Blind date part13

Matt was going to preach that Sunday night. He decided to on God's love for us. He was really excited to preach on it. The writing was just as encouraging as preaching it.
They decided to do a study date. Basicaly They hung out in the living room of his parents house. They just studied. They bearly spoke.
She was writing a paper. He was working on his surmon. She wore a green t shirt ,denim skirt and was barefoot. He occasionally asked her a Greek or Hebrew word.she almost always knew it. She asked him his fundmentilist interpretation.
"Jill says we are the weirdest couple. "She said. "I am fine being weird. "He said. She laughed.
They had studied for three and a half hours without saying a word to each other. "Mom says dinner will be ready in fithteen minutes. Oh mom says that your staying for dinner Abby."his sister Gracie said. "Ok thank your mom for me. "She told her.
He tried to get fithteen more minutes of studying. Abby took a peace of paper and made a paper airplane.she tried to hide it.s He fleew The plane into him. "Realy abb! This is study time!"he said. "We have studied for three and a half hours. We can pause for an air plane break. " she said.
"In that case!" she tried to send an air plane in her direction.her second plane collided with her. The two plag fell. "Missed me!"she said.
After dinner they sat on the steps. "You should come to the evening service on friday. Come and hear me preach. "He said. "Me at a fundy church. Won't I melt"? She asked. "No your not going to melt. You sure you won't came. "He asked.
"I don't know. I will think about it. No promises. " he told her. "Ok. I would love for you to come!"he told her.
On Sunday he started the service.he was sad that she was not there. He decided to start the service. Then he saw the door oppen. It Was Abby.he tried not  to smile too much . it was hard for him not to.
"We are told that God is love. It is part of his nature. He is one hundred percent love. His love does not cancell out his other attributes. "
"He is a God of order. That was why he gave the children of Israel such an intricate law. Some have asked why did God just not forgive Adam ad eve? He could not because of his holiness. His holiness defended sin be punished. That does not mean that God did not love humanity or Adam and eve"
"The first sin did not take the Lord by surprise. He knew that his prized creation would break his heart. Why did he create us? A theme of scripture is God is faithful even as man is not. I believe that the cross was on The mind of God from the beginning."
"The cross was not plan B.the criss was always plan A. We see love even hear in genesis three. He could have destroyed mankind right then and there. Lamentations says that it is by God's mercy that we are not consumed. "
"God could have destroyed mankind when they got so evil. He did not have to spare Noah and his family. His grace ,his unmerited favor. Noah did not earn this favor. He found Grace I the eyes of the Lord.we see Noah did not end well. Noah got drunk and he grandson saw him and acted inapropriatly. God was faithful to Noah despite his failure. "
"We see that Abraham was a recipient of God's grace. Abraham believed God and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Abraham is called The friend of God. They had a close relationship. ".
"A question that is asked frequently is how can a loving God send people to he'll?why was the Lord so violent in The old testament. Why did he order the total destruction of the nearby nations? As I said earlier God is one hundred percent love but it is not his only attribute. He is one hundred percent holly. He is one hundred percent just. "
"Sin has been described as missing the mark. It is like a bullseye.anything less then hiring the Mark is off. God is the mark. He is the slandered.anything that is off is contrary to his nature. Romans 3:23.sin is agents his nature. He cannot tolerate sin. The children of Israel were to be a special people. They were God's chosen people. He did not want them influenced by the sinful ways. This seams harsh.we are told in genesis 13 that God delayed Abraham fully setiling in because the sin of the amorites was not at the point of punishments . they were given time to repent but They did not."
"Though God allowed Israel to go into exile ,he set it for seventy years. After he slowed them to return.he could have been done with Israel. He had never rescinded his promise to Abraham. He has made it clear that he will not rescind that promise.  "
"As we conclude tonight I want to make it clear that God is a God of love. It is a perfect love. It is an unselfish love. He is a consistent love. It is unchanging. "
"It is a love that is consistent with God's character. He does not just excuse our sins. If he excused our sin without the cross,it would not be consistent with all of his attributes.the cross satisfied all y He demands of his character. "
After the service he shock hands and greated people. The church people hoped that he would serve the Lord. During the last few years he started to get really involved in the church. He became his dad's right hand man. The church appreciated him. They felt he was called to be a pastor.
