This chapter contains beautiful things, like God demonstrating his goodness by giving Adam and Eve everything they need for life - proactively. For example, God doesn’t wait for Adam to complain about being alone, He creates Eve out of His goodness. This was a shadow of God’s grace. He bestowed unmerited favor on them.

But I have something better.

In Genesis 2 I see how God gives them free will. Was there anything special about the tree of the knowledge of good and evil? I don’t know, but it does demonstrate the gift of free will. An opportunity to choose God’s way, or their own way. An opportunity to trust in God’s righteousness, or to try to create their own.

The final verse says they were naked and not ashamed. I’ve thought a lot about this one before, seeing nakedness as a metaphor for incomplete or missing something. But this time I also saw it as a metaphor for being transparent, being fully seen and known, hiding nothing, yet not being ashamed.

Still, I have something better. So. Much. Better.

I see what’s going on in Genesis 2 as a shadow of the Gospel that was to come.

What I mean is, I see Adam and Eve being given incomprehensible riches. But it depends on them not to ruin it. Every day they have to choose not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Every day the burden was on them to sustain their perfect relationship with God.

Whoa, but is that what I have to do, too? No, the Gospel is incomprehensibly better than what Adam and Eve experienced in the garden!

Because now, thanks to the work of Jesus Christ, I am given everything for life in godliness. Now, because I trusted in His righteousness just one time, I was spiritually born again into a new life, one that doesn’t depend on my behavior and actions to sustain. No, I was made, and I’m kept righteous, by His work, by His righteousness. I can’t ruin this, because it’s not about me, it’s about Him. He sustains me.

Once again I see God’s grace, His unmerited favor, being poured out onto His creation. God’s purpose in Jesus was to restore His creation into relationship with Him again. I can see why it had to be this way, too. And seeing this I can more clearly understand His great pleasure in His Only Son.

Sure, in this life, I still fail in many ways. But I don’t take my eyes off Jesus, because unlike Adam and Eve in the garden, Christ has made me holy, He has made me righteous, and this is for as long as He lives, so I can be in perfect relationship with Him forever.

I’m always walking in the cool of the day with Him now. I am naked and not ashamed.

A new week with new stuff. This is a long one, I know. I just have so much to share!

This week in the news

A news story this week reminded me that it's been 24 years since a major peace proposal was rejected by the Palestinian Authority (Yasser Arafat). Also this week there were some revelations in England about the tens of thousands of girls that have been raped by Muslim immigrants over recent years, and how the government there actively turned a blind eye to what has been happening and refused justice for those girls. Perhaps I'll share more details on that sad, sad, story in a future newsletter.

But this week, let's go back to the year 2000, during the Camp David Summit, U.S. President Bill Clinton mediated peace talks between Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat. The proposal offered to Arafat was considered a significant peace offering by Israel. It included:

1. A Palestinian state: The creation of a Palestinian state on parts of the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

2. East Jerusalem: Arafat would receive control over East Jerusalem, with arrangements for it to serve as the capital of the Palestinian state, though Israel would retain control over some areas of the city, including the Western Wall.

3. Land swaps: Some areas of Israeli land would be swapped with Palestinian territory to accommodate security concerns.

4. Refugees: While Arafat was offered limited return rights for Palestinian refugees, it fell short of the "right of return" to Israel itself, which he had strongly advocated for.

Despite the significant concessions made by Israel, Arafat rejected the proposal, citing concerns that it would not provide a viable, sovereign Palestinian state and that it fell short on key issues, including the status of Jerusalem and the right of return for refugees. The failure of these negotiations led to a breakdown in peace efforts and contributed to the eruption of the Second Intifada (Palestinian uprising) shortly thereafter.

There is a lot that can be said as to what Yasser Arafat was doing, and why he rejected it. There is the perspective that it was not a viable option, like I mentioned above. There is also the perspective, held by some very close to him, that he would never agree to any peace agreement, because his power and wealth came from the continued conflict with Israel.

That's a very brief, very high level summary of what happened. But if you'd like to get a deeper perspective of the cultures and conflict, here are a couple interviews with people who were there, who have intimate knowledge of Gaza, Israel, and Islam.

• (video 15min) My Father Founded Hamas

Born in the West Bank to a Hamas founder, Mosab Hassan Yousef was groomed for a legacy of terror. But he made a dangerous choice to reject violence and escape the oppression and bloodshed inflicted by Hamas. Now in the U.S., he warns that the ambitions of the Muslim Brotherhood threaten Western Civilization. If we let them succeed, it could mean the fall of America and the West.

