The Letter

 "You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone. You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone, but on tablets of human hearts." 1 Corinthians 3: 2 & 3

    When looking forward requires too much of me, I sometimes travel into the past. Today, when perusing a family scrapbook, I came across memoirs written by my great-grandfather, Paul K. Dame. It's a blessing to have this history, not only to learn about his life of poverty in the Netherlands and his eventual emigration to the United States in 1893, but mostly about his faith in Jesus. This is the true treasure!

    Every morning before leaving for school, beneath his mother's tutelage, young Paul read a chapter of the Bible to her. He also recalled, "Sometimes I would find Mother lying in a corner praying, presenting her needs to God for, sometimes, she did not know how to make ends meet. That is one of the things written in your hearts which will never be erased. We can't appreciate enough a godly upbringing." He went on to say, "When we have been pointed from father's knee and mother's lap to Jesus Christ, that is a blessing."

    Reading my ancestor's story, which was woven with Biblical truths, I took great courage for my own future. After all, if Great-grandpa Dame can father ten godly children, emigrate to another country for a fresh start, work ten-hour days to earn $1.25 as he learned English from scratch, then certainly I can go forward in the faith of his God and my God who provides for all our needs. The apostle Paul's words to young Timothy came to mind: "I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also." (2 Timothy 3:5)

    As my dad once told me, "Everyone has a story to tell. That's where the word 'history' originates." So, though it may not seem remarkable to you, consider writing your story - especially your faith journey. You never know who it may encourage.

"But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus." 2 Timothy 3: 14, 15 

First and Only Responder

 "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him." John 3: 16, 17

    An Alan Jackson song asks the question, "Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day?" I was at Lathrop Elementary School, attending to my office duties, when the clouds gathered on that sunny day as the grim news unfolded. We were told to keep a stiff upper lip for the sake of the children, but when I got home, I crumbled on the living room floor, prostrate in grief before the Lord. Many of us recall the horrific scenes in New York City as the frightened victims ran from the fortresses of steel as the first responders sped toward them, without knowledge of their fate. 

    Metaphorically, the bulwarks of our country are being destroyed by the enemy of us all: Satan. His trademark stench wafts from new areas of corruption each day. Disease and death, lies and deceit, denial of truth and a tearing down of the most basic foundations of life go from bad to worse. I feel like those who ran from the scene, a ghostly figure covered in the white soot of destruction with a weariness of soul. Akin to those with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, I feel a deep need to grieve.

    I got to wondering why Jesus would want to come down here. From what I've heard of the heavenly realms, He had to have been very comfy on His throne. Yet, He got his gear on and headed to the disaster. As He faced the agonies of the cross, the sheep scattered and the Father forsook Him as Satan snickered, yet He'd gotten the job done as He declared, "It is finished." Of all the religions in the world, only Jesus came down here because that's what Saviors do. They respond.

    "What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! (Romans 7: 24, 25 

The Moral Minority

 "If you love me, you will keep my commands." John 14:15

    Is anything shocking anymore?

    There's a show on Netflix I like to watch entitled, "Call the Midwife." Set in 1950s London, the stories revolve around a group of young midwives and the nuns with whom they live and work. Together, they nurse those who dwell in the poverty stricken East End, not only in obstetrics but in other areas of need. Well written and thought provoking, the show's story lines usually agree with me until one pushed the envelope. This episode featured an elderly brother and sister whose turbulent childhood brought them to a relationship like that of husband and wife. The younger midwives questioned the elder (and presumably wiser) nuns about this case of incest so I carefully listened for morality to be asserted, but it wasn't! Rather, the listener was encouraged to sympathize with the siblings, viewing their love as a noble cause. (I heard my mother roll in her grave, I am certain.)

    Here was an opportunity for the devil to gain a foothold in me. Would the emotions the writers wished to elicit override what God has decreed? Can any form of "love" be stretched to justify our sinful delusions? As Christians, we are part of a Moral Minority; what happens if we lose our saltiness?

