Mark, same for me! I was rethinking this thread after I posted earlier, and decided that maybe, actually, the MAIN thing I learned at Bible Truths was that God is Supreme, author of good and evil both, and that everything, EVERYTHING, is ordained by Him. Yes, that was taught to me in church, (weelll, God as creator of evil has always been skipped over in the bible readings), but
at the same time, so much "power" was given over to Satan, and in my mind, and I think in most minds, we see our reality as an epic battle between good and evil, between God and the forces of darkness, with God eventually winning, of course, but it will be a grim fight until the end...
This kept a running dread in me, underneath at all times, that I had to pray for protection, and fight evil, and be on the alert always. The devil might get me or mine if I wasn't vigilant in prayer or tithing or doing church work or...
And then the subtle manipulations to make sure my loved ones got saved. Oy
Now I see. I see that God is in total control, always has been, always will be, He is the author and finisher. The good and the bad are part of His plan. I can really rest in that assurance!!!
Karen