He hoped Abby would stay after.he feared She might sleek away. He wanted to talk to her.
After most everyone had left,he saw her. He hugged her. "You came?"he said. "I was always coming. I just wanted to surprise you. "She said. "I was hoping that you would come." he said.
He kissed her. That had not kissed sense the time a few days earlier. 'Are you supposed to do that?"she asked "probably not. "He said. They laughed. "By The way that time you kissed me. " she said. "Ok!" he said.
Later that night they Sat at the swings on the porch. "Is that how you see the lord? The way you described him tonight?"she asked.
"Yes absolutely. He is perfectly balanced but complete. He is love and holiness and justice. He is all those things. "He said.
"I have not seem him that way. I understand that he is love holly mercy I gues that I saw his holiness as a need for social justice.a need to feed the Hungary. There is more to it. "She said.
"There is. Feeding The Hungary is important. It is part of it. You cannot. Dismis that God is holly and any sin is an a front to his nature. Sin is a violation of who he is. It has to be covered."he said. "I get it now. It makes sense. " she said.
End of part 13

Generation gaps (Tim and Julia Nicole)

Tim had been kept prety Buisy with both his businesses the rest of the week. He talked to Julie on the phone and texts but did not see her. He wanted to lay low for a bit. The post with the pics of her and him attracted attention form there church and there extended families. He did not like this attention. He laid low.
Julia missed seeing him. She guessed that he needed to catch His breath. She understood but missed him. He was very quiet and private.she's was fine with that. She did not understand it. She was very bubbly and social.she did not understand his need for privacy.she suspected he did not understand her need for community. 
It was friday night. He decided to end his self imposed exile and give her a call. "Hey stranger!"she said. "I m sorry Jules. I have been Buisy. "He told her.
"I figured. "She said. "Do you want to get together tomorrow.I Was thinking a picnic in Pelletier park."he suggested. "Sounds great!"she said.
"Is around one good?"he asked. "Sure. Do you like chicken said" she asked. "I do. "He said. "My one is more chicken then said."she told him. "Oh good. I love chicken salid but I defenently perfer if the chicken is dominant."he remarked."I defeinently thought that that was the case.  "She told him.
She really looked forward to seing him. She missed him. She hoped he missed her. She was not always able to read him.
"Do you want me to pick you up at your place?"he asked. "That's works. "She said. "I will see you then. "He told her. "Sounds good."she said.
She Was excited to see him. She wanted to spend time with him. She got the feeling that dinner with his sister was a bit over helming for him. He had been distant ever sense that night. For her that night brought her closer to him. She hoped that the picnic might cure the awkwardness.
She made sure she was ready for Tim . She wore a Gray shirt denim skirt and sandles . she hoped it would go well. She wanted to be close to him. She knew that they had a good life ahead but they just had to get over these hurdles.
She was ready for Tim. She ran on Tim time as she called it. She heard the car pull up. She smiled and went outside. She went to the pasinger's side.
"Hi there!"he said. "Hi "she said. She got in. "I missed you. It's good to see you you!"Julie said. "I have been prety Buisy the last few days. "He said "I understand. I am glad we can have today." she told him. "Me too. "He said.
They went to the park. He put the blanket down. They put the cooler down. They prayed and started to eat."this is great. "He said. "I got it the way you like it?"she asked. "Absolutly."he said. "Awesome"she replied.
"So are you and melisa the only ones in your family that are Christian?"She asked ."one other our youngest sister is saved. I was the first to be saved. I led missy to the Lord a year later. Olivia was a hold out. She was very unlikely to be saved. "He said.
