Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." ~Matthew 19:26
Several weeks back Danny notices that one of our backgammon dice is slightly nicked on a corner. That might seem like an insignificant issue, but any imperfection can affect how a die rolls on the playing board. He decides to order new dice sets for us. Mind you, these aren't just any old run-of-the-mill dice, but the very type used in world-wide backgammon championship tournaments. Talk about upping our game!
We notice right away that the dice will do things we've never witnessed in our previous sets. We can roll them as usual but at times, one of the other will actually tip up on a barely perceptible edge of a corner and stay there. Quite the balancing act! But the photo in the header takes the cake.
No, I don't stage these dice for photo drama. These are exactly how they land, one neatly stacked on top of the other. Amazed, I grab my cell phone to document this phenomenon to testify to the truth of what has impossibly happened. Neither Danny nor I have ever seen anything to match such a stunt in all the years we've played backgammon.
What are the odds of that? Just being a millimeter off would have made all the difference.
This past weekend marks the anniversary of the infamous assassination attempt made on President Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania. As those moments of uncertainty and dread are relived on the news, the undeniable truth becomes abundantly clear.
Because Donald Trump turns his head slightly, with intentions to focus the crowd on a huge chart depicting the drop in illegal border crossings during his last tenure a shot intended to end his life only grazes his ear.
A split second between life and death.
A millimeter of a difference.
How is it even possible that the shooter fails to hit his target? He has training, experience, opportunity. By human logic, he shouldn't have missed.
But God.
During those appallingly anxious moments, my first reaction is shock followed immediately by prayer. My mind races back to memories of previous, gut-wrenching assassinations in our country's past. In light of those outcomes, my heart fears the worst, and yet, still beats with hope as tears flow unchecked.
And then, the miracle!!! President Trump is on his feet, his fist pumping the air, blood streaming down his face. He's not just alive, he's full of life and fight. What are the odds of that?
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What more and more people, including Trump himself, have come to realize since that horrible day is that the God who makes the impossible possible intervenes at precisely the right place and the right time. In spite of the many in this nation who disavow Him, the Lord still envisions this country as His shining city on a hill, and continually and lovingly calls us back to Himself.
My prayer, today and every day, is that all people in this nation will confess their sins, repent, and commit themselves, heart, soul, mind, and strength, to the One who always knows the odds.
And if we do, I'd say our odds couldn't be better.
Amen!
Amen indeed, Martha.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Linda.
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Praise the Lord always.
ReplyDeleteGod bless, Martha.
Amen, Victor! Let's praise the Lord always and everywhere.
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Hi Martha, I thought exactly the same thing as you regarding president Trumps survival of that horrific happening. No matter what evil thing might be in a person's mind that person is not above God, Who can intervene in any evil action. God bless.
ReplyDeleteNo weapon formed against us will prosper when God's hand is in it, Brenda. God is absolutely in control at all times and in all places.
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Some say it was luck. Some speak of chance. I say, "Hogwash" to both of those explanations. i don't believe in luck or chance or happenstance. My comments are not political, nor even focusing on this situation. They are based firmly on the belief that God is in control. Absolute control. I will place my trust in the ONE who knows all and has His plan.
ReplyDeleteI'm in absolute agreement with you, Bill. There are no such things as luck or chance. As you said, God is in control and all things will work out for good for those of us who trust completely in Him.
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This near assassination changed Candidate and now President Trump. He has repeatedly said that God saved him that day for a reason. At the Republican National Convention short after the assassination attempt you could see a difference. You are right Martha, a matter of a slightly turned head to look at a chart changed the future of our country and Trump recognized that that slight turn of his head was God’s work.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely, this incident, as horrible as it was at the time, changed President Trump for the better. He has repeatedly said, as you mention here, that he firmly believes God saved his life just for a time like this. I so love that he met yesterday with CEOs of companies that contribute to faith-based organizations. Looking forward to a revival all across our great country!
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People on the ground saw what was happening. A guy with a rifle is spotted on a nearby roof. A policeman climbs up and sees him. Frantic information is relayed and ignored. This wasn't just about intervention to save the man's life; it was also about exposing significant failures in people doing one of the ost critical jobs in the world.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely right, Glynn! As more information comes out, the lackadaisical attitudes of the secret service members has become abundantly clear. I hope and pray the the widow of the man who was killed that day, Cory Competore, will get honest answers to why her husband, along with everyone in the crowd, weren't better protected. It is a shameful stain on our nation's history, but I'm eternally grateful that God intervened when He did.
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Totally it was divine intervention right before the eyes for everyone who has the eyes to see. Not only did that spilt second, save a man’s life, It ushered in, Trump 2.0 and it exposed the threats, the evil, the incompetence of the other side. They will stop at nothing. I agree with Glynn ⬆️.
ReplyDeleteTrump is President but Jesus is king. Keeping my eyes on the ONE who created it all. ❤️
Yes, Debby, that event was divine intervention at its best! And what a spectacle of God's power for the entire world to witness. I shudder to think where our country would be at this point without this strong, God-fearing leader that we have in President Trump. Thank you, King Jesus!
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He was lucky
ReplyDeleteI know many folks will call it luck, but respectfully, Christine, I don't believe in luck. I'll take divine intervention any day of the week.
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We have prayed a long time that our nation would experience a renewal of faith in God through Christ. I understand that there has been a resurgence of Christianity among Gen Z and Millennials. May their newfound faith ripple through the other generations!
