God and Engineering Part 1: Design Safety Factor

As I try to keep my sword sharp in the midst of the hardest semester of my collegiate career, I have come to the conclusion (at the suggestion of my wise, big sister) that I should attempt to write and study about where I see God in my course work (I’m certain that a study of the burning bush while I was still in Heat Transfer would have had rich rewards – perhaps I can conduct it someday).

So come with me on a journey of which I know neither the extent nor the duration. My academic studies have taught me so much about the mechanics of the world we live in. But it’s God’s world, high time I remembered that fact while I’m learning about it.

In my Machine Design class last week, my professor was talking about design safety factors. 95% of everything we use was manufactured with a design safety factor, and the other 5% is what is commonly referred to as “cheap junk.” Ever seen a “Don’t put more than ____lbs on this____” sticker on something? If the label said 50 lb, you still wouldn’t expect it to break if you put 51 lb on it. That’s the design safety factor kicking in. If a kitchen chair needs to hold a 250lb person, whoever designs the chair will make sure it can hold 350lb.

Obviously there are different levels of safety factors. The strength in the threads in your socks to withstand dozens of washings isn’t as important as the brakes you expect to bring you to a stop at a red light. Sure, you can make socks out of Kevlar, but unless your coffee table’s legs have stepped up their game and have started trying to assassinate your feet with AK-47’s - it’d be a waste of money. So there’s also a problem of being “too safe.” Why would your kitchen door need hinges made out of 1in stainless steel with tungsten pins? - wouldn’t make sense. It’s a waste of material and space.

So, here is the list of considerations that go into calculating the required safety factor.

1. Accuracy of loads knowledge

2. Accuracy of stress calculation

3. Accuracy of strength knowledge

4. Need to conserve material or money

5. Seriousness of failure consequences

6. Quality of work in manufacture

7. Conditions of operations

8. Quality of maintenance

All of that has to be taken in to consideration when you’re designing something. If you know that it will be very difficult to maintain your product, or that it will be operating in harsh conditions, you’d better step up the quality and quantity of your materials, but it’s a delicate balance. Aircraft commonly have a safety factor of 1.5, much lower and the first time the plane encountered worse than average turbulence the wings would tear off, much higher and the plane would be too heavy to fly.

Now, take a moment to look at the back of your hand. Move your index finger up and down and see the tendon attached to it move. Now think about how you told your finger to move, or how if you cut your finger it would repair itself. The bones in your fingers don’t have a 2in diameter, nor are your tendons made out of an organic metal – God could have done it that way if he wanted to, but hands like that would be over designed for the world he put us in and would have been very cumbersome to use for delicate tasks. Conversely, you don’t worry about breaking your fingers every time you bring in the groceries. Our hands can defend us, hold our children, build houses, sew clothing, pick flowers, or dig post holes.

In the words of my professor:

“The human body is brilliantly designed.”

In the words of King David:

Psa 139:14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

Ecc 11:5 As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all.

Think of all creation: all the different species in all the different environments that have lived together on this planet for thousands of years, sustained with water moved across continents in clouds miles above the earth, that feed on vegetation that dies back in the winter but grows back in the spring, or of the 500 different species of bacteria living in your gut that greatly aid in the digestion of food but could kill you if they got out of balance. Yet it all hasn’t come to a screeching halt because of a design flaw or something the manufacture cut a corner on to save money.

Ecc 1:7 All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; unto the place from whence the rivers come, thither they return again.

I highly recommend reading Job 38-41 where God does an excellent job (Job, job - ha) declaring the wonders of his creation - the work of his fingertips.

Psa 8:3-4 When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?

That’s all for now, but perhaps I’ll be led to look at that list of 8 considerations in a little more detail. Just of the top of my head, here are some closing verses that go with the first three.

1. Accuracy of loads knowledge

2. Accuracy of stress calculation

3. Accuracy of strength knowledge

Psa 103:14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.

Isa 53:4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

Heb 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

What did you do today?

