Monday, June 16, 2008

Man of Little Faith

Here's a bit of writing about my failed attempts to perform miracles:

http://kennyching.wordpress.com/man-of-little-faith/

7 comments:

-Dave said...

I may have blogged the same story I'm about to summarize - but I don't recall.

I was chatting online with a friend one morning, and I threw out a random blurb about how dust preferentially scatters red light in the atmosphere, which explains the hue of sunrises and sunsets. She asked if that was why the sky was so pink that morning. And I responded something to the effect of "No, it was pink because God loves you."

If we can't believe in explanations for natural events that are both physical and supernatural, then I don't think our faith is worth anything. It becomes either hollow and purely physical, or mystical and unconnected to the world we experience.

Your sun-on-the-lake story reminded me of that.

Kenny said...

That's a great point, Dave. I think a lot of mischief arises from unnecessarily divorcing the natural and the supernatural.

Anonymous said...

The lack of the supernatural in my Christian life is frustrating. Of course, I'm not counting the grace to do kindness and mercy of avoiding temptation, which is merely mundane.

I want to heal the sick. I want to see the secret wounds on a person's soul. I want to move small German cars.

It's sad for me that the last miracle I witnessed was in 1996 at Urbana.

What was the last miracle you witnessed. And not kind of miracles that happen every day. (Thank you God for sunsets and flower blooming). I mean the good kind.

Kenny said...

In 2003, I got stuck on a mountain in the middle of the night with no light. I was concerned about getting attacked by wild animals or else I might have just stayed up there all night. But I started trying to make my way down the mountain in the pitch black. At some point, I lost the trail. I searched for it for probably 30 minutes, retracing my steps, and doing everything I could think of. Finally, I was about to give up and climb back up the mountain and start over, but I prayed. Then, in the corner of my eye, I could see the faintest patch of light. I made my way over to it, and it was the path, and from there I got off the mountain safe and sound.

Kenny said...

I’d be interested to know what the Urbana 96’ miracle was. One thing that occurs to me is that miracles are special, in part, because they’re rare, and if you’ve seen even one bonafide miracle you might have met your lifetime quota. I know that’s a more two-dimensional response than you’re looking for.

I have a very good Charismatic friend who literally claims people are raised from the dead in the present day ministries she’s a part of. To tell the truth, I don’t believe her. I know we don’t see many miracles these days, but I have this strong gut feeling that we’re not supposed to.

Anonymous said...

One of the preachers, T.V. Thomas, came out bombastic, but started to lose his voice. His voice became a hoarse whisper. Multiple cups of water were being brought out. It was a bit comical and some of us laughed a little. An organizer lightly rebuked us for laughing saying Thomas had something important to tell us.

Someone shouted out, "Pray!" and others agreed. I, on the other hand, was wondering what would we do when his voice didn't return. But we prayed, and it did. I don't remember a word he said. I was busy repenting and contemplating and watching a man backstage with his hands raised, praying for T.V> Thomas.

Anonymous said...

Here's a link to story on the miracle. I highlighted one of the details I forgot.
http://awurl.com/vhfdsq91302

I seem to remember, Kenny, you making a request for miracles we've witnessed. I didn't respond because this one was so old. I don't know if I was ashamed or depressed.