Good morning, good afternoon, good evening...wherever in the world you live! I hear you're a chocoholic too - I won't tell a soul! Chocolate is good for the body - and God's Word is good for the soul: "O taste and see that the Lord is good...(Psalm 34:8 KJV)." So please join me for a few moments of fun, food and inspiration - it's all calorie-free (believe that and I'll sell you the Brooklyn Bridge) and might even make your day!

Bible Byte 'n Chocolate Chew for Today: "Tragedy, Faith and Unanswerable Questions!"

Today's Bible reading (International Bible Society): Isaiah 61:1-3 (NIV) . . . Visit Bible Gateway every day!

Life is precious and when it is lost, we mourn. Our love, our sympathy and our prayers go out to the survivors and families of all tragedies - natural disaster, accidents, health issues, unspeakable crimes and whatever other crisis you may be facing this day.

Tragedy happens....faith "IS".....and how in the world, as we watch bad things happen, do we reconcile the two seemingly contradictory facts? Turn to today's Bible verses above and know, without a doubt, that Someone else watches, knows - and mourns with us. God Himself.

God sent Jesus, His Son, to our messed-up world on a mission - He was anointed to "preach good news to the poor...bind up the brokenhearted....comfort all who mourn, and provide...a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning...." (See above NIV Scriptures.)

Why? Because a Sovereign Lord already knew what was ahead for mankind - sin, suffering, loss, despair, destruction, and yes, tornados and terrible accidents. In His love, He sent Jesus to bring comfort, healing and hope - our faith is founded in the ever-trustworthiness of our God, even when we do not understand.

Unanswerable questions? You better believe it. It's LIFE - but we live it by FAITH in the SON OF GOD who "loved us and gave Himself for us." He grieves WITH us today in our grief and unbearable sorrows....may He comfort us all.

PRAYER: "Lord, there are questions in life for which we have no answers. We cry to You from our grief-stricken hearts...may Your comfort and love surround those who personally suffer and grieve this day. May their faith in You rise above the tragedies to know You are with them and will carry them through. Thank You for the hope of eternal life - we place our heavy hearts and our too-many-questions in Your Sovereign hands, in Jesus' Name, Amen."

Featured links:
God, Where Are You?" . . . "Where in the World ARE You??

"A Noah's Day Recall: Reign of Evil...Reign of God

Special Feