:04:39,556 Speaker 3: laid a lick that like I couldn't get up. And 93 00:04:39,657 --> 00:04:43,256 Speaker 3: I was laying face down and my legs were kicking involuntarily, 94 00:04:43,296 --> 00:04:43,816 Speaker 3: just going. 95 00:04:43,856 --> 00:04:45,317 Speaker 1: And then my arms, I couldn't move. 96 00:04:45,337 --> 00:04:47,396 Speaker 3: It's like when you fall asleep and you wake up 97 00:04:47,416 --> 00:04:49,176 Speaker 3: and your arms are paralyzed and they can't move and 98 00:04:49,197 --> 00:04:52,577 Speaker 3: it kind of freaks you out for a second. They 99 00:04:52,597 --> 00:04:56,597 Speaker 3: take me underneath the stadium and do an MRI. And 100 00:04:56,616 --> 00:04:58,697 Speaker 3: they tell you right there, because they have the capability 101 00:04:58,717 --> 00:05:00,597 Speaker 3: of that, obviously, to do it. And they tell me like, hey, 102 00:05:01,157 --> 00:05:04,087 Speaker 3: you know, you fractured your C6, C7. And I was like, cool, 103 00:05:04,097 --> 00:05:05,706 Speaker 3: what's that mean? I'm out for a couple of weeks. 104 00:05:05,736 --> 00:05:08,007 Speaker 3: And they're like, no, that means you broke your neck. 105 00:05:09,426 --> 00:05:11,606 Speaker 1: And I was like, ooh, OK, can we stick to 106 00:05:11,647 --> 00:05:12,546 Speaker 1: the fractured. 107 00:05:12,566 --> 00:05:14,287 Speaker 3: C6, C7? Because that sounds a heck of a lot 108 00:05:14,327 --> 00:05:17,827 Speaker 3: better than a broken neck. But I think to me, 109 00:05:18,686 --> 00:05:21,026 Speaker 3: finding that information out jumping in the back of the 110 00:05:21,056 --> 00:05:23,647 Speaker 3: ambulance on the way to the hospital and knowing that 111 00:05:23,787 --> 00:05:25,587 Speaker 3: there's a good chance that football could be over. 112 00:05:26,246 --> 00:05:29,627 Speaker 1: And scary, because I'm the same kid at four years old. 113 00:05:29,647 --> 00:05:30,547 Speaker 1: I knew what I wanted to do. 114 00:05:31,066 --> 00:05:33,806 Speaker 3: And it revolved around getting to the NFL and being 115 00:05:33,847 --> 00:05:41,327 Speaker 3: a football player. And that was my identity. It's amazing 116 00:05:41,366 --> 00:05:43,827 Speaker 3: to watch God work in the stillness. It's amazing to 117 00:05:43,866 --> 00:05:45,987 Speaker 3: watch God work in the quiet. And the Bible says, 118 00:05:46,046 --> 00:05:48,347 Speaker 3: be still and know that I am God. Well, how 119 00:05:48,387 --> 00:05:50,816 Speaker 3: many times do you do that? How many times do 120 00:05:50,856 --> 00:05:54,157 Speaker 3: you get still enough to hear from God? And I'll 121 00:05:54,176 --> 00:05:55,837 Speaker 3: be honest, at that point in my life, I had 122 00:05:55,876 --> 00:05:58,577 Speaker 3: a transactional relationship with God. It was like, hey, when 123 00:05:58,616 --> 00:06:00,356 Speaker 3: I get a few minutes, I'm going to let you know. 124 00:06:00,726 --> 00:06:02,327 Speaker 3: When I wake up in the morning, boom, I'm going 125 00:06:02,347 --> 00:06:04,267 Speaker 3: to let you know. Before I eat, I'm going to 126 00:06:04,306 --> 00:06:06,046 Speaker 3: throw up a prayer real quick. Before I go to bed, 127 00:06:06,166 --> 00:06:08,326 Speaker 3: I'm going to holler at you. But really, when your 128 00:06:08,366 --> 00:06:11,267 Speaker 3: whole world stops, and I was in the halo that 129 00:06:11,306 --> 00:06:13,986 Speaker 3: they drill into your skull, the neck brace for four months, 130 00:06:15,066 --> 00:06:18,127 Speaker 3: it's amazing to listen to God and to watch Him work. 131 00:06:18,887 --> 00:06:21,946 Speaker 1: When we ask questions and we get still, you get answers. 