If you’re like most Americans, you’re probably acquainted with dozens of diseases and dastardly circumstances, from breast cancer to unwanted pregnancy, heart disease to homelessness.
 
And why not? Each one has been transformed into a magnificent cause under the management of at least one well-funded non-profit. And each one is regularly brought to our attention through well-publicized “awareness” campaigns – the thinking being, I suppose, that if you’re aware of such a cause, you’re likely to make a donation, desperately needed for things like research and lobbying efforts and covering generous executive salaries.  
 
Just one example for the football buffs out there: You have no doubt noticed that most players add shocking pink to their uniforms each October, thereby "raising awareness" of breast cancer.  After all, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. And if more people are aware of breast cancer, more women will undergo mammograms, more biopsies will be performed (most of them negative, thankfully), more lumpectomies will be conducted, more radiation and chemotherapy will be prescribed, and more cash will be flowing into the pockets of nearly everyone concerned (the exceptions being patients and their insurers). 

​But the jury is still out on the big question: will more women's lives be saved? Yes, the healthcare industry is catching more cancers earlier. But the slow-growing ones may not have ever killed their hosts, who end up being subjected to life-diminishing therapies; and the fast-growing cancers can apparently not be stopped permanently. 

So the upshot may be a great increase in the number of cancers detected, a great increase in the number of "cures," but possibly a net improvement of zero in actual lives saved. I'm no statistician, but it really makes me wonder. 

Don't get me wrong: There are a number of women I care about, and have cared about, who have fought the good fight against breast cancer, and are doing so to this day. My prayers are with them for stamina and peace and healing and whatever else they need, and with their doctors for wisdom. 

But I have a question: Are these women and their loved ones really better off because of these "awareness" campaigns? Yes, they raise a lot of money for the organizations whose job it is to raise money for themselves, as well as for "sister" organizations like Planned Parenthood. And they certainly make participants and supporters, both individual and corporate, feel good about their contributions; who can argue against a boost in self-esteem? 

But here's a far more important question: Are we raising awareness of the wrong disease?

The fact is, underlying all this frantic "awareness" activity is the idea that longevity and luxury are the ultimate goals in life -- that, in the end, living just as long as we want to live, and living well, are our entire reason for being.
 
I suppose that makes some sense for those clinging to the idea that this life is all there is. But these folks are tragically wrong, because it's demonstrably true that we will all live eternally one place or another. And it's demonstrably true that our personal destinations for all eternity depend exclusively on our relationship with Jesus Christ.  

This is what makes it so sad that most of the world, led by a spiritually blind news media, spends so much time and energy and share of mind on these eternally useless fund-raisers.  

I think we Christians should launch our own awareness campaign. Maybe we could get whoever decides these things to declare a Jesus Christ Awareness month. We could suggest a veritable explosion of media coverage on Resurrection Day. 

Just think of the message: The disease is sin, the solution is repentance and faith leading to salvation through the blood of Jesus Christ, and the cure is eternal. And no donations (or brightly colored accessories) are needed! How could it fail? 
 
It may take us some time to get our ducks in order on this one. But the good news is that you needn’t wait. If you have yet to repent and trust in Christ for eternal life, you can do it today. 

​If you were raised in small-town America in the 1950s or 1960s, you probably remember only too well the glorious summertime freedoms kids enjoyed then—blue-skied mornings when you and your buddies set off on your bikes in search of a mystery, sweltering afternoons at the local public swimming pool or quarry, friend-filled evenings devoted to Hide and Seek or Statue or Simon Says.
 
Memories like these were one reason for the title Mary Danielsen gave her irresistible new book. As she writes in its prologue, “There was only one summertime rule: Be Home Before Dark. No exceptions … home where a light is always on, and someone is happy you arrived safely. Home before things just get ugly out there.”
 
Such memories certainly evoke feelings of nostalgia, “a sort of melancholy, dream-like memory of some pleasant experience, or of a simpler or happier time.” But as Danielsen points out, the word “originally meant much more; a ‘strong desire to go home.’ A ‘longing for something far away.’"
 
And there’s more, she says: Amazingly, “The earliest form of the word actually meant, ‘He returns.’” Which of course is what Jesus has promised to do—in His second coming, certainly, but even before that, when He comes to take His children home to heaven before the prophesied Great Tribulation plunges this world into terrifying darkness.
 
