Did you ever meet a perfect person??

 Did you ever meet someone who never got upset, never got disappointed??

I haven't.

When we get upset, do we really get upset??  And why is that??

Is it often because things didn't turn out the way we'd expect them to ...something affected us, making us feel uncomfortable??

And if our expectations are directing our feelings, do we also evaluate what kind of day we are having??  Do we feel we have good days, not so good days, and even bad days??

Do we believe there are people who have it worse than we do??  Do we also feel there are people who have it better than we do??

If we think of the very worst, do we also think it is very bad??  And if we think of the very best, do we also think it is very good??

Do you believe there is such a thing as good and bad??  Do you believe love exists, and do you feel it's good??  Yet, if the expectations of those good and loving feelings do not seem to grow and at times exceed expectations, then those loving feelings may begin to feel commonplace and at times feel like not love at all (at least compared to what you perceive it had been). And at that point it may not feel so good, and at times we may let our thoughts conclude that we have been betrayed ...and beyond not so good, that can be considered bad.

I take it a step further ...as I've read about things that I consider outright not right, beyond wrong and even evil. To me, the idea of extreme evil is one which attempts to eliminate good.  Good on the other hand, does not see people as evil beings, but as people who still have the potential to change and do good. So, the one attempts to eliminate, while the other attempts to rehabilitate. There are some people who strive not to just disagree, but to harm those who disagree with them.  I disagree with many people who disagree with me ...but, we are still here to choose whether to disagree or not.  We don't seek to attack people, we aim to have civil conversation about how we believe.  But, like I said, we are still here, so I believe that is good ...and I also believe that 'good' is more powerful than 'bad', and if on occasion it does not appear to be so, the greater good will survive.

And I believe that greater good is 'love', whether at times we understand it or not.  Even some small or halfhearted expression of it is better than what we call evil.  When love is disturbingly absent, bad things can happen ...but, bad things also happen when love is present.  

It is not bad people who are players on a cruel stage, acting out their roles.  People make mistakes, and people often get hurt ...whether physically, mentally, or emotionally.  But, people also get hurt when mistakes aren't made.  It is not a mistake if I walk outdoors on a beautiful day, but a tree branch could just happen to fall and hurt me. Sometimes we get emotionally hurt because we are emotional persons.  It could be said that a baseball player who makes the most errors is the one who plays the most innings.  The player on the bench doesn't make any errors because he's not in the game.  We have to be in life, and the objective is to make fewer errors when we can.  But, we should not let ourselves fall into despondency if we have a 'bad' day.

We have politicians and leaders who discuss what can be done to improve things, to make things better for people.  In focusing on the problem and communicating with the people, the concern is often presented as lack of education, inadequate housing, and a low minimum wage with no health care.  In truth, these are all factors ...they are not just lies by politicians.  Yet, it becomes more problematic when these are considered the only things that have to be fixed.  And even worse is when just money is thrown at a problem.

Why is it worse when money is thrown at the problem??  Well, when money is involved (which it has to realistically be), it tends to draw in temptation, mismanagement, and often the criminal element.  The 60's riots raged throughout the nation when I was not yet 12 years old.  The response was to set up a commission to deal with the problem. I was so very young, I don't really remember any of it ...as I didn't grow up even close to any large city.

So much for insight from a twelve year old ...how about over a hundred years before that??  Edgar Allan Poe said, "Believe nothing you hear, and only half of what you see."  Is this also to include what we 'hear' on the news and what we 'see' in print??  Less than two decades after Edgar's statement, most everyone was feeling the affects of the American Civil War, still a hundred years before the 1960's riots.  This should not be still happening ...but legislation cannot change people's hearts.  Yes, evil is still in the world.

A couple years ago, our daughter was living in Baltimore ...her husband had the rare privilege to have been chosen to attend world renowned Johns Hopkins Hospital.  Crime was near its peak in Baltimore a few years ago, and still was improving much ---and there was a Presidential debate going on, leading up to the national election ---when the question came up about how Baltimore was doing. Statistics said that Baltimore was fourth in the nation for highest expenditure per-pupil in their schools, and many projects were funded for the city.  Yet, things appeared to be just getting worse in Baltimore, and the question asked was "Why?"

One political leader, aspiring to become President, said it was because we didn't spend enough money.  So, what does that tell you??

Well, we all have ideas, and we all have opinions.  And it is almost impossible for those opinions not to include direct reasons.  Intellectually, we don't always want to say, "I don't know."  Though that is often very honest, we do want to give answers to those who are looking to us for answers. But, often the answer involves dodging ...and often blaming.

We say that it is because of this or that ...and that's why things turned out the way they did. And often it's difficult to dispute because honestly we never know for sure how things would've happened if the circumstances had been different.  And that usually includes helping them in some form or another.