132 00:06:22,767 --> 00:06:24,866 Speaker 3: And that was the most amazing part to me was 133 00:06:24,907 --> 00:06:28,876 Speaker 3: just my faith being tested, being challenged. It was the 134 00:06:28,936 --> 00:06:31,576 Speaker 3: first real chance and opportunity that I had at it. 135 00:06:31,736 --> 00:06:34,647 Speaker 3: And I was excited what God was teaching me. And 136 00:06:34,707 --> 00:06:38,347 Speaker 3: God taught me lessons today. during those two years of 137 00:06:38,387 --> 00:06:41,467 Speaker 3: recovery that I never would have learned. And I'm so 138 00:06:41,527 --> 00:06:44,447 Speaker 3: thankful that I got it at 23. I learned some really, 139 00:06:44,486 --> 00:06:48,027 Speaker 3: really hard lessons about life at 23 that would help 140 00:06:48,147 --> 00:06:52,376 Speaker 3: carry me for the next 10, 15, 20 years. That's 141 00:06:52,436 --> 00:06:55,376 Speaker 3: made me a better son. That's made me a better husband. 142 00:06:55,637 --> 00:06:58,676 Speaker 3: That's made me a better father. I think the older 143 00:06:58,697 --> 00:07:01,736 Speaker 3: you get, the more you realize you don't control what 144 00:07:01,796 --> 00:07:06,407 Speaker 3: happens to you. this past year was the most difficult 145 00:07:06,467 --> 00:07:10,567 Speaker 3: because those other situations involved me. And when it doesn't 146 00:07:10,607 --> 00:07:13,227 Speaker 3: involve you and it involved my baby doll, she got 147 00:07:13,247 --> 00:07:17,527 Speaker 3: diagnosed with brain cancer and man, it hurts and it stings. 148 00:07:17,627 --> 00:07:19,917 Speaker 3: And it's hard because I think your natural inclination is 149 00:07:19,957 --> 00:07:20,617 Speaker 3: I want to take it. 150 00:07:20,847 --> 00:07:24,517 Speaker 1: Like I want it. And I think God reminds you 151 00:07:25,097 --> 00:07:25,857 Speaker 1: over and over again. 152 00:07:25,877 --> 00:07:28,237 Speaker 3: And I felt him saying to me like, Hey, she's 153 00:07:28,277 --> 00:07:29,357 Speaker 3: mine before she's yours. 154 00:07:30,257 --> 00:07:32,537 Speaker 1: And that's really hard to swallow. 155 00:07:33,097 --> 00:07:36,377 Speaker 3: Really like learning to hand it over and to trust 156 00:07:36,497 --> 00:07:39,357 Speaker 3: and try not to control has been something that God's 157 00:07:39,417 --> 00:07:42,597 Speaker 3: shown me. You know, a verse that is really rung 158 00:07:42,677 --> 00:07:45,437 Speaker 3: true for our family. And this is a verse that 159 00:07:45,477 --> 00:07:49,097 Speaker 3: I've read so many times. But when you're going through something, 160 00:07:49,117 --> 00:07:50,437 Speaker 3: that's what I love about. 161 00:07:50,277 --> 00:07:51,706 Speaker 1: The living, breathing word of God. 162 00:07:52,287 --> 00:07:56,906 Speaker 3: Mark 15, 21. This is the most simple verse. Jesus 163 00:07:56,947 --> 00:07:59,127 Speaker 3: was carrying the cross. He was getting beaten. And then 164 00:07:59,147 --> 00:08:03,157 Speaker 3: it talked about a Simon from Cyrene. was forced to 165 00:08:03,197 --> 00:08:03,917 Speaker 3: carry the cross. 166 00:08:04,917 --> 00:08:07,997 Speaker 1: That's it. It says his sons, Alexander and Rufus were there. 167 00:08:08,337 --> 00:08:10,677 Speaker 3: And a man named Simon of Cyrene was forced to 168 00:08:10,717 --> 00:08:12,837 Speaker 3: pick up and carry the cross because obviously Jesus had 169 00:08:12,857 --> 00:08:15,907 Speaker 3: been beaten and bloody. That verse just kept ringing over 170 00:08:15,947 --> 00:08:18,386 Speaker 3: and over in our household because there's going to be 171 00:08:18,427 --> 00:08:20,347 Speaker 3: a time in your life where you are forced to 172 00:08:20,407 --> 00:08:21,266 Speaker 3: carry a cross. 173 00:08:21,627 --> 00:08:25,446 Speaker 1: You didn't earn. You didn't deserve. And you don't want. 174 00:08:26,407 --> 00:08:28,707 Speaker 3: And here's the thing. How are you going to carry it? 175 00:08:29,497 --> 00:08:32,016 Speaker 3: Who helps us carry the cross? And I think when 176 00:08:32,037 --> 00:08:34,547 Speaker 3: you get that empathy about how you carry it and 177 00:08:34,567 --> 00:08:36,806 Speaker 3: the struggles you go through, you help other people carry it. 178 00:08:37,067 --> 00:08:38,327 Speaker 1: But what's always on that cross? 