“I love that,” the author writes of this original definition, “because I do long for that simpler time sometimes, but even more so, I long for Him to return. Perhaps today, I will be home before dark.”
 
An irresistible read
 
This prologue is a compelling introduction to a collection of 69 short essays on a wide variety of biblical topics. Each one relates in some way to the end times foretold in scripture. And each is anchored by a pertinent Bible verse.
 
Home Before Dark provided me with a number of “aha!” moments, simply by presenting familiar topics in ways I’d never considered before.
 
For instance, “Just a Second” examines the time involved in 1 Corinthians 15:51’s promise that “in the twinkling of an eye we shall all be changed.” How long is that? “The General of Electric measured the twinkling of an eye,” Danielsen writes, “and it comes out to a deca-second, or about a tenth of a second, lest you think that the Bible doesn’t talk about the divisions of seconds and such, because it does. We will receive our new bodies in a deca-second. We won’t even be able to wave bye-bye.”
 
Another example: In “Bits and Bytes,” Danielsen talks about cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and how they’re preparing us for the impending cashless society. “Trendy currencies could be just the thing to get people to think they are just the ‘common man’ bank-free money they’ve been waiting for,” rather than a tool of the global economy and the global government’s airtight control over all buying and selling (per Revelation 13:17).
 
In reading this book—slowly, nursing it because it’s not long enough and I didn’t want it to end—I often thought “well said!”

Let me give you just one example. In “A Question of Balance,” she laments yoga’s growing impact on the church. “Most Americans tend to leave their spirituality in the pew on Sundays,” she writes, “not being able to make the connection that other religions have long mastered: that spirituality is your life, not just a hobby you can pick up and leave off as you please, like knitting.” And then she adds, “In the same way that Christianity is evangelistic in practice, so does yoga represent the Hindu missionary arm.” Exactly.
 
Home Before Dark even gave me many smiles; this Danielsen girl has a great sense of humor, or at least a sense of humor that appeals to my own.
 
It’s not just her engaging titles, like “No Shallow End in this Pool,” “When Deloreans Fly,” “Weapons of Math Destruction” and “Living Stones I Presume.”

It’s more that, in the midst of the most serious subjects imaginable, she tosses in many observations that tickled my funny bone. For instance, in “Someone To Watch Over Me,” she writes “Credit scores debuted in the 1980s and along with our cholesterol level gave financially comfortable Americans a couple more numbers to fuss over.” And she opens “Cleanliness and Godliness” thusly: “John Wesley first uttered the maxim ‘cleanliness is next to godliness’ in a sermon back in the 18th century. I have no idea what made him say such a thing.” Indeed.
 
Hope to see you all there
 
I could go on. The author touches on everything from the miracle that is modern-day Israel to Oz and the gold standard, from the deceitfulness of charm and beauty to warnings of final judgment. There wasn’t an essay that didn’t make me stop and think.
 
Then, in a persuasive epilogue, Danielsen makes the case for the pre-tribulation rapture of the church.
 
“So, I challenge you today,” she writes in closing, “if you are not watching and waiting for Christ on a regular basis, that you get your nose out of whatever distraction has you captive and make your priorities heaven’s priorities. You will never be the same.”
 
Her conclusion?
 
“I plan to be home before dark.”
 
Me too. And I pray that this is your plan as well. 

I think often of the divine admonition recorded in Matthew 18:3-4, where Jesus is quoted as saying, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.”
 
Become as a little child again? How I would love to do that—to be able to rest fully in my parents’ love and strength. To feel no need (or ability) to contribute anything to our perfect lives together. To do things for them, even clumsy or useless things, just because I loved them so and wanted to make them happy.
 
I suppose this is especially hard for us female baby boomers, having been so thoroughly brainwashed by the likes of Betty Friedan and Gloria Steinem. They taught us that it’s my way or the highway, that anything less than total independence is tyranny, that we were fools if we let anyone influence our thinking or decision-making. It takes some doing to drive that sort of worldly wisdom out of a formerly feminist heart, and I’m not quite there yet. Maybe I won’t be this side of heaven.
 
Ah, but I once knew a woman who possessed something very close to childlike faith in the God of the Bible. Her name was Joan. After I was saved, she and I spent a great deal of time together at the nursing home where we both volunteered.
 
