The Bible says this will happen ...and it is happening, but those who it is happening to obviously don't know it, so let's try this approach of reasoning.

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Let me say this first, so it does not become assumed that I am saying something else. The statement 'salvation' is often a very emotional subject ...and well it should be if we look at the definition I'm about to present.

There is the Salvation Army ...a charitable organization.

A person may be suffering from a deep depression, then their friend is 'there' for them, and they may say, "You are my salvation!"

But, the definition I am using is probably the most used definition ...and to actually consider it, there has to be a belief in eternal life.  Salvation is usually paired up with a belief in Jesus, and does not mean we are saved from Covid, a tooth ache, or from stubbing our toe.  It has to do with an afterlife.

But, before we talk about an afterlife, let's talk about this life.  Most of us like to imagine what we'd like to have (which the usual assumption is that it includes things we don't have). For those who don't have much, one may think that list would be large ...but, I think that would not be the case.  I think those who have much would have a much bigger list, and those who have little may imagine a good meal, a soft bed and pillow, and to be able to endure the entire night in peace.

But, to picture what I've just said, you'd have to have some idea of those who don't have it good.  Many of you don't have to have an idea ...you've lived it.  And most of you, though you've had it rough, yes, most of you know of someone who's had it worse than you.

Now I don't recommend focusing on negative or bad thoughts, especially if you suffer from depression or have nightmares, but it is not just in those movies which we call 'thrillers' that bad things happen. Why movies like that are entertaining, is a question for another time, yet entertain this thought: Seeing that "the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually."  (Genesis 6:5)

There has been evil concerning humankind since the beginning of humankind, and still exists today in a big way, whether you personally experience it or not.  It is there, and someone is sadly and horrifically experiencing it.

We may ask why, and many of us have asked ...why? At times it seems we are living in two worlds ...actually, perhaps in 7.89 billion different worlds, being as that's the world's population at the end of August 2021, and we often feel we are in our own little world (well, can't speak for the babies, but you get the point).  But, in the afterlife there will be only two different worlds ...one with God, and one not with God.  And I've often felt, if you want to be with God in the next life, why wouldn't you also want to be with Him in this life??

And the afterlife with God will not be like earth is now ---and the ones who are now starving, sick, or who live in constant fear of violence ---will be full, fully healthy, and in peaceful serenity.  They will be saved from having the kind of life that none of us would want to have to endure ...a life many have to endure here on earth.

I believe we all have eternal existences ...and referring to salvation, eternal existence grants the option of an afterlife with God.  Most of us who believe this call ourselves Christians, as we believe in Jesus.  And salvation is through Jesus, the Letter to the Romans describes God's grace and mercy towards those who've not heard of Jesus, and certainly I am not going to pretend or be part of any delusion about my knowing anyone's personal commitment towards what they have heard or know ...or have accepted.

What I am concerned about is that I don't want to be part of any grand delusion about God.  The Bible says that God is "not willing that any should perish" (2nd Peter). Yet, in His righteousness, though He does not want us to be tormented for eternity, it would likely be the case if He didn't prepare a place for us separate from the willful intent of wickedness and evil ...and provide a way for us to go to that very place surrounded by His love.

Yes, God is long-suffering in that He wants to give us a chance.  Sometimes intervening does not allow that chance.  Many people ask why God doesn't intervene more.  They'd like life here on earth to be a bit more like the life He has promised us in the afterlife ...yet, bringing that about too soon would often mean that you or I would not make the cut. Our sin would mean we are not the kind of person fit for an afterlife with Him.  But, understanding that Jesus died for our sin fixes that ...though do we understand how that is?? Really, He doesn't make it that difficult to understand.

Who among you would say there is no wickedness or evil on earth today??  And for those who claim God is the tormentor, then I guess those of you wouldn't want to be with Him in the afterlife ...as you must more clearly trust a life without Him and without His restraint. 

Many people ask where His restraint is, or has been. It is enlightening to read the Book of Judges, how people wanted to do what they felt was right in their own eyes ...and still do.

For those who do believe in Jesus, how do you present Him to others??  What part are you doing to present Him to others to help them see who He is ...so that others view Him as the One they'd like to follow. Certainly, I'd recommend that we not imagine Jesus as one running for political office, making false promises and pretending He is someone He is not. 

So, when presenting Jesus to others, are we able to give them confidence ...giving them references to what we believe, what we feel they can also easily believe?? 

And if they sense we don't believe much of what is written about Jesus, then what truly is the basis of our beliefs that we'd want to share with them??

I think that being a Christian would be based upon something tangible ...and since none of us have experienced life during the time Jesus was crucified, we'd have to rely on some records.

Most all of our existence we strive for freedom of choice ---whether we campaign for it, with some hope to support a favorable choice ---or whether we can merely dream, as someone else decides for us, giving us no say in the matter.  Anyone who reads this is able to freely read it, and freely agree or disagree with what I've said.  I often edit what I've said because I disagree with the way I often word things.  But, I am trying to word it more carefully here.  Freedom of choice doesn't make us who we are, but it allows us to choose who we desire to help us decide who we are.  And yes, though I am oversimplifying it, we can choose to allow God to shape us who we are, or we can allow the deceiver to hinder that.  That being said, I want to get back to what I was saying.

I know that men were involved with compiling the Bible, and I know that process is presented to us as complex and controversial.  Yet, I go back to the conversation about salvation.  Since God has clearly and actively put forth His influence in our lives, and the deceiver has also not been merely relaxing ...it seems to me that it is extremely important to God that He gets presented and represented accurately. We can help present Him, but only Jesus can fully represent Him. And I see no protest from Jesus as to the presentation of God in the Old Testament writings. Quite clearly, I read the Gospel of John, Chapter 5, verses 46 & 47, the speaker being Jesus, as He says, "If you believed Moses, you would believe Me, for he wrote about Me.  But, since you don't believe what he wrote, how are you going to believe what I say?"