• (video 10min) My Father Founded the Original Hamas Militia

Nonie Darwish is the daughter of a founding member of Hamas, the militant group based in Gaza. After her father was killed, Nonie and her family left Gaza and eventually relocated to America. She has watched in dismay as America and other Western nations permit pro-Hamas protests and allow misinformation about Israel and the Jewish community to spread. She speaks out in hope that people like her have the strength to push back.

• (video 10min) WIll Radical Islam Destroy the West?

Born in London to Pakistani Muslim parents, Dr. Qanta Ahmed followed her calling as a physician in New York and Saudi Arabia. But after 9/11, her worldview shifted when she witnessed the shocking reactions of her Saudi colleagues celebrating the attacks. Dr. Ahmed shares how those moments opened her eyes and set her on a journey to confront the dangers of radical Islam.

I've also read a number of books on this topic that I can highly recommend! None of the descriptions really do the books justice, but I guess they do their job of letting the reader know a little about what’s inside. Let me know if you'd like to read and discuss one with me:

• Son of Hamas

This gripping New York Times bestseller tells the true story of a Hamas insider who rejected his violent destiny and pursued peace . . . at the risk of everything.

Since he was a small boy, Mosab Hassan Yousef has had an inside view of the deadly terrorist group Hamas and the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. The oldest son of Sheikh Hassan Yousef, a founding member of Hamas and its most popular leader, young Mosab assisted his father for years in his political activities while being groomed to assume his legacy, politics, status . . . and power. But everything changed when Mosab turned away from terror and violence and embarked on a spiritual journey, embracing instead the teachings of another famous Middle East leader. Son of Hamas contains:

• new information about the world’s most dangerous terrorist organization and unveils the truth about Mosab’s own role

• details of his agonizing separation from family and homeland

• the dangerous decision to make his newfound faith public

• his belief that the Christian mandate to “love your enemies” is the only way to peace in the Middle East

Now available with a chapter about events since the book’s release such as the revelation of Mosab’s Israeli intelligence handler’s true identity, and Homeland Security’s effort to deport the author.

• The Looming Tower

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • PULITZER PRIZE WINNER • A “heart-stopping account of the events leading up to 9/11” (The New York Times Book Review), this definitive history explains in gripping detail the growth of Islamic fundamentalism, the rise of al-Qaeda, and the intelligence failures that culminated in the attacks on the World Trade Center.

One of the New York Times’s 100 Best Books of the 21st Century

In gripping narrative that spans five decades, Lawrence Wright re-creates firsthand the transformation of Osama bin Laden and Ayman al-Zawahiri from incompetent and idealistic soldiers in Afghanistan to leaders of the most successful terrorist group in history. He follows FBI counterterrorism chief John O’Neill as he uncovers the emerging danger from al-Qaeda in the 1990s and struggles to track this new threat.

Packed with new information and a deep historical perspective, The Looming Tower is a sweeping, unprecedented history of the long road to September 11.

• Infidel

One of today’s most admired and controversial political figures, Ayaan Hirsi Ali burst into international headlines following the murder of Theo van Gogh by an Islamist who threatened that she would be next. She made headlines again when she was stripped of her citizenship and resigned from the Dutch Parliament.

Infidel shows the coming of age of this distinguished political superstar and champion of free speech as well as the development of her beliefs, iron will, and extraordinary determination to fight injustice. Raised in a strict Muslim family, Hirsi Ali survived civil war, female mutilation, brutal beatings, adolescence as a devout believer during the rise of the Muslim Brotherhood, and life in four troubled, unstable countries ruled largely by despots. She escaped from a forced marriage and sought asylum in the Netherlands, where she earned a college degree in political science, tried to help her tragically depressed sister adjust to the West, and fought for the rights of Muslim women and the reform of Islam as a member of Parliament. Under constant threat, demonized by reactionary Islamists and politicians, disowned by her father, and expelled from family and clan, she refuses to be silenced.

Ultimately a celebration of triumph over adversity, Hirsi Ali’s story tells how a bright little girl evolves out of dutiful obedience to become an outspoken, pioneering freedom fighter. As Western governments struggle to balance democratic ideals with religious pressures, no other book could be more timely or more significant.

• The Daughters of Kobani

The extraordinary story of the women who took on the Islamic State and won

“The Daughters of Kobani is an unforgettable and nearly mythic tale of women's power and courage. The young women profiled in this book fought a fearsome war against brutal men in impossible circumstances—and proved in the process what girls and women can accomplish when given the chance to lead. Brilliantly researched and respectfully reported, this book is a lesson in heroism, sacrifice, and the real meaning of sisterhood. I am so grateful that this story has been told.” —Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Big Magic and Eat, Pray, Love

“Absolutely fascinating and brilliantly written, The Daughters of Kobani is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand both the nobility and the brutality of war. This is one of the most compelling stories in modern warfare.” —Admiral William H. McRaven, author of Make Your Bed

In 2014, northeastern Syria might have been the last place you would expect to find a revolution centered on women's rights. But that year, an all-female militia faced off against ISIS in a little town few had ever heard of: Kobani. By then, the Islamic State had swept across vast swaths of the country, taking town after town and spreading terror as the civil war burned all around it. From that unlikely showdown in Kobani emerged a fighting force that would wage war against ISIS across northern Syria alongside the United States. In the process, these women would spread their own political vision, determined to make women's equality a reality by fighting—house by house, street by street, city by city—the men who bought and sold women.

