FOUND ALIVE

      “We could have been rich.” Stella Peterson kept mumbling to her self as she sat moping in the food court at the mall. She was not having a good day, in fact she was having a lousy day and it wasn't because her brother Harold had been kidnapped and held for ransom. “So, what's your problem?” came a familiar voice. It was Daisy Smith who happened to walk by and see Stella pouting.

      Before Stella could answer, Daisy said “By the way, is your dad around? I was hoping to stop by your house later to talk to him about Harold.” “Don't bother stopping by.” Stella said in return, “He won't be around for awhile. He went on a camping trip to the mountains.” “Huh?” Daisy responded, “But what about Harold?”

      “He took Harold with him.” Stella said, “In fact, Harold’s the reason they went.” “But I thought Harold was kidnapped?” Daisy said somewhat surprised at what she heard. “He was!” Stella snapped, “And as far as I’m concerned they should have left him kidnapped.

      “How did he get Harold back?” Daisy asked wanting to know, “I know your dad didn’t have the formula.” “He made one up?” Stella said with a sigh. “What?” Daisy exclaimed, “Your dad doesn’t know anything about Chemistry. His formula could have created a dilemma worse then, then…...” “Don't worry.” Stella interrupted, “The kidnapper's never got a chance to see it.” “Then how did he get free?” Daisy asked

      “The FBI found him first.” Stella said. “Marvelous.” Daisy said, “How did they do that?” “I guess the kidnapper's were stupid like my brother.” Stella said, “Do you remember the ransom note they sent? Well apparently the kidnapper used one of his magazines to cut up and make all the words.”

“Yeah,” Daisy said shaking her head, “I remember hearing about that.”

      “Well,” Stella continued, “When the FBI peeled off all the words and letters, they found an address label on the back side of the word 'live.'” “And that led them right to Harold was.” Daisy finished. “More or less.” Stella added, “It did lead them to the kidnapper’s place, which in turn led them to Harold, but I still don’t see what the big worry was.”

      “Stella!” Daisy gasped when she heard that, “He’s your brother.” “But if they would have just left him where he was,” Stella said, “they would have been paying us to take him back in a few weeks.” “The kidnapper said you would never have seen him alive again.” “Oh.” Stella said looking down at her feet, “No wonder Dad made up that fake formula.”

      After a long pause, Daisy started to leave but as she did Stella blurted out, “I still think they would have payed us ten million dollars to take him back. We could have been rich.”

      Everyone must die once, and after that be judged by God. Hebrews 9:27 (TEV) – We all die. Thankfully Harold was found and his kidnappers didn't get a chance to kill him and so Harold's death was postponed again but you know what? We all die. I do not know of any one of us who can escape that fact. Sarah, Abraham's wife, couldn't either. But even with the story of one's death there are things that can be learned. Let us look at Sarah's.

      Sarah lived 127 years; these were the years of the life of Sarah. And Sarah died at Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan, and Abraham went in to mourn for Sarah and to weep for her. And Abraham rose up from before his dead and said to the Hittites, "I am a sojourner and foreigner among you; give me property among you for a burying place, that I may bury my dead out of my sight." The Hittites answered Abraham, "Hear us, my lord; you are a prince of God among us. Bury your dead in the choicest of our tombs. None of us will withhold from you his tomb to hinder you from burying your dead." Abraham rose and bowed to the Hittites, the people of the land. And he said to them, "If you are willing that I should bury my dead out of my sight, hear me and entreat for me Ephron the son of Zohar, that he may give me the cave of Machpelah, which he owns; it is at the end of his field. For the full price let him give it to me in your presence as property for a burying place." Now Ephron was sitting among the Hittites, and Ephron the Hittite answered Abraham in the hearing of the Hittites, of all who went in at the gate of his city, "No, my lord, hear me: I give you the field, and I give you the cave that is in it. In the sight of the sons of my people I give it to you. Bury your dead." Then Abraham bowed down before the people of the land. And he said to Ephron in the hearing of the people of the land, "But if you will, hear me: I give the price of the field. Accept it from me, that I may bury my dead there." Ephron answered Abraham, "My lord, listen to me: a piece of land worth four hundred shekels of silver, what is that between you and me? Bury your dead." Abraham listened to Ephron, and Abraham weighed out for Ephron the silver that he had named in the hearing of the Hittites, four hundred shekels of silver, according to the weights current among the merchants. So the field of Ephron in Machpelah, which was to the east of Mamre, the field with the cave that was in it and all the trees that were in the field, throughout its whole area, was made over to Abraham as a possession in the presence of the Hittites, before all who went in at the gate of his city. After this, Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah east of Mamre (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan. The field and the cave that is in it were made over to Abraham as property for a burying place by the Hittites

Genesis 23:1-20 (ESV)

      Here is some thing we can learn from this story. Even though Abraham had a good reputation among the people and as a result could have had any place he wanted for free, His integrity would not let him take advantage of the situation and he willfully paid a fair price for the land he wanted. He wasn't in it for gain. Jesus said in Matthew 16:26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life? Or what shall a man give in return for his life? (ESV) It is not earthly things we need to seek after. Colossians 3:1-2 says If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. (ESV) In our story above Stella was only interested in what she could possibly get out of her brother's kidnapping, her mind was set on earthly things, she had no integrity.

• Proverbs 3:3-4 Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man. (ESV)
• Proverbs 10:9 Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out. (ESV)
• Proverbs 11:3 The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them. (ESV)

      Here's Something To Ponder

• When something bad happens to others do you look to profit from it?
• In what ways doe your integrity show?

SPLITTING STUFF UP

     “Why would they be putting in a nursery?” Stella Peterson kept asking her self, “Is their mom going to have another baby?” And the more she pondered the questions the more curious she became until she decided she needed to get to the bottom of this and took off for the Miller house. Before she could even get to the front door, Mindy came running at her screaming “HELP!! HELP!! HELP!!”

     “What's wrong, Mindy?” Stella asked as she was plowed into. “Its MOM” Mindy said, “She keeps siding with Cindy.” “Siding with Cindy?” Stella said, “What are you talking about?” “We're trying to divide up our stuff and MOM keeps siding with Cindy.” “And that's a problem?” Stella asked. “It is when she keeps letting her have all the neat stuff.” Mindy replied.

     “Like what?” Stella asked. “Like all the stuff that is actually mine.” Cindy answered running up to them. “And don't believe a word Mindy tells you.” “It is not yours!” Mindy said. “It is too.” Cindy answered back, “And Mom even agrees with me.” “That's because she likes you best.” Mindy snorted “Probably because you’re such a neat freak and take care of all your stuff.”

     “Well,” Cindy said, “If you would take care of your stuff, maybe you would have something to claim as your own.” “So, who's stuff is it?” Stella asked, “Is it yours, Mindy or is it Cindy's?” “Well, I use it sometimes.” Mindy started to say. “Only because yours is broke.” Cindy said cutting her off. “So what.” Mindy said, “I don't care.”

