Questions (7)

Answering questions before a live audience can be tricky business. I wonder if it is easier or sometimes better in print.

Last night I listened to a recording of Eric Metaxis speaking on his book MIRACLES, at Rutgers University. The primary miracles Eric told about in his talk, outside of his own conversion, were on the fine tuning of the universe. Scientists say the chances of all the parameters of the universe coming about by chance approach 0%, and go beyond it. Eric condensed that part of his book into The Wallstreet Journal article, Science Increasingly Makes The Case for God. (https://www.wsj.com/articles/eric-metaxas-science-increasingly-makes-the-case-for-god-1419544568) That article, by the way, had more than 600,000 shares and 10,000 comments on line.

After his talk, Eric took questions. And I want to respond to one of the questions raised. The questioner asked about slim chance of the fine tuning of the cosmos. "If you had a dart board and you divided it into a trillion squares, and you threw a dart that hit one of the one in a trillion squares, it doesn't show skill or intention, if you didn't call it in advance. How is that different from the fine tuning of the universe?"

Okay, I would like to to try to answer this question. Let's propose the trial of the millenia. Let me change the details a little. Suppose investigators come into a room and find a mouse with a dart pinning it to the floor. The question arises, "Who threw the dart?" You and I are called to be on the jury. During the trial Attorney #1 claims someone with incredible skill threw the dart. Attorney #2 says this could have happened without anyone throwing the dart. He brings a witness who says the mouse may have always been there with a dart in it. 

Attorney #1 brings a witness who shows by the blood on the floor, the mouse was alive when hit by the dart. 

Attorney # 2 says the mouse did not have to be a moving target.

Attorney #1 brings a witness who says the odds are exceedingly great that the mouse was moving when the dart hit him. And he goes on to ask how a dart came to be in the room. 

Attorney # 2 says it is possible that a million years ago there could have been a meteor shower. One of the meteorites could have had a metal shard in it. And as it fell it struck a tree. Eons passed, and all of the tree but the small part with the metal embedded in it was worn away by the weather and elements. 

Attorney # 1 claims the dart could not have moved with such precision without being thrown.

The other says a freak wind could have swept through the house picking up the dart and flinging it into the mouse.

At some point you might want to say, I wonder if there is not some reason other than the arguments presented that make the sides pose what they are presenting.

And if we want to believe arguments for or against the reality or intervention of God in the universe, what is our motivation? The man seemed to assume that God did not say in advance what the parameters of cosmology would be. How would he have known that? He could not have been there to hear. You could not have heard either. But we might ask God to speak to us now. Wouldn't that settle the issue for you?

Now, whether you think this is a good answer or not, I would like to present it to people who struggle with the issue. And writing seems to be a good forum for this. When I heard this question, I could not think of a good answer. I thought the question oversimplified the issue of the fine tuning of the universe. And I knew at Rutgers, like many universities, there would be great cultural pressure not to believe in God. But in writing I had time to formulate a situational apologetic.

But I don't have readers who would raise the question. I write in a symbolic echo chamber. I primarily read and write with those who basically agree with me. I do not have a good solution for this. I wonder if some of you have experience, or even theories about how to do this, I would appreciate your responses.

http://watchinginprayer.blogspot.com/

http://thinkinginthespirit.blogspot.com/

http://writingprayerfully.blogspot.com/

http://theanchorofthesoul.blogspot.com

Website

http://daveswatch.com/

YouTube

https://goo.gl/PyzU

Read more…

Answering questions before a live audience can be tricky business. I wonder if it is easier or sometimes better in print.

Last night I listened to a recording of Eric Metaxis speaking on his book MIRACLES, at Rutgers University. The primary miracles Eric told about in his talk, outside of his own conversion, were on the fine tuning of the universe. Scientists say the chances of all the parameters of the universe coming about by chance approach 0%, and go beyond it. Eric condensed that part of his book into The Wallstreet Journal article, Science Increasingly Makes The Case for God. (https://www.wsj.com/articles/eric-metaxas-science-increasingly-makes-the-case-for-god-1419544568) That article, by the way, had more than 600,000 shares and 10,000 comments on line.

After his talk, Eric took questions. And I want to respond to one of the questions raised. The questioner asked about slim chance of the fine tuning of the cosmos. "If you had a dart board and you divided it into a trillion squares, and you threw a dart that hit one of the one in a trillion squares, it doesn't show skill or intention, if you didn't call it in advance. How is that different from the fine tuning of the universe?"

Okay, I would like to to try to answer this question. Let's propose the trial of the millenia. Let me change the details a little. Suppose investigators come into a room and find a mouse with a dart pinning it to the floor. The question arises, "Who threw the dart?" You and I are called to be on the jury. During the trial Attorney #1 claims someone with incredible skill threw the dart. Attorney #2 says this could have happened without anyone throwing the dart. He brings a witness who says the mouse may have always been there with a dart in it. 