Based on years of on-the-ground reporting, The Daughters of Kobani is the unforgettable story of the women of the Kurdish militia that improbably became part of the world's best hope for stopping ISIS in Syria. Drawing from hundreds of hours of interviews, bestselling author Gayle Tzemach Lemmon introduces us to the women fighting on the front lines, determined to not only extinguish the terror of ISIS but also prove that women could lead in war and must enjoy equal rights come the peace. In helping to cement the territorial defeat of ISIS, whose savagery toward women astounded the world, these women played a central role in neutralizing the threat the group posed worldwide. In the process they earned the respect—and significant military support—of U.S. Special Operations Forces.

Rigorously reported and powerfully told, The Daughters of Kobani shines a light on a group of women intent on not only defeating the Islamic State on the battlefield but also changing women's lives in their corner of the Middle East and beyond.

• Breaking Cover

The CIA is looking for walking contradictions. Recruiters seek people who can keep a secret, yet pull classified information out of others; who love their country, but are willing to leave it behind to head into dangerous places; who live double lives, but can be trusted with some of the nation's most highly sensitive tasks.

Michele Rigby Assad was one of those people.

As a CIA agent, Michele soon found that working undercover was an all-encompassing job. The threats were real. The mission was a perilous one. Trained as a counterterrorism expert, Michele spent over a decade in the agency - a woman leading some of the most highly skilled operatives on the planet, secretly serving in some the most treacherous areas of the Middle East. But deep inside, Michele wondered: Could she really do this job? Was she in the right place at the right time, or had she misunderstood what she thought was God's calling on her life? Did she have what it would take to survive?

The answer came when Michele faced a life-or-death choice - one that had secretly been the plan for her all along. In Breaking Cover, Michele has at last been cleared to drop cover and tell her story: one of incredible struggle; of thwarted plans and expectations; and most of all, of discovering a faith greater than all her fears.

Did you know that I visited a mosque a few years ago? It was very interesting. They were very tolerant of my questions. For example, I asked what the difference is between Sunni and Shi'ite Muslims, and which were they. They were Sunnis, but they didn't want to go into details as to what or why they are different from Shi'ites. I think Shi'ites are more intent on installing and enforcing Sharia law, a very strict form of Islam. Think ISIS, maybe. It was a great experience though, for sure.

What I know for sure

“Fires will be kindled to testify that two and two make four. Swords will be drawn to prove that leaves are green in summer. We shall be left defending, not only the incredible virtues and sanities of human life, but something more incredible still, this huge impossible universe which stares us in the face.”

~ G.K. Chesterton, Heretics

Mr. Chesterton wrote those words over 100 years ago. What do you think he's describing? His book, Heretics, is a collection of essays that are a little like time travelling. They give you a glimpse into the debates of his era, and yet, these debates are still raging, nothing has been settled. In over 100 years!

Which brings me to a larger topic - deconstruction. This isn't a new thing either, but it is perhaps gaining some popularity, thanks to social media. You probably know the story line, "I used to be a Christian/I grew up in the church, but then I started looking into it, and now I don't believe it anymore/they hurt me/I can't abide by the things they say and do or stand for, etc., etc."

I get it, I went through similar things, testing what I had been told. Was it true? Is it true, even though the culture doesn't like it? Maybe I’m one of the lucky ones. Most of what I was taught is true. And what wasn't true, was only an incomplete understanding of how good Jesus is.

Social media loves a Christian deconstruction story, though. But did you know that even more often people are deconstructing from their old ways of thinking and living…into believers of Jesus Christ? And this is happening all over the world. You have to dig a little to find these stories…for some reason they aren't served up by the algos that often. But they are happening everywhere, in every country, in every culture. In fact, the number of Christians in the world will soon surpass 2.7 billion. Some of the authors of the above referenced books are included in that number.

But let's get back to Chesterton. Can you see how this is happening today? "Fires will be kindled to testify that two and two make four…", battles will be fought over obvious true and false ideas. Like what though? Who's arguing that two and two are not equal to four? But people are debating math, though. And biology. And physics. And history.

Who is the author of confusion though? And who gives plain and simple truths, and peace that passes all understanding? And hope, and joy?