     “That's just the problem.” Cindy said, “You don't care. I tell you what. I have an idea. Why don't I just give you all my stuff.” “What”? Mindy and Stella said in unison. “What are you plotting?” Stella tacked on. “I just got to thinking.” Mindy said, “Stuff only crowds up my room, besides I don’t use most of the stuff, so I’ll just give it to you so we can live in peace.”

      “Oh no you don’t.” Mindy shouted “I insist.” Cindy said politely, “Besides, we need to get our old room cleaned out for Mom to make her nursery.” “There you go talking about a nursery again.” Stella said when she heard that, “Is your mom having a baby?”

      “No.” Cindy said, “Our mom is going into daycare.” “And to think Cindy thought Mom was going to have a baby.” Mindy tacked on. “You thought she was too.” Cindy said. “Did not.” Mindy added, “Did too.” Cindy snapped back. “You both did.” Stella injected, “And I guess I did too.”

     “By the way, Mindy,” Cindy said, “Mom said you need to go finish cleaning.” “What do you have left to clean, Cindy?” Stella asked, “Oh, I'm done.” Cindy said, “I'm heading to the park. Do you want to go with me?” “Sure.” Stella said and the Cindy and here took off running and skipping to the park. “Oh, no you don't!” Mindy hollered after them, “Get back here. I'm not going to let you get away that easy.”

      And Abimelech said, "Behold, my land is before you; dwell where it pleases you." - Genesis 20:15 (ESV)

     Abraham had traveled to Gerar where he had caused problems for Abimelech. Once the problem was solved, Abimelech let Abraham stay. While there, Sarah gave birth to Isaac but now Abimelech comes back and another problem needs to be solved.

      At that time Abimelech and Phicol the commander of his army said to Abraham, "God is with you in all that you do. Now therefore swear to me here by God that you will not deal falsely with me or with my descendants or with my posterity, but as I have dealt kindly with you, so you will deal with me and with the land where you have sojourned." And Abraham said, "I will swear." When Abraham reproved Abimelech about a well of water that Abimelech's servants had seized, Abimelech said, "I do not know who has done this thing; you did not tell me, and I have not heard of it until today." So Abraham took sheep and oxen and gave them to Abimelech, and the two men made a covenant. Abraham set seven ewe lambs of the flock apart. And Abimelech said to Abraham, "What is the meaning of these seven ewe lambs that you have set apart?" He said, "These seven ewe lambs you will take from my hand, that this may be a witness for me that I dug this well." Therefore that place was called Beersheba, because there both of them swore an oath. So they made a covenant at Beersheba. Then Abimelech and Phicol the commander of his army rose up and returned to the land of the Philistines. Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba and called there on the name of the LORD, the Everlasting God. And Abraham sojourned many days in the land of the Philistines.

Genesis 21:22-34 (ESV)

     Like Cindy, Like Abraham, sometimes we need to take the initiative and make peace, we need to work to solve problems. To solve problems we should...

• Use wisdom as Solomon did – 1 Kings 3:16-28 tells how he used wisdom to solve the problem of which of two women was a baby's true mother.
• Work Together as the Apostles and Elders did - Acts 15:1-29 tells of a problem that revolved around rules that should be followed and how the Apostles and Elders got together to solve the problem.
• Solve it quickly as Jesus taught – Matthew 5:23-26, part of the Sermon on The Mount, tells tells how we should solve problems quickly, before things get worse.
• Be humble and think of others as better than self - Philippians 2:3 Don't be selfish; don't live to make a good impression on others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourself. (NLT)
• Strive for peace - Romans 12:18 Do your part to live in peace with everyone, as much as possible. (NLT)

     Here's Something To Ponder

• In what ways do you work toward peace?
• In what ways do you stop peace from happening?

A TIME TO SPLIT UP

     Mindy and Cindy Miller are identical twin sisters but only a few people can tell them apart at first glance. Stella Peterson thought she was one of them but when she bumped into them at the mall she got them all mixed up. “What are you doing at the mall?” one of the twins asked Stella. “My mom though she needed me to help her do some shopping.” Stella said, “But somehow I managed to lose her. This is suppose to be our meeting point if we got separated.”

     “Sounds about right.” Mindy said. “Our mom drug us down here to help her do some shopping as well.” “Yeah,” Cindy added, “She wanted us to help her get some stuff for the move.” “MOVE!” Stella gasped, “What in the world are you talking about?

     “We're moving.” Mindy said, “And if all goes well we will be moving by the end of next week.” “But you can't move.” Stella said, “You're my friends and I'll miss you and....” “Hold on, hold on.” Mindy interrupted, “We’re not moving, moving were just moving.” “What?” Stella asked with a confused look on her face, “That doesn't make sense.”

     “She means we're getting new bedrooms.” Cindy said. “So, You're not really moving, moving you're just moving.” Stella said. “I get it.” “Yeah,” Mindy added, “And mine is going to be in the attic, and hers is going to be in the basement.” “And its all her fault.” Cindy added. “It is not.” Mindy shot back, “It's your fault.”

     “Well, if you would keep your stuff picked up we probably wouldn’t have to move.” Cindy said. “Well, if you would quit throwing my stuff in the garbage.” Mindy continued. “Alright” Stella injected, “I didn't mean to start you two arguing, especially here in the mall.” “But it is her fault.” Mindy said. “No it's not.” Cindy countered, “It's yours because you're a slob.” “Can I help it that your such a neat freak.” Mindy said.

     “I am not a freak.” Cindy protested, “Besides, Mom and Dad are always telling us to keep our room clean, and to do our school work.” “But that’s too much work.” Mindy protested this time. Trying to keep this from becoming a big argument, Stella quickly asked, “So, what’s going to happen to the room you’re in now?”

     “Mom said she was going to turn it into a nursery.” Cindy said. “That's why we're here. She wants us to help her pick out some wallpaper, some decorations and some furniture.” “What is your mom going to do with a nursery?” Stella asked. “What do you think you do with a nursery.” Cindy snickered, “She going …..” “Oh no.” Mindy interrupted, “She can't be.” “MOM!” the twins hollered together and took off. “Does this mean what I think it means.” Stella said with her eyes growing as big as saucers.

      Now Sarai, Abram's wife, had borne him no children. She had a female Egyptian servant whose name was Hagar. And Sarai said to Abram, "Behold now, the LORD has prevented me from bearing children. Go in to my servant; it may be that I shall obtain children by her." And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai. So, after Abram had lived ten years in the land of Canaan, Sarai, Abram's wife, took Hagar the Egyptian, her servant, and gave her to Abram her husband as a wife. And he went in to Hagar, and she conceived. And when she saw that she had conceived, she looked with contempt on her mistress. And Hagar bore Abram a son, and Abram called the name of his son, whom Hagar bore, Ishmael.

