Worship in Heaven...Isn't Boring!

When you imagine Heaven...do you experience even a tinge of an inward cringing at the thought of spending eternity crowding among other believers in a boring worship service? 

Well, if you do, be assured those feelings are not from God but just another illusion designed by the devil. We will be worshiping in Heaven...but it will not be boring! Our worship there will be exhilarating!

     Give to the LORD the glory due His name;

      Bring an offering, and come before Him.
      Oh, worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness!

 30 Tremble before Him, all the earth.
      The world also is firmly established,
      It shall not be moved.

 31 Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad;
      And let them say among the nations, “The LORD reigns.”

 32 Let the sea roar, and all its fullness;
      Let the field rejoice, and all that is in it.

 33 Then the trees of the woods shall rejoice before the LORD,
      For He is coming to judge the earth.

 34 Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good!
      For His mercy endures forever. ~1 Chronicles 16:29-34 (NKJV)

We will delight to worship God!

We’ll never lose our fascination for God as we get to know him better. The thrill of knowing him will never subside. To imagine that worshiping God could get boring is to impose on Heaven our bad experiences of so-called worship. Satan is determined to make church boring, and when it is, we assume Heaven will be also. But church can be exciting, and worship exhilarating. That’s what it will be in Heaven. We will see God and understand why the angels and other living creatures delight to worship him.       ~Randy Alcorn 

Theologian Sam Storms writes, “We will constantly be more amazed with God, more in love with God, and thus ever more relishing his presence and our relationship with him. Our experience of God will never reach it’s consummation...It will deepen and develop, intensify and amplify, unfold and increase, broaden and ballon.”

Christ desire for us to see his glory should touch us deeply. What an unexpected compliment that the Creator of the universe has gone to such great lengths, at such sacrifice, to prepare a place for us where we can behold and participate in his glory. 

Will we ever tire of praising Him? Augustine writes, “As there is nothing greater or better than God himself, God has promised us himself. God shall be the end of all our desires, who will be seen without end, loved without cloy, and praised without weariness.”

Glory!

“Look! God’s dwelling is here with humankind. He will dwell with them, and they will be his peoples. God himself will be with them as their God. 
~ Revelation 21:3 CEB


Glory! 
Kathy 

Destination Known

I love to travel! I firmly believe that God Himself placed this desire inside of me and then blessed me by giving me a career as a flight attendant to explore and enjoy numerous places and its people. Not only did I go to places I desired to visit...but I also experienced (and enjoyed) places I would never have thought to go visit, if not for my flight schedule which took me there! 

Regardless if my destination was one I had on my “desire” list or was on the company’s list for scheduled over-nights...I most often looked forward to exploring or discovering something new about each place. One of the great benefits of being a flight attendant was being able to return to a favorite destination repeatedly and either explore it in a new way or relax in the familiarity of it.

My love for travel has not been limited to my life as a flight attendant, thank goodness! I have since retired and continue to enjoy the adventure of traveling to places I have never seen before... or revisiting a place as familiar as an old friend, yet still holding a few secrets I long to discover. 

Perhaps like me, you plan your vacation trips by researching what you can expect to see and perhaps imagine what you will do while there. Even plans to revisit a familiar place will have you “googling” for ideas and events or areas nearby to visit. This kind of research always heightens my excitement and increases my anticipation for what I will see and find to do.

When anticipating my next travel destination, not only do my thoughts travel... but I will be found talking often about them as well. I will talk with excitement in my voice and I will share how wonderful and beautiful this chosen place is! Because of my excitement, the one who is listening to the details and descriptions usually ‘catches’ a portion of my desire to be there too. I have to admit, when I have finally put on my calendar that long awaited trip to a place I’ve desired greatly to see and experience...I spend time every day thinking and dreaming about the different aspects of my adventure... beginning with the day I will arrive! 

Soooo....I can’t help but find it interesting that for someone like me who enjoys the anticipation of an exciting travel destination almost as much as the trip itself...that I have spent so little time in researching and exploring what Heaven will be like. After all, Heaven is the most exciting future destination I have waiting for me!