"I have nit fully heard your full conversion story. "She said. "My farther was a business man. He was not anti religious just not religious. I was similar. I did not think about it. I live what else matters I thought. My roommate at college was a believer.he was not In your face but he made it clear who he was. We used to talk about things of God a lot. I began to questione. I started going to a smal church near campus. At first it was an add on for me. I thought I could add faith to my life. "
"As I learned more about God. Who he is. I realized that He will not share his diety with any one else. He must have The preeminence. The sinner question was difficult for me. I believed I was not perfect but I was not that bad. When I realized that God is holly and I am not. I was saved on a Sunday night on a very cold February night. "He said.
"Was it a very difficult discipleship?"she asked. "Yes it was.the people at hope Baptist church were very gracious." he said. 
"How did missy get saved?"she asked. "I changed dramatucally. I did not shout it from the roof top but my family could tell. Melisa and I had been very close. We talked frequently so it was not too surprising. For a while I was worried that Mayby her conversion was more to please me. She started attending gospel Baptist church. The people in the church invested in her. It really did take. My other sister was harder. She was very worldly. She was quite a deal younger. I was already long out if the house before she was at the age to really think about those things. We both noticed a change in her. She asked questioned. She finally got saved. We got her in a church that was started by a g.b.c member and she is married to a pastor now. "He said.
"How did your family react to this?"she asked. "We had been close .my mom and dad divorced when I was a freshman in college. My dad and I have always been close. My mom and I have not been as close. At first my dad was fine with it. He was taken aback when I became more and more serious about my Faith. When melisa got saved, he was not thrilled. He had a kind of libertarian view on religion. He was not keen on evangelizing. When missy accepted Christ he Was not thrilled but not surprised. When Olivia was saved, that was not cool .that caused a rift between us. We are not as close now"he said.
"I talked to your dad a little bit on face book. "She said . "did you add him as a friend ?"he asked. "He added me. O accepted.is that ok?"she asked."yea. I have to warn you you are marrying into a family of nuts..we are really wacky. " he said.
She smiled. Did he mean to say marrying . was it a mispeeak. She wanted to ask but decided not to. She decided to take it as something he intended to say. It made her happy. Even if it was a mispeak,he still thought of her as a permanent part of his life.
"I stil can't believe your not married yet. "She said. "I dated a lot before my conversion. When I was saved,I backed off. Dating was not on my radar after I got saved. Churches I intended had mostly married and older people, I would not date unsaved.I just did not peruse any one."he said.
"Well do not take this the wrong way but I am really glad that you were single all these years. " she exclaimed.
He chuckled. "I am glad of that too. You were worth waiting for. "He said. Her heart melted. She was not expecting him to say that. "Do you really mean that? You could have been married for 15 years or so. "She said.
"I do mean it Jules. Sense my conversion I did not hardly notice that I was single.  It did not come into my thinking. I did not care.  I absolutely mean it. You are so special to me. You were worth waiting for. "He said.
"Thank you. I am glad you did wait. "She said. " I am too. I am glad you are in my life. "He told her. "I am glad to be I'm your life. " She said.
This Was a good day she thought to herself. She felt like they had made a break though. They cleaned things up. They got ready to leave. They loaded the car up.
She took his hand. He made a weird face. "What?" she asked. "Oh nothing. " he said. "What is it?"she asked . "I am stil getting use to physical contact. I am not use to all this. " he said.
"Your not ok with physical contact?"she said in a surprised tone. "Our relationship is new. We are stil in a pree courting phase. I am just not sure it is appropriate "he said. "You never said anything.I just assumed it was ok. " she said.
"It's not a big deal. I Was not going to say anything."he said. "Ok. I care very much about purity and obstaning from the appearance of evil. " she said. "I know that. "He said.
The ride home was very tense. Both were quet. Neither one said anything. He drive her to her house. He had no idea what to say. "I gues this is an example of me being uptight. "He commented. "A little bit"she said.
They Said there goodbyes. He went home feeling tense.he had a knot in his stomach. He did not want to do anything.
He called melisa. "I think I did something stupid. " he told her. "What did you do?"she asked. He explained the situation to her. "Oh no. You did not do that. " she said.
