My disclaimer: When I read, I pay attention to 'content'. When speaking of real estate, you've likely heard "location ...location ...location"; and I think that is important for eternal consideration also. If you read what I'm going to discuss here, I say "content ...content ...content". And when most people text each other today, they say what's on their mind at that time ...not seemingly concerned with grammar. I don't text, but I can relate to that part.

 

First of all, we should define love.

But, we cannot define love by its fullest meaning unless we first reference our beliefs.

We could be all over the map with that one ...and now with the internet, we can go all over the globe, reaching out to each other. Yet, though there may be multiple diverse meanings for the word 'love', I'm guessing we may agree that love includes 'choice' ...which includes the choice not to love.

 

And since this is a book, and not a conversation, it includes my beliefs. Though I also encourage conversation ...so reading what I say is the first step, then you can consider (or not) what I'm saying, and decide whether you want to discuss it. 

Seeing the title of the book, I'd think you could easily guess somewhat what my beliefs are ...that we should make a sincere effort to love one another. 

I. ---'Okay, how do we define love?'

That answer to that is two-fold ...we can all define love, and none of us can define love.

It kind of waters down the definition if we all define it quite differently. And though sharing our feelings can be productive, does it make this discussion any easier?

What does loving one another mean? 

Does loving one another possibly mean being accepting of everything? And being accepting of everyone does not mean every thing. Accepting everything could be a form of passivity or apathy. And do we consider words like: uncaring, detached, unconcerned, disinterested, and indifferent as positive, good, and desirable traits to have? 

There are so many aspects of love, the truest of which we can scarcely touch upon. Earlier, when 'two-fold' was mentioned ...we know love is simply more than just that, so let the 'two' stand for merely two of the broadest categories, of love being a noun and a verb.

I personally believe the truest aspects of love must involve both the noun and the verb.

Love as a noun is something that exists. Love as a verb is when we elect to love.

II. ---'Interval of Light and Darkness'




Yes, to elect to love. What does that mean?

It means that there is a choice, as I said a bit earlier. And with 'choice', we have choices that are not so good. Those not so good choices can bring about events in the lives of others where they have to experience what they may consider some very bad things. And sometimes those poor choices have a lasting effect. The Dark Ages lasted several hundred years. The Enlightenment that followed had a rather lasting impact, yet historians are going to disagree what that was and to what degree. Many people felt something more was needed, and it wasn't as simple as a 'true love's kiss'.

Would a Great Awakening be what everyone needed?

Actually, historians mention three ...the first lasted about a decade long, and the second lasted significantly longer, and a third one persisted to influence society in a positive way as it continued on right through the American Civil War. Some texts say there was a fourth Awakening which would've been during my high school years ...but I didn't see it, or experience it.

Why?

Well, I sort of lost touch with all that after high school. I was busy trying to graduate from Michigan State University ...then came employment with the State of Michigan, marriage, and our five children. So, I was rather busy. Now I'm retired, and have slowed down significantly. I have more time to think, and am trying to do a bit of that while I still can. I have lots to catch up on. I tried to read up on it, and I was surprised to find that after four Awakenings, I'm now told we are 'woke'.





We are living in some sort of fantasy if we think we can rid the earth of every bad thing. We can do some things to make our world better, but that is not by just trying to preserve our orb, while ignoring what we are doing to ourselves.




Sometimes we don't seemingly have much choice ...as choices are often made for us. Often we can do something, but we disagree on what that should be, and we can end up doing what the majority want ---or if we are the silent majority, we can end up with what the loud minority wants.

Yes, the fact is, as long as we live on this earth we will see both 'light' and 'darkness'. And some of the most horrible things happen in the light. The thing to remember always is the fact that cycles do exist, cycles are intervals ...and things that begin also usually end.

Intervals serve a purpose. Intervals are periods of time between events or states of being. These events can serve as warnings ...such as reminding us of hurricane season. Or they can serve as fear mongering ...making people think they only have a limited time, so they begin to panic and possibly hoard certain items.

Intervals can also serve as comparisons. Who doesn't know the difference between work and time off work ... and which of them makes us happy? We can go through intervals of being happy, and being sad. Information that we are fed often influences those emotions. And as information is dispensed, it can lead us through intervals of belief and doubt.

Intervals can also serve as remembrances, so we don't forget. It's good, encouraging, and loving to celebrate annual events such as birthdays, or wedding anniversaries. Other remembrances can be more somber, providing recognition and paying tribute ...such as Veterans Day or Memorial Day.

Shorter intervals can also serve as reminders to those of us who forget too quickly ...as a car in the ditch alongside an icy highway, indicating that we should perhaps slow down a bit.

Some intervals serve as remembrances and are also cause for celebration. Every 24 hours the sun will go down for the count ...not like a boxing match, and we won't be knocked out, but everything will go black. Well, almost everything ...we may see stars. We usually lie there for a time, but then we do get back up for the fight per se'.

The daily grind is often not easy ...and we may have to fight to make it through the day. Sometimes we have to reflect, and remind ourselves that there are good days and bad days. And my suggestion is to try to focus and reflect on the good days.

At just the right interval, the birds will begin the celebration of the dawn of a new day. That seems like a good way of beginning the day, but how many of us start our day this way? Most of us probably miss the birds singing, and we also miss out on who calls for them to sing. We often feel we are still in the fight, and we get back in our social ring at the sound of a bell ...our alarm clock. We never hear the birds.

I'd rather join the birds, announcing the beginning of a new day ---though that does not mean you have to join me and the birds singing ---you can have silent joyous acknowledgement, as the morning glories do. I love the way they simply open up at first light, then seem to bow to the glory of the rising sun as they humbly close again, waiting for the grand moment to repeat their moment of glory each day.




I want us to think back ...yes, I know I've already brought you back several intervals, some lasting hundreds of years. And yes, I often do think of several millenniums ago, but this time i just want to bring our attention to the year 2016 ...to an interval called an election year.






III. ---'An election year'




When the Presidential primaries were taking place, leading up to who would be nominated to run on the Democratic ticket for 2016 ...a couple candidates whose poll numbers could use some help, obviously wanted to appeal to voters who may not be of the same mindset as the leading candidates. So standing apart as perhaps a 'better' candidate, would be what each and every person would want the voting public to believe.

I'm not mentioning any names, but one candidate claimed he had much hands-on experience working within the poorest downtrodden neighborhoods. The subject of his own state did not come up ---but also within the Northeastern United States, there appeared to be an established kinship, his kind of people and an understanding of their needs. And we also know cities to be population centers, with lots of potential voters. The city mentioned was Baltimore.

Baltimore had a disturbingly high crime rate ...and another candidate boldly said that mismanagement of funds resulted in little or no improvement in that city. The candidate who had said he was experienced in working with the neighborhoods, now claimed that not enough money was spent to help those good people of Baltimore. He appeared to be a good person also, and it may be interesting working with him ...as I feel we could work through our differences. I know that's a common claim by most politicians, but I actually think we could.

People always seem to be in disagreement over this issue. Some people say that a wealthy nation should be able to solve these problems ...and often blame 'government' for not doing enough. And others say that too much government assistance does not really help, and is not allowing us to work through to any actual solutions.

Those are views that people hold, and likely they're not any time soon going to abandon their perceptions. And people are always naturally not going to choose sides with who they feel is to blame. This is how we are, and likely will continue to be ...and God knows it.

So, was love being shown? And who do we accept to lead us in the most loving way?

In a political year, how can one become duly elected, if not convincing the majority of the people that they care about the needs and concerns dearest to their hearts?

Politics is a different type of animal, a 'political machine' as they often call it. And sometimes it seems they are deliberately telling you things just to get your vote. But, I am not focusing on who is being deceptive, or whether it's a deliberate strategy with a belief that the 'end justifies the means'. I'm focusing on how we choose what we feel we should believe.




IV. ---'Our choice'




Our family used to go to the restaurant for each person's birthday. The waiter/waitress would be waiting for our orders, and finally when we had settled on what we wanted, we would be asked, "And your choice of side?"

At this point you probably realize I'm talking about God, and I'm having you follow along in the Bible. My choice of side is that I'm siding with the truth of the Bible. And though I know that I'm often a big mess-up ...well, I'm deceiving myself if I don't think that's true. But, I also know that it's true ...that it's not all about me. It's not about me, it's about what Jesus did for us.

The first chapter here was talking about defining 'love'. The Bible says "God is love." And we are also directed to love one another. It is my choice to believe this ...and of course, it is your choice what you want to believe.

We may both agree that we should love one another, but we may disagree on how that is ...or how God fits in all that.

The second chapter here was about intervals. In the Book of Revelation, Chapter 21, it saw the New Jerusalem needs no sun or moon because the glory of God illuminates it. I believe that same glory of God existed before the 'in the beginning' we read about in the first line of the Bible ...the Book of Genesis. If I would be so bold as to say God illuminates my thoughts, I would never feel any words I have to say are of value other than those that bring understanding of what I read in the Bible. I only look for the Holy Spirit to illuminate what I believe is God's Word to us.

That being said, I see that the second verse says that darkness was over the face of the deep, and the Spirit of God hovered over the waters. I see this as the state of things after God put an end to the angelic rebellion.

And next, we read of intervals ...beginning with God's glory showing Light again, before any of the heavenly lights were set, which was Day #4.

Yes, I did mention the angelic rebellion, though Genesis is our beginning ...it's not about the angels.

Though in Genesis, Chapter 2, a condition is set that provides a choice. God's righteousness necessitates 'choice'. It's confusing how those who feel God is not righteous ...well, they seem to still feel there is a standard for righteousness that they seek and want us to acknowledge.