So, I have decided to change that. Beginning this year I have immersed myself in reading and exploring books and sermons about Heaven. I desire to have greater wisdom and understanding and to increase my excitement about where I will one day live! What joy this pursuit has brought me!  

Perhaps the reason so many Christians are not heartfelt excited about Heaven is because they only think of Heaven in the abstract like I once did. You know... like the ending of a love story that closes with the thought or words: “They lived happily ever after...”  When we hear about Heaven...do we think about it in an abstract form and remain unable to envision what being “happy ever after” in Heaven will look and feels like?  For some...perhaps they even fear that Heaven might be boring...at least compared to what we know here. Or... that we will lose the wonderful and fulfilling relationships we share with our loved one here.

I strongly encourage you to join me in reading books about Heaven. Ponder, explore, and reflect on what great biblical teachers and scholars and Christian writers have to say about Heaven. God through His Word reveals to our hearts and minds many of His wonderful promises and gives us beautiful descriptions of what Heaven will be like. 

I have a new excitement of how we will relate to each other in the New Heaven and New Earth... The things we will see and the things we will do. Our abundant God who has given us such beauty here on earth...who has given us such diverse interest and talents and people to love... Would this abundant God give us less in Heaven? Would our abundant Father remove all our passions and desires and enjoyment in seeing and exploring life? Are these things only for our earthy pleasure? No... God does not give us a “boring” beauty in Heaven...one we will grow tired of seeing. Heaven will hold many hidden treasures to discover ~ explore ~ and experience. We will also have emotions that fill us with joy and laughter and excitment. Our hearts will know the purest of love...and we will feel its power pulse through our whole being! 

 Yes... I am immersing myself in thoughts and prayers about Heaven...and in doing so I have discovered a heightened sense of anticipation for heaven in me!  Glory! I love anticipating my final destination...It will be the Destination of a lifetime! Will you join me? I would love to be there with you....

That is what the Scriptures mean when they say,

   “No eye has seen, no ear has heard,
      and no mind has imagined
   what God has prepared
      for those who love him.”

But it was to us that God revealed these things by his Spirit. For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets.                                     ~ 1 Corinthians 2:9-10 NLT

Glory!

Kathy 

Cancer... Godly Optimism

Cancer... It turned my life upside down and inside out.  I often found myself on a roller coaster of hope and fear during Brad’s illness. One test delivering hope...the next...filling me with fear. 

I eventually became very aware that my confidence on any given day (or portion of ) was likely tied to what I fixed my understanding upon. I found myself repeatedly asking; “Am I looking for assurance and relief from my struggles from my understanding of what the doctors are telling me or in what God has promised me?”

“Come to me, all you who are struggling hard and carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest.”   ~  Matthew 11:28 CEB

I was blessed to have my husband Brad, whose faith encouraged my own in our struggle over  God’s Providence. I strained so hard to hear and I failed to understand the things God was revealing in the midst of it...yet Brad seemed to understand His every word. When Brad would attempt to describe it to me...his words strangely became a language I could not decipher fully it’s meaning... But just the same I felt eager to know it too. I think God had given Brad some holy “One on one” time as a precious gift for what was happening and for what was to come. Although I may not have grasped a clear understanding of what God was doing...I found some comfort in knowing that Brad was at rest in it. But I wanted...I needed more...

So...I went to the only source I felt certain God could “break through” my deafness and feelings of defeat... His Word.  It was there I found a very clear message that God was not forsaking me and He had not abandoned His post over mine and Brad’s life by allowing cancer to enter our lives. As hard as it was for me at times to accept... I knew that God is the one who had allowed this disease into Brad’s body. I also knew, it is God who will either defeat the cancer or call Brad home by it’s effects. 

For me, there was never going to be a “good time” for Brad to leave me ‘behind’...but I knew that whether the Lord gave us many more years together or took Brad “too soon”, that God would work this out for our good. Brad often said he was in a “win - win” situation. Brad was eager to remain here and enjoy more years with his loving wife and continue serving the Lord here on earth. Yet, if God called him home...Brad often pondered the day he would be with Jesus and see his Savior face to face.  

