... But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that He is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me. 2 Timothy 1:12b

Some things don't change. Long ago, when I was in grade school, I was fascinated by dinosaurs -- just like my grandchildren are today.

A month or so ago I had a conversation with them about the giant beasties. Remembering my education, I commented on how big those dinosaurs were. Very politely, my grandchildren informed me there were a lot of small dinosaurs too. Remembering my textbook's pictures, I noted how dinosaurs were all gray or green in color. Apparently, the textbook was wrong. My grandchildren shared that while some dinosaurs may have been gray or green, they could have been many other colors too.

Trying not to be a dinosaur myself, I shared the one fact about which I was positive: "Dinosaurs were all cold-blooded."

I should have stayed silent.

Speaking for the others, one of my grandkids said, "But Grandpa, don't you know the latest findings show that dinosaurs were probably warm-blooded?" That was when I remembered I had to rotate my tires and left the room.

Friends, I can't wait until I see those grandkids again. That's because a new study says dinosaurs weren't warm-blooded and they weren't cold-blooded, they were something in the middle: they were mesothermic. Somehow or another, the scientists checked out the growth rate of the bones and linked that information to the beasts' metabolic rate. Their calculations showed dinosaurs were in a whole new category.

Now this vignette from my family life is not without a point.

The point is this: once upon a time, the experts assured us that dinosaurs being cold-blooded was a fact so certain you could take it to the bank. Then, not so long afterwards, the experts assured us they were pretty sure that dinosaurs were warm-blooded. That was a fact. Now there is enough supposed evidence for the experts to tell us dinosaurs fit somewhere in between being cold- and warm-blooded. This, they assure us is also a truthful fact.

The only comfort I derive from this ever-changing bunch of facts is this: someday my grandchildren will grow up and have grandchildren of their own. Those new grandchildren will correct the adults and say, "The experts tell us dinosaurs were polka-dotted and did the waltz."

Now the reason I tell you this is just to say the truth of man is a pretty shaky thing. This past week I read an article about how scientists were wrong about the earth's age by some 40 million years. I read another story of how Columbus lied when he said his ship, the Santa Maria, was sunk. Facts keep coming fast and are dismissed even faster.

This is why I am thankful we have an unchangeable God whose Word is truth.

There aren't many facts in this world I am sure will remain the same year after year and century after century. Those facts which make the cut of confidence are those which tell me humankind is sinful, and the Lord unilaterally devised a plan to rescue us from the punishment, which was sure to come. I know I am saved because, 2,000 years ago, God's Son, according to prophecy, lived a perfect life, carried my sins, was crucified, died and rose from the dead.

And those are facts which aren't going to change ... ever.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, I give thanks Your love, Your grace, Your Son, and His resurrection are facts in which I can believe and be saved. No matter what else I believe in this world, may I cling to the truth of salvation by Your grace. In the Name of Jesus I ask it. Amen.

The Savior asked His followers to share His story of salvation. Sadly, doing so can be frightening and intimidating. If you would like to learn how to be more comfortable fulfilling the Lord's request, Lutheran Hour Ministries is holding a SENT outreach conference in Detroit, covering the dates of July 24-27. For more information, see www.lhm.org/conference.

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Today's Bible Readings: 1 Kings 8-9    Acts 8:1-25

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