Why do bad things happen to good people?

 

Recently I  have been praying for a baby named Stellan.  He has a problem with his heart. I also pray daily for my mom as she has pancreatic problems and is in chronic pain.  I have been contemplating why God allows bad things to happen to good people (or little children).  I have been going through the book of James in a Sunday school class this past month.  I came across this passage:

James 1:2-4 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials knowing that testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have it’s perfect result so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

I think as sinners we sometimes forget that God is never done shaping us into Christ-Like individuals.  He allows trials and hurt in our lives to teach us to rely on Him.  Sometimes just causing us pain isn't enough so he uses someone in our lives to help us in our spiritual growth. I am reminded by this passage that we are to consider all things joyful. We are to thank God for the good and the bad in our lives. 

When we walk through the valley we should be singing and praising God. When we reach the peaks we should continue singing and praising God.  We should be singing and praising God all the day through.  We are to patiently accept the trials that we facing and praise God. If nothing else praise God that you are here to face them another day, and that one day when you meet Him in the sky, you will no longer face trials or hurt.

James 1:2 is a good reminder for all us, especially me.

And just for fun few more photos from our trip to Six Flags.  Yet another reminder of God’s goodness and power.  What magnificent animals!

God Bless,

Give Me Your Best Shot

I am just loving Lolli’s blog carnival Give Me Your Best Shot. I decided that since I have all sorts of photos from our adventure this week that I would one up today too.

I love this photo of Christian checking out the penguins at Six Flags. He really liked it and you can even see his cute little reflection in the glass.  He was so excited about the water and the birds.  Now head on over to Better in Bulk and join the fun.

Discover Kingdom

 

Mr. A why are you holding that banana?

 

“Well. . .the Trainer told me to stand here with it. . .”

Tava the Elephant was hungry.

This is Tava. She is an African Elephant.  She lives at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom. She likes Apples, Oranges, and Bananas. She also likes to perform for an audience.

Mr. A was part of her audience on Tuesday.

She showed us her trunk. It was really long!

We had so much fun at Six Flags. I will share more later. I just couldn’t wait to tell you that Mr. A got to feed an elephant.