    Why do you suppose God had to spell it out for us in the eighteenth chapter of Leviticus, telling us not to have sexual relations with our relatives or even our animals!? Because He knows how deep the darkness can be. After all, the pre-diluvian culture in Noah's day was so awful, God wiped out everyone save Noah and his family. If we love Jesus, we are to follow his commands, living in the world but not being worldly. Let us affirm the words of James: "Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord and He will lift you up.(4: 9, 10)

Robbing God

 "Then Jacob made a vow saying, 'If God will be with me and will watch over me on this journey I am taking and will give me food to eat and clothes to wear so that I return safely to my father's household, then the Lord will be my God and this stone that I have set up as a pillar will be God's house, and of all that you give me, I will give you a tenth.'" Genesis 28: 20-22

    Has the Lord been good to you? Has He kept His side of the bargain? Or has He been indifferent, not caring whether you're in a tough spot or not? Have you nothing to wear (be serious now)? Has there ever been a time when your cupboards were bare, no resources or provisions of any kind? If you lost a job, were you able to find another? Perhaps you had a time when you couldn't pay some bills but Someone helped you through it. Can you recall a time when you felt so alone, so down in the dumps, that it seemed you'd never feel joyful again? Then, the phone rang or a stranger came alongside you or you saw a red cardinal flit past your window which meant a sign of hope, and the clouds parted. 

    I challenge you to sit down with a notebook in hand, make some herbal tea and tuck your toes under an afghan in a quiet place and begin to record all your blessings in one column. Then, in the second column, write down all the ways you give back to God. How do your lists compare?  I do not imply to do good works to earn salvation. This is about spreading our hands out in benevolence, not keeping closed fists.  How can we tithe our time, talents and monetary gifts to keep tempo with the showers of blessings we receive? 

    Years ago, I heard a sermon given on the passage of Malachi chapter three, verses eight to twelve. In the body of this passage is an invitation from God to test Him in this concept: Bring the whole tithe and watch the floodgates of heaven open up! Though we had two small children, a mortgage and all that goes with those things, I committed to try it. Instead of writing an offering check for what I thought we could spare, I gave ten per cent and, you know what? I have never lacked any good thing. 

    Naked we came into this world and naked we leave. In the meantime, have some fun! Be a cheerful giver; then sit back and watch God at work. It's better than anything on television.

"'Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,' says the Lord Almighty, 'and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.'" Malachi 3: 10

A Visit From the King

"'For I am a great king,' says the Lord Almighty, 'and I am to be feared among the nations.'" Malachi 1: 14b

    Last night, I was watching the Downton Abbey movie. The residents and servants of the palatial home were all in a tither because the King and Queen of England were to pay a visit. Upon the news of the coming monarchs, everyone got busy cleaning, polishing, planning and practicing their curtsies. Emotions ran at a fever pitch so, when the wine steward showed a bit too much of his humanity by what he said, a dropped pin could have been heard as all eyes focused on the king. Was he offended? There was much bowing and scraping.

    I wonder how much effort, emotion and respect we give in preparation for our coming King? Are we on our best behavior? Do our hearts gleam like polished silver? Have we taken out the trash and scrubbed the toilets? After all, the Lord sees into every corner of our lives. He knows when we sit, when we rise (Psalm 139:2). We cannot mock God and only a fool would try to pull one over on Him (Galatians 6:7). 

    Let me ask you something: what chances do we, as normal people, even have of ever having a notable person visit us? Even Governor DeWine is not likely to sit at my table. The best we can hope for is to see a councilman in a parade, and that's only because he wants our vote. The Creator, Sustainer, Redeemer and Savior of the world desires a relationship with me! This is more than I can ever hope for: So great is the love He has lavished on me that I should be called a child of God (1 John 3:1), daughter of the King of Kings! But, I'm just a sinner from Grand River. How can this be?

    It be because of Jesus. While I was yet a sinner, Christ died for me (Romans 5:8). It's all because of Him and I owe Him my very life in exchange. He has redeemed my life from the pit and crowned me with love and compassion (Psalm 103:4). The least I can do should be my very best!

"When you offer blind animals for sacrifice, is that not wrong? When you sacrifice lame or diseased animals, is that not wrong? Try offering them to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you?' says the Lord Almighty." Malachi 1:8

Daily Bread and Cereal

 "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Matthew 6:33

    When I was a kid, I couldn't wait to eat breakfast. Cap'n Crunch was my favorite cereal. If the box promised a toy, my mom would make my sisters and me wait to open the new box until we ate the old cereal first. What an interminable wait! When I enclosed my realm at the table with a fence of cereal boxes, I truly felt powerful, as if I had my own house. Breakfast as an adult is not nearly as exciting (or sugary!), but I still start my day off right.

    More important than the vittles is the daily bread I consume from my Bible. I once read about a devoted believer who began each day reading the entire Sermon on the Mount, as found in Matthew chapters five, six and seven. Just sample these delicious morsels and you will agree they are "part of a nutritious breakfast."

