Bad thing to a good person

Sometimes the greatest source of action is prayer....

Prayers from the Elkins family.

Billy

Elwood...Sorry to hear the news, my prayers and thoughts will be with you and your family.

I'm not a big time religon type of guy although I was raised and brought up to go to church, a Methodist church in fact but I don't go to church now days...I also believe a guy doesn't have to go to church in order to get right with the lord either...the connection between man and God does not go through a third party...at any rate, when we get sudden tragic news such as Elwood's our immediate response is to ask why, we shouldn't ask why but we do.

Everything happens for a reason Elwood, beats me as to why bad things happen to good people but they do. I'll tell you something else Elwood, not sure what I'm trying to say here but here it goes: "A lot of people look up to you on this board Elwood, I know I do. I know you and I have shared emails and such and you have provided me with a wealth of information on fishing related stuff, thanks Elwood! Furthermore, by you starting such a thread about God, religon, beliefs and why we have to endure some of the things we go through in our lives is a good thing in my opinion...this website reaches a lot of people and your post will be read for miles around. In my opinion your post has perfect timing because this country could stand to hear and/or read about God's word a little bit more".

I've probably said enough...I'm not one to speak much about religon but I do believe there's something better after this life...Pslam 23 says: "He maketh me to lie down in green pastures and he leadeth me by the still waters"...Man I'll tell ya'll what, I'd like to have some of that.

Amen Elwood, Amen...

I appreciate all of your responses. I know all families have problems in their daily lives but it seems like in my family it happens more and more. I am not asking for a pitty party from anyone but with having 3 people pass away with Cancer over the past few years in our family, and now my brother in law has this dreaded disease, my cousin is killed in a car accident, my wifes cousin who is only 12 has faught Leukemia (sp) all his life and is now is in intensive care plus his medical insurance is fighting paying bills for he has reached his lifetime maximum and there having problems getting the state to help out, her uncle was just put in intensive care last week with heart problems, and on a personal note I have been admitted into the hospital approximately 20 times and had 7 different surgeries over the past few years including 3 different hernia surgeries plus 4 other surgeries related to a flesh eating staff infection that I got in my stomache (most likely according to one doctor from the initial hernia surgery). Pretty much sucked all around. Again, I don't want to offend anyone and maybe this is my first step in trying to get back to where I once was in the Christian Church. I served communion, gave communion meditations, helped out with Bible School, played on the softball team, coached the women's team, plus other chuch functions. Maybe I am right in that it is the biggest con ever is religion. Maybe there is nothing after. Maybe miracles do happen but it is because some doctor went to class that day and learned how to cure something. It just seems that more and more things happen to good people that I know or are related to and it makes me ask WHY????? Yes it is easier to ask why than to believe but I assure you I believed for a lot of years but things still happened.

Again, don't want to offend anyone but looking for answers and I know this board reaches many people of all walks of like and religious beliefs.

Elwood

My opinion, for what it's worth, is that we can't place too much emphasis or importance on the struggles of our earthly life when considering the existence of God. Our lives here are a temporary shell in comparison to the glory and eternity of heaven. I believe that all things work according to God's plan....and that plan is more about heaven than it is about earth. If we had all the answers and we all knew the plan, then we would be God ourselves. As it is, I think our simple minds and logic can only grasp the smallest fraction of God's wisdom.

I just said a prayer for your brother-in-law.

Elwood,
I have been there, I have questioned. I lost three great people to cancer, why did God have to take them? I always question that. Faith comes into play then, although we may lose it at times, it usually comes back in some shape or form.

I was raised as a devout Catholic, 13 years going to private catholic schools. From early on I thought there was no other choice, so I did it as I was taught. Now highschool years came, had a great thologian teacher who taught his class in a different way. I started to question the Catholic religion and really stopped going to Church the time when my grandfather was found murdered. I went into the rebellious stage and lost sight for a while (never turning my back on God, just losing sight of my own faith). Does going to Church make a person good? To me no, one of the people I lost to cancer was the greatest man alive but he was not a church goer, but I swear he was an angel on earth.

But I am guessing you are an outdoorsman, as I am. Take a look around you when your out on the water, the beauty, the wildlife, your chance of living that moment, never take that for granted, you are in one of God's greatest cathedrals. Anytime I ever thought if there was someone above, I always looked at my surroundings and realized there has to be a greater authority who created the beautiful surroundings I enjoy and partake in. The outdoors has been my "church" for the past few years, where I do all my talking to the man above. Whether it is before launch in a tournament, or I am posted high in a tree waiting for a mossy antlered to walk out, I do a lot of talking to him as well as those he has chosen to take.

Time is what it will take, there is no easy way in the situation your family is currently in. All I say is, this is the time when you need God the most. He is there, he will help you through your times of suffering. Cancer is one of the most horrible things that disease the world today, and too many good people leave us before there time. I will pray for you and your family through this most difficult time. God bless and vent all you want, not to sound like a Dr. Phil, but talking about it and venting what you feel will only help you through your rough times.

Eric Hickman Jr.