The third chapter here, not the third chapter of the Bible, but my chapter entitled 'An election year', was to show how an argument we feel is worthy of discussion in reference to the politics of our world ...well, that same debate is not relevant in the angelic realm. One third of the angels rebelled, not because they felt they didn't have enough ...they had unimaginable splendor. And that all proved itself out ...so, who can argue against humble humans being directed by a loving Father.

Of course, that is part of choice also ...our choosing how we build our perceptions. And there are still people who don't view God as 'loving'.

It's also partly trust. Who do we trust?







Some years ago, my Dad & Mom cashed one of their bonds. They said that instead of having us six children wait until they died, they thought it would help us more if we got the money at that present time.

Now, to most people $1,000 is not that much, but to each of us six children it was a large sum ...and we were each touched by the loving thing our Dad & Mom said they were going to do.

No, I did not doubt their word. Never would the thought enter my mind that perhaps they were just saying that ...and they were never going to give me $1,000. When I heard them say they were going to do it, I knew I could trust that they would ...there was never any doubt. Dad & Mom would never say that unless it was true.

I was not dreaming ...and I knew immediately that I could trust what I heard. The precise moment they voiced it, there was no doubt that I could trust them.

In the Gospel of John, Chapter 10, we can read what Jesus said:

"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand."







I worked for many years in what they used to call a Mental Institution, and then in a mental health prison. It was not really uncommon for people to hear voices. But, that's not the focus of what I'm talking about.

There are many real voices all around us, trying to speak to us each day ...and we're encouraged to listen, and also to be a 'voice' in our society. It is often difficult to be a 'voice' though. Some of the voices organize in hopes we'd be a voice to their liking only. In my nation, we do have freedom of speech, but censorship does exist also ...and it seems to be on the rise.

So, I've already said how I always felt Dad & Mom loved me, and had my best interests at heart. 

I'm sorry for all those who didn't have that. I wonder what level of trust Adam had in the Garden of Eden ...and did he view God as his Heavenly Father, as a loving Father? We don't really know how much time passed with him not eating the fruit.



In the Garden of Eden, Eve heard the voice of her husband Adam, who likely added, "And don't even touch it!"

But, there was another voice.




V. ---'That other voice'




And God's chosen couple ate the fruit. If God had not shortly come around, the serpent may have given them a recipe for a pie. Why stop at one fruit?

There are many voices in society ...it can understandably be difficult to decide sometimes ...and God knows that.

Those who haven't followed God's voice are certainly not unintelligent ...they may even have highly esteemed degrees granted to them by the scholastic voices who've taught them.

A very entertaining TV game show, which first debuted in 2007, is the popular show 'Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader?' It's an interesting show, and I don't know if I'm smarter than a 5th grader, I'd just like to share something with them. If they don't hear about it by the time they're a 5th grader, chances are much less that they would believe it when they do hear it.

So, if I'm writing at a 5th grade level or below ...I'm fine with that because this is mostly the age group that I'm trying to reach.

Something that appears ultimately accepting and inclusive of all ...isn't really even masquerading as caring, as at best it's fooling itself while believing in what it is doing.

Protecting everything which is held as true becomes an agenda so committed to and valued that anything threatening to challenge those beliefs must be met with an impenetrable shield, so even the possible actual truth can't pass through. Forbid anyone would let down their guard or lower their shield, in doing so, it would subject them to the worst imagined outcome ...so, the imagined fears are kept at bay, and behind the shield the true enemy is likely to build inside. And anger, deception, and hatred grow to such an extent that anything else no longer matters.

What happens next, is that blindness sets in, and accuses all who are perceived as the enemy ...or as the problem. Then that which we are guilty of, we accuse others of. That which is true, or what others say is true, cannot possibly be true. There cannot be two truths.




I guess we've established that true love is difficult to truly maintain without truth. True love wants the truth to be known. So, if I believe in love, then I would be curious where that love is ...and who has a mind to express it. Love isn't easily known if it is not shown. And like so many others through the years, the journey of my heart was to look for what I felt was there.

I feel the world is made up of more than mere disinterested and uncaring persons. The deeply scarred individuals who are confused and hurt are looking for those interested and caring persons ...unless they give up hope and become bitter angry individuals.

I don't know the dynamics of politics, and I would never run for political office because I would not know what to do. I'd fear that I'd be taking the wrong approach.

But, I believe God knows. Jesus made it clear how He views this world. Jesus said of His disciples, "For they are not of the world any more than I am of the world."

God created this world for us ...does He not care about it?

And why did God create the persons that He did? Why are there humans, and why are there angels? And were we created after the angels, with much less ...so, we may have reason to ask the same questions that the Senator tried to explain during the 2016 primaries, in reference to big city spending.







And though I'd never boldly act like I know, I feel this is the reason why God decided to create the angels first. The angels were created with power and splendor. That would be way too much temptation for me ...and honestly, can any of us know for sure how we would have responded? Is it easy to admit to the fact that any of us could've possibly joined that dreaded third who had rebelled along with Lucifer.

I am so glad God created me as more humble ...potentially more humble anyway. But, more so, to have the understanding of why, by reading and clearly seeing what He has for us in the Bible ---from my point of view is a distinct advantage. Each of us can read what happened. I may have stood with those who felt an Almighty could have afforded me a little bit more ...or a lot more.

I don't think it is fair to say what would happen to Baltimore or any other city if they were the wealthiest city on earth.

I am not picking on Baltimore. Our oldest daughter and her husband lived there while he was going to a very good school ...Johns Hopkins, and they had a child born there. So, it is not Baltimore that got my attention ...it was the conversation about Baltimore. Abraham was endeared to his nephew, so he had a conversation with God about Sodom. The conversation was important for our understanding about God. I am in no way comparing Baltimore to Sodom ...I am pleased with the positive attention Baltimore has been getting lately. They have just won their division in Major League Baseball. I am so slow with writing, I don't know how far they will get in the play-offs. The name Orioles is a pleasant name. I like songbirds ...and the Baltimore Orioles are easy to like. If they don't get to the World Series, then instead of chirping, I'll probably roar ...and root for the Detroit Lions to make the Superbowl.

I still consider myself a Yooper, and a Packer fan, but I do root for whatever team wins the 'Division' ...and I'm not into divisive rooting.

Back to the point I was making. It's about how much people feel they need, and the extent of what those needs are. There are always problems that money can't solve, though a little bit of help at times is appreciated.

Yet, back to the main point, the angels were not lacking, nor were they in need ...and the Garden of Eden was set up with no lacking, nor were Adam & Eve in need.

So, what happened?

That other voice is what happened. The serpent not only used what he was guilty of ...wanting more. He also lied ...but it was even more than that.

The serpent breached Eve's trust in God. The serpent not only said that God lied, but added an ulterior motive, saying God was withholding something. And at that moment Eve perhaps felt betrayed or cheated ...whatever she felt, she no longer trusted God. And she let deception do the speaking.

Genesis 3:4-5 ---"You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

Surprisingly, there are people who say God knew Adam & Eve were going to eat the fruit, and that it was an unfair test. I can't remember all that they've said is unfair ...because I don't think like them. And I think it was more of a proving ground, of 'choice', for the serpent. Heaven could be imagined to be a beautiful place, but the angels did battle ...and it must've been terrible. At that point, it would not be a peaceable kingdom at all, and not a suitable eternity for anyone, unless God intervened ...which He did.

So, what is next?







It appears our attitude toward guidance comes to the forefront.









VI. ---'Sin lies at the door'




The entire structure of family, created by God, is conducive to being dependent upon one another ...and of course, together being dependent upon God. And though there are some aspects of being independent that are good, it is never good to be independent from God.

God wants to guide us because He loves us, and we often don't know what will happen if we try too much to do things on our own.

And as I said, doing some things on our own is good, but taking things to extremes often makes for extremely concerning circumstances.







Let me make another point first. I worked in what was a Mental Institution, which later was called a 'Community Health' facility ...then I worked in a mental health prison. It is not difficult to see what becomes of those situations where problems are not dealt with. One may say ---well, he's just saying the problems were not dealt with the way he would have wanted.

I was going to go in another direction with this, but instead I'm going to say that so many people who say they have a problem with God, are often people who don't understand God, or they are saying they have a problem with who I believe in. Though they will say God is not fair or righteous or loving ...they will then add that my beliefs are wrong, which then sort of classifies their beliefs. That they have a problem with the way I view Him, also sort of suggests that they think I should rethink my views and how I believe.

That being said, that may be their view of God ...but what can be said of God's view of them, if they say they don't believe in Him? Can we actually separate who God is from the extensive documents which tell us who He is?

The first four Books of the New Testament tell us about Jesus. I've heard comments to the effect of doubts over whether Moses even existed ...so, conveniently the Creation story Moses wrote about can be dismissed, in favor of the evolution of humans and other species. On more than one occasion, I had a long extensive conversation attempting not to preach my views to anyone, but to convince them that I didn't want to argue and my intent was to have a discussion, not to be cruel with attempting to outsmart anyone with gotcha statements. I wanted to just think it through together, so I asked some questions. The conversation I remember the most, the person believed in Jesus, just not Moses ...and he also discounted the truth behind the claimed documents attributed to the authorship of Moses. I asked this person what he felt about John 5:46-47, with Jesus saying ---"If you believed Moses, you would believe Me, for he wrote about Me. But since you do not believe what he wrote, how are you going to believe what I say?"