• you are the salt of the earth and the light of the world
• if you are on the outs with someone, go and be reconciled to that person
• even looking lustfully at another is adulterous
• give to anyone who asks of you
• pray for those who persecute you
• turn the other cheek
• give to the needy without pomp; do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing
• forgive as the Lord forgave you
• the Lord's Prayer
• where your treasure is, there your heart will be also
• do not judge others; remove the log from your own eye before you help someone with a speck
• seek and you shall find; knock and the door shall be opened unto you
• do not worry about tomorrow
• enter through the narrow gate; wide is the road which leads to hell
• beware of false prophets
• the foolish man built his house upon the sand

    Adolph Hitler was quoted as saying, "The Sermon on the Mount is for idiots." That should make us love and treasure these words of life all the more! Start your day off right!

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." 

Matthew 5:6

Who is it You're Looking For?

 "Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white seated where Jesus' body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot. They asked her, 'Woman, why are you crying?' 'They have taken my Lord away,' she said, 'and I don't know where they have put him.' At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there but she didn't realize it was Jesus. He asked her, 'Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you're looking for?'"  John 20:11-15

    The chorus in a song by Johnny Cash goes like this: 

"Would you recognize Jesus if you met Him face-to-face,

Or would you wonder if He's just another one you couldn't place?

    What does Jesus look like to you? Would you know Him as the One who liberally sprinkled the diamonds in the snow on that frosty morning in January? Did you hear Him in the trill of a chickadee? Isn't that the scent of the One who scooped you up off the floor when you were prone with grief over one of your children? Are those the pierced hands that collected your tears in a bottle? Did He hand you a pen as you signed the papers for your first big purchase? Was that His gentle whisper as you tucked your babe to sleep? Did you hear His footfalls match your stride as your pensively plod a path? Did you recognize His laughter as your cat stuck his curious head in a box? Is that Him throwing His weight around during a summer storm? Did His eyes lock with yours in an anguished gaze as you denied Him at the company Christmas party when you had too much to drink? Perhaps it was the way He spoke your name during a favorite hymn or when you tearfully bade your father goodbye for the final time?

    My dad once observed that there seemed to be many people who talk about going to heaven when they die, but they didn't spend much time getting to know God while they were here. Why, then, would they want to spend eternity with Him?

    When my girls were small, I could recognize them in a dark room because I'd spent so much intimate time with them. Would I recognize Jesus in this same way? Would someone see Jesus in me?

    "Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as He was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man, "Where are you?" Genesis 3: 8, 9

Right Down the Middle

"Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil." Proverbs 4: 26, 27

    If Jesus lived next door, do you think He'd have a political sign in His yard? If He voted, would He lean to the left or the right? What do you think? 

    When Jesus did walk this earth in person, the political arena in which He lived was not a cake walk by any means. The Jews living under the Roman rule were oppressed, overtaxed and overwhelmed and those who revolted against the Pax Romana might have been crucified for their disobedience.

    I found it interesting that the Bible refers to the right and to the left (though not in a political sense) in a number of verses. Is this coincidental or is the Lord trying to tell us something? Read these:

"Do not turn aside from any of the commands I give you today, to the right or to the left, following other gods and serving them." Deuteronomy 28:14

"Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the laws my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go." Joshua 1:7

"Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, 'This is the way; walk in it.'" Isaiah 30:21

    If there's one thing I have learned this past year is it's far better to pledge my allegiance to God than to country. Following Him will always come first in my life so I must vote according to God's laws, pursuing life, liberty and happiness in His kingdom. After all, that is where my citizenship lies. Our governing authorities are not flawless and the foundations are crumbling quickly as the standards of truth are being dismantled, but if we listen to His guidance and keep His law to the best of our ability, we will "be successful wherever we go." Toe the line, right down the middle and keep your eyes on Jesus.

Stalwart Confidence

 "Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident." Psalm 27:3

    As the Nazis descended upon Poland, a young Jewish girl fled the ghetto and hid within a cave. Tragically, she died before the liberation by Allied forces, yet this testament to her faith was found etched on the cave wall: "I believe in the sun even when it's not shining. I believe in love even when not feeling it. And I believe in God even when He is silent." 

    How could this young girl join the psalmist in having such confidence under incredible duress? It's because they relied on the characteristics of their God and Savior, not on their surrounding circumstances. 

    When nasty King Sennacherib of Assyria threatened Jerusalem, he ridiculed the Living God by claiming He was unable to rescue His people. He sought to terrify them and instill fear, but their king, Hezekiah, took action. He consulted his officials, blocked off the water supply from the enemy, worked hard to repair broken sections of the wall and made an cache of weapons. Then he assembled the citizens of Jerusalem and encouraged them with these words: "'Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him. With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles'. And the people gained confidence from what Hezekiah the king of Judah said." (2Chronicles 32:7,8)

    Though the opposing forces in our society revile, rant and revolt the loudest, God sees the boastful arrogance demonstrated against His church and we can rest assured that He will (and does) fight our battles, though it may seem He is silent. I took great heart when I studied about the confidence that is ours to approach the throne of mercy for help in our time of need. I hope you do as well.