179 00:08:38,927 --> 00:08:40,947 Speaker 3: Every time you pick it up, when Simon picked it up, 180 00:08:40,967 --> 00:08:43,507 Speaker 3: the blood of Jesus was on that cross. And Jesus 181 00:08:43,547 --> 00:08:47,317 Speaker 3: will be with you in every single circumstance. He will 182 00:08:47,357 --> 00:08:50,437 Speaker 3: never leave you. He will never forsake you. And I'm 183 00:08:50,477 --> 00:08:53,557 Speaker 3: not saying it's going to make the cross easy to carry, 184 00:08:54,237 --> 00:08:56,777 Speaker 3: but it will make it where you can carry it 185 00:08:56,937 --> 00:09:06,397 Speaker 3: and you can do it. Because God's been so gracious 186 00:09:06,437 --> 00:09:08,657 Speaker 3: to us and given us a lot of hard times 187 00:09:08,837 --> 00:09:11,647 Speaker 3: in our lives, you start to figure out how you're 188 00:09:11,687 --> 00:09:14,367 Speaker 3: going to handle it. And I think running away from 189 00:09:14,427 --> 00:09:17,147 Speaker 3: God is not an option anymore. It's running to God. 190 00:09:17,427 --> 00:09:20,227 Speaker 3: And the prayer life is the most important part for me. 191 00:09:22,897 --> 00:09:28,697 Speaker 3: I'm reading from Jesus Listens, January 12th. Jesus, my loving companion, 192 00:09:29,377 --> 00:09:32,077 Speaker 3: I am on an adventurous trail with you. This is 193 00:09:32,137 --> 00:09:35,747 Speaker 3: not an easy time. but it is nonetheless good, full 194 00:09:35,787 --> 00:09:38,947 Speaker 3: of blessings as well as struggles. Help me to be 195 00:09:39,027 --> 00:09:41,587 Speaker 3: open to all that you're teaching me as I journey 196 00:09:41,627 --> 00:09:45,347 Speaker 3: with you through challenging terrain and enable me to let 197 00:09:45,467 --> 00:09:50,077 Speaker 3: go of familiar comforts so I can say a wholehearted. 198 00:09:49,697 --> 00:09:51,317 Speaker 1: Yes to this adventure. 199 00:09:52,217 --> 00:09:54,537 Speaker 3: I know you will give me everything I need to 200 00:09:54,617 --> 00:09:57,776 Speaker 3: cope with the challenges I face, so I don't want 201 00:09:57,817 --> 00:10:02,477 Speaker 3: to waste energy imagining myself in future situations, trying to 202 00:10:02,517 --> 00:10:05,047 Speaker 3: walk through those not yet times in my mind. 203 00:10:05,897 --> 00:10:06,777 Speaker 1: I realize this. 204 00:10:06,717 --> 00:10:09,957 Speaker 3: Is a form of unbelief, doubting your ability to provide 205 00:10:10,017 --> 00:10:11,987 Speaker 3: what I need when I need it. 206 00:10:12,517 --> 00:10:15,337 Speaker 1: I want to make wise choices as I journey with you. 207 00:10:15,937 --> 00:10:19,557 Speaker 3: I need to pray continually about decisions, trusting in your 208 00:10:19,597 --> 00:10:24,277 Speaker 3: perfect wisdom. You know everything, including what lies ahead on 209 00:10:24,337 --> 00:10:28,127 Speaker 3: my path. My busy mind tends to make various plans 210 00:10:28,187 --> 00:10:30,287 Speaker 3: about the way I should go, but you are the 211 00:10:30,367 --> 00:10:33,807 Speaker 3: one who directs my steps and makes them sure. In 212 00:10:33,847 --> 00:10:36,287 Speaker 3: your infinite wise name, amen. 213 00:10:38,577 --> 00:10:42,337 Speaker 2: To learn more about David Pollack, visit davidpollack.com and be 214 00:10:42,377 --> 00:10:44,957 Speaker 2: sure to check out his new book, Every Day Counts. 215 00:10:45,297 --> 00:10:47,637 Speaker 2: Start where you are, use what you have, do what 216 00:10:47,657 --> 00:10:51,267 Speaker 2: you can at your favorite retailer. Stay tuned to Dr. 217 00:10:51,307 --> 00:10:59,847 Speaker 2: Brian Miller's story after a brief message. These uncertain times 218 00:10:59,907 --> 00:11:03,337 Speaker 2: bring anxiety and fear, but Jesus Listens Prayers for Every 219 00:11:03,377 --> 00:11:08,337 Speaker 2: Season gives you daily prayers of comfort. With seasonally inspired illustrations, 220 00:11:08,637 --> 00:11:12,037 Speaker 2: this beautiful book includes prayers that speak to your situation, 221 00:11:12,577 --> 00:11:15,827 Speaker 2: whether it's a time of stress or strength. Look for 222 00:11:15,887 --> 00:11:19,047 Speaker 2: Jesus Listens Prayers for Every Season wherever. 