I looked at one chart that showed the GPN of nations in the world, measuring this to list the wealthiest nations.  Out of the top 5 wealthiest nations, the United States of America was on top, exceeding the combined totals of the other 4 nations.  You could go back to what I quoted ...that I can't believe what I read, but still our US is inarguably a very wealthy nation.  And it has been said that we could help out more than we do.

I'm certain God has heard this question too ...being all-powerful, and able to create anything.  For those of you that know me, you've probably been wondering when I was going to mention God, as I usually do and usually much quicker than this.  But, the questions of God's fairness and His love enter discussions every day.  God knows, but we don't know ...that is a fact. Yet, that doesn't stop the accusations.  We say much about what we know little about.  And when we feel hurt or slighted, the misunderstandings flow more freely.

Yes, God knows ...and I believe He took care of much of the accusation aspect of that by deciding to create the angels first.  In the aspect of what many aspire to be, God gave it to the angels in the form of much power and splendor.  And how can we not see how that went. God knew it would go that way. 

But He also knew how it would go if He created us humans first, with a much more lowly stature.  We would be certain to complain and protest, and feel we had some footing. But, short of not reading (the Bible) or not believing in God ...those of us who do believe what we read in His Word, well, it's certainly not critical to see the angels coming first.  Anyway, that's the way I see it, and I'm not claiming I have any special insight ...though I would like to present to you why I see it this way. 

I've mention much about love and fairness. There are three other qualities that are unique to God that we often hear.  God is omniscient (all-knowing), omnipresent (present everywhere, seeing and hearing everything), and omnipotent (all-powerful).  

Being all-knowing, some people may think of the Jeopardy champion ...but, with God, there is absolutely nothing He does not know. You can't pull one over on God.

Being everywhere isn't like the fun children's book, "Where's Waldo?"  Though if you look for God, you will find He is there for you ...for every page of your life.

Being all-powerful should be a trait of God that we are comfortable with ...especially concerning a hope for the future. Yet, that depends on how we view God ...just like all-knowing can comfort someone with certainty that God knows how we feel, but on the other hand, it is perhaps the most disturbing to lots of people.  It may seem intimidating if someone knows everything.  When I worked in the prison, I wanted one of the prisoners to comply, to do something he was supposed to do ...but, that was a different sense of saying, "You don't know me!" And if a prisoner wanted to get away with something, he may get frustrated if the opportunity is thwarted, saying, "Every time, he's there to mess things up!". I know I frustrated more than a few prisoners this way. But, the 'powerful' aspect doesn't usually come into play unless intimidation or abuse is present.  And power can both abuse, or prevent abuse.

When I think of powerful, it is often not to anyone's benefit other than their own.  And Communist dictatorships come to mind, though sometimes people think of the United States in this negative way too. And usually this has to do with one's perspective of fairness. We know bad things happen, but what I mean is ...a chance for fairness, or the existence of some possible pathway where it could eventually be realized.  An equal chance, and equal respect.  No person should expect to be loved by everybody ...but, being disliked is hurtful.  And being hated should be inexcusable.

Yes, it may feel uncomfortable that God knows all about us ...but, God does not judge us by our past.  And when we mess up, it may feel uncomfortable knowing God witnessed it ...but, God doesn't expect us to be perfect, He just wants us to keep trying to make it right. 

Most importantly though, it should not make us feel uncomfortable knowing how powerful God is ...as we should know that He set aside much of what we often fear when He sent His Son.  Jesus died for us, and He is forgiving. Now, that's powerful ...and it should impact our lives in a powerful way!!

  

Let Me Try This One More Time ...

 When speaking of creation, or a Creator ...you'd think we'd have a common understanding, but that is not the case.

 When the Bible speaks of "In the beginning ..." in the very beginning line of the Book of Genesis, this beginning is for us, not for the angels or anything unimaginable that could of happened before us, but for us.

 A baby book is a record of the beginning life of that child.  It may describe gifts that were given, a description of the room that was prepared for that child, and names of direct family ...but all related to that introduction of that child.

 The Bible is the introduction of humans ...man and woman. 

 Why do I believe the angels were created before our beginning ...well, there are many reasons, many of which you've probably have heard.  But, I'm going to list something that you'd have less likely heard. Why repeat what you've likely heard.

 You can do your own study on this, but the Bible speaks of the sons of God in the context (I believe) of those who can know God in the special way which I think is reserved for the angels (the two-thirds who didn't rebel, already decided in the past ...not the third who likely remained silent at creation, as the two-thirds shouted for joy ---the Book of Job, Chapter 38) and us humans who presently are provided the choice and who decide now and have decided ever since humans have been created (I believe, on day six) ...let it just be said that we have our lifetimes to respond to the unique call from God in our lives ---to become the sons of God.