For the past couple of years, my spiritual life has been in a very consistent sinusoidal pattern. I realize that we can’t stay on mountain tops, and even though we’ve been saved by God’s grace, we’re sinners saved by grace so we will always stumble. So I admit valleys must exist, but I want to try as hard as possible to keep the average as high as possible (y=sin x + z instead of y=sin x). God recently pulled me out of a spiritual valley, and I have been reading some admonishing/encouraging verses that I thought I’d share.

What is it that I need to do every day? Definitely more than I have. I need to pray, read my bible, and encourage someone else to do the same. That’s a bare minimum.

Ps 55:17 Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.

Ps 40:1 I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.

A few nights ago I prayed for about 30 minutes. At first it didn’t feel like my prayers were getting above the ceiling, but the Lord loves his children: always. So I received a lot of comfort from a long talk with the Father.

1 Tim 2:1-3 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior;

1 Tim 2:8 I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrathand doubting.

Paul instructed Timothy that he and all believers pray. That they should pray for one another, for those who ruled over them.

2 Tim 1:3 I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day;

I have a bad habit of only going to God with “big” problems. But that’s stupid because there are no “big” problems for God. To him they’re all small problems. Compared to infinity both 0.00001 and a 100,000,000,000 are miniscule. So I should be instant in talking to God about everything: from doing well on a test, to getting married, to finding my car keys.

Phi 4:6-7 Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Second, we all need to read the bible, and if we are reading we need to read more.

2 Tim 3:16-17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for Instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

The bible is the word of God. Not just the book as a whole, but the words in it. They’re all inspired, to the point that both Jesus and Paul would base entire doctrinal arguments on one word or one letter even (Mark 12:26-27 & Gal 3:16). The bible is one of God’s greatest gifts to his children besides salvation. Jesus could’ve come into the world, died for our sins, and the only record of it be a paragraph in a history book about Roman law. We would be just as much children of God as we are now (Rom 8:38-39), but oh what joy there is in knowing of that salvation!

2 Tim 1:10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.

Friends we need to read.

1 Tim 4:13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

Ecc 12:1 Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;

We need to read and continue to read. The bible isn’t a movie or video game that you watch or play through once and then say “yeah I beat that game, it was good. I recommend it,” but never pick up again. It’s something that we should seek guidance from everyday.

2 Tim 3:14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

Timothy had known the scriptures from childhood, but Paul tells him to continue studying.

2 Tim 4:13 The cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee,and the books, but especially the parchments.

2 Tim 4:21 Do thy diligence to come before winter. Eubulus greeteth thee, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren.

Paul wrote 2 Tim from a Roman prison (a prison I doubt was anything like our prisons, probably more like a dungeon). It was the last epistle he would write before being beheaded. Winter was approaching and Paul wanted Timothy to get there before then: probably for concern of his safety due to the dangers of traveling by boat during the winter, desire to see him again, etc. Paul asks the young minister to bring a couple of things: Paul cloak, understandable since the Roman cell probably didn’t have central heating, and “the books, but especially the parchments.” Paul had studied the scriptures all his life. He had been a Pharisee of the Pharisees after all. He knew that he was going to die soon, and yet he still wanted to read God’s word. How much more should we study.

One error that I find myself in, however, is believing that “I just didn’t have time to read or pray today, I’ll do it tomorrow.” What a lie! I somehow don’t “have time” to read God’s word but I have plenty of time to watch YouTube clips, or play video games, or any other number of pointless gimmicks designed to do nothing but entertain.

Eph 5:15-16 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

It’s mind boggling the amount of time I waste in a given day. In the month of June, God blessed me with the self-discipline to read the whole bible. I read the WHOLE bible, in ONE month. And yet for most of my life I struggled to read even HALF the bible in a year. I had to read about 2-3 hours a day (40 chapters), but it wasn’t really that hard. That’s just not watching a random movie, playing Xbox for hours on end, not playing flash games on facebook, etc.