This person said that quote is only in John, not the other Gospels, and that John has been corrupted ...he was referring to the writings. And he repeated that it is very possible that Moses didn't even exist. I said I had no problem looking at the other Synoptic Gospels, and mentioned that in Matthew, Mark, and Luke we see the mention of the 'transfiguration', during which they go to a mount and Jesus becomes radiant in glory, then being joined by Moses and Elijah. Yes, it was a long conversation, but though I don't think I changed his beliefs, mainly I was satisfied that I perhaps was able to convince him that I was not trying to belittle him or his statements ...I was just interested in discussing what the Bible says.




During the second half of this year 2023, I have seen a great increase in statements and positions of belief that try to belittle the Bible and those who believe in the Bible, often called 'Christians'. It doesn't require much reading, so it's much easier to follow than what I am writing ...to have our beliefs influenced by social media. Several times I've read someone's opinions ...where they tell of a particular situation, they present what happened through their emotionally charged description, and they follow it up by saying, "So, I went to social media to see if I was right."

Another person posted that they asked Artificial Intelligence (AI) to come up with their requested information, and it came up with a quote from Jesus that doesn't exist anywhere else ...it was just made up.

There is so much that ties in with this, I know I'm going in different directions, but I will try to somewhat bring it together.

Back to the title of this chapter, and it is from only the 4th Chapter of Genesis. Adam & Eve had eaten the forbidden fruit, and they were sent out from the Garden of Eden, their paradise. They had two sons ---Cain and Abel.

Now, I'm not claiming this to be the way it is, but I don't think God faults me for imagining ...with Him in mind, especially since I am not claiming that it was this way. But, I imagine they told their sons about the Garden of Eden, how they messed up, and how they were sent out from their paradise ...with a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guarantee they could not return. And that last part is in the Bible.

Now, like I said earlier, I came from a family of eight ...and our parents would also tell us of things before we were born. And I know that we all did not perceive what they were saying in the same exact way. Often our perceptions were drastically different.

And from what I read in the Bible, I see that Cain and Abel didn't see things the same either. Their perceptions of who the Person of God is ...were not at all alike. And God not only knew that ...He also addressed the situation which only He knew where it would lead if Cain did not take the sound advice.

God asked Cain why his face was downcast, encouraged him to do well, then also told him of the dangers of not keeping his emotions in check. " ... sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.”

God knew that Cain was not going to follow His advice, but God is still going to give the advice.







As you might guess, another story comes to mind. I worked most of my career on the afternoon shift. Yes, the people with degrees and titles worked the day shift. I was just a direct care staff. Before I got married, I wanted to get on day shift, as it seemed to me to be more compatible with married life. I had to fill out a request form that asked my preference of what unit I wanted to work on ...and I was to list each of the four units according to the rank of my preference. Last on my list was the girls unit. I certainly have nothing against girls, I just knew they had only female workers on that unit, and I had heard rumors that there had been a male working on the unit, but the female workers rode him off. I didn't know if that was true or not, and I don't have any respect for rumors ---but I didn't get my first request or my second request or my third request ---I got my last request, and was now on the day shift on the girls unit. And it did feel like they were trying to run me off.

People often get comfy with the way things are, and they don't want a change. It seemed having all female staff on the girls unit was the way they wanted it. But, after some rough spots ...we got along fine, and of course that is not my story, even though it seems I was making one out of it.

So, I was one the girls unit ...yes, I promise this is the story. It was Friday, and most of the kids went home on weekends. I was having the Mom sign the form that said she was taking her teenage daughter home for the weekend, and I was about to escort them to the door when the nurse hollered down the hallway, "Wait! You forgot her medications!"

The Mom came back down the hallway, stating, "My daughter is not on medication."

The nurse informed her, "The Doctor put your daughter on birth control."

The Mom stood firm, "I didn't authorize that!"

The nurse explained, "In the admission conference you said your daughter has been promiscuous. For health concerns, the Doctor put her on birth control."

The Mom felt no need to be quiet about it, as the nurse was saying it loud enough for everyone to hear, "I am not going to have you put my daughter on birth control. If she decides to have sex, she can always very easily go to the drugstore to get protection. But, she knows I am against it, and I am not going to cosign medication that makes it seem I am signing my approval or acceptance of that behavior."

The Mom left without the medication, the nurses mouth open still in surprise, and me silently applauding the Mom for her stance.

It's amazing how much I read of schools who feel the parents should not have any say in these matters today. Yes, God knew Cain would not follow the advice, but the advice was given ...and the standard continued to exist. And God spoke to Cain after he horrifically experienced what happens when emotions get way out of hand. A consequence was given to Cain, and he had to leave ...probably the only way any of them had any hope of healing. And the Bible says he got married in the land of Nod.

God wants us to personally know how important it is to hold to His standards ...and God also wants it to be clear to all of us as a whole. With God's standards being clear, it is also clear when we don't follow His standards ..and clear to all those who are yet to face perhaps those same situations.

It is important that we see His love. It is healthy to ask questions to better understand God, but it's not healthy to question God's love and His motives ...as was the trick the serpent used in the Garden of Eden.




VII. --'Why stop calling upon God?'




Yes, Cain went from his family and settled in the land of Nod. I said in the last chapter that I like to imagine things. I know of no one who could not be emotionally torn apart after something like this. I can't imagine it ...and I don't want to. What I do know ...is that there has to be healing.

I don't think Adam & Eve healed very well at all. You can say that I have no basis for thinking this, but I do ...and it's in the Bible. Still in the Book of Genesis, Chapter 4 ---"Adam had relations with his wife again, and she gave birth to a son and named him Seth, saying, 'God appointed me another son in place of Abel ...'"

We don't know how long Adam & Eve were in the Garden of Eden ...but, I would think the serpent wouldn't want them to have too long to establish a relationship with God. I would think the serpent's chance of success would be more probable if he instituted his plan early on. And we don't know how long they were out of their paradise before Cain and Abel were conceived, nor how old Abel was when he died. But, the Bible does say Seth was born when Adam was 130 years old. I know I can't assume that "relations with his wife again" meant it was only 'again' when he was 130 years old. And I certainly would not say having relations with his wife was the completion of a healing process. The Bible also says Seth was 105 years old when he had a son, named Enosh ...not to be confused with 'Enoch'.

I can certainly understand how extremely difficult it must have been, but the reason I feel they were so overwhelmed by grief ...is that Adam was 130 years old when he had Seth, and Seth was 105 years old when he had Enosh, and the Bible says in the last verse of Chapter 4, "And as for Seth, to him also a son was born; and he named him Enosh. Then men began to call on the name of the LORD."

The grandkid ...that seemed to be what did it, and that can be easily seen. Grandkids bring so much joy.

Yet, there is another thing. Perhaps they didn't know if Seth was going to snap at some moment. Had they seen any signs with Cain getting ready to snap, or was it a hidden internal struggle? We don't know ...but maybe Adam & Eve didn't either. Hoping that things would be good, did they have their doubts? Perhaps it took the birth of their grandkid to bring back a little faith. Anyway, we do know the Bible says at that time they began to call on the name of the LORD.




VIII. ---'Every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually'

I said that I like to use my imagination, but there is good imagination, and not so good imagination ...and as we see after the genealogy of Chapter 5, the imaginations of people had most certainly totally moved away from focusing on, or imagining the good things of God.

Somehow the standard had been lost. And I'm also thinking that since it took so long for the people to begin to call upon God, there must have been much that was lost. There is also a difference between praying to God, and professing the love of God. If they took so long to call upon God, then everyone around them likely didn't feel much of the love either. And perhaps they didn't really care, or feel they had a reason to care ...so, whatever happened sort of happened. And during those intervals of time when people just don't make a commitment to seek out God, there is a group of people who almost always feel empowered by that disconnect. Since the others have not sought out direction from God, they just become enablers. And that is when the worst that we can imagine thrives.

What about today?

The Gospel according to Mark says that just before Jesus returned to His Father in Heaven, the last thing that He said was ---'Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.'

And the Gospels are easy to read, and to understand. The world needs to hear of God's love. What happens if we don't share God's love ...which also includes His standards? Well, the title of this chapter quotes what God said about the condition of the earth just before He caused the Flood, saving only Noah and his family. And Jesus also said that when He returns it will be as the days of Noah were.



And during Noah's time God said he would give humankind yet 120 years. I don't know how long we have, but I am a bit concerned that we are so intent on saving our planet, but not saving our relationship with Him.







IX. ---'Would You also destroy the righteous with the wicked?'




What is our relationship with Him?

Do we listen to all those voices telling us similar things to what the serpent told Eve?




Sadly, there are people who accuse God of liking to show His power, seemingly preferring power instead of love. Yet, in Matthew, Chapter 13, Jesus tells the parable of the wheat and the tares ...the tares being simply 'weeds'.

Here is that parable:





The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds, and went away. When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.

The owner's servants came to him and said, 'Sir, didn't you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?'

'An enemy did this,' he replied.

The servants asked him. 'Do you want us to go and pull them up?'

'No,' he answered, 'because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest ...'





But, I'm traversing through Genesis, and I've jumped to Chapter 18. I've had much to say about the other Chapters also, but I don't want to be too repetitive, nor lengthy. Though repetition can be a tool for learning, as long as the repetition is good. Nonetheless, I did cover some of this in a different sort of way in a book entitled, 'The Essence ...', 1 of 5, in the series 'The Evolution of Confusion'. And I also addressed some of my points in 'Chain-Link Fences'.




But, here I am now, in Chapter 18 of the Book of Genesis, where the LORD is telling Abraham how He is going to deal with Sodom and Gomorrah ...because of the outcry of their grave sin.





And Abraham came near and said, "Would You also destroy the righteous with the wicked? Suppose there were fifty righteous within the city; would You also destroy the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous that were in it? Far be it from You to do such a thing as this, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous should be as the wicked; far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?"

