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12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
Emile Zola (1840-1902) was a prominent French novelist and an atheist.
He hated Catholicism.
He particularly hated the claim that Mary had appeared to a peasant girl in Lourdes in 1858.
Lourdes became a place of pilgrimage. And there were reports of healings.
Zola determined to prove it was all a fake.
On the train down to Lourdes, he saw a young girl named Marie, age 16, who had three diseases for which there was no cure at that time: advanced lupus, TB, and huge ulcerations on her legs.
Her face was eaten away, distorted by the lupus, and “oozing blood.”
Zola decided then and there she would be his test case. And he was standing by, along with a doctor, when Marie entered the baths.
She came out changed.
Her face looked normal.
It was clear that she was healed.
The doctor said, “Ah, Monsieur Zola, behold the case of your dreams.”
Zola said, “I do not want to look at her; she is still ugly to me.”
The doctor accompanied her to the hospital. Her lungs were clear. She had no medical problems. And she remained healthy many years later.
Zola said, “Were I to see all the sick at Lourdes healed, I would not believe in miracles.”
I include a couple of healing stories in the book I am still working on, Discovering God.
Such accounts are not hard to find, even accounts verified by doctors.
But where do you stand on this? Does a God who heals fit in with your theology?
Let me know.
Write to me at the e-mail address below.
Does God heal?
I love hearing from you.
revmaxb@tx.rr.com
I know Vermont is lovely.
As I write this, I haven’t seen it yet.
I am doing my bit in this newsletter before I leave.
I just wrote last week’s bit.
I will get up from my computer in a minute and finish my packing.
But I do want to remind you of the concert coming up on the 14th —Saturday at 6:00.
Yes, that’s still over a week away, but make your plans now to attend. Stick a reminder on the refrigerator. Use some gum to stick a note on your bedpost. Or—just keep it in mind.
We are having a great time in Vermont.
Or—at least—I’m sure we will.
(Still packing to go.)
But I do already miss you.
Stay safe till we return.
And–
GOD BLESS—-MB
Dearest St. Matthew friends and family,
What an exciting week for us! Our 8-year playground project was started and Phase 1 completed in less than 3 days. The equipment looks amazing and I cannot wait to complete Phase 2: Retaining wall with fencing and brick paver pathway.
Another bit of exciting news is that you will all be able to purchase engraved brick pavers or sections of fencing in memory of or in honor of someone.
This is, of course, just a fancy way of raising money toward the project. It is also a great way to let the world know how important that person was or is to you.
I will have pricing soon for the brick pavers and sections of fencing. I am so very grateful to all of you for your spiritual and financial support.
Phase 3 of the project includes the addition of a walking path around the property. We need to begin as soon as possible getting the fence up to keep folks safe. More to come this Sunday!
I am preaching again from Step 4. This week we will talk about “The Good Things.” Making a searching and fearless moral inventory is not only about the things we wish were different about ourselves. Making a list of the good things is also included in this step and I encourage you to begin making your list now.
My love to you all, Mary
This week we were all so excited that the playground had been constructed and we just had to go outside and “test drive” it.
Everything seemed to meet their approval. Jade and Remy really enjoyed the swings, while Alec loved the slides. They decided that the playground passed inspection for you to bring your kids and grandkids to church so they can enjoy our playground as well!
Our lesson this week was about Abraham as he journeyed to a new land. God told him not to be afraid because He would protect them on their journey.
Abraham was confused that God would be protecting all of his descendants on this journey. He asked God, “What can You possibly give me since I have no children?“
God patiently replied that Abraham should count the stars in the night sky if he thought he could. God told him that is how many descendants he would have. Abraham has questions, but he remains faithful to God.
We learned that there are always questions about God’s desires in our lives, but we also learned in this story that God always keeps His promises, even when these promises are different from anything we could have imagined. We have a lot more to learn about this journey.
Be with us Sunday as we travel further with Abraham and Sarah.
Blessings