Matt 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Let’s do some math. The average person can read 300 words per minute and still have good comprehension, but let’s knock that down to 200 wpm. The bible contains roughly 791,000 words. At 200 wpm, that equals about 4000 minutes of reading time or about 66 hours. So to read the bible once in a year, you have to read the bible for a staggering (ready for this?): 11 minutes a day. Wow… 11 whole minutes. I could read during commercial breaks and read more than that. How pathetic my reading habits have been.

Finally, if I find myself remotely steady on my feet, for however short a time; I should encourage someone else who may be faltering.

Tim 4:13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

We’re but strangers here, heaven is our home. So as children of the King in enemy territory, we should always be there for one another.

Pro 27:17 Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.

I pray this has been an encouraging admonishment to me and to whoever reads this. Pray for me.

Rev 22:20-21 He that testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

Early morning (4am) readings

Gen 2:16-17 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

Gen 3:6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.

Rom 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

Isa 1:5-6 Why should ye be stricken any more? ye will revolt more and more: the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrefying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment.

Rom 8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

1Co 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Psa 14:2-3 The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if therewere any that did understand, and seek God. They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
Psa 53:2-3 God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God. Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
(I include both of these even though they are similar because of a subtle but important difference. In Ps14 it says "they are all together become filthy" and in Ps53 it says "they are althogether become filthy". The first declares everyone to filty and the second declares they are completely filthy, so everyone is completely filthy.)

Job 9:2 I know it is so of a truth: but how should man be just with God?

Eph 2:2-9 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

(this is not the end... more to come... but for now i'm going back to sleep... )

David

We're reading Attitude 101 by John C. Maxwell. I love this view of obstacles with this thought about David.

Everyone else looked at Goliath and said, "He's so big, he can't be beat!"
David looked at him and said, "He's so big, how can i miss!"

Gabe

Higher

Last month i was able to attend TeenPact National Convention. It was an amazing week. I met dozens of new friends, listened to great speakers, played some great games of Frisbee, and made lasting memories. But what i enjoyed most were some of the conversations i had.

Students who go to the TeenPact state classes are usually smart people with a great deal of sense. The attendees of TeenPact NC, however, are the most dedicated, hard working, and studious of the state classes. So some of the best teens from 38 states come to one place for a week. The atmosphere is amazing. Sure, there were conversations about favorite movies, youtube videos, the latest best seller fiction book, cars, etc., but I would say that over half of the discussions that i overheard or took part in were much deeper than that. Conversations about C.S. Lewis, solutions to the economy problem, the Presidential election, Tolkien, Henty, and Iraq were commonplace. But almost as often as all those put together were bible discussions. Everyday small groups would talk about the day's bible verses and share ideas and beliefs. Later in the week, a group of about 25 or 30 met in the morning outside the main auditorium for a heated discussion about the depravity of man (long story).

As the only PB there, I had to explain to many what i believe, from why i only use KJV to what i believe about the preservation of the saints. The whole experience was very spiritual and really forced me to dig more in my bible for verse after verse in discussion after discussion. I feasted in talking to other Christians (Baptist, Reformed, Presbyterian, etc) about the bible and Christ.

Then, about 4 days into the week, I stepped back and wondered why it isn't like that at home among my circle of close friends. They and I are all committed Christians, of different denominations, yes, but so was everyone at TeenPact. None of our discussions are bad, to the contrary, most of them are at a high intellectual level. Next to none of them, however, are about the bible, prayer, things we are struggling with, or anything spiritual.

Why? Why is that?
1Th 5:11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

Why did the people at National Convention and I obey that verse during that week but I and my best friends don't at home?

Pro 27:17 Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.

My friends who live close to me and I see each other all the time, but are we strengthening each other?

Rom 15:14 And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.

We all read our bibles, we all pray, and go to church, but we never talk about it. We don't strengthen each other in the Lord.

I have a theory about why this paradox exists. I've known the friends who live close to me for years. Some, i never remember meeting for the first time. And I think because of that, the relationship between us has remained at the same level for all these years.