Genesis 16:1-4,15 (ESV)

     God had promised Abraham a son but when Sarah wasn't getting pregnant, she devised a plan to have Hagar get pregnant for her, she did and now, many years later, after Sarah had her promised son, problems arose. Here is the story

     The LORD visited Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did to Sarah as he had promised. And Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age at the time of which God had spoken to him. Abraham called the name of his son who was born to him, whom Sarah bore him, Isaac. … And the child grew and was weaned. And Abraham made a great feast on the day that Isaac was weaned. But Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, laughing. So she said to Abraham, "Cast out this slave woman with her son, for the son of this slave woman shall not be heir with my son Isaac." And the thing was very displeasing to Abraham on account of his son. But God said to Abraham, "Be not displeased because of the boy and because of your slave woman. Whatever Sarah says to you, do as she tells you, for through Isaac shall your offspring be named. And I will make a nation of the son of the slave woman also, because he is your offspring." So Abraham rose early in the morning and took bread and a skin of water and gave it to Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, along with the child, and sent her away. And she departed and wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba. When the water in the skin was gone, she put the child under one of the bushes. Then she went and sat down opposite him a good way off, about the distance of a bowshot, for she said, "Let me not look on the death of the child." And as she sat opposite him, she lifted up her voice and wept. And God heard the voice of the boy, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, "What troubles you, Hagar? Fear not, for God has heard the voice of the boy where he is. Up! Lift up the boy, and hold him fast with your hand, for I will make him into a great nation." Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water. And she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink. And God was with the boy, and he grew up. He lived in the wilderness and became an expert with the bow. He lived in the wilderness of Paran, and his mother took a wife for him from the land of Egypt.

Genesis 21:1-21 (ESV)

     In this story we can find a story of conflict between Sarah and Hagar and their sons. What does the Bible have to say about unnecessary conflict and the arguments that often pursue.

• Proverbs 13:10 Pride only leads to arguments, but those who take advice are wise. (NCV) Can you see potential conflict in the story? How about between Mindy and Cindy?
• James 4:1 Spells out another source of conflict when he says Do you know where your fights and arguments come from? They come from the selfish desires that war within you. (NCV)
• Acts 5:29 shows us another source - Peter and the other apostles answered, “We must obey God, not human authority! (NCV)

To combat conflict and arguing or fighting remember the words of Solomon..

• Proverbs 26:20 Without wood, fire goes out; without a gossip, conflict dies down. (HCSB)
• Proverbs 17:14 To start a conflict is to release a flood; stop the dispute before it breaks out. (HCSB)
• Proverbs 15:18 A hot-tempered man stirs up conflict, but a man slow to anger calms strife. (HCSB)

     Here's Something To Ponder

• In what ways do you stir up conflict?
• In what ways to you strive to keep conflict from turning into fighting?

HELP

      Knowing what their dad was up to, Harold and Stella Peterson starting roaming the streets in Pupperville looking for somebody that was normal. After several hours of trying to find some normal people they met up at the Pizzeria to see if the other had found someone. As they sat down in a booth, Papa Purple came over to take their order. “I see I finally have some normal people.” he said “What'll it be.”

      “How about something normal.” Stella said. “This town is driving me crazy.” “Tell me about.” Papa Purple said sarcastically. “This morning I heard my mom calling “Here Kitty, kitty, kitty. Here Kitty, kitty, kitty.” Stella went on to tell, “And we don't even have a cat. It turned out, she was looking for her lost lions for tonight's circus act.”

      “I didn't really mean you had to tell me about it.” Papa purple said. “But if you are, what can you tell me about the circus or was that not real?” “Not real.” Stella said. “I wish we could find some normal people.” “I'm normal.” Papa purple said, “well, sort of. I guess it depends on who you talk too.”

      “Earlier, I was over at the church building and I saw Daisy walking around sining Amazing Grace.” Harold said. “I thought she sounded normal until I tried to talk to her. I asked her if she was normal and she said she could write a song about normal and call it 'Normal People Need Him Too' by Fanny Crosby. She thought she was Fanny Crosby and when I told her she wasn't she told me I needed to get my eye sight checked.”

      “There's not a normal person in town.” Stella said. “You're normal.” Papa Purple said. “Of course I am.” Stella said, “The doctors cured me.” “Well, why don’t they do something about the rest of the people?” Papa Purple asked. “They can't” Harold answered, “They’re too busy preparing to go to the moon. The doctors all think their astronauts.”

      “What about the nurses?” Papa Purple asked next. “You DON'T want to know.” Stella said. “And my grandma thinks she's Princess Leah.” “And the preacher thinks he's Billy Graham.” Harold added, “And the fire department thinks they're all NASCAR drivers.” “What about your Dad?” Papa Purple interrupted, “Isn't he normal now?”

      “Yeah.” Harold said, “He over at the church praying for everybody.” “And we've been looking for somebody to pray with him.” Stella added. “Say, what about you?” Harold added “You could pray with us. By the way, why haven't you caught the Peterson Disease?” “I have no idea what you are talking about.” Papa Purple replied, “And why am I in this crummy pizza joint. Great Chefs like me belong in Paris.”

      “So much for pizza.” Harold sighed, “Let's get to the church building.” “I'm right behind you.” Stella replied.

      Abram settled in the land of Canaan, while Lot settled among the cities of the valley and moved his tent as far as Sodom. Now the men of Sodom were wicked, great sinners against the LORD.

Genesis 13:12-13 (ESV)

      When we first learned of Sodom and Gomorrah, Lot had chosen to go live by them and we were told of their wickedness. Later we learned how Abraham went to the rescue of Sodom and Gomorrah when Lot was captured. Guess what? Troubles brewing again for Sodom, Gomorrah and Lot and it Lot is going to need to be rescued again.

      Then the men set out from there, and they looked down toward Sodom. And Abraham went with them to set them on their way. The LORD said, "Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do, … Then the LORD said, "Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great and their sin is very grave, I will go down to see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry that has come to me. And if not, I will know." So the men turned from there and went toward Sodom, but Abraham still stood before the LORD. Then Abraham drew near and said, "Will you indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked? Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city. Will you then sweep away the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous who are in it? ... Then he said, "Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak again but this once. Suppose ten are found there." He answered, "For the sake of ten I will not destroy it." And the LORD went his way, when he had finished speaking to Abraham, and Abraham returned to his place.

Genesis 18:16-33 (ESV)

      God makes a choice to let Abraham know what He is going to do. Abraham, of course, knows that Lot is down their and he is concerned that God would destroy him so, Abraham starts negotiating with God to keep Him from destroying the righteous and God agrees not to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah if ten righteous people could be found.

      Abraham is not the only one in the Bible to intercede, to try and help someone else. Moses did in Exodus 32:31-32 where we read So Moses returned to the LORD and said, "Alas, this people have sinned a great sin. They have made for themselves gods of gold. But now, if you will forgive their sin—but if not, please blot me out of your book that you have written." (ESV) Even Jesus did many times. One time He did was in Luke 22:31-32 where He interceded for Simon (Peter) "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers." (ESV)

      God's word tells us we are to help other by praying for them and to help ourselves by praying for ourselves as well.

