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My sons both have two middle names because we wanted to include more family names than we could fit into the traditional first-middle-last process. I, personally, think it is really cool to have four names, but when I try to fill out paperwork for my children I often have difficulty because they don't fit the status quo.

Most forms that I fill out for anything - school, insurance, sports - have a line or a box for a "middle initial". The line will hold both initials, but not the box. I usually have to go with just the first initial. The real confusion came with an account in my older son's name where his middle initials, J.R., were somehow transposed to represent "Jr." I'm not sure we have that straightened out yet! I suppose it's entirely my fault for bucking the system and daring to give my children an extra name.

Although this is relatively trivial, since it doesn't really matter if some insurance company knows my sons' second middle names, there are areas where sticking to the status quo can be dangerous. One of those areas is the conflict between biblical truths and what is being taught in public schools today. (Please don't think I am slamming public schools. I work in a public school where there are many other Christians and we do our best to model Christ to the students. My children also attend public school and re receiving an excellent education, but I will be sure they are prepared to refute anything taught to them as "truth" which conflicts with God's truth.)

There are many areas of teaching in school today which conflict with Christian values, but perhaps the most blatant and damaging is evolution. I have been fascinated by the science of creationism since I was in high school and there are so many individual bits of evidence which point to God as the Creator (Intelligent Design, if you prefer the politically correct term) that we are remiss if we aren't teaching our children that God is science - He created it! (How ironic for the Darwinians.)

I have taught numerous lessons and shown hours of video to different youth groups on this subject, attended seminars and tried to keep myself informed of the latest research and debates. But now someone well-known from Hollywood to Washington, D. C. is doing something on a large scale to battle the lies and prejudice being taught in the name of Darwin. I urge you to check out information on Ben Stein's movie, "Expelled" (to be released April 18), and determine if it can be a valuable resource in arming you to battle the forces of Darwin.

(Let me state that I don't get any royalties from this movie, but I hope that it is hugely successful and that this real truth pulls the box office rug out from under some other "inconvenient truths". I am very excited about this fresh opportunity to reach a community that might not be open to God's message in other circumstances.)

There are numerous resources available which introduce kids to the awesome details of God's creation and bring Genesis to life - DVD series, lecturers, workbooks, museums, websites - just do a search, they're easy to find.

Knowing that God created us for a purpose and, because He gave us life, wants us to live with Him forever, is key in accepting that He sent His son to redeem us. Knowing that God has loved us from the beginning explains why He loves us to the end.

Most of us know Genesis 1:1, "In the beginning God created . . ." and I have never doubted it. But I can understand why kids today, even those raised in the church, would be challenged by it when they have so many theories thrown at them, many presented as fact. I believe God has given me a burning interest in creation science for a reason and I hope to share it with many more people so that, through creation, they can see God's love for us through Christ.

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." - Romans 5:8

"Word from Scotland" from Sandy Shaw

A Needy Man Calls Out for Help Jesus Responds and Answers