So the LORD said, "If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes."

Then Abraham answered and said, "Indeed now, I who am but dust and ashes have taken it upon myself to speak to the Lord. Suppose there were five less than the fifty righteous; would You destroy all of the city for lack of five?"

So the LORD said, "If I find there forty-five, I will not destroy it."

And Abraham spoke to the LORD yet again and said, "Suppose there should be forty found there?"

So the LORD said, "I will not do it for the sake of forty."

Then Abraham said, "Let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak: Suppose thirty should be found there?"

So the LORD said, "I will not do it if I find thirty there."

And Abraham said, "Indeed now, I have taken it upon myself to speak to the Lord: Suppose twenty should be found there?"

So the LORD said, "I will not destroy it for the sake of twenty."

The Abraham said, "Let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak but once more. Suppose ten should be found there?"

And the LORD said, "I will not destroy it for the sake of ten."





This discourse between God and Abraham shows me so much. In the first Chapter of Isaiah, verse 18, it reads: "Come, let us reason together, says the LORD ..."

In Chapter 14 of Genesis, Lot was held captive ...and was rescued by his uncle. Now, Abraham was faced with losing his nephew again ...but though Abraham appeared quite bold in addressing God, he didn't cut to the chase and ask if God could rescue his nephew and family before destroying Sodom.

I think the conversation with Abraham was important to God too ...because wants us to understand about His love.





But, still the word 'love has not been mentioned in the Bible at this point, not until we reach the 22nd Chapter of Genesis.






X. ---'First mention of love'




Yes, the first mention of love in the Bible, surprisingly, doesn't come until the 22nd Chapter. We've already read so much about what God has done ...but there had been no mention of love.

And still, in this second verse of the Chapter, it doesn't say that God 'loves' us. Let us read what it does say:





Then God said, "Take now your son, your son of promise, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah; and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you."

It talks about a son who Abraham loves, but it does not mention God's love. Instead, God asks Abraham to 'obey' and 'sacrifice' ...sacrifice his son. And that doesn't seem like a loving thing to ask, but then again, the verse doesn't say God loves us.

For expediency, I decided to 'google' ---where in the Old Testament does it say God loves us?

The first thing that came up was Isaiah 54:10, but it speaks of His kindness, His promise of peace, and how He extends mercy towards us ...not mentioning that He loves us. Yet again, anyone who is kind, peaceful, and is merciful towards my wrongdoings ...well, I'd say that is loving.

The next thing that came up was a statement about Jesus, stating, "He never said 'I love you.' If you read through the New Testament you will notice that Jesus never said to anyone, 'I love you.' As shocking as that might sound, He never spoke those words to His disciples or anyone else that is recorded."

Then I thought, why am I even 'googling' it ...they will come up with anything. Sometimes short-cuts are not the best, even if it aids in expediency. I read again the Gospel of John, Chapter 11 ...because I know that when Lazarus died, it says Jesus loved him.

And of course, I've already mentioned the troublesome voices ...certainly with the internet not void of them. So, though I do access the computer for some things ---and I'm using it now as I'm typing, my Bible is beside me, it is what I'm sticking to, and will check back with whenever I can.

I think the reason God didn't say 'I love you' ---is that if He kept saying 'I love you, I love you, I love you' ---it would sound too much like when we say it. And don't get me wrong, I think we should continue to say it ...but, when God says it, it means so much more. It needs to be reserved for that one special moment.





John 3:16 ---probably the most well-known Bible verse: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”





That is a quote from Jesus. And Jesus would certainly show that love ...it was not all talk, as we often accuse each other of. When Abraham was asked to offer up his son, Isaac, we see that God didn't really have him do it. I mentioned how I felt it must've been seemingly impossible for Adam & Eve to deal with the death of their son, Abel ...at the hand of their other son. It seemed like a long time for them to even pray to God. I can't imagine how anyone could ever cope with carrying through with sacrificing their son. Even if Abraham imagined that since God had promised to build a nation through his son, Isaac ---that God would bring his son back to life ---it would still seem like insanity. The son would have to deal with what the dad had done, and the dad forever having nightmares of having done it. God would never expect anyone to go through that.

But ...God went through that Himself ---because of a love that so many people don't understand. And that was the big moment when God said, "I love you!"








XI. ---'What is right in our own eyes'




So often we don't see with our heart ...and I think we could desperately improve in this area. Though I cannot ignore what Jeremiah said, using the word 'desperately' in his statement, in Chapter 17:9 ---"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?"

I enjoyed reading how Abraham sent his trusted servant to follow a very interesting protocol to find Isaac a woman of character for a wife. This is Genesis. Chapter 24, and I shouldn't paraphrase this part because it is so good as we read about "his eldest servant of his house who ruled over all he had ..."

Well ...verse 12 begins the servant's prayer, "O LORD God of my master Abraham, I pray thee, send me good speed this day, and show kindness unto my master Abraham. Behold, I stand here by the well of water, and the daughters of the men of the city come out to draw water: and let it come to pass, that the one to whom I say, 'Let down thy pitcher, I pray thee, that I may drink; and she shall say 'Drink, and I will give thy camels to drink also: let the same be she that thou hast showed kindness unto my master."

And it came to pass, before he had done speaking, that, behold, Rebekah came out ...and she said, 'Drink, my lord: and she hasted, and let down her pitcher upon her hand, and gave him drink. And when she had done giving him drink, she said, "I will draw water for thy camels also, until they have done drinking."







I remember when I was single that one time I recall having thought, "I wish it would be that easy for me."

Well, enough about me ...Isaac did marry Rebekah, and they had two sons. They had their traditions which they somewhat held to ...and the son who was supposed to have the 'blessing' or birthright was the eldest. I am told that in ancient Israel, all the sons received some of their father's property, but the firstborn received a double portion and became the leader of the family. However that went, God told Rebekah that the eldest would serve the youngest.

Isaac seemed to be fine with the standard of the birthright, and he enjoyed Esau's venison. There seemed to be no thought beyond what was to be the 'blessing'. But, what blessing could come from a life that was being lived in a way that was not glorifying God? Esau married two wives, and some scholars have said they were involved in adultery and idolatry. How could it be imagined that he would lead the family?

Well, Rebekah had been told that Esau would serve Jacob, so she had a part in making that so.

On to Jacob ...so often a wrong is so easily repeated. He got much of it right. Who among us would not like it to be said we got much of our life right? But, as all of us do ...Jacob made his mistakes. And speaking of 'doing what is right in our own eyes' ...well, Jacob had an eye for Rachel.

Once again, the first born came into play ...and playing another slight of deception, to make what they felt was the right way. Jacob was supposed to marry the eldest daughter, and so it was made to be. Then he also married who he had wanted to marry initially ...Leah's sister, Rachel. When Leah gave him four sons, Rachel envied her sister. And the drama had not even begun ...as the maids of each of the wives also birthed children for Rachel and Leah. Leah gave birth to tow more sons and a daughter, then Rachel gave birth to her first son ...Joseph.

It appeared that Leah and Rachel's dad was cheating Jacob, and of course, God had a plan for Jacob ...so, it was time to move on. But, before they left, Rachel stole her dad's miniature teraphim, which were objects which some have called 'idols'. Yes, there were so many dynamics at play here, yet it seems the most troublesome was the fact that there were sons from four different moms.

Rachel gave birth to one more son, Benjamin ...and died just after giving birth. Favoritism, however real or perceived, often is at the center of many struggles. And the significant events of Joseph's life can be read from Chapter 37 to the end of Genesis.

Because of the famine in Israel, they moved to Egypt where God had taken terrible beginnings and turned them into great things for Joseph.

But, as is often the case, with the change of rulers ...they were now under the servitude of a ruthless hard-line Pharaoh.







The next Book, Exodus, shows how God chose and appointed Moses to guide His people out of Egypt, to deliver them out of slavery. The contest with Pharaoh covers Chapters 7-12, and it begins with Aaron's rod turning into a serpent. Pharaoh felt he was equal to the challenge and got his wise men, his sorcerers, and his magicians to also turn rods into serpents ...but Aaron's swallowed up theirs. Next, they both turned the water into blood ...and with all the dead fish, it really stunk. And God told Moses each time to tell Pharaoh, "This saith the LORD, 'Let My people go, that they may serve Me."

My favorite, the frogs were next. Sorry, but it's just comical for me to imagine. I have to laugh now, because later it is not funny. And the magicians made frogs to invade them from everywhere, and on everything.

But, the magicians could not copy the next plague ...the lice. They told Pharaoh that it was only God who could do that, and again we are told that God hardened the heart of Pharaoh, so God's people were not permitted to go.

I've been told by those who claim God is not fair ...that God had hardened Pharaoh's heart, so it was God's doing. It does say God hardened Pharaoh's heart ...so, let's look at this. We can also add relentlessly aggravating swarms of flies, an epidemic murrain affecting their livestock, boils to the degree that the magicians could no longer stand, severely damaging hail, locusts to finish off what the hail knocked down and blackening the entire sky.

Yet, I'm still told it was God's fault for hardening Pharaoh's heart. But, I feel it has to go beyond hardening his heart. If you were faced with all these plagues, at what point would you 'let the people go'? Pharaoh already had to have a hardened heart, and the hardest heart you'd think would somewhere along the line know enough is enough ...as an experienced ruler, Pharaoh must've realized this wasn't very smart not to admit defeat. To keep it going, you'd think he must've swallowed a stupid pill.

But, I think it's a bit like the 2nd Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Thessalonians, Chapter 2: "And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie ..."

