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November17, 2006 - "The girl who stole my heart" >> |
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"I Believe in You!"
A message of Hope, stories from the
road.
By Bob Perks
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Hello, my friend!
Still time to help us celebrate my son Keith's
10 years cancer free. I want to thank those of you
who have responded.
I will give them to Keith on 11-20-06 his tenth
celebration
cancer free.
Celebrate my son's 10 years cancer free on November
20th
Send a note of congratulations,
please.
Write to: Keith Perks *************************************************
Perks Pearl of Wisdom
"Blind faith? Sometimes it feels that way. Believing in
something
you feel but cannot see. But true faith comes when you
believe that
all that you see comes from all that you
feel."
Bob Perks
*************************************************
You can find great gifts related to
my stories
by visiting our online gift
shop.
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Store
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F R E E
*********************************************************
Make a donation to
help us continue to
"Touch the world one person at a
time"
These messages are f r e e...
but writing and speaking is the way I make a living.
If you enjoy reading and sharing my work, you can help us
continue
our "Ministry of the Heart" in 2006 by making a donation of any
amount:
If you can't help financially at this time there is something you can
do...
an even greater need...
please pray for our mission to "touch the world one person at a
time."
Thanks, my friend!
Bob and Marianne *********************************************************
All stories copyright 2006 Bob Perks
Today's Message:
"Where's the river if it doesn't rain?" By Bob Perks "If there is a God, why would He permit this to happen?" she asked of me. Until recently I struggled to have an answer that I was comfortable with, myself. Yet, at least once a week someone writes to ask me
that.
I am not a preacher nor a student of Bible studies. I cannot throw a Bible passage at every circumstance in life. But I have arrived at a
point where I feel comfortable
with an answer to this question.
I could easily say, "I don't know." For a while I used the old, "God works in mysterious ways," answer. It seemed to be a good enough, one size fits all reply to a million
unexplainable events in life.
But through the course of the past four plus years I've been writing this message, I've come to my own conclusion.
Is it biblically correct? Will it fit every faith represented here? I just don't know. But when I replied to one of my readers yesterday, it tied
into a story line I was
about to write and the result was...I felt very
comfortable with saying it.
You must know by now that a single word, a phrase, or a look can catch my attention and sparks fly in the creative part of my being.
It happened again on
Sunday. I was watching a movie and one character asked,
"Where's the river if it doesn't rain?"
I immediately grabbed my pen and pad to write it down. Here's what I heard: "If it weren't for the rain we wouldn't have rivers that take us somewhere else."
All the rain in our lives, all the dark cloudy rainy days that wash away our dreams serve a greater purpose.
Our pain, our loss should take us somewhere else. The experience adds to our lives and moves us in a direction further along life's
pathway. Sometimes to a
better place than those who have not suffered in
life.
Then I read the message from one of my friends. She was struggling with her reality of God in her life. Unlike before, I didn't hesitate to reply to her. I didn't have to think about my answer.
For without a doubt I am
completely comfortable with it.
Perhaps today you find yourself in a doubting place because frankly, your life has hit bottom and you are wondering, "Why does God permit
this?"
Here is my reply: Dear Friend, From the deepest part of my soul I hold by heart out to you, but right now, with the mindset that you are in, there is nothing I can say that
you will agree with.
You know me from my writing. You know what I will tell you without even asking...but perhaps that is why you wrote to me today.
I can only tell you there is a God. He's the same God you loved when things were good in your life. The same God you prayed to when your needs were not as great. Perhaps an
illness, a worry, a concern
were on your prayer list during other times. You never
hesitated to ask His help then,
because you trusted Him.
He is the same God your parents were grateful to when you were born and I rejoice in when I call you "friend."
The same God you might have thanked a thousand times and never even realized it. "Oh, thank God!" Yes, He permitted this tragedy. Just as He permits every other horrific thing in this world. Rape, murder, cancer, aids, abortion etc.
Through my 52 years of life I've learned much, suffered some and painfully ached for the world around me. Through all of this I have come to this
conclusion. This all comes, I believe,
when He permitted us to have "choice." He doesn't force us
to believe in Him. He even
permits you to write to me denying Him. What He does offer
in place of all of this is His
love and eternity with those we love who have gone before
us.
It is this challenge He gives us. Have the gift of choice over His will and the world will not be a perfect place. And so it is.
It was NOT His will to have this happen to you. But your redemption? If you believe in Him still, even after a terrible life, eternity will be the
reward.
Choose not to believe and all that you have accomplished, all that you ever prayed for will be in vain. Now, my friend. I know you didn't write to me hoping that I would agree with you. You wrote to me hoping I'd tell you that you are in pain and
mourning and even God will forgive you for
doubting Him. But the greatest gift you can now give in
return is to stand tall in the face of all
this and serve as an example to friends and family, young
and old, who are watching you.
They are all looking for someone to lead them through
this. If no one does then the loss is
even greater, for everyone will die in spirit.
That, my friend, is the work of what I call the ugly one. The ugly one rejoices in your loss and then weaves doubt and confusion throughout the hearts and
souls of all who love you. The
ugly one not only gains joy in your pain, but gains souls
in your doubt of God Almighty.
Mourn, my friend. Cry and pound your chest for your loss. God cries with you and lovingly waits for you to turn to Him once again.
I hope and pray that this is what you really wanted to hear. If not, it is, I believe, what you really needed to hear.
So, where's the river if it doesn't rain?" "I believe in You!"
Bob Perks
I encourage you to share my stories with your friends but, when
copying I ask that
you keep my name and contact information
attached so that new readers can find their way
here. Use of this
story for commercial use is prohibited without
direct permission
from the author.
***********************************************
May I Suggest...
Need a quick pick me up?
Visit my audio blog to hear my inspirational
messages
and you can hear me sing, too.
Visit my photo album:
Why not send me your picture to be added to
"My Friends I've never met"
Think you missed a message from
me?
Here are the archives...
*************************************************
Your Comments... If you would like
to share brief comment
about today's message, please write to Bob@BobPerks.com
I will use only first names and no email
addresses.
**************************************************
"I wish you enough!"
Bob Bob Perks is a professional speaker, author and vocalist. Member National Speakers Association. Visit http://www.BobPerks.com Visit Bob's story site: http://www.IWishYouEnough.com Sign up to receive Bob's free stories sent three times weekly. "I wish you enough!" written by Bob Perks (c) 2001 "I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright. I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more. I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive. I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much bigger. I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting. I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess. I wish you enough "Hello's" to get you through the final "Goodbye." |
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November17, 2006 - "The girl who stole my heart" >> |
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