irisheyes

Some stuff too heavy for me. But, I do have a bit to add (perhaps). I think I remember learning or reading somewhere that Paul was glad for his suffering because when he was in bonds the Word moved like crazy. When they didn't have Paul around to move the Word for them, the believers finally did it for themselves. His heart was so pure, so gung-ho, that even if it meant he had to die, he would do that gladly so the Word would move and live. Of course, this goes to that famous (infamous?) teaching about Paul going to Jerusalem and did he go in spite of being told not to, or was he receiving revelation to go and suffer? I have to say he was thick-headed. It seems that way to me. He just didn't care what he had to go through if it meant moving the Word. And that's my final answer (I think).

Mark, Please go to the bottom of page 2 of miracles for two replies by HCW. Perhaps that will shed some light for you. It did for me. IE

H: Thank you! You brought my thoughts out of the gutter. Of course the devil is the god of this world and causes all the darkness. Going back to the Word and our loving Father always sheds light. Father knows best. Good slogan! I have a friend who is always in pain and is always "believing" for deliverance. She is not mobile enough to even think about helping someone else and in a case like that, I believe that is what we are around for. Once we can get out minds off ourselves and look to help others, it helps us too! You are a wonderful witness of someone who loves and trusts God. I hope you know that. There appears to be another thread on suffering just opened and I hope you take the time to share this there also. I wonder just how many people got hurt in Tinnie instead of helped. The crap that went back to leadership about me was really reaching, just pure bull. At least I wasn't afraid to say so and was able to laugh at it. I realize I was fortunate not to carry it around. I am sorry for your injuries, but glad for your insight. You made my day. Now I can go mow my grass and get ready for this ridiculous hurricane with a smile on my face. :D-->

Awesome topic. It somewhat relates to what I've been wondering about; i.e., miracles. Why for some and not others? It will require time to look into, but I'll be back!

Evan, Doesn't your response put things in the category of God being a respector of persons and/or conditions? Aren't signs to make life easier for us? For instance, do you ever wonder what a red octaganol sign with STOP in the middle means? Don't signs spell things out for us? Point the way? Give us directions? Do signs leave you wondering what they mean? Just what is your definition of a sign?

todd: All the times we don't know of was the "one little addition." What followed was just examples from my life, of which I am sure so many others have so much more to add. I am glad you can explain yourself. And I am glad for your comments. :)-->

Studied it last night and found the most interesting in Job. Pretty outright there! Danny: did it give a verse re Jehovah? And the serpent lives on . . . .

Ha! got alot of people's interest, but apparently no one has seen it!

Shell, As we all know --> --> God is no respector of persons,right? So, your question is quite well received. This is a main reason I started this thread. Is there something we are missing as to the why and when of miracles? My daughter actually said the other day that perhaps we each have our quota of miracles at birth. I thought that was ridiculous, but if it made her feel better--who am I to say? We know the devil causes death (at least I am assuming we know that). That in itself comforts me when I go through something so awful. To me it is like hand-to-hand combat with the enemy. I watched my brother die last week even though I prayed for a miracle. But, at least I didn't blame God. Lord help anyone who tells me that was God's will. I went to a funeral last month for my next door neighbors who lost their 15 year old daughter in a boat accident. It took us 2 hours to make it through the line to talk with her parents. That's how well loved she and they are. Very Christian people. I heard over and over again how she's in a better place now and all I could think was why don't we all just shoot ourselves and go there too if it's true? I know we don't know everything, but we do know somethings and we need to share what we know, especially about death and God's comfort.

Did anyone see the last show last week? I missed the last 10 minutes and don't know of Tommy shot the creep or if the fat guy put his wife away, etc. -->

Got it!

dSir, If I must say, you don't sound short of time to me! Are you a rapper? All you'd need is a little more rhyme (and perhaps some reason). I have only one little thing to add; all the times we don't know of: the time I didn't actually drown the time I didn't take that extra pill down the time I didn't leave on time the time I actually listened to mother mine the time I decided to stay in the right lane the time I missed the silly plane the time I lost my only watch the time I couldn't make the march the time I decided to make it safe the time I decided to make an escape . . . .

BB: Interesting. I had someone ask me to day if it's alright to pray for Hurricane Rita to go somewhere else because, after all, if we pray for it to go elsewhere, then that means someone else could get hurt. We could, of course, move out of hurricane paths. But, to where? There's tornadoes and blizzards and mudslides and earthquakes, etc. I guess we just don't always know what we should pray for. Duh.

And, CM, I wonder about you . . . .

Here I go again! Hard to do a word study without the words. I am committed to looking up verses about the devil in the old testament because he wasn't spoken of as much as he was in evidence. I'll start: that old serpent. :D--> :D-->

Well Todd, put up or shut up. If you've seen them, 'fess up!

What?? No cone reports?

BB: Do you think prayer can bring miracles? Sir: I liked your answer. However, different set of fools we are. Didn't signs follow the first century believers?

Thank you both SO MUCH! I am so not interested in twi definition of anything. However, I am really curious in miracles that are modern day; i.e., happened to you or to someone you know, etc. I am just seeking knowledge on how much is available to us today. I appreciate the word study and need to look into it myself, but I still am interested in experiences. (Look how far I've come....) Oh, I take Blueberry Magic btw. Order it from Herbasway. Perhaps I am getting miracles and don't even know it! IE

Raf, What church do you belong to if I may ask? Where you ever baptized as an infant? Saw a beautiful baptism at church (Methodist) this morning that made me cry. I'm glad you live in Florida and hope the water wasn't too cold! I'm happy if you're happy! IE :D-->

No, I'm not talking phenominal. Even though most miracles must be in that category. I'm wondering about "everyday" kind of stuff like people being healed. Of course, there have been things in my life that I refuse to accept as "coincidence", but someone of different beliefs would easily say I couldn't prove these were miracles. I'm talking about stuff that you can't mistake for something like coincidence. Things spontaeous, unexplainable, and spiritual in nature; i.e., the whole church prayed for so and so and he got up off his death bed and is fine now. Or an angel appearing and rescuing someone off the side of a cliff. I mean what is the difference between signs, miracles and wonders? Is there a difference? Why do some people get them and not others? Surely God can intervene when the going gets tough? Or are His hands tied in our time?

Why don't we see too many miracles today?

Wow! I didn't expect five. I would really appreciate you looking them up when you can. And also I'd like to know where the info came from.

I guess I'm not included in that "we" because I've just never heard that before. Which books? -->

I really needed a good laugh! :D-->