Blog Archives

Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People?

10/28/2024

As usual just my opinions especially when I mention the character of God as none of us will know until we actually see him.

The above question is probably asked by millions of people each day. Atheists certainly use it to try to shake our faith. If you were asked this question, could you provide a good answer? As Christians shouldn’t we have a decent answer?

A lot of people don’t understand why a loving God would allow such pain especially with Christians who are his children. First of all, they are confused about free will and why it’s so important. If you had a baby and had the ability to program your child to be perfect would you, do it?

The fact is we want our children to make their own choices including telling us they love us on their own not because they were programmed to do so. It’s not rewarding when a child doesn’t make the decision to love you, but your programming did. Isn’t it rewarding when you see your child do something nice for someone else…once again not because of your programming but because you raised a good child?

I believe God is like a parent in so many ways. He could’ve programed us to do whatever he wanted (i.e. loving, kind, unselfish, etc.), but he didn’t. I’m sure like us he loves seeing the choices we make and the outcomes.

Haven’t we told our children what they should do, and they do just the opposite? We know the long-term implications but they’re living in the moment. I believe God sometimes cringes when he watches us, but this is much more enjoyable than if he already programmed us for success…the bottom line is how much joy is in that?

I think a lot of people don’t understand that God has feelings. It’s written all over the Bible in both the Old and New Testaments. David was a man after God’s own heart. Jesus pleased him when he was baptized. God has also gotten mad numerous times like with the Children of Israel complaining after he freed them from slavery…thus the 40 years of wandering. He flooded the earth because he was angry. He destroyed Sodom and Gomorra for turning their backs on him. God has feelings and I believe it’s critical we understand this.

I have a friend, Scott, who lost his 16-year-old son (Brandon) to cancer. We prayed and prayed but he didn’t recover. Why did God let Brandon die when there were so many people praying for him? This is a very tough question. Not all our prayers are answered…well they are but not always in the way we want.

Scott and his family said they would’ve never have made it if it weren’t for the help from a woman who lost her little girl to cancer. She was with them from start to finish (she was there as Brandon passed away). She brought them an enormous amount of comfort and knowledge and she’s still helping other families now.

I couldn’t have helped Scott because I don’t have a clue how to deal with the terrible things he and his wife experienced. So, if it weren’t for the woman who jumped in and helped, I don’t know what would’ve happened. Why was she so qualified to bring comfort? The reason is she had the same awful experiences but something good has come from it. I don’t know how many families she’ll end up helping because she lost her daughter so good can come from bad.

What if God did heal everyone? If he’s going to do that then why wouldn’t he have placed us on earth without us ever having any medical problems? How would we treat our bodies if we didn’t have any worries about becoming ill; as for me, probably not good. How could we handle the population explosion because everyone was being healed?

It would be boring (another emotion he has), just like with any parent he hopes that after all is said and done, we make our way back to him…that we return home. More importantly that we choose to go home…this is rewarding to God (the prodigal’s son).

The choices we make in all things including who we hang out with direct our lives. The education levels we pursue impacts our lives. How we treat other people affects our lives. I could go on and on; the reason I mention this is there are so many variables in everything we do so the outcome of our lives isn’t completely controlled by us; so when should God step in? Should God always save us from bad things that happen to us thus changing the direction of our lives? The only way he could do it is to take away our free will.

So why do bad things happen to good people? It’s because bad things happen to all people. Whether you’re bad or good is a free-will choice and that’s the way God wants it, once again because he wouldn’t want to program us just like we wouldn’t want to program our children. He’s our father and he acts this way.

Free will also means someone else can make a bad choice that negatively impacts you so there are things we can't control no matter how good our personal choices might be.

There’s way more to it than what I just shared but I hope it gives you directional insight. Like I said this question is probably asked by millions of people each day so as Christians I think it’s our responsibility to have an answer to this very important question.

