April 29

The hard questions of life:

1) How long did the Hundred Years War last?
2) Which country makes Panama hats?
3) From which animal do we get catgut?
4) In which month do Russians celebrate the October Revolution?
5) What is a camel's-hair brush made of?
6) The Canary Islands in the Pacific are named after what animal?
7) What color is a purple finch?
8) Where are Chinese gooseberries from?
9) How long did the Thirty Years War last?

Answers to the Quiz:
1) 116 years, from 1337 to 1453.
2) Ecuador.
3) From sheep and horses.
4) November. The Russian calendar was 13 days behind ours.
5) Squirrel fur.
6) The Latin name was Insularia Canaria—Island of the Dogs.
7) Distinctively crimson.
8) New Zealand.
9) Thirty years, of course. From 1618 to 1648.

Psalm 19 includes three of the hard questions of life. These questions must be answered correctly to have a full and meaningful life.

1. Is God There? In the first six verses David clearly tells us that God is there. The heavens declare (present tense) the glory of God. Every time you take a walk at Cove Beach and see the beauty of the sun, water, trees and sunset they are shouting Glory to God!! He is there and he is a magnificent artist. 94% of Americans believe in God or some universal spirit. We all know that he is there.

2. What is God like? The nature of God is revealed in verses 7 to 11. These verses talk about the mind of God. Not only is God there, but he thinks, he has established laws, statues, commands and ordinances. This information is very exact and precise and it has been communicated to us. There is nothing arbitrary or indecisive about his revelation. Yet, 7 out of 10 Americans think truth is relative. In the church, it is 5 out of 10. This is why America is in deep weeds. We think we are the source of the 10 commandments. Our commandments go by these rules:
If it feels good, it must be right
I determine what is right and wrong, and who are you to even question my decision.
If it makes me happy, it must be right.
People are basing their lives, their eternal destinies, on their feelings. That is a scary thought.

3. Can a Person Change? The last three verses tell us that people can really be transformed. When we put the revelation of God into practice, it results in a changed life. It is the Word of God obeyed that supplies this revolution. So keep reading and keep obeying and see the change in your life.

It is great to be back from vacation. Thanks to everyone who filled in during the week.