Word for Today, Wed, 29 May 2002: Where is that miracle?

#1 · May 29, 2002, 12:26 pm

Quote from Forum Archives on May 29, 2002, 12:26 pm
Posted by: masinick <masinick@...>

Dear friends,

This week, Larry Davies confronts the common issues of faith,
religion, believing in God, and addressing the challenging questions
that people ask about God and miracles. Believing in God is certainly
all about faith... not all of the answers are either obvious or
answered in the manner that we expect our questions to be answered.

I sure don't have all the answers about my own life, but I do trust
God with my life and my future. Let's read about how Larry confronts
questions about miracles and faith.

Your Brother in Christ,
Brian

Sowing Seeds of Faith... Now with over 8,000 email subscribers around
the world.

A great gift idea! Over 1800 copies of "Breaking the Peanut Butter
Habit: Following God's Recipe for A Better Life" are already out. Do
you have yours? Save $6 if you buy one now or buy two and save almost
$25. Each book will be signed during this special promotion. What a
great idea! Click here: www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/peanbutt.htm

"Ask Larry: God and Miracles" Larry Davies

Our website, www.SowingSeedsofFaith.com receives hundreds of letters
every month from people all over the world seeking prayer and advice
on a wide variety of issues and problems. Many of those same issues
directly effect and concern us all. So, my experiment this month is to
share the questions and answers with the readers of this weekly
column. Please write and let me know what you think.

Dear Larry: "I don't believe in any God. I believe religion is for
people who are too dumb to figure out this is all science." Signed
Chad

Dear Chad: If we religious people are so dumb, why did you waste your
time surfing the internet bypassing thousands of science web sites
until you came across "Sowing Seeds of Faith" which is clearly
identified as a religious site. Plus, you must have read a few pages
of my religious devotions. Why go to all that trouble just to say,
"Religion is for those too dumb to understand science"?

Are you beginning to suspect limits to the answers science can
reasonably give? Yes, scientists may eventually discover how the
universe was made but will they ever understand "why"... until they
know "who" created it and for what purpose? Unless, you believe
creation is just a set of random events, like throwing parts in the
air and "Shazam!... down comes a computer! And you say we're dumb?

Why did you take the time to send this letter to me? At one time, did
you desperately need God for a crisis and did not receive what you
were seeking? Maybe a dear friend or loved one died despite your
fervent prayers to God for a miracle? Were you the victim of a
horrible tragedy? If so, I am sorry.

Job faced a tragedy and challenged God: 'Then the Lord answered Job
from the whirlwind: "Who is this that questions my wisdom with such
ignorant words? Brace yourself, because I have some questions for you
and you must answer them. Where were you when I laid the foundations
of the earth? Tell me, if you know so much. Do you know how its
dimensions were determined and who did the surveying? What supports
its foundations and who laid its cornerstone as the morning stars sang
together and all the angels shouted for joy?"' (Job 38:1-7) Denying
God's existence is not the answer.

Chad, maybe you should be honest with yourself and think about this
question sent by Mary.

Dear Larry: "My son-in law, Rich, went into the hospital for a liver
transplant. I felt nothing could harm him. My daughter and I read
scriptures every day. We fasted and memorized healing verses. Yet, he
died three months later, leaving behind a son just six weeks old. I
may not discover God's plan but I believe He does have a plan. What
troubles me is when ministers say, "If you believe God's Word and
claim your miracle? it will happen." Do we really have control over
our miracles?" Signed Mary

Dear Mary: I am so sorry to hear about Rich's death and I can
certainly understand your pain and sense of loss. To answer your
question: No, we do not have control over our miracles. I wish we
did. Miracles are ultimately God's choice, not ours. Think of it this
way, if we could guarantee miracles, no one would ever die or become
sick. Yet, we regularly feel pain, deal with tragedy and even face
death.

So Larry, where is God when we cry out for help during times of
tragedy?

The Apostle Paul wrote: "God is the source of every mercy and the God
who comforts us. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can
comfort others. When others are troubled, we will be able to give them
the same comfort God has given us. You can be sure that the more we
suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort
through Christ." (2 Corinthians 1:3-5) God provides comfort.

As a minister, I?ve seen situations where people in Rich's condition
are physically healed but not often, which is why they are called
miracles. My role is to demonstrate God's comforting presence in the
midst of pain and grief. Science will provide answers but not always
the ones we need. What Chad and Mary seek only God can give:
reassurance of hope and comfort. Paul continued, "That is why we never
give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed
every day." (4:16) Amen.

Would you like to send a question to Ask Larry? Just reply to this
email or send a letter care of the local newspaper that runs this
column. Thank you and God bless. Larry [NOTE: Word for Today readers
- you can send Email to Larry at mailto:sowseeds@nesbeonline.com ]

If you like this devotion you will love the book: "Breaking the Peanut
Butter Habit: Following God?s Recipe for a Better Life" now on sale
only through this website. Click here for more information:
www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/peanbutt.htm

Join our prayer ministry by clicking here:
www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/sign-up.htm

Jesus said: "You are the light of the world - like a city on a
mountain, glowing in the night for all to see. Don?t hide your light
under a basket! Instead, put it on a stand and let it shine for all."
(Matthew 5:14-15)

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Brian Masinick, "The Mas", mailto:masinick@yahoo.com
Home page: www.geocities.com/masinick/

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Posted by: masinick <masinick@...>

Dear friends,

This week, Larry Davies confronts the common issues of faith,
religion, believing in God, and addressing the challenging questions
that people ask about God and miracles. Believing in God is certainly
all about faith... not all of the answers are either obvious or
answered in the manner that we expect our questions to be answered.

