Romans 1:18-25 "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed [it] unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, [even] his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified [him] not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen

Giving Them Up

By Erin E. Adams

Imagine crafting, creating a most detailed form. Imagine giving your breath to this form, breath that penetrates deep within the creation itself to stir within it the first glimpse of life. Life that binds the bones, that wraps the muscle, that circulates the blood, that conceives the soul. Life abounds - the form has taken on existence, existence that was given by your own will and own volition. Oh, how dearly you love this creation, this man through whom generations will be raised, this woman through whom generations will be born. And you gaze into this man and woman's clear and sparkling eyes waxing trust, and you tell them that what you have created is Very Good. You smile at them, you walk in their midst, you converse about this majestic universe full of light, full of creatures, full of nourishment, full of perfection. You stare across the waters and watch your spirit hover and settle, and it is more beautiful than the most inspiring and colorful sunset. Hand in hand you stroll through this world and you show them your mysteries, you discuss your creation, you see the marvel in their gaze, you share laughter of the joyous universe fashioned by your very hands. You see that what you've created in just six days is fulfilling. Your desire to be close, to be known, has been nourished through the presence of your creation. And you saw how good it was. You rejoiced in your work, in your creation. You were at perfect relationship, perfect friendship. You were The Father.

As you are resting your feet on the earth, beholding the works of your Hands, your two children have taken a Fall. You go in search of them, yet knowing exactly where they are hiding. Oh, your grief! Anguish! You find them quaking, trembling in fear for they are naked. You ask them why they are ashamed, knowing that they have betrayed you. Perfect unity, perfect strands snapped apart through deception. Curse of all curses! You go out in search of a means to cover their nakedness - not just their physical nakedness but their spiritual nakedness as well. You go before an innocent animal - an animal that you also fashioned with your very hands. And you slay this animal, it's blood seeping into the undefiled earth. The dirt cries out, the angels cover their faces. You take the skin of innocence to cover the man and woman who will no longer resemble innocence. Curse the serpent to his belly! Curse man to his fields to toil and work endlessly for little fruit! Curse woman to pain in her labor as the sons of men are born! And so begins the fading of a once hand in hand relationship in the garden to a distanced search for yet one that is righteous. Hands that created this universe without blemish must now be scarred.

Your anger is kindled throughout ages of remorse, your covenants established to bring you one step closer to fallen man. Your prophecies unfurled through devoted prophets, your sacrifices wafting the sweet smelling aroma up to your nostrils through ordained priests, your laws decreed by Kings of your holy dwelling place, and your statutes being proclaimed through the mighty Judges. A scarlet thread has been woven through the fabric of time.

Thousands of years from the time that you walked with mankind in the Garden - a king was conceived. Born into the filth of a stable, animals surrounding Him, your Son was an innocent babe - pure unlike any man throughout the sands of time. He grew, was uncomely, was despised. He performed miracles, healed the sick, dined with the outcasts. He chose twelve that would continue the work. At the appointed time He shed His blood for all of mankind since creation. That scarlet thread grew, the veil tore for all men to enter, the prophecies fulfilled, the judgements made known and the establishment of a heavenly kingdom restored. The very hands that created the universe now hung by nails.

You have seen the evil of man. You have seen them exchange you, trade you, for selfish desires. You have watched them worship your animals your trees your world and deny you as the Creator. Yet you had to give them up knowing that your voice will forever echo in their hearts "Return to me". Your Son sits enthroned at your right hand and many times you hold Him back - for He wants to return to gather up His people once and for all to restore perfect relationship. You gave them up to their own evil acts, to their own sin. And your tears flow down that scarlet thread, oh the tears have dampened that thread through the ages. You weep for your children, for your creation. Giving them up was the most painful thing to do - for giving them up nailed your Son to a tree.