• 1 Timothy 2:1-2 First, I tell you to pray for all people, asking God for what they need and being thankful to him. Pray for rulers and for all who have authority so that we can have quiet and peaceful lives full of worship and respect for God. (NCV)
• Matthew 5:44 But I say to you, love your enemies. Pray for those who hurt you. (NCV)
• Ephesians 6:18 Pray in the Spirit at all times with all kinds of prayers, asking for everything you need. To do this you must always be ready and never give up. Always pray for all God’s people. (NCV)
• Philippians 4:6-7 Do not worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks. And God’s peace, which is so great we cannot understand it, will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. (NCV)

      Here's Something To Ponder

• How have others helped you by praying for you?
• In what ways do you help other by praying for them?

CAN I REALLY BELIEVE IT

     Somethings are hard to believe and Robert Grey was having a hard time believing that January was over half gone already. Robert was also having a hard time believing what he was reading. As he sat in his rocker paging through the book he had received for Christmas he kept shouting out “No Way. That can't be true. I don't believe it.”

     “I don't think I can believe it either.” came a voice that sounded like it was ready to burst into crying.” It was Bill. “You don't even know what I'm reading?” Robert said “I'm not talking about what you are reading.” Bill said, “I'm talking about – what are you reading?” “Oh,” Robert said, “It some book I got for Christmas called 'Ripley's Believe It Or Not.' These stories are too hard too believe.”

     “So is.... So is.....” Bill started to say and then he did start crying. “This can't be good.” Robert said to himself and put down his book. “Bill, is something wrong.” After asking the question three more times, Robert finally got a broken reply. “It’s Harold and Stella and that funny virus they made.” Bill said through his crying.

     “But there better.” Robert said, “There's no reason to be crying now.” “But they're not better.” Bill said still crying. “They're back in the hospital and, and, and, and they are worse than ever.” When Robert heard that his heart sank. “Gulp, Tell me you're just telling me a story to see if I'll believe it or not?”

      “I wish I was.” Bill said, “But I'm not.” “How bad is it?” Robert asked feeling as if he might start crying too. “They don’t seem to know anything now.” Bill said. “And on top of all of that, they have been running high temps and shaking violently. They looked so bad I couldn't even stay and watch them.”

     “With tears starting to stream down his eyes, Robert finally asked, “What does the Doctor have to say?” “ He thinks that this is the end.” Bill said. “You mean they're about to die?” Robert asked with a very concerned look on his face. “No,” Bill said, “The end of the virus. The doctor thinks they will soon be better.”

     “I think that's good news.” Robert said, “But didn't they say that before.” “Yes.” Bill said, “But, I can’t see how it is possible. They look like they are dying. I just can’t believe it, even though I want too.” “We can always try.” Robert replied, “We can always try.”

     Now the LORD said to Abram, "Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." - Genesis 12:1-3 (ESV) – To be a great nation meant having many descendants but there was a problem, Abram had no children so we read again. The LORD said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him, "Lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward, for all the land that you see I will give to you and to your offspring forever. I will make your offspring as the dust of the earth, so that if one can count the dust of the earth, your offspring also can be counted. - Genesis 13:14-16 (ESV) – That is a lot of offspring but again, Abram had no children and while we are not told so in these verses, Abram and his wife are getting up there in years. Could Abram believe God, could he believe the promise?

      After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: "Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great." But Abram said, "O Lord GOD, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?" And Abram said, "Behold, you have given me no offspring, and a member of my household will be my heir." And behold, the word of the LORD came to him: "This man shall not be your heir; your very own son shall be your heir." And he brought him outside and said, "Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them." Then he said to him, "So shall your offspring be." And he believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness. And He said to him, "I am the LORD who brought you out from Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land to possess." But he said, "O Lord GOD, how am I to know that I shall possess it?" He said to him, "Bring me a heifer three years old, a female goat three years old, a ram three years old, a turtledove, and a young pigeon." And he brought him all these, cut them in half, and laid each half over against the other. But he did not cut the birds in half. And when birds of prey came down on the carcasses, Abram drove them away. As the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell on Abram. And behold, dreadful and great darkness fell upon him. Then the LORD said to Abram, "Know for certain that your offspring will be sojourners in a land that is not theirs and will be servants there, and they will be afflicted for four hundred years. But I will bring judgment on the nation that they serve, and afterward they shall come out with great possessions. As for yourself, you shall go to your fathers in peace; you shall be buried in a good old age. And they shall come back here in the fourth generation, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete." When the sun had gone down and it was dark, behold, a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch passed between these pieces. On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, "To your offspring I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates, the land of the Kenites, the Kenizzites, the Kadmonites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Rephaim, the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Girgashites and the Jebusites."

Genesis 15:1-21 (ESV)

     Why was it hard for Abram to believe? Why is it hard for us to believe? Others in the Bible found it hard to believe.

• Gideon - Then Gideon said to the LORD, “If you are pleased with me, give me proof that it is really you talking with me. Judges 6:17 (NCV)
• John the Baptist - John the Baptist was in prison, but he heard about what Christ was doing. So John sent some of his followers to Jesus. They asked him, “Are you the One who is to come, or should we wait for someone else?“ Matthew 11:2-3 (NCV)
• Thomas - The other followers kept telling Thomas, “We saw the Lord.“ But Thomas said, “I will not believe it until I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were and put my hand into his side.“ John 20:25 (NCV)

     Proverbs 3:5 Trust the LORD with all your heart, and don’t depend on your own understanding. (NCV)

     Here's Something To Ponder

• What keeps you from believing?
• How willing are you to believe God?

TAKEN WITH THE WRONG CROWD

     It was New Years morning and kids were still zonked out around the McDonald's farm house form the New Years eve party the night before but since the animals didn't party, they were up and needed taken care of so John put on his warm clothes and headed out to the barn. “Hopefully someone will wake and come help me.” He thought to himself.

      As he sat next to one of the cows to milk her, he started singing “Old McDonald.” As he sang he started to notice the animals were joining in on cue. “I sure have some smart animals.” he said out loud. “Of course we are.” came a reply in a deep voice. As he continued singing, and animals kept sounding on cue, John suddenly stopped, “Wait a minute,” He said “Animals don't talk. Who's in here with me?”

      The next thing John knew, Harold Peterson fell out of the hay loft landing next to him. “Ouch” he said sitting up and shaking hay out of his hair. “What were you doing in the hay loft?” John asked

seeing Harold would be alright. “Oh, I was just following Tracy to see what she was up to?” “She should be up tp helping me with the chores.” John said.

      “I kind of figured that but she wasn't acting normal?” Harold said. “What do you mean?” John asked. “Well,” Harold said, “I've never known her to like to sew but all she kept talking about to night was sewing.” “Sewing?” John said “Tracy doesn't like to sew. Are you sure she was talking about sewing?”

      “Well, I'm not 100 percent sure.” Harold said, “But see kept muttering something about how she was suppose to get some flag sewn. And on top of that, I heard her tell one of the other kids that she was Betsy Ross.” “I take it you never payed attention in History class at school?” John said. “Betsy Ross was the person who sewed the first flag for the United States.” “Paying attention cost too much.” Harold said and then after a short pause added, “Oh, no. She must have the disease too.”