 God knows in advance what the thoughts and reasoning are that we so often stumble through, and which were also evident with the angels.  I try to visualize this in attempting to understand why God created the angels first, instead of us.  And I look to the example of Los Angeles when I was very young, but more recently in Baltimore, Maryland.

Okay, I know I just mentioned this, but I am just getting used to this new device and I thought this was a separate blog, not just a separate post on the same blog. I am glad God created me through that wonder of birth, before the computer came out.  I was able to grasp the truth about God much before devices appeared to take over.  I'm thankful I read the entire Bible in book form, not bits and pieces from some device as this.  But, this is today ...and here I am.  And though I knew I've mentioned this before, I didn't know it was so recently, and right here.

Anyway, politicians often don't seem to focus on the concept that history repeats itself.  So, it would be good to repeat that which they don't seem to pay attention to, as repeating.  So, if any politicians, or aspiring politicians are reading this, yes, I know I said it, but I'm saying it again.

Baltimore was cited as a city that was not doing well on the path it was taking.  Not to discuss who contributed to making the path nor who led them down it ...it was just not going a way that was healthy for anyone.  They were a city that was beyond the patience to listen to any possible conversation of why they went wrong.  Beyond talk, beyond listening, they needed action.  Crime had gotten out of control and the neighborhood were falling apart,  but they didn't want to waste time looking into causes they felt they could not control.  They didn't want talk, they wanted money.  And a big city within perhaps the wealthiest nation on earth, they felt it was cruel and inexcusable that their call for money would not be met.

 So, money was spent by the government. Not much changed for the good, so when the government met again, they decided the problems still existed because not enough money was spent.

 People look at the United States of America with their wealth and nearly unlimited access to resources, knowledge, and know-how ...and they see no reason why anything should be withheld from its people.  And I believe they view God in much the same way.

 God created the angels with much power and splendor, as some angels felt absolutely they should be created ...but, I believe some of those angels (one third convinced) were wrong.  I don't say this by my own wisdom or intellect, but by reading the Bible and seeing where that led.  But, when the humans came next, it should be clearly evident that the other approach was presented first, and that this human creation by God had already been thought out.  It should not be misunderstood by anyone that God knows this & everything else, and for our benefit of understanding, He did it this way ...then after the rebellion, created much more lowly creatures (ourselves) with the full picture clearly presented to us that the other way didn't work.

I don't think most cities see this as applying to them, and government isn't always the best teacher ...but, I think perhaps those who seek out God can see a bit of truth in this, and embrace the loving truth of the Bible.

Okay, now for something new:  

I really enjoyed the movie, 'The Case for Christ'.  Just last week, I read the

book, 'The Case for a Creator'.

I really enjoy Lee's journalistic skills and his style of writing is very helpful too.

When interviewing scientists, I feel almost all the time they know what they

are saying to more of a degree than what I know, but Lee's style of asking for

them to explain what they meant, or Lee asking for them to give an example

was very helpful to me ...as not just speaking to the intellectual, but also people

like me.

There were a couple questions I had that weren't answered in the book.

(I know it's impossible to address every imaginable question).

I was quite eager and wondering if he addressed the question in 'The Case for Faith'. 

I didn't want to wait, and felt the immediate desire to get on the computer.

I read the summary of that book, but the summary was not that detailed. 

But, sadly, one website of someone criticizing the book was quite detailed.

And to a certain degree answered my question. 

That question is to the author and those who he interviewed: Your science was

quite precise, but how precisely do you view the Creator?

Yes, I'm referring to the Creator described in the first couple Chapters of the Bible. 

Most of the scientists interviewed seemed to believe in the Bible.

(Many of the scientists also said they have a personal relationship with Him.)

Yes, they seemed to interpret that 'intelligent design' was significant enough.

But, that significant enough, was to have 'created' some aspect of life.

But there was not a firm view on how the first Chapter of Genesis is viewed by them.

During the isolation somewhat created by the pandemic, gatherings were not

filling our usual lives in the ways we were used to, so I went on Facebook and

joined a group called 'Creationism'.  What I found was many people who don't

remotely believe what I believe (and that is fine, and can be expected).  I didn't

have a list or idea of who all were 'Intelligent Design' classified, but I soon found

out that I didn't need a list as many of the people in the group seemed to know,

and would quickly dismiss what someone said if they were referring to someone

who was ID.

There was also much fun made of YECs (Young Earth Creationists).

And the Bible was not talked about as much as I had hoped, except

from a few that seemed too easily to be drawn into an argument that

quickly led to insults by those on either side of the argument. 

There were a couple people who did not get drawn into the insult game,

but it was sadly a rare occasion.

