Ok, darling Unknown.......I have to leave for a meeting in Columbus shortly but I'm going to make my comments briefly as possible.
First off......yes, I think life is predetermined by the Almighty, BUT He gave us free will (I believe through original sin? but scholars would have to correct me on this).........how we use this "free will" either brings us closer or further from the glory of God......events in our lives, even TRAGIC events are designed to help us achieve this glory.......the typical "why do bad things happen to good people?" may never be answered in ones lifetime on Earth......but it will be answered.
Secondly.....you will ask, how do I know this? Well, let me ask you........how do you know you love your family? And I know you love your family......but it isn't because you were all born into the same tribe. I'm not sure you've been married ( I think so) but I assume you've loved a woman (besides me).......how did you know you loved her? Love can not be measured, it cannot be defined. My relationship with God can not be measured.....it can not be defined. I KNOW the differences in my life by allowing His love to take over my life. I've seen the changes which can occur after I've been in such deep despair, I've went to my knees to ask His help. And trust me......I've had doubts........I've faltered........and I've been AMAZED at how prayers were answered in ways I never expected but fully understood His way of answering them and in the time frame He has answered them.
Thirdly.........I choose to look at the Brown incident on Tuesday as God LOVING, Brian and Jenny..........you darn well know it could have been so horrifically tragic I don't want to think about it.......but maybe what happened has put everyone involved in a mind set of doing things differently in the future, no matter how minute of a detail or how small of a soul searching.
Fourthly.........I have to get the heck out of here and could just beat you senseless for starting this last night when I am busy!
BUT........I love EVERYONE (as in all faiths, races, sexual preferences)........nothing upsets me more than discrimination and the notion of one human being having less value than another..........I do not know how a Jew, Muslim, Buddhist or even an ATHEIST are getting into the Kingdom of Heaven (no literal interpretation which is another debate you and I could probably be on the same page over)..............but I DO know how I am.......through the blood of Jesus Christ.
Cripe......I have to go........but I want you to know one thing, and I'm not a big fan of telling someone "I'll pray for you".........I think it is often a half hearted promise and choose to make my prayers all encompassing.........but in light of the weeks events, I pray YOU and YOUR family plus MY family have the safest of travels out east and if all possible I want you to take a little light reading out of the New Testament.
