Ain't In No Hurry





I was listening to music at work today, and the song “No Hurry” by Zac Brown Band came on.  The gist of the song is that while the car needs cleaning, the grass needs cutting, and the bills need paying, the subject of the story is in no hurry to take care of these things.  He would rather take the day off from his responsibilities and spend the day doing the things he loves like fishing and enjoying nature.  I think we can all relate to this mindset.  Sometimes it’s just best to take the day off.

However, one part of the song says, “[I’m] gonna get right with the Lord, or there’ll be hell to pay, but I ain’t in no hurry today.”  Waiting to take care of one’s salvation is an idea I don’t agree with, and hopefully you don’t either.

James 4:14 (NKJV) says “whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. Or what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.”  We live frail lives. We could die, or Christ could return any moment, but we live each day as if we’ll live forever.  Just like the guy in the song, we settle in the chair with our fishing pole and put our spiritual lives on hold until tomorrow. What if tomorrow never comes?

II Corinthians 6:2 says “…Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”  We argue with our neighbors, we complain about our circumstances, and we even fight our own families.  We spend our lives pursuing physical possessions. We race through each day, failing to even acknowledge God and thank Him for the very breath in our lungs.  All the while, Christ stands waiting for us to come to Him in repentance.  Some of us care nothing about God, and we don’t believe in His inspired word.  On the other hand, some of us believe in God, but we refuse to obey His word or follow His commands properly.  No matter the stance you take, the truth is, Christ will one day return to take vengeance on those who do not obey Him (II Thessalonians 1:8) and to call the faithful Christians home (I Thes. 4:16-18).  You’re not promised tomorrow, so obeying the gospel should be priority number one.

One of these days will be your last. It may come suddenly, or it may even be expected. Either way, you will not live on this earth forever.  The great news is that God loves you (John 3:16), and you will live forever spiritually (I John 5:13) if you obey His word (Matthew 7:13-14) and serve Him for life (Revelation 2:10).

You may not be in a hurry to do the chores or pay the bills, but you should be in a hurry to work out your own salvation (Philippians 2:12). 

If you want to know more about what it means to obey the gospel, please feel free to use the contact form at the bottom of the page.  If you know me personally and would like to discuss this or any other spiritual issue, just let me (or my awesome wife) know!

In Evolution We Trust. Or Do We?

This past weekend, the family and I visited Virginia’s Safari Park. If you’re not familiar with it, it’s basically a large piece of farm land where you can ride through and feed and pet roaming animals like llamas, bison, elks, zebras, ostriches, and several types of deer.  They also have a few enclosed areas with animals like monkeys, tortoises, birds, kangaroos, and tigers.  While we were looking at the monkeys, a park employee was explaining that they have prehensile tails, which are tails that are capable of grasping or holding objects.  She pointed out that this particular species of monkey can completely hang from just its tail. She described their prehensile tails as “evolutionary adaptations.”  When I heard the dreaded “E” word, I couldn’t help but think about this college-aged woman talking about the theory of evolution as if it is cold, hard fact.  I assume she was taught evolution while in school, and like many, she doesn’t question it now as an adult.  

Society has taken the theory of evolution and promoted it as indisputable fact.  I believe that science pushes evolution on us so heavily because many believe it to be the best alternative to the biblical view of creation. People refuse to believe in God, so they teach the theory that seems to be the best alternative.  But is the theory of evolution so feasible?  Notice the following quotes by prominent scientists, most of whom support the theory of evolution.

-          "Scientists who go about teaching that evolution is a fact of life are great con-men, and the story they are telling may be the greatest hoax ever. In explaining evolution, we do not have one iota of fact." Dr. T. N. Tahmisian (Atomic Energy Commission, USA) in "The Fresno Bee", August 20, 1959. As quoted by N. J. Mitchell, Evolution and the Emperor's New Clothes, Roydon Publications, UK, 1983, title page.