It seems here that Jesus is affirming what Moses wrote ...which includes the first eleven Chapters of Genesis.  And twice within those Chapters are written genealogies, not just with names, but also with specific years of lifespan ...putting Adam being created close to 6,000 years ago. 


Many people claim they know of certain styles of Hebrew writings, and call Genesis poetic, merely a story, parable, and even a myth.  It certainly doesn't fit the form of a parable, genealogies do not appear poetic, and it seems Jesus clearly dismisses the myth option by what he said in John 5: 46-47.  Opposing that verse appears problematic to me, but still there is a strong contention towards saying it is not literal, and that stubborn people like me are making it difficult for young believers because of lack of respect for science.

I read the writings of many scientists, and there is a huge disagreement ...not the consensus that many people would hope there is.  Yet, many people appeal to what is termed the 'ad populum' argument ...believing truth resides within what the majority of people think.  

And though the majority don't all think alike with much of what they believe, they seem to rally their consensus with what they don't believe ...and that is not to believe that humans were created.  The majority have sadly come to believe in evolution.

I've asked some of those people how they view John 5:46-47.  And it has much to do with how they view Jesus, and how they view the Bible. Responses varied from saying Jesus didn't know scientific things since much of science wasn't known at the time; and another response said that the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, & Luke) were reliable, but the same cannot be said of John. I've come to realize that there is no limit to the absurdities that are put forth to defend evolution, which most always means the Book of Genesis cannot be viewed as literal.

I think part of the problem for me is that when I had questions about certain things in the Bible, I was told I had to believe it on faith.  I was at the point that I did believe by faith, but the questions were not my doubts, they were coming from loved ones.  I sincerely wanted to answer their questions, so I asked several spiritual leaders those same questions, yet they seemed to be of little help, stating I had to believe it by faith. I said that it was not me, but a family member ...and how can someone believe something by faith if they do not yet have the faith.  I knew that it was not the same approach that missionaries use to help instruct unbelievers, so why would we answer that way??

I know much is controversial, and often not a welcome discussion.  But, I realized that questions could not be answered at the Scopes Trial, and now nearly 100 years later, those same questions are still not being answered.  But, evolution and science stand ready to answer the questions with such overwhelming explanations that we'd appear to stand in awe of what they say, and not so much in awe of God, whom we should be glorifying.

I was moved to pick up the Bible, and I tried not to be influenced by any preconditioned viewpoints.  I simply believe in God, I believe God is loving, and I believe that His love would certainly be expressed to us by the One who insists on loving us. 

It's like saying to myself, "I know it's here somewhere ...I know it was delivered, it's only a matter of sorting through and finding it."  And I wholeheartedly believe it is the Bible.

So, I began reading the Bible anew ...and though certain verses seemed to favor a certain view, the total view had to work.  I used to work on logic puzzles, and I'd go directly to the highest difficulty one. I worked afternoon shift and would get home well after midnight, and everyone would be asleep, but I'd still be restless from work ...so I'd get out the puzzle book.  I have to admit that the highest level puzzle actually seemed to hurt my brain, as I had to keep all the information in my head, and though one part seemed to work, it didn't work together as a whole ...yet, I knew there was a true answer.  And everything had to work together ...the same being true of the Bible.

Everything taken together, there had to be a creation of the angels, which really wasn't made clear ...though other things were clear, and I had to work from there.  It's like entering a room, the world being a room ...reading the first Chapter of Genesis. 

But, suppose I enter a classroom size room, and describe what I see: There are 32 desks, and one table and a chair at one end.  Each of the 32 desks holds one notebook, a ruler, a pencil, and an eraser.  The table is empty, except for a goldfish bowl in the center of the table. On the floor, to the left of the chair is a small paper-clip. On the wall behind the table is a sticky-note that reads, "Discuss the first chapter of Genesis."  Near the door of the room, to the right of the table is a sleeping cat.  I must not have noticed the cat at first because as I entered the room, the swinging door must have hid the cat from my view.  As I move to the other side of the door, I notice that though one eye is closed, one eye of the cat is open, seemingly looking up in the direction of the fishbowl on the table.

The first Chapter of Genesis describes plants, and birds, and also fish ...then also man and woman.  But, no mention of the angels.  Oh, by the way, in the classroom ...did I fail to mention there was an elephant in the middle of the room, standing on one of the desks??  No, I would not fail to mention that.

Likewise, the reason I feel that angels were not mentioned is because that was a previous creation ...seems like it had to be.  And the 'in the beginning' was our beginning ...at the point of a do-over.  I have to remember, there was an angelic rebellion ...and if that happened in this new beginning, it would certainly seem that it would be like the elephant in the room, necessitating its mention.  And the second verse of the Bible fits well with a condition of how things would be after God had dealt with the rebellion ...removing the light, and surrounding everything in a deep dark watery standstill.

How is this??  Can't it be that simply the Bible is for us, 'our' beginning??


That second verse says that earth is without form ...but, it is mentioned to be, or to have been.  And the water is already there.  Exodus 20:11 speaks of how God made the heavens and the earth in six days ...could it be they were created in six days as we know them today, but before that we don't really know what there was, yet perhaps some habitation for the angels.

Now, let me stop myself here, as it could be said I'm making things up. Yes, verses can be quoted that seemingly refute what I'm saying ...and it's good to look into those verses, but not to the extent of ignoring many other verses.  I don't have the perfect understanding, but I know (at least some concepts, being a logic puzzle man) that it is difficult to make other things fit ...but, I know they must fit. 

