| Outreach Postponed |
| Dominican Republic |
ARE THERE ACCIDENTS
WITH GOD?
by Dr. Glenn Mathews
We regard accidents as events that happen without
warning. Accidents may be good, but we usually
associate the word with bad things that happen …
spilling a glass of milk, falling, or an automobile
collision. Certainly, those things are neither
planned nor preferred, they just happen.
WITH GOD?
by Dr. Glenn Mathews
We regard accidents as events that happen without
warning. Accidents may be good, but we usually
associate the word with bad things that happen …
spilling a glass of milk, falling, or an automobile
collision. Certainly, those things are neither
planned nor preferred, they just happen.
| PO Box 145 ~ Charleston, WV 25321 ~ (910) 948-4307 ~ glennandfleta@juno.com |
On Wednesday, February 11, 2009, Fleta was involved in a collision
with another car. The other driver, who was cited for failing to yield,
attempted to turn left from her lane right in front of Fleta and the two
cars collided. Our 2001 vehicle (145,000 miles) was totaled. Fleta was
taken to the Emergency Room and treated. No broken bones, (thank
God), but severe bruises to her chest area, especially to the sternum.
As of today (19th), she is progressing OK, and taking anti-inflammatory
medicine. She is improving, but the soreness , according to her
Physician, will probably require a month to be completely gone. We will
replace the car. She will get well. She will drive again. But – was the
wreck an accident? Did God not know that it would happen? Could he
not have prevented it? Why am I asking these questions?
We were scheduled to be in the Dominican Republic from February 18-
25, ministering in village churches, conducting seminars with local
pastors and counseling. Two pastors, Gary Drake, pastor of Bethel
Lighthouse in Marietta, OH (and a member of the Board of Directors of
Revival Crusade) and Randy Carnes, Pastor of Elizabeth Chapel in
Gallipolis, OH were to accompany us. Gary has made several trips to
the Dom. Rep., both as a preacher in churches and heading up
construction teams, working in sugar cane villages. This is Randy’s
first mission trip. The mission trip had been coordinated with two
different missionaries from the USA. We were anticipating a great
week.
On Thursday, February 19, Fleta’s doctor informed her that she should
not travel now, and that I should be here with her. What should we do?
After prayer, we decided that the two pastors should go and that we
should stay home. That is what we are doing. Are we disappointed that
we could not make the trip? Did God not know beforehand? Could he
not have prevented it? The answer to those questions is YES. Was it
an accident? NO.
It is not always easy to understand the “why”. Right now, neither of us
have a satisfactory answer. We do, however, have many years of
experience that God does not have accidents and does not make
mistakes. We trust Him – his knowledge and His purposes.
We have found that it is easier to trust God now than it has ever been.
It is not that we are super saints with phenomenal faith. Rather, it is
simply that it is easier to trust God’s track record. In all the years of
knowing and serving Him, he has never had an accident, never made a
mistake and never failed. Selah!
with another car. The other driver, who was cited for failing to yield,
attempted to turn left from her lane right in front of Fleta and the two
cars collided. Our 2001 vehicle (145,000 miles) was totaled. Fleta was
taken to the Emergency Room and treated. No broken bones, (thank
God), but severe bruises to her chest area, especially to the sternum.
As of today (19th), she is progressing OK, and taking anti-inflammatory
medicine. She is improving, but the soreness , according to her
Physician, will probably require a month to be completely gone. We will
replace the car. She will get well. She will drive again. But – was the
wreck an accident? Did God not know that it would happen? Could he
not have prevented it? Why am I asking these questions?
We were scheduled to be in the Dominican Republic from February 18-
25, ministering in village churches, conducting seminars with local
pastors and counseling. Two pastors, Gary Drake, pastor of Bethel
Lighthouse in Marietta, OH (and a member of the Board of Directors of
Revival Crusade) and Randy Carnes, Pastor of Elizabeth Chapel in
Gallipolis, OH were to accompany us. Gary has made several trips to
the Dom. Rep., both as a preacher in churches and heading up
construction teams, working in sugar cane villages. This is Randy’s
first mission trip. The mission trip had been coordinated with two
different missionaries from the USA. We were anticipating a great
week.
On Thursday, February 19, Fleta’s doctor informed her that she should
not travel now, and that I should be here with her. What should we do?
After prayer, we decided that the two pastors should go and that we
should stay home. That is what we are doing. Are we disappointed that
we could not make the trip? Did God not know beforehand? Could he
not have prevented it? The answer to those questions is YES. Was it
an accident? NO.
It is not always easy to understand the “why”. Right now, neither of us
have a satisfactory answer. We do, however, have many years of
experience that God does not have accidents and does not make
mistakes. We trust Him – his knowledge and His purposes.
We have found that it is easier to trust God now than it has ever been.
It is not that we are super saints with phenomenal faith. Rather, it is
simply that it is easier to trust God’s track record. In all the years of
knowing and serving Him, he has never had an accident, never made a
mistake and never failed. Selah!
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| PO Box 145 ~ Charleston, WV 25321 ~ (910) 948-4307 ~ glennandfleta@juno.com |