Jun 06 2007
Murphy’s Law… [UPDATED]
Yesterday started off like most days that I have. I enjoyed spending the weekend alone with my wife. My parents spoke at our church’s Father-son and Mother-daughter lunch on Saturday and took Jacob and Hope home to Columbia, SC. Cassandra was scheduled to pick them up yesterday morning @ 11:00 AM half-way between Columbia and Charlotte.
I’m a planner and live by my Franklin-Covey Software on my Palm Treo. But I learned years ago at their seminar to expect interruptions. Of course the Bible tells me that in James 1:2-4:
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
That was one of the first passages of Scripture I memorized as a child. It has been my life. In fact, I know that if I’m not having opposition of some sort I’m not serving God to the fullest. I’m convinced that Satan doesn’t need to bother those who aren’t living for him.
Anyway, While I was studying Cassandra called and asked me if I would go pick up Jacob and Hope because her back was acting up again and she couldn’t drive. I said sure because I knew I could study on the way down and get them back home and be in the office by 12:30 at the latest to prepare for Sunday’s message.
I drove down to Exit #65 in SC and was waiting for my Dad, Jacob and Hope to meet me at McDonalds (not to eat!) when a man and his girlfriend hit me up for $$. They made me feel very uncomfortable so I went inside the McDonalds because I was afraid they might try to rob me. A half-hour later my dad arrived with my kids and we packed up and I was right on schedule. I decided to stop and get gas in Rock Hill, SC because they have cheap gas ( can you believe that I am considering $2.83 a gallon cheap?). Right before I pulled off I ran over something on I-77. I didn’t think much about it until a lady at the Raceway gas station told me my front tire was flat. It wasn’t just flat it was to the rim.
I put some air in it but heard air oozing out so I drove to the Pep Boys across the street to get it fixed. They said it would be 45 minutes so Jacob, Hope and I went to the Pizza Hut across the street and ate from the Buffet. I don’t like Buffets because I always feel I have to get my money’s worth but after speaking on Gluttony Sunday I was good and ate a salad. 
After eating we went back to Pep Boys and my car was still not ready. We ended up waiting 2 hours total. Thankfully I didn’t have to buy a new tire. I drove the kids home and drove back to the church to get some studying done. I stayed much later than normal to make up for lost study time.
I’m convinced of this–God must be planning something big this week in my life or the church. Anytime I have Murphy’s Law days I know that Satan doesn’t want me to do something for God’s glory. We are passing out ice cold water bottles this Saturday and I’m speaking from Colossians 3 this Sunday about work. I’m not sure what is going to happen but I look forward to seeing God move!
What about you? When you experience opposition do you see God in those time?
[UPDATE]
I guess there is a lot of spiritual warfare going on this week. I just got off the phone with Wells Fargo regarding the leased van I turned in 2 months ago that was 10,000 miles under the allowed miles and I had to settle with them for “excessive” wear for money I don’t have. Do not lease from Wells Fargo!!!!
God must really love me!
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14 responses so far
From my perspective, I actually get a little nervous when things go too well. Delays, problems, upsets, changes in plan are so common that they simply should be expected.
I’ll never forget a time about 12 years ago when I was 2 days’ away from going on a church mission trip, and was to be the overseer of a backyard bible club/VBS. While I was at the last preparatory meeting, Peg called and said that a routine exam had revealed that her breast cancer had returned and she was going to have a mastectomy. So I told them, at the meeting, I wasn’t going, and I went home.
God was so faithful to bring us through all that, and to bring me through the common mid-life depression, that His faithfulness is burned into my memory, in a very real way.
If you’ll notice, the first recorded instance of the apostles worshiping Jesus was the time He got in the boat with them, and calmed the seas. When He’d turned wine into water, they placed their faith in Him. When He saved their bacon, when there was no other way, the worshiped Him. Big difference.
That seems to have been proven, to me.
Kevin,
You preached on gluttony last Sunday? There’s your answer.
Serisouly, where are you passing out the free water this weekend?
Les
I mean “Seriously”. Sorry Ben.
Les
Les,
We will be in front of our church on the corner of Freedom Drive (NC Hwy 27) and Toddville Road from 11:00 AM till ?
Kevin,
First a little levity — Have you ever heard of Schwartz’ Law? It is the view that Murphy was an optimist? This is not original with me (even though I wish) but from a Jewish believer friend of mine. Thanks Ben!