I have four brothers, and three of them ran the hurdles in high school track.  Now, I know that it is easier to clear a lower hurdle than it is to clear a higher hurdle ...though with low hurdles you have to run farther. You know I will run long with my conversation, but I don't believe I have to clear the higher hurdles.  And though in track the number of hurdles is the same (ten of them for high and low), I don't feel I'm cheating here if I also feel I don't have to jump as many hurdles.

I believe God created humankind ...no, I don't believe humans evolved.  And furthermore, I think it may be very interesting for some of you to date rocks, and though it is very relevant to other subjects, I don't believe it is relevant to what I'm saying at this point.

I'm not talking about whether God made a home for the angels, I'm talking about our relationship with Him ...and that He created us in His image.

And for reasons too numerous to mention here, I believe God created men and women outside the Garden of Eden, and then He formed Adam as a special representative to 'put' in the Garden.  And as I said before, I don't believe it was so much of a test for Adam & Eve to not eat one fruit, as it was a test for the deceiver not to consume the thoughts of one couple when he had an entire audience outside the Garden.

I've heard people say that God caused all of our present (and past) calamity because He planted a tree in the middle of the Garden where He knew Adam & Eve would be continually tempted ...and that it was an unfair test.  Yes, I would agree that God knew Adam & Eve would fail, but I don't believe it was so much a test for Adam & Eve ...as I've just said, I believe it was a test for the deceiver, referred to as the serpent.

But, this is not what many people are arguing about. There is a new 'in the beginning' that is disturbing ...it is the beginning of deception, and the tearing down of what I believe God has for us, by step-by-step building a case for doubt. 

They say it is the believer's own fault that younger people in their midst fail to also believe (and to a certain extent, that may be right), but it doesn't really seem that they care so much about that failure ...and I do care.  What is to be gained by a failure in the faith of the Bible?? 

On one hand, I am told that Moses didn't write any of the Bible, then I am also told I am not interpreting correctly what Moses aimed to communicate.  How is it that I could possibly interpret incorrectly what someone wrote when I am told that person didn't write it??  Yes, what is to be gained by a statement like that?? Perhaps what is to be gained is good standing in a majority group ...an acceptance into a group that is often not loving.  After all, what do they have to lose ...they will still be accepted by a loving God, as long as it can be said that Jesus died for us. Is that the view they take?? I sure hope not ...

But, by saying Moses didn't write any of the Books of the Bible, and then also saying Jesus only knew what the Books instructed ...yet, going further to even say Jesus didn't really say what the Bible says He said, it leaves many who are yet to believe a bit confused.  And certain unbelieving intellectuals scoff at the belief, while presenting their own intellectual expertise in an area.  The confusion becomes so great that one doesn't know what to believe, they just know it feels more comfortable standing with the majority ---not so much power in numbers ---but, rather being shielded from the onslaught of potential past experiences when the shoe was on the other foot.

Sean McDowell relates a story of how a young lady stood before her peers and was applauded for her boldness in telling him off.  They were both playing the acting role, but neither of them were letting anyone else know it.  Sean was secretly pretending he was an unbeliever and she was pretending to be a believer.  Later she admitted to Sean that she was thankful for his defense of the unbeliever, stating she was one.  Sean had explained the role he had been playing, but asked why she pretended to be a believer.  She said it was because when she had told him off and everyone applauded, she never wanted to be the one he was pretending to be (being laughed at).  So, it really depends upon where you find yourself ...and both sides are often less than polite while ridiculing the other.

And I guess that's why people may want to be on the side of the majority ...because it is often unpleasant not being so.  But, there are also other reasons too. People have bad experiences, and they can't get the answers they feel they need, especially if those around them also lack confidence. When discussions on certain subjects are mostly avoided, certain questions are left unanswered ...and it is embarrassing and awkward to even ask the question, so the question does not arise again, and the person is left alone with the confusion. And the issue is never discussed again, until an unbeliever brings it up ...and once again, it cannot be answered, so no sense studying or reading about it. The acceptable answer seems to be that which would require the least follow-up, and most satisfaction to the present peer group providing the explanation, "Just believe it by faith."

Of course, this is only one of perhaps thousands of reasons ...but, perhaps a little bit of insight is better than none.

Moving on from the last blog ...

(letmetrythisonemoretime.blogspot.com)

Yes, moving on ...what can we say about the heart of God??

Acts 13:22 & 1st Samuel 13:14, speak of loyalty and obedience to God.  And both verses speak of King David. 

We certainly see many things in David's life that were not as God would have them to be, but it is not whether we sin (we all do), it's how we respond after we do ---whether it is in the long run or hopefully more immediate.

David's respect for God, glorifying Him, and honoring what He had done was very evident when King Saul and his men were chasing David all over the country to take his life. On more than one occasion David could have looked at it as self-defense, and in turn killed Saul before Saul killed him ...and those loyal to David urged him to do that very thing, but David said he was not going to harm God's anointed. 

Though it is true that we can't know the heart of God, we can know some things.  What can we know for sure??

We know what God has done.

From Creator (Elohim) ...to the most (El Elyon) ...who sees (El Roi) ...all-sufficient (El Shaddai) ...our Lord (Adonai) ...self-existing (Jehovah) ...the Lord provides (Jehovah-jireh) ...our banner (Jehovah-nissi) ...who sanctifies us (Jehovah-mekoddishkem) ...our promised peace (Jehovah-shalom) ...of hosts (Jehovah-sabaoth) ...from the shepherd image of King David, we realize our really true Shepherd (Jehovah-raah) ...to seeing the hope of the Savior (Jehovah-tsidkenu) ...to the realization of it (Jehovah-shammah), as He is there through Jesus.

