And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, "Where are you?" Genesis 3:8-9

A rose is a rose is a rose. That's what the poem says.

If that's so, I suppose a fact is a fact is a fact. At least it ought to be. Unfortunately, in recent years, facts seem to have become very flexible beasties.

When I was young, Christopher Columbus was a great explorer; now he has been demoted to a great exploiter. Once we celebrated a day in his honor; now, at least in many circles, the mention of his name causes sneers.

There was a time when students were told America was founded on Christian values, by Christian men and women. Now, according to many textbooks, those reports were greatly exaggerated. Indeed, now we're informed those special folks were far too sophisticated and intelligent to have a serious faith in the Triune God.

Pontius Pilate spoke for many of us when he asked, "What is truth?"

Right now the Texas State Board of Education is trying to answer that question for the children, the students of that state, and others.

Coming under debate have been school textbooks. Concerning them, these questions have been raised:

• Should Christmas be mentioned?
• Should religious references to America's founders be deleted?
• Should civil rights leaders receive some prominence?

It's impossible for me to tell how it will all work out. I do pray our ancestors who came to this land searching for religious freedom -- and our forefathers who tried to follow the tenets of God's Word throughout their lives -- may not have their memories erased.

Many of them weren't perfect, and the textbooks should never say they were. On the other hand, many of them did serve the Lord to the best of their ability.

And we have enjoyed the results of their work.

THE PRAYER: Dear Heavenly Father, when Jesus was on trial, they brought in people to lie about Him. Now the witness made by many Christians is also under attack. Today we ask our generation and those who come after us may be inspired by the Christian witness that has been made by our ancestors, and that we avoid the sins they committed. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Today's Bible Readings: Exodus 27-28    Mark 1:23-45

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