"What do I do? " he asked. "Stop being an idiot."she said. "You think I am uptight?"he asked. "Yes I do. "She said. "Is This irreparable?"he asked."no but you to have fast. She loves you. Everyone knows it. You could mess this up forever right now."she said. 
The next day was church. He taught an adult Sunday school. He came a little late well for him. He went to his classroom. He avoided seing her til after class. After he talked to people and dottled.
He decided to go to the auditorium. "There you are!"She said. "Hi ! He Said.they walked to the pews and Sat down.
After the service he walked her to her car. She walked at s distance. He took her hand and smiled.she smiled back. " about yesterday you have not caught me at my best. I don't know why. I have no idea what I am doing. I ment what I Said yesterday. You were worth the wait and then some." he said. She smiled. " I am glad your in my life. I would not want it any other way. "She said.
End of chapter

Blind date part ten

Abby decided to talk to Matt.she waited until the afternoon. She tried to get tons of worsk done so that the evening was free. She drove hesitantly.she did not see his car in the drive way. She considered coming back later. She decided to go in.
She parked in there drive way. She got out of the car. She knocked on the door. The door opened,it was his sister Kathy.
"Hi is mat home?"Abby asked. "No not yet. Mom has a family rule you have to be home before five. He should be home soon. " Kathy said.
"Maybe I should come back later. I don't want to disturb your family time. " she said. "Non sense come on in.you must be Abby.I'm Kathy his favorite sister. "She said. Abby laughed.
"Its good to meet you. "Abby said. "Come on. I will introduce you to the family."Kathy said. Abby was nervous. She wanted to talk to mat in private not meet his whole family. She was afraid they would hate her. She was very independent not exactly independent fubdimentle Baptist.
Kathy escorted Abby to the front room. " hi everyone this is Abby a friend of mat!"Kathy said. Abby was really embarrassed. "Hello I'm Bob Campbell this is my wife Anna."he said. "Matt told me your news congratulations"she said. "Thank you we are both really excited. "Anna said.
"How do you know Matt ?"Bob asked. "A matural friend of ours tried to set us up on a blind date. "She said. "I remember that he went on a blind date.he was pretty cryptic about it.we have presed him on. That was with you !"Bob said.
"Yes. We we're not what either of us expected. "Abby said. "How so?"Anna asked. "Well I am a student at a less orthodox bible college."she said. "How less ?"Bob asked. "I am going to a seminary that usually trains minister for United church of chrust!"Abby answered.
"Oh!"Bob said . "are you training to be a minister?"Anna asked. "Yes  am."She said. My goose is coooked she thought.
"Do you believe in the mericles in the bible ?"he asked. "Yes I do. I believe in a literal reserection of Christ. I believe that the children of Israel did cross the red sea not the reed sea!"she answered.
"Do you that Jesus is the only way or are there other ways of salvation " mats brother Tim asked. "I believe that there is only one way to salvation."Abby said.
"The u.c.c is rather wishy washey on the subject. "Bob said ."yes They are. They like to hem and haw on the subject. "Abby admitted.
"How would you handle such a topic?"Bob asked. "I don't know. I do feel strongly about it. "She said.
"Why did you join the u.c.c? There are denominations that are more orthodox yet ordain women ? Like the United Baptist?" he asked.
"My mother was an atheist .my farther had been a minister but left it before I was born. He stoped going. U to found his bible and read it. I went to the nearest church.it was u.c.c.the minister befriended me and I got scholarships so I went with them. "She said.
"So let me get this straight. You are a ministerial student who went on a few dates with my son.he broke it off now you want to resume it?"Bob asked. "Pretty Mitch! Look I have a great deal of respect for you.if you want me to leave I will. I don't want to step on your toes."Abby said.
"No that won't be necessary. I want to get to know you. "Bob said ."I am not totally sure why I am hear.I really wanted to talk to him. To see if something could be worked out."Abby said.