Sometimes a lie is very appealing, and believable to many people. Yet, not everyone wants to believe the lie ...it's just that when others make it very convincing, the falsehood is often believed. But, if the lie is then taken to the next level where it becomes almost insane ...others may no longer believe it, even though those who had firmly committed to the lie will adhere to it even when it has reached absurd levels. You aren't going to change their minds, but perhaps the absurdity will be realized by some people, and they will be saved from the absurdity of it.

Moses was appointed to lead God's people out of bondage in Egypt. The plagues could not be ignored ...no one could escape the reality of the plagues. And if those events were not spectacular enough, God parted the Red Sea so they could cross and escape Pharaoh's army.

What happened next was an allotment of much time to reflect, and work on attitude adjustments. It also provided ample time for the first Books of the Bible to be written down, as God wanted to provide all future generations with a record, so they too could understand more about who He is.

And each experience brought them closer to understanding what God wanted them to understand, and by my reading it, I can understand too.

Part of the understanding involved assigning names that endeared them to Him, with these experiences. Sorry if I get something wrong ...I'm barely fluent in my own language.







Elohim ...El Elyon ...El Roi ...El-Shaddai ...Adonai ...Jehovah







Jehovah-jireh-nissi-mekoddishkem-shalom-raah-tsidkenu







God will provide, stand as our banner, sanctify us, grant us peace, represent us all, be our Shepherd, and is our righteous redeemer. Oh, yes ...God is Jehovah-shammah, always there.

It's also amazing that so many words I attempt to use have a double meaning, or are used to mean something so totally different from what I see it to mean ...and it seems to degrade or whitewash it. And I certainly don't want to appear as one of them ---whom Jesus addressed in Matthew 23:27-28.







So, after escaping from Pharaoh ...and after 40 years of attitude adjustments, they move out of the wilderness.

God shows them what He will do for them if they only obey. And they did what they were asked to do ...in merely marching around Jericho, carrying the Ark of the Covenant with them as the priest blew trumpets. God was now having Joshua lead them. This is described in Chapter 6, the Book of Joshua. The circled Jericho in this manner just one time, for each of the six days they were instructed. Then on the seventh day, they were told to march around the city seven times, and one the seventh time around ...Joshua told them to then "Shout!"

And the walls of Jericho fell.

Yet, four Chapters before that ...there's an interesting part that tells how Rahab played a part in it, and how she and her family were spared.

I can't begin to tell it how it is beautifully told ...yet, it is there for you to read, and I'm now moving onto the next Book, the Book of Judges.

It is so easy to become like those around us. Most people want to fit in, and with that comes an increased measure of acceptance. What's often lacking is to daily check in with God, not just praying for our needs and thanking Him, but to feel His love and acceptance. After spending time reflecting on God's love, perhaps we won't feel so inclined to allow others to fill us up, sometimes failing to discern that we may be at times allowing ourselves to be filled with those things that will not endure the test of time.

And sometimes we have to learn things over and over again ...though it begs the question whether we have learned. And the Book of Judges, Chapter 10 tells us that God's people once again were not just turning to their neighbors, but turning against God. Since they hadn't been turning to Him, God allowed the Philistines and others to afflict His people.

What happened next was good. They cried out to God, and acknowledged their sin. Yet, they had repeated this cycle so many times. And though it is always good to turn to God, it would have been better to have not turned away.

God does not change His mind. We have read verses where it says God repented ...but however you read that, God is not changing His mind. God knows ---we don't, yet He wants us to understand, so in His discourse with us it may seem on the surface that He changed His mind, but He is letting us know how it is ---in a way we will understand.

So, with that in mind, God tells His people to go and cry out to their false deities, and let their deities deliver them in their time of distress.

Yet, it was not for lacking of knowing who God is, so His people admitted again that they had sinned, but they wanted Him to deal with them, acknowledging that they were still His people. "Do to us whatever you want, only please deliver us from the enemy."

But, they were not just all talk. God's people then began to gather their false deity objects together ...to throw them away.

Yet, those repeated cycles of turning away from God, being afflicted, having a 'judge' appointed by God deliver them from their afflictions, turning back to God, then turning away from God again --this all covers intervals of multiple generations.

You'd think that after a while they'd catch on to the fact that what they saw as 'right in their own eyes' ...was not right at all.

Of course, it could be that much of it was what 'rightly' pleased them ...not God.

And there is much that is not known. I just know from my own lifetime that if someone is taught something, it may go in any number of different directions in the next generation. And what one person may learn during their lifetime does not translate into an equal learning experience for those in the next generation. People often have to learn for themselves, and problems often repeat themselves. But, there is an advantage to reading the Bible ...as we can read of all the mistakes, and choose not to repeat them.

Before the Chapter 10, which I spoke of, is one of the more talked about accounts in Chapters 6-8. And it contains one of the strongest statements by Gideon, whom God's people asked to rule over them. Gideon said, "I will not rule over you, neither shall my son rule over you: the LORD shall rule over you."

A summation of the Book of Judges is in its very last sentence: "In those days there was no king in Israel; and everyone did what was right in their own eyes."







Yet, God did not want them to have kings either. It just shows once again how we often want a voice to lead us, other than God ---and to be accepted by those around us, to have what they have ---and in this case, the neighboring nations had kings.




XII. ---'A disturbing similarity"




I have not totally exited the Book of Judges yet. I am going to draw a similarity within the texts of Genesis and Judges.

There are many definitions of salvation. Pharaoh's army had pursued God's people who were trying to escape bondage in Egypt ...but they appeared trapped. They needed a miracle of immense proportion ...and God parted the Red Sea to save His people.

I recall a sweet little girl who was being picked on in school. But, she had an older sister who one day witnessed it. The older sister told the bullies, "Don't you mess with my little sister!" And from that point on ...they didn't.

God was taking care of things for His people. We saw that with Jericho, and His people are not just a set group ...Rahab also joined those who were standing for His people. We can all become His people.

But, what happens when we become His people? That is a question we can certainly ask, and it's no less important today.

Both events which I'm going to list here ...both of them are from Chapter 19, but from different Books, nearly 500 years apart.

Here is the first one from Genesis:







Lot was sitting on the gate of Sodom. When Lot saw them, he rose to meet them, and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground.

And Lot said, "Here now my lords, please turn in to your servant's house and spend the night, wash your feet; then you may rise early and go your way."

And they said, "No, but we will spend the night in the open square."

But Lot insisted strongly; so they turned in to him and entered his house. Then Lot made them a feast, and baked unleavened bread, and they ate.

Now before they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Sodom, both old and young, all the people from every quarter, surrounded the house.

And they called to Lot and said to him, "Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us that we may know them."

So Lot went out to them through the doorway, shut the door behind him, and said, "Please, my brethren, do not do so wickedly! See now, I have two daughters who have not known a man; please let me bring them out to you, and you may do with them as you wish; only do nothing to these men ..."







(I usually have a difficult time getting beyond that last statement. I also have two daughters ...and would never say something like that. No way would I ever say that! "Do with them as you wish ..." is making me angry already, and each time I read it ...well, I can't explain how I feel. But, I also know I'm glad all my children are adults, and have escaped the ideological army of advancing insanity ---part of which would think that if my child was struggling with something and they knew about it ---that as a parent, I would not need to know. Yet, it still is not a comforting thought that my children are grown, as yours may not be ...and I think it is criminal what is being done to some children today.)







I do have to add the next verse from the discourse in Sodom. The men pressing upon Lot's home then said, "Get out of our way!" they replied, "This fellow came here as a foreigner, and now he wants to play the 'judge'. We'll treat you worse than them." They kept bringing pressure on Lot, and moved forward to break down the door.

By their statement, I wonder if they had judges at one time, and what they did to them. The next is from the Book of Judges:







Now a Levite who lived in a remote area in the hill country of Ephraim took a concubine from Bethlehem in Judah.

But she was unfaithful to him. She left him and went back to her parents' home in Bethlehem. After she had been there four months, her husband went to her to persuade her to return. He had his servant and two donkeys. She took him into her parents' home, and when her father saw him, he gladly welcomed him.

His father-in-law, the woman's father, prevailed on him to stay; so he remained with him three days, eating and drinking, and sleeping there.

On the fourth day they got up early and he prepared to leave, but the woman's father said to his son-in-law, "refresh yourself with something to eat; then you can go."

So the two of them sat down to eat and drink together. Afterward the woman's father said, "Please stay tonight and enjoy yourself."

And when the man got up to go, his father-in-law persuaded him to stay there that night.

On the morning of the fifth day, when he rose to go, the woman's father said, "Refresh yourself. Wait till afternoon!" So the two of them ate together.

Then when the man, with his concubine and his servant, got up to leave, his father-in-law, the woman's father said, "Now look, it's almost evening. Spend the night here; the day is nearly over. Stay and enjoy yourself. Early tomorrow morning you can get up and be on your way home."







(Sorry, but I can't help myself ...I have to stop here. What's wrong with these people? I certainly can't relate to this. Was the husband's father-in-law sorely missing a drinking partner? And there wasn't even a Packer game on. Yes, I know I don't know ...it must be one of those 'had to be there' situations, but seriously, I wouldn't have been there long. Whatever me and my wife had to work out ...it would seem to me to be some effort of renewed bonding with her, not her father. though knowing what comes next, she would have been safer here. And yes, I am going to resume with the part that really reminds me of the events we read in Genesis, but remember, this is nearly 500 years later.)







But, unwilling to stay another night, the man left and went toward Jebus, with his two saddled donkeys and his concubine.

When they were near Jebus and the day was almost gone, the servant said to his master, "Come, let's stop at this city of the Jebusites and spend the night."