Elwood,
In the last ten years my wife and i have lost four parents,two grandparents and a duaghter! It is very hard to keep a faith that seems so hurtful and unexplaining. Some of the questions we seem to have, the book tells us we are not to now the answer why, but to lean on faith that he knows the answer and the reason. Our daughter was diagnosed with ovarian cancer at the age of 16. Doctor,s said her being able to survive it were very slim. In October of 2004 she recieved her cancer free clean bill of health and was told she could get on with her life. One month later in late November she was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's and we lost her the following April. Hence the question, why do these things happen to good people? The only thing to help my wife and I through all this is that God wants good people around him too. Maybe not all angels are created. God takes his own time to recruit good people into his Kingdom to serve his own special purposes. Would't we all! This in my opinion would especially hold true to those who are genuinly good people and the innocense found in children. It is important to keep people in your prayers, but equally important to pray for yourself and ask that any doubts in your faith or beliefs be calmed and given rest. Iwill give prayer for your family and for you.

My prayers are going out for you and please know that myself and the prayer team at my church will be praying for you.

To question you pose is one that would take a great amount of time to answer and probably can't be answered in full on this board, in one meeting, or in this life.

But a few observations on the question is this.

There is suffering because there is sin. When sin entered the world though Adam, so did suffering and pain. People say "that's not fair - we are all doomed through one man." But as Paul says in Romans we are all condemned through one man Adam, but are saved through another type of Adam - Christ. So one brings us death and one brings us life!

Also, when it comes down to it - we aren't really that good. As Christ responds to the rich, young, ruler who calls him "good teacher" Christ replies "Why do you call me good? No one is good except for God." We may do good things and live good lives, but we are all wretched sinners and I will again echo Paul that I am probably the worst sinner on the fishin board.

The good news is Romans 8:28 on as we have the promise that God works all things for good to those who love him.

This is in conjuction with the process of salvation that begins will justification and ends with glorification. God's purpose in our life is for us to be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ - in other words become just like Him. No matter what is going on in the life of a true, born again follower of Christ - whether it is good or bad, tragic or triumphant. Everything is for that reason, to make us like Christ. Look at His life - if God will allow Jesus to suffer, be betrayed, be beaten, left alone, and killed (don't forget resurrected) then He will allow us to go through that as well.

I hope this helps even though it doesn't even scratch the surface. I will be praying for you. If you need anything I will drive whatever distance to meet with you or you can reach me at [email][email protected][/email] or by phone (270)303-3531

jeremy

Elwood I will say a prayer for your brother in law and your sister and family. Somehow through this site I feel I almost know you personally even though I don't. One thing I feel sure about is you are a hell of a guy and deep down I know, you know, there is a God in heaven. Maybe just maybe he will spare your brother in laws life and your faith will be restored. Hang in there man, we and I think I speak for everyone on this site will be pulling hard for you and your family. God speed, Mark.

Please know you, your family and all will be in my prayers.

One week before I got laid off, we found out my wife's mother had lung cancer... stage 4. She was one of the very best people I have ever known, would do anything for anyone, and absolutely did. She took care of all the elderly in her family, etc....

Yes, it is unfair... bad things do happen to good people. She lived 5 months, taking chemo. and radiation. The cancer had spread to her lymph nodes, her brain, liver, adrenal glands, and possibly her bones. She never gave up until the last couple of weeks.

Is there a supreme being, a force? I believe so. Having lost my job, and with my severence package, I was able to be with her (and my wife and father-in-law) everyday, for every Dr's appointment and treatment. Momma, as I called her, got to see really just how much she was loved. So you see, I do believe everything happens for a reason, and I do belive in my God. I believe there is only one God, and that we all pray to the same God, we just call our God by a different name.

If it is God's will, he will survive and if not... well you know.

I am so sorry your family has to go through this. I've gotten to know you on the board, and I do consider you a friend from the board. Someday I hope we meet and become real friends. For now, make sure you take care of your family. Nothing is more important than that. Family... they stand by you and stay with you through thick and thin.

I will remember you all in my prayers.

Tight lines and God Bless

Danny

From one smalljaw to another, my prayers are with you, Elnut. There have certainly been some genuine, honest comments made in this thread. I have a few comments to make as well.

I was raised in a Christian home. I was mostly raised by my mother and never had a strong Christian father present. Mom use to tell me when I questioned life, "Our lives are like the back of a woven tapestry." Have you ever seen the back of a woven tapestry? It looks like a mess of thread. It's when you turn it over that you reveal the beauty of the completed tapestry. God weaves a tapestry in all of our lives. We won't see the beautiful tapestry God is creating in us until we see Him in glory through belief in Jesus Christ.

Isaiah 55:8-9
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD.
As high as the heavens are above the earth, so high are my ways above your ways and my thoughts above your thoughts.

Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.–Matt. 18:20

You are all in my prayers today...

It is all about prayer and having a relationship with the LORD.
Christ said If you have faith the size of a mustard seed you can move mountains! My version. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. To have a good relationship with the Lord and to have tremendous faith, you have to pray, read your Bible and go to Church and have fellowship with your brothers and sisters. I will pray for Joe, Crustal, Dakota and Jake and pray for you too. I am not being sarcastic. I am trying to help out any way I can. I hope I don't offend you by using God's scripture for help.
Brother in Christ,
Bassky

El, there are those who believe religion is but a coping mechanism mankind has created to deal with his own mortality. I was raised in a religious household, but have for many years been somewhat of an agnostic. For 20 years I've wrestled with your same questions, and many times worded thoughts similar to yours. I'm very envious of those with an unshakable faith in a higher power. I won't offer any advice, there's been plenty of that in this thread, but maybe there's some solace knowing you aren't the only one. I wish you the best.

Despite any doubts, or whether we're good or bad, the first one we always appeal to for help in a tough spot is the man upstairs.