Yes, this is much we can see ...as God would have us see, and understand. God is showing His heart.

And why would God not show us His love??  Yes, He reveals this to us ...and all we need to do is be open to a bit of his love, and we will see more.  If we are not open to it, then we are open to deception.  Though even if we are open to His love, we need to be committed to it, not because He demands it, but because we require it.  

What do I mean??  Well, in school we are to learn things. If we don't pay attention or we don't read the textbooks, we are not going to learn as much.  Just reading chapter headings is not likely going to help us pass.

Is it really this way with school??  Is not passing a class the end all??  And to be honest, the things taught in school are not necessarily the most valuable, and at times not even accurate or true. With science, we may learn one thing and then they tell us they'd made a mistake, that something else is true. But, that's not the point ...the discipline is important.  If we try hard, even if what we learn is wrong, we still could have gotten the discipline and commitment down.

And that's it ...obeying God, we are disciplining ourselves, but way more than that, we are learning what is 'true'.

What are we disciplining ourselves for?? 

Well, look at the Garden of Eden.  It was not just the deception of one lie that was told ...it was also the deception of the motivation of why the lie should be believed.  Yes, we have an advantage ...because we can see how others have messed up and not fall for the same ruse.  But, we can't learn what we need to learn if we don't believe in the Bible, and if we sadly believe the lie that the Bible is not true.

The Bible says that the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom, and I will in no way challenge what the Bible says ---as so many have so clearly done. Yes, the fear of God is the beginning ---yet, if we stay there fearing instead of trusting His love, then we don't get the full message.  The entire Bible gives us a fuller picture of God's love. That is what the people had to learn beyond, yet not void of, their reverence for Him. 

I saw an Andy Griffith episode where Opie observed the antics of a new boy in town who seemed to get what he wanted by having a temper tantrum ---and even felt his dad would be able to influence the sheriff (Andy) into ignoring wrongdoing that could be serious, potentially causing harm to community members. And another episode showed an adult speeding near town, who called his rich and influential parent to exempt him from abiding by the law in the small town of Mayberry which he had no respect for.

Both these examples showed individuals who had little or no respect for others, and felt they should be able to get away with what they felt was just small and rather meaningless things.  And they felt their protests were justified, seeing a skewed perception of influence and power while mistaking it for love.

We should never look at God in a way that defines His love as so unconditional that we need not have any condition of expectations for our behavior. We should always remember how forgiving He is, yet not at the expense of carelessly not taking to heart what He would have us act like.  We should retain reverence for Him and be extremely grateful for the fact that Jesus was crucified and died for our sins.

Back to the subject of learning.  It is so important what our parents teach us.  And many of us remember our school teachers well. We know which ones had the most influence upon us. Usually a likable teacher will get better results from a student, but not always.  I liked my typing teacher. Some of the students may have gone so far as to admit they had a crush on her. But, I was terrible at typing ...still am. The subjects that I was good at had nothing to do with whether I liked the teacher. I was not good at history because I didn't like history.

But, I do like our children ...and we Homeschooled all five of them. I became interested in subjects not because I was interested, but because I was interested that they get a balanced education and not get slighted on any subjects. So, here comes history again ...and it was like I was learning it for the first time. When I was in school it was much about names and dates ...and memorization.  Of course, I got a passing grade.  But, now I was getting interested in what I could learn, not what I could memorize.

And in learning about history, yes, there are many stories about a disturbing past ...in many ways. But, the thing that disturbed me most was not how bad things can happen, and who did it. It was disturbing how the Word of God was handled.

We don't want to see God in an inaccurate way. And I'm thankful for those who preserved the Word of God, while there were those who may have destroyed it. One fact that does exist that I feel is difficult to deny is that there are always very good, sincere people who are doing their best ...while unaware that others supposedly in the same camp have different motives. 

The history books show much unrest through many periods, but I'm going to speak of one rather broad period at this time, maybe not the worse, but quite significant ---the period being so conflicted, it's hard to define, as it's called Medieval Times, the Middle Ages, or Dark Age. Whatever it's called, I'm referring to the period where the church and the kings were struggling for power.

It has been said that the church would not have lost its focus or its goodness ...because Jesus said nothing would prevail against it. (Matthew 16:18, interpreted by some to say something like that.)

Yes, it is clearly established that the apostles set out to form churches to endure by divine guidance.  But, I see most of the New Testament addressing how the church was quickly going astray ...and the apostle Paul was addressing many of these churches in his letters to them.

I also see that later on in centuries to come that many of the church leaders knew the church members were illiterate and were fine with that ---the people had to turn exclusively to the leaders as their authority. 

So, there was a bit of conflict in the many areas where different churches were established. And sadly, the actual Word of God seemed of secondary importance to what they were really showing their members as their own 'higher calling' of maintaining authority in their own churches and communities. It seemed the people were required to believe that to follow God was equivalent to following whatever they said.

Yes, much was established about the faith before the Bible itself came out in print ---yet even then not everyone could afford the printed Bible, and it would be even longer before the majority of people became literate enough to even attempt to read it.

I've heard much talk recently about fallacies, often used in discussions and debates.  There are 4 of them I've most often hear about:

• An argument from incredulity ...not believing in what so many others agree with, but viewing it as I'd prefer it to be.

• An argument from authority ...claiming that naming a respected authority is sufficient to my own argument.

• An argument from silence ...forming conclusions or opinions more easily as there is lack of documentation to refute my statements.

• An argument from ignorance ...presenting my truth with the awareness that it can't really be proven otherwise.

The first mentioned fallacy creates for so many a position of comfort because it often leans upon the majority view ...a view that has been so widely accepted that other ideas are not welcome (often fearing that foundational thinking is being attacked).  Yet it doesn't take into account how or why that foundational thinking came to be.  Who am I to challenge it?

