Just wanted to say real quick (until time permits me to elaborate) that what you said Ellen is exactly right.  You summed it up nicely....you kept it "pithy," as Bill O'Reilly always says.  I'll write more on this momentarily (should the Lord tarry.)

 

Ellen Gonzalez (22 Apr 2008)
"To answer Rick Hedrick"

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I believe in the complete sovereignty of God. To believe otherwise is to take away from His omnipotence. He may ALLOW us to think we have free will, but in reality He controls ALL. Did Paul have free will on the road to Damascus? I think this verse sums it up:

The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will. Prov 21:1