Joan prayed more frequently than anyone I’ve ever known. Much of the time, she kept up a running conversation with God in her head. She thanked Him for all she found good in life, which was just about everything. She told Him how beautiful this or that aspect of His creation was. She brought ailing friends to His attention, and was careful to lift up those who were in desperate need of salvation.
 
But most of all, Joan asked God for help with just about every decision she made. She invited Him to help her choose the clothing she’d put on that day, and to direct her driving, and to let her know which friend to phone first that night. She asked for guidance on which book of the Bible to study that day, or that week.
 
Joan even asked the Lord to tell her which type and brand of cereal to buy at the grocery store.
 
I went along with most of this, thinking it all just a little eccentric and a lot charming. But I drew the line in the cereal aisle. What possible difference did it make to God whether she purchased Cheerios or Shredded Wheat?
 
I hadn’t thought of this for ages. But today, checking out the cereals at Aldi’s, I remembered Joan and this humorous little habit of hers.
 
And then it struck me: The Lord probably didn’t care what cereal she bought. But I’ll bet He cared very much that she so valued His opinion. I’ll bet He loved the humility and submission that were inherent in her request. And I’ll bet He smiled every morning when she poured out a bowl of the cereal of the week, and thanked Him gratefully for meeting her every need.
 
I’m always looking in Scripture and biographies and amongst my brothers and sisters in Christ for models of godliness to emulate. And I see a great deal that is surely pleasing to Him.
 
But while standing there today in the cereal aisle, I had an epiphany: God had given me a dozen years of close fellowship with a woman who epitomized the kind of faith I want most desperately. And all I could do at the time was smile indulgently at her.
 
Talk about missing the forest for the trees.
 
Joan went to be with the Lord several years ago. I miss her, and she’s one of those I most look forward to seeing again, beyond the sunset.
 
In the meantime, I thank the Lord for bringing us together. And I ask Him to help me be a little more like her with every passing day.

A friend recently asked me why she should bother reading the Bible. After all, she said, she is "a lifelong member of the one true church" and has "followed its teachings" all of her days. What more does God expect? 

It's a great question, but as soon as she'd posed it, we were interrupted by a horde of helpers who would not be leaving soon. (Funny how often that sort of thing happens.) So I went home and typed up my thoughts on the subject.

You'll probably be able to refine this list in important ways. Be my guest, and please share your suggestions. At least it should provide a starting point for those of us who haven't yet been asked this critical question. 
​

1. Because it’s true.

• The scientific, historical, archeological and prophetic evidence for the Bible’s inerrancy is overwhelming.
• Even objective and honest unbelievers agree to this, when presented with this evidence.
• There is no other explanation for this accuracy than that it was inspired by God Himself.
• Anything that contradicts its teachings is therefore, by definition, not true.
• “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6)

 
2. Because our eternal destiny is at stake.

• Do we not want to know that we are trusting in the right thing to ensure a heavenly forever for ourselves?
• The Bible’s clear message, from Genesis through Revelation, is that we are saved solely by trusting in Jesus.
• If we trust in Him, we will obey Him; good works are the result of our salvation, not the cause of it.
• How can we know we are obeying Him apart from His commands, revealed fully in Scripture?

 
3. Because our eternal rewards are at stake.

• Do we not want to know how to earn rewards that will benefit us for all eternity?
• The Bible spells it out throughout the New Testament.
• Just one example: the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness (Galatians 5).
• But the Bible also tells us that we cannot have these qualities apart from the indwelling Holy Spirit – and He only indwells our hearts when we repent and trust in Christ.
• The Bible also tells us that our rewards will depend on whether or not our good works—i.e., works performed here in this life after salvation—have eternal implications.
• Those works will be judged by fire, and if they are destroyed by the flames, then we have nothing to offer Him of eternal value. We may still be saved, but we won’t hear “Well done, My good and faithful servant.” (1 Corinthians 3:9-15).