This is not that far from the authority argument ...all of us having our own view of respected authorities. Yet, when we feel our authorities are tantamount to listening to God, and we have to fear we are interpreting something wrong, then our unquestionable loyalty and increasing dependence upon our leaders in authority becomes steadfast and firmly anchored. As for ourselves, we become unswayable in our beliefs ...which are actually the exact beliefs of our authority.

An argument from ignorance almost assumes that all people are ignorant, and anything goes ...but, it does go along with the others if we look at it in a unique way. If we accept the argument from authority, then we can also say the authority can't be proven false.  And if we feel the authority is the only one capable of accurate interpretation, then it leaves it wide open for abuse of authority ...and I've never known a time when that was not somewhere in play.

Then comes the argument from silence which appears to me to work effectively with authorities capitalizing on our ignorance. Often there is an agenda, and the authority makes it difficult to refute, especially if the authority is a longstanding respected authority. 

Sadly, I feel all of these have come into play within churches. But, I am not afraid to read my Bible ...and I know my mind often associates what I read with what I've heard or have been taught.

Yes, I am thankful for much of what I've been taught. Attending Bible studies as an adult has helped tremendously. And I'm thankful for being taught about God ...when I was a child. 

Most of the images in my mind as a child that weren't quite true were not harmful. Picturing three kings at the manger scene with baby Jesus was something I joyfully assembled out of a box each Christmas ...though the Bible does not say the kings were there (I believe the Bible has them arrive later).  And the movie of Joseph leading a donkey upon which a much pregnant Mary riding on, is a favorite I like to watch every year ...but, the Bible doesn't say a donkey traveled with them.  The donkey could have been there, and I'm not going to claim the movie is not good because it could have violated truth, though in this case it likely didn't ...no, I'm not going to posit a statement such as that by using one of those fallacious arguments.

But, I've attended group discussions and heard family members talk about things that attempt to cast doubt on more important aspects of the Bible ...the worst conversation being when people are challenging God's character. I've been told that it doesn't matter what they think, it's my faith that is important. But, I care about these people ...and I do think it's important what they think.  I will not compromise what I believe to simply satisfy what others choose to believe.

I do not believe in evolution just because the majority of people claim to believe in it. I don't believe it strengthens a belief in God ...and I don't believe it has any place with God. The Bible tells us extensively about God, and there is no compatibility.  Trying to find compatibility begins to erode the truth of the Bible ...and as the Book of Romans says, we'd worship and serve the creature instead of the Creator. God gave us understanding which we call science, but we should not serve each other our own intellect to fit God into our scientific understanding.

I've given, yes, my opinions on how I look at the beginning Chapters of the Book of Genesis.  And I'm not making things up to satisfy what I want the Bible to say anymore than those who've formed an opinion on how they'd like the verses to read. Even within the Medieval Times, pictures of truth were painted in the minds by leaders and authorities within the church.  If we believe the apostle Paul's letters solved everything, or any reformation has addressed all of the problems ...yes, if we believe this, then we are mistaken.  

The Jewish people from long ago had been waiting for a Savior. When God led Abraham to where he was to settle, on one occasion there was a famine in the land and they turned to Egypt. His son, Isaac, was told not to go to Egypt ...so he stayed in Gerar.  Isaac's son, Jacob, took on the name God gave him, Israel, and he had twelve sons and one daughter. But, four different Moms gave birth to Israel's children ...and the relationships between brothers became intense, and the other brothers sought out to harm Joseph, but opted to instead sell him into slavery. Years later, when a famine came, thanks to a dream and the trusted interpreter (Joseph said God gave him the interpretation), Joseph was able to use his organization skills to prepare for the upcoming famine which drew his family there to get the much needed grain. 

The Pharaoh that trusted Joseph died ...and then the Jewish people were not treated well, and things were getting worse. This is when the Passover took place. The Jewish people were spared, while screams of anguish cried out all around them. Then God's chosen leader led them out of Egypt ...and after their leader Moses died, the tribes of Israel went back to their land.

Of course, you can read all about that in the Book of Genesis. The Jewish people still celebrate the Passover today. And they love their history.  In every way, they cherish the writings that are theirs ...and they had taken great care to preserve it. Likewise, the Gospels of Jesus were cherished, as were the Letters to churches which needed to recalibrate their hearts. Humble servants within the church, of believers, also preserved those writings, hiding them until a time they felt the writings were safe from destruction.

At the Passover (please forgive me if I get this wrong, or if I am too brief), there are words spoken, some of which refer to the 'bread of affliction'.  And there are four cups, and at one point the words, "I will redeem" are spoken.  When the apostles were preparing for the Passover with Jesus, He said He was the bread (they did not know how He was going to be afflicted), and He also said His blood was what they were drinking. Jesus was about to shed His blood to match the words, "I will redeem."

Yet, though most all the Jewish people celebrated the Passover, many of the Jewish people did not believe in Jesus. They held in high regard their traditions and celebrations, as well as their sacred history, but they didn't realize that those sacred Books pointed to Jesus as their Savior.

Likewise, the writings of the New Testament were held sacred, yet the truth of what the apostle Paul speaks in 2nd Corinthians "not the letter, but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life", is a truth Paul knew well, having previously been a Pharisee. A Pharisee was a Jewish sect distinguished by strict observance of tradition and the law, and they felt their strict dedication to these things gave them superior sanctity. Keeping the letter of the law, they often didn't even understand the law, what it was for, nor did they honestly follow it. This was evidenced when they were about to stone a woman, and Jesus intervened.  They said they had caught the woman in the act, and the law said she should be stoned.  They hadn't been following the letter of the law from the beginning. The law said both the man and woman should be stoned ...and even admitting they caught her in the act (obviously witnessing the man too), they were just going to stone her (not a word about the man involved).