King John (1166 - 1213)

10/27/2024

King John of England was an interesting man; he was a driven man. The youngest of five sons he tried to figure out a way to become king even though he was so far down the family ladder. The fact that three of his brothers died at an early age helped his chances. If it weren't for his living older brother letting the King down in squelching a major rebellion, he would've never had a chance; but this and the fact that King Henry II favored him, made his way to the throne much easier.

King John had many flaws and among these was his lack of respect for those beneath him. He even had sex with the wives of various Nobles throughout the territory because he knew they could do nothing about it. Bad move on his part as this became the final straw causing all these men, in all their territories, to revolt. Think about this though, the commoners wanted to revolt for years but it wasn't until the Nobles were negatively affected that it happened. It’s true what they say: “It’s not a problem until it’s your problem.” The Nobles used their money to build armies although these weren't trained fighters, but they too hated the King, so they had inspiration to fight.

When the King found out about the rebellion, he agreed to sign a Magna Carta with the Nobles stipulating everyone in their regions would be free from English Rule (which meant no more taxes). Once things calmed down and the rebellions stopped, the King got his army together plus some Danish mercenaries and attempted to annihilate every Noble who signed the Magna Carta thus taking his kingdom back. Apparently when he signed it he had no intention of living up to its terms he just wanted the various regions to disarm so he could go in and clean house and put his own people in place.

King John had the support of the Pope because the Pope wasn't aware of his atrocities, but the Bishop for King John’s region didn't agree with the Pope and instead supported the rebellion. Knowing what they were trying to do was a long shot the bishop traveled to France. He wanted to convince their King to help the rebellion thus making the King of France also the King of England. This interested him but the problem was getting to England in time to support the rebellion before it was squelched.

King John heard the French might be coming but he didn’t believe they’d want any part of their civil war. He didn’t think the villagers would put up a fight and that he and his army would push right through, but the villagers did at least slow King John’s army down and this was exactly what the core of the rebellion needed. The rebel army took over a castle/garrison that was an important location for the protection of England. They built catapults, prepared tar to be poured on the soldiers trying to scale the wall, they forged steel for more swords, they carved more arrows, etc. They were prepared when King John got there.

This particular location was the spot King John had to have control of as it was the supply line for all military operations from London and the southern territories. He underestimated the talent that was on the other side of the wall and the military armory they had. Besides having several military generals participating in the fight a lot of fighters fought in the Holy War (Great Crusade), so they knew what they were doing. Almost more importantly they had three Knights Templar fighting for the rebellion. These Knights grew up in a monastery where besides religious training they were also taught to be warriors for the Pope. These three knights might not seem like enough to make a big difference, but they were instrumental in logistics, military tactics, training, and of course their specialty…fighting.

King John’s army and Danish mercenaries made several attempts to break into the garrison, but they ended up capturing part of it but couldn't break into the other side where the remaining fighters were poised to take them on again. King John was furious that the battle had gone on so long, but he was willing to wait for the people in the garrison to starve to death or surrender. Surrendering wasn’t a good option as King John had a technique he liked to use where the hands and feet were cut off the victim then hung, and these people were aware of it.

King John didn’t get the chance to starve the rebels out as over the hill came the French Army just in time to save the people in the garrison and villagers throughout the country. They ran King John off and continued to help the rebellion (civil war), until it was officially over. King John didn’t fare well as he died of dysentery on his way back to his castle and King Henry III took over as King up until France claimed the crown. England and France went back and forth like this for decades.

This is a great example of the heart being mightier than the sword. Think how scary it must have been for villagers to take on the Royal Army, but they stepped up and did it; I’d like to think I’d be this brave. King John inspired his kingdom to take up arms against him when he could have just as easily gained their respect and want to serve him; a good lesson for all leaders to take care of your people because they can make or break you.

Thomas Jefferson (1743 - 1826)

10/27/2024

Sorry for the long paragraph coming up but everything is connected. Thomas Jefferson was a very remarkable man who started learning very early in life and never stopped. Note he lived 83 years which was unheard of at the time, I wonder if his lifelong learning had anything to do with it? I'm proud to say he was a "Knowledge Seeker."

