~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ NOTES FROM THE VALLEY - October 28, 2001 "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for you are with me." Psalm 23. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ TOPIC: WHY DID GOD LET THIS HAPPEN? The estimated death toll in the World Trade Center towers is now something over 4,700. The death toll from acts of terrorism against America, however, continues to grow. This week, two postal workers died from inhaled anthrax. The television news report on their deaths included an interview with the wife of one of the workers that deeply touched my heart. This dear lady seemed oblivious to the questions she was being asked by the reporters. She just kept repeating, over and over again, all the ways her husband was a "good" man. I couldn't help thinking about how senseless was this loss. And I couldn't help but hear the woman's unasked questions in the recital of her husband's virtues, "Why did this have to happen to such a good man? Why did you let this happen God? Why?" I'm sure there are thousands of families asking the same kind of questions right now about the loved ones they have lost. I think God must find the majority of us to be terribly frustrating children. Christians and non-believers alike. When things are going well, we're so quick to claim the credit for ourselves. During the recent economic prosperity of this nation, did anyone hear God mentioned as the source of that prosperity? Not likely. If anything, we were a nation intent on pushing Him away; on making sure God couldn't get into our schools, our courthouses, our legislative assemblies or anywhere else near the boundary we enforce between church and state. But when things go bad, the finger of blame is immediately extended by so many of us in His direction. Some people, I'm sure, blame Him because they're not prepared to admit their own responsibility for the fatal events. Others blame Him because they sincerely believe He's a very stern judge who, when we do something wrong, loves to jump on us with both feet. And still others blame Him because they just don't know who else to blame. Whatever our reason, we're wrong and I'm sure it's breaking our Father's heart. "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground." Genesis 1:27-28 (NIV) God said to His children - subdue (conquer, vanquish, control) the earth. God said to His children - rule (exercise authority) over every living thing. (Parenthetical words from Webster's Dictionary). God is most certainly the final judge of us all. He is most certainly omnipresent, so He sees everything we do. He judges us fairly according to the law and our choices. But He's not the one doing the jumping. The devil is. He's the prosecutor and the punisher. God left us in control of this planet with authority over all living things in it (including the serpent). If we are foolish enough to bow before sin, as Adam and Eve did, the devil demands his due and God must release His covering over us while the devil inflicts on us the consequences of our choices. It's not what God wants. But He gave us our free will and if we use it to make bad choices then the consequences are ours as well. Sickness and suffering entered into this world when those in authority sinned and let the devil in. Sickness and suffering came in with him. The same sickness and suffering that can drive someone to fly a commercial jet liner into the World Trade Center or mail a germ filled letter to an unsuspecting official. The same sickness and suffering the devil will use to drive you away from God if you'll let him. Sickness and suffering were never God's will. God's will was obedient and abundant life in the Garden of Eden. God - the just Judge is also God - the loving Father. Even while we suffer at the devil's hands for our sins or the consequences of another's sin, God is moving on our behalf, working within the self imposed limits He placed on Himself as a condition of our free will and within our hearts to teach us and recover us back under His protective and loving care. Sometimes good people get hurt simply because they're the victim of another person's poor choices. We chose to ignore poverty and oppression in the world and "good" people suffer and die. Someone, overcome by those hurts and injustices, chooses to inflict their pain on others and those "good" people become additions to the growing list of victims. We chose to ignore the dangers of pollution in our environment. Poisons are ingested and inhaled until loved ones contract deadly diseases. More suffering and death. Not because of God's will, but because of our failings in exercising the free will and authority He has given us. It seems like every day the news is filled with violent crimes where innocent victims suffer or die. Or the stories of some precious person who has succumbed to a deadly disease leaving a host of friends and loved ones mourning their loss. Roughly 2,000 years ago, the headlines read "Jesus is Dead! Nazarene crucified for claiming to be the Son of God!!" The prophet that had been welcomed with cheers and Hosannas just days before was gone. The one who had done so many miraculous things among the people and taught with such wisdom and authority was no more. His disciples were scattered and in hiding, their hopes and dreams shattered. Those who followed Christ, who had heard Him teach and had believed, lifted their eyes towards heaven and asked the question "Why?" They did not want Jesus to die. But if He hadn't, where would we be today? And therein lies our lesson for the tragedies that confront us in life: No matter how dark or senseless things may seem - God is always in control and will always keep His promise to lead us safely home. At various times in our lives, all of us will ask the pain-filled question, "Why God?" In response, the devil will offer the bitter fruit of anger and unforgiveness. The Father offers the sweet, healing power of His love and grace. He intends for us to be the messengers of that offer. God bless you all. God bless America and her allies in the fight against evil that lies ahead. May we all remain sheltered under His wings and overwhelmed by His love, Steve Hall GOD - I HURT ! (The following was posted on the wall at the Oklahoma City bombing site) I said, "God, I hurt." And God said, "I know." I said, "God, I cry a lot." And God said, "That is why I gave you tears." I said, "God, I am so depressed." And God said, "That is why I gave you Sunshine." I said, "God, life is so hard." And God said, "That is why I gave you loved ones." I said, "God, my loved one died." And God said, "So did mine." I said, "God, it is such a loss." And God said, "I saw mine nailed to a cross." I said, "God, but your loved one lives." And God said, "So does yours." I said, "God, where are they now?" And God said, "Mine is on My right. Yours is in the Light." I said, "God, it hurts." And God said, "I know." WHAT'S ON THE OTHER SIDE ? (Received from Alan Smith - Thought for the Day) A sick man turned to his doctor as he was leaving the room after paying a visit, and said, "Doctor, I am afraid to die. Tell me what lies on the other side." Very quietly the doctor said, "I don't know." "You don't know?! You, a Christian man, do not know what is on the other side?" The doctor was holding the handle of the door. On the other side came a sound of scratching and whining, and as he opened the door a dog sprang into the room and leaped on him with an eager show of gladness. Turning to the patient, the doctor said, "Did you notice that dog? He had never been in this room before. He did not know what was inside. He knew nothing except that his master was here, and when the door opened he sprang in without fear. I know little of what is on the other side of death, but I do know one thing: I know my Master is there, and that is enough. And when the door opens, I shall pass through with no fear, but with gladness." THE MESSENGER (Author - Stephen J. Hall) God reveals Himself to us in ways we seldom see; Too wrapped up in our daily lives of earthbound reality. But children are a different lot, that's why He loves them so; Exploring life's curiosities wherever they may go. They feel His breathe in a summer breeze, See His face in a billowing cloud; And celebrate His sun-filled days, With a joy expressed out loud. So when one of these little ones, A blonde-haired boy of three; Became perplexed at his Gramma's death, Just guess where God would be. Through a brightly colored butterfly, the child's cheek softly kissed; From the Gramma up in heaven, to tell him he was missed. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says the old is reborn the new; A promise given in Jesus Christ and made to me and you. From a caterpillar to a butterfly, A symbol of Christ's rebirth; What better messenger of love To the child still on the earth. ________________________________________________ Copyright © 1998 - 2001 by Stephen J. Hall - Weekly letters of encouragement to Christians written by Stephen J. Hall unless otherwise indicated. Notes from the Valley and Humor from the Valley are meant to brighten your day and encourage you along the way. Most of "Notes" and "Humor" are a collection of items provided by subscribers and friends. Credit is given to both the contributor and to the true author, where known. If you are blessed by them, please feel free to make copies and pass them along to others. If you have something you'd like to contribute to a future edition, would like to ask a question or make a comment, please contact us at: sossteve@... ________________________________________________ The LORD is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid? When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident. Psalm 27:1-3 (NIV)