For most of my childhood, I lived in the rural part of a small town.

I was what you'd call a 'country boy'! We didn't have much, but we had a roof over our head, clothes to wear, and food to eat. And the air pollution usually only consisted of a skunk startled in the night.

My dad is a World War II veteran. My mom is the one who led us in prayer. Together, they gave me a sense ...beyond everyday ordinary common sense. It was deeper. It became a portion of what I now believe ....that we should strongly support good throughout the earth.

I felt I lived in a good community. As a whole, I believed our nation was good ...and I believed we should support efforts for maintaining a good earth. Many shared the same foundational beliefs, and were even prepared to fight to maintain them. I'm not referring to those occasions where some appear all too eager to fight ...I'm referring to defending against the atrocities I'd hope none of us would ignore.

What factors into our thought process, and contributes to our definition of 'good'?

As I grew older, I realized more and more that what may be declared as good by one person, actually is not often good for another.

So, who really defines 'good'?

We formulate ideas that are influenced early on ...by our homes, our churches, our schools, and the governments of our communities and nation.

Adulthood brings on an increased measure of responsibility and participation ...as we attempt to find our place in this world.

We solidify our friendships within our social groups ...mostly established through common interests and those we agree with. And as we cement those friendships, we tend to think less of those who are not in our social circles. We isolate ourselves from those we disagree with, and lose a portion of our empathy and understanding.

Wasn't last years Superbowl exciting!

In the 2011 Superbowl, the majority of people I know wanted the Pittsburgh Steelers to win. I grew up in the U.P.(Upper Peninsula of Michigan ...called 'Yoopers'). Most Yoopers are Packer fans. And most get more excited about sports than they do politics ...or most anything else for that matter.

Politics ...is the engine that drives our government, influencing how we govern our lives ...

It could be said that politics is the most important force on our globe. It affects the way we live ...within our communities, our states, and our nation. (As I get older, I miss things more.  Don't want you to miss the continuation here, so am adding a reminder to click on 'Older Posts'.

We hear much talk about "reaching across the aisle",

...but in reality, I see a great divide. I see a stage with many actors and actresses. The sincere have a very difficult time passing the audition. The big names don't readily get replaced. And with each additional performance, the reviews try to claim their part in the play, pointing out who does the better thing.

But there is a greater divide ...one that wears the mask of unity.

And it has to do with our belief in God ...a belief which weaves threads of truth into the very fabric of our lives.

Who stirs the pot? Consider the mix of evolution and God ...or is it mix-up?

Those who don't believe in God, whom we may term as atheists, do not seem to be creating the most conflict. It is usually those who believe in God, but their definition comes from some description much different from that clearly stated in the Bible.

After checking the menu, shall we order the 'soup of the day', without even asking what it is?

Do you believe in evolution, and God? And how's that? Does that minimize His daily impact upon your life? For those who merely want to form an opinion, I can understand your thought process ...as perhaps the popular opinion of the day. But as far as facts go, there does appear to be compatibility issues. But since there are increasing numbers of you who believe in God and evolution, it has brought me to these thoughts:

Why would God send His Son, Jesus, to die for our sins ....if we could have just evolved ourselves into a new and improved package?

If we believe God used evolution, then do we believe we evolved from some sort of ape-like creature? And why wouldn't God then just let us evolve further to a state similar to what Heaven would be like?

And who did Jesus die for? What is Heaven for ...and who goes there?

What would be the supposed cut off point ...would it include the ape-like creature going to Heaven, or would it only include all creatures that came after the supposed (not yet found) missing link? And when did accountability come into play ...if we believe in Heaven, do we believe also in Hell? And what about the criteria? I would feel real bad, to deceive someone concerning a thing of utmost importance!

Of course, we must realize there is an increasing number of people who don't really believe in Jesus ...or they say they do, yet minimize who He is.

They would say Jesus was a mere good man, or perhaps a nominal prophet. What would they say was the purpose, or significance of Jesus being crucified? And if there is no judgment as to who goes where, what would be the significance of Jesus coming to earth at all?

All this contrary thinking does not seem to improve one's faith ...but works to diminish it.

It become a progression of diminishing beliefs, with each of us elevating our own intelligence, our own choices of what we believe in ...and to what extent, with our interpretation. All this adds to the mix, instead of merely choosing Him, and believing that God wants us to know Him. Isn't this preferable to further confusion?

I do understand the nature of confusion. How many of us have not had a heavy dose of it ...sometime or another?

In no way do I consider it unhealthy to question things ...nor do I consider it dangerous to think things through. I've traveled the road of doubt, and tested many along the way ...but it was with the primary desire to seek God's truth, of what He chose to reveal to us ...the Bible.

Perhaps your mind's eye sees things differently ...

Well, it doesn't bother me at all ...if you were to conclude that I am the disillusioned one.

The truth can defend itself!

I'd rather you challenge the truth ...than ignore it.

It's not a matter of separation of church and state ...how can there be any political conversations without some religious overtones, spoken or not?

Do we focus more on global warming than on what is presently heating up our globe ...in the form of political and religious hatred? And 'hate' is a strong word ...have we actually reasoned this out, to understand the source of all this emotion?

The earth doesn't need saving, the people do!

Why so much concern for this earth, and much less concern for those presently living here?

Is God trying to preserve this orb, or is He setting apart a people to fill the new one?

The 21st Chapter of the Book of Revelation talks of a new earth.

Is our primary focus on God's acceptance of us, and we hold fast to who we are ...with the attitude,"God knows how I am"!

...instead of who He is ...and our acceptance of Him, and who He wants us to be?

It is just rather inconvenient at times, going to the neighbors to tell them about Jesus ...especially since I know they already know anyway!

Isn't it enough to have a manger scene in the yard at Christmas time, as long as we give Him some billing ...along with Santa Claus? After all, doesn't everyone know about the celebration of Christmas? Don't we need to show that we are also in favor of this promoted tolerance thing ...that often seems rather intolerant?

Has Jesus become 'an inconvenient truth'?

Do we really accept Jesus, or does He kind of just get in the way of political agendas, educational advancement, or social convenience? Does this affect how we vote, what our children are taught, and how we live? Are we going to join so many others who are committed to eliminate the truth of Jesus from our schools, and our everyday conversations?