I am aware of various (the group did serve this purpose) interpretations of

the Book of Genesis, but some of the people even believe that the entire

Book of Genesis is no more than a parable or fable. I wonder how the Bible

is viewed, and what role do we have in contributing to either the clarifying

or the confusion. Do we 'cherry pick' what we believe ...are we the authorities

who decide what we want to be literal and what is not??  And if we 'cherry pick'

the Bible, then isn't that a road paved for the next person to 'cherry pick' what

they believe??  (One person went so far as to say that Jesus didn't know certain

things because He didn't have the science we have today.)

I think this line of thinking needs a response.  

Richard Dawkins' approach was not how awesome it is that documents were

preserved for a couple hundred years, protected from those who would have

wanted to destroy them. They already crucified or used whatever means to kill

those proclaiming the truth.  I am so happy those truths were cared for and hidden

until they were safe to bring out.  And to ignore all that, while boldly claiming contradictions ...well, that is so typical of unbelief, and to academia's credit, I can just say that is so lame.  

My Mom died late last year.  Obituaries can be found on the internet, and also

include a space for tributes.  Not all tributes were the same, but all were about

Mom.  I found it difficult to talk about it, and did not make it widely known, but

I did write down my thoughts on a lengthy post on Facebook in November of

last year (2020).  Not everyone would agree exactly with my perspective on

how things happened in her last days with us.  If reports are exactly alike, then

I believe there is collaboration. The apostles were spread out and very active. 

When they chose to take moments to write, they did not have iPhones nor

a computer to share information.

As far as the Old Testament goes, Jesus read from those documents.  If you

don't believe in Jesus, then that would probably not matter to you.  But, when

Jesus turned over the tables at the temple, it was because they were conducting

business where worship was supposed to take place.  The most references I see

is Jesus continually referring to 'The Father', and glorifying Him.  I think this would

be even more important to Jesus if He saw the Old Testament also did not speak

truthfully about 'The Father' ...and there would likely be more action than turning

over tables.

Why is it important to Jesus that we know who He is??  Being part of the Personhood

of God, it is related to us that He loves us all ...and that He would that none would perish. 

If our choice in life depends upon whether we choose to accept and follow Him, then

considering His love for us, He would want it to be clear that we know what choice we

are making ...and He is going to be fair about it.  Yet, one of the questions that often

comes up ...is why bad things are allowed to happen.

To answer that, bad things are not forever going to be allowed to happen. The Accuser is

apt to do that very thing ...accuse.  And to answer those accusations, I see that throughout

time we have read about several situational conditions that seem to meet those accusations

directly.

This next paragraph is not an accurate representation, it is only for the benefit of a 'what if' scenario to help us perhaps put things in perspective:

If you had the choice to live on earth for forever (never die), would you choose that, or would

you choose to live with God (in Heaven) for the remainder of your eternity??  If you choose

God for eternity, then why not choose Him now??  And you are not choosing Him if you

make up your own story of who He is ...He died for us, to know the truth and to accept the

truth (Him).  If you would choose to live eternally here for forever on earth, then I believe that

is a choice made without clear thought.  You may think your life is okay now, and I hope you do,

but what of those who have the most horrific life of anyone who has ever lived on earth ...what if

that occasion came to you.  I hope it doesn't come to you, but I am not content that it comes to

anyone.  I don't want others to suffer. Whether you believe it or not, we are eternal creatures ...and

life goes on after this life, in some realm.

We read in the Bible of past situational conditions ...and there are more to come.  When I worked

in the prison, there were those who said they were glad they were imprisoned because if they

had not been deterred, they would have likely stayed on their same path.  Others got out of prison,

and couldn't wait to resume their past behavior, they just felt they'd be wiser this time and not get

caught ...and some of them had more of a drive towards revenge against those in favor of curtailing

that behavior. The prison I worked at has a record of only one escape, and he left a trail to the other

side of the state, but came back to get even with the one he felt was responsible for his going to

prison. This led to him getting caught, and returning to a more secure prison. But, he put himself in

a position of needing immediate medical attention, and almost escaped again.

We cannot escape from God, and if people are seeking revenge in this life, they cannot touch you

in Heaven.

One future situational drama will take place in the thousand year reign. Those going through much

hardship will probably like that period, but others will likely be similar to those unrepentant 

prisoners who will only behave when they have to (while incarcerated), and when the thousand

years end, they will join the group set on gathering their opposition to invade Israel.  And that group

would not appear to me as preparing themselves for entering heaven with the One who had just

ruled for those thousand years (whenever that period will be).

For those of you who know me, I have much more to say on this, and I have said much more,

but this is enough for this post and for now.  In closing, I say to look joyfully towards an existence

with God in heaven, but also accept Him now.

Doesn't that make sense??