Attorney #1 brings a witness who shows by the blood on the floor, the mouse was alive when hit by the dart. 

Attorney # 2 says the mouse did not have to be a moving target.

Attorney #1 brings a witness who says the odds are exceedingly great that the mouse was moving when the dart hit him. And he goes on to ask how a dart came to be in the room. 

Attorney # 2 says it is possible that a million years ago there could have been a meteor shower. One of the meteorites could have had a metal shard in it. And as it fell it struck a tree. Eons passed, and all of the tree but the small part with the metal embedded in it was worn away by the weather and elements. 

Attorney # 1 claims the dart could not have moved with such precision without being thrown.

The other says a freak wind could have swept through the house picking up the dart and flinging it into the mouse.

At some point you might want to say, I wonder if there is not some reason other than the arguments presented that make the sides pose what they are presenting.

And if we want to believe arguments for or against the reality or intervention of God in the universe, what is our motivation? The man seemed to assume that God did not say in advance what the parameters of cosmology would be. How would he have known that? He could not have been there to hear. You could not have heard either. But we might ask God to speak to us now. Wouldn't that settle the issue for you?

Now, whether you think this is a good answer or not, I would like to present it to people who struggle with the issue. And writing seems to be a good forum for this. When I heard this question, I could not think of a good answer. I thought the question oversimplified the issue of the fine tuning of the universe. And I knew at Rutgers, like many universities, there would be great cultural pressure not to believe in God. But in writing I had time to formulate a situational apologetic.

But I don't have readers who would raise the question. I write in a symbolic echo chamber. I primarily read and write with those who basically agree with me. I do not have a good solution for this. I wonder if some of you have experience, or even theories about how to do this, I would appreciate your responses.

http://watchinginprayer.blogspot.com/

http://thinkinginthespirit.blogspot.com/

http://writingprayerfully.blogspot.com/

http://theanchorofthesoul.blogspot.com

Website

http://daveswatch.com/

YouTube

https://goo.gl/PyzU

Read more…

PTAP: Ramadan Begins

Significantly spiritual dreams and visions are not uncommon for Muslims to have during Ramadan. Pray that the Father would pour Himself out to our friends through the supernatural as they participate in Ramadan. Pray for believers in the Arabian Gulf to be open to the Spirit's leading as they interact and engage with locals. 

 

At sunset, there is a meal called Iftar that signifies the breaking of the fast.  After sunset prayers, another meal called Suhoor occurs.  During Ramadan, these meals are significant and are often a time for big gatherings of family/friends.  Pray that believers would have opportunities to attend Iftar or Suhoor meals with local friends and that they would be able to connect with, and build relationship with, their families.  Pray for walls to come down between locals and expats.

 

Ramadan is a month where cousins tend to have increased focus and discipline towards the Koran and to their prayers. There are often reports of locals feeling a nearness to God because of the good things they are doing during this month.  Pray that there would be a lingering dissatisfaction and an overall feeling of being unfulfilled with the relationship they have with God during Ramadan. Pray that their increased time in the Koran would breed questions and critical thinking.

 

Check out PTAP's Facebook page for more prayer info during Ramadan:

https://facebook.com/PRAYTAP

 

Click below to download PTAP's 30 Day Ramadan 2019 prayer guide.  This is a guide to help you pray for the Arabian Peninsula in particular.  So let's unite our hearts in prayer during the 30 days of Ramadan for God to build his church in the AP!

http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001o-5oXt_8F1-zV7uytv2nsbWAQ8TvudWkc_oenNjwtsbjoaDUOZKcG2Qs2TDLdRcj9ROEe3ejLN11j4vXwUBdzRPO9MZUAIY_417QF1M1pad06yPZOGz2Pg9vTO5BQguLVoY0znQ_IlFYa8iMLN35vI4X9JdV_bzinw_j1CHtZA1xxdZqfP2wQYQMWzMtug6toIJ1KEWUYZ5SJ6C4zlL0qC5UFYNcMQCH9iV9CvucNcAPIMrIAhmkRACOZ0z4QLDP&c=GBlWO3VkRfKJ2q8gJ34V1FBq0L8WxgFA16Io1VAfc6-qjdmNJh8KJA==&ch=Fyt82L6SINUlfDKThi1OxAm1xGNrTZcTWRs5r-2scD5y8-7ZBW6-kg==

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M, is waiting in the line at Starbucks while his sister and mother shop, and he allows a new friend to treat him for his cup of tea.  He says with a smile that now that the university has started its summer break, he is used as the permanent driver for the ladies in his house. During the conversation he speaks of a wish for a chance to continue studies in another country.  "More time for me, and less demands to the tasks/duties that are upon a young man, who is part of a large family with lots of family obligations".  

As the conversations turns to his ideas about sin, and he is surprised to hear some stories of the Bible. He learns that some of his prophetic heroes are  involved in sinful behaviors. He makes a striking comment, "Am I perhaps being taught the wrong information?" The normal response would have been to reject a different opinion, but he seemed to be willing to consider others.  Since that conversation, via what's app he has received some of those biblical stories so he can read them for himself.   Trusting that this was an encounter arranged by God, please pray for M that he will respond to God's call to follow Him.

