Comments on: Two inches of providence stretches into a lifelong smile http://online.worldmag.com/2009/05/19/two-inches-of-providence-stretches-into-a-lifelong-smile/ A forum for discussion of news that arises at the intersection of Christianity and culture. Sat, 20 Mar 2010 01:03:31 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: rossignol http://online.worldmag.com/2009/05/19/two-inches-of-providence-stretches-into-a-lifelong-smile/comment-page-1/#comment-427835 rossignol Wed, 27 May 2009 06:38:39 +0000 http://online.worldmag.com/?p=19653#comment-427835 I have seen so many good Christian people struck by cancer, stroke, car accident, etc... and it really does make you want to yell "what about them?" or "what about their families, their children?". This brought to mind the following article from World, Jan 15, 2005 by John Piper following the devastating tsunami that killed so many people. "From pulpits to news programs, from The New York Times to The Wall Street Journal, the message of the tsunami was missed. It is a double grief when lives are lost and lessons are not learned. Every deadly calamity is a merciful call from God for the living to repent. "Weep with those who weep," the Bible says. Yes, but let us also weep for our own rebellion against the living God. Lesson one: Weep for the dead. Lesson two: Weep for ourselves. Repeat: Every deadly calamity is a merciful call from God for the living to repent. That was Jesus' stunning statement to those who brought Him news of calamity. The tower of Siloam had fallen, and 18 people were crushed. What about this, Jesus? they asked. He answered, "Do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish" (Luke 13:4-5)." It hurts, but God is still merciful. Our family had a similar experience with a tree. Our neighbor had a very dead 100 foot tall southern yellow pine tree on her property that was just outside my children's bedroom. She was looking into having it cut down, but was short on cash. I spent many nights praying and worrying about that tree falling on my sleeping children. One morning during breakfast there was an enormous thud on the roof. (This is an understatement) We all ran outside, and there was the tree on our roof. It hit on the corner of the house just above a support pillar, right on the ridgeline. The tree snapped in two, and in the end all we had to fix was the porch light, the fence, and one roof tile (just one). We were all thankful and amazed, especially since we have seen so many of our neighbors houses demolished by trees during Katrina. (No trees fell on our house at that time, just the garage) I believe in the power of prayer. I have seen so many good Christian people struck by cancer, stroke, car accident, etc… and it really does make you want to yell “what about them?” or “what about their families, their children?”. This brought to mind the following article from World, Jan 15, 2005 by John Piper following the devastating tsunami that killed so many people.

“From pulpits to news programs, from The New York Times to The Wall Street Journal, the message of the tsunami was missed. It is a double grief when lives are lost and lessons are not learned. Every deadly calamity is a merciful call from God for the living to repent. “Weep with those who weep,” the Bible says. Yes, but let us also weep for our own rebellion against the living God. Lesson one: Weep for the dead. Lesson two: Weep for ourselves.

Repeat: Every deadly calamity is a merciful call from God for the living to repent. That was Jesus’ stunning statement to those who brought Him news of calamity. The tower of Siloam had fallen, and 18 people were crushed. What about this, Jesus? they asked. He answered, “Do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish” (Luke 13:4-5).”

It hurts, but God is still merciful.

Our family had a similar experience with a tree. Our neighbor had a very dead 100 foot tall southern yellow pine tree on her property that was just outside my children’s bedroom. She was looking into having it cut down, but was short on cash. I spent many nights praying and worrying about that tree falling on my sleeping children. One morning during breakfast there was an enormous thud on the roof. (This is an understatement) We all ran outside, and there was the tree on our roof. It hit on the corner of the house just above a support pillar, right on the ridgeline. The tree snapped in two, and in the end all we had to fix was the porch light, the fence, and one roof tile (just one). We were all thankful and amazed, especially since we have seen so many of our neighbors houses demolished by trees during Katrina. (No trees fell on our house at that time, just the garage) I believe in the power of prayer.

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]]> By: candymagee http://online.worldmag.com/2009/05/19/two-inches-of-providence-stretches-into-a-lifelong-smile/comment-page-1/#comment-426628 candymagee Fri, 22 May 2009 21:10:21 +0000 http://online.worldmag.com/?p=19653#comment-426628 Nearly two years ago our family was struck by tragedy - the suicide death of a 22 year old son. The resulting aftershocks have continued every day since then. I have noticed, though, that lately I have become "jealous" when I overhear people saying about their own experiences that "we were really blessed by this or that wonderful providence." I stand back and want to yell "what about us? aren't we blessed, too?" While my brain knows that the severe mercy we are undergoing is designed for our good and God's glory, my heart is slow to confirm this. Thankfully my head, informed by God's word, continues to lecture my emotions that God is merciful beyond measure. All I can do is be like Job, and humbly "place my hand over my mouth." Only then can I be at peace with God's mysterious providences. Nearly two years ago our family was struck by tragedy – the suicide death of a 22 year old son. The resulting aftershocks have continued every day since then. I have noticed, though, that lately I have become “jealous” when I overhear people saying about their own experiences that “we were really blessed by this or that wonderful providence.” I stand back and want to yell “what about us? aren’t we blessed, too?” While my brain knows that the severe mercy we are undergoing is designed for our good and God’s glory, my heart is slow to confirm this. Thankfully my head, informed by God’s word, continues to lecture my emotions that God is merciful beyond measure. All I can do is be like Job, and humbly “place my hand over my mouth.” Only then can I be at peace with God’s mysterious providences.

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]]> By: Thorn http://online.worldmag.com/2009/05/19/two-inches-of-providence-stretches-into-a-lifelong-smile/comment-page-1/#comment-426129 Thorn Thu, 21 May 2009 16:34:21 +0000 http://online.worldmag.com/?p=19653#comment-426129 Providence ftw! Providence ftw!

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]]> By: contented-joy http://online.worldmag.com/2009/05/19/two-inches-of-providence-stretches-into-a-lifelong-smile/comment-page-1/#comment-425625 contented-joy Wed, 20 May 2009 03:55:11 +0000 http://online.worldmag.com/?p=19653#comment-425625 Thanks for this post Thanks for this post

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]]> By: Sawgunner http://online.worldmag.com/2009/05/19/two-inches-of-providence-stretches-into-a-lifelong-smile/comment-page-1/#comment-425457 Sawgunner Tue, 19 May 2009 19:14:09 +0000 http://online.worldmag.com/?p=19653#comment-425457 I have met men with "survivor's guilt" from the wars. I always tell them that He truly has a bigger mission waiting for them further on down the line. I have met men with “survivor’s guilt” from the wars. I always tell them that He truly has a bigger mission waiting for them further on down the line.

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]]> By: nopm http://online.worldmag.com/2009/05/19/two-inches-of-providence-stretches-into-a-lifelong-smile/comment-page-1/#comment-425405 nopm Tue, 19 May 2009 17:15:39 +0000 http://online.worldmag.com/?p=19653#comment-425405 Good post. We always like to think of providence when the good stuff happens - "That was providential!" But God also presides over the bad stuff and we forget to say, "The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away. Blessed be the Name of the Lord!" [Mind you this doesn't preclude mourning when the Lord taketh away.] Mike Good post.

We always like to think of providence when the good stuff happens – “That was providential!” But God also presides over the bad stuff and we forget to say, “The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away. Blessed be the Name of the Lord!” [Mind you this doesn't preclude mourning when the Lord taketh away.]

Mike

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