 
4. Because we cannot even be sure our prayers will be heard if we are trusting in "another Jesus" or "another gospel."

• Is there unconfessed sin in our lives? “If I regard iniquity in my heart, The Lord will not hear.” (Psalm 66:18)
• How can we be sure about that if we are not studying scripture; there are well over 1000 commands in the Bible!
• Do we have any doubts about God, His character, His attributes, His promises? “[T]he one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord.” (See James 1:5-7)
• Are we asking for the wrong reasons? “You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.” (James 4:3).
• Apart from the Bible, how can we know for sure what reasons are right and what ones are wrong? 

 
5. Because we cannot genuinely love and obey our Creator, or know His will for our lives, unless we know Him via His self-revelation—the Bible.

• To ostensibly worship Him without knowing Him is by definition idolatry – making up a God to suit ourselves.
• The second of the 10 Commandments forbids idolatry.
• “And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” (John 17:3)

 
6. Because in order to be comforted by the Comforter—the Holy Spirit—we must be able to trust in His omniscience, omnipotence, love, mercy and justice.

• These are all recurrent themes in the Bible, which provides complete comfort for every sort of sorrow and pain.
• For example: “Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.  For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)
• For example: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)
• For example: “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28) 

 
7. Because it’s the only way to make sense of what is happening in this crazy world.

• History repeats itself. And, as George Santayana famously said, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”
• But just as important, the Bible explains why these things happen.
• For example, ever wonder why there is continuing unrest and violence in the Middle East?
• The Bible tells us repeatedly. Consider, for instance,this prediction of Jesus': "And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. (Matthew 24:6-8)
• Do you feel like hatred is escalating while civility is vanishing? 
• The Bible said it would be so: "But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good,  traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth." (2 Timothy 3:1-7)
• Ever wonder why the institution of marriage seems to be collapsing?
• The Bible explains this, too. For instance: “Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.  For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body.  Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every-thing. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, (Ephesians 5:22-25)

Have any additions? Deletions? Suggestions? Better ways to say these things? Please comment below, or contact me here. 

Over the years, I’ve read a number of guides to effective praying, always hoping to be transformed into a real prayer warrior—and quickly falling back into my old patterns of presenting Almighty God with hasty praise and thanks followed by a terse To Do list covering the issues of the day.
 
But I’ve now read a new book that shows great promise for actually changing my prayer life: REFLECT the Glory of God in Prayer by John David Fallahee.
 
REFLECT is an acronym for these imperatives:

• Remember the glories of God
• Examine your motives and manner
• Face life through scriptures
• Love God and love people
• Expect suffering and persecution
• Concern yourself with God’s kingdom
• Take every opportunity

 
The goal of embracing these principles, the author says, is to draw closer to the Lord. “It is about engaging,” he writes, “in an incredible adventure of a wonderful spiritual journal that literally can change lives and impact this world.”
 
Having worked through the book once already, and preparing to take my friends at the nursing home through it in our weekly Bible Discussion, I’m feeling very optimistic about this prospect. Here’s why.
 
First, Fallahee immerses readers in Scripture throughout the book, using different techniques to help us examine how the heroes of our faith addressed the Lord at critical junctures in their lives. Although I’d read all these passages multiple times in the past, this book encouraged me to look at each one with fresh eyes, and so gave me new insights into some of the most important events in human history, and the impact prayer had on each.
 
Second, the narrative is enriched with questions designed to get us to think about what might be hindering our prayers—including, foundationally, having a flawed view of God, as well as problems from sin to sorrow. Other questions invite us to consider and capitalize on the opportunities that abound in all our lives–opportunities for which the Lord can be asked, for example, to open doors and soften hearts for gospel presentations.
 
Third, the author addresses some of the toughest obstacles to effective praying. For instance, he responds to a question that I’ll bet every believer has asked himself at some point: “How can I love and pray for those who hate me, hate the truth of the Bible, and hate my Savior?” And he goes straight to the Bible to answer to such questions, rather than relying on his own opinions.
 
