The Red Dot

Raoul’s Two Cents: July 19, 2024

Knock! Knock!

WARNING: Slightly religious and slightly political topic. Move on to the jokes if you’re not into this.

Would you recognize a miracle when it comes knocking at your door?

Last Tuesday morning a deafening boom! rattled the morning skies above New York and New Jersey. It turned out to be a fireball hurling 38,000 mph above the Statue of Liberty. A local news channel said there was nothing to worry about because the meteor disintegrated 30 miles above the city. Silly people. At that speed, 30 miles is nothing. This could have been a major disaster. Millions of lives were actually spared — including the hopes and dreams of my precious friends and families.

I Googled the definition of a miracle: “A surprising and welcome event that is not explicable by natural or scientific laws and is therefore considered to be the work of a divine agency.”

(Interesting that they called God an “agency” — always the avoidance of appearing religious. Is it so hard to admit that God exists?)

Another website says: “Jesus’ miracles were like object lessons demonstrating the vast scope of his power. They showed his authority over nature, demons, disease and death.”

So now I’m thinking in the ancient times (the Old Testament), before Jesus came, did they even use the term “miracle”? When Daniel was spared in the Lion’s den (Daniel chapter 6), they didn’t use the word “miracle” — yet miracles have always existed. They just didn’t know what to call it. And (if I’m not mistaken) only the Judeo-Christian faiths embrace this concept of undeserved miracles authored by an all loving and powerful God.

Here is my simple definition of a miracle: “A wonderful event that builds faith and brings glory to God.”

When you pray for a parking space in the middle of the Christmas rush, and then you find one — Is that a miracle? Would it bring glory to God? When you toss your dice to a winning gambling combination, is that a miracle? When your baby is born with all ten fingers and toes, is that a miracle? When you pass an exam with flying colors … when you work hard at anything and get your reward, is that a miracle?

Last Saturday, on a Palm Desert highway, Warren, a dear friend of mine was traveling at great speed. His tire blew out. He crashed into a wall, crawled out of his car that had engulfed in flames and passed out. He didn’t remember anything else when he woke up 6 hours later at the ICU. Was that a miracle?

Also last Saturday, a would-be-assassin missed killing a political candidate. Despite the crafty plans of shady conspirators, the kiss of death whizzed past. Monday, entering into a political convention, there were tears in the candidate’s eyes when he realized a few millimeters spelled the difference of his even being there. Did he deserve to cheat death? No. Even the best of us deserve death. Many others will never admit his good fortune but whether you like him or not, the fact remains.

For me this election has lifted the veil of the spiritual battle that lies underneath. Unless you can see it, things will not make sense.

In order to believe, atheists have often demanded evidence of godly intervention … they’ve been wanting undeniable proof. Would it be presumptuous of me to declare this as proof viewable by billions of people all over the world? Pretty wild, huh?

It’s true what Jesus said (Matthew, Chapter 8) when he refused to present evidence of a miracle to the proud religious elite. Jesus said they were already given proof with the story of Jonah who survived being lunch for a whale. Presenting any more examples would not change their stubborn unbelief. How sad for them.

Surviving an accident, a natural disaster, a near miss, and appreciating a simple blessing … are these miracles?

Again I ask: would you recognize a miracle when it comes knocking at your door? Oh no my friend. A miracle doesn’t ask permission to enter your home … it just enters.

But this is just me. TGIF people!

“Denial ain’t just a river in Egypt.” — Mark Twain

“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” — Albert Einstein

“Miracles happen everyday, change your perception of what a miracle is and you’ll see them all around you.” — Jon Bon Jovi

“Explaining a miracle doesn’t make it any less of a miracle.” — Athan Fletcher

JOKE OF THE WEEK

Thanks to Maria of Norwalk, CA

Original art by Raoul Pascual.

Parting Shots

Thanks to Benny of Chicago

Thanks to Sarah of Michigan

Thanks to Sharon of Connecticut

Thanks to Art of Sierra Madre, CA

Thanks to Larry of La Habra, CA

Thanks to Tom of Pasadena, CA

Thanks to Maling of New Manila, Philippines
Apparently, the whole world knows about the assassination attempt.

According to Joey of Los Angeles, CA, Director of Security Service, Kimberley Cheatle, said the sloped roof was the safety reason no security agents were assigned up on the roofs. This ridiculous excuse inspired several memes.

Thanks to Drew of Anaheim, CA

Thanks to Bob of La Placentia, CA

I found these:

My good friend (and jokester) Terry and I came up with this.

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