Matt drove home. He saw what he thought was baby's car in the driveway. He saw her bumper sticker."our church accepts everyone."  he knew it was her. Why was she hear? He thought to himself. He parked then went inside.
He saw Abby. There eyes met. He caught himself smiling.she always had that affect on him. "Ab? What are you doing hear?"mat asked. "I was hoping to talk to you!"she said. Alisha another daughter came in. "Am I setting another place for Abby?"Alisha asked. "Oh I can't stay. "Abby said ."we would love it."Anna said. "I don't want to impose !"Abby said. "Its not at all."Bob said.she looked at Matt. "You should stay!"Matt said.
She wondered was he inviting her to dinner or into his life ? "Ok I will stay!"she said. "Set an extra place at the table al!"her farther said.
Everyone went to the kitchen table."you can sit hear next to Matt and Kathy. "Bob said. They Sat down.Apearently they all joined hands during prayer. She was a bit uncomfortable with it. He extended his hand so she took it.
As everyone was getting food . she thought this feel right. She wondered was This something that could be later or something that could have been but never was. Would this be a great memory or would it haunt her.
"It will May take a little while for me to remember all your names."Abby said. "We have hard time remembering them at times. " Kathy said. "You did not give them all j or h names."Abby said. "We were not not planing but not planning to have this many !"Anna said.
"Do you have any siblings?" Tim asked. "I do. I have an older brother and two younger sisters. "She said.
After dinner everyone brought dishes to the dish washer. Abby helped alisha clear the table. 
Matt kinda took a step back. He kinda guesed why she was hear. He had no idea why he would do. His farther went over to him. "It took a lot of courage for her to come today. I can't believe I'm saying this but don't be so quick to walk away. " he said. "Ok I will keep that in mind."he said.
Things started to die down. Matt went over to Abby. "Do you want to go to the porch?"he asked."ok!"she said. The two went to the porch. They Sat down on the steps.
"So I came. To talk to you. Matt I know we have a lot of differences. I really like you. I don't want to loose you. Look if you really don't think this Will work or you just don't want to be with me I will walk out and you will never hear from me again. " she told him.
He thought it over. "No I'm not going to do that. That is not what I want. " he said. "Look I don't have any answers. I wish I did. I am not sure why I am hear. I can't just walk away.not without at least coming to you first. "She said.
"I want to take it slow. I do want us to explore a relationship. "He said. "I'm ok with going slow. I just want you in my life. I understand we have hurdles."she said. "I am willing to give it a chance . I'm in if you are. " he said. "I'm in !"she said. She started to hug him. She realized that this might not be appropriate so she recoiled.he hugged  her. They held on to each other for a while.
"I really like your family. " Abby told him. " I think you made quite an impression. "Mat said."oh great. "She said. "I think they like you. I hope they did not give you too much trouble?"he asked. "They we're fine!"she said.
After a while she decided she should probably go. "I should get going. "She said. "Ok I'm glad you stop by. "Matt said. "I am too!" she said .
He walked her to her car. " I will talk to you later!"he said ."you got it!"she said. He started to walk away then he stoped and hugged her. Then she got into the car and left.he watched her leave.
He went inside. He went to see his dad. "We are going to give it a try. "Matt said. "I knew That. Look mat it's not going to be easy. Who she is today may not be who she always is. Both your mom and I did not have it together when we started dating. Mariege is two sinners coming together. You two have hurdles. You wil have to get together and hash some of this out. Mayby that is the point ,together. Perhaps it time to think of each other as being on the same team. "He said.
Abby went home. "You have been gone a while! "Jill said. "I ended up having dinner with Matt's family. Then we talked a lot ."she said.
"are you too a couple again?"Jill asked "I think so. I did not bring my Matt to English dictionary but I believe so. "She said. "You two are either are the cutest couple or the weirdest or a little both of both. " Jill said.
That night matt' mom and dad talked. "So have we met our new daughter in law?"Anna asked ."I'm prety sure we have. "He said. "I figured. "She said.
End of part ten.