    In case you were wondering what became of the people of Judah, the "Lord sent an angel who annihilated all the fighting men and the commanders and officials in the camp of the Assyrian king." (2 Chronicles 32:21) Did you catch that? ONE angel vs. a vast army of braggart oppressors. Remember that when your confidence wanes.

"I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." Psalm 27: 13. 14

The Handwriting on the Wall

 "Do not be afraid, you who are highly esteemed. Peace! Be strong now; be strong." Daniel 10:19

    Lately, I have felt drained; uninspired, uninvolved, unable to write a post. It's as though I have unearthed a global, diabolical plot that trumpets the end of the world as I know it, and I feel powerless to do anything about it. I know too much, and I long to return to a time of innocence. The "isms" are wearing on me: humanism, globalism, socialism, Marxism. 

    Too much has descended upon me in rapid fashion leaving me feeling appalled and pale, frightened to the core at what I see happening in my country. Others around me appear unaffected while the biting winds of change swirl around their ankles, yet, like those in the days of Noah, they keep on "eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage." (Matthew 24:38) How does one balance the blast of news that comes from all directions, try as we might to ignore it? Is it right to have no response? What is a Christian to do in the face of deceit and adversity? What's required of me?

    An answer is found in Micah 6:8; I am to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with my God. In other words, I am to reflect Christ - to mirror His life by picking up my cross daily and following Him. His yolk is easy and His burden is light. Without Him, I am unable to shoulder the burdens.

    Another clue is found in the gospel of John. Right after Jesus reinstated Peter telling him to "feed my sheep," Peter was distracted by John, who was following behind so Peter asked Jesus: "What about him?" I always found this rather odd since Peter was blessed to be reinstated after the anguishing denials he'd uttered against Christ. Jesus had just given him a tall order: If you really love me, feed my lambs. Jesus answered Peter: "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me." (John 21: 20-22)

    From a riveting book I am reading by Dr. Erwin Lutzer entitled, "We Will Not Be Silenced," I draw this quote: "Yes, seeking to look like our elder brother, Jesus, is not easy. It involves listening, understanding, repenting and action. Those are our privilege and our calling." The handwriting is on the wall. We know by end times prophecy what is coming our way but this is no time to retreat in fear and trembling. We've a job to do and that is to share the gospel, one person at a time. 

"In my vision at night, I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will not be destroyed." Daniel 7: 13, 14

The Riddle of Racism: Solved

 "So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." Galatians 3: 26-28

    The year 2020 was fraught with many dichotomies. First we heard "We're all in this together," then the riots and rants of racism, the bipartisan political rhetoric and the forked tongue of the media drove a wedge down the center of our society, deeper than any other time in our nation's history. In my opinion, not even the Civil War or the racial violence of the 1960s compare to the boiling pot poured out on us. The solutions to this dilemma, according to those in authority, involve moving the mantle of injustice from one set of people to another as the White class is seen as oppressive and must apologize for the sin of being caucasian. The Christian church has also been under attack, seen as intolerant, narrow-minded oppressors as well. Are we really all in this together?

    In a way, we are. We are all born into sin, the true virus, and are therefore slaves to our abominable natures. To understand the crime, one must crawl into the psyche of the perpetrator, who is Satan. He is the father of liars who has never had an original thought. He seeks to kill and destroy, leaving division, chaos and hatred in his wake. While you witnessed the wretched, slanderous activities of the past year, could you not smell the stench of him?

    There's only one solution to all of this. Listen to these lyrics drawn from "And All the People Said Amen," by Matt Maher:

"If you're rich or poor, well it don't matter,

Weak or strong, you know love is what we're after.

We're all broken but we're all in this together.

God knows we stumble and we fall,

And He so loved the world He sent His Son to save us all."

        Recently, I heard Pastor Erwin Lutzer say, "The greatest hope for America's racial tension rests in the Church of Jesus Christ." If you are reading this and you are a believer in Christ, then you are called to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength; then love your neighbor as yourself. (Luke 10:27) This is answer to the riddle: that all must surrender to the saving gospel of Jesus Christ, then let your light shine before men and women.

