Several months ago we had a long conversation with some teens who attend The Barn. Largely we spoke of morals and how they exist and how we know what is moral and what is not. We never really did establish and agree on an answer, it was more a conversation than a debate. While it was obvious we all had our own opinions, strong ones I'm sure, I was encouraged by the fact we could have a civil conversation in order to better understand each other. One thing we did understand is that morals have a lot to do with relationships. It is these types of conversations that revive my soul and make me excited about hanging out at The Barn.

This has got me thinking lately about "picking and choosing." It is something we all do to a degree, even if we do not like to admit it. If we didn't we would have the complete mind of Christ and our thoughts would never be clouded. We would think clearly and truthfully about every issue on earth and above the earth. We would see things as they really are and not really even have to think hard about them. There are two things that bring uncertainty and cloudiness to our thoughts about truth, the selfishness of our hearts (or "the flesh" as the Bible calls it), and the father of lies, Satan. 

How are we to think correctly about love in the world today? Depictions of love and definitions of love surround us on all sides. There are many symbols of love and actions that we interpret as being love. Some even say that we can “make love.” Often the way we interpret love is from a feeling that we may feel rising up within us or from a perception about love we received from some unknown source. But we must ask the question, what is love? As we begin to think about Valentines Day, the topic of love surrounds us. Young ladies and young men become consumed by someone they might just “like” and their peers tease them about it. They interpret the slightest look their way as an act of love. Where do these emotions that we call love come from? Is our pursuit of love just some fleeting feeling that we spend our life pursuing and never find?

Even though the letter is addressed to me, we all can begin it with our own name. I ask you to do just that, insert your own name as you begin to read this letter.

In ancient history being a shepherd was a very common occupation. Much of the land of the Middle East is dry, rocky and hilly, unsuitable for growing many crops. The herds of sheep or other animals the people had were their livelihood, providing for them food, clothing and companionship. They looked after their flocks with care. There was always a shepherd following the flocks around, diligently watching over them and guiding them to safe grounds. This was not an occupation to be taken lightly and demanded constant awareness. The flocks needed to be watched over day and night from critters and other predators that would find sheep that had strayed from the flock and bring them harm. Flock owners hesitated to hire a shepherd for fear that they would not practice the same care as the owner would. The shepherds and owners of the flocks at the time were often found fighting off these predators with their staff and bare hands, at the risk of being killed themselves. The flocks were so precious to them they were willing to put themselves in harms way, even giving their own life if need be.

I have found my mind this past week filled with odd thoughts of zombies. Perhaps the Halloween season and other circumstances surrounding the week had something to do with this, I don't really know. I am not much of a Halloween person. I never have been. I do not like scary things and I remember in my childhood being petrified when a man dressed in a scary mask showed up in the garage where dad and I were working. I found it hard to control my bladder muscles that night as a child. I have never found my mind considering such "bodies" and pondering them. I have found it strange but I also have to admit I have found the concept somewhat fascinating. 

All of the chaos in the world from one guy's mistake...really!?! Adam takes a big hit in the Bible. Adam and Eve do exactly what God had told them not to do in the garden of Eden, and ate the fruit of the forbidden tree. But should we really be suffering the consequences of their actions from so long ago? Why is it that we feel the effects today? I suppose at this point you expect me to have an answer, well I don't. What I do know is that God loves us so much that he does not want us to live forever in this condition.

Last Friday night in devotions we discussed the topic "If God is good and he exist, why is there turmoil in the world?" By turmoil we are talking about the biggies, natural disasters, wars, disease, death, fighting, divorce, destroyed relationships, drugs, things that destroy our bodies, corrupt politics and on and on it goes. We could list a long string of things that are wrong with the world and in doing so it's often easy to question God and if he really does exist. How can he, if he is good, allow all these things to happen? 

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