there is a mystery about miracles
but who believes in miracles anymore
for we live in a time when everything has a reason
      things are dissected
      beauty is explained away
      the sense of awe is lost in an easy answer

miracles defy the natural law
      who can walk on water
      who can make oneself float on air by willing it
      who can make a string have only one end
 

but miracles are not ends in themselves
miracles point us to see not only what is
but what still can be in our Lord
      show the proud they are not self-sufficient
      teach the greedy they can learn to share
      the self-centered may experience the joy of reaching out
      the silent find their voice
      

there are miracles today
happenings for which we do not have logical answers
      for miracles are works of grace
      experiences of the unmerited favor of our Lord
            he lifts us when we fall
            he redeems us when we fail
            he makes the old new
                  our Lord enables us
                  he is the one who saves 
                                         who delivers
                                         who abides
                                         who provides
      what greater miracle could there be

                                                                    ---rus

                    LOOKING BACK; LOOKING FORWARD
   The purpose of miracles is to know that the Lord is God.
                                     Deuteronomy 1 & 4

    1These are the words Moses spoke to all Israel on this side
of the Jordan in the wilderness, 3in the fortieth year, the eleventh
month.
    5"Surely I have taught you statutes and judgments, that you
should act according to them in the land which you go to possess.
6Be careful to observe them; for this is your wisdom in the sight
of the peoples who will hear all these statutes, and say, 'Surely
this great nation is a wise and understanding people.'
    7"For what great nation is there that has God so near to it?
8What great nation is there that has such statutes and righteous
judgments as are in all this law which I set before you this day?
9Only take heed to yourself, lest you forget the things your eyes
have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of
your life.  Teach them to your children and your grandchildren.
    32"Ask now concerning the days that are past, which were
before you, since the day that God created man on the earth.
Ask from one end of heaven to the other, whether any great thing
like this has happened, or anything like it has been heard.  33Did
any people ever hear the voice of God speaking out of the midst
of the fire, as you have heard, and live?  34Or did God ever try
to go and take for Himself a nation from the midst of another
nation, by trials, by signs, by wonders, by war, by a mighty
hand and an outstretched arm, and by great terrors, according
to all the Lord your God did for you in Egypt before your eyes?
    35"To you it was shown, that you might know that the Lord
is God; there is none other besides Him.  36Out of heaven He
let you hear His voice, that He might instruct you; on earth you
heard His words out of the midst of the fire.
    37"Because He loved your fathers, therefore He chose their
descendants after them; and He brought you out of Egypt with
His Presence, and mighty power, 38driving out from before
you nations greater and mightier than you, to bring you in, to
give you their land as an inheritance, as it is this day.
    39"Therefore know this day, and consider it in your heart,
that the Lord Himself is God in heaven above and on the earth
beneath; there is no other.  40You shall therefore keep His
statutes and His commandments which I command you today,
that it may go well with you and with your children after you,
and that you may prolong your days in the land which the
Lord your God is giving you for all time."
             _{This Bible passage was condensed from the NKJV}

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