     “But how would she have got it?” Harold asked, “It was Mindy and Cindy who helped my sister escape from the hospital.” “To make a long story short,” John said, “After Mindy and Cindy helped Stella escape they brought her here to the farm and hid her in Tracy's fort.” “Didn't Tracy know she was sick?” Harold asked, “She should have known better.”

      “I think she did know better.” John said, “At least she claimed to know better. Tracy told me that she tried to talk them out of it.” “But she helped them anyways.” Harold added. “Bad company corrupts good morals. Or something like that. I think that's in the Bible.” “Yeah, I'm sure it is.” John said, “By the way, can you take over the milking for me? I need to go find Betsy, I mean Tracy, and get her to the hospital.”

 

      And Lot lifted up his eyes and saw that the Jordan Valley was well watered everywhere like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, in the direction of Zoar. (This was before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) So Lot chose for himself all the Jordan Valley, and Lot journeyed east. Thus they separated from each other. Abram settled in the land of Canaan, while Lot settled among the cities of the valley and moved his tent as far as Sodom. Now the men of Sodom were wicked, great sinners against the LORD. - Genesis 13:10-13 (ESV)

      Sometimes we see things we know are not right and yet we go along with them, like Tracy going along with Cindy and Mindy, Like Lot going along with Sodom.... After all, he needed to take care of his family and possessions.... Of course, there were consequences for his choice. The first of which is found in Genesis 14

      In the days of Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of Goiim, these kings made war with Bera king of Sodom, Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar). And all these joined forces in the Valley of Siddim (that is, the Salt Sea).... four kings against five. Now the Valley of Siddim was full of bitumen pits, and as the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, some fell into them, and the rest fled to the hill country. So the enemy took all the possessions of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their provisions, and went their way. They also took Lot, the son of Abram's brother, who was dwelling in Sodom, and his possessions, and went their way. Then one who had escaped came and told Abram the Hebrew, who was living by the oaks of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol and of Aner. These were allies of Abram. When Abram heard that his kinsman had been taken captive, he led forth his trained men, And he divided his forces against them by night, he and his servants, and defeated them. Then he brought back all the possessions, and also brought back his kinsman Lot with his possessions, and the women and the people. After his return the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the Valley of Shaveh And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. (He was priest of God Most High.) And he blessed him and said, "Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand!" And Abram gave him a tenth of everything. And the king of Sodom said to Abram, "Give me the persons, but take the goods for yourself." But Abram said to the king of Sodom, "I have lifted my hand to the LORD, God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth, that I would not take a thread or a sandal strap or anything that is yours, lest you should say, 'I have made Abram rich.' I will take nothing but what the young men have eaten, and the share of the men who went with me. (ESV)

      Lot was living in the city of the wicked and while Abram rescued them because of Lot, he would have nothing to do with them and their stuff – he preferred to take God's side and gives a tithe to God's high priest Melchizedek.

      One can only wonder why Lot was in Sodom. The Bible says...

• My child, if sinners try to lead you into sin, do not follow them. - Proverbs 1:10 (NCV)
• Don’t follow the ways of the wicked; don’t do what evil people do. - Proverbs 4:14 (NCV)
• But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. - 1 Timothy 6:9 (ESV)
• Do not be deceived: "Bad company ruins good morals." - 1 Corinthians 15:33 (ESV)
• Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. - Romans 6:13 (ESV)

      Here's Something To Ponder

• Will you follow the crowd even if you know you shouldn't?
• Would you lead others astray?

TROUBLE DOWN IN PUPPERVILLE

     It was a beautiful day and Randy thought he would take advantage of the day and get out and walk the neighbor hood, and visit some of the families from church. His third stop brought him to the Peterson house and as he was about to knock on the door, the door flew open and Bill plowed right into him knocking him to the ground with Bill landing on top.

      “Help!” Randy called out, “I'm being attacked.” “Help?” Bill exclaimed, “I'm the one that needs help.” “What's wrong?” Randy said as Bill rolled off of him and sat up. “The great escape.” Bill exclaimed, “Martha just called from the hospital and I've got to go.” “Who escaped?” Randy asked as he sat up next. “Stella!” Bill said.

     “Does that mean she's still in the hospital?” Randy asked. “No!” Bill exclaimed, “She's escaped.” “Does that mean she's not better yet?” Randy asked. “Something like that.” Bill said, “But it may be worse.” “Who does she think she is this time?” Randy asked “Herself?” Bill said hesitantly. “Than she's alright.” Randy said about ready to say “Praise the Lord.”

     “Not according to the doctor.” Bill said, “According to him she's gotten worse.” “I'm confused.” Randy said. “Her memory has returned.” Bill explained, “But there's more wrong than just that. For starters, whatever she has, has become contagious.” “Oh, no!” Randy exclaimed, “You need to find her.”

     “I know.” Bill said, “Have you seen her?” “No I haven't.” Randy said, “And I've been out and about in the neighborhood.” “Are you sure?” Bill asked, “She's wearing a disguise.” “A disguise?” Randy said, “What kind of disguise?” “I’m not a hundred percent certain.” Bill said, “All I know, is that is how she escaped. From the hospital.”

     “Where did she get a disguise?” Randy asked. “My wife thinks the Miller twins brought to her.” Bill answered. “Surely the nurses at the hospital would have known it was her.” Randy said. “Martha said they claimed she was their sister.” Bill said, “And since they did it as people were changing shifts, everybody was still uncertain who all was there.”

     “Well, what’s the worse thing that could happen if they don’t find her.” Randy asked. “We may all end up losing our memories.” Bill said, But even worse, if it isn't treated, the doctor thinks we could all die.” “Well if it's that serious, why are you sitting here talking to me?” Randy said “Go find her!” “I’m going, I’m going.” Bill said as he stood up and took off. “I'll keep my eyes open for her.” Randy called out after him and then got up and headed to the next house on the block.”

     Does God like lying? Can lying ever be okay or needed? Can our lies cause more problems than they are suppose to solve? Does anyone know when we lie even when we keep it secret? Claiming Stella was A sister was a lie about like the one that Abraham told in Genesis 12:10-20 and while it may have seemed nobody would have known, it was known and caused a major problem.

     At that time there was a severe famine in the land, so Abram went down to Egypt to wait it out. As he was approaching the borders of Egypt, Abram said to Sarai, "You are a very beautiful woman. When the Egyptians see you, they will say, `This is his wife. Let's kill him; then we can have her!' But if you say you are my sister, then the Egyptians will treat me well because of their interest in you, and they will spare my life." And sure enough, when they arrived in Egypt, everyone spoke of her beauty. When the palace officials saw her, they sang her praises to their king, the pharaoh, and she was taken into his harem. Then Pharaoh gave Abram many gifts because of her—sheep, cattle, donkeys, male and female servants, and camels. But the LORD sent a terrible plague upon Pharaoh's household because of Sarai, Abram's wife. So Pharaoh called for Abram and accused him sharply. "What is this you have done to me?" he demanded. "Why didn't you tell me she was your wife? Why were you willing to let me marry her, saying she was your sister? Here is your wife! Take her and be gone!" Pharaoh then sent them out of the country under armed escort—Abram and his wife, with all their household and belongings.

