Nobody knows for sure what will happen, or how soon ...

Certain things are rather clear ...

If we believe in evolution, then it seems that the genuineness and accuracy of the Bible comes into question.

And it would then appear that there would exist a selection process to decide which is literal or accurate ...and that selection process would appear to be ourselves or another, but not the Holy Spirit.

If we then say we believe in the guidance of the Holy Spirit, but not in the stories that man has tampered with in the Bible, then would we also claim that the authority we are relying upon is more credible than Jesus, who read from the Old Testament scriptures and did not question them, nor warn us of their inaccuracy??

And if we dismiss the accuracy of the Bible as the Word of God ...then what source can be claimed for who God is??

Then it seems clear that amid confusion, comes lack of commitment ...since it is difficult to commit to something we are uncertain we believe in. 

If we cannot commit to what we believe in ...then we drift.

And when we drift, we drift from where we were.  If we have been living without following God's ways, then we hope the wind turns ...but, likely we most often drift further away.

When we move further away from God, we are not improving upon what can benefit us in this sometimes difficult life.  Nor are we improving upon our hope for a better afterlife.

This is a story of a family with nine children ...no, ten children. Oh, for the sake of not unintentionally offending anyone, let me just say fifteen children. I don't presently know anyone who has fifteen children.

The fifteen children all wanted for their parents to get a dog.

The parents explained that they neither had the time nor money to care for a dog.

But, the fifteen children continued to beg ...so, at Christmas, what do you think they found under their tree?

Yes, you are right this time.  

Well, half right anyway!  They found two things.

As you guessed, they found a dog under their tree.  But, as they huddled there beneath the tree with their new pet, they also found a lecture.

Lectures were never considered a gift ...but, anytime their parents gave in to one of their wishes, it almost always meant a lecture was also a part of the deal.

"It's all of your dog ...and each of you must participate with chores and in sharing the responsibility," said Dad.

Mom adds, "Your Dad could not afford to get a good healthy dog, so we went to the rescue mission to get you a dog."

The oldest girl asks, "What do you mean, the dog is not healthy?"

Mom looks at her daughter, "Well, we weren't told it was sick ...but your dad and I have been up most of the night with the dog, cleaning up vomit."

Dad addresses the children with a firm look, "Yes, you will all be expected to help out.  I know all of you have other chores, but you all insisted you could also find time to take care of a dog.  Yes, you will be busy with other things, but whoever happens to be passing by when the dog vomits, will be expected to clean it up."  

"And by chance there came down a certain (one) that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise (another one), when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side."

As was also the case with the fifteen children ...all passing here and there, but not to pass by their pet, so they would not have to clean up the vomit.

The verse I quoted above, I left out the words priest, and Levite ...yet, many of you recognize it as the parable of the Good Samaritan.

How many of us have gone on the other side??

Do we even recognize which side is which?

"Sir, my concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God's side, for God is always right."  (Abe Lincoln's statement in reference to the Civil War)

What happens to a nation that continues to embrace the theory of evolution??  That nation breeds disbelief in God, and if blessings are hoped for, from whence do they come??