Turn it up to 11

I came across this song a couple of weeks ago, and I just like it so much, I've been listening to it real loud in the car. It's called "The Truth" by Megan Woods.

Love,

Dad

Something recent I thought was interesting

Two years ago, ostensibly to combat raging inflation, the Federal Reserve (not a government agency) began raising interest rates for the US Dollar. At the fastest rate in history, if I'm not mistaken. Rates went from near 0% to ~5% very quickly. Higher interest rates makes the US attractive to foreign investors, which result in a stronger currency, which then weakens other currencies. This is a type of war that goes on between countries all the time, where they try to fight for currency strength or dominance. Sometimes, it's the reverse though, where they try to weaken their currencies for better trade opportunities. But the trouble is that the US Dollar is the reserve currency of the world. It's almost like air for many types of global trade - they must be settled in dollars. For example, if Japan buys oil from Saudi Arabia, they must pay for it in US Dollars. Which means they have to exchange (sell) Yen for Dollars (buy). And that makes oil more expensive for them when their currency is weak relative to the dollar. Which then depresses their economy.

But, the US government is currently sitting on $36 Trillion in debt, $10 Trillion of which needs to be refinanced this year. That just means the bonds they sold years ago are due to be paid back this year. But the US Treasury doesn't have the money to pay them off, so they have to borrow new money (sell new bonds to retire old bonds). The Fed will be pressured to keep lowering rates so the US Treasury can refinance at a lower cost. And they started lowering rates last year, but it hasn't brought down real interest rates yet. This fact should be weakening the Dollar, but it hasn't.

Also, normally when interest rates are high and the dollar strong, the price of gold falls (in dollar terms). But it hasn't. Gold hit new record highs last year. Bitcoin hasn't been around that long, but it also hit new highs last year.

These are curious things to me - with the dollar so strong and other countries are feeling the squeeze, yet gold and bitcoin are being priced as if the dollar is weak - I don't know what it means, but I think it's worth paying attention.

What I know for sure

When was the last time someone asked, "Are you ready?"

How did you respond?

I have a standard response now that goes like this: "I was born ready. I was made for this!"

I always respond this way because it reminds me that no matter what's coming, I will be okay. I can relax, give it my best, and enjoy the experience. It might not go as planned or as I hoped. It might be even better. Regardless, I know I'm safe and secure in Jesus, so I can live life head on.

What do you think about that perspective? Want to talk about it? I'm ready.

Turn it up to 11

A song I like to listen to loud is "These days" by Jeremy Camp. This song hits!

“…I believe that you and I

are in the right place

at the right time

…maybe we were made for these days!”

It kind of fits with my "I was born ready…" credo, too.

If you aren’t familiar with Jeremy Camp he’s a prolific song writer, he even had a movie biography made about him that I think we all went to see (I don’t recall what it was called and I’m too lazy to look it up).

Anyway, I’m a sucker for a good guitar riff, and this song has a cool, but subtle riff that you can best pick out starting about 2:30 into the song.

Jeremy Camp - These Days (Music Video) (youtube.com)

Love,

Dad

There are a lot of religions out there. Some claim not to be religions, like atheism. But no matter, everyone, every "ism", presents a view of the world, of human purpose, and of what is "good" and "bad".

But how can you distinguish human ideas from godly ones? How can you know what to put your trust in?

You know I'm going to say Jesus. Jesus. Jesus. But let me tell you why. Everything that is not of God either says nothing matters, or it's you focused. As in, you must do more, you must be more, you need to get busy, etc.

Consider what the Bible says though.

1 Thessalonians 5:23 says,

"Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Sanctification is just a fancy word for "set apart". Think of sanctification as being set apart for God's glory and purpose.

This verse is a prayer from the apostle Paul, expressing a desire for believers to be wholly sanctified by God. It emphasizes that God is the one who sanctifies us, setting us apart for His purposes. The verse also highlights the completeness of this sanctification, encompassing spirit, soul, and body, ensuring that believers are kept blameless until Jesus returns.

Philippians 1:6 says,

"being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."

This verse emphasizes the assurance believers have in God's faithfulness. It highlights that the work of salvation and transformation that God starts in a believer's life is guaranteed to be completed. This completion is not dependent on human effort but on God's power and promise. It reassures believers that their spiritual journey is secure in Christ, and God is committed to bringing them to full maturity in Him. This aligns with the understanding that believers are fully accepted and secure in their relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

And Hebrews 10:14 states, "For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified." This verse highlights the completeness and permanence of the work of Jesus Christ on the cross. Through His single sacrifice, believers are made perfect in their standing before God. This perfection is not about our behavior but about our spiritual status and identity in Christ. It underscores the total and once-for-all forgiveness and sanctification that believers receive through Jesus, affirming that there is no need for repeated sacrifices or additional forgiveness. This assurance allows believers to rest in the finished work of Christ, knowing they are fully accepted and secure in their relationship with God.