Genesis 12:10-20 (NLT)

     Does God like lying? Can lying ever be okay or needed? Can our lies cause more problems than they are suppose to solve? Does anyone know when we lie even when we keep it secret?

     Proverbs 25:26 Says - A good person who gives in to evil is like a muddy spring or a dirty well. (NCV) Abram gave into evil, he did what God hates, he lied. Proverbs 12:22 says - The LORD hates those who tell lies but is pleased with those who keep their promises. (NCV)

     Abram lied because he feared men over God.

• Proverbs 29:25 Being afraid of people can get you into trouble, but if you trust the LORD, you will be safe. (NCV)
• Luke 12:4 I tell you, my friends, don’t be afraid of people who can kill the body but after that can do nothing more to hurt you. (NCV)

     Lying originates with the Devil - John 8:44 says You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. (ESV)

     Lies come but they will not last forever even if we think they will for God knows all. Proverbs 12:19 says - Truth will continue forever, but lies are only for a moment. (NCV) Abram lied, but God knew what was going on and He brought trouble on Pharaoh's household. Abrams lie affected more then just himself. Stella's lie will affect others as well.

     So, Here's Something To Ponder

• What lies have you told thinking you were doing good?
• In what ways have lies got you into deeper trouble?

WHERE DID THEY COME FROM

     It was the Sunday after Thanksgiving and the church was packed. “I pray that all of you had a very thankful thanksgiving.” Randy said as he got ready to deliver his morning sermon. Looking over the sanctuary he was pleased to see so many visitors but he was concerned that one family appeared to be missing but then, in came Stella Peterson yelling out “WHERE DID HE GO?”

     “Why can't we have a normal service around Thanksgiving.” Randy mumbled to himself and then said, “Excuse me, Stella, but we are in the middle...” “I AM NOT Stella!” Stella said interrupting him, “I am your queen, Jezebel. Now you will tell me where Elijah went or I’ll have your head cut off.” “Oh great.” Randy mumbled, “Why are you pretending to be Jezebel?”

     “How dare you insult me.” Stella Said, “I never pretend. “Look around you, Stella.” Randy said, “This is not Israel.” Looking around Stella says “Where did they all come from and what are they doing here in my court?” “This is not your court.” Randy said, “This is a church and they are here to worship God.”

“WHAT!” Stella yelled out, “Kill them all, we will serve Baal and Baal only.” and then took off on the run. “WOW!” Randy said as he turned his attention back to the audience, “She almost seemed to believe she was Queen Jezebel. Anyways, back to this morning mess...” “Excuse me!” sad Martha Peterson interrupting him mid sentence. “Have you seen Stella?”

     “You just missed her.” Randy said, “She was in here pretending to be Queen Jezebel.” “Jezebel?” Martha said, “Which way did she go? I’ve got to catch her and get her back to the hospital.” “Hospital?” Randy said, “What's wrong?” “ Last week she tried to sabotage Harold’s lab that he had been using to make all those potions with.” Martha answered, “And something went wrong.”

     “What do you mean?” Randy asked a bit concerned. “ She mixed a strange concoction together.” Martha went on to explain, “And it exploded all over her and Harold.” “Well she seemed her normal self when she was here.” Randy said a bit confused. “I thought you said she was pretending to be Jezebel.” Martha said. “Yeah,” Randy confirmed, “But isn't pretending normal for her?”

     “Normally yes.” Martha said, But this time she’s not pretending. The explosion messed up her mind and she really thinks she is Jezebel at least for the moment.” What do you mean by that?” Randy asked. “Every so often she starts thinking she’s someone else.” Martha told him, “And she keeps wondering where everybody came form.”

     “Oh.” Randy said, “What about Harold?” “Last time I saw him he thought he was Moses and he kept asking where all the people came from too, but he’s still in the hospital.” Martha said. “well good luck catching her.” Randy said and then turning to the audience he said, “Let's all pray for Harold and Stella right now.”

     Joshua said, "By this you shall know that the living God is among you, and that He will assuredly dispossess from before you the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Hivite, the Perizzite, the Girgashite, the Amorite, and the Jebusite. Joshua 3:10 (NASB)

     When reading the above verse, one question you may ask yourself is “Who are all these people?” followed by “How did they get there?” Not only here but many times in the Bible names show up and you may wonder the same things. Genesis 10 and 11 helps us to understand some of where these people came from. Several of the names mentioned in Joshua can be found in verses 15-17. Remember the Philistines and the giant Goliath that David fought? You can find their origins in these verses as well.

     Wedged into these list of names is a unique story. A story that tells us why and how these peoples, these nations spread out.

     Now the whole earth had one language and the same words. And as people migrated from the east, they found a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there. And they said to one another, "Come, let us make bricks, and burn them thoroughly." And they had brick for stone, and bitumen for mortar. Then they said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be dispersed over the face of the whole earth." And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of man had built. And the LORD said, "Behold, they are one people, and they have all one language, and this is only the beginning of what they will do. And nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for them. Come, let us go down and there confuse their language, so that they may not understand one another's speech." So the LORD dispersed them from there over the face of all the earth, and they left off building the city. Therefore its name was called Babel, because there the LORD confused the language of all the earth. And from there the LORD dispersed them over the face of all the earth.

Genesis 11:1-9 (ESV)

     People were growing in numbers and they wanted to build a tower and city toward heaven – not necessarily what they were supposed to be doing. Therefore, God mixed up their languages and as a result they quit and scattered.

    We are told in Acts 17:26 that God made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation,(NASB) We may not always want to believe it but all the people on the earth are related to one man through Noah to Adam. Science has even confirmed this even though evolutionist like to spread out the time scale.

     The following link is a great article covering the origins of nations and how the grandsons of Noah spread out from the tower of Babel - http://creation.com/the-sixteen-grandsons-of-noah

      Here's Something To Ponder

• Are you able to trace your lineage back to one of these?
• Are you willing to believe we all came from one man?

HAROLD’S IN CHARGE

     It was a quiet and peaceful afternoon and Robert Grey thought he would lay back in his easy chair and do what old people do – if he could only remember. “Maybe I'll just take a nap.” He thought to himself, “Or maybe I'll go answer the door.” for someone was pounding on the door. That someone didn't wait to be let in and let herself in. It was Stella Peterson and she came in growling.

     “Is there something wrong, Stella?” Robert asked, “You're interrupting my nap.” “YES!” Stella snapped, “And it begins with a capital H.” “Oh great.” Robert sighed, “I thought Harold was going to keep his promise.” “Huh?” Stella said, “What promise?” “Your dad said he promised to never make another potion.” Robert said.