I remain to this day unable to answer why God allowed Brad to die from such a wretched disease...but I feel confident that Brad’s death which was ‘too soon’ for all of us who loved him was not one moment early or one second late according to God’s Providence for Brad’s life here on earth.

In this precious understanding...I have been given peace. In God’s grace, I continue my desire to seek Him more and more; and in my search, perhaps I too will discover what God revealed to Brad when I sought so hard to understand His Providence in the calamities of cancer which changed my life forever.

Although there was a brief time I doubted God’s goodness, I can proclaim with great certainty now, that the adversity of cancer and Brad’s death by it..our God remains faithful and He is good. 

When Brad was diagnosed with cancer, I prayed for healing. Countless were the prayers from our family and friends, even people we didn’t know, for God to make him well. Yet, woven into each prayer I made for healing I found myself praying perhaps what I see now as a ‘better’ prayer. I often prayed that I would be the wife Brad needed me to be in all circumstances...to be faithful and trustworthy ... compassionate and giving. I prayed to be ‘strong’ so as not be worrisome to him, and I prayed to bring my husband laughter, contentment...and joy. 

I also prayed asking God to help me to trust Him. Although I wanted Him to see that keeping Brad here with me would be better for the whole world and not just me...I also wanted God to increase my faith and help me to believe that it really was less important that God see things ‘my way’ or for “God to believe me”and more important that I believe God and His promises. 

You have searched me, LORD,
   and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
   you perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
   you are familiar with all my ways.
4 Before a word is on my tongue
   you, LORD, know it completely.
5 You hem me in behind and before,
   and you lay your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
   too lofty for me to attain.

 7 Where can I go from your Spirit?
   Where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
   if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
   if I settle on the far side of the sea,
10 even there your hand will guide me,
   your right hand will hold me fast.
11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
   and the light become night around me,”
12 even the darkness will not be dark to you;
   the night will shine like the day,
   for darkness is as light to you.

 13 For you created my inmost being;
   you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
   your works are wonderful,
   I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
   when I was made in the secret place,
   when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body;
   all the days ordained for me were written in your book
   before one of them came to be. (emphasis mine)  ~ Psalms 139:1-16  

Nothing that touches our lives can make the number of our days here on earth last one day later or have us leave our earthly dwellings one day earlier. Cancer cannot determine when we will go home. Only our Father can.

“They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.”    ~ Revelations 22:4 CEB

Glory!

Kathy 

It Takes Two...

“If we are not faithful, he will still be faithful,
       because he must be true to who he is.”

Continue teaching these things, warning people in God's presence not to argue about words. It does not help anyone, and it ruins those who listen. Make every effort to give yourself to God as the kind of person he will approve. Be a worker who is not ashamed and who uses the true teaching in the right way. 2 Timothy 2:13-15

I love to dance... My husband Brad was a great ballroom dancer and teacher. He had the knowledge, skill and patience to not only teach me, but allow me to enjoy llearning. We often danced the romantic Waltz, the lively Cha-Cha and even the fun and energetic Swing! He knew just how to hold me “in position” so that I could not help but follow his lead. Sometimes he would speak instructional words into my ears as to what foot to move next...so that we could move together on the dance floor and have it appear as if I knew every step perfectly. Only Brad and I knew my desire to follow his lead help to made my part of the dance look flawless and easy. There was one dance we never tried to master...and that was the Tango. For some reason, I just couldn’t stop laughing at the intensity of this dance. It seemed tinged with “anger” to me...and I was anything but angry when dancing with Brad!

“It takes two to tango”...a traditional proverb is well partnered with the Spanish one that says; “It takes two to quarrel, but only one to end it.” 

I can’t help but see a bit of the “Tango” proverb going on right now in our country. The hostility towards Christianity seems higher than ever. Unfortunately, the reaction of many Christians towards this hostility and to the “stepping on our feet” especially now during this Christmas season has us acting like angry tango dancers. 

When Christians engage in “Tango-ing over “The Reason for the Season”  and other often serious  “affronts” to our expressions towards our faith with non-believers and those who are hostile to Christianly...we open the floor to waltzing people away from the Manger Child rather than helping them to swing towards Him. 

