Monthly Archives: November 2010

Our Family Bible School class touched on an interesting topic.  The origin of evil. 

Usually these discussions arise out of a passage of Scripture.  In this case we were in James, chapter one.  The passage focuses more on God not tempting anyone.  This is not a statement on the origin of evil.  But people’s thoughts immediately raced backwards.

And so, our intern is to review the area of the Lord’s Prayer that talks about “and lead us not into temptation,” from the perspective of the original Koine Greek.  That was a good start.

But sitting with a group watching the Western Final of the Canadian Football League, some of the same discussion arose again.  And again, the answer was illusive.

In God is no evil – by definition.  In the Christian view of God, God is good and no evil dwells in Him.  God created the universe, including angels and humans.  And somewhere, evil had entrance.  

The discussion came to that point and then there was all sorts of divergence.  You can literally read libraries which touch on the matter of the origin of evil – from philosophical texts to works of fiction.  We will not solve this overnight, but I believe it is important to strengthen our faith by exploring the tough issues – but also to leave space for faith, admitting that there are mysteries which we will never solve.

This has been one of those years where fall seemed to stay around.   For a while.  For the longest time.  Until today.

Snow appeared on the sidewalks, the windshields and under my shoes. 

The funny thing is that I really wasn’t expecting snow.  I guess I had convinced myself that we would skip winter and go straight to spring.  A wildly weird thought, but somehow almost plausible in my thinking.

I was not ready with boots available.  I was not ready with an electrical cord for my car’s block heater.  I was not ready mentally.

And so, as the snow falls, I am changing my mind.  Repenting.  Getting set for the next few months.

And here is my prediction.  Lots of snow.  Lots of shoveling.  Lots of comfort food and sitting around the “fire”. 

Actually, I’m rather looking forward to it – now that my mind has changed!!

My mother-in-law just sent a birthday card to her great grandson – our grandson.  He gladly received the card which had been sent by snail mail.

The fun is in the trip to the post office, the realization that there is something for you (at five years old), and then $10.00 included.

Great Grandmother felt $10.00 was so little.  A five year old felt this was more than enough.  I’m so glad that the little we do can be accepted with such enjoyment! 

Thanks, mom, for the treat you have given to Christopher.

From Joni Eareckson Tada interview in Christianity Today, October 2010, p. 33:

Every time we go to sleep, it’s a rehearsal of the day when our eyes will ultimately close and we wake up on the side of eternity.