223 00:11:18,707 --> 00:11:19,307 Speaker 3: You buy books. 224 00:11:26,167 --> 00:11:29,187 Speaker 2: Our next guest is physicist and author Dr. Brian Miller, 225 00:11:29,347 --> 00:11:31,947 Speaker 2: who studies the science behind the natural world and the 226 00:11:32,047 --> 00:11:34,887 Speaker 2: evidence he believes points to design and purpose within it. 227 00:11:35,327 --> 00:11:37,467 Speaker 2: He shares how his work as a scientist has deepened 228 00:11:37,487 --> 00:11:40,027 Speaker 2: his faith and what happened when his own beliefs were 229 00:11:40,067 --> 00:11:40,707 Speaker 2: put to the test. 230 00:11:42,407 --> 00:11:44,807 Speaker 4: My name is Brian Miller, and I have a Ph.D. 231 00:11:44,847 --> 00:11:49,047 Speaker 4: in physics from Duke University, and I studied complex systems 232 00:11:49,067 --> 00:11:52,237 Speaker 4: physics earlier. And then my undergraduate was MIT, where I 233 00:11:52,277 --> 00:11:56,537 Speaker 4: studied physics with a minor in electrical engineering and computer science. 234 00:12:02,977 --> 00:12:05,867 Speaker 4: Several years ago, I became involved with a pastor named 235 00:12:05,907 --> 00:12:08,506 Speaker 4: Rice Brooks, and I was a technical consultant for him 236 00:12:08,827 --> 00:12:11,717 Speaker 4: in helping him write the book God's Not Dead. where 237 00:12:11,757 --> 00:12:14,077 Speaker 4: we try to summarize a lot of the evidence for 238 00:12:14,137 --> 00:12:16,317 Speaker 4: the truth of God and the truth of Christian faith 239 00:12:16,557 --> 00:12:20,037 Speaker 4: in a way that's accessible to the common person. And 240 00:12:20,057 --> 00:12:23,107 Speaker 4: the technical term for that is called apologetics. It's defending 241 00:12:23,147 --> 00:12:25,127 Speaker 4: the faith. And then I helped him with a second 242 00:12:25,147 --> 00:12:27,506 Speaker 4: book called Man with Messiah that deals with the evidence 243 00:12:27,527 --> 00:12:30,347 Speaker 4: for the resurrection. And then about 10 years ago, I 244 00:12:30,387 --> 00:12:36,047 Speaker 4: started working for the Discovery Institute. I grew up in Clearwater, Florida. 245 00:12:36,917 --> 00:12:39,557 Speaker 4: And I lived only about 15 minutes away from the beach. 246 00:12:39,577 --> 00:12:41,256 Speaker 4: So I'd love to go to the beach and look 247 00:12:41,297 --> 00:12:43,767 Speaker 4: at some of the organisms that were in the ocean 248 00:12:43,827 --> 00:12:46,567 Speaker 4: or the birds and just study nature. As I was 249 00:12:46,607 --> 00:12:50,267 Speaker 4: growing up, I just developed enormous love for science, also mathematics, 250 00:12:50,527 --> 00:12:53,187 Speaker 4: and particularly biology. I remember when I was in junior 251 00:12:53,207 --> 00:12:57,727 Speaker 4: high school, I studied the octopus. And that's something that 252 00:12:57,767 --> 00:13:01,317 Speaker 4: just enraptured me. I mean, the fact that these creatures 253 00:13:01,757 --> 00:13:07,497 Speaker 4: that have incredibly complex brains, incredible vision, They can squeeze 254 00:13:07,537 --> 00:13:12,487 Speaker 4: themselves into very small spaces. Their tentacles actually have parts 255 00:13:12,557 --> 00:13:15,447 Speaker 4: of their brain that give them independent control. That just 256 00:13:15,527 --> 00:13:18,507 Speaker 4: enamored me. So when I went to study in college, 257 00:13:18,567 --> 00:13:20,877 Speaker 4: I just said, I have to understand the world around me. 258 00:13:20,907 --> 00:13:24,197 Speaker 4: That's something that just was a passion. So I always 259 00:13:24,317 --> 00:13:27,777 Speaker 4: just was driven by this passion for nature and understanding 260 00:13:27,837 --> 00:13:32,057 Speaker 4: the logic behind it. And what I find often with people, 261 00:13:32,077 --> 00:13:35,057 Speaker 4: not just myself but others, is the more they understand 262 00:13:35,497 --> 00:13:38,877 Speaker 4: that the world was created, the more