I'm sorry for your loss AJ. I pray the Holy Spirit will comfort you and yours.wanted to respond to this subject as we had buried a dear friend yesterday. It struck a nerve with me.....
Welcome to Christian Forums, a Christian Forum that recognizes that all Christians are a work in progress.
You will need to register to be able to join in fellowship with Christians all over the world.
We hope to see you as a part of our community soon and God Bless!
I'm sorry for your loss AJ. I pray the Holy Spirit will comfort you and yours.wanted to respond to this subject as we had buried a dear friend yesterday. It struck a nerve with me.....
Some months ago I was blessed to report a miracle at my church. Miracle At My Church I am blessed to report another miracle.
My church has been led by the same family for 4 decades. Now, the 2nd generation has taken over. The youngest son is the lead Pastor. The daughter is the Executive Director. A 3rd son is not in the family business as they say. This 3rd son was in Lodi, Ohio watching a basketball game a last weekend with his in-laws.
During the game his FIL collapsed from his seat on the bleachers and fell to the ground. As people rushed to him, he got up and sat down on his own accord, waving people off, a bit embarrassed as people kept going toward him to check on him.
You can imagine how disturbing it was for everyone to see a spectator collapse on the ground. You have to admit it is not an every day occurrence.
As soon as he sat down after waving people off and relaxed, his head went back, his eyes rolled back. He was unconscious and fell on the ground again, completely unresponsive.
They administered CPR until the paramedics arrived. Remaining unresponsive, the EMT's exercised their protocol of administering CPR. Putting him on the gurney, everyone in the basketball court could see he was dead. The game was canceled and you could hear a pin drop as everyone left.
Having children, the family focused on distracting the kids and keeping them calm. The 3rd son was just waiting for the inevitable call from the ER doctor, they did everything they could, blah blah blah, then confirming what everyone already knew, that the FIL was dead.
The call came, confirming the FIL was dead for 10-15 minutes. The doctor went on to say that he could not explain it but the FIL was resuscitated, still in ICU but stable. A week later he is not even in the hospital and has resumed his normal life. Praise God!
Thank you....and I am sorry for derailing your thread...I didn’t realise what forum it was in....I'm sorry for your loss AJ. I pray the Holy Spirit will comfort you and yours.
So, tell me about your loss? How long did you know him? In what capacity did you know him? How did he impact your life?Thank you....and I am sorry for derailing your thread...I didn’t realise what forum it was in....
It is an interesting topic nonetheless.
It’s wonderful that the man you spoke of, survived....but more a miracle of medicine than a miracle of God I would think.
Many people are brought into the ER who are not expected to pull through...but they do, despite the odds. Although the word “miracle” might be used, I have grave doubts that God is involved. Many Christians pray for miracles that never happen.....what do you tell them?
His name was David and his father was an elder in my first congregation, 50 years ago. I was in that congregation for 20 years and I had known David since he was a youngster. His Father was an elder and David too became an elder after he was married. (We have a body of elders to shepherd the flock, unlike the churches who may only have one pastor) We have no paid clergy.So, tell me about your loss? How long did you know him? In what capacity did you know him? How did he impact your life?
There are miracles and there are miracles......life itself is a miracle and all that we have to enjoy in this life is a precious gift....but the "miracles" are often just coincidences that we can be grateful for....I have had many myself.....and thanked God that they took place. It doesn't mean that God caused it to happen, because the opposite can also be true.....if we thank God for the good things, then we must also blame him for the times when it doesn't turn out so well. :I’ve heard of people going into the hospital for something minor…only to find by a scan something major they didn’t know was there. Where finding it soon enough saved their life because it could be treated, before it progressed. Personally I see that as a miracle? One I remember was a ladies home I used to clean. Her son was hit in the head at a game and had a concussion. When the doctors did a scan they found a tumor.
What is wrong with thanking God?
Personally I think we need to acknowledge more miracles. For example a restored relationship between two people who despised one another. (Not a miracle?) A kind smile. A beautiful day. Rest. …that right person being in the right place at the right time; when someone is needed. Could use more acknowledgment of those, thanking God. I’ve heard elderly people thank God for: “still breathing”. Are those not miracles? No divine intervention?
the "miracles" are often just coincidences
that we can be grateful for....I have had many myself.....and thanked God that they took place. It doesn't mean that God caused it to happen, because the opposite can also be true.....if we thank God for the good things, then we must also blame him for the times when it doesn't turn out so well.
Remember JOB . WHEN JOB had lost his family and his wealth , HE Said the GOOD LORD giveth and the Good Lord taketh awayA Baptist told me we, Christians, don't believe in serendipity, in mere coincidences. We call it Providence.
As well we should IF we were of an arrogant mind set to blame God for his exercise of divine sovereignty. You cannot be the Creator of all things but then rationalize an escape for the bad.
The esteemed John MacArthur said in a sermon I watched a few months ago that modern society wants to take God off the hook. He added God does not mind being on the hook. God said as much.
I make light and create darkness.
I make blessings and create disasters.
I, Yahweh, do all these things.
Isaiah 45:7 NOG
Praise God. Glad to hear he is doing well.Some months ago I was blessed to report a miracle at my church. Miracle At My Church I am blessed to report another miracle.
My church has been led by the same family for 4 decades. Now, the 2nd generation has taken over. The youngest son is the lead Pastor. The daughter is the Executive Director. A 3rd son is not in the family business as they say. This 3rd son was in Lodi, Ohio watching a basketball game a last weekend with his in-laws.
During the game his FIL collapsed from his seat on the bleachers and fell to the ground. As people rushed to him, he got up and sat down on his own accord, waving people off, a bit embarrassed as people kept going toward him to check on him.
You can imagine how disturbing it was for everyone to see a spectator collapse on the ground. You have to admit it is not an every day occurrence.
As soon as he sat down after waving people off and relaxed, his head went back, his eyes rolled back. He was unconscious and fell on the ground again, completely unresponsive.
They administered CPR until the paramedics arrived. Remaining unresponsive, the EMT's exercised their protocol of administering CPR. Putting him on the gurney, everyone in the basketball court could see he was dead. The game was canceled and you could hear a pin drop as everyone left.
Having children, the family focused on distracting the kids and keeping them calm. The 3rd son was just waiting for the inevitable call from the ER doctor, they did everything they could, blah blah blah, then confirming what everyone already knew, that the FIL was dead.
The call came, confirming the FIL was dead for 10-15 minutes. The doctor went on to say that he could not explain it but the FIL was resuscitated, still in ICU but stable. A week later he is not even in the hospital and has resumed his normal life. Praise God!
God heals who he chooses. He healed many through Paul, but Paul couldn't heal his friendDear AJ, you want answers. This is your Achilles Heel, your idol of knowledge shows itself again. The Bible teaches faith over knowledge time and again. You don't want to hear this.
From today's Devotional Reading:
12 Now all we can see of God
is like a cloudy picture
in a mirror.
Later we will see him
face to face.
We don't know everything,
but then we will,
just as God completely
understands us.
13 For now there are faith,
hope, and love.
But of these three,
the greatest is love.
1 Corinthians 13:12-13 (CEV)
Notice that knowledge does not even make it to the top 3?
Although I do not have THE answer to your question, my answer is that God loves us regardless. Regardless of Daniel being eaten by lions or burned alive; regardless of passing the bitter cup from Jesus, regardless of letting Peter escape jail but let Paul be beheaded. Regardless of bringing back Lazarus but not David's infant son. Have faith in his loving Providence.
March ever onwards in the glorious Lord .God heals who he chooses. He healed many through Paul, but Paul couldn't heal his friend
Trophimus