Again in Philippians, chapter 3, verses 7-11 says:

"But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead."

In this passage, Paul expresses that all his previous achievements and status under the Law are worthless compared to the value of knowing Christ. He emphasizes that true righteousness comes not from the Law but through faith in Christ. Paul desires to know Christ deeply, experiencing the power of His resurrection and sharing in His sufferings. This passage highlights the centrality of a personal relationship with Jesus and the transformation that comes from faith, rather than adherence to the Law. It underscores the believer's identity in Christ and the pursuit of knowing Him above all else.

Do you see how the gospel of Jesus Christ is different than anything else the world offers? I've included just a few references, but the Bible is full of examples like these, where the writers are pointing to what God has done through His Son, Jesus. If someone is trying to tell you happiness, joy, or goodness comes from what you do, just laugh, because you know those things come from knowing and trusting in what God has done.

One more verse: John 6:40 - and this is Jesus talking. Can you imagine what the hearers back then were thinking when Jesus told them this:

“For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.”

So don't get distracted by trying to save yourself, or save the world. Those are dead end roads. Jesus is our eternal life, and He will raise us up on the last day.

Love,

Dad

Do you know about the jailer in the Bible?

The story of the jailer is found in the Book of Acts, specifically in Acts 16:25-34. In this passage, two Jesus followers, Paul and Silas, are severely beaten and imprisoned in Philippi. How and why they are imprisoned is a story for another day. Today, I want to talk about the jailer, the man who ran the jail Paul and Silas are in.

Now, despite their circumstances, as Paul and Silas are chained up in the inner prison, they are praying and singing hymns to God. Suddenly, a violent earthquake shakes the prison, opening the doors and loosening the chains of all the prisoners. The jailer, fearing that the prisoners have escaped, is about to take his own life. However, Paul stops him, assuring him that all the prisoners are still there. Moved by this, the jailer asks Paul and Silas what he must do to be saved. They respond, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household" (Acts 16:31). The jailer and his family then believe, are baptized, and rejoice in their newfound faith.

What we see in this story is interesting. But so is what we don't see.

Notice that Paul doesn't set any preconditions on what the jailer must do to be saved. He doesn't say you must set us free. He doesn't say, "Change your life, man. Be a good person, don't tell lies, give your money to the poor, then you'll be saved."

No, Paul tells him salvation is simple, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved…"

Did you know Paul was actually quoting Jesus? The jailer was asking a very similar question to one Jesus received. Remember what Jesus said in John 6:28-29. When asked by the people, "What must we do to do the works God requires?" Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one He has sent."

You can read on in the 16th chapter of Acts to see what happened with the jailer. I think this story beautifully illustrates the power of the gospel and the immediate transformation it brings to those who simply trust in Jesus.

Love you,

Dad

“Welcome back, baldy. We were just discussing how to save our lives,” said Carl.

“By sending the boy to the moon?” asked Judd.

“Yeah, why me to the moon?” queried Juan.

Both men gave Juan a funny look.

“You haven’t told Frank Sinatra here about the moon, have you?” asked Judd.

“Told me what about the moon!?” shouted Juan. “And who’s Frank Sinatra?”

Judd stood up and walked closer to Carl.

“No, no, not yet. But there is no harm now, I mean he knows about the girl anyway,” pleaded Carl.

Judd jumped up and began shoving Carl, and with each shove he grunted a word. “I…am…so…sick…of…your…evil…conniving…selfish…ways.”

Carl stepped back with each shove, and fell over with the final push. Judd kicked dirt on him. “There has been, and there will be, so much death because of you,” accused Judd.

Judd turned around and took a step back towards Juan and the vehicles. Carl feigned standing up but really attempted to lunge at Judd. However, he came up short, falling on his fat belly and losing his glasses in the dirt. He groaned and gasped for air, groping for his glasses before rolling onto his side and saying, in a raspy voice, “This is the only way to start saving lives. Yes, mine, too. But this is how we start undoing Dr. Zell and her people’s plans.”

The desert became still again while the two men and the boy each pondered their situation and the plan that was presented. Like an oven preheating, the sun continued it’s march across the sky, raising the temperature with each passing minute.

Eventually, Carl began talking again. He filled Juan in on the moon base. He was short on details, just providing the highlights. He explained how Kris had arrived on Earth in a returning cargo vessel, and how, if they were lucky, they could put Juan on a cargo ship to the moon. But once on the moon, that’s where Juan would have to think for himself, for he’d be on his own.

