My favorite (and only) daughter and her best friend in high school, Kelanie, [you can follow Kelanie's music ministry on Kelanie.com] used to enjoy contriving "random ponderments." Often there was no point to them, they just wrote down questions about things that seemed to have no logical answer. Are you a "ponder-er?" I am. I have wondered out loud (prepare to roll your eyes and sigh loudly) why braille is used at drive-up ATM's? Or why do businesses get upset with thieves who come in their establishment with guns drawn and rob them? Weren't the robbers obeying the "No Concealed Handguns" sign posted on the door when they came in showing their guns....? And one more question about braille--it's about braille on elevators. How does a person that can't see even know that there is an elevator, let alone how to find it?
The same goes for miracles. The Bible records them, they are inspiring to read about, they happen in those third world countries we go to as missionaries, but are they real and do they happen today where I live? This may challenge your belief system, and if so, perhaps it needs challenging: Christianity today seems to be more interested in talking about Jesus than it is in the go therefore and do likewise command of Jesus. Could we ponder that a moment? Why is it that way? Could it be that--your church and mine excepted, of course-- it is a pride thing in some churches? Why would it be pride, you ask? Don't we all want to be accepted? The miracles that Jesus performed even got Him called out by His family: They thought He had gone mad. See Matthew 12:46-47 and Mark 3:21-31. Consider that in Jesus' day the Pharisees did not get upset with His performing of miracles (except on the Sabbath--go figure!), but they got really upset if He told someone their sins were forgiven! Today, it is the opposite--you can preach the forgiveness of sins all day, but it is not "spiritually socially acceptable in church" to suggest that God will perform a miracle today for you, through you or in you on purpose. That is one primary reason the "third world country" miracles don't happen where you live today. We have been taught that God isn't doing that anymore, or, perhaps we have been around people who prayed and nothing happened, and we don't want to look foolish like them. Could it be pride?
In the next part, let's examine another key reason that miracles don't happen in the church today. Over the next several parts, we will examine some of the incidents in the ministry of Jesus and see a common thread in each miracle that we can take away and live out in our own lives and the lives of those we come in contact with. By now you may think that I am a religious nut. However, I am neither religious nor a nut...but I am "...addicted to the ministry of the (believers) saints." (I Corin. 15:16) After nearly 35 years of being involved in watching and participating in the present day ministry of Jesus, blessing His people on purpose, it is my hope that you, too, will see that there is more to learn and do in this life called "Christian."
I've even heard of braille being used at McDonald's drive ins
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