they have awe 263 00:13:38,977 --> 00:13:41,577 Speaker 4: and wonder at its creation, the more they know where 264 00:13:41,627 --> 00:13:45,807 Speaker 4: to look to see what's most remarkable about creation. Because 265 00:13:46,047 --> 00:13:48,727 Speaker 4: there's sort of a counter-narrative in society that people will 266 00:13:48,787 --> 00:13:50,987 Speaker 4: say the world is just an accident, life is just 267 00:13:51,027 --> 00:13:54,387 Speaker 4: an accident. And if it's just an accident, then... you're 268 00:13:54,407 --> 00:13:57,637 Speaker 4: going to expect it's poorly designed. You'll expect there's no 269 00:13:57,857 --> 00:14:00,577 Speaker 4: higher level logic, that there's no purpose behind it, that 270 00:14:00,617 --> 00:14:04,157 Speaker 4: there's no connection between one species and another. And what 271 00:14:04,197 --> 00:14:07,597 Speaker 4: happens is those are blind spots, which actually prevent people, 272 00:14:08,107 --> 00:14:10,367 Speaker 4: even lead them in the wrong direction of understanding the 273 00:14:10,467 --> 00:14:14,347 Speaker 4: brilliance of design in nature and how it should inspire awe, 274 00:14:14,427 --> 00:14:17,307 Speaker 4: because it's hard to imagine some acts of nature through 275 00:14:17,667 --> 00:14:21,697 Speaker 4: a series of mistakes can possibly lead to awe. But 276 00:14:21,757 --> 00:14:24,467 Speaker 4: what I find, particularly when I study biology, is when 277 00:14:24,587 --> 00:14:27,767 Speaker 4: people who are scientists learn to look at life from 278 00:14:27,827 --> 00:14:31,147 Speaker 4: that design perspective, they ask new questions. They ask, well, 279 00:14:31,187 --> 00:14:34,137 Speaker 4: what's the higher level design logic? What's the purpose behind it? 280 00:14:34,227 --> 00:14:37,047 Speaker 4: How does it compare to human engineering? And what they 281 00:14:37,147 --> 00:14:40,247 Speaker 4: find is that the same design principles, the same design 282 00:14:40,287 --> 00:14:43,617 Speaker 4: logic that humans use to design a space shuttle or 283 00:14:43,637 --> 00:14:47,057 Speaker 4: a rocket ship or a submarine are the same principles 284 00:14:47,177 --> 00:14:49,677 Speaker 4: used in life. The only difference is that the engineering 285 00:14:49,717 --> 00:14:53,797 Speaker 4: behind life is far more brilliant, far more complex, far 286 00:14:53,877 --> 00:14:57,667 Speaker 4: more efficient, far more optimized to achieve its goals. So 287 00:14:57,707 --> 00:15:00,187 Speaker 4: it's from this design perspective, you then will see how 288 00:15:00,327 --> 00:15:03,987 Speaker 4: everything fits together and the awe and the wonder increase 289 00:15:04,107 --> 00:15:07,687 Speaker 4: and your understanding of nature increases. So the more we look, 290 00:15:08,047 --> 00:15:10,687 Speaker 4: the more we see it's optimally designed and brilliantly designed 291 00:15:11,027 --> 00:15:13,467 Speaker 4: to achieve a goal. It's not just that we have 292 00:15:13,507 --> 00:15:16,597 Speaker 4: a creator, but a creator of virtually infinite intelligence and 293 00:15:16,677 --> 00:15:26,277 Speaker 4: wisdom and care and love. Originally, what's called the Intelligent 294 00:15:26,317 --> 00:15:29,297 Speaker 4: Design Research Community was a group of scientists that said, 295 00:15:29,337 --> 00:15:33,397 Speaker 4: if we come together, then we can really show scientifically 296 00:15:33,477 --> 00:15:36,877 Speaker 4: that a design perspective makes a lot more sense than 297 00:15:36,917 --> 00:15:40,007 Speaker 4: this idea that life is an unintended accident. We've really 298 00:15:40,077 --> 00:15:43,247 Speaker 4: organized scientists that will want to work at the center 299 00:15:43,347 --> 00:15:47,327 Speaker 4: of the secular academic environment and really show that based 300 00:15:47,427 --> 00:15:50,647 Speaker 4: on their understanding of the world, that what they've discovered, 301 00:15:50,687 --> 00:15:52,727 Speaker 4: which is true, like the laws of physics, like the 302 00:15:52,767 --> 00:15:55,237 Speaker 4: details of biology, that if you look at it from 303 00:15:55,257 --> 00:15:58,697 Speaker 4: the lens of design, it helps you to understand it better. 