Sunday, December 25, 2022

Reflection - Herbert Vander Lugt - The Why Question

Source (book): "Classic Gem: Timeless Devotions from Our Daily Bread Authors", Chapter 26, "The Why Question", Page 31.
By Herbert Vander Lugt, Our Daily Bread Author
 

 Neither this man nor his parents sinned . . . but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. - John 9:3
PHOTO: Neither this man nor his parents sinned . . . but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. - John 9:3
Read: John 9:1-7

The fact that some people come into the world with severe disabilities disturbs us. We feel a deep sense of compassion for them, and instinctively wonder why they must suffer in this way.

Those who believe in reincarnation say such disabilities are penalties for things done in previous lives. But this theory is completely contrary to the teaching of the Bible.

We must be careful about placing blame when someone has a disability. When Jesus encountered the man born blind, His disciples asked: "Who sinned, this man or his parents?" (John 9:2). But Jesus answered, "Neither," and added: "But this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him" (John 9:3). Then He did what He could to help - He healed the man.

We are not able to heal people like Jesus did, but we can make their lives more pleasant through acts of kindness. There are numerous opportunities to show love by offering practical help or a listening ear, not in a patronizing manner but in genuine friendship. When we show respect for others, we display the spirit of Christ.

Lord, help us to remember and uphold the dignity of every person. Help us to focus on what we can do when we can't explain why bad things happen.

It's better to lend a helping hand than to point an accusing finger.
Picture posted by gettyimages
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https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1394294206/de/foto/enthusiastic-young-woman-jumping-in-oilseed-rape-field-on-sky-background.jpg?s=2048x2048&w=gi&k=20&c=UYIu8Jo17chsoT0mwCmlRLwRsLGr-aCDiFBEP4o6U_Y=
https://www.gettyimages.at/detail/foto/enthusiastic-young-woman-jumping-in-oilseed-rape-lizenzfreies-bild/1394294206


Neither this man nor his parents sinned . . . but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. - John 9:3
Read: John 9:1-7
 

 Neither this man nor his parents sinned . . . but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. - John 9:3
PHOTO: Neither this man nor his parents sinned . . . but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. - John 9:3
Picture posted by Direct Encounters with The Lord on Friday, 11 August 2017 at 08:29 pm
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv2Wox8-30kxB06qxEvzHHdLB7Fm4eHsGSBGJ7gc4uQwfGm_FUuTWCw3j0kSA_7ZOj55nd1ZICUFRzixuzf1saZepPN8Vlmg6IjCco_Dfzto6sEoen3zUufgXsGDwjRZShl-a-K0F3A0dvXcCSOx08iuNbx9_bH4DUaqllp30iWXbJxNSEpZ80hHl8/s1024/20747937_709063912615821_6937690135037580017_o.jpg
https://scontent.fsin14-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t31.18172-8/20747937_709063912615821_6937690135037580017_o.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=cdbe9c&_nc_ohc=WCDxrJq34CIAX9PH8ut&_nc_ht=scontent.fsin14-1.fna&oh=00_AfB4OSYctHoV8fmCBSa2hBUc_5dfG-uWJkCyVi8Rxw3sAQ&oe=63CE5B3A
https://www.facebook.com/yphompho/photos/a.709063532615859/709063912615821


The fact that some people come into the world with severe disabilities disturbs us. We feel a deep sense of compassion for them, and instinctively wonder why they must suffer in this way.


 The fact that some people come into the world with severe disabilities disturbs us.
PHOTO: The fact that some people come into the world with severe disabilities disturbs us. We feel a deep sense of compassion for them, and instinctively wonder why they must suffer in this way.
Picture posted by Fight For Landry
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN_CpBjqHZwVQXl5JPliO2D6VSpnoREVZzfZJX1NADCExBjoF661U0LkSDMkjcBilfyZUtb3LiRDC3KBohVYpE3LhMDrrLS4gLLjJNauZ8tRvKefBQGlOfmdd18ZHh33eXhBFxqPu03BVLTcBymmsBgCqkiB2KJqmJtLqX5SEmbygAeJc3rYiHkvE9/s2500/DSC_1502.jpeg
https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5cfe5c12cdc28e0001b4e9d3/1561519565545-BC5R44THENXBE6IKPY9V/DSC_1502.jpeg
https://www.forlandry.com/landrys-story


Those who believe in reincarnation say such disabilities are penalties for things done in previous lives. But this theory is completely contrary to the teaching of the Bible.
 

We must be careful about placing blame when someone has a disability. When Jesus encountered the man born blind, His disciples asked: "Who sinned, this man or his parents?" (John 9:2). But Jesus answered, "Neither," and added: "But this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him" (John 9:3). Then He did what He could to help - He healed the man.