His master replied, "No. We won't go into any city whose people are not Israelites. We will go on to Gibeah." He added, "Come, let's try to reach Gibeah or Ramah and spend the night in one of those places."

So they went on, and the sun set as they neared Gibeah in Benjamin. There they stopped to spend the night. They went and sat in the city square, but no one took them in for the night.

That evening an old man from the hill country of Ephraim, who was living in Gibeah, came in from his work in the fields. When he looked and saw the traveler in the city square, the old man asked, "where are you going? Where did you come from?"

He answered, "We are on our way from Bethlehem in Judah to a remote area in the hill country of Ephraim where I live. I have been to Bethlehem and now I am going to the house of the LORD. No one has taken me in for the night. Yet, we have both straw and fodder for our donkey and bread and wine for me and my handmaid and the young man with your servants: there is no want of anything."

"You are welcome at my house," the old man said. "Let me supply whatever you need. Only don't spend the night in the square."

So he took him into his house and fed the donkeys. After they had washed their feet, they had something to eat and drink.

While they were enjoying themselves, some of the wicked men of the city surrounded the house. Pounding on the door, they shouted to the old man who owned the house, "Bring out the man who came to your house so we may know him."

The owner of the house went outside and said to them, "No, my friends, don't be so vile. Since this man is my guest, don't do this wickedness. Behold, here is my daughter a maiden, and his concubine. I will bring them out to you now, and you can do with them what seems good to you: but unto this man do not so vile a thing."

But the men would not listen to him. So the man took his concubine and sent her outside to them. And they raped her and abused her throughout the night, and at dawn they let her go.

At daybreak the woman went back to the house where her master was staying, fell down at the door and lay there until daylight.

When her husband got up in the morning, and opened the door of the house to be on his way, behold, his wife was at the door, with her hands upon the threshold. He said to her, "Get up, let's go."

But there was no answer.







(I'm going to skip certain portions again. I don't have a blood pressure problem ...but I don't want to have one either. Trying to calm myself over the horrific way a daughter was treated, and now a wife has been treated the same way. And now we read, still in Chapter 19, that she's dead. I cannot even fathom to think how this could ever happen ...everyone is an accomplice. If you told me I'm overreacting because this was several thousand years ago ...that does not work for me either. During Noah's life, the Bible says the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. It seems like that was the way it was in Sodom, and the way it was here in the land of the Israelites, the land assigned to Benjamin ...rampant evil. And if you say, that was back then ...we formed a civilized union of people when we declared our independence from Britain. But, we fought a civil war because ...for one, people can not agree, nor get along. But, part of the disagreement was over slavery ...and I know some of the same horrific things were happening with slavery in our country. Treating or more accurately grossly mistreating people as possessions or property, objects instead of humans, and lesser people instead of God's people. If we feel we are civilized today, will we remain that way? And some would beg to differ with whether we actually are. Many of us who believe in the Bible, read of Jesus and are eager for His return. His disciples who followed Him when He came the first time, obviously didn't want Him to leave, and also asked when He would return. Jesus did not give a short answer, it is the entire 24th Chapter of the Gospel written by Matthew, and the 25th Chapter also. I don't want to burst anyone's bubble, but I don't want you to be on the bubble either. In short, Jesus said, among other things, something about it being as the days of Noah were.)







Back to the Book of Judges, though I'm skipping part of it, I will focus on the shock the Israelites experienced when they realized that as God's people, they had become a people just as horrible as the people God had destroyed in Sodom.

But, God wasn't dealing with a person of character as Abraham was ...so, we weren't going to get a heartfelt discourse as we read about between God and Abraham concerning the fate of Sodom and the righteous thing to do.

No, this time there would be no questioning God's love or His righteousness. The Israelites were taking it into their own hands to deal with it. It seemed to be, for them, the only way they were going to learn. They had hardened themselves from any other way.

We will resume with Chapter 20, verse 8 ...







All the men rose up together as one, saying, "None of us will go home. No, not one of us will return to his house. But now this is what we'll do to Gibeah: We'll go up against it in the order decided by casting lots. We'll take ten men out of every hundred from all the tribes of Israel, and a hundred from a thousand, and a thousand from ten thousand, to get provisions for the army. Then, when the army arrives at Gibeah in Benjamin, it can give them what they deserve for this vile act done in Israel."

So all the Israelites got together and united as one against the city.

The tribes of Israel sent messengers throughout the tribe of Benjamin, saying, "What about this awful crime that was committed among you? Now turn those wicked men of Gibeah over to us so that we may put them to death and purge the evil from Israel."

But the Benjamites would not listen to their fellow Israelites. From their towns they came together at Gibeah to fight against the Israelites.

At once the Benjamites mobilized twenty-six thousand swordsmen from their towns, in addition to seven hundred able young men from those living in Gibeah. Among all these soldiers there were seven hundred select troops who were left-handed, each of whom could sling a stone at a hair and not miss.

Israel, apart from Benjamin, mustered four hundred thousand swordsmen, all of them fit for battle.

The Israelites went up to Bethel and inquired of God, They said, "Who of us is to go up first to fight against the Benjamites?"

The LORD replied, "Judah shall go first."

The next morning the Israelites got up and pitched camp near Gibeah. The Israelites went out to fight the Benjamites and took up battle positions against them at Gibeah. The Benjamites came out of Gibeah and cut down twenty-two thousand Israelites on the battlefield that day. But the Israelites encouraged one another and again took up their positions where they had stationed themselves the first day.

The Israelites went up and wept before the LORD until evening, and they inquired of the LORD. They said, "Shall we go up again to fight against the Benjamites, our fellow Israelites?"

The LORD answered, "Go up against them."

Then the Israelites drew near to Benjamin the second day. This time, when the Benjamites came out from Gibeah to oppose them, they cut down another eighteen thousand Israelites, all of them armed with swords.

Then all the Israelites, the whole army, went up to Bethel, and there they sat weeping before the LORD. They fasted that day until evening and presented burnt offerings and fellowship offerings to the LORD. And the Israelites inquired of the LORD. They asked, "Shall we go up again to fight against the Benjamites, our fellow Israelites, or not?"

The LORD responded, "Go, for tomorrow I will give them into your hands."







There is much to be seen in these verses.









XIII. ---'King me'

like in chess, yet with God it is not a chess game, he wants us to make the right moves.




XIV. ---'Solomon's slalom ...he didn't avoid obstacles, he added them'




XV. ---'King of Kings serves us'

and tells us to love Him and neighbor as ourselves ...and go out into the world to spread the good news My favorite children's book is Max Lucado's 'Song of the King'





XVI. ---'Serving each other ...and others'

we need to encourage each other, and give each other the confidence to serve others




XVII. ---'Still have to tell the truth'

Stephen's discourse:





After Jesus was crucified, the apostles saw that He was resurrected ...and He spent time with His disciples.

Yet, when Jesus returned to the Father ...though they were commissioned what to do, and had the Holy Spirit to guide them, they likely did not know how people would respond. They knew what they were supposed to do, but especially they did not know what those who crucified Jesus would do.

It would be best at this time to go to the Acts of the Apostles, and you can read it here. I was named after the person, though he summarizes it better than I ever could:





And they stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes: and they came upon him, seized him, and brought him to the council.

They also set up false witnesses who said, "This man does not cease to speak blasphemous words against this holy place and the law; for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs which Moses delivered to us."

And all who sat in the council, looking steadfastly at him, saw his face as the face of an angel.

Then the high priest said, "Are these things so?"





And Stephen said, "Brethren and fathers listen: The God of glory appeared to your father Abvraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Haran, and said to him, 'Get out of your country and from your relatives, and come to a land that I will show you.'

Then he came out of the land of the Chaldeans and dwelt in Haran.

And from there, when his father died, God moved Abraham to this land in which you now dwell. And God gave him no inheritance in it, not even enough to set his foot on. But even though Abraham had no child at the time, God promised to give the land to him for a possession, and to his descendants after him.

But God spoke in this way: that his descendants would dwell in a foreign land, and that they would be brought into bondage and oppression for four hundred years. 'And the nation to whom they will be in bondage I will judge' said God, 'and after that they shall come out and serve Me in this place.'

Then God gave him the covenant of circumcision; and Abraham begot Isaac and circumcised him on the eighth day; and Isaac begot Jacob, and Jacob begot the twelve patriarchs.

And the patriarchs, becoming envious, sold Joseph into Egypt. But God was with him and delivered him out of all his troubles, and gave him favor and wisdom in the presence of Pharaoh, king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house.

Now a famine and great trouble came over all the land of Egypt and Canaan, and our fathers found no sustenance. But when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent out our fathers first.

And the second time Joseph was made known to his brothers, and Joseph's family became known to the Pharaoh.

Then Joseph sent and called his father Jacob and all his relatives to him, seventy-five people. So Jacob went down to Egypt; where he and our fathers died. And they were carried back to Shechem and laid in the tomb that Abraham bought for a sum of money from the sons of Hamor, Shechem's father.

But when the time of the promise drew near which God had sworn to Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt till another Pharaoh arose who didn't know Joseph. And this man dealt treacherously with our people, and oppressed our forefathers, taking way the babies from them and leaving them to die.

At this time Moses was born, to be no ordinary child, and he was brought up in his father's house for three months. But, when he was cast out, Pharaoh's daughter took him to nourish him as her own son.

And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and deeds.

Now when he was forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren, the children of Israel.

And seeing one of them suffer wrong at the hand of an Egyptian, he went to his defense to avenge the act and struck down the Egyptian, thinking that the man would see that God had delivered him by Moses' hand.

The next day, two of the brethren were fighting, and Moses tried to reconcile them, saying, "Men, you are brethren, whyu do you wrong one another?"