304 00:15:58,717 --> 00:16:03,027 Speaker 4: It avoids mistakes. It allows better predictions. And so what 305 00:16:03,047 --> 00:16:05,007 Speaker 4: we've done originally was we talked about what is this 306 00:16:05,067 --> 00:16:08,567 Speaker 4: evidence for design? Then we said, if we assume design, 307 00:16:08,667 --> 00:16:11,167 Speaker 4: how can you make better predictions? How can you look 308 00:16:11,227 --> 00:16:13,777 Speaker 4: at the optimality of how life is designed? But now 309 00:16:14,317 --> 00:16:17,217 Speaker 4: we're taking that research to the next level. So we're 310 00:16:17,257 --> 00:16:20,297 Speaker 4: saying that we can come up with a comprehensive framework 311 00:16:21,027 --> 00:16:24,147 Speaker 4: that'll help you to understand biology and then extensions in 312 00:16:24,187 --> 00:16:27,677 Speaker 4: the other fields of nature based on design, based on engineering, 313 00:16:28,037 --> 00:16:30,557 Speaker 4: that'll help you understand in the big picture how life 314 00:16:30,577 --> 00:16:34,157 Speaker 4: has worked, how it works, how it's engineered, the principles 315 00:16:34,197 --> 00:16:36,557 Speaker 4: behind it. So we're sort of laying the foundation of 316 00:16:36,577 --> 00:16:40,157 Speaker 4: the biology of the 22nd century. And what you find 317 00:16:40,237 --> 00:16:44,257 Speaker 4: is pretty much every major prediction of people that believe 318 00:16:44,337 --> 00:16:48,047 Speaker 4: life is an accident has proven false. But every major 319 00:16:48,087 --> 00:16:51,227 Speaker 4: prediction of people that believe life is designed has proven true. 320 00:16:51,247 --> 00:16:53,687 Speaker 4: And it's what's led to the best research. So the 321 00:16:53,907 --> 00:16:56,917 Speaker 4: logic of life shows in engineering so far beyond our 322 00:16:56,947 --> 00:17:00,017 Speaker 4: comprehension that we're just starting to step into it. So 323 00:17:00,037 --> 00:17:03,237 Speaker 4: these are sort of projects that we're promoting that we 324 00:17:03,277 --> 00:17:05,677 Speaker 4: think will be of enormous benefit to everyone in the 325 00:17:05,716 --> 00:17:08,317 Speaker 4: field of biology. And a really good analogy to really 326 00:17:08,377 --> 00:17:11,037 Speaker 4: express of what we want to accomplish by sharing with 327 00:17:11,057 --> 00:17:13,337 Speaker 4: the world this evidence of design was really from this movie, 328 00:17:14,177 --> 00:17:17,047 Speaker 4: called the Shawshank Redemption. And in this movie, what happened 329 00:17:17,267 --> 00:17:20,027 Speaker 4: is it takes place in this prison where these prisoners 330 00:17:20,087 --> 00:17:22,107 Speaker 4: are living a mundane life. They don't really know what 331 00:17:22,127 --> 00:17:25,807 Speaker 4: their purpose is. They're just existing. And what happened is 332 00:17:26,007 --> 00:17:30,107 Speaker 4: there was a new arrival at the prison. He had purpose. 333 00:17:30,207 --> 00:17:33,427 Speaker 4: He wanted to help people. He wasn't allowing his circumstances 334 00:17:33,527 --> 00:17:36,697 Speaker 4: to push him down. And this beautiful scene, he plays 335 00:17:36,717 --> 00:17:40,196 Speaker 4: this opera that was written by Mozart. And this beautiful 336 00:17:40,257 --> 00:17:43,497 Speaker 4: music was broadcast through the whole prison. And what happened 337 00:17:43,557 --> 00:17:47,137 Speaker 4: was these prisoners, suddenly they looked up and their mundane 338 00:17:47,177 --> 00:17:50,216 Speaker 4: existence for that moment ended and they could sense that 339 00:17:50,237 --> 00:17:52,157 Speaker 4: there was a greater purpose. There was a greater beauty 340 00:17:52,197 --> 00:17:54,627 Speaker 4: to the world. There was a greater majesty. It gave 341 00:17:54,667 --> 00:17:56,387 Speaker 4: them hope and purpose. And