It's easy to get discouraged when things are going bad, but we shouldn't lose heart, because�God IS at work even in the midst of our worst�pain and suffering. This�story is for you Kevin and anyone else whose little hut is on fire and seems to be burning to the ground. It may�just be�a smoke signal to summon the grace of God.

Dear Father Paul: What is the Apocrapha? Why is the Apocrypha in some Bibles and not in others?- July, Senoia.

Dear July: The term "Apocrypha" was coined by the fifth-century Bible scholar St. Jerome and refers to the books included in the Septuagint (the Greek version of the Old Testament), but not included in the Hebrew Bible.

There are several books in the Apocrypha including the books of Judith, The Wisdom of Solomon, Tobit, Sirach, Baruch, First and Second Maccabees and others. The books of the Apocrapha were written between 500 B. C. and New Testament times.

The Apocrypha has been variously included and omitted from Bibles over the centuries. Protestant churches generally exclude the Apocrypha although it was included in the 1611 King James edition. The Roman Catholic and Orthodox Church Bibles include all of the Apocrypha except the books of Esdras and The Prayer Of Manasseh, but refer to them as "deuterocanonical," meaning that they are ouside of the biblical canon and are of value, but are not the inspired Word Of God. While they are not inspired, they are interesting to read and they do glorify God.

Special Note To A Special Person: �Forty years ago today (June 12, 1965) God gave me a wonderful gift, my precious wife Judy. I love you darling. Happy 40th anniversary!

To My Readers: �Do you need prayer? E-mail or write me and I and members of Church Of The Holy Cross will pray for you and your needs. Give only your first name; no phone number or return address is necessary. Also, I would sincerely appreciate hearing from any of my readers with questions for the column, praise or criticism. God bless.

Father Paul Massey will answer your question. Write him at [email protected] or Box 510, Fayetteville, Georgia 30214.