-          "Contrary to what most scientists write, the fossil record does not support the Darwinian theory of evolution because it is this theory (there are several) which we use to interpret the fossil record. By doing so we are guilty of circular reasoning if we then say the fossil record supports this theory." Ronald R. West, PhD (paleoecology and geology) (Assistant Professor of Paleobiology at Kansas State University), "Paleoecology and uniformitarianism". Compass, vol. 45, May 1968, p. 216

-          "The chance that higher life forms might have emerged in this way is comparable with the chance that 'a tornado sweeping through a junk yard might assemble a Boeing 747 from the materials therein'." Sir Fred Hoyle (English astronomer, Professor of Astronomy at Cambridge University), as quoted in "Hoyle on Evolution". Nature, vol. 294, 12 Nov. 1981, p. 105

-          “Evolution is the creation-myth of our age. By telling us our origin it shapes our views of what we are. It influences not just our thought, but our feelings and actions too, in a way which goes far beyond its official function as a biological theory.”  Mary Midgley (former Sener Lecturer in Philosophy, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, UK] “The Religion of Evolution,” in Durant J., ed., “Darwinish and Divinity: Essays on Evolution and Religious Belief,” Basil Blackwell: Oxford UK, 1985, p. 154.

-          “It must be significant that nearly all the evolutionary stories I learned as a student…have now been ‘debunked.’ Similarly, my own experience of more than twenty years looking for evolutionary lineages among the Mesozoic Brachiopoda has proved them equally elusive.”  Derek Ager (Professor, University at Swansea, Wales UK).”Story Time Over” Proceedings of Geologists’ Association. 1976. Vol. 87, p. 132

-          “…I am quite conscious that my speculations run beyond the bounds of true science…It is a mere rag of an hypothesis with as many flaw[s] & holes as sound parts.”  Charles Darwin to Asa Gray, cited by Adrian Desmond and James Moore, “Darwin,” 1991. New York: W.W. Norton and Company. p. 456, 475.

-          “I believe that one day the Darwinian mysth will be ranked the greatest deceit in the history of science.”  Soren Lovtrup. “Darwinism: The Refutation of a Myth.” New York: Croom Helm, 1987. p. 422.

  

The educational system will lead you to believe that evolution is supported by loads of evidence; however, even prominent evolutionists, and Darwin himself, admit their doubt in the theory. So why do many people accept evolution and refuse to believe the Bible’s account of creation (which, by the way, is a much simpler and easier to believe explanation)? In short, I believe it’s yet another example of Satan’s influence on mankind. Don’t let him influence you. See the theory of evolution for what it really is – a hoax.

  

Check out these interesting articles about the shortcomings of evolutionary theory:

https://www.apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=9&article=1443&topic=63

http://www.apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=108&article=722

http://www.apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=108&article=728

https://www.apologeticspress.org/apcontent.aspx?category=9&article=1748

http://www.apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=126&article=892

19,230 Died From It Last Week!

 Cecil the Lion, Ed Hetherington Photography

 

This article appeared in the West Side church of Christ's weekly bulletin on August 16, 2015. Eddy Gilpin (minister) is the author. I thought it was too good to not share this on my blog.

No, it was not an old disease or plague that reared its ugly head again to claim all these lives. It was not a new epidemic that swept through some third-world country, under the radar of the media in the first-world. It was not a ploy of ISIS or some other terror group that was responsible for all these deaths last week. However, it was the result of a "terror organization," and one that has been around for quite some time. The taking of the lives of these 19,230 individuals last week came at the hands of abortionists in this country!

By now, most of us have heard Cecil’s story. You know, Cecil the Zimbabwean lion that was killed by an American dentist, Walter Palmer. Mr. Palmer received a flood of hate mail; activists posted his private details online for all to see, and spraypainted the words "Lion Killer" on the garage of his vacation home in Florida.

Last week, customs officials in Zurich found 478 pounds of ivory (estimated to have come from 40-50 elephants), 21 lion fangs and 35 lion claws in transit from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, to China. The three Chinese men were arrested and, again, there was outrage over their actions.