But the one man shoved Moses, saying, "Who made you ruler and judge over us? Do you want to kill me as you did the Egyptian yesterday?"

Upon hearing this, Moses fled and settled in Midian as a foreigner, where he had two sons.

After forty more years had passed, an Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire in a bush, in the wilderness of Mount Sinai. When Moses saw it, he marveled at the sight; and as he drew near to observe, the voice of the Lord came to him, saying, "I am the God of your fathers ---the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." And Moses trembled and dared not look. Then the Lord said to him, "Take your sandals off your feet, for this is holy ground. I have surely seen the oppression of My people who are in Egypt; i have heard their groaning and have down to deliver them. And now come, I will send you to Egypt."

This Moses whom they rejected, saying, 'Who made you a ruler and a judge?' is the one God chose to be ruler and deliverer by God's own hand.

God did wonders and signs in Egypt and at the Rea Sea, leading them out of Egypt and into the wilderness for forty years.

This is the Moses who said to the children of Israel, 'The LORD your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your brethren. Him you shall hear.'

This is he who was in the congregation in the wilderness with the Angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our fathers, the one who received the life-giving words to pass on to us, whom our fathers would not obey, but rejected. And in their hearts they turned back to Egypt, saying to Aaron, "Make us gods to go before us, as for this Moses who brought us out of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him."

And they made a calf to offer sacrifices to that idol, and rejoiced in the works of their own hands.

Then God turned and gave them up to worship the idols, as it is written in the Book of the Prophets:

'Did you offer Me slaughtered animals

and sacrifices during forty years in the wilderness,

O house of Israel?

You also took up the tabernacle of Moloch,

And the star of Remphan,

Images which you made to worship;

And I will carry you away beyond Babylon.'

Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as He appointed, instructing Moses to make it according to the pattern that he had seen, which our fathers, having received it in turn, also brought with Joshua into the land possessed by the Gentiles, whom God drove out before the face of our fathers until the days of David, who found favor before God and asked to find a dwelling for the God of Jacob.

But Solomon built Him a house. However, the Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands, as the prophet says:

'Heaven is My throne,

And earth is My footstool.

What house will you build for Me? says the LORD,

Or what is the place of My rest?

Has MY hand not made all these things?'

You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit, as your father did, so do you.

Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who foretold the coming of the Just One, of whom you now have become the betrayers and murders, who have received the law by the direction of angels and have not kept it.





When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth. But, he being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and said:

Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!"





Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord; and they cast him out of the city and stoned him

They stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit."

Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, "Lord, do not charge them with this sin."














XVIII. ---'Divisiveness among believers'




Yes, I skipped a verse, but will add it here:





And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul.





Still in the Book of Acts, Chapter 9: Saul still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord ...

Now I've known many people who have had to take an 'anger management' course. I'm not going to say that it can never be effective, but I've never seen it work. Sometimes it seemed like a joke ...and the person became more devious, crafty, clever.





It likely wouldn't have worked with Saul either. But, God knew what would work.







As Saul journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul ...why are you persecuting Me?"

And Saul said, "Who are you, Lord?"

Then the Lord said, "I am Jesus, whom you were persecuting, it is hard for you to kick against the goads."

Still trembling, Saul asked, "Lord, what do You want me to do?"

Then the Lord said, "Arise and go into the city and you will be told what you must do."

(Now, the men with Saul heard a voice, but saw no one ...yet, they led Saul into the city because he had no sight. Meanwhile, a certain disciple named Ananias was told in a vision to go to the street named 'Straight' and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, who would be praying. And in the vision Ananias was putting his hand on Saul, so he could receive his sight.)

Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priest to bind all who call upon Your name."

But the Lord said, "Go ...for he is a chose vessel of Mine, to bear My Name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My Name's sake."



(When Saul at first tried to join the disciples, they were all afraid of him ...until Saul began preaching boldly in the Name of Jesus, at which point many sought after to kill Saul, and it began to clear up the disciple's doubt about him ...who also then began to be referred to as Paul.)
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Teenage girls unit ...the standard set, that each individual understands, that the group understands Sodom & tribe of Benjamin




today I see all over social media even more than this.//how others 'perceive Him///incompetent to stand trial or innocent by reason of insanity//God knew how Cain would respond, but God always wants us to understand ...like His conversation with Abraham over Sodom//and God not only wants us to understand, but wants those we are associated with to understand also ...He wanted Abraham to understand why He was going to destroy the city his nephew and family lived in...And Abraham likely didn't understand that God had intended all along to rescue Lot and his family out ...it was very important the conversation that he perhaps felt God was being irritated by ...but I don't think so, as I believe God wanted him to fully understand ...also tribe of Benjamin.

(how was Moses going to write about Jesus//Jesus said over and over He and the Father are One// and the Holy Spirit never deviates from that either)

Yet, we can read what happened to Sodom and Gomorrah, and Sodom is described as a city that had no lacking, except for in the department of morality. They did not follow the way of God.

It is interesting to note that God is providing us with much of His understanding ...through His conversing with Abraham over the reasons why He was going to destroy those two cities and actually any time He chooses to destroy ...previously also during Noah's time with the entire earth.

War is always ugly, and never desired ...at least by anyone who has a heart for good. But, who'd not want to stop what is not good ---what is very bad, what could be perceived as evil? And the longer it is avoided, things do not get better, or just go away ---they usually get worse. Those so obsessed with doing evil are not likely to stop, and they are usually more motivated toward achieving their goals than those who are motivated to stop them.

We may ask why God does not stop them? Yet, if every time God made the choice for us, then there would be no choice at all. And I've seen that those who claim to want their cherished freedoms, often don't really understand freedom much. And to understand freedom, there must be an understanding of right and wrong, a concept which we who are in a free society struggle with all the time. We seldom seem to agree. Even understanding that the Bible is our guide in love and righteousness, we very often seem to disagree.

Not everything is so critical to agree on ...but, it may help in maintaining our growth and understanding if we see the love of God, and seek out what He has for us, instead of doubting His Word.




Yes, there are Bible verses that lead me to think the angels were created before the do-over, and the 'in the beginning' that we read of when we open to the first Chapter of our Bible, it's my thought that it's describing 'our beginning'. We do not see what it was like before God quelled the rebellion of the angels. Only at this time do we read of darkness over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God hovering over the waters.

The very often debated Creation story comes next, which less and less of us Christians feel is not just a story. It does not read like a parable, and I believe that God is telling it to us straight here. If there is much doubt about it, I am inclined to refer to the Gospel of John, Chapter 4, verses 46-47. Jesus is speaking, "For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote of Me. But if you believe not his writings, how will you believe My Words?"

And I believe the Words of Jesus, and that which God had Moses write. And soon after we read of the Creation, we read of the serpent in the Garden of Eden. What does the serpent say? The serpent deliberately lies to Eve. And the whole thing sets in motion God's love and His righteousness.









If we look at the Bible, the first mention of love is in the very first Book, but not until the 22nd Chapter, where it says Abraham loved his son whom Sarah gave birth to in her old age. And with the mention of love, is also a request ...to obey, and sacrifice.





The first Chapter of Isaiah has much to say, yet I will list the shorter section in quoting the verses from First Samuel, Chapter 15, as God has the prophet Samuel speak to King Saul:

"Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices

as much as in obeying the LORD?

To obey is better than sacrifice,

and to heed is better than the fat of rams.

For rebellion is like the sin of divination,

and arrogance like the evil of idolatry.

Because you have rejected the word of the LORD,

He has rejected you as king.”





Why does God send a delusion? Isn't life difficult enough?

Well, with all the confusing voices, it may be difficult to discern and decide which course of action or thought we'd prefer to take. It's like a few articles I've recently read, where a person says they are not sure what is right to do, so they go to social media to find out. If we are looking at 'majority opinion' to find out what is right, then I feel we have become very wrong. Now, I know the opinions of others can be helpful at times, but those opinions should never be solely relied upon. And even worse is when we rely on the media to not just guide us along ...but to support what we already have decided we want them to support.




When God says He is going to send a strong delusion, I think it is actually a help to get our fringe beliefs to think it through again, without just blindly accepting.




XIII. ---'King me'

like in chess, yet with God it is not a chess game, he wants us to make the right moves.




XIV. ---'Solomon's slalom ...he didn't avoid obstacles, he added them'




XV. ---'King of Kings serves us'

and tells us to love Him and neighbor as ourselves ...and go out into the world to spread the good news My favorite children's book is Max Lucado's 'Song of the King'





XVI. ---'Serving each other ...and others'

we need to encourage each other, and give each other the confidence to serve others




XVII. ---'Still have to tell the truth'






XVIII. ---'Divisiveness among believers'




XIX. ---'Sin no more'




we may not call it sin, but what we do so often and condone it, not making a stance to say its wrong, is what Jesus was actually saying was sin














XXI. ---'The other sons of God'

us humans




XXII. ---'Who do we desire to be, and be with??'




XXIII. ---'Again, how do we love one another'




If we say, "Oh, that's not a problem", then I wonder how much we are engaged. It is a problem at times. But God still wants us to do it. I think a good book to get a bit more insight into the problem is 'The New Tolerance', written by Josh McDowell and Bob Hostetler. I can't begin to tell of all the good insights in that book, so I'll just mention the book in case you want to read it.




