Good Luck, Fate or Divine Moment

Did you know the odds of being struck by lightning, once in your lifetime, are approximately 1 in 15,300?  And that of being struck twice in your lifetime is approximately 1 in 9 million!

For LOTTO 6/49, the odds of winning the major jackpot is 1 in almost 14 million, while a ticket for LOTTO MAX presents a chance of winning calculated at 1 in 29 million.

The odds of winning the Powerball (an American lottery game offered by 45 states) jackpot is projected to be an astronomical 1 in 292 million.

is it any wonder that such wins are deemed astonishing!

Keeping these facts In mind, it might seem reasonable to view these seemingly impossible wins as possessing “good or bad luck” (depending on the circumstances).

Which got me thinking …

Are some people just born “lucky?” (possessing a seemingly “Midas” touch), where good things or circumstances precede all else in their lives.

And on the other hand, are some “cursed” from the day of their birth? Experiencing a life full of turmoil, loss and suffering.

Could it all be … “c'est la vie” (that’s life or such is life)?

The psalmist writes:

The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.

(Psalm 90:10)

It makes me wonder …

Is life no more than random chance, is it no more than the proverbial rolling of the dice or is there an overriding force or governance that determines our destiny or experience.

A friend of mine believes that a lot of it has to do with the principle of karma, wherein an individuals' intent and actions (cause) influence their future (effect).

The following might help to explain …

This friend was standing in line at Tim Hortons early one morning on his way to work, waiting his turn to give an order. In front of him stood a gentleman, who was giving the person taking his order a hard time about coffee being served in a paper cup. He was rude, belligerent and foul mouthed in his demand to be served his coffee in a porcelain mug, and for the paper cup to be shoved #%< (you know where)! He continued his tirade, muttering as he walked away, cup in hand, scowling.

Somewhat embarrassed by the episode, my friend placed his ordered and headed off for work, coffee in hand.

These were the days of “Roll up the Rim, to Win” and it wasn’t until much later in the day that my friend finished his coffee and began the roll up the rim to see what he might have won. Though not often, it wasn’t that uncommon to be rewarded with a free coffee or doughnut/cookie instead of the usual “try again!”

This day was different …

As he began to unroll the rim, he noticed that something was different. There was no “try again”, “free coffee” or “free doughnut/cookie” stamped along the edge.

This time he read: “You have won a brand new 2005 Toyota Prius!”

He was ecstatic!

When the excitement of his good fortune wore off, he remembered the encounter at the counter that morning. The coffee cup in his hand was the paper cup that had so vehemently been rejected by the man in front of him that morning.

The man before him would have been the winner. But instead became the loser. My friend’s wife, a Thai Buddhist, saw this as an example of good “karma!”

The result of good deeds, thoughts, actions being rewarded.

I could go on …

More examples of luck, unexplained coincidences and random occurrences of good/bad fortune …

But is it only that? Could there not be something more? Could there not be some overriding governing force that guides our destiny?

Is it not possible that there exists a personal, omnipotent, omnipresent God who allows, prevents, oversees what we experience in life?

I have my opinion …

What do you think?

I do believe we can rest in the assurance that life isn’t always fair, that some seem luckier than others, that many have more than their fair share of adversity and misfortune.

But God is Good!

And I do believe:

”Godliness with contentment is great gain.”

1 Timothy 6:6

In that, I put my trust & rest!

May I Ask You a Question?

May I ask you a question?

What is the best thing that has ever happened to you?

Think about it,

And feel free to place it in the comment section below.

But read on if you would like to hear of mine:

There was a time in my life when I was content, viewing myself as a good person, and believing that I was a Christian. One day that world completely changed.

It was the summer of 1969,

I was laying in my bed thinking about a story I had read earlier that day. A story of two young men travelling in a car, suddenly being involved in a fatal accident. The driver of the automobile was a Christian, who had on many occasions shared with his friend concerning Heaven and Hell, and how God had sent His Son to die for our sins, so that we might not perish but have everlasting life.