Meanwhile, last week 19,230 of the most innocent of the innocent were murdered, butchered within their own mothers’ wombs. This was not only sanctioned by the government of this nation, but in many cases also paid for by the taxpayers of it (you and me). Where was/is the outcry for these human lives, taken so violently and savagely? When will the "all lives matter" mantra expand to include the unborn as well? How long before the cry for killing human infants rises to the level of killing the "Cecils" of this world?

Hopefully, the current stir arising from Planned Parenthood’s selling of the body parts of so many of these infants has raised some of that much needed awareness, and awakened the consciousness of a nation. But, alas, we shall see. How many more must die before we come to the realization that abortion is murder- pure and simple?

Irony of the Rainbow

Photo credit: Michael S. Williamson/ The New York Post

In Genesis 6, God became so angry with mankind’s wickedness and rebellion that he decided to destroy life on Earth. Fortunately for us, one man and his family found favor in God’s eyes.

Genesis 6:5-10 (NKJV)

“Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. So the LORD said, ‘I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them.’ But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.”

Fast forward to chapter 9 when the flood waters subside and God places a rainbow in the sky as a sign that He will never again destroy the Earth with water.  The rainbow became a majestic symbol of God’s power, grace, and decision to spare mankind who deserved complete eradication.

Fast forward to June 26, 2015, a day that I’m afraid will forever change the political landscape of our country and have lasting negative implications. On this day, SCOTUS made a decision on same-sex marriage, and rainbow flags emphatically waved throughout the country.  Social media sites were flooded with the rainbow, and even the White House was lit up in color.  (Side note: even if you support same-sex marriage, surely you agree that the President’s decision to rainbow the White House was, at best, distasteful.)

The rainbow, which is a symbol of God’s mercy on His creation, has been stolen and abused by people who glorify sin and make a mockery of God’s word. Isn’t it ironic? Just like in Genesis 6, it seems man’s thoughts are once again continually evil.  He arrogantly parades around, ignorantly carrying a representation of the rainbow that marked the end of God’s wrath on a wicked world, a world that no doubt embraced homosexuality. 

God has defined marriage as being between one man and one woman (Gen. 2:24), and He has condemned homosexuality (Romans 1:26-27); however, the concern shouldn’t be with homosexuality only. Homosexuality is nothing new, and it will be around until the end of this earth. We should be more concerned with the fact that our nation seems to accept and embrace sin as a whole more and more each day.  Romans 1 places sins like gossip, disobedience to parents, hate, boasting, arrogance, greed, and lack of understanding in the same group as homosexuality – things that are worthy of death. It not only condemns people who do these things but also the people who approve of those who are doing them.  Christians should never show hate towards anyone, but we cannot approve of the sin surrounding us. The legalization of same-sex marriage is merely a symptom of a sick nation that wants less of God and more of sin.  It is our duty to live as lights in a dark world (Ephesians 5:8).  Love does indeed win - the love of Christ, not the love of sin. 

Isaiah 30:1 (NKJV)

“ ‘Woe to the rebellious children,’ says the LORD, ‘Who take counsel, but not of Me, and who devise plans, but not of My Spirit, that they may add sin to sin;’”

Doesn’t this verse remind you of our current government and the latest decision from SCOTUS, in particular?  A concept already decided by God was left in the hands of nine lawyers, five of whom caved in to godless pressure. They took counsel and devised a plan not after God’s Spirit but after the spirit of sin.  A law already defined by God cannot be redefined by man, no matter what man and its government decide.

Isaiah 24:5-6 (NASB)

“The earth is also polluted by its inhabitants, for they transgressed the laws, violated statutes, broke the everlasting covenant. Therefore, a curse devours the earth, and those who live in it are held guilty. Therefore, the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men are left.”

No matter how bad this country and world get, I’m thankful that God is patient toward us and doesn’t want any of us to be lost (II Peter 3:9). I’m thankful that He offers a way of repentance and forgiveness. I hope that you’ll take His offer of salvation before it’s too late, just as it was too late for those who were swept away in the flood.

