10-02-2012, 07:54 AM
Well, I'm not UU, never have been but, I have been a part of what many call miracles - twice. Long time ago but, my now ex father was the camp ranger for the SDA (Seventh Day Adventist) camp in southern California. I honestly don't remember if it was '82 or '83. It was a drought year though, that's what set it all in motion.
First, over the winter there were forest fires that threatened the camp. We were ordered to evacuate but, we prayed and, miles of the ridgeline were ablaze, there was no way that fire was going out anytime soon, yet in minutes it WAS out, completely, no rain, nothing, just no more fire and, the camp was safe.
Then summer came and, of course the camp was full of summer campers and staff. 500 people (I know because that's how many we had to cook for each meal and, I was one of the dishwashers that summer) Mid July we ran out of water, the camp would have to be closed that Sunday. All the staff held an all night prayer vigil for water and, we got water. The takes were overflowing so much that the streams below them were filled and, it like to have flooded the horse corrals out. Again no rain, nothing natural that could have given us that much water that fast and, yet we were drinking it, bathing in it, swimming in it, etc...
That was the second water miracle for that camp, as I later learned it had happened before, in 1970.
Still, that wasn't enough to keep me an Adventist, or even a Christian. Yes I do think there is a God of some kind but, was that God Power or people power, will and intent at work? I don't know because I know the power of will and intent, perhaps too well for my own good.
While the easy answer is that it was all miracles from God, I have to wonder if the will and intent of 250 people wasn't enough to do it all.
I know that isn't exactly what you asked, but maybe it offers you at least one perspective on miracles from someone who has experienced them or, what can be interpreted as miracles first hand.
First, over the winter there were forest fires that threatened the camp. We were ordered to evacuate but, we prayed and, miles of the ridgeline were ablaze, there was no way that fire was going out anytime soon, yet in minutes it WAS out, completely, no rain, nothing, just no more fire and, the camp was safe.
Then summer came and, of course the camp was full of summer campers and staff. 500 people (I know because that's how many we had to cook for each meal and, I was one of the dishwashers that summer) Mid July we ran out of water, the camp would have to be closed that Sunday. All the staff held an all night prayer vigil for water and, we got water. The takes were overflowing so much that the streams below them were filled and, it like to have flooded the horse corrals out. Again no rain, nothing natural that could have given us that much water that fast and, yet we were drinking it, bathing in it, swimming in it, etc...
That was the second water miracle for that camp, as I later learned it had happened before, in 1970.
Still, that wasn't enough to keep me an Adventist, or even a Christian. Yes I do think there is a God of some kind but, was that God Power or people power, will and intent at work? I don't know because I know the power of will and intent, perhaps too well for my own good.
While the easy answer is that it was all miracles from God, I have to wonder if the will and intent of 250 people wasn't enough to do it all.
I know that isn't exactly what you asked, but maybe it offers you at least one perspective on miracles from someone who has experienced them or, what can be interpreted as miracles first hand.
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