Juan digested the whole story without saying anything. None of this seemed real, and he wouldn’t have believed a word of it, except he had met the girl, and she was evidence Carl’s unbelievable tale was true. But this wasn’t the biggest question weighing on him.

Judd was lying in the shade of Carl’s SXS. He hadn’t commented much on Carl’s story, but he wasn’t sleeping. Occasionally, he’d wave a big hand to dismiss a bug, or to wipe sweat from his brow.

“Right before your nap, Judd, you said I’d never see my parents again. But my Mom is dead. She died in a helicopter accident five years ago. What did you mean when you said that?”

This was the heavy question on Juan’s heart.

Judd turned his head to look Juan in the eyes. “You mom is alive, and she’s been living here on base the whole time. Five years ago she saw too much, so she was banned from ever leaving here and ever having outside contact again. She’s been a prisoner.”

“So you met our little friend already, eh?”

Juan gave Carl some side eye but otherwise didn’t respond.

“The question I have is why did you not say something sooner? Like at dinner last night. It would have saved us a lot of time,” pressed Carl.

“I didn’t trust you, I guess. She knows you guys want her dead. She warned me.”

“Dead? Well, secured at least. But she’ll die soon anyway, that much can’t be helped,” said Carl.

Juan closed his eyes and pretended Carl wasn’t there. The last thing he wanted right now was to be talking to this creepy, irritating old man.

Carl was relentless though.

“I just don’t see why we must die over this. I know Dr. Zell is ruthless in her quest to save the world, but I don’t see what I did that deserves termination.”

“I don’t care, leave me alone,” said Juan.

“I guess one could say that you speaking up last night could have saved our lives - certainly yours and mine. I see why Judd will be terminated, but you and me…well, you probably saw too much, so only my life would have been spared. But that seems worth it to me,” continued Carl.

Juan refused to engage. But then he had an idea.

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“Yeah, I don’t see why you should have to die. It seems you’re innocent, like, you haven’t done anything wrong,” probed Juan.

“Yes, that’s how I see it, also,” replied Carl.

“There must be some way to protect you in all of this then,” pressed Juan.

“I want to think so, but beyond killing you two and turning your bodies into Dr. Zell with the full story, I don’t know what else to do. And yet, that plan has a low probability of success. Judd is too powerful for me, so he’s the obstacle,” whined Carl.

“You must be brilliant, working in this place for Dr. Zell. I’m sure you can devise a plan B,” Juan coaxed.

Carl eyed Juan suspiciously, and Juan knew he’d gone too far.

“I thought you didn’t care,” said Carl.

“I guess I can’t help it. I don’t want to die either,” said Juan.

This comment seemed to satisfy Carl’s doubt. They were quiet for a while, each deep in thought. Juan couldn’t help but notice sweat beading on Carl’s forehead. Suddenly, Carl shifted his weight, wiped his brow, and spoke.

“I might have the perfect plan B. It might only buy us a little more time to live if we can pull it off. But a little life is a lot when you are staring death in the eye,” opened Carl.

Juan waited for Carl to continue, but after a few moments, it was clear Carl wanted to be prompted.

“Okay, you’ve got me. I’m curious about what this plan could be,” said Juan.

“Of course you are; it’s a very good plan. It’s simple, if not easy. It will require each of us to play a part, but you will play the biggest part. You know too much, you’ve seen too much, but Judd wants to preserve your life. But to do that, we have to convince Dr. Zell you are dead. And if we don’t kill you ourselves, then we have to hide you or help you escape. But there is no place to hide here. And there is no escape.”

Carl paused. Juan crossed his eyes and clenched his jaw. He was out of patience with Carl.

“Doesn’t sound like a plan to me, just a statement of the facts. But the girl escaped,” said Juan.

“That’s where you are wrong. I thought your smart brain would have seen where this was going. Judd made a bold move to get the girl out of here, but it cannot be done a second time. Not that way. However, there is one other way out of here.”

Carl paused again, obviously enjoying himself.

“I still haven’t heard a plan that can save your bacon, mine, or Judd’s,” needled Juan.

“Oh, you will, you will. You see, the only way to smuggle you out of here is to put you on a cargo ship…to the moon!” shouted Carl triumphantly.

Judd sat up and stared at them with tired eyes.

You’ve probably heard lots of opinions about this verse already, but I’m not sure you’ve heard my take. And my take might surprise you, I mean, I think this is one of the most beautiful passages in the Bible.

Now, where does the Bible say wives should submit to their husbands? And isn’t that old fashioned and, and, bad, in so many ways?

Well, let’s take it one step at a time. The Apostle Paul wrote that statement in a letter to the church at Ephesus. You’ll find it in the book of Ephesians, Chapter Five, verse twenty-two.