     “Oh, that promise.” Stella said “I take it he didn't keep it?” Robert asked. “Only if he wouldn't have.” Stella said “Not only is he keeping that promise but he’s been keeping all his promises.” “And that’s a problem?” Robert asked a little confused, “I thought that would be wonderful news.” “Don't you get?” Stella growled, “Mom and Dad now think they can trust him.”

     “Yeah?” Robert said. “And now they put him in charge when ever they go somewhere.” Stella continued, “And I hate it.” “Who used to be in charge?” Robert asked, “I was, Grandpa.” Stella said, “And I could do what ever I want. Now, Harold is making me follow the rules.” “Well good for him.” Robert said happily, “It sure is nice to see how much Harold has changed.”

     “GOOD?” Stella yelled out, “That’s probably the worst thing you could say. He’s driving me crazy.” “what's wrong with following the rules?” Robert asked. “Well,” Stella snorted, “Nothing if your somebody else, but I’m suppose to be above the rules.” “Since when?” Robert said in a harsh tone. “Since I said so.” Stella snapped, “After all I am the best girl in the world.”

     “Sounds to me as if YOU have a problem.” Robert said. “That’s what I said, Grandpa.” Stella responded, “And I need to get rid of it.” “Maybe yo should start by praying for God’s help.” Robert suggested, “And then you can make a plan to do something about it.” “That won't exactly work.” Stella said, “Harold and God are good friends now.”

     “Stella!” Robert said sternly, “Harold is not your problem.” “YES HE IS!!” Stella shout back, “And And I’m going to get rid of him myself. I know, I’ll rig his science lab to destroy him. Than it will look like an accident.” “Oh NO you don't” Robert said as he headed towards his granddaughter but she was to quick and ran from the house with a sinister laugh. “So much for mu nap.” Robert said, “Looks like I have a problem to try and stop.”

      But no one has ever been able to tame the tongue. It is evil and uncontrollable, full of deadly poison. We use it to give thanks to our Lord and Father and also to curse other people, who are created in the likeness of God. 

James 3:8-9 (TEV)

     How many of you have a tongue? Tongues can taste some wonderful things and somethings that are not so wonderful. Tongues can say some wonderful things but they can also say some really awful things. By our choice we use our tongues to bless and to curse. In Genesis 9 we find one man's choice brings the choice to curse and bless by another.

      The sons of Noah who went out of the boat were Shem, Ham, and Japheth. These three sons of Noah were the ancestors of all the people on earth. Noah, who was a farmer, was the first man to plant a vineyard. After he drank some of the wine, he became drunk, took off his clothes, and lay naked in his tent. When Ham, the father of Canaan, saw that his father was naked, he went out and told his two brothers. Then Shem and Japheth took a robe and held it behind them on their shoulders. They walked backward into the tent and covered their father, keeping their faces turned away so as not to see him naked. When Noah sobered up and learned what his youngest son had done to him, he said, "A curse on Canaan! He will be a slave to his brothers. Give praise to the LORD, the God of Shem! Canaan will be the slave of Shem. May God cause Japheth to increase! May his descendants live with the people of Shem! Canaan will be the slave of Japheth."

Genesis 9:18-27 (TEV)

     Canaan was cursed while his uncles were blessed and all because of Ham's choice a choice to honor or dishonor his father. In the puppet story Stella had a choice, one to obey of disobey her parents by obeying or disobeying her brother Harold who had been put in charge. We all need to make choices. We can see the need for choices in the Bible and see how some have chosen in the sample verses below.

• Joshua 24:15 "If you decide that it's a bad thing to worship GOD, then choose a god you'd rather serve—and do it today. Choose one of the gods your ancestors worshiped from the country beyond The River, or one of the gods of the Amorites, on whose land you're now living. As for me and my family, we'll worship GOD." (MSG) – We can't serve to master. If we try we become unstable
• Ruth 1:16 But Ruth replied, "Don't make me leave you, for I want to go wherever you go and to live wherever you live; your people shall be my people, and your God shall be my God; (TLB) – Choosing to stay with God can have an impact way into the future – Ruth became part of the lineage of Jesus.
• 1 Kings 3:9 Give me an understanding mind so that I can govern your people well and know the difference between what is right and what is wrong. For who by himself is able to carry such a heavy responsibility?" (TLB) – We all wish we could have wishes come true. Solomon was allowed to have a wish come true and he choice wisely. Would we?
• Psalm 119:173 Stand ready to help me because I have chosen to follow your will. (TLB) - Could we say the same thing?
• Luke 10:42 Only one thing is important. Mary has chosen the better thing, and it will never be taken away from her. (NCV) – Martha had been complaining but Jesus reminder her that Mary had made the right choice. Would we?

     Here's Something To Ponder

• Do you have problems with other people doing what is right?
• What kind of choice would yo make if you were Stella or Ham?

ITCHY, ITCHY

     Stella Peterson was going out of her mind and she, well, needed to do something so, she decided to go visit her best friend Bernadette Henderson. When she walked up to the door of Bernadette's house and started knocking on it instead of hearing a come in, she heard “Itchy, itchy, itchy.” and “Go away!” followed by another round of “Itchy, itchy, itchy.”

     “Bernadette,” Stella called out, “Is that you in there making those funny noises?” “No! Yes! I don't know.” Bernadette answered, “When I looked in the mirror this morning I didn’t look like me so I’m not sure who I am.” “Well, why don't you open the door and I'll tell you.” Stella said. “No!” Bernadette said, “I'm staying in here. Itchy, Itchy, Itchy.”

     “Come on, Bernadette.” Stella pleaded, “I'm your best friend. Why won't you open the door?” “It's all your brother's fault.” Bernadette replied, “Harold's the one that made me like this.” “Like what?” Stella demanded to know but the only reply she got was “Itchy, itchy, itchy.”

     “Just come on up here.” Stall demanded next, “It’s seems silly for me to talk to your front door.” “Then just go away.” Bernadette said, “I'm not opening the door, somebody might see me.” “But I'm the only one here.” Stella protested, “Now tell me what's wrong, why won't you open the door.” “I told you.” Bernadette replied, “It’s Harold’s fault.”

     “Alright,” Stella said, “What did Harold do?” “He made that silly potion to make people more like God.” Bernadette said. “Don’t tell me you drank some of it too.” Stella said, “It doesn't work.” “I thought it would keep me from being shy.” Bernadette told Stella, “And now I'm covered with freckles. Itchy, itchy, itchy.”

     “And that's why you won't open the door.” Stella stated. “ They keep calling out to be scratched,” Bernadette called back through the door, “But the doctor said that if I scratch them they will open up and spread.” “That's because they're not freckles.” Stella said, “If you leave them alone and don’t scratch they’ll go away. Or at least that's what the doctor told me. Have you been scratching them?”

     “Yes!” Bernadette called out and then flung the door open, “Did you drink the potion too?” “AUGH!” Stella called out when she saw Bernadette.” “AUGH!” Bernadette called out when she saw Stella. “You look horrible.” Stella said. “So do you.” Bernadette replied, “And why are you wearing mittens? It's not that cold out yet.”