Hmmm... I can’t help but wonder, what Jesus would feel if He heard someone say “Happy Holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas”. What would Jesus think of the person(s) who said it or even of the person(s)who mandates the Christmas season can not be about the birth of Jesus? What would Jesus say in response to these things? What would Jesus do?

Somehow... I think Jesus would have great patience with each one and express  compassion, mercy, love and grace towards them for he knows about their deeply hidden pains or lack of understanding of who He is. The Lord would know what words of encouragement to say and what actions to take. Only the Lord knows if  one day they may be receptive to walking across the floor and even take hold of His hand with the desire to dance... trusting Him. Through the power of the Holy Spirit in us...we too can respond as Jesus would.

You know...for me one of the great thing about having danced so often with Brad is I eventually was able to anticipate his next move and even imitate his steps. I  often delighted Brad with what I had learned. I loved it when I delighted him...it made dancing with him all the more special. 

Even more so, I love the thought that I can delight the Lord. How beautiful the feet that follow Jesus...

So...I still don’t want to tango! When someone tries to get me to dance to it, I just let them try that dance alone. I want to respond instead by imitating the steps I learned that has me delighting the Lord. After all...it takes two...

Kathy

The Pause Button

Be silent before the LORD and wait expectantly for Him  ~ Psalms 37:7a

I have often been too “quick” in responding to just about everything in my life. One of the hardest things I have had to do is find my “pause button” and then... not misplace it! Although I have learned much through trusting in the Lord’s strength on how to “wait”, I still struggle with this from time to time.

Just, this morning as I read my bible...I  was “quick” to jump from my pondering over some Scripture verses and how the Lord would have me understand them, when I began to spontaneously think about how they need to be known as well by a few other people I could think of...

Instead of sitting still with my Teacher and allowing the Holy Spirit to help me absorb and fully accept in my own heart and soul His teachings...Instead of asking questions that would lead me to a greater understanding and knowledge for what God’s plans are for me...Instead of listening how He would have me be a reflection of His Word...Instead of being still and know that He is Lord...I jumped up from my quiet time with my own thoughts of how I could “use this” instead of how I could “be this”. 

As I sat in front of my computer screen to write all that I had just learned, I found myself looking at the blank page realizing I had already “forgotten” what I wanted to write. 

Yikes! Writer’s block...I quickly summed. Or perhaps I’m getting forgetful in my older age. Hmmm, I’ll stick with writer’s block I decided.

As I went back to those Bible verses that had earlier sparked my intent interest and given me such wonderful insight to share with others, I remained “void” of any inspired words to share. 

Frustrated...I sat and tried to remember what it was I had wanted to say. It seemed so important and insightful! So, I decided, to look up some other Scriptures on the same subject and perhaps from these Scriptures I’d recall what it was I had learned.

Still nothing...“Why can’t I remember?" I said out loud as I continued my quick search of the Scriptures. “What was it that I had just learned?"

As I began to slow down and take in God’s Word, I came across several Scriptures that may not have been “what I was looking for” but spoke perfectly to my greater need. 

“Therefore, come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord”                      ~2 Corinthians 6:17a 

As I sat quietly meditating on 2 Corinthians 6:17a...I began to realize something interesting about my “forgetfulness” this morning. How could I possibly “remember” something I have not even heard? I had been in such a hurry to do something with an exciting introduction, that I had missed out on receiving a full and rich teaching that God had in store for me to hear.

As I sit here a few hours later having found my “pause button” once again ...I realize something else. I have been feeling very pressed to be doing “something more” ...to be saying “yes” to the many request from others.

But I heard God say to my yearning heart...”Come out from among all others and come sit awhile alone with me. Stay and listen to my instruction. I will teach you and our time together will be a constructive period of time, not wasted. You may have many “good” things you want to do but...there is no virtue in activity in and of itself. Never labor to serve, or force an opportunity my child. Be at peace as you sit at my feet...it is there you will learn my ways and be made ready and able to serve and not become anxious or tired. My plans for your life are not for you to always say “yes” to the plans of others but to always have a willing heart that says “yes” to mine.” 

