Garden Ministries

By Janet Weaver Smith - ©2012 Gardenministries.org Why does a good God allow anyone to murder young, innocent children? Could-should God have prevented the Sandy Hook school shooting or other random, public shootings? Why doesn't God protect our children from these unspeakable acts of harm? And furthermore, why is a massacre of 20 children and 7 adults in a middle-to-upper-class American neighborhood any more horrendous and reprehensible than when a single child or adult or a small group ... continue reading...

By Janet Weaver Smith ©2012 - gardenministries.org [Outside of this paragraph, the author does not address the subject of pornography in this article but, for the record, the author agrees with Jesus and considers all use of pornography as sexually immoral acts that require God's cleansing forgiveness and a "turning away from": Matthew 5:27,28 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' 28 But I [Jesus] tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already ... continue reading...

I am not afraid of the God who calls His people to moral absolutes. I am not afraid because God makes every provision to attain and hold to such absolutes. Provision such as salvation and forgiveness through faith in Jesus Christ, God's Son; provision such as His indwelling Holy Spirit to lead and to guide us, and provision such as grace and mercy for struggle. - Janet Weaver Smith I John 1:9, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all ... continue reading...

By Janet Weaver Smith, ©gardenministries.org - 2012 PART 1 (Scroll down for PART 2: How Do We Know that the 66 Books in the Bible are the Inspired Word of God and Can be Taken Literally?) Who's to say who determines what constitutes morality and immorality? Why do we need to believe in God and obey His commands in the Bible anyway? Why can't humans, apart from the God of the Bible, create and define their own effective and eternal moral standards and then live by them? The quick and ... continue reading...

Recently a friend asked us the following two questions: 1.) Is the book of Genesis written figuratively or literally? 2.) Or is it a mixture of both? This is our reply letter to their questions: We commend you for challenging yourself to search out the Truth behind what you believe or don't agree with. Developing your moral compass is vital to solid spiritual growth and maturity. The foundation of personally knowing Jesus through the study of His Word is what will hold you through many ... continue reading...