But, for every wretched person only wanting punishment for the other person, there are always good people who want to do good, even if they are being led by those with double standards. And having the Scriptures preserved was a sacred honor, even if they didn't understand everything that was said. And so, we have the Old & New Testaments, and I consider those writings sacred also. I try not to hold anyone to a standard that I don't keep, except when our children were young and raising them right meant I wanted them to turn out better than me. The standard should be presented, but we should realize the standard is not our own ...God's standards are important, and all should get the message that Jesus lovingly gave when he told the woman to 'sin no more.' 

Nobody can totally understand everything about God, nor even what is written for us to understand.

Our Founding Fathers included a prayer at the urging of Benjamin Franklin before they would begin each session of the Constitutional Convention.  Franklin was reportedly not the most religious man, but he was intelligent enough to ask for the guidance from God, beginning with a prayer.  God was considered much in the process of penning that document. And I wouldn't want our government to rewrite our Constitution ...why wouldn't the living document with amendments be sufficient??  

On the other hand, the Bible does not need amendments, and it does not need to be rewritten.  Though perhaps it can be reread ...and reread ...and reread.

No, we don't need to read into something that is not there ...but, we can read attempting to understand the heart of God, without changing anything that is there. 

I know it can be dangerous at times for everyone to come up with something different ...as that could confuse and leave us with a feeling of not believing anything. I heard that was one of the reasons for the church leaders and authorities not wanting everyone to be able to read the Bible. They said they feared the truth would be lost. But, that has not been my experience, and I question whether they more feared they would lose some of their authority.

I do not approach this with arrogance or pride, nor do I insist that it is the Holy Spirit (God) who is always directing my thoughts. But, who can make that claim??  Can any of us??

I also do not look at God's Word with fear ...as I am sincere, not fearing God will get mad for enjoying His Word and attempting to see things I have not seen before ...all in His Word, not just in my mind.

Now, addressing God's heart ...we have been given much, yet there are still people who struggle with it.  The global Flood was one event that has been brought up repeatedly. I think of the horrific event at the end of World War II.  The United States of America used a nuclear attack against Japan, dropping two atomic bombs on two Japanese cities.  I would never be in favor of this, and I can't erase images of how it must have been.

I don't think there was any up-close photos of that horrific bombing, but I think of Time magazine's photo of another war ...and Vietnamese children running from the intense heat of napalm.  Yes, war may include the death of enemy soldiers, but they are people who often don't even understand the many questions that war does not often answer.  And there are also civilians, including women and children facing death this horrific way. 

Democide is the government killing people by genocide, politicide, or mass murder ...and the highest totals are usually assigned to the Soviets, Communist China, and the Nazi party's atrocities (including the Holocaust deaths).

How can we not think of this as evil ...  

During World War II, it is estimated there were over 70 million people in Japan ...and the bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki killed over 200 thousand people.  Let it be said that numbers and comparisons do not lesson something. I think it's wrong when one or two people die. Yet, the Japanese were not willing to surrender, and a large percent of their 70 million plus were about to die (and possibly an equal amount of Americans), either one-by-one, or in mass numbers. Not justifying the bombing, yet it could have saved over 50 million Japanese.

The Bible does not give details of what exactly was going on in the time of Noah ...but the Bible says the wickedness was great upon the earth, and their heart was only evil continually. If you look at the above mentioned evils in just the 20th century, it is several hundred million people who died unnecessarily ...and if God hadn't caused the Flood, to start over, it is likely it would have only resulted in these type of regimes ...as it says their hearts were only evil continually.

More description is given for the rationale for destroying Sodom and Gomorrah.  Abraham's nephew was very much concerned for the visitors who came in at the gate of the city.  They said they were going to stay in the town square, but Abraham's nephew, Lot, had reason to be concerned for their safety and invited them to spend the night in his home. The Bible says that Lot's visitors had been followed, as men "both old and young, all the people from every quarter, surrounded the house."

That's not all ...

These people of Sodom ("from every quarter") called out to Lot, inquiring of the visitors, but worse yet, asking for Lot to turn them over to them to do what they may to the visitors. Lot's response was, "Please, do not do so wickedly ..."

There was no question what they were going to do, and Lot pleaded with them not to do it ( the visitors were Lot's guests).

Though Lot still knew something of hospitality, how to treat guests, he was still a bit corrupted himself (it doesn't say this, but by what it says next, I certainly conclude this). 

This next part horrifies me:

Lot says, "See now, I have two daughters who have not known a man, please, let me bring them out to you, and you may do to them as you wish ..."  This is Chapter 19, and you can read it in the Book of Genesis if you don't think I'm presenting an accurate picture of why God destroyed this wicked city.  Chapter 18 describes Abraham's pleading with God not to destroy the city. His nephew lived in the city, and God did spare him and his family ...thought tragically Lot's wife stood outside the city limits, sort of like a pillar of the community.

Now, let's look at this. Sodom was wealthy, and very likely was growing in size as a result of its wealth. If Sodom had a couple thousand people, and it grew to five times that size (ten thousand), then the wickedness would likely grow to five times more evilness. 

I am at a loss for a solution of how to stop the evil.  How could Hitler be stopped??  He lied, saying he was through conquering, then killed more.  Do we let him continue to kill, or do we kill him and his army of killers?? That was the question many nations had to face, and the people within those nations who are against war.  I am against war ...but, it was without question to me that we had to join the war. I am thankful my Dad survived.