I Peter 3:20-21 (NASB)

“who once were disobedient, when the patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah, during the construction of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through the water. Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you – not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience – through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”

Lessons from the Appalachian Trail

This past weekend, I was able to hike the Appalachian Trail (AT) with a few friends (and fellow members of the church).  We started at McAfee Knob and ended 13.5 miles later at Andy Layne Trailhead. We had perfect weather, and it was a great time I won’t forget. While trekking through God’s creation, I couldn’t help but ponder these spiritual lessons.

I.  Nature confirms the creator

Standing atop McAfee Knob and Tinker Cliffs, I felt closer to God. If you’ve never been to these places, I highly recommend going. The breathtaking views and peaceful tranquility at these peaks create a reverent atmosphere. Among the other hikers resting there, some were meditating, some were praying, and some were looking out in silence. I believe that all humans have an innate sense of wanting to worship a higher power. I believe this sense is strongest when we find ourselves among God’s magnificent creation.

“But now ask the beasts, and let them teach you; and the birds of the heavens, and let them tell you. Or speak to the earth, and let it teach you; and let the fish of the sea declare to you. Who among all these does not know that the hand of the LORD has done this, in whose hand is the life of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind?” Job 12:7-10

“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.” Romans 1:20

II. Life is full of ups and downs

The section of hike that we did was full of ups and downs. There were quick downhill stretches with switchback turns followed by brutally long inclines and level ridge walks. The same is true with the roller coaster of life. Happy times are quickly followed by sad times, then happy times again.  Ecclesiastes 3 speaks of the ups and downs in life – a time to cry, a time to laugh; a time to mourn, a time to rejoice; a time to live, a time to die. The question is how we handle these ups and downs.

Christ himself experienced every emotion while living on this earth.  He experienced times of joy, times of sadness, times of anger, and times of compassion.  Thankfully, he overcame his greatest and most terrible obstacle – his crucifixion and subsequent death.   Facing an agonizing death and being separated from the Father while he bore the sins of all of humanity, Christ refused to back down. Keeping this example in mind, how will you handle the valleys of life?

III. We all have to choose a path

On the AT, there are “white blazes” that keep hikers on the right path. These are white marks intermittently painted on the trees. Occasionally, there are double blazes that instruct the hiker to make a turn. There were several times during our hike that we encountered these double blazes, and in one instance it wasn’t very obvious which way we should turn. To the left, there was a trail that looked nice and wide, but to the right, the path was narrow and looked less inviting. Upon further inspection down each path, the wide and inviting way had no blazes, but the narrow way did.  Which bible passage does this remind you of?

“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.” Matthew 7:13

When we came to the crossroad, the wide path to the left looked the most appealing because it looked easy. However, we chose the narrow path to the right because it was marked with the blazes. We knew it would eventually lead to the end of our hike. We had no idea where the wide path to the left might lead, possibly to our being lost in the woods.

Life gives us the opportunity to choose a path. Will you choose the wide gate and broad way to destruction, or will you choose the narrow and difficult path to life? The vast majority will choose an easy life of sin. Will you be one of Christ’s elite who walks the difficult path of Christianity to eternal life?

Choosing the narrow path to life doesn’t simply mean believing in Jesus and calling yourself a “Christian.”  You have to believe in Christ (John 8:24), repent of your sins (Luke 13:3), confess your belief in Him before others (Romans 10:10), be added to the church through baptism for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38,47), associate and worship with a local congregation of the one and true church (Hebrews 10:25), teach others (Mark 16:15), and live faithfully unto death (Revelation 2:10). 

Hiking the AT was an awesome experience. You should definitely do it if you get the chance. It just might give you the motivation to seek God and His plan of eternal salvation.

 

Life's a Vapor: A Letter to My Friend

The Bible describes life as being like a vapor that quickly vanishes away.  Before we know it, our lives have raced by, and we wonder where the time has gone.   In light of this inescapable fact, I’d like to write a farewell letter to my friend. No, I don’t plan on leaving this earth any time soon; however, I want to get some things out while I’ve got the chance. After all, none of us are promised tomorrow. 