that's kind of what we're 342 00:17:56,427 --> 00:17:59,127 Speaker 4: trying to accomplish. We're trying, as we show people the 343 00:17:59,207 --> 00:18:00,966 Speaker 4: evidence to design the world, to show that there is 344 00:18:01,007 --> 00:18:03,127 Speaker 4: a greater purpose. There is true hope in life, that 345 00:18:03,147 --> 00:18:05,897 Speaker 4: they do have a purpose. And when you understand that 346 00:18:05,967 --> 00:18:08,577 Speaker 4: there's a greater story that God is calling you to 347 00:18:08,597 --> 00:18:11,687 Speaker 4: be a part of, it'll help you, you'll actually live 348 00:18:11,707 --> 00:18:14,267 Speaker 4: a life that can have a purpose that'll resonate into eternity. 349 00:18:18,337 --> 00:18:20,957 Speaker 4: The question often people ask is how do you really 350 00:18:20,997 --> 00:18:23,477 Speaker 4: deal with questions and doubts and how do you really 351 00:18:23,517 --> 00:18:27,236 Speaker 4: strengthen your faith? And my encouragement to everyone is that 352 00:18:27,277 --> 00:18:31,587 Speaker 4: the evidence is out there for both the truth of 353 00:18:31,667 --> 00:18:33,647 Speaker 4: there being a designer, that we're not an accident, and 354 00:18:33,667 --> 00:18:37,087 Speaker 4: also the evidence for the reliability of the scripture, the 355 00:18:37,207 --> 00:18:43,107 Speaker 4: evidence for the resurrection. But beyond that, what's really helpful is, one, 356 00:18:43,427 --> 00:18:45,367 Speaker 4: to really humble yourself before God and say, God, I 357 00:18:45,407 --> 00:18:48,117 Speaker 4: want to serve you. I want to understand your purpose. 358 00:18:48,247 --> 00:18:50,137 Speaker 4: And just to go to him as a child and say, God, 359 00:18:50,217 --> 00:18:53,077 Speaker 4: I just put all my opinions before your feet, all 360 00:18:53,117 --> 00:18:56,517 Speaker 4: my goals, all my desires. Help me to know you 361 00:18:56,937 --> 00:18:59,397 Speaker 4: and to serve you and to understand your love for me. 362 00:18:59,417 --> 00:19:02,186 Speaker 4: And then help me to step into that purpose. So 363 00:19:02,207 --> 00:19:05,927 Speaker 4: what really helps is to cut off all of the distractions. 364 00:19:05,967 --> 00:19:09,567 Speaker 4: Like we're constantly being barbarded by messages. that the true 365 00:19:09,607 --> 00:19:11,447 Speaker 4: story of life is that we're an accident. The only 366 00:19:11,487 --> 00:19:13,487 Speaker 4: purpose of life is to make money, to have fun. 367 00:19:14,047 --> 00:19:16,337 Speaker 4: So I'd encourage many of you to cut off the 368 00:19:16,377 --> 00:19:19,517 Speaker 4: social media for a bit, cut off the TV and 369 00:19:19,557 --> 00:19:23,236 Speaker 4: immerse yourself in scripture, immerse yourself in theology, immerse yourself 370 00:19:23,297 --> 00:19:26,517 Speaker 4: in worship and prayer. And as you reconnect with God 371 00:19:26,897 --> 00:19:30,736 Speaker 4: and you allow your life to come into alignment with 372 00:19:30,757 --> 00:19:33,267 Speaker 4: the work of the Holy Spirit in you, suddenly the 373 00:19:33,307 --> 00:19:36,307 Speaker 4: story will become true. Suddenly you'll become a player in 374 00:19:36,327 --> 00:19:38,927 Speaker 4: the story and you'll see God act through you. in 375 00:19:38,987 --> 00:19:41,627 Speaker 4: powerful ways. I just encourage you to find the strongest, 376 00:19:41,687 --> 00:19:44,987 Speaker 4: most passionate Christians you know, and invite them to challenge 377 00:19:45,007 --> 00:19:46,787 Speaker 4: you to step up more out in faith to serve 378 00:19:46,827 --> 00:19:49,827 Speaker 4: God's purpose and to understand your gifts and callings. Also, 379 00:19:49,907 --> 00:19:53,446 Speaker 4: what's really helped is things like devotionals. And those are 380 00:19:53,467 --> 00:19:56,497 Speaker 4: very helpful ways just to grow in your faith. Jesus Calling, 381 00:19:56,537 --> 00:20:00,057 Speaker 4: I've had friends that would read the devotionals. And some 382 00:20:00,077 --> 00:20:01,726 Speaker 