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?!??