In a college freshman history class a few years ago (about 1966), a student mentioned something about her faith. Now, we had a professor that had a reputation of being "mean" to students, especially about their faith; plus, he did not like to teach freshman History 101. After the comment about her faith, Dr. M just tore into her verbally "abusing" her about Jesus and her faith in someone that died a horrible death on a cross claiming to be the Son of Go! He continued the tirade for about two minutes. In the beginning the girl looked upset and seemed to desire escaping the room.
As Dr. M finished, he barked at her, "Why do you even believe Jesus ever walked the earth!" She sat there a few seconds, and then her face seem to clear of her stress and as she looked at Dr. M and asked him, "Why do you believe George Washington ever walked the face of the earth?" Before Dr. M could respond, she continued, "I first believed in Jesus because of what I read in a book and what someone taught me." You could hear a pin drop as Dr. M stood over her in a hard stare. He grimaced his lips, and with a ever so slight smile that few people noticed, turned around and resumed his lecture.
As Dr. M finished, he barked at her, "Why do you even believe Jesus ever walked the earth!" She sat there a few seconds, and then her face seem to clear of her stress and as she looked at Dr. M and asked him, "Why do you believe George Washington ever walked the face of the earth?" Before Dr. M could respond, she continued, "I first believed in Jesus because of what I read in a book and what someone taught me." You could hear a pin drop as Dr. M stood over her in a hard stare. He grimaced his lips, and with a ever so slight smile that few people noticed, turned around and resumed his lecture.
Just as there are many people of history, we first believe the message and Truth of Jesus because of what we are taught and what we read. As we develop our faith and a Personal Relationship with God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit we come to believe in Him because of personal experience through our prayers and in our Bible Study. We must remember, developing a Personal Relationship with the Trinity is not a goal, it is a journey.
However, this is not the end of the story. Most all of us have had the experience of looking at object for years and then suddenly see something new within the object we had never seen. Seeing the Unseen for the First Time is for us a magical experience, an aaha moment; much like the student had with her statement to Dr. M.
As the following four minute video explains, God has put His unseen footprint on many things we see everyday or just time to time. We look at daisy petals rarely thinking about the number or consistent pattern of petals in the different kinds of daises. The same is true with shells from the ocean, sunflowers, pineapple swirls of the outer cover, the petals of a pine cone, the swirls in our ear, the length of segments in our bodies, the swirl of the galaxies above our head.... There is a simple, similar common repeatable pattern in all of these and more items. But, as you watch the video, do not be amazed at what God has done in nature for us, rather feel Glorious that we can find great hidden treasures in His creation He made for us!
Just as the number sequence presented in this video was a hidden treasure, we must realize there so much more to discover about our Loving, Saving God and His creation. Reading a book and learning about nature is always just a beginning to a small understanding our Creator; in our temporal existence, experiencing God through our Prayers and Bible Study is our Greatest Experience of Understanding our Creator.
As the following four minute video explains, God has put His unseen footprint on many things we see everyday or just time to time. We look at daisy petals rarely thinking about the number or consistent pattern of petals in the different kinds of daises. The same is true with shells from the ocean, sunflowers, pineapple swirls of the outer cover, the petals of a pine cone, the swirls in our ear, the length of segments in our bodies, the swirl of the galaxies above our head.... There is a simple, similar common repeatable pattern in all of these and more items. But, as you watch the video, do not be amazed at what God has done in nature for us, rather feel Glorious that we can find great hidden treasures in His creation He made for us!
Just as the number sequence presented in this video was a hidden treasure, we must realize there so much more to discover about our Loving, Saving God and His creation. Reading a book and learning about nature is always just a beginning to a small understanding our Creator; in our temporal existence, experiencing God through our Prayers and Bible Study is our Greatest Experience of Understanding our Creator.
Just as an understanding of nature will never be complete, neither will our understanding about our wonderfully Awesome God..
Click Here>>>> The Fingerprint of God
Finally, and Dr. M? he was/is a great teacher, not mean. He was a fabulous teacher because of great knowledge and communication skills. At the time he taught Sunday School in a large church in Charlotte, NC and was/is a man of great faith. He just wanted the young lady to stand up for what she believed. Her exchange with Dr. M serve to cause more than one person to think. I wonder how many of us could withstand that challenge at age 18...... or even today. And that "ever so slight smile that few people noticed", Dr M. knew he had accomplished his mission with the thinking faithful young lady. Getting people to think is the mission of a teacher.
Thanks be to God.
Lessons From Nature Part 2 How Light holds us together
Other links to "Lessons from Nature":
Lessons From Nature Part 2 How Light holds us together
An After Thought,
This past week in preparing for the website publication for Sunday, I was in a struggle. With some of the stresses in my daily life, I just could not seem to make anything of my thoughts and ideas fit and feel right. Driving to school one morning, just as I always do, I prayed; and prayed about my struggles this particular week. Then, I prayed about the writing for the week. God knew my struggles but, I have learned we should pray about them and we hear hear from him more often. I very humbly prayed for direction about my distractions and in humility prayed for God to lead me in what to write. I am not amazed at what came next. As soon as I finished that prayer, within seconds the answer came concerning what to write- it was this, what you just read above.
I had thought about this story about my professor many times over the years and how to fit it into a publication; then, I was sent this video last week. In those seconds after my prayer, all of this came together, in an instant. Where do you think that connection came from? I know it came through the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
For several days, I considered not sharing this "after thought". But, a comment from a friend who is reserved about praying for themselves convinced me to include this afterthought. We have to know that in God's Love He wants us in humility to pray for our needs; humility authenticates our prayers, especially when we pray for ourselves. God wants to hear from us! And, He will respond.... if we listen.
For several days, I considered not sharing this "after thought". But, a comment from a friend who is reserved about praying for themselves convinced me to include this afterthought. We have to know that in God's Love He wants us in humility to pray for our needs; humility authenticates our prayers, especially when we pray for ourselves. God wants to hear from us! And, He will respond.... if we listen.
When we humbly pray, prayers are truly most powerful, when we listen, hear, see and understand the results, our faith builds, even when His answer is accepted as "no". "Father Knows Best."
Praise God for the nudgings of the Holy Spirit.
Lessons From Nature Part 1
Lessons From Nature Part 1
lonnie
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ldcoggins@gmail.com
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