In the aftermath of that moment, the survivor of the crash realized that had he died he would have gone to hell, even though his friend was in heaven. A verse from the Bible stuck in his mind: "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whosoever believeth in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16). Laying there, in my bed that night, I also pondered that verse and acknowledged before God my trust in what Jesus had done for me, accepting Him as my Lord and Saviour.

I woke up the next morning a changed person, with a burning desire to know God and His Word better.  From that day forth I have had peace, knowing that I am going to Heaven. My life has had purpose, with God providing direction.

If you would be interested in knowing how God could do something like that in your life, I would welcome your feedback comment below or send me a direct message.

Life in Heaven or Hell?

"People who live in Heaven shouldn't judge those who live in Hell!" 

Who is the author referring to when he/she says "people who live in Heaven?". 

And ... who are "those who live in Hell?".

I wonder, and it disturbs me.

Am I blatantly guilty of passing judgement from the position from which I see myself?   Is this what is being referred to?   Am I viewing others from a position of security, knowing my eternal destiny, content in the present moment. 

Am I seeing, viewing them in ways that falls short of something deemed complimentary.    

Am I judging them for choices made in circumstances beyond their control. 

Am I judging them?

Am I looking down on them? 

Am I slowly and assuredly being transformed into the person I don't want to be?

Am I, are you, are we doing just that?.

If so, how do we stop? 

Any suggestions?

You're Not Indigenous!

I

I've been told ....

"That I don't understand/know what it's like to experience this or that!"

The implication being, it's not who you are or it's not what you've personally experienced.

How could you know?

And therefore, why should you be allowed to express an opinion or comment, and why should anyone listen to what you have to say!

I disagree ...

The assumption being that people know all they need to know about me, or that they have sufficient facts to make a conclusive statement about who they think I am or am not.

Case in point ...

Recently someone said in response to an action of mine that I shouldn't do or say this/that because it's not politically correct:

The comment made was ...

"You're not Indigenous?"

"Your actions are racist."

I asked "how do you know I'm not Indigenous?"

Is it because of my hair colour (red), skin colour (white), freckles and eyes ( that's a tricky one ... brown).

Is that why you think I'm not Indigenous?

Their response:

"You're not Indigenous?"

How do you know, I replied.

"My son is indigenous, and possesses associative inherent rights!"

Does it not seem therefore, rational, that I, his father, can say, ...

"I'm indigenous!"

Does not the inclusion of the one, by virtue of its inclusion, promote the other?

Or is it only a one way street?

My son bears my surname, is wholly a part of our family, along with a brother and sister with whom he shares associative inherit rights.

If that is true, is it not equally true that I have a right to be included in his family?

My son is Metis, and until relatively recent years, was rejected by both caucasian and indigenous people as belonging to neither society.  With the inclusion of his place in one group (indigenous), does it not seem right we should be including him in the other, of which he is a part?  Likewise, should we not equally be investing time and energy building bridges, rather than erecting walls amongst ourselves.  How can things get better if all we are doing is replace one form of exclusion for another?

I agree that I'm not Indigenous, but I also believe I have a position at the table, just as my son equally has a right.

The Beginning of a New Era

"In the beginning ..." No, not that sort of beginning! More like a resurrection. It was 11 years ago (December 30, 2012) that I last wrote expressing my thoughts, and ramblings on topics close to my heart. I'm not sure why I stopped. Maybe it was the passing of our oldest son ... possibly the myriad of significant moments in life. I've really never stopped to think about it. But one thing I am considering, or deep down even know to be! It's time to begin, to breathe from the ashes/ambers into flame, some of the many musings my thoughts contain, concerning an innumerable number of topics. Someone once said: "the end of one era, is the begiining of another." The picture below shows me doing something I'm not known for ... "dancing!". It's been a long time, but just before midnight on December 31, 2023 I decided to get up and dance to Katrina & the Waves singing "Walking on Sunshine." And "it feels good!"