When I was a little girl, I remember my father studying at our kitchen table in New Jersey; his Bible, books and yellow legal pads spread everywhere. He was heading into New York that night to debate the woman who'd singlehandedly tossed prayer out of American public schools: Madalyn Murray O'Hair.

I don't know why the memory of that night remains sharp in my mind, maybe it's because of the fact that even as a child, I sensed my father's intensity; his detemination to defend the gospel.

The next day, I heard all about Mrs. O'Hair, and it wasn't a pretty story. My mother described her as a loud, rude woman with poor hygiene. My father looked exhausted. It had been a hard night, but the atmosphere in our home was one of happiness. Dad had accomplished what he'd set out to do: force Madalyn Murray O'Hair into a tight corner and keep her there. Her own words and actions nailed her to the wall.

In some part of my heart, I learned from that night. I learned to dig in my heels and fight for the gospel. I learned it was necessary to deal with evil--more than that--I learned that God expected me to deal with it, and I had to prepare to do it. Finally, I learned that evil may snarl and snap, but it will always flee from the power of God.

Simple lessons learned as a child--lessons for a lifetime.