ThisWeWillDo:
You have raised many interesting questions. You say you are not a deep thinker. I think you probably are a deep thinker, which is why you ask for help. The problem might be that you are too close to your religious training and not able to see the big picture. Some of the following may help or at least contribute a different point of view.

If you think of God as a process, it is easier to see him as perfect and always becoming more perfect. Sometimes it takes several tries for the scientific method to produce true facts. Scientists not attack the method when they fail, they keep trying and eventually they learn how to send a man to the moon.

A short statement on Free Will. God did not place man in the garden to Test him but to give a safe haven while He thought man how to live. God was spreading light and wisdom so man could leave the garden and not corrupted the rest of God's creation. That shows man how God expects man to use free will.

God didn't deceive Adam. Adam was not ready (readiness) to exist outside the garden. Don't eat there of is what preached Satan said differently. Don't blame God. You say there is good or evil Blame evil.

The theory behind Christian theology is that Christ came to restore light so mankind can live in the world properly. Again here is that free will of which you speak. The choice is up to you. If you choose evil, don't blame God's imperfection. If you choose good (your wife, children, and friend's well being), be thankful that God allowed the choice.

WMRS2