Wednesday, May 2, 2012

How can a good God allow suffering?

My sister's church in Rhode Island has been doing a sermon series dealing with tough questions.  Last weekend they addressed a question that we have all asked at some point: "How can a good God allow suffering?"  My sister's pastor, Jerry Dusenberry,  asked if he could use Thomas's story as part of this sermon, as the death of an innocent baby is a pretty obvious example of seemingly senseless suffering.  He had followed along on our journey with Thomas, and had prayed for his healing.  Of course we told him we would be honored! My sister read several of our blog posts, and several excerpts were combined into the video below which was played at the end of the sermon.  The sermon is excellent, and it talks about how suffering is a result of sin (not a result of my personal sin, but "big picture sin" affecting me on a very personal level).  Our suffering isn't senseless, and God uses all of it for His greater purpose.  We may not see it at the time, but our suffering is part of a story much larger than our own.



"We don't yet see things clearly. We're squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won't be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We'll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing him directly just as he knows us!" 1 Corinthians 13:12 (The Message)

9 comments:

  1. WOW-- that is very touching!! thank u for sharing!! I love u and TJ and GOD is using u both in a mighty way!!! Hugs from Me!!

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  2. Once again I'm humbled by your beautiful words! Thank you for continuing to share your journey! You are still in my thought and prayers!

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  3. You all and Thomas have touched so many lives and changed them for God's purpose! Thank you. Much Love, Dana Putnam Burkhart

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  4. I love, love, love this! How beautiful. Your words ring so true. I love that God is continually redeeming Thomas's life as He uses your story for His purposes. Thank you for sharing!

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  5. that was really beautiful. how Celia did that without breaking down is amazing. thank you for sharing Thomas with us.

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  6. So beautiful! Celia, you and your church did such a wonderful and heart-felt job with this project of love... this tribute and affirmation of little Thomas' life and how Jesus made it into a legacy of Faith ; this thank-you note to the Father.
    Melissa, TJ, Cissy, Monty, Celia.... the Huffman's send our love to you all.

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  7. You and your family are amazing to me. Thank God for you.

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  8. You are an amazing testimony of God's GRACE and the Living HOPE our Lord Jesus Christ has secured for us in ETERNITY!! With GREAT admiration, Melissa Tinfow

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  9. What a beautiful sermon and a beautiful testimony Thomas is so very proud of his Mommy right now, using his brief life to be an example of love and compassion and faith and trust.

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