At 5, Jefferson began studying under his cousin's tutor. At 9, studied Latin, Greek and French. At 14, studied classical literature and could speak five languages (French, Greek, Italian, Latin and Spanish). At 16, entered the College of William and Mary and could write in Greek with one hand while writing the same in Latin with the other. At 19, began studying law. At 23, started his law practice. At 25, was elected to the Virginia House of Burgesses. At 31, wrote the widely circulated "Summary View of the Rights of British America. At 32, retired from law and became a Delegate to the Second Continental Congress. At 33, mostly wrote the Declaration of Independence. At 33, took three years to revise Virginia's legal code and wrote a Public Education Bill and a Statute for Religious Freedom. At 36, was elected the second Governor of Virginia succeeding Patrick Henry. At 40, served in Congress for two years. At 41, was the American Minister to France and negotiated commercial treaties with European nations along with Ben Franklin and John Adams. At 46, served as the first Secretary of State under George Washington. At 53, served as Vice President and was elected president of the American Philosophical Society. At 55, drafted the Kentucky Resolutions and became the active head of Republican Party. At 57, was elected the third president of the United States. At 60, obtained the Louisiana Purchase doubling the nation's size. At 61, was elected to a second term as President. At 65, retired to Monticello. At 80, helped President Monroe shape the Monroe Doctrine. At 81, almost single-handedly created the University of Virginia and served as its first president. At 83, died on the 50th anniversary of the Signing of the Declaration of Independence along with John Adams who also died that day.

Thomas Jefferson knew the positive and much negative affects of government because he studied the previous failed attempts that occurred around the world. He understood actual history, the nature of God, God’s law, and the nature of man.

John F. Kennedy held a dinner in the White House for a group of the brightest minds in the nation at that time. He made this statement: "This is perhaps the assembly of the most intelligence ever to gather at one time in the White House with the exception of when Thomas Jefferson dined alone."

A voice from the past to lead us into the future:

"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not."

"I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them."

“My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government."

"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants."

"To compel a man to subsidize with his taxes the propagation of ideas which he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical." Wow, does this hit home with me.

I provide you with information about amazing people all the time; I have to put Thomas Jefferson close if not at the top.

Outrageous

10/23/2024

The Biden Administration has broken yet another record by issuing improper payments in the amount of over $800 billion dollars. An improper payment is defined as: “made by the government to the wrong person, in the wrong amount, or for the wrong reason,” according to federal guidelines. It includes overpayments due to fraud, mistakes or administrative errors.

This is the problem with having too large of a government along with no accountability when people do something wrong.

The Battle of Normandy (June 6, 1944)

10/22/2024

There’s a lot that was happening from a military perspective outside the beach assault, but I’ll focus primarily on the battle.

Before I talk briefly about the battle our 82nd and 101st airborne divisions parachuted behind enemy lines at midnight before the assault to provide the soldiers on the beach with back-up and set up a zone so they could attack the Germans as they attempted to escape from the battlefield. We lost an extraordinary number of men as parachutes didn’t open, some landed in enemy territory, some were killed while flying down in their chutes, and some drowned in the water. Parachutes weren’t as easy to control as they are today.

Back then there wasn’t a good way to figure out how effective the bombing was…they calculated how many bombs they thought would do the trick and then launched them from their ships. Probably hard to believe but our ships could send one ton ammunition over 20 miles (that's right 20 miles). Of course today we can get awesome insight into conditions anywhere with the use of satellites; unfortunately, in this case they overestimated how much damage the bombs did to the Germans before sending our men in. The Germans had time to build deep bunkers at high points along the hill, so our bombs didn’t do enough damage to reduce our casualties very much.

I’m sure you remember live footage or footage from various films about the soldiers charging out of the water with men falling down all over the place as German machine guns strafed our soldiers. Side note: I’m not sure if you’ve ever thought about this but do you remember all the logs and barb wire that were scattered around the beach; they were several feet high and impossible to climb over. The reason the Germans used these is that it caused our soldiers to stack up between them in an effort to charge up the hill making it easier for Germans to pick them off.

