The Case for Faith

I am reading a new book, called a "The Case for Faith" by Lee Strobel.  I have been interested in reading this book for awhile.  At the end of each chapter is a series of questions which, I guess I will answer here.  The First chapter is called "Objection #1: Since Evil and Sufffering Exist, a Loving God Cannot.   1. How have difficulties, challenges, and even pain shaped your Character and values?  Well, if I had not gone through my very difficult childhood, watching the alcoholics around me ruin their lives and stain my childhood, I would not be the person I am today.   I refuse to touch any alcohol and that was one of my criteria for a husband(Thankfully my husband does not).  I am stronger because of what I went through but I am also fearful and anxious.  2. How are you different today as a result of the problems you've had to face in life?  I feel I am in wiser because of all I experienced, but I also have vistages from my past that hang on to me and trouble the present. 3. Can you ever imagine thanking God someday for how suffering has molded you? Yes I can imagine thanking him.  When I am in the midst of my anxiety I am unsure if that last statement will be true.  But I have a feeling that when I meet God face to face, all of my past will no longer matter and I will just be greatful to be in His presence.  4. Kreeft said, "I believe all suffering contains at least the opportunity for good." Was that true in your case?  I believe that I can derive good out of what I went through and what I was put through.  I know God has a reason, I can help others, I can grow stronger because of it.  5. What were Kreeft's strongest points? That God did not leave us alone, He gave us Jesus who was sacrificed for us and redeemed us through that sacrifice, resurrection.  6. What were his weakest?  This question I am not sure he made a good argument. How do you argue against God and Jesus?7. If you were God, how would you have designed the world differently? I don't know because if you start to second guess God, your on a downhill slope.  Because if you try to make people  good then you take away free will and then we would just be puppets. (Kreeft makes this arguement much better then I do).  8. As you remove suffering or evil and tinker with people's free will, think through the consequences that would result.  How would people form character in your utopia? I guess they wouldn't. Would they be motivated to seek God in the midst of their pleasures? No, because they wouldn't see a need to.  If you supernaturally intervened to eliminate evil, where would you draw the line--- to prevent murder? Child abuse? Theft? Slander? Evil thoughts that may prompt evil actions? At what point are people turned into puppets who lack free will and therefore cannot truly express love? I see the authors point, but it is hard to see the evil done in this world and not want to have the power to end it.  God knows better then I and I have to trust Him.9. If Marc where to sit down with the woman in the Life Magazine photo, what three things do you think he would say to her? 1. I am sorry for your loss. 2. Let sit with you and listen while you tell me about your son and how you are feeling. 3. I am sure he would tell her about God and Jesus, and just try to comfort her in her time of loss.10. How do you believe she might respond? She might respond to the offer of Marc to listen to her tell of her son and what happened to him.  She may even respond favorablely to him telling her about God.   This first chapter was very interesting and made me think about some hard questions and made me face them head on.  In the end I must trust in God and His plan for me.  On a personal note I have a doctors appointment tomorrow more then likely they will tell me that they didn't find anything in the blood work, I think this because otherwise they would have called me.  I have not been as dizzy or nauseous lately, but not totally free of it, so we will see.  I have been more achy here lately, do I mention it or not?  Who knows, It is in God's hands.  Please Lord help me with my doctor's appointment tomorrow and with the pain and nausea, and dizzyness.  Thank you Lord for all you do.