I prefer the wording in the New American Standard version, quoted below, plus the remaining verses in the chapter:

²² Wives, subject yourselves to your own husbands, as to the Lord. ²³ For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. ²⁴ But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything.

²⁵ Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, ²⁶ so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, ²⁷ that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless. ²⁸ So husbands also ought to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself; ²⁹ for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church, ³⁰ because we are parts of His body. ³¹ For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. ³² This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church. ³³ Nevertheless, as for you individually, each husband is to love his own wife the same as himself, and the wife must see to it that she respects her husband.

At first reading, I’m sure it still shocks. Particularly in these days, when everyone is supposed to be their own person, but most especially women. Girl power, and such. But make no mistake, this was a shocking text, even to the first readers way, way back in the day. Yes, revolutionary, then and now.

But what if I told you this passage, this chapter, in fact the whole book of Ephesians is about something else. It’s critical to have the full context of what Paul is talking about. I think, all throughout the book of Ephesians, Paul is explaining how good Jesus is, and how fantastic a gift He has given to us, His children, and candidly, how life changing this knowledge should be to each of us. So when reading this passage, focus on Jesus. Keep you eyes fixed on Him, and what the author is trying to reveal about Him.

When I read this passage, I don’t see Paul trying to give marriage advice. I don’t see Five Ways to have a happy marriage. Or how to be a good wife, or husband, either. Instead, I see Paul saying things like “as Christ…”, or “just as Christ did…”.

Let’s back up to the end of Chapter 4 real quick: “Be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.”

Now let’s look at the beginning of Chapter 5: “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.”

Do you see it, too? The focus on God’s Grace, and because of His Grace, the encouragement to live differently. To live our new lives in the light of His love and forgiveness.

Now, let’s zoom out a little. Reread the Eph. 5:22-33 again. Does it look different now? It did for me. What I see now is a call to husbands and wives to love, care, serve each other differently, because of Jesus. Not because women are second class people (which is false, of course). But because Jesus is amazing; so wives, love your husbands like nobody else does. Like a revolutionary. And husbands, because Jesus is amazing, love your wives like nobody else does. Yes, like a revolutionary. Reflect Jesus love for you into your spouse.

What Paul is saying is to love differently in light of Christ way of loving us. Love in a new, culturally unnatural way. Not a demanding, serve me, my way or the highway kind of love (which isn’t even love), but love in the way of Grace. Give unmerited favor to your spouse, because this is what God has given you through Jesus Christ. It’s real, so live like it. And this is why I say this is one of the most beautiful passages in the Bible.

Love,

Dad

If the Bible comes straight from the Creator of the universe, preserved for ages, even translated for our ease, then it’s worth diving into.

Since I grasped God's grace, the Bible's taken on a whole new life for me. I used to see it like a car manual — handy when you need it, but kinda dry otherwise.

I can't pick a favorite verse; there are just too many gems! I always warn against cherry-picking verses; they lose their meaning out of context. But here's one I love:

"But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift." - Ephesians 4:7

Read it slow. Think about what Paul's saying. I've read it before, but it hit me differently recently.

Paul was talking to Christians in Ephesus, but I think it applies to us today. We've all been given grace, freely. Not earned. Given. That's beautiful.

And get this — it's not just a bit of grace. It's not just enough. It's more than we could ever deserve. It is so huge it can only be compared to Christ’s gift itself. It's immeasurable!

I love knowing this about Jesus. Don't you? Do you have a verse to share with me?

Love,

Dad

Jesus: I will never desert you, nor will I ever abandon you.

Me: But sometimes I'm not faithful to you, I'm mean, and angry, and bitter, and bad. I make Christians look bad.

Jesus: Even when you are faithless, I remain faithful to you.

Me: But why? I don't deserve your patience and commitment.

Jesus: I made a promise that I would care for you forever. And I never break my promises.

Me: thank you, thank you, thank you.

References: Forever love

I used to think I was special because your mother was so kind and good to me. But now I see that, in fact, she is special, and that is why she's so kind and good to me.

This realization about your mother came to me as I got to know Jesus better. I used to think I was special because of what He has done for me. He's freely given me eternal life; He must really love me. And He does, but now I understand He did these things for me - He took on the shame, and punishment, and even death for my sins, not because I'm great, but because He is great.

Now I see the world from a better angle. Life here isn't about me, it's about loving others. It's about Him and letting His love flow through me and bless those around me. Just like your Mom.

Love,

Dad

In Hebrews 6:13, it basically says that when God made a big promise to Abraham, He promised it by Himself because there's no one more powerful than Him. This shows how serious God is about keeping His word. When God promises something, He's super reliable, and this verse proves it.