ReplyDeleteAmen, Nancy! I've heard the same about the resurgence of faith in the younger generations that are following after us. May we all in this country, and throughout the world, experience a true revival.
DeleteGrace and blessings!
It is so important to pray for all nations and leaders everywhere. May God's will be done here on earth at it is in heaven! Hugs
ReplyDeleteAmen, Debbie! May God's will be done always and may His kingdom come.
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"God who makes the impossible possible intervenes at precisely the right place and the right time. "
ReplyDeleteEphesians 4:20 says, "But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with him, and made us sit with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus...".
Agreed with everything you said, and I think God intervened for Trump and I think Trump is seeing it. Hopefully.
I've certainly seen a big change in President Trump since this took place, Sandie, and he openly admits that he feels strongly that God was working in that very moment. Did you hear that he recently held a luncheon at the White House for CEOs of large companies that give generously to faith-based organizations in this country. Who ever thought that any president would be so bold? That's a sign of God's light shining in and through him.
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God steps in when he needs too, never underestimate him. Good post, Martha.
ReplyDeleteHis ways and His thoughts are higher than ours, Bill. Who are we to underestimate the God of the Universe?
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There are no coincidences! I truly believe it was God who saved President Trump's life -- and will continue to do so. I'm honored to join you in prayer for a great awakening!
ReplyDeleteGreat to know that you're joining me, and so many others, in prayer for the great awakening, renewal and revival in this country, Myra. The more, the merrier! And you're so right - there are no coincidences or luck. It was God and God alone who saved the life of President Trump.
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But God. Indeed. Many locally prayed, "Let my people go" about the Communism holding his people hostage. HE answered with great power and love and rescued those of us who believe in Him until HE, the true King, can sit in His rightful place as head of the world. What a mighty, merciful, wonderful God we serve! Thank you Lord. Amen! Blessings. ❤️
ReplyDeleteAmen, Sparky! Yes, we do serve a mighty and omnipotent God who shows us grace and mercy when we deserve neither. He will return one day to rule the earth just as He promised.
DeleteGrace and blessings!
I love the analogy with the dice. God is amazing!
ReplyDeleteYes, He is, Lux! Our God is truly an awesome God.
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Oh yes, God was certainly there, intervening not only for President Trump's life, but also for our country. I shudder to think where we'd be today if that bullet had hit its target. God was certainly there, and He continues to be here for us. No, things are not perfect in our land and they never will be because we are all human, but still I believe we were given a chance to get things right before it's too late. It was a wake up call for all of us. Great analogy! Thank you, Martha!
ReplyDeleteYou're so right, Pamela, that as humans, we can't hope to get it perfectly, but God empowers us to do our utmost for His highest when we trust in Him. I can't even begin to imagine where this nation would be at this moment had not President Trump's life been spared. Thank you, Lord, for his life!
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Great lead-in to the assassination attempt, Martha. Diane and I are (not shockingly) on the same page with you again. Like you, I was already amazed by the timing of the whole thing, but I saw an interview with one of the folks in the President's team. What she shared made the active handiwork of God in it even more astounding. That screen Trump asked for was scheduled to be the last screen that would be pulled up for the speech. Instead, he asked for it 8 minutes into the presentation--totally unexpected. Then, as if that weren't enough of a divorce from the plan, there were two screens, one on the left side and the other on the right. When the President called for that immigration screen, it came up on the opposite screen from the one that it had been programmed to come up on. When I think about the odds against all those things happening at precisely the right time and in just the right sequence of movements, I am absolutely speechless in awe of the power of living God's to do protect and preserve His chosen vessels.
ReplyDeleteThe dice thing is captivating, for sure, dear sister, and a good reminder that impossible things aren't a problem for the One we serve. So, thanks for the fresh spash of hope and wonderful gratitude that what our God sets out to do, He will do. God bless you guys as we continue to see glimpses of the wonders in play all around us.
Wow, Ron, I hadn't heard those details about that fateful day, and I so appreciate that you've shared them here with all the readers. I was aware that this slide was shown out of order, but had no idea regarding the rest of the story, as Paul Harvey would say. When something that miraculous happens, no one can deny that God's hand is in every iota of it. And though President Trump hasn't lost any of his wit and trolling skills, I see a different man on the inside, truly changed by this incident and humbled because of it. I can't be the only one who sees this attribute in him. Love to you and Diane!
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those two words. "But God". I believe with all my heart that God directed this past election including the saving grace of President Trump from that shot. I continue to pray for him each day. The dice are incredibly interesting....I've never played this game, but it does look to be fun.
ReplyDeleteI believe the same, Shug, and like you, I pray daily for President Trump and his family, and all those who work so hard to protect our nation's interest and who want us to solidly become that One Nation Under God that our Pledge of Allegiance states. I thank the good Lord that this man's life was spared that our country could be spared, too. The dice event certainly inspired this blog; backgammon is so much fun to play once you learn how.
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Such a powerful post, Martha! Thank you! And this, "A millimeter of a difference." Like the saying, "_______ can make all the difference in the world." What a perfect analogy to your dice and to the assassination attempt. God bless!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your thoughtful comment here, Karen! Yes, we may think that, like a millimeter, we are too small to make a positive difference in this world, but God tells us otherwise. I choose to believe Him.
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It matters not what we think, only what God thinks. His will be done, not ours.
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Amen, Jim! May God's will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
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Of late I have seen God work in amazing ways that matter to me very personally that have further endeared Him to me. He is soooo trustworthy to bring about what is best in our lives.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this post, Martha.