 We must be careful about placing blame when someone has a disability.
PHOTO: We must be careful about placing blame when someone has a disability. When Jesus encountered the man born blind, His disciples asked: "Who sinned, this man or his parents?" (John 9:2). But Jesus answered, "Neither," and added: "But this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him" (John 9:3). Then He did what He could to help - He healed the man.
Picture posted by India TV News on 14 July 2018 at 09:59 IST
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioc0ZtsX3fJdCYcdqlUco0u8ATmVPEb2270_zYYy0MOPUEzP7zCnHdiqimJ8EfBfn-4m2SvakjkCjpi0TibZOkQwtWi_W-ZggTJp4F9NgkO5UPHel4D7VcXjAQJ4QqDWV_3r-DvtW6gAZx8IbDhxZRf2CLON2IrSjbKtf8ef0Rb4-YNOyEbyG8qm3d/s730/sexual-offences-1529058117.jpg
https://resize.indiatvnews.com/en/resize/newbucket/730_-/2018/06/sexual-offences-1529058117.jpg
https://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india-2-woman-teachers-convicted-for-unnatural-sexual-act-with-5-yr-old-girl-student-in-bihar-452671


We are not able to heal people like Jesus did, but we can make their lives more pleasant through acts of kindness. There are numerous opportunities to show love by offering practical help or a listening ear, not in a patronizing manner but in genuine friendship. When we show respect for others, we display the spirit of Christ.


 We are not able to heal people like Jesus did, but we can make their lives more pleasant through acts of kindness.
PHOTO: We are not able to heal people like Jesus did, but we can make their lives more pleasant through acts of kindness. There are numerous opportunities to show love by offering practical help or a listening ear, not in a patronizing manner but in genuine friendship. When we show respect for others, we display the spirit of Christ.
Picture posted by Rabbi David Wolpe on 19 September 2016 at 01:56 pm EDT
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiePEOe7CJ7oFYDsro1bp8ZCRFCA5SN3hLL0WXQ8d7qx-znFbB99ITLQyWS3C9T9NVgQLvB7dJh_tUqlWH9leY7Eiqs5tByxO1OD_vvY0BA9L2Hdr2RfYCtfSsmoGnW7ZS8VmlCWDt2Q6PkynBRzvQbF4-ZyknkUzfgDLymm7lg41ic5DREgzeUxC_D/s5484/grandfather.jpg
https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/grandfather.jpg
https://time.com/4499967/simple-acts-of-kindness/


Lord, help us to remember and uphold the dignity of every person. Help us to focus on what we can do when we can't explain why bad things happen.

It's better to lend a helping hand than to point an accusing finger.
 
Reflection - Herbert Vander Lugt - The Why Question
Source (book): "Classic Gem: Timeless Devotions from Our Daily Bread Authors", Chapter 26, "The Why Question", Page 31.
By Herbert Vander Lugt, Our Daily Bread Author

"Faithful to the end", A Preacher's Exposition of 2 Timothy, @ 2014 by Robert M. Solomon

'Faithful to the end', A Preacher's Exposition of 2 Timothy, @ 2014 by Robert M. Solomon<br>
Reflection - Faithful to the end (Links)
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2017/06/reflection-faithful-to-end-links.html


"Finding rest for the soul" Responding to Jesus' Invitation in Matthew 11:28-29, © 2016 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Finding rest for the soul (Links)
Reflection - Finding rest for the soul (Links)
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2018/10/reflection-finding-rest-for-soul-links.html


"God in Pursuit" Lessons from the Book of Jonah, © 2016 by Robert M. Solomon

'Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART I-III, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
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https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/08/reflection-god-in-pursuit-links-part-i.html


"God in Pursuit" Lessons from the Book of Jonah, © 2016 by Robert M. Solomon

'Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART IV, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
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https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/08/reflection-god-in-pursuit-links-part-iv.html 


"Songs of Christmas", The Stories and Significance of 20 Well-Loved Carols, © 2018 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Songs of Christmas (Links), posted on Friday, 24 April 2020
Reflection - Songs of Christmas (Links), posted on Friday, 24 April 2020
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/04/reflection-songs-of-christmas-links.html
 

"Growing Old Gracefully", Following Jesus to the End, © 2019 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Growing Old Gracefully, Part I - III (Links), posted on Wednesday, 09 December 2020
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https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/12/reflection-growing-old-gracefully-part.html
 

Reflection - Growing Old Gracefully, Part IV - V (Links), posted on Thursday, 22 April 2021
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https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/12/reflection-growing-old-gracefully-part_9.html
 

"Teach Us to Number Our Days", © 2008 by David Roper

Reflection - Number Our Days, Chapter 1 - 40 (Links), posted on Tuesday, 16 November 2021
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https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2021/11/reflection-number-our-days-chapter-1-40.html
 
 
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https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2022/03/reflection-number-our-days-chapter-41.html
 
 
"He Walks with Me - Devotions for Your Caregiving Journey with God",  © 2018 by Our Daily Bread Ministries, Shelly Beach

 Reflection - He Walks with Me (Links), posted on Tuesday, 16 August 2022Reflection - He Walks with Me (Links), posted on Tuesday, 16 August 2022
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2022/08/reflection-he-walks-with-me-links.html



Reference
[1] From "Classic Gem: Timeless Devotions from Our Daily Bread Authors", Copyright © 2021 by Our Daily Bread Ministries, Chapter 26, "The Why Question", Page 31.


Links

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