Chip answers your questions

Chip Answers Your Questions

Chip's twelve most recent answers appear on this page.

Dealing with Divorce [Posted: 2007-07-12]
Libby's Question: hi chip i thinking because my mum and dad are devoirsed and my mum got re-married and the man she married he as a doughter and she is 11yrs sometimes i really find it hard to live with her so do you have any ideas on what could help me?

Dear Libby,

Thank you for writing to me and sharing a bit of what you are going through. It can be very painful when parents get divorced. I know this is a sad time for you. Sometimes you may wish you could go back to the way things used to be, but that's not possible. It's hard to adjust to living in a different home and with different people.

The first thing you should do is pray to God and ask Him to give you peace about your situation. The divorce is not your fault, but unfortunately now you have to live with the results. Ask God to help you. Then, if you can, you should share your feelings with your Mom. Tell her you are hurting, but you want to make the best of the situation. One thing that might help is remembering your new step-sister is probably having a hard time too. She has also been through a lot of change. Maybe she wants to be your friend, but doesn't know how. Maybe you and your step sister can find some things you both enjoy and start forming a friendship.

I hope that is helpful. I'll pray for you Libby and I hope things get better for you.

Your Friend, Chip

Atheism and Taoism [Posted: 2007-07-12]
Jessie's Question: what is Atheism? what is Taoism

Dear Jessie

Thank you for visiting www.chi4kids.org and thank you for sharing your questions on Atheism and Taoism. The stories on our website are all about Christian heroes who did great things because of their faith in Jesus. But it can be good to understand those who believe differently.

Atheists don't believe in the existence of God. Therefore, they don't believe God sent his son to earth to die for our sins.

Taoism is a term to describe beliefs that originated in China. It is a religion that believes there is some sort of higher power, but that higher power doesn't really interact with creation. According to them, this being's name can not be known, and is simply called "Tao" or "the Way." From what I can tell, the Taoists believe good and evil exist, but that it's futile to try to influence the world for good, since evil will always be there along with good.

Christians believe in God! We believe there is one true God, and He created the universe, including you and me. He cares deeply about creation and mankind and is a force for good. He wants us to do good and live good lives and he wants to have a relationship with Him! He sent His son Jesus to earth so we could be forgiven of the bad things we've done and be in a right relationship with Him.

I hope that helps you with your questions! Keep on learning about Christian History and don't forget to tell your friends about www.CHI4Kids.org!!

Your Friend, Chip

When Was the Bible Made? [Posted: 2007-07-12]
Matthew's Question: Can you tell me who wrote the first bible and when it was made

Dear Matthew,

What a great question! The Bible is not just one book, but a collection of 66 books that were written over a 1500 year time period by 40 different people, from 10 different countries. Wow! But I think you are wondering when those books were pulled together to make the Bible. This was a process that took a couple of hundred years. Throughout the early years of Christianity, the church leaders held the Old Testament, or Hebrew, scriptures as sacred. They were also beginning to quote and use many of the writings that would eventually become the New Testament. Around 180 A.D. A man named Irenaeus identified many of the writings we now have in our Bible. For many years after that, Christians were persecuted and could be burned if they refused to turn over their sacred books. Finally in 324 A.D., Emperor Constantine made Christianity legal. At that point Eusebius collected the sacred writings into one book - this is the first time the New Testament writings were all collected together. In 367 A.D. Bishop Athanasus of Alexandria of Egypt made a list of the divinely inspired books. This list was the first one to correspond to the list we have today. In 393 and 397 A.D., two important councils confirmed this list. These same 27 books were thought to be the divine word of God.

You can learn lots more about the Bible and it's formation from our Glimpses stories at www.chinstitute.org/glimpses . Check out cycle 10 on how we got the Bible. You will be particularly interested in #56. Also go to www.glimpsesforkids.org and read story #6 on William Tyndale. That will help you to see how very important the Bible really is!

Have a great day!

Keep on learning about Christian History and don't forget to tell your friends about www.CHI4Kids.org!!

Your Friend, Chip

Carmichael's Date of Death [Posted: 2007-07-12]
Libby's Question: Hey Chip,how old was amy carmicheal whan she died? i thing she did some awesome stuff!

Dear Libby,

Thank you for visiting www.chi4kids.org and thank you for writing in with your question. Amy Carmicheal is a terrific hero! Her work in India is a wonderful example to us all. Amy passed away on January 18, 1951, just a few weeks after turning 83!! Her work among the poor and the women of India lives on through the lives of those she helped.

Keep on learning about Christian History and don't forget to tell your friends about www.CHI4Kids.org!!

Your Friend, Chip

Carver's Date of Death [Posted: 2007-07-12]
Taylor's Question: Why did George Washington Carver die?

Dear Taylor,

Thank you for visiting www.chi4kids.org and thank you for sharing your question! George Washington Carver is a terrific hero of faith. He used his abilities to help others live a better life and learn to use all God's resources well. George died in 1943. He had been ill for several years and was sometimes hospitalized. In December of 1942 George fell while opening his museum and was badly bruised. Following this, he never got better. He stayed mostly in bed, while many visitors came to see him. He died on January 5, 1943.

Keep on learning about Christian History and don't forget to tell your friends about www.CHI4Kids.org!!

Your Friend, Chip

Liddell's Height [Posted: 2007-04-16]
Andrea's Question: What was Eric Liddell's exact height?

Dear Andrea,

Thank you for your visit to www.chi4kids.org. I think Eric Liddell is a terrific Christian hero! Have you read our story about him? Just go to www.chi4kids.org and click on the bubble call "hero stories" on the right hand side. Eric is story number 2. Unfortunately, I don't know how tall Eric was. You'll have to do further research on that question. There have been a number of books written about him, so maybe one of them will be useful.