Fourth, the book offers sample prayers to illustrate each point, while providing detailed suggestions on when, where and why to pray.   
                                                                                              
I think my favorite chapter in REFLECT is number 5, Expect Suffering and Persecution. Here, the author presents Bible passages focusing on the horrific circumstances and prayerful responses of nine important men. He makes no comments, simply asking the reader to consider the context and content of their prayers, and to make special note (in the space provided) of anything that appears especially “remarkable, shocking, challenging, wonderful or applicable for your life.” Just a few examples:

• In Acts 7:54-60, we learn about the final moments of the life of Stephen, the first Christian martyr. He knew that he was dying, was in fact being painfully murdered, and yet he had the perseverance and presence of mind to echo his Savior’s radical forgiveness.
• In Job 1:13-2:10, we become acquainted with Job’s awful trials, and are amazed at his refusal to curse God as his wife ordered him to do—even though he had not a clue about why he was suffering and didn’t even have Romans 8:28 to lean on.  
• In Daniel 3:12-30, we see how Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego survived the flames of pagan Nebuchadnezzar’s fiery furnace because of their fearless and faithful trust in the Lord. It was their willingness to die to self and rest prayerfully in Him that led to Nebuchadnezzar personally exalting their God—a critical lesson for all believers.

 
Again, although I’d read all these passages repeatedly, I had never examined them from this perspective. It was an eye-opening exercise, and I hope it will also turn out to be habit- and heart-changing as I apply it to my personal Bible study.  
 
At just 146 pages, this volume is indeed a very concise discussion of a monumental subject. You could no doubt breeze through it in an evening or two. But far better to linger over each paragraph, to think deeply about the questions Fallahee raises, to investigate the passages he presents in search of life-changing wisdom and understanding.
 
If your prayers could stand improvement, REFLECT the Glory of God in Prayer may be the solution, ultimately making a difference in your life and the lives of those for whom you intercede. Highly recommended!

Have you ever driven yourself a little crazy thinking and re-thinking a conversation with someone you thought you were close to—a conversation in which he or she said something incredibly mean to you?
 
A dear friend—let’s call her Penelope--reminded me of this situation recently. She was in the midst of a protracted cold war with her lifelong best friend, whom we’ll call Iris. The war had begun with a minor disagreement and a few unkind words on both sides, and had degenerated into months of near-silence, punctuated by a few icy e-versations that only served to renew the hostilities.
 
Penelope is a solid believer in Christ Jesus, and generally tries hard to follow His commands as detailed in the Bible. Iris is not, which is allegedly a big part of the problem.
 
“She doesn’t know anything about forgiveness,” Penelope told me. “I’ve forgiven her, of course. But you wouldn’t believe what she said to me the other day!” Whereupon she proceeded to describe Iris’s latest insults.
 
Perhaps not surprisingly, Penelope was livid.
 
Been there, done that, more times than I care to admit. Like Penelope, I've spent my share of sleepless nights revisiting such conversations, thinking of things that I should have said, wondering how I might best get this or that point across now, without sounding too petty.
 
But some years ago, I stumbled upon the solution while studying the parable of the unforgiving servant in Matthew 18—the parable that Jesus concluded with these words: “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.”
 
This study underscored for me how critically important forgiveness is for the Christian. And it also made me realize, no doubt with the Holy Spirit’s help, that my episodes of righteous indignation had too often been fueled by some mighty nasty words on my part, a lack of repentance over my role and my response, and a refusal to genuinely forgive. And in every case I could recall, the heart of the problem was my stubborn pride.
 
I began praying earnestly for the Lord to change me.
 
It wasn’t long before someone important to me put me to the test with a few snarky words. Wish I could say I instantly turned the other cheek. But I did not; I snapped back at her. But here’s the thing: Instead of retreating in a huff to nurse my hurt, I quickly returned to this person and apologized for being so sensitive and for snapping at her.
 
Bingo! That was the end of it. I’d completely disarmed her by taking responsibility for my role in this skirmish. Peace was restored, at the cost of a simple apology.
 
Amazingly, I was also able to leave her unkind words behind.  Never mind that she didn’t apologize for what she’d said. That wasn’t my problem; that was between her and her Creator.  
 
I’ve had occasion to test this technique several times since then. The result has always been the same: Averted hostilities. A clear conscience. And no more injured pride.  
 
Imagine that: obeying God actually works.
 
I told Penelope about this, figuring she’d immediately apologize to Iris for her part in their squabble. So far, she has not done so. But maybe she’ll give it some thought, humble herself, and extend a heartfelt and thorough apology. As long as she expects nothing in return from Iris, she'll be set free from her unhappiness over the situation.
 
And maybe, just maybe, Iris will ultimately be inspired to find out why Penelope has turned into such a humble and forgiving friend. And maybe as a result, Iris will one day become a believer herself. What a happy ending that would be! 

