God is Holy and therefore doesn’t decree or govern evil but judges evil !
The reason that God allowed free-will for man, and therefore the possibility (not inevitability) of sin/evil is because love can only flourish in an environment of freedom.
It’s true that addictions can feel good, but doing the right thing also feels good, in fact the Bible keeps making the case that doing good actually feels better and is of course healthier too in every way.
… your law is my delight … Psalm 119:174
The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.
Psalm 19:7-11
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Psalms 16:11
#tulip

Lin Wood taking a stroll down Oak Alley

And the Lord appeared to him (Abraham) by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the door of his tent in the heat of the day.
Genesis 18:1

And the leaves that are green turn to brown https://youtu.be/WwOgXWOX

The Stew

A Whole New World 🥸
https://youtu.be/28fZ7djtkAI
fascistglobalistprogressivedemocraticsocialism

Thought for Friday, 02/25:
"The third-rate mind is only happy when it is thinking with the majority. The second-rate mind is only happy when it is thinking with the minority. The first-rate mind is only happy when it is thinking." ~ A. A. Milne

Day 1
This is quite possibly our last means of correspondence for some time. War is imminent and the consequences dreadful.
A state of emergency has been declared and this will be followed by martial law.
Young Ukrainian men from 16 years of age are being called up to serve in the military and Ukrainians are being given the right to carry arms.
A major cyberattack is happening just now as we write which has affected Ukrainian banks as well as government websites.
Ukrainian citizens are being asked to urgently leave Russia and our local currency is in free fall.
Rhoda and I are not leaving - How can we? As an elder in the assembly my responsibility is to shepherd at all times.
It would be a terrible testimony to get up and leave the Lutsk believers.
We have been preparing for this day. Rhoda and I have bought in generators, fuel, food etc as we would like to turn the Gospel Hall into a place of shelter to accommodate and feed the assembly believers who will face many a hardship.
God is about to give us a great opportunity to show our Christian faith practically and reach out into our community with the Gospel.
Rhoda and I may have to move out of our apartment as we are close to the Lutsk military airfield and on the 14th floor of our apartment block, we have the central headquarters of the SBO - the Ukrainian secret police.
As we close, the military jets can be heard overhead and we covet your prayers !
We are not any braver than you - but confident we are where God would expect us to be - Daniel 4:17

Day 2
6 large bombs went off this morning in Lutsk just as I was going to the Gospel Hall at 06.50. I rushed back to the apartment and got Rhoda. We are safe and will open the Gospel Hall for all who need us. We are safe.
Please pray.
People have started to panic but God has not given us the spirit of fear but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

The Steps of a Good Man
https://youtu.be/lx-2M4o9qXY

More "sticky stuff", if true.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine was predicted in my book, "The Corn Siege." Even got the timing pretty close. Just sayin.

Gas today was $3.44.