Why does God allow His children to choose to serve other gods?

     I love finding little Biblical gems that answer questions that I have.  It's like God is directly answering me.  Rhema words are the best!
     I always wondered why God, since He is a jealous God, would allow His children on earth to choose to serve other gods (or no god at all).  Then, I read this...

"In generations past He permitted all the nations to walk in their own ways; yet He did not neglect to leave some witness of Himself, for He did you good and showed you kindness and gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with nourishment and happiness."  (Acts 14:16, 17 - Amplified)

Pretty much says it all.  Doesn't it?

Thoughts on Marriage...

Eph. 5:23

For a husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of his body, the church; he gave his life to be her Savior. As the church submits to Christ, so you wives must submit to your husbands in everything.
Most men read the first part of Ephesians and think, "Aw, yeah!  Submit to me!"  But hold on a second guys.  Let's read the rest...

Eph. 5:24-32

And you husbands must love your wives with the same love Christ showed the church. He gave up his life for her to make her holy and clean, washed by baptism and God's word. He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault. In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as they love their own bodies. For a man is actually loving himself when he loves his wife. No one hates his own body but lovingly cares for it, just as Christ cares for his body, which is the church. And we are his body. 

Wait...did I read that right?  "He gave up his life for her..."  Yeah, I think that's what it said.  Yes, ladies, we should submit to our husbands.  That doesn't mean lay down and be a doormat.  It simply means that the man is the head of the family, just like Jesus is the head of the church.  We have to do what he says.  But, and that's a big but, he has to love us as he loves himself.  You'd never do harm to yourself, or treat yourself badly.  That would be silly.  I have no problem submitting myself to my husband because I know he has my best interests at heart.  This is his life, too.  He loves me as Jesus loved the church.  Jesus' whole point in coming here was to show His love for the church.  So, our whole point in marriage should be to show love for our spouse.  Be humble and loving.  Say "I'm sorry" when you're wrong.  Say "I love you" as much as you want.  Tell him/her what a wonderful spouse they are.  Your marriage will be a happier one for it.

"I'm Done" by Tracy Lawrence

Life hit me when I wasn't looking.
It dealt me a hard hand to play.
I felt betrayed and forsaken.
But, I've been makin' the wrong people pay.

I'm Done... I'm Done...

I've spent my last night in that prison,
Where anger and pride were the bars.
Hey, I'm here to tell ya' I'm makin peace with the past.
And I'm not ashamed of my scars.

But I'm done...

I'm done harboring grudges and nursing old wounds;
done clinging to crutches and singing the blues.
I'm done pointing fingers at everyone else.
I'm taking a long hard look at myself .
A new day has begun ... and I'm done.

I called up somebody who'd hurt me.
We finally settled that score.
I had a right to be bitter.
Revenge would've been sweet,
But forgiveness is what ended that war.

I'm starting to see the big picture.
These days I'm gettin' high off of that.
No more killin' my pain with a three day binge.
That train has run out of track

I'm done...

I'm done harboring grudges and nursing old wounds;
done clinging to crutches and singing the blues.
I'm done pointing fingers at everyone else.
I'm taking a long hard look at myself.

I'm spending more time with the people I love;
The ones that will cry at my funeral.
I'm done feelin' hopeless; no, I'm not going there.
I'm greeting each morning with a smile and a prayer.

A new day has begun ... A new day has begun ... A new day has begun

Questions...

"If anyone asks you, why are you doing this? answer, The Lord needs it and He will send it back here, presently."  (Mark 11:3)

God is not going to save us from the questions.  There will always be people who question.  What He will do is give us the words to answer those questions, the way He wants us to.

"And they replied as Jesus had directed them, and they allowed them to go."  (Mark 11:6)