The Lord answered, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things. 42 One thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the better part. It won’t be taken away from her.”  ~ Luke 10 41-42  

Hit the “pause button” on your life and sit awhile in the garden with Jesus. May you too find peace and great wisdom at the feet of the One who knows you best. 

Kathy 

Divine Strength

Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God. ~ 2 Corinthians 3:5

Have you noticed that children don't hesitate to ask for help? They quickly realize when they do not possess the necessary or adequate ability to fix or solve a problem and will without hesitation cry out; 

“Daddy...mommy...please help me!”  As adults we often hesitant to ask for help...we will try “anything and everything” on our own first until we run out of options and have to look beyond ourselves. Our hesitation and resistance usually comes from pride. 

I’ve discovered to make progress in my spiritual life, I have to accept the realities of my inadequacy and also hold onto a willingness to ask God for help. The Bible says God is our Abba (the Aramaic word for "daddy") and He is always ready to hear His children's requests for help (Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:6). 

So, here’s something to consider the next time you find yourself “in over your head”. Only power in weakness is Divine and is sure to keep its divinity where it belongs...with God, not the vessel.

Thank you Lord for being my strength and revealing your divine power found in the midst of my insufficiency and weaknesses whenever I call upon the precious name of Jesus. Your love never fails. 

“If we were made sufficient in all things, we wouldn't need God's sufficiency.”  ~ David Jeremiah 

Grumpy or Grace?

Christmas...it is the one time of the year when the world peeks in on Luke's narrative about a baby born and laid in a manger. This is a time of year when the truth of the gospel washes across the globe. The words of familiar Christmas songs like Silent Night and Joy to the World are heard, and their message of love and hope reach inside the yearning hearts of people everywhere. Songs about the birth of Jesus, breathe the wonder of the Incarnation into the darkest places in our culture as well.

Try to imagine what people from every culture would experience if every Christian stopped complaining about “the war” on their holiday. What would the world experience if we stopped being “angry” over how it has been commercialized as they also watch us “buying into” the same way of celebrating Christmas as they do... exhibiting much the same signs of stress they exhibit?

                                                                                                                                         

Imagine what the Christmas season would be like for everyone if Christians would just be bursting forth with joy?  Shouldn’t those of us whose hearts have been transformed by Christ....shouldn’t we be the most joyous members of the human race when the calendar flips to December? 

I was thinking...maybe, just maybe, that tired retail worker at the checkout line would say "Merry Christmas," not because we demand and insist on it, but because the joy of this season so overflows in us that they couldn’t help but have it spill out of their hearts too!

The real war on Christmas is the one being fought every day in the hearts of believers, not by the retail stores policies or by politicians or even the economy. You know...Christians do have a choice to make in all of this. We can either revel in the miracle of the Incarnation or allow ourselves to be distracted from “the Reason for the season” by the enemy of our soul who seeks to rob God's people of our joy.

Yes... For Christians...Christmas is our holiday. Oh, the world may attempt to “rename” this season...but the truth is we have the most wonderful opportunities during the Christmas season by having nearly an entire month to rejoice at the unfolding of God's salvation plan. So this Christmas, may we be found celebrating the birth of Jesus with generosity towards those we love, charity toward those who don't celebrate as they ought, and gospel gladness and truth to a world that desperately needs the good news!

“Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!” ~Luke 2:9-11 NLT

May the joy of the Lord guide you this Christmas...

Kathy

What's It Worth?

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. ~ James 1:2-4

How we view the “worth” of an object, a circumstance, an experience even a person... influences how we respond to it. You would think if you were given something that has great worth, you would received it with a heart of joy and gratitude...but that’s not always the case. 

Some things we receive in this life are hidden inside an outer casing that has no beauty by itself but inside holds the most perfect gift. Like a hidden diamond, too often I’ve only seen the blackness of a cold rock that I want to toss as far away from myself as possible. Yet, If I choose to patiently wait, observing and learning from the One who placed that ugly rock into my hand...I will see the black and rough edges give way to reveal the many beautiful facets of a valuable jewel that will give me great joy to last a lifetime.