     “The mittens are suppose to help me keep from scratching.” Stella said. “Is it working?” Bernadette asked. “Some.” Stella said, “But I'm still not becoming more like God. I even drank some more of the potion this morning and Itchy, itchy, itchy.” “Why did Harold ever have to make that potion?” Bernadette asked. “Because I asked him to.” Stella cried.

     And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, "You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die."

Genesis 2:16-17 (ESV)

     Do you ever get hungry? Have you ever tried to eat something you shouldn't when you were hungry? God gave Adam and Eve plenty to eat but there was one tree from which they were to never eat. Guess what?

      Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God actually say, 'You shall not eat of any tree in the garden'?" And the woman said to the serpent, "We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, 'You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.' " But the serpent said to the woman, "You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths. And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. But the LORD God called to the man and said to him, "Where are you?" And he said, "I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself." He said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?" … To the woman he said, "I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children. Your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you." And to Adam he said, "Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, 'You shall not eat of it,' cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life; thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return." … therefore the LORD God sent him out from the garden of Eden to work the ground from which he was taken. He drove out the man, and at the east of the garden of Eden he placed the cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life.

Genesis 3:1-24 (ESV)

     Is it sin to be tempted? If it is then we are in BIG trouble for we read in Matthew 4:1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. (ESV) But we also know from Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have a high priest (Jesus) who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. (ESV)

     Sin comes not because we are tempted but because we give in, like Adam and Eve and it is usually our desires that Satan uses to tempt us into sin as we read in

• James 1:14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. (ESV)
• 1 Timothy 6:9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. (ESV)

     When it comes to sin as a result of temptation we need to remember

• 1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. (ESV)
• Hebrews 2:18 For because He Himself has suffered when tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted. (ESV)

     We also need to remember that the tempter will come back time and time again. Even after failing to get Jesus to sin we read in Luke 4:13 And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time. (ESV)

      So, Here's Something To Ponder

• Do you desire like those in Pupperville to be more like God?
• In what ways to you avoid temptation or giving into it so that you may be more like God.

I AM GOD

     For may years I have enjoyed writing puppet skits and puppet stories. Sometimes it is a lot of work and I wonder how or why I should keep going and then I start letting my imagination and go and, well, sometimes it is as if the characters themselves, the ones that I created come to life and start telling me what to do like happened recently.

      While I was working on series of lessons for Genesis and writing a puppet story for the first one, I was thinking about which of my puppet characters was the most bossy when low and behold, Stella turned up. “STOP!!! Stop everything.” She yelled at me, “This puppet story is over, done,finished, kaput.”

      “What?” I asked looking around for her, “What are you talking about?” “Your position here has been terminated.” She responded as she peered over the computer monitor at me. “It is ended, finished, YOU are fired.” she continued. “You can't do that!” I said staring back at her. “I can and I am.” She said back to me. “From now on I am in charge here. Now get out of here.”

      “Alright Stella Peterson!” I said, “Just who gave you the right to come in here and take over my lesson writing?” “I did!” she snapped back at me “And from now on everyone will obey me and only me.” “Just who do you think you are?” I asked and of course she answered in a typical Stella way, “You can call me god.” she said.

      “I don’t think so.” I told her, “There is but one God and you are not Him.” “Not anymore.” She quipped back, “And if God wants to argue about it I’ll make Him miserable.” “So, you really think your god.” I said. “No!” she responded, “I know I am god and from now on what ever I say goes, and you go. Now get out of here.”

      I couldn't let her get away with being so bossy so I told her “No, and you can't make me.” “Yes I can.” She snapped back. “How?” I asked “Well, well,” she stammered, “For starters I'll, I'll erase all your puppet stories from your computer. And then I'll get my dog Ralph to chase you away.” “You don't have a dog named Ralph.” I reminded her but that didn't stop her. “Then I’ll get one. A big, ugly, ferocious one.” she said.

      “Why don’t you make one?” I asked her “After all,” I said, “If you are god than you should be able to make one right here and now out of nothing.” “Yeah right.” she snorted when I said that. “I tell you what, Stella.” I said as I stared into her eyes, “You just go home and forget about trying to be God.” “And what if I don’t?” she asked. “If you don't,” I told her, “I'll send my son Aaron after you.”

      “Do you mean that Aaron, that over six foot tall Arron standing behind you?” she asked. And then she looked at me and said “I'll let you win this time but I'll be back.” and then she left with a sinister laugh, and I woke up.

      Romans 1:20 states For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. (NASB) There are those who claim there is no God, or if there is a God we can't know Him and yet He does exist and we can know He exists and who He is but, even then we may choose not to believe as many have. Some may say that if they only had more evidence they would believe but would they?

      The Israelites had just received a miraculous delivery from Egypt, the ten commandments in person and yet.... When the people saw that Moses delayed to come down from the mountain, the people gathered themselves together to Aaron and said to him, "Up, make us gods who shall go before us. As for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him." So Aaron said to them, "Take off the rings of gold that are in the ears of your wives, your sons, and your daughters, and bring them to me." So all the people took off the rings of gold that were in their ears and brought them to Aaron. And he received the gold from their hand and fashioned it with a graving tool and made a golden calf. And they said, "These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!" When Aaron saw this, he built an altar before it. And Aaron made proclamation and said, "Tomorrow shall be a feast to the LORD." And they rose up early the next day and offered burnt offerings and brought peace offerings. And the people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play. And the LORD said to Moses, "Go down, for your people, whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves. They have turned aside quickly out of the way that I commanded them. They have made for themselves a golden calf and have worshiped it and sacrificed to it and said, 'These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!' "

Exodus 32:1-8 (ESV)

      They witnessed God and His power first hand and still they chose to gather their gold and make a calf and worship it, claiming it to be God.

      Genesis 1:1 starts “In the beginning God.” It doesn't try to prove His existence, it just says He is. The Bible goes on to tells us about God and who He is … It tells us in:

• Isaiah 43:10-12 "You are my witnesses," declares the LORD, "and my servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me. I, I am the LORD, and besides me there is no savior. I declared and saved and proclaimed, when there was no strange god among you; and you are my witnesses," declares the LORD, "and I am God. (ESV)
• John 4:24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth." (ESV)
• 1 John 1:5 This is the message we have heard from Him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all. (ESV)
• Psalm 119:68 You are good, and You do what is good; teach me Your statutes. (HCSB)
• 1 John 4:8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. (ESV)
• Joshua 24:19 Then Joshua said to the people, "You will not be able to serve the LORD, for He is a holy God. He is a jealous God; He will not forgive your transgression or your sins. (NASB)
• Hebrews 12:29 for our God is a consuming fire. (ESV)

     The list goes on and one day we will see Him if we want to believe it or not. In the mean time...

      Here's Something To Ponder

• What are the real reasons for choosing not to believe in God?
• In what ways have you ever tried to lift yourself up as God?