Love God first ...and don't minimize that love by changing it to fit what we feel is right. Don't compromise His truth. In a loving way, point people to the One who is love. People got Covid shots, and continue to ...so they can can be immunized against the spread of Covod, or at least not have it affect them as severely. The US sent aid to other countries because they felt it not good at all not to help others. If we truly want to love one another, then (like I said, in a loving way) pray to God to ask for the Holy Spirit to provide a way to reach people so they are not immunized against the truth. The greatest deception is when one tries to discount God. God loves us all ...and He wants us all to be with Him, yet He is also righteous and all-knowing. Part of that 'knowing' should be clear to us as we can see how God created all the angels ...and they were with Him, and saw the truth and experienced the glory that He shared with them. Somewhere along the line, one third decided to join against Him. It did not become good. But when God began a new Creation, meant for the other sons of God, us ---many people say it was not good. But God had a plan already, set up even before the angels were created ...to redeem us, and not to be seen for who we are, who we struggle to be, but who we are when we fully embrace Him, not elevating our denomination or religion, but Him.

It is our choice ...we always want to have a choice, we celebrate freedoms we have ...but we should not feel we are free from Him.




XXIV. ---'Do I have to know you to wish the best for you'





No.





Eternity, it is what it is ...eternal.

I may not get to meet you in this life, but their will be ample time to meet you in the next.

God would that we'd all be there. And to love someone the most we can, is to rid ourselves of all the things that are not loving ...not rid others, but ourselves, and pray others will do the same.

I can love you better in the next life, but I will extend my love also in this life. And the best way I can do that is by sharing about God ...who is Love.

I will make mistakes, and probably also many grammatical ones here, but I hope to glorify God ...as is my intent.

We are in this world together, and often when things are difficult, we say, "I'm trying to make the most of it."

I know God is with me in this life, and I also believe His promise of the next life, Where He will be, is where I want to be.

I hope you want the same.

You can say you love your car ...and you can wash it, wax it, and polish it; giving it all the attention that a spouse may look for. And if you take care of it ...it may even perform better (the car, that is), but that is not love.

Think back ...no, not several millenniums ago, but just to the year 2016. No, not the year of 1969 where a music festival took place, and one of the themes of the festival was to redefine love and to decry all war, while preaching peace and unity.

No, not 1955, the year I was born ...when several important events took place in our nation, including the debut of 'The Mickey Mouse Club' on ABC. And yes, I realize I'm going backwards ...but first, let us get back to my more recent memory. The year being 2016, when many debates were going on, a common thing to expect when approaching an election year.

II. ---'An election year' 

With the Presidential primaries in full swing, we saw what can always be expected leading up to who would be nominated to run on the ticket. A couple candidates whose poll numbers could use some help, obviously wanted to appeal to the large number of undecided voters. These persons are not the party 'loyals', and they at times can be persuasive, not of the same mindset as the other leading candidates.

So standing apart as perhaps a 'better' candidate, would be what each and every person would want the voting public to believe, or they could convince them of it in the event they already didn't believe it. 

I'm not mentioning any names, but one candidate claimed he had much hands-on experience working within the poorest downtrodden neighborhoods. The subject of his own state did not come up ---but also within the Northeastern United States, he obviously claimed an established kinship, his 'kind of people' and an understanding of their needs. We certainly know cities to be population centers, with lots of potential voters. The city mentioned was Baltimore.

Baltimore, with its disturbingly high crime rate, clearly needed help. Another candidate boldly said that mismanagement of funds resulted in little or no improvement in that city. The candidate who'd said he had experience working with the neighborhoods, now claimed that not enough money was spent to help those good people of Baltimore.

People always seem to be in disagreement over this issue. Some people say that our wealthy nation should be able to solve these problems ...and often blame 'government' for not doing enough. Others say that too much government assistance does not really help, and is not allowing us to work through to any actual solutions.

Those are views that people hold, and likely they aren't going to abandon their perceptions any time soon. And people always naturally choose sides with who they like, and staunchly oppose those they feel are to blame. This is how we are, and likely will continue to be ...and God knows it.

So, was love being shown? And who do we accept to lead us in the most loving way?

I'll cut to the chase ...Congress needs a two-thirds majority to propose a constitutional amendment for ratification by the states. Though a protesting angry 'one-third' can cause much trouble.

And one-third of the angels were causing trouble, so God put an end to it. And we see the result of that in the first couple verses of the Bible.

Who do you elect to follow?

Yes, I believe God is love ...yet, I hear all the time that God is not loving. And I believe one reason we hear that ...is because people don't understand that love requires freedom of choice.

Prohibition ---18th Amendment, 1920. It was repealed

I John 4:19 ---"We love Him because He first loved us."

John 13:34 ---"I'm giving you a new commandment…to love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another."

Whether it is 'I', 'you', or 'we' ...I prefer to think that we are in this together. After all, how else can we love one another.

You certainly know that we have been praying for years ...and I understand much of the difficulty. It is in many ways easier to reach tribes who have never heard, than to reach much of Europe and the good old USA. Yet, I find many times our approach is much less tolerant to those in our country than parts of the globe where we send missionaries to. Much of the world has not been told much at all ...yet, our country has been fed many lies. So, often to accept the truth we feel it has to come from those who know more than we know, and often they are much like the religious leaders during the time Jesus ministered on the earth with His apostles. The religious leaders were viewed as the authorities, and many of the people wanted to follow God, but deep in their hearts they felt something wasn't right. Now, so much confusion in our country brings no real direction so much to come to Jesus, but to come to those who supposedly know more than we do ...and many of them are not that much different than the religious leaders more than two thousand years ago. My Mom believe in Jesus, yet didn't always agree with what the Catholic church said. Yet, she was raised in the church and was not going to stand against them. Most of Dad's family worked the farm, and it was far to go to church ...so his best opportunity would have been later to go with Mom, but he couldn't bring himself to go to a church he felt there was so much wrong in. I got a shocker a few years ago ...my wife became Catholic. And though we both go to church ...I do not go to church with her. And that does not make for the best of situations, as our unity has always been centered on Him, and now it becomes an uncomfortable reality that is difficult to deal with. In a way, I find it even more difficult than when I was growing up, because I feel the Holy Spirit spoke clearer tome without the confusing representation of two faith denominations. With me, it was not ...is Dad right or is Mom right, because Dad was mostly silent. With my own kids, it is a sad scenario if having to decide whether Dad is right or Mom is right. I keep saying the Bible is right ...not a matter of me being right. But after hearing so many discussions, what is their motivation in actually even reading the Bible ...as it seems safer to just got into all the different interpretations and the emotions packed into them. And how many Christians believe in evolution?? We can say we can just believe in Jesus, and not take either side of evolution ...but what does that say about our Creator?? Yes, the Bible is being attacked in a big way, and many school children don't know if they can trust an old Book, when very intelligent people have since discovered so many things that they feel discounts the Bible. The Book of Genesis is the most attacked Book of the Bible. And if they accept one Book may be in error, than other Books face the bout with doubt. They are already saying the New Testament has been compromised, and though won't say Jesus didn't exist, they say He didn't say what the Bible says He said. So, yes it is a battlefield ...and i can't blame the youth for being confused, or the elderly either. Dad and I have had many conversations. Not all his six kids believe the same way, and so many voices ...and at times he feels he doesn't know what he believes. I know at least half of us kids are praying for him in that respect. Thanks for listening

You certainly know that we have been praying for years ...and I understand much of the difficulty. It is in many ways easier to reach tribes who have never heard, than to reach much of Europe and the good old USA. Yet, I find many times our approach is much less tolerant to those in our country than parts of the globe where we send missionaries to. Much of the world has not been told much at all ...yet, our country has been fed many lies. So, often to accept the truth we feel it has to come from those who know more than we know, and often they are much like the religious leaders during the time Jesus ministered on the earth with His apostles. The religious leaders were viewed as the authorities, and many of the people wanted to follow God, but deep in their hearts they felt something wasn't right. Now, so much confusion in our country brings no real direction so much to come to Jesus, but to come to those who supposedly know more than we do ...and many of them are not that much different than the religious leaders more than two thousand years ago. My Mom believe in Jesus, yet didn't always agree with what the Catholic church said. Yet, she was raised in the church and was not going to stand against them. Most of Dad's family worked the farm, and it was far to go to church ...so his best opportunity would have been later to go with Mom, but he couldn't bring himself to go to a church he felt there was so much wrong in. I got a shocker a few years ago ...my wife became Catholic. And though we both go to church ...I do not go to church with her. And that does not make for the best of situations, as our unity has always been centered on Him, and now it becomes an uncomfortable reality that is difficult to deal with. In a way, I find it even more difficult than when I was growing up, because I feel the Holy Spirit spoke clearer tome without the confusing representation of two faith denominations. With me, it was not ...is Dad right or is Mom right, because Dad was mostly silent. With my own kids, it is a sad scenario if having to decide whether Dad is right or Mom is right. I keep saying the Bible is right ...not a matter of me being right. But after hearing so many discussions, what is their motivation in actually even reading the Bible ...as it seems safer to just got into all the different interpretations and the emotions packed into them. And how many Christians believe in evolution?? We can say we can just believe in Jesus, and not take either side of evolution ...but what does that say about our Creator?? Yes, the Bible is being attacked in a big way, and many school children don't know if they can trust an old Book, when very intelligent people have since discovered so many things that they feel discounts the Bible. The Book of Genesis is the most attacked Book of the Bible. And if they accept one Book may be in error, than other Books face the bout with doubt. They are already saying the New Testament has been compromised, and though won't say Jesus didn't exist, they say He didn't say what the Bible says He said. So, yes it is a battlefield ...and i can't blame the youth for being confused, or the elderly either. Dad and I have had many conversations. Not all his six kids believe the same way, and so many voices ...and at times he feels he doesn't know what he believes. I know at least half of us kids are praying for him in that respect. Thanks for listening