Everyday Lutherans

This question was raised by a confirmation student. While I wrestle with this question, it is one that all people wrestle with. There are evil things that happen all around our life. A fire will destroy someone's home, a flood will destroy farm lands and the death of a loved one. These are all terrible things that happen within the world around us. Yet is God the one who causes these events? I would argue that God does not however, God has the power to stop them. This is quite the distinction. For the original cause did not come from God, such that we know. For God knew the difference between good and evil. This was something that God did not intend for us to know. Yes God created us, happy, healthy and enjoying the world around us. It was not until we disobeyed God and learned the difference between good and evil that suffering truly began. For the punishment for disobeying God is death. However, God had mercy on us. Instead of killing us out right, God allowed us to l...

Comics are one those powerful things that often can convey a thought, idea, a full story and even render a complex situation seem simple.  Yet it is also through just a picture that a person can bring in to a story elements that were never even included but have been brought into the understanding of the reader because of the society in which the story or event is taking place.   Here is an example within the first comic.  There is no real truth to each one of us having a devil or evil figure or an angel or good figure attempting to influence within our lives.  By the way, if you do see these, please let me know.  However, this understanding does draw us into the understanding that within the world, we face choices and decisions that are good and bad. They can help us, harm others, or anything in between the two or combination.  This understanding has since been a part of people's reading because it makes logical sense.  They may even follow into the w...