You’ve probably noticed that there’s a lot of god-talk going around. Everyone seems to be feeling “blessed” these days, and many are feeling “humbled”—the grander the accolades, the humbler the speaker.
 
We have, in fact, entered a new era in freedom of speech in the western world. We can even mention “god,” if we’re sure to mentally lower-case the “g.” No one will smack us down for referring to a higher power if we keep it generic. After all, generic is inclusive. Totally appropriate, because in the end, we all worship the same god, whatever we may call her. (Or her/him? Or ze, sie, hir, co, or ey ? Hmmm. let's just cut to the chase and say “them” as the latest in third-person-singular pronouns.)
                       
Really, we can say almost whatever we want about deity these days. Just as long as we don’t mention Jesus Christ, or sin, or judgment, or any other terms that are exclusively Christian. And just as long as we don’t exalt the Bible above any other “holy” book.
 
I was reminded of this the other day, when reading a Facebook page focusing on Green Bay, Wisconsin, my hometown. A man had posted a very pleasant, politically correct little essay about how everyone in the world worships the same god, whether that would be Vishnu or Allah or Buddha or any other divine being. He personally was Christian, he said, apparently unconcerned about, or perhaps unaware of, the Bible’s warnings against idolatry. But let’s not go there, folks; let’s all just agree to live in a world of permanent kum ba yah, okay?
 
I thought briefly about letting the man’s claims pass, thought a little more about how many people might read it and be swept into his way of thinking, and thought even more about the eternal consequences of such thinking. And so I wrote a straightforward response along these lines:
 
“Actually, no, we don’t all worship the same god. Christianity says Jesus is God the Son. But Islam says there’s one god named Allah and he has no son. Hinduism says there are millions of gods. Buddhism says there’s no god. And the New Age says you are god."
 
I couldn't let it go at that. “I actually researched this all for over a year at the turn of the millennium," I continued, "after finding that the scientific evidence for a creator is overwhelming. Even though I didn’t want to become a Christian, figuring that Christians are boring, I could hardly dismiss my findings: There’s not a smidgeon of evidence that any other religion is true, whereas the Christian Bible contains “many infallible proofs” (Acts 1:3) testifying to its inerrancy and divine inspiration.”
 
I then invited other members of this group to check out the evidence I’d uncovered, providing links to my own “proof” page, as well as to a page on my memoir—a 2008 Thomas Nelson book describing my intellectual journey from atheism to Christianity. I pointed out that the book is available used on Amazon for under $2, that only the publisher profits from the sale of a new copy, and that you can even find it free online at places like books.google.com.
 
What do you suppose the reaction was to my post?
 
Yup. What I’d written was apparently the worst kind of heresy. I might as well have suggested that the Vikings are a better team than the Packers could ever hope to be.   
 
“This is not the place for that sort of talk!” said someone who turned out to be the administrator of the page. “The majority of our members are NOT INTERESTED!”
 
Oh, I replied, that’s funny, because according to Pew Research, over 70% of Americans still identify as Christian. “But if that’s indeed the case,” I typed, “couldn’t they just read the first line of the original post, see that it didn’t interest them, and skip the entire thing?”
 
By this time a number of people had added their own comments, one or two supportive of my post.
 
“This is not the place for this kind of talk!” the administrator repeated. “You are just trying to reach a huge audience – we have over 14,000 members!”
 
I didn’t bother reminding him that I had nothing to gain from reaching his coveted huge audience. “But seriously,” I replied instead, “if someone’s not interested, can’t he or she just skip it and move on to the next post?”
 
“I’m not going to argue with you!” the administrator raged. “This entire post is being taken down immediately!”
 
Well, I guess he told me! And indeed, I’ve learned my lesson: the name of Jesus is no longer welcome outside of genuine Christian circles, and truth has become irrelevant.
 
But maybe, just maybe, in the 10 minutes that this post was live, one lost soul read it, followed the link to this website, and heard—perhaps for the first time—that there’s plenty of evidence proving Christianity true, and that eternal life is available exclusively by repenting and trusting in Jesus Christ. That’s my prayer, anyway.
 
If not, there’s always next time. The administrator, you see, was apparently so livid over my heresy that he forgot to toss me out.  

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