Question of the Week

Are they Miracles, Coincidences, or Scams?

I am a firm believer that everyday there are millions of small miracles happening around us, and not a one of them is a mere coincidence. Coincidence was word an atheist made up when he needed an explanation for what truly was an act of God.

Was it coincidence that Megan and the people who found her dog wound up on the bridge at the same time? That's ridiculous. I live in the same city as my sister and have never run into her on a bridge, much less in the same grocery store. God doesn't need to meddle there. But get this -- once when we weren't speaking to each other, we "accidentally" ended up at the same house to visit the owner. We started to speak again. Coincidence, or a manuever of God?

I think more people need to look a little deeper into these small little miracles (coincidences, if you must) and try to get some meaning or lesson. This is just the way I've always thought. Now, if you're still with me and you've read this far... scams are the work of the devil. Chick Karin

I HAVE to believe they are miracles, if for no other reason than to believe humanity hasn't gone to the... well, the dogs! Many people have emailed me that they think [the way I found my lost dog, Maisy] was a scam. Maybe... but with all my trials of late, I've never prayed more. I really think he was with me on this! Chick  Megan

All of the above. However, I do believe in miracles far more often than attributing events to sheer coincedence. I think that comes from my faith in God. Things happen for a reason. It's easier for me to cope with life sometimes following that belief system. Unfortunately, believers like me open themselves up to scam artists who take advantage of others. I swear I don't know how people like that sleep at night. Chick Cheryl

I like the idea of miracles. I know I do believe in them. But, I don't believe in the "I-am-Healed" shows that I see on TV where a blind person can suddenly see after being touched by a "healer." Perhaps it's better said that I am a believer in fate -- being at the right place at the right time. Chick Kristin

I believe everything happens for a reason. I believe that if you put out the right energy towards something or someone and concentrate or create some action towards an idea or a living creature, you will experience a miracle. It might not be the miracle you were expecting, but something definitely good will come of it that you were not expecting. So really everyone is experiencing small miracles every day. The bigger miracles seem to happen when the rules of the universe seem to be against them. When you have one or many people praying or concentrating on a particular idea, action, person or pet, you receive divine intervention with a true miracle. However, I believe there are people out there trying to pretend they are miracle workers and their energy isn't quite in the right place. They concentrate on taking advantage of people and making people believe they are miracle workers when they usually just good at taking people's money. Scammers! Yuck! Chick Jana

Oh boy -- this question should be interesting -- did you know that there are actually college courses on this subject, books, television shows i.e., Touched by an Angel?

Here is what I learned in theology. (Note: I am Catholic but probably most Christians learned these same truths.) There are five biblical tests that determine a miracle's validity:

1. The miracle glorifies God. Miracles always declare that God is active in our world and that he can disrupt the activities of nature to reveal his character and purposes.

2. It stems from a righteous source. Jesus declared that in the last days false prophets will come to "perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect—if that were possible" (Matt. 24:24, NIV).

3. It rings true to the Holy Spirit. According to Paul, one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is the "discerning of spirits" (1 Cor. 12:10, KJV), an ability granted through God's power that enables one to distinguish between true and false spirits.

4. It stands the test of external verification. On one occasion Jesus healed ten lepers and said to them, "Go, show yourselves to the priests" (Luke 17:14). This customary procedure was for the purpose of ceremonial cleansing and also for inspection and verification of results of a given healing (Lev. 14).

Let's change the scene somewhat: it can be valuable, for example, to have a miracle of physical healing checked out by a competent medical authority.

5. It builds up the church. Paul writes that "In the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles" (1 Cor. 12:28). Just as surely as apostles, prophets, and teachers are God-given appointments for the functioning of the church, so are workers of miracles. Both teaching and miracles, word and deed, occurring in unity are vital activities in the overall upbuilding and outreach of the church. Chick Susie

I definitely believe in miracles. There is often no reasonable explanation for many things except a miracle. Chick Julie

90% of these "WOW" events are simply the result of the cause-and-effect events of life and nature. In the millions of occurances that exist each moment, some will certainly seem exceptional -- especially if you're looking for something exceptional. 8% are scams. 2% are genuinely guided by a force and will that is outside the "natural" explanation of things. God does have a hand in things. Chick-a-T

God chooses who he will work through. He knows the answer to the question long before anyone else. Nowhere in "the book" does it say "look for a medium, etc." and they'll show you the way. Don't bet your nest on those that claim to know your future... they don't. J

This past year has presented to me this same question. I've always believed that "everything happens for a reason" and althought we try as hard as we can to have control over our lives...we just don't! There is no such thing as "coincidence." I believe it's always a part of a bigger plan. I lost my father this year (he was only 57 and always healthy). When he developed a brain tumor, he was given a maximum of 20% chance to survive the first surgery. He did and with more "spirit" than before... then survived a second [surgery]...

He was out of the recovery hospital for only a month when his self-called "spiritual partner" kicked him to the curb!... He went to see her and spend a nice afternoon at the fountains in Oregon where they had some words... He got up from the bench to walk away and deal with his feelings alone when he fell and hit his head. You guessed it! He was 99% brain dead from a herniated brain. My brother, sister and I had to watch him take his last breath. Now, I don't know what to think! I can't believe this is about any kind of "lesson." He survived the worst and his "spiritual partner" lead him to death. batsange