 

The date (part two of the party)

Tim and Nicky had liked each other for a while. There were obstacles. They were. 12 years difference between them. She was 21,he was 33. There was other differences.he was a business owner and she was a recent bible college graduate. She grew up in an I.f.b church. He was converted in his twenties.
There were other differences as well. It seemed unlikely that they could make it as a couple. In Manny cases those differences do not decide as much as they could.
Tim could not believe that he had gone though with It. As the day of the date close closer,he got even more nervous.
She was nervous and excited at the same time. She was glad that the day had arrived. She spent quite some time getting ready for the date.
She put on a pink t shirt and Gray skirt and flip flops. She styled her hair.she waited for him to arive.
She got really nervous waiting for him.what if it did bot work out? Would there friendship servive.she started to think of every doomsday synerio she could think off. Then she calmed down. lookBecided not to get bent out of shape about it.
He was two minutes ahead of what he said. That sounds just like him.she laughed.she figured that was how he was. He tended to be task oriented and time conscious.
She came out and went to the car. He smiled at her when he saw her. She smiled back. She got in. "You lookB really nice tonight!"he said. "Thank you. You look handsome yourself!"she said.
They drove to the restaurant. They went inside and seated. "I can't believe we are hear!"he said."this restaurant is not hard to get into !"she said in a tounge in cheek fashion."I can't beleve. We are hear together. "He said.
"Wha made you decide to ask me out?"she asked. "I thought about it for a while. I was not sure you would say yes. You might not want to be seen with an old geezer."he said.
"I suspected you liked me. I was not sure. "She said. "I was really afraid that you would say no!"he remarked."really?I have liked you for a while!"she said. "I thought so but sometimes men misterpret simple greetings as something more. The your so veign you probably think Nicky likes you!"he said. She laughed.
"I thought you liked me but I feared you might think I was immature !"she said."I have observed you over the years sense your family came to the church. I saw you grow in maturity and in your relationship with the Lord."he said."that means a lot. I think it is hard for people to see passed the teen Nicole of so long ago!"she said."I think more people have noticed that you are aware!"he said.
"You are bot that old. Besides when your 82 I will be 70. "She said. "When you put it that way. "He said. They both laughed.
"Man I Love that smile!"he thought to himself. "So when did you first like me?"she asked. "The first time I ever even considered it was when you came home from college the first time. When we stayed at church until the church custodian threw US out so he could clean!"he said. "I forgot about that. I totally lost tract of time that day "she said. "So did I? It was so not like me!"he said.
"I like had a crush on you sense high school!"she said."really! We never talked except an occasional high and hand shake until pastor curtas stoped the one in the bound of love routine!"he said.
"You made an impression. Of course I was a teen in a town that even lake wo be gone forgot about!"she said."I wanted to ask you out over the summer of your freshman into sophomore year. You stated dating trevor!"he said.
"He is a good guy. He is on a Sumer missions trip. We both felt it was not God's will. "She said.
"I expected you to date someone else.I did not want me to be a rebound date. "He said. "After Trevor ,I decided to take a step back. I did not want to date everyone in sight. I was a bit guy crazy. I decided to back off. "She said.
"I backed off for a time. I decided to wait. I had no idea when the right time was!"he said. "Now is perfect! To tell you the truth I was begging to founder if you had lost interest. "She said."not at all. I am am accountant at heart. I like to cross my ts and dot my eyes."here told her.
"I figured that about you!"she said.
"I gues maybe I went overboard. I almost talk myself out of it.now that I did not want. I was scared of rejection."he said. "Becuase your so old?"she asked jokingly. "That is definitely part of it. What if you don't like my  table manners or my endless resitation of Obscure facts."he said.
"Well! Your table manners are fine. I don't see the obscure facts being a deal breaker yet!"she said. "Oh ok! I think I am very scared that if this did not work,it would end our friendship." he said.
"I had that fear as well. "She told him."I decided that I felt like I was at liberty to ask you out. "He said. "I knew you were interested but I was wondering when you were going to ask me out. I admit I got a little restless. I considered asking you out myself although I am not sure it is proper. " she commented. They both laughed.