4: of you may be more or less familiar with it, 383 00:20:01,737 --> 00:20:02,657 Speaker 4: but what I want to do is just sort of 384 00:20:02,777 --> 00:20:06,247 Speaker 4: end with just one passage from Jesus Calling that really 385 00:20:06,427 --> 00:20:08,506 Speaker 4: reflects what we've been talking about. So I'll just read 386 00:20:08,527 --> 00:20:13,407 Speaker 4: it directly. It's from December 22nd. Come to me and 387 00:20:13,487 --> 00:20:17,497 Speaker 4: rest in my presence. As you ponder the majestic majesty 388 00:20:17,657 --> 00:20:21,727 Speaker 4: of the Incarnation, relax in my everlasting arms. I am 389 00:20:21,767 --> 00:20:25,307 Speaker 4: the only person who was ever sired by the Holy Spirit. 390 00:20:25,687 --> 00:20:29,627 Speaker 4: This is beyond your understanding. Instead of trying to comprehend 391 00:20:29,787 --> 00:20:33,927 Speaker 4: my Incarnation intellectually, learn from the example of the wise men. 392 00:20:34,507 --> 00:20:37,867 Speaker 4: They followed the leading of a spectacular star and fell 393 00:20:37,907 --> 00:20:40,867 Speaker 4: down in humble worship when they found me. Praise and 394 00:20:40,907 --> 00:20:43,887 Speaker 4: worship are the best responses to the wonder of my being. 395 00:20:44,597 --> 00:20:47,517 Speaker 4: Sing praises to my holy name. Gaze at me in 396 00:20:47,617 --> 00:20:50,397 Speaker 4: silent adoration. Look for a star of guidance in your 397 00:20:50,457 --> 00:20:53,797 Speaker 4: own life and be willing to follow wherever I lead. 398 00:20:54,377 --> 00:20:57,317 Speaker 4: I am the light from on high that dawns upon 399 00:20:57,357 --> 00:20:59,857 Speaker 4: you to guide your feet in the way of peace. 400 00:21:02,067 --> 00:21:04,827 Speaker 2: To learn more about Brian Miller and the Discovery Institute, 401 00:21:05,027 --> 00:21:09,147 Speaker 2: visit discovery.org. And be sure to check out their video series, 402 00:21:09,467 --> 00:21:12,517 Speaker 2: The Intelligent Design of Life. If you'd like to hear 403 00:21:12,557 --> 00:21:15,417 Speaker 2: more stories about faith and sports, check out our interview 404 00:21:15,457 --> 00:21:24,317 Speaker 2: with NFL team chaplains Kent Chevalier and Johnny Shelton. Next 405 00:21:24,397 --> 00:21:28,447 Speaker 2: time on the Jesus Calling podcast, we welcome actor Atticus Schaefer, 406 00:21:28,707 --> 00:21:30,966 Speaker 2: best known for his role as Brick Heck on the 407 00:21:31,027 --> 00:21:35,827 Speaker 2: hit NBC sitcom The Middle. Born with osteogenesis imperfecta, a 408 00:21:35,907 --> 00:21:40,117 Speaker 2: rare genetic condition affecting bone density, Atticus reflects on how 409 00:21:40,137 --> 00:21:43,417 Speaker 2: his challenges have given opportunities to grow and serve others 410 00:21:43,637 --> 00:21:44,757 Speaker 2: with greater compassion. 411 00:21:46,417 --> 00:21:49,377 Speaker 4: Pain is very much an attitude adjuster. 412 00:21:49,417 --> 00:21:53,077 Speaker 2: Pain is very much either, it can be a motivator, 413 00:21:53,217 --> 00:22:03,847 Speaker 2: it can be an exacerbator to fear and anxiety. Thanks 414 00:22:03,887 --> 00:22:06,686 Speaker 2: for listening to the Jesus Calling Stories of Faith podcast 415 00:22:07,047 --> 00:22:10,147 Speaker 2: on the Life Audio Network. Every week we'll bring you 416 00:22:10,187 --> 00:22:13,127 Speaker 2: stories from people who share their journeys of faith and 417 00:22:13,167 --> 00:22:16,607 Speaker 2: how prayer and a relationship with God transformed their lives. 418 00:22:17,507 --> 00:22:20,847 Speaker 2: Be sure to follow us on Apple, Spotify, iHeart, or 419 00:22:20,887 --> 00:22:24,186 Speaker 2: wherever you listen to podcasts. And leave us a review 420 00:22:24,247 --> 00:22:28,437 Speaker 2: so others can be inspired weekly by these stories of faith. Finally, 421 00:22:28,757 --> 00:22:32,206 Speaker 2: you can find encouragement, resources, and more on the Jesus 422 00:22:32,247 --> 00:22:34,557 Speaker 2: Calling website at JesusCalling.com.