So let’s consider together the worth of some “ugly rocks” that may have been placed into our hands. As a Christian...Is Christ worth our obeying even when we experience the pain of a spouse or friend’s unfaithfulness to us? Is Christ worth trusting when our financial security is threatened or even destroyed? Is Christ still worth adoring when our physical health cripples us? 

Is Christ worth serving when a loved one dies “too soon”? Is Christ worth all our devotion even when our actions are misunderstood and our faith slandered? Is Christ worth giving all honor and glory to and is the crown of life promised by God still worth our perseverance in faith when we lose everything this life once held so dear to us?


For me the answer is a decisive “Yes”! Yes Lord... it is worth whatever the cost is for me to experience the joy that comes from living a life that is filled with your purpose. I no longer desire achieving the things this world once held my attention of and left me unsatisfied, craving for something more.

It took losing someone I greatly loved for me to finally understand what James was actually talking about when he encourages us to “consider it pure joy...whenever you face trials of many kinds.” 


When my husband died, I thought it was reason enough for me to lose all joy. I questioned God, asking him how I could ever “consider” experiencing such deep pain and sorrow could ever produce joy in me. 

God is faithful..He keeps all His promises. The Lord led me through the pain of loss to discovered the greater treasure in life is to know Him more intimately. My agony in the hands of God produced in me a multi-facet jewel of wisdom. I developed a better understanding of God...something that I would never have experienced otherwise. 

In the years since my husband’s death I’ve seen and experienced the many benefits of knowing God far better than ever before. You might be wondering...is knowing God as I do now...worth the suffering it took to get me here? 

Although I would not have chosen the death of my beloved husband to be my path to know God as I now do...I would not want to lose what I have gained by what it seems only Brad’s death could have brought for me to such knowledge. The Lord has given me an understanding of who He is by what He has brought me through. The compassion and wisdom and insights from Christ that filled my empty heart, helped me to see that our circumstances in this life are not made up of things that are to be only considered as “good” or “bad”... but as opportunities for God’s purposes to be lived out.  

God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. ~ James 1:12

The great worth of the Lord’s blessings, His kingdom and the certainty of receiving the crown of life are worth immeasurably more than the vain attempts I once sought after by clinging to the values that had me desiring only ease and comfort in this life.

The decision to praise God and say that “Christ is worth obeying, trusting, adoring, serving, giving devotion to, honoring, and is worth of my perseverance in faith... no matter what comes my way in this life... is one that becomes from realism and accepting the wisdom to "consider it pure joy", whenever we face trials of many kinds.

However reluctant I may have been to embrace it, I have learned suffering when received rightly... is one of God’s most abundant means of giving grace. Glory.

Reveal the perfect Jewel of Jesus in me...

                             How I just love you Jesus!

Kathy 

More Than Enough

“They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.”   ~ Romans 1:19-20 

Augustine asked two questions of the world:

"If there is no God, why is there so much good?"    

and...

"If there is a God, why is there so much evil?”

There are many people who spend a lifetime asking only the second question. Those of us who have faith and believe that God’s goodness is all around us, can sometimes get caught up in “accepting” God’s goodness, but “forget” that what He has bestowed into our lives, is not ours to “store up” but has been entrusted to us for sharing. 

Our abundant God gives us enough love, enough mercy, enough grace...all provided with a salting of enough beauty and enough wonder. Enough for a whole world to see and experience all these things. What would happen if we were to share these things God has given “enough” of? Would we not have enough love...enough good?

The answer to the second question is one that can be revealed in that the problem of evil in this world isn’t a problem at all of proving, “Is there a God?” The evil that is done in the world points out the problem is found in our own hearts...hearts that are turned inward to accommodate “self”. Amazingly... when we turn our heart outward... we in turn bear testimony to the loving existence of God! 

I just love how God reveals Himself through the world and people He created. He didn't have to, but He allows us to be a part of what this world craves to see and is questioning to know about Him. He lovingly chooses to allow His Son to be seen in us...His children. 

Thank you Father. All glory, honor and praise is Yours. You are more than enough....