I am a bit odd in this regards. When something bad happens, I go with the flow? My problem is wondering IF something bad will happen. As my mom says, “You can wart something to death … and most of the time it never happens!”
Amy
As I recall, it’s O’Toole’s Corollary which states that Murphy was an optimist. Which may prove Murphy’s Law.
For me it usually takes time to finally see God’s reasoning and blessing.
I usually add to Murphy’s law that it will happen at the worst possible moment.
It usually takes time for me to see God’s reasoning and blessing when Murphy becomes prophetic. Job seemingly never did know what was going on behind the scenes.
Kevin,
Not much into dirges but…
I will reply to your question with a question…Are you ever and are there other Christians who get afraid of taking a stand for Jesus, knowing that when you do, you will get pummelled?
Taking a stand for Jesus does exact a personal cost. I grow bolder as I have grown in Christ knowing that the cost of discipleship is worth it. However there have been times when I have seen God move, I cringed. Still do.
My son and I attended a Sunday night worship service where the Holy Spirit fell. People were in tears, repenting, kneeling and praying and giving themselves to doing, by comitting to serve as missionaries wherever they go in life. I sensed in my spirit immediately, that upon arriving home, all hell was going to break loose.
It did.
That was months ago.
I stand pretty much alone on this end of the internet. I am an isolated Christian… who is still pressed crushed and persecuted holding on to Jesus with every ounce of strength struggling to remain faithful. I have no idea except for God sustaining me how I’ve been able to til now.
Yes I am weak and weary from the battle. I have seen some horrible tragedies. I don’t want to be another one. I need the joy, the hope, the peace that comes from Jesus that I truthfully been experiencing very little of of late. I have experienced God and know He’s real so I guess that is what keeps me going. Yet right now, I only hope the tragedies are gifts and betting everything I am and have on the faithfulness of God that they are;…. Despite the pressure to give up all hope.
Is there anyone who can relate to this?
I caught myself thinking earlier tonight, “Don’t pray, God will move and then you will have to deal with something else.” I had to silence the thought.
I could use some rest, and some good friends praying for me tonight. I just do not have it in me to keep fighting on:
I need Jesus.
sigh
Dozer, I want to invite you to look up the blog of another Christian whose family is not saved. He perseveres in an isolated area of Michigan. His site will also link you to other sites that are such a HUGE blessing to me. These people are SOLD OUT. They have found a place in Christ that I pray I will find one day. Look into the comments area and link onto some of the names there.
I know Timbob will be most glad to hear from you. He knows how you feel…
His site is http://timbob.wordpress.com/
Kevin, I hope you don’t mind. Dozer will find solace and kindred spirits as well as the glorification of our LORD Jesus Christ above all else at these sites.
Oh, and I will be praying for you too, Dozer, that the LORD will bring overwhelming comfort and peace to you. That He will lift you to a higher place than you have ever known in Christ so that you can count it joy when adversity comes your way.
If all else fails, please e-mail my husband at 1723hillhouse@bellsouth.net and allow him to minister to you. He is a pastor and has much experience in couseling…
Thanks Marie,
The glory of the Lord will be a life transformed, a family redeemed and saved from destroying itself. I am really needing to withdraw from seeking out Christian fellowship on the web, because that is a poor substitute for face to face personal interaction. While my life has been transformed, my home is still in a terrible way and my heart is burdened for them. I have tried for years to make things better. This is what I have discovered. It’s only been within the past few years that I learned it’s not up to me and it never was. My trying to make things better only screwed things up more. It is impossible for me to effect a change. I need God to do it. As much as I covet prayers from any who will honestly pray, His way is for more personal contact than the internet.
Your prayers tonight would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you for responding Dozer. I have been very concerned about you! I know there must be a fellowship of believers out there that you can be connected with in person in a more “community minded” way.
There are many cell or home churches that have this kind of community where the Body of Christ is very evident in how they minister to each other. You can do a google search to find some of these in your area if you are interested.
I will be praying for you, Andrew, as the LORD has certainly put you on my heart!
The LORD bless you, Andrew, and deposit His very life within you and make you soar above the heavens in His Spirit! The LORD fill you with Hope and Peace that you may persevere in His joy and strength. The LORD draw your family to Himself and give them new hearts of flesh and cause them to walk in His statutes.
The LORD be glorified in and through you as you pass through the storm and draw you to a new place in Christ where hopelessness and despair do not exist. Amen
In Christ’s love,
Marie
Thanks Marie.