"Then I saw another angel flying in mid-air, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth - to every nation, tribe, language and people." Revelation 14:6

    

Naturally Super

 "Sun and moon stood still in the heavens at the glint of your flying arrows, at the lightning of your flashing spear. In wrath, you strode through the earth and in anger, you threshed the nations. You came out to deliver your people, to save your anointed one." Habakkuk 3: 11-13

    Webster defines the word "supernatural" to mean "attributed to some force beyond scientific understanding or the laws of nature." Who better to bend the rules than the One who created them? Let me ask you something: If the sun and moon stood still in the heavens, do you believe God could do that? Or would your rational sense form an explanation such as, "Well, coulda been an eclipse. Or the breezes of El Nino went awry..." 

    Is it too fantastic to believe a great fish could swallow a stubborn prophet? Could a nonagenarian give birth to a healthy baby boy? Is it natural for quail to fall out of the desert sky day after day, enough to stuff the stomachs of the complaining Israelites, so much so that meat was coming out of their nostrils? Does it give you the shivers to imagine a floating hand writing a message on the wall? Does a donkey ask questions of its owner? What manner of Man walks on water, commands the wind and waves to cease or pays taxes by means of a coin-bearing fish? Can a little boy's lunch really feed five thousand? Best of all, can a flogged, crucified Man, who had lain in a sealed, guarded tomb for three days, come back to life? 

    There's a Vacation Bible School song I learned alongside my great-nephew that plainly states:

"What an awesome God we serve!

What an awesome God we serve!

Angels bow before Him. Heaven and earth adore Him.

What an awesome God we serve!"

        Kids don't have any trouble believing these things. Maybe that's what Jesus meant when He said, "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 18:3) That doesn't mean these are children's fairy tales or fables. I embrace belief in this truly awesome, fantastic, powerful, mighty God! When you were a child, did you ever get into one of those arguments with a playmate in which you proudly stated, "My dad can beat up your dad!" We want our God to be the King of the hill. He's naturally super! How cool is that?

     

Rue the Day

 "'You will not surely 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.' When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband." Genesis 3: 4-6

    Eve lived with regret, no doubt. If it wasn't hard enough to see Adam coming home from a long day of painful toil with sweat on his brow, then the pain of childbearing would seal it. I wonder how many times she, with a heavy sigh, wished she could turn back the clock. It's likely she and Adam never knew just how long reaching their Original Sin has been to all of creation.

    Have you ever done anything you regretted sorely? I have and I can recount the specific moment when I should have tucked tail and ran. That snake-in-the-grass, Satan, so deftly wraps crap in pretty ribbons, doesn't he? Like Eve, my sin's repercussions brought painful friction to my family but, worst of all, muddied my reputation as a Christian. How true it is that all the good a person has said or done can be easily erased by one horrible choice. Only folly can be found when we give the devil a foothold but the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. 

"God is faithful; He will never let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will provide a way out so that you can endure it." 1 Corinthians 10:13

What's the Problem?

 "Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array. By the seventh day, God had finished the work He had been doing; so on the seventh day, He rested from all His work." Genesis 2: 1, 2

    Years ago, I attended a study group at a church which was led by the pastor. On the first day of the study, my intuition tingled like Spider Man when the pastor advised us to "keep an open mind" as we proceeded. The resource we were using gave "explanations" to some of the mysteries of the Bible. The author went on to suggest that some phrases or words used in the Scriptures were of a figurative nature more than a literal one. Case in point was creation. Was it really accomplished in six days?

    When reading the first chapter of Genesis, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to see the explicit language and its repetition of use when God, as each day's work was completed, stated: "And there was evening, and there was morning - the first day." (Genesis 1:5) This exact phrase is seen again in verses 8, 13, 19, 23 and 31. So, what's the problem? 

    You see, our omniscient Creator knew that someone would come along and try to fool with the facts (like those people in the study group) so He made it very clear. Just cut open an apple and you will see the seed-bearing plant that was created by Him, made to bear fruit, according to its kind. Apple trees don't have a problem with this basic concept. They take God at His word and obey. It's a basic principle that doesn't require any further explanation. 

    Perhaps the real problem lies in the heart of people who do not believe in God or in the evidence that surrounds them. 

    Getting back to that study group...I got my back up when the word "evolution" was brought into play. I was further appalled when an older woman (one I thought should've possessed wisdom) plaintively said to me, "What is it about evolution that has you so upset?" My retort could have only come from the Spirit within when I shot back, "Because, it's Satan's lie!" With that, I left, tossing the resource into the waste can where it belonged. 

    What God says goes. Is there a problem with that?

"The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of the people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities - His eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse." Romans 1: 18-20