I sure don't have all the answers about my own life, but I do trust
God with my life and my future. Let's read about how Larry confronts
questions about miracles and faith.

Your Brother in Christ,
Brian

Sowing Seeds of Faith... Now with over 8,000 email subscribers around
the world.

A great gift idea! Over 1800 copies of "Breaking the Peanut Butter
Habit: Following God's Recipe for A Better Life" are already out. Do
you have yours? Save $6 if you buy one now or buy two and save almost
$25. Each book will be signed during this special promotion. What a
great idea! Click here: http://www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/peanbutt.htm

"Ask Larry: God and Miracles" Larry Davies

Our website, http://www.SowingSeedsofFaith.com receives hundreds of letters
every month from people all over the world seeking prayer and advice
on a wide variety of issues and problems. Many of those same issues
directly effect and concern us all. So, my experiment this month is to
share the questions and answers with the readers of this weekly
column. Please write and let me know what you think.

Dear Larry: "I don't believe in any God. I believe religion is for
people who are too dumb to figure out this is all science." Signed
Chad

Dear Chad: If we religious people are so dumb, why did you waste your
time surfing the internet bypassing thousands of science web sites
until you came across "Sowing Seeds of Faith" which is clearly
identified as a religious site. Plus, you must have read a few pages
of my religious devotions. Why go to all that trouble just to say,
"Religion is for those too dumb to understand science"?

Are you beginning to suspect limits to the answers science can
reasonably give? Yes, scientists may eventually discover how the
universe was made but will they ever understand "why"... until they
know "who" created it and for what purpose? Unless, you believe
creation is just a set of random events, like throwing parts in the
air and "Shazam!... down comes a computer! And you say we're dumb?

Why did you take the time to send this letter to me? At one time, did
you desperately need God for a crisis and did not receive what you
were seeking? Maybe a dear friend or loved one died despite your
fervent prayers to God for a miracle? Were you the victim of a
horrible tragedy? If so, I am sorry.

Job faced a tragedy and challenged God: 'Then the Lord answered Job
from the whirlwind: "Who is this that questions my wisdom with such
ignorant words? Brace yourself, because I have some questions for you
and you must answer them. Where were you when I laid the foundations
of the earth? Tell me, if you know so much. Do you know how its
dimensions were determined and who did the surveying? What supports
its foundations and who laid its cornerstone as the morning stars sang
together and all the angels shouted for joy?"' (Job 38:1-7) Denying
God's existence is not the answer.

Chad, maybe you should be honest with yourself and think about this
question sent by Mary.

Dear Larry: "My son-in law, Rich, went into the hospital for a liver
transplant. I felt nothing could harm him. My daughter and I read
scriptures every day. We fasted and memorized healing verses. Yet, he
died three months later, leaving behind a son just six weeks old. I
may not discover God's plan but I believe He does have a plan. What
troubles me is when ministers say, "If you believe God's Word and
claim your miracle? it will happen." Do we really have control over
our miracles?" Signed Mary

Dear Mary: I am so sorry to hear about Rich's death and I can
certainly understand your pain and sense of loss. To answer your
question: No, we do not have control over our miracles. I wish we
did. Miracles are ultimately God's choice, not ours. Think of it this
way, if we could guarantee miracles, no one would ever die or become
sick. Yet, we regularly feel pain, deal with tragedy and even face
death.

So Larry, where is God when we cry out for help during times of
tragedy?

The Apostle Paul wrote: "God is the source of every mercy and the God
who comforts us. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can
comfort others. When others are troubled, we will be able to give them
the same comfort God has given us. You can be sure that the more we
suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort
through Christ." (2 Corinthians 1:3-5) God provides comfort.

As a minister, I?ve seen situations where people in Rich's condition
are physically healed but not often, which is why they are called
miracles. My role is to demonstrate God's comforting presence in the
midst of pain and grief. Science will provide answers but not always
the ones we need. What Chad and Mary seek only God can give:
reassurance of hope and comfort. Paul continued, "That is why we never
give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed
every day." (4:16) Amen.

Would you like to send a question to Ask Larry? Just reply to this
email or send a letter care of the local newspaper that runs this
column. Thank you and God bless. Larry [NOTE: Word for Today readers
- you can send Email to Larry at mailto:sowseeds@nesbeonline.com ]

If you like this devotion you will love the book: "Breaking the Peanut
Butter Habit: Following God?s Recipe for a Better Life" now on sale
only through this website. Click here for more information:
http://www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/peanbutt.htm

Join our prayer ministry by clicking here:
http://www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/sign-up.htm

Jesus said: "You are the light of the world - like a city on a
mountain, glowing in the night for all to see. Don?t hide your light
under a basket! Instead, put it on a stand and let it shine for all."
(Matthew 5:14-15)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

This mailing proudly powered by Subscribe Me(TM) Professional -
Enterprise Edition http://www.subscribemepro.com

=====
--
Brian Masinick, "The Mas", mailto:masinick@yahoo.com
Home page: http://www.geocities.com/masinick/

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Yahoo! - Official partner of 2002 FIFA World Cup
fifaworldcup.yahoo.com