Dear everyone,
Hope this will find you well. God has opened up many opportunities for me through the Internet. At the present time, 16 people are taking my correspondence courses. 2 out of 16 finished the beginners course and are taking the intermediate course. 14 out of 16 are taking the beginner's course. One of many difficult things about correspondence courses is that it is easy for students to quit whenever they feel like. I occasionally send them a greeting email to encourage them to continue. In this report I would like to introduce two of many mails I have received this month.

"Sorry I have not written you so long. I would like to write questions and feedback to your correspondence course. I hope this will not offend you. It is very hard to believe Col. 1:15-17 as it is written. Is it true that God created all things?

I think that the whole universe began by Big Ban.
Things happened by chance, which gradually led to necessary scientific changes.
What Phillip said in John 14:8 is kind of question I have. If I had met Jesus Christ and known his character, I might have believed. However, I have never met him. Even though I read the gospels of John, Luke, and Matthew, I cannot believe in him at once because I do not know anything about him. I am sure, though, that Jesus lived as a real human being. This man kept being concerned about people even when he was mocked and persecuted. Even if Jesus Christ lived today, I guess he would be treated in the same way as he was.

When I read the Old Testament, I felt good that ancient men were no different from modern men. At the same time, I was very disappointed. Man's mind has not improved at all. I believe that doubt and skepticism are the root of all evil.

I would like to have a peaceful mind, but I cannot. Is it possible to have peace by believing in Jesus? When I read some religious articles through the Internet, I am amazed at their statements, which are unthinkable and selfish for religious people. I cannot believe in religion.

Japanese people, especially men, tend to be philosophical. I wrote back to him, saying, "Faith can grow. Take your time, study the Bible, and get to know Jesus." He wrote me back and thanked me for my comments.

Another person responded to the beginner's course 3, "Is There Anything Wrong with the World?" He writes, "This is very difficult, but I do not mean it is difficult to understand. What you are writing makes sense. I also think everything you have written should be true in some sense.

I commit sin in every day life. My desires for material things is unlimited. I often feel envious, curse other people, and sometimes do something against the law. (For example, I have cheated a company's money. I have taken money which I picked up in the street.)

Jesus Christ was crucified for the sin of people. What does it mean? By this, did God try to show us we are sinners? Perhaps it is not so simple. By this, are our sins reduced?

It is clear from observing history of Europe that man will keep on sinning even if man believes in Jesus. In other words, believing in Jesus does not help man quit sinning. For example, think about the kind of terrible acts committed by the soldiers of the Cross. Think about the present day Europe. Those people who are killing Islams and Cosobo's people are Celbians made up of mostly Christians. When I think about these things, I wonder what it means to become a Christian. My confusion will not go away for a while.

I always thank God for your encouragement, prayers, and support. Someday there will be a harvest time and the ultimate harvest time of judgement. Until then we will work hard to glorify the Lord's name. May God bless you more and more. Love you all. Masa and Mari Nonogaki