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Hello everyone.

Did I make it back before everyone went to bed?

We registered Marissa in her new school this morning. The principal took us to show us her room. She also introduced us to the Art Teacher.

Marissa was starting to feel kinda scared but I think going there this morning eased some of her jitters. It is tough leaving a school and friends after 6 years.

This afternoon, I met Jim and Chris at our attorney’s office to discus this new law suit. This suit will change some of the ways that we post threads but we are hopeful that we can get it behind us with not too much damage.

I’m sure that in the next few days, Jim will get more info posted so everyone can see what we are up against.

Hope everyone had a lovely Warm Fuzzy Wednesday.

Freep mail me to be on or off the Daily Bread ping list

The Devil Made Me Do It

August 5, 2010

In March 2009, a 62-year-old woman was charged with stealing more than $73,000 from her church in the state of Washington. When the detectives interrogated her, she told them: “Satan had a big part in the theft.” It sounds like she was saying that the devil made her do it.

Satan may have played a role in her choices, but she has some faulty thinking about temptation and sin. The devil tempts believers, but he doesn’t make us sin. James tells us that God isn’t to blame either: “Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am tempted by God’; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone” (James 1:13). He is good and holy.

So who is to blame for our sin? James says, “Each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed” (v.14). Just as a fisherman uses bait to lure his prey, so our own evil, unchecked desires lead to giving in to temptation and sin.

When we disobey God by sinning, let’s not shift the blame or justify our actions with the faulty “the devil made me do it” theology. Instead, let’s take full responsibility for our actions, confess our sins to a gracious and forgiving Father, and pursue right living again.

It’s wise to flee when tempted—
A fool is one who’d stay;
For those who toy with evil
Soon learn it doesn’t pay. —D. De Haan

When we sin, the blame lies within.

Read: James 1:12-18

Each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. —James 1:14

Bible in a year:
Psalms 68-69; Romans 8:1-21