Dear Friend,

I’m glad that you believe in God, and I’m glad that you are “religious.” This shows that you probably want to do what the Bible says, and you want to go to Heaven.  I’ve seen the pictures and videos of the worship services and other church events you’ve been a part of.  I’ve also read the inspirational Bible verses and devotional thoughts you’ve posted online.  Most of your other friends are probably happy or even inspired by all of these religious things going on in your life.  Sadly, I’m not.  I don’t mean to sound condescending or pompous. I just want to wake you up to the reality of your situation.  Waking you up to this reality has been one of the purposes behind my blog, which I hope you actually read. What I’m about to say comes from the heart, and I definitely don’t mean it as an insult to your intelligence.

It makes me sad that you put so much effort into vain worship.  In Matthew 15, Jesus accuses the Pharisees of vainly worshipping because they were teaching as doctrine the commandments of men.  That’s exactly what your church is doing. I’ve heard the sermons. Your minister would make a better inspirational speaker than preacher because his messages are sappy pep talks that play on pure emotion. There is little mention of actual Bible verses. The few verses that are mentioned are usually taken out of context, and their intended meanings are completely missed.  At your church, there is clearly an attitude of “what can I get out of being here, and how can I be entertained?”  I’ve seen the band and talented singers up on stage, rocking it out.  People are raising their hands and clapping along.  It looks just like a rock concert. I think that’s exactly what your “worship” services are – entertainment. Since when did God ask us to entertain ourselves when worshipping him?  Worship is about sacrifice, and it certainly isn’t about us! John 4:23-24: “But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”  Your church may have the “spirit” part down, but its worship certainly isn’t rooted in truth. Your church is much like those people mentioned in Romans 10:1-3 who were zealous towards God, but they weren’t doing what God instructed.  The New Testament only authorizes singing (without instruments) (Eph. 5:19, Col. 3:16, Mark 14:26), praying (1 Tim. 2:8), partaking of the Lord’s Supper (every Sunday) (Mark 14:22-25, 1 Cor. 11:23-29, Acts 20:7), giving back (every Sunday, only on Sunday) (1 Cor. 16:2), and preaching (Acts 20:7, Acts 2:42). Where is the authorization to have a rock concert? This is the point that you and millions of others miss: EVERYTHING done in a worship setting is to be done by the authority of Jesus (Col. 3:17).

 It makes me sad that you blindly follow a man-made religion that even calls itself by a man’s name. 1 Corinthians 1:12-13: “Now I say this, that each of you says, ‘I am of Paul,’ or ‘I am of Apollos,’ or ‘I am of Cephas,’ or ‘I am of Christ.’ Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?”  Just like in the first century, many people today claim to be followers of Christ, but they are actually followers of men and their man-made doctrines (i.e. Lutherans, Calvinists, Wesleyans, Baptists (Smyth), Catholics (Pope), Mormons (Smith), etc). You may think a church’s name is a minor technicality, but it actually matters what church you’re part of because there is only one body, and that one body is Christ’s church (Eph. 4:4, Eph. 1:22-23).  Churches today will do whatever it takes to get people in the doors. They’ll come up with catchy, hipster names; they’ll put on extravagant shows; and they’ll tell you all you have to do is accept Jesus as your savior, and you’ll never be lost, no matter what.  Please don’t be fooled.  Compare their creed books with what’s actually in the Bible; you’d be surprised at the errors.