The Greatest Generation, as they are called, all those who contributed to stopping the insanity (this world conquest willing to stop at nothing and using unthinkable means to achieve it) ...yes, I believe they understood the necessity to unite with the highest commitment to stop the evil.

At this time, I am going to list another accusation I hear.  It is the claim that God is immoral. 

God can make different decisions at different moments because He has the wisdom we do not have ...yes, He always understands, and we seldom do.  I'm thankful we have the Bible, so we can understand things that we otherwise would not understand. But, we must also understand that there is a presence that also entered the Garden of Eden ...and thousands of years later that presence attempted to tempt Jesus, and that presence continually wants to deceive today.

In the Garden of Eden, Eve was not only told that God lied, but also gave a reason that would make most of us feel not only betrayed, but cheated.  Eve was lied to about God's motives, making it seem like love was not involved, but trickery. It was like, "You've been had, the jokes on you!" Not phrased that way, but the gist of it.

Where does the question of morality come from?? 

It comes from something I never thought about until it was brought to my attention.  There is so much to think about in our Bible, especially from someone like myself who rarely read anything until adulthood.  I have read the entire Bible, but I would have never been able to read through it all if I was going to think in depth about everything I read. Yet, now, I am thinking deeper about some things ...especially those things that I feel impact the lives of so many people.  

I worked in a Mental Institution, and they often had too much torment to even think about much else. So, they didn't actually question what was said in the Book of Genesis, they had experienced some of the wickedness.  And the question I was asked by a family member about the Bible, was an actual act criminally and unthinkably perpetrated against some of the patients ...within the trusted security of their homes, the reason some of them were referred to the Mental Institution.

I'm speaking of incest.

The second Chapter of the Bible says that a man should 'leave' his own mom and dad, and become one with his wife.  Why does it not say he should have incest with his sister, and therefore feel the two of them would 'leave' dad and mom to run away (and commit more wicked acts, as children are born and become older)??

And then later, after every thought was only continually evil ...more unimaginable acts could be presented by God allowing the fallen angels to marry (and have sex) with the pretty girls?? After all, if humans were having incest, why not also allow Lucifer's followers to have their moment?? Then after allowing the angels to do that, the slighted males and the pretty girls were all killed ...but, the dastardly angels obviously lived (as they are present after the Flood, including their leader).

I've been told that incest didn't cause biological deformities in the beginning, so it was not wrong. (whodecidesrightactionsandwrongactions.blogspot.com)  I asked if there is a pill developed in the future that could be taken to eliminate the chance of deformities, could incest be again considered okay. Some scholars may say, no, the law given to Moses and since then we forbid it. Yet, other scholars may say that the law given to Moses forbid many things we don't consider wrong today, and they may add that we no longer live under the law. Others could say that eating pork was forbidden, but Peter heard a voice and had a vision that told him three times, "Do not call anything impure that God has made clean."  Interesting that Peter heard it three times. He'd been told he was going to deny Jesus three times, and now would he deny and not accept what he was told three times??

I say that not eating the fruit off a tree in the Garden of Eden was to be an act of obedience.  I think that not eating pork was also an act of obedience, but also had some health value, as they traveled much and didn't have refrigeration or other ways to always adequately cook pork at high enough temperature to avoid trichinosis. But, the issue of incest is not just a matter of obedience for a time, then when the physical health became an issue, then and only then did it need to be addressed. God could make it okay, just like pork is okay today.  But, I don't believe that ...it is not just unhealthy physically, it is mentally and emotionally damaging. Should there be a pill for that too ...well, yes there are many medications for the mentally and emotionally damaged, and I witnessed the distribution of many of those drugs while I worked in the Mental Institution.

I don't question God's judgment ...as He is the only one qualified to judge.  I only question what many people think God's judgment is ...and I don't believe God set it up to begin with incest, nor do I believe He allowed angels to mate with humans. God could have created us like wild animals, then in time domesticated us.  We have done that with dogs and horses, and it has worked well. Or God could have set the high standard from the very start, and we let sin make us more wild.  I prefer to view God the second way, and I feel there is good evidence that can be seen in the Bible for that point of view.

Like I mentioned before, from the very first, Adam understood he was to leave his father and mother and be one with his wife (not wives) ...and he understood this even though he had no father or mother. He was intelligent, with no need to be domesticated ...it was sin that changed things.

King David sinned, but he also saw the glory of God, and understood about forgiveness. Yet, when he knew he was about to die, he had the burden to choose the next King.  David wasn't going to do like Isaac ---and look to a first born who may have provided good venison, but had no thought to marry a woman who loved God.  And how much did Esau actually love God?  No, David was not going to choose merely by the standard of first born. And the problem was complex for David, because he had so many wives, when he shouldn't have ...and so, obviously his children didn't all have the same Mom.  

But, David chose Solomon. Yes, Solomon perhaps was influenced by his Dad's sin, but David's love of God had to also have a tremendous influence upon Solomon's life ---both the good and the bad affect each of our lives. So, when God asked young King Solomon what he wanted, he said he wanted the wisdom to rule the people ...and that was a good choice. Yet, his bad choice was when he took multiple wives, like his Dad had done, and that led him down the wrong path (though he wrote much about that so we could learn from his mistakes).

Yes, David chose Solomon to reside in the palace as king. And God chose Adam to reside in the Garden of Eden. I believe Chapter 1 can read as men and women being created, but then the following chapter reads that Adam is placed in the Garden of Eden. 

I'm sure there were no auditions. The Bible says Adam was 'formed' for the part. One man in the Garden of Eden, not as yet consumed by lies ...and one tree with a fruit that was not to be consumed.