Now, in Romans 8:28, Paul tells us that nothing at all can separate us from Jesus' love. But what about if we start doubting or losing faith? Well, II Timothy 2:13 tells us that even if we have doubts and turn our back on Jesus, Jesus stays faithful. So, nothing can break the bond between us and Jesus, not even our own doubts.

But wait, if we keep doing wrong stuff, won't Jesus get fed up and leave us behind? Actually, no. Other gods might ditch us for messing up, but Jesus isn't like that. Even when we were at our worst, He still loved us so much that He sacrificed His life for us. What really upsets God is sin, which is why He sent Jesus to wipe our sins away once and for all (Hebrews 10:14).

Love,

Dad

Jesus: Yes.

Me: But why? There are lots of religions out there. And most of my friends believe in other things, or nothing at all, for life after death. Aren't we being too exclusive to say You are the only way?

Jesus: My invitation is inclusive of the world. My Father loved the world so much, He sent me to save everyone, for all time. How's is that exclusive?

Me: I see your point. I like that a lot. But still, it can feel mean to say You are the one way to my friends. Shouldn't they be able to believe and do whatever they want?

Jesus: I am a gentleman, I do not force anyone to believe and trust in Me. However, to think there is eternal power in anything or anyone but me is to foolishly misunderstand life, and death, and eternity. Who else is eternal? Who else holds creation together? Who else has power over death? Who else has righteousness to share?

Me: Maybe I don't understand how big a deal salvation is either.

Jesus: I know, but you are learning. Keep asking questions. I am patient and kind to listen and provide both answers and help forming even deeper questions. For instance, what do you think of your new eternal life that you have right now?

Me: !

References: What does salvation mean? and New life right now

As followers of Jesus Christ, we've received an incredible gift - eternal life that starts right now, not just in the future. This isn't something far-off or theoretical; it's real and happening for each believer.

In 1 John 5:11-13, it's explained: "God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life." This passage makes it clear that eternal life comes from having a relationship with Jesus. When we believe in Him, we're connected to His eternal life.

This isn't just about living forever; it's about experiencing life in a whole new way. Jesus said in John 10:10, "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." He's talking about a rich, fulfilling life that's marked by joy, peace, and closeness to God. And this isn't something we have to wait for; it's available to us right now.

So, as someone who follows Jesus, I encourage you to embrace this new life and enjoy it fully. You're not held back by your past or by what's happening in the world around you. Instead, you've been remade in Christ, and you can look forward to spending eternity with Him. Let this truth sink in and live every day to the fullest, knowing that you're loved and saved by Jesus.

Love,

Dad

“First, we need to kill some time. After which, we need a plan for how to get you home,” answered Judd.

Juan didn’t say anything.

“Look kid, I’ll explain more later, but right now I just need some sleep. It’s been three days. Find some shade and hang tig…

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Salvation means being saved and getting to be with God forever. But according to the Bible, the only way to get this salvation is through Jesus Christ. He said in John 14:6, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." This means Jesus is the only path to God and to eternal life.

In the New Testament, it's repeated over and over again that salvation is only found in Jesus. Acts 4:12 says, "And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." This verse makes it clear that Jesus is the one and only Savior, and there's no other way to fix our relationship with God.

But this doesn't mean God is being mean or unfair. It's actually a huge act of love from God. Jesus came and died on the cross to pay for our mistakes, so we could be forgiven and get close to God again. All we have to do is believe in Jesus, and we'll receive the amazing gift of salvation and eternal life.

Love,

Dad

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Jesus: I did that already. You’re righteous, remember? I've made you righteous.

Me: Yeah, but if you remember what I did today, I just feel terrible about it and I need your forgiveness before I can feel better.

Jesus: I remember your sins no more; if you remember.

Me: Oh. Okay. But tomorrow I’ve got some plans, and I’m going to try to be good, you know, but I might slip up again.

Jesus: I know. Remember that I've made you new though. I've given you a new heart, and a new spirit, so you won't find contentment in your old ways.

Me: !

In the Bible, there's a part that talks about how Jesus took away all the bad stuff we do, even though He never did anything wrong Himself. It says this happened so that we could become good in God's eyes because of Jesus. We don't have to work for it or be super good ourselves - it's like a present we get just by believing in Jesus. This goodness doesn't just stay on the outside, it changes us deep down inside. It's like getting a brand-new heart and way of thinking. So, if we believe in Jesus, we can feel sure that we are good and right in God's eyes. This is explained in 2 Corinthians 5:21, 2 Peter 1:3–4, Ezekiel 36:26–27, and Hebrews 8:8–12 in the Bible.

Love,

Dad

“Judd, you look terrible. Didn’t you get any rest?” Then, in a shrill tone Juan had never witnessed, Dr. Zell shouted, “I don’t believe…

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