It makes me sad this letter will likely never accomplish its goal. I want you and everyone else I know to go to Heaven, but I’m afraid Satan’s got too tight of a grip on you.  He’s got you thinking that you’re a Christian and you’re making God proud. You’re comfortable where you are; it feels right.  Ephesians 3 talks about Christ’s church being the eternal purpose of God. God has known forever that salvation would come only through his son and his church. All of history points to Acts 2 and the establishment of Christ’s church. Don’t let people tell you it doesn’t matter what church you attend.  We can’t take some “pastor’s” word for what the church is and how we become a member of it.  Study the Bible with me, and I’ll show you what the true church is.  Don’t be like the people on judgment who professed to be Christians on Earth, but they end up hearing Christ say, “I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” (Mt. 7:23)

I hope this letter isn’t too harsh. I hope I haven’t driven you away.  God wants everyone to be saved (John 3:16, 2 Pet. 3:9), so please do your part in accepting his salvation under his terms. If you think I’m wrong about anything I’ve said, I invite you to show me why.  As a professed Christian, you have a responsibility to point out my error. Let me know if you want to talk about any of this or if you want to study the Bible together in general.  

God bless,

Your Friend

What About the Dots?!

One day last week, when I was walking downtown on my lunch break, I walked past a man on the street corner who was handing out religious tracts. He was a neatly dressed man, wearing a red ball cap with a cross on it.  He handed me a tract, and I read it as I walked.   About halfway through, I decided I’d turn back and ask him some questions. As I approached him, his interest perked up, and I could tell he was glad to receive some kind of response from someone.  I introduced myself, and after some small talk, I asked him how he’d respond to the question of what I have to do to be saved.  Basically he said all I’d have to do is believe in Jesus, ask him to save me, and accept him as my savior, just like the thief on the cross did. Knowing that’s how he would respond, I asked him what he would say to a verse like Mark 16:16: “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned [emphasis added].” He said something to the effect of, “Well there are other verses about baptism, like Acts 22:16 and Acts 2:38, but they’re more of a figure of speech. They’re not literally saying you have to be baptized. You’re really just taking these verses out of context when you say you have to baptized.”  Since I had to get back to work, we didn’t get to talk much after that. I tried to point out some other scriptures about baptism as best I could in the short time I had, but it was clear he didn’t have much interest in my point. I thanked him and went on my way.

I kept the tract he gave me, and it wasn’t until after I got home that afternoon that I noticed something.  On the back, it gave some steps on how to be saved, and under the “Forgiveness” heading, it said the following:

“Acts 2:38 ‘…Repent…in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins…’ Repent – to change one’s mind. You must agree with God that you have sinned against Him.”

So what about the dots (…)?

If you’re not familiar with Acts 2:38, I’m listing it here, and I’m bolding and underlining a VERY important part that the tract leaves out. I’m not sure what translation the tract used, so I’ll just use the NKJV.  “Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’”

His tract, in my estimation, intentionally left out “and let everyone of you be baptized” in order to change the verse to support the view that baptism is not essential for salvation.  My argument is simple. If you’re going to include repentance as a necessary step of salvation based on Acts 2:38, then you MUST include baptism as a necessary step as well!  By replacing baptism with dots, you’ve completely changed the text, which is strongly warned against in Revelation 22:19. As a side note, remember that he told me all I had to do is believe in Jesus and accept him as my savior because there’s nothing I can do outside of grace?  Why then would his tract say I must repent?  Isn’t repentance an action I’m taking in order to receive grace? That’s a contradiction to his belief/faith only doctrine.  Like belief, repentance, and confession of Christ’s deity, baptism is an action we must do in order to demonstrate our obedient faith in God’s saving grace. All of these actions are important, and they must all be done in order to be saved.

Back to the dots.  Isn’t that something the religious world does quite often? Don’t people replace commands and statutes established by God with dots in order to make scripture fit a man-made doctrine they’ve been taught their whole lives? People may not do it intentionally, but they’re just as guilty as someone who intentionally alters scripture.

As a response to the dots in the tract, here are just a few (of many) points, backed by verses, which show the essentiality of baptism.

It’s the only way to BE IN CHRIST - Galatians 3:27

It’s the only way to WASH AWAY OUR SINS – Acts 22:16

It’s the only way to CONTACT CHRIST’S BLOOD while reenacting his death, burial, and resurrection – Romans 6

It’s the only way to be ADDED TO THE CHURCH – Acts 2:38-47

Be wary of peoples’ dots.   Look into the scripture, and let it speak. You’ll likely discover something that other people don’t want you to know.