When our soldiers reached the shore, they were still out in the open with no place to hide so their best chance was to get to the hill as soon as possible so they’d have some shelter. Keep in mind that once there their next objective was to climb the hill to take the German shelters out. This required them charging the bunkers with grenades and rifle fire. Try to envision this…Germans safely in their bunkers with their guns sticking out of small holes and our soldiers out in the open while charging them. Would you be brave enough to charge or would you freeze? As for me, I don’t know but I’m so thankful for those who did have the courage.

I would’ve been terrified beyond belief at every aspect of their invasion. First of all, trying to get out of the marine amphibious vessel to make my way to shore and seeing men all around me get killed, would make me about pass out. Reaching the beach with no protection while Germans shot and killed even more of my comrades would take me to my knees. Lastly, knowing I had to climb a hill while bullets were flying around me to throw a grenade in a bunker and then charge towards it would just about kill me without being shot. I can’t even begin to understand their bravery.

For some reason consistent information on how many U.S. soldiers died at Normandy is a little difficult to confirm but the average of those reported are 2,500 killed. The cemetery in Normandy has around 21,000 buried which makes sense because there were eight countries fighting in this battle in one way or another. We were the only outsiders in this fight which says a lot for our country.

The Battle of Normandy changed the tide of WW2 as Germany was taking over Europe, so the U.S. helped set France free which opened up the door to directly attack the Germans and push them home, which we did. A lot of people think the French hate Americans and they might overall, but I can tell you they still love us in the Normandy region even having annual celebrations that are much more extravagant than many of ours.

Thanks to all those brave soldiers who risked it all for us, many having given all they had to give. I’m sure all our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of those who lost their lives. We reflect on Normandy once a year while these family members think about the battle every day of their lives. God bless them.

Wise Words

10/22/2024

Funny Quotes by Steven Wright

10/19/2024

1 - I'd kill for a Nobel Peace Prize.
2 - Borrow money from pessimists -- they don't expect it back.
3 - Half the people you know are below average.
4 - 99% of lawyers give the rest a bad name.
5 - A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.
6 - The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.
7 - I almost had a psychic girlfriend, ..... But she left me before we met.
8 - OK, so what's the speed of dark?
9 - How do you tell when you're out of invisible ink?
10 - If everything seems to be going well, you have obviously overlooked something.
11 - Hard work pays off in the future; laziness pays off now.
12 - What happens if you get scared half to death twice?
13 - My mechanic told me, "I couldn't repair your brakes, so I made your horn louder."
14 - Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it.
15 - The problem with the gene pool is that there is no lifeguard.
16 - The sooner you fall behind, the more time you'll have to catch
up.
17 - If your car could travel at the speed of light, would your headlights work?

She's a Lying Machine

10/15/2024

Kamala is promising African Americans that she'll pay off one million of their business loans. Keep in mind, this is taxpayer dollars going to people based on the color of their skin, so whites need not apply. This is unconstitutional and she knows this; she's just lying to try and get votes. I guess the end justifies the means when it comes to the democratic party.

President James Madison (1751 - 1836)

10/14/2024

Our shortest President was James Madison who was 5'4" tall and weighed around 100 pounds. He didn't have a huge physical presence but in a room full of people, he always stood out because his charisma and intellect were gigantic.

The Frozen Woman

10/13/2024

A police officer in NY was out in frigid conditions when he saw a very old lady sitting in the passenger seat of a car with an oxygen mask on and it looked like she was frozen to death. He broke a window in the vehicle to see if he could save her, but he couldn't. Why? Because she was never alive, she was a life-like mannequin. The owner of it worked in the healthcare industry and used the dummy for CPR classes in nursing homes. I never did find out who had to pay for the car window.

<<Previous

Author: John Mann

Archives