We are all outside the garden. When Satan attempted to tempt Jesus, he showed Jesus all the kingdoms of the world and their glory ...and he said he would give them to Jesus if only Jesus would worship him. But, Jesus tells us we should not be of this world, and He shows us a different kingdom, one that is established within.

And I don't believe the angels mated with humans. I believe the sons of God are the same kind of believers as when sons of God refers to us believers in the New Testament. Hebrews, Chapter 11, as well as other verses speaks of those believers in the Old Testament ...and they, like us believers, are sons of God. It's not that none of them or us have not sinned, nor that we cease sinning ---I believe that there are those, like Jacob, who accept the invitation to follow God (though none of us to the extent to brag about), while those like Esau don't even attempt to. But, if everyone, even God's people begin to act like Esau, then there is no standard being held up, and it can become like the time of Noah (marrying to unbelief), and that is one of the few clues we are given as to how the End Times will be like.

These two, not widely accepted views that I've just taken, do not go against what the Bible says, and it actually does clear up much about what some people do say, attempting to get answers to hard questions, or sadly some who just try to discredit God.

For those who just want to find answers to hard questions, I am just showing the tip of the iceberg here.  I've written many other blogs to go more in-depth, and try to answer, at least for myself, or to accept that there is perhaps no definitive answer to the many more questions, but perhaps I can gain some insight. Overall though, I find it uplifting to think about God, as long as I don't go outside the written message of the Bible.

Again, I'd like to stress that this should never stress us out. This should be pleasurable, and perhaps we could make it pleasurable to others.  This is perhaps exhaustive enough for this blog.  Most people likely don't find it pleasurable to read someone else's interpretation on the Bible, when they can read it for themselves.  But, I've attended many Bible studies ...and find it helpful to discuss things.  Obviously, I'm not discussing things here ...as it is just me putting my thoughts down ...but, I like to organize my thoughts (and I've already edited things which I felt weren't quite right).

But, the simple truth is that we have only two basic things to focus on:

#1 ---We are to acknowledge and accept the truth about Jesus.

#2 ---We are to share the truth about Jesus with others.

Simply, believe in Jesus ...

No, we don't need to look at things with as much depth as I am here ...it may not even be productive, as it may be more confusing than beneficial. Yet, I have had faced many questions that others have had ...and they don't make it simple, so I try to answer some of their questions.

But, for now, I guess I'm doing what I do ...putting thoughts down, sometime later perhaps reading them again and editing them, perhaps rethinking a thing or two ...and maybe answering a few of the tough questions I may be asked.

So, on I go ...trying to find some of the other blogs, organize a few things, and perhaps list their links on another day, but for now ...

(genesisandnow.blogspot.com) ...at the bottom of each page on this link, must click 'Older Posts'

When I noted that the angels were singing at Creation, some would say the Bible says they shouted for joy. Well, that is the way I sing ...I've been told I sing so loud, and it could be said that I don't sing, I shout.

(wantingtostartover.blogspot.com) ...is there something shady here??

(markedimprovementvsprovenmarket.blogspot.com) ...in His image

(treeofknowledgeistwofold.blogspot.com) ...What is good??

(whatdowewanttobelieve.blogspot.com) ...the eyes have it!!

(howmuchofourlivesdowesimplydismiss.blogspot.com) ...don't fence yourself off

(diagnosingmoraldilemmas.blogspot.com) ...still a choice

(orderlybywhosestandards.blogspot.com) ...the heavens declare His glory, His glory is not defined by the heavens.

(doyoubelievethatitisnot.blogspot.com) ...cannot contain my thoughts, but look at what is contained in the Bible.

(putmorethoughtintoitwiththanks.blogspot.com) ...if you made it through, this is part II.

(distinguishorextinguishthetruth.blogspot.com) ...parables, this one and the next are about distinguishing them.  And if you haven't noticed by now ...oh, let me say first that Samuel Longhorn Clemens and Mark Twain are the same person, and most of us know him as writing under the name of Mark Twain, whether we remember fondly about his humor about the jumping frog of some county, or whether we feel some of his other writing should be banned. Hopefully those who talk about the Bible will not be banned. But, as i was saying, perhaps you've noticed that I'm also writing under the name of Shepherd Heath (in a pirate costume). We used to have a beloved shepherd named Heath.  Our other dog, Summer, stayed home, but tragically Heath wanted an adventure and got hit by a car.  We found him in a yard about three houses down, and tried to comfort him the best we could as we rushed him to the vet ...but, he was too badly injured.  This is not a parable, but sadly a true story.

(truthisnotdefinedbywhetheritstruetous.blogspot.com) ...some people believe the Creation story is a parable; yet, I do not.

(adamantaboutadamorbelieveeve.blogspot.com) ...more, and more.

(andhowusefulandtowhatextent.blogspot.com) ...more precise history of the Bible being made available to us

(thatisanothereasyone.blogspot.com) ...can others face consequences for the actions of one??

(notonthewingsofabutterfly.blogspot.com) ...on a more personal note.

(whatwouldyouratherhave.blogspot.com) ...also rather brief.

(notreallysimpleforme.blogspot.com) ...deception can be brief too.

(cricketsfrogsandmyafterbedtimeblogs.blogspot.com) ...this should occupy you for now, but I have many more.  Maybe my pen name should be Longhorn ...or Foghorn-Leghorn, not to violate copyright standards though, I'll stick with Stephen Meiner and Shepherd Heath.

(thispartisnotfunyetseemsnecessary.blogspot.com/2017/03/blog-post_59.html) ...I've yet to meet anyone on earth who'd want more, but you could find what interests you here.

(thispartisnotfunyetseemsnecessary.blogspot.com) ...or if you keep clicking 'Older Posts' here, you may find all 500, not including this one and one at the top of this blog.  Do I ever give up?!??