Pray for lady who is "liked minded" and found her husband reading the Book. He doesn't know that his wife believes and says he is not a follower. Pray that the Lord will reveal Himself to this man as he reads the Scriptures. Pray that he will believe and that this couple will grow together in faith.

Life in camps for displaced people and refugees can be very difficult as people deal with high temperatures in the summer, poor health and against corruption. Pray for the safety in all three. Pray that God would bring believers to minister to the people and that a "person of peace" will emerge.

Pray for young ladies who have gone through trauma during the war and are sharing their stories with those who love the Savior. Pray that as they listen to Truth from the Word, they will hear what the Father wants to share with them and be healed.

Pray for the new believers that they will know the hope God gives and be strengthened by the Holy Spirit. Pray that they will hunger for God's Word, desire to grow and share the Good News with others.

Pray for believers who are persecuted by family and others, that they will know the love of God more deeply.  Pray that God would surround them with a new family of believers who will love them and support them emotionally as well as physically.

Pray for those in Saudi Arabia and around the world, to know that true security in face of terrors of suicide bombing lies in knowing the One who promises true eternal life.
"Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.  I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.... his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.  You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. - Psalm 91:1-6
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The attached article Pray for Me.docx was written in response to a request from an international member of our Pray.Network community.

Simple description: How to shift from praying for someone by asking for things to praying for them by asking questions that enable us to hear from the Spirit, scripture and even others who pray in the name of Jesus.

Comments welcome,

Phil

Pray%20for%20Me.docx

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New book on prayer!

I hope I'm not breaking any rules here . . . and please accept my apologies for such shameless self-promotion! But I'm so pleased to announce the release of my new book, CONFESSIONS OF A PRAYER SLACKER. It's my belief that most of us are clueless when it comes to having a daily, committed time alone with God in prayer. Whether we're new in our faith walk, or long-time believers, most of us never established the habit of daily prayer. And how else do we get to know God on a more intimate basis? Yet it's the one thing He wants most from us!

After a life-time of lame attempts and screw-ups, I finally "got it" in a most unusual way. God literally drew me to Himself after I hit rock bottom in my spiritual life. As a former pastor's wife (we're still together, he's just no longer in local church ministry!), I should have known better, but I let so many distractions get in the way of having that one-on-one relationship God desires with each of us.

I share my journey in CONFESSIONS OF A PRAYER SLACKER, and it's my prayer that others will learn as I did what it means to find joy and power through prayer. I've included study questions which can be used for self-examination or for small group discussions.

Hey, thanks for letting me tell you about my book. I look forward to getting to know more of you here at Pray! Network!

Blessings!

Diane Moody

www.dianemoody.net

www.dianemoody.blogspot.com

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Questioning God?

I recently read that the Bible contains something like 3,294 questions. As a born question-asker myself, the idea intrigued me. So I decided to go on a lookout for questions in God's Word. Today, on Day One of my experiment, my regular Bible reading took me to Numbers 11, where Moses whines to God about the Israelites' whining. I was fascinated to see that his complaint mainly took the form of questions. Lots of them, in rapid-fire succession. In The Message version, there were seven. In other versions, they vary between five and seven. But whatever version you read, you will find Moses peppering God with questions. Here's his prayer:

Why are you treating me this way? What did I ever do to you to deserve this? Did I conceive them? Was I their mother? So why dump the responsibility of this people on me? Why tell me to carry them around like a nursing mother, carry them all the way to the land you promised to their ancestors? Where am I supposed to get meat for all these people who are whining to me, “Give us meat; we want meat”? (MSG vss. 11-14)

Moses’ question-filled prayer started thinking about other prayer-questions in the Bible. Without even using a concordance, I can think of lots of examples: “How long, Lord?” “Should we go up against the enemy?” “Why do the nations rage?” “Will you heal my daughter?”

I’m not going to research them all now—I think I just want to enjoy them as they come up in my reading. But I’m already starting to consider theories and ask myself questions. I’m wondering how many times I ask God questions? And if I do, what kinds of questions to I ask? Are my questions complaints like Moses’ (which apparently was okay with God, by the way)? Or are they requests for information? Do I ask Him for wisdom? Or help? Or questions about who He is or what He’s like or what is on His heart?

I’m also drawing a fairly obvious but challenging conclusion: to ask a question is to invite an answer. It’s to invite conversation and dialogue. So, I’m wondering, how will He respond to me? Do I really expect Him to? What would happen if I asked God more questions than I do now?

Moses didn’t hesitate to ask, and God answered him. He reassured him, promised him help, and told him what the next steps were. Moses asked, God answered, as a man talks with his friend (Exodus 33:11). I want my prayer life to be like that. What about you?

—Cynthia Bezek
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