1Co 13:11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

While we may no longer play with Hot Wheel cars or shoot at each other with cap guns, the conversation has never bumped up to a higher level. We now talk about ideas for a better energy source, the physics behind a certain action, memories, movies; we play games, and have lots of good, clean fun. But nothing deeper. With people i meet for the first time at places like college, National Convention, or wherever, we are both mature; and the relationship begins at a higher level. My relationship with my home gang, however, hasn't been bumped up yet.

Heb 5:12-14 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

I long for bible discussions with those who are my best friends. I want singing of hymns to be a favorite past time with the home gang, not just with all my PB friends (who i see far too seldom). What will it take for us to break the status quo? I wish i knew. When we're all together, I never remember that i want to try to do something about it- it's only after everyone has left. Maybe one day soon....

Gabe

You may value the friendships of youth and of age,
And select for my comrades the noble and sage;
But the friends that most cheer me on life's rugged road,
Are the friends of my Master--the children of God.

That bane called pride

I have trouble with a prideful spirit more often than i would like to admit (see, like there. i wouldn't want to admit out of pride how often i have problems with a prideful spirit). Little things can trigger it.
Like getting into an argument and after 2 minutes of heated discussion i realize that i'm probably wrong but i keep on going just because i don't want to admit i'm wrong.
Or like doing something well and then watching someone else doing the same thing, only not as well. And I find myself thinking "oh Gabe, you really outdid yourself. Good job. Now look at the poor blighters try to recreate your moment of awesomeness...". Yeah... it can get that bad really quickly if i don't stop myself.

Pro 11:2 When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.

But even if i don't stop myself, someone will come along that shows me that i'm not the hot stuff i believed myself to be.

I may try to put forth a show of knowledge. But there's always someone smarter.
I might become proud after singing a hard line of music better than anyone else on the row. But there's always someone who has a sweeter, better, clearer voice than I.
I may be puffed up from a athletic feat. But there's always someone a little stronger, faster, quicker, etc

Pro 16:18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

It's like in the old west. There's always someone faster on the draw.

But in my human nature, I can always think of an excuse or reason as to why what i did was better. Even if someone does something better, i can think of an excuse as to why what i did really deserves more credit. Why do i do that? Where does it come from?

1Jn 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

Mar 7:20-23 And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.

So, pride is of the world, and is in the same sentence as murder, blasphemy, and adultery. In addition to that, in Proverbs 6 it says that a proud look is an abomination to the Lord.

Pro 8:13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.
(to show people who had the fear of the Lord: Act 9:31 Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied. )
So, has as (I hope) a child of God, i should hate pride. But oh, even though i hate it... i still have it.
Rom 7:19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.

Pride obviously doesn't come from the new man, but from that nastiness which is human.

Jer 9:23-24 Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.

Something today caused pride to raise its poisonous, beautiful face. But before i had gone very far down the road with it... a thought came to my mind.
Christ had to come to this earth and die for sin. Sins like the one i was committing then by being proud.
My having a spirit of vain, proudful, conceitedness helped drive the nails, and made the cup fuller.

1Ti 1:15

I will tell you that it is impossible to remain proudful with thoughts like that burdening your mind.

This may seem to end on a dark note, but it isn't meant to. From 1Ti 1:15 one can get to Eph 2:4-8 and get on shouting ground real fast (that "but God" in verse 4 is one of the most beautiful things ever.)

Eph 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
Eph 2:3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
Eph 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
Eph 2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
Eph 2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
Eph 2:7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.



Gabe


I heard a story, of one who came to save me
Long time ago, he died that i might live on
Why he would love, one such as low as i am
Only he knows.
I want to serve him.
I want to praise him.
He died to save me, that i might live with him on,
And on.

Blog vs Facebook

I have reentered the blog world after pondering a desire to post substantive thoughts, bible studies, humorous findings, life stories, etc. Facebook, while giving a very high level of connectedness, does not lend it's self to what i'd like to do here. I don't know what exactly what this will turn out to be, if i'll post anything other than tonight, or if anyone will ever read this. But i felt led to create this, for my own benifit if no one else's.

Gabe