"So was inviting me to the graduation party a way of tipping my hand?"he asked. "A little bit. "She said. "I see. I was afraid you might say no!"he said."I was not going to say no!"she said. "I see!"he said.
"So I have to know,is this just a casual date? Is marriage a possibility?"she asked. "No I would he perused this if I did not think mariege was a viable option. I definitely think marriage is a possibility.I am at a place in my life where I don't want to cassuly date. Is marriage between US a possibility for you?"he asked.
"Yes it is. While I am younger ,I did bot date in high school,mostly because I was homeschool, I regret dating the way I did in college. I believe if I date now it should be to someone I could marry!"she said.
"Excelent I hoped so. "He said. "If you want to lay off the recitation of obscure facts that would be ok"she said jokingly.
"For the record I did not bring up lake woobegone!"he said. "Oh ok!"she said. He paid the Bill then they left. She took his hand. He was not too keen on hand holding but Decided to go with it.
They went to the car. "I had a good time today. I am glad we got to do this!"she said. "Me too! "He said.
They engaged in smal talk until they arrived at her parents house. "We will have to make aragement to get together again soon . provided your bot sick of me !"he said. "No not yet! I will let you know!"she said."ok fair enough!"he said. She hugged him.he did not feel that physical contact was warranted at this juncture but let it go.
He watched her go in. Then he drove home. He had a good night.he felt mentally exhausted.he felt a bit overwhelmed.he was pleased with how the night went.he needed time to catch his breath.
End of part two.

Influence

From the day we are born,we form opinions. A baby decided they like to be held. They decide that they don't like to be left in there crib. As a child gets older,the child decides that he likes certain food and dislikes others.
Later on he decides that he likes certain activities and dislikes others .from television,music,sports ,books ,politics,we form opinions. Part of life is forming subjective conclusions.
How much of those options are our own? How much of our opinions are influenced by others?what role does influence have in forming views?
Going back to the baby, the child might observe his farther eating a carrot. If the man starts to cringe the child might observe it. The child maybe not being aware of it,might come to the conclusions that carrots are bad. He might come to hate carrots. How much is the boy's hatred of carrots is from him and How much is it to the influence ?
Influence is a fascinating topic. We are under constant influence.we probably don't know just how much we are influenced.
How much beliefs are our own. How many are adopted from other people.how Manny come from our culture?
One of the big questione of philosophy is where do things originate. When feeling with influence we are feeling with thoughts. Where do thoughts come from?
If one views the universe from an evolutionary model,is the ability to think a fluke. Was it necessary to servive ? Where does influence come from. Does one person who. Beleved he knew what to do convince either by convincing or force convince everyone to go with his plan? Why him? Where did that ability to convince come from.
In the ancient world deities were in control of elements of the world. These gods were impulsive and whimsical. The answer by Greek philosophers was to say that these gods were not all powerful just more powerful then mortals. They stil had I influence.
From a biical world view,the first record of a negative influence was genesis three. The devil persauded. Eve and then Adam to eat the fruit.
We have examples of good and bad influence. For good We have jeohida the priest who influenced king joash.we have nahen the phrophet who advised David and declared tha he was the man. We have aquila and prisila who decoupled apolas.
We have plenty of examples of bad influence. Lots caved into the influences of Sodom and Gomorrah. Rehoboam gave in to the influence of the younger advisors.
I am not sure tha influence begins with Staten. You could argue it bega with the Lord when he gave the instruction not to eat the fruit.
No man is an island as John done said. We are all influenced in some way shape or form.
One influence we have not duscused is media. Rather it is radio,books,tv,internet and so on,media influences us. There is the influence of the press and entertainment.
Some In the independent Baptist movement have avoided most media. One cannot be totally cut off from it.it's influence can be good bad or neutral.often it legend bad.
  What is a solution to influence biblically? As Martin Luther said.our conscience must be captive to the word of God. We must make sure that is our major influence. We must examine all we do to make sure it is aligned with the word.