God Did Not Create Evil

The University professor challenged his students with this question. "Did God create everything that exists?"
A student bravely replied, "Yes he did!"
"God created everything?" The professor asked.
"Yes sir", the student replied.
The professor answered, "If God created everything, then God created evil, since evil exists, and according to the principal that our works define who we are, then God is evil."
The student became quiet before such an answer. The professor, quite pleased with himself, boasted to the students that he had proven once more that the Christian faith was a myth.
Another student raised his hand and said, "Can I ask you a question professor?"
"Of course", replied the professor.
The student stood up and asked, "Professor does cold exist?"
"What kind of question is this? Of course it exists.
The young man replied, "In fact sir, cold does not exist. According to the laws of physics, what we consider cold is in reality the absence of heat. Every body or object is susceptible to study when it has or transmits energy and heat is what makes a body or matter have or transmit energy. Absolute zero (-460(?) F) is the total absence of heat; all matter becomes inert and incapable of reaction at that temperature. Cold does not exist. We have created this word to describe how we feel if we have no heat." The student continued, "Professor, does darkness exist?"
The professor responded, "Of course it does."
The student replied, "Once again you are wrong, Sir, darkness does not exist either. Darkness is in reality the absence of light. Light we can study, but not darkness. In fact we can use Newton's prism to break white light into many colors and study the various wavelengths of each color. You cannot measure darkness. A simple ray of light can break into a world of darkness and illuminate it. How can you know how dark a certain space is? You measure the amount of light present. Isn't this correct? Darkness is a term used by man to describe what happens when there is no light present."
Finally the young man asked the professor, "Sir, does evil exist?"
Now uncertain, the professor responded, "Of course as I have already said. We see it everyday. It is in the daily example of man's inhumanity to man. It is in the multitude of crime and violence everywhere in the world.. These manifestations are nothing else but evil."
To this the student replied, "Evil does not exist sir, or at least it does not exist unto itself. Evil is simply the absence of God. It is just like darkness and cold, a word that man has created to describe the absence of God. God did not create evil. Evil is the result of what happens when man does not have God's love present in his heart. It's like the cold that comes when there is no heat or the darkness that comes when there is no light."
The professor sat down.
The young man's name -- Albert Einstein

Falon's Thought for the Day

A co-worker emailed this scripture and sentiment. I just copied and pasted it for you to share on my blog. Let us continue to lift and encourage each other as she does each day.

Together in Him!

2 Corinthians 4:1

Therefore, since through God's mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart.

Her sentiments:
So many times we allow discouragement to bring us down. This scripture was in a book I am reading as a foolproof way to beat discouragement. Because we are children of God, his mercy is upon us. Why at any point should we feel discouraged? He has armed us with all that we need in life to accomplish His will. And what is so great is this, if we don't understand how to use the tools we are given--we can go to Him in prayer and he will give us clear direction on what, when, and how to do what He has called us to do. He didn't bring us into this world to feel inadequate, or discouraged about our abilities. He sent us to be confident and encouragers to others, and well as ourselves. Sometimes we can be our own worst enemy in being discouraged, but if we remember we are in His grace what more encouragement do we need? We have an undefeatable Savior on our side, if we will turn to Him he will defeat our discouragement and give us encouragement. Have a blessed day.

Children Are God's Gift

My sister sent me this picture of my brother and I when we were very young. I vaguely remember having the picture taken, and being scared of Santa Claus. But, what speaks to me the most is how young and innocent we were. My grandmother had this taken and now that I am a grandmother, I fully understand what she was feeling. I have always felt that my children and grandchildren are a gift from God. Babies are His greatest blessing and miracle. Though I long for a time when life was uncomplicated, I know that it would be impossible to fulfill His purpose if we never grew up. I'd like to shelter my grown children and still small grandchildren from the trials and pain they will endure as they grow, but instead I pray for God's will and protection as He guides them through life each day. Perhaps my life and my brother's life wouldn't have been so difficult if we had people praying each day for us when we were small.

Meeting Me Where I Am

“ If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. ”- James 1:5

After reading my sister's blog, I was inspired by her poem and moved to look up the word beauty on BibleGateway.com But, the verse of the day was chosen by God (just for me it seems). I was reading and spending some devotional time yesterday, and the thought kept coming to me that, "I know so little of God's word. And, I find it difficult to remember so much of the time." I don't know if it's stress or old age :-) but my short term memory is really getting bad. It's comforting to know that God meets me where I am in EVERYTHING. He knows my needs, my capabilities, my heart. "Our God is an awesome God..."

One Day of Resistance

Well, I'm doing the New Year's resolution thing one day at a time (actually, once hour at a time). But, I'm going to do the Special K Challenge. Where you have a bowl of Special K in the morning and for dinner. Lunch is a normal, healthy lunch (entree with protein, bread, vegetables, etc) and afternoon snack a piece of fruit. Successful Day 1! YIPPEE. I didn't get to the treadmill though, had to go pick up my husband from his truck since he's in Dallas and home for the weekend. I'll get some "other" exercise though (wink wink). Thanks to all those praying for my focus. I still need it! Also, I could use some energy...I feel absolutely drained. Carry on with the resistance.

Pillsbury Doughboy

I have NOT had a good week. Stresses galore. Eating galore. I'm virtually exhausted by the time I get home. I feel like the Pillsbury Doughboy. I look like the Pillsbury Doughboy. NOT a good start to my new year. None of my resolutions have even begun to take hold. I have to have the boys at school by 7:00 for wrestling practice, so the only devotion time I get is from the radio taking them there and driving to work.
I've got bill collectors calling, my husband is angry enough about the budget I'm literally scared to death to talk about it with him, and I was promised a review and a raise at work...neither of which has taken place yet. I'm still sad about the recent death of a friend's spouse, my daughter and grandkids called to tell me they miss me A LOT (and they were crying), and my 18 year old has been trying to enroll in school...only to be given a hard time. I feel like looking up and saying, "Yo, lighten up." But, I know it isn't necessarily God allowing me to carry my own crosses...the advesary is having a field day with me. It just seems (sometimes) that the devil has focused on me and my family for a very long time. Why can't he focus on someone really evil for a while?

BEFORE (After to Come)

Okay. This is the "BEFORE" picture. 5'7" and 170-175 pounds, 47 years old. My goal is to (within 6 months) lose 25-30 p0unds and tone up A LOT. Especially my arms, legs and stomach. Well heck, almost every part of me. But, I walked on the tredmill for 20 minutes and stationary bike for 10 minutes. Starting tomorrow, I'm cutting way back on my portion sizes (I can't afford weight watchers or any other program), but I will watch the fat and calorie intake. Pray for me. I'm an emotional eater and I need to find another way to deal with stress. Let it NOT be spending money either!!!

So, check in with me a week from now and hopefully, I'll have lost a pound or two and been consistent with the dieting, exercise and also praying/reading the word. I need a positive attitude because of stresses at work and home.

Sympathy for a Friend

My friend and sister in Christ lost her husband to a sudden heart attack on New Year's Day. He was only 51 and there was no knowledge of any heart condition, so it came as quite a shock. She has two little boys (aged 6 and 13) and will need constant prayer in the days to come. Her faith is strong, but is obviously being tested right now. Please pray for Sheila, Joshua, and Jeremy.
Father God, I pray for your comforting arms to surround this family right now. Lord, provide all their needs in the days to come. The road ahead looks treacherous, but we know that when we put our faith in you...you promise to provide ALL our needs above all we could ask or imagine. I stand on that promise and claim it for this family in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.