Did you know we are creating a "Torchlighters" video about Eric? Check out www.torchlighters.org for more information!

Keep on learning about Christian History and don't forget to tell your friends about www.CHI4Kids.org!!

Your Friend, Chip

Slessor's Age [Posted: 2007-04-16]
Melissa's Question: how old was mary slessor when she decided to go to calabar?

Dear Melissa,

Thank you for visiting www.chi4kids.org and thanks for writing in with your question! Mary Slessor is one of my favorite heroes from Christian history! I hope you read our story about her on www.chi4kids.org or in Glimpses for Kids. Following that, you may want to read the excellent book, Mary Slessor: Forward into Calabar by Janet and Geoff Benge. Mary led a very interesting and faithful life, filled with excitement.

Mary learned about missions in Calabar from the missionary journals her mother read to her. She learned of this from the time she was a young girl. Her mother dreamed that one of Mary's two brothers would become a missionary, but they died. At 27 years of age, Mary decided she wanted to be a missionary, like her own hero, David Livingstone. Mary wanted to serve in Africa, but was afraid to ask for a specific assignment. She was thrilled when her assignment came in and she was chosen to go to Calabar! In the summer of 1876, at 28 years old, Mary was on her way to Calabar.

I hope that helps! Keep on learning about Christian History and don't forget to tell your friends about www.CHI4Kids.org!!

Your Friend, Chip

Luther and the Holocaust [Posted: 2007-03-29]
Kerrie's Question: was luther responceable for the holocaust?

Dear Kerrie,

Thank you for visiting www.chi4kids.org and thanks for your question! That's a tough one. Martin Luther lived a long long time before the holocaust, over 400 years! Of course he is best known for challenging the established beliefs of his day, nailing his 95 theses to the Castle Church door and setting in motion the Protestant Reformation. Certainly Luther did not advocate anything like the holocaust. Yet, he did make some anti-Semitic comments.

I hope that helps and good luck on your search for answers.

Keep on learning about Christian History and don't forget to tell your friends about www.CHI4Kids.org!!

Your Friend, Chip

St. Patrick's Day [Posted: 2007-03-29]
Kipp's Question: how do our st.patircks day celebrations today diffent from the first ones?

Dear Kipp,

Thank you for visiting www.chi4kids.org and thank you for your question. You can read a few different accounts about St. Patrick on our websites. If you go to our adult site, www.chinstitute.org, and search for St. Patrick, you'll find a number of stories. Our kids site www.chi4kids.org has one written especially for kids. We mostly have information on Patrick's life and why he is considered a saint and has his own feast day. We don't really have a lot of information about early celebrations on our site, so I suggest you do some more internet searching on the history of St. Patrick's Day.

Keep on learning about Christian History and don't forget to tell your friends about www.CHI4Kids.org!!

Your Friend, Chip

Did Amy Carmichael Help Boys [Posted: 2007-03-29]
Libby's Question: hey chip, (amy carmicheal) in india did she realy accept boys?

Dear Libby,

Thank you for visiting www.chi4kids.org and thank you for your question. Amy is best known for her work among the girls of India. However, I'm certain if she knew of boys who needed help, she would have wanted to help them too. You can read our short story on Amy by going to www.chi4kids.org and choosing the bubbles labeled "Glimpses for Kids Hero Stories." Then just choose story number 1 on Amy. I also recommend the Christian Heroes: Then and Now on Amy Carmichael, by Janet and Geoff Benge. I think you would really enjoy it!

Keep on learning about Christian History and don't forget to tell your friends about www.CHI4Kids.org!!

Your Friend, Chip

January 30, 1649 [Posted: 2007-03-29]
Natalie's Question: what is important about january 30, 1649?

Dear Natalie,

Thank you for visiting www.chi4kids.org and thanks for sending your question! I'll give you a clue ... It has something to do with a king and a scaffold. It's a good story and you can find it easily on our website for adults, www.chinstitute.org. Just search for the date you're looking for or use this direct link to the story: link

I hope that helps! Have fun, but don't expect a fairy tale ending for this particular king!

Keep on learning about Christian History and don't forget to tell your friends about www.CHI4Kids.org!!

Your Friend, Chip

Steve Saint [Posted: 2007-03-29]
Unknown's Question: the story jim elliot's son told about him going back to the quichuas tribe and leading them to salvation because of his fathers death.

Dear Unknown Friend,

Thank you for visiting www.chi4kids.org and thanks for your question! The story of Jim Elliot, Nate Saint and the other three missionaries who opened the doors to reach the Auca tribe is truly amazing. I believe you are thinking of Nate Saint's son, Steve who went to live among the Aucas. You can learn a lot about this by reading our two Glimpses for Kids stories on the subject. First go to www.chi4kids.org and then click on the bubble labeled "Glimpses for Kids Hero Stories" on the right hand side. You will want to read story number 3 on Jim Elliot and story number 10 on Nate Saint.

Did you know we made a 30 minute animated program about this story? It is a part of our Torchlighters series. Go to www.torchlighters.org to learn more. You will be able to watch a short sample of the video on Jim Elliot. If you decided to order it, please get an adult to help you. You'll be interested to know that on that Jim Elliot video you'll also find an interview with Steve Saint telling about his experiences and about the Auca's today. It's very interesting!!

Keep on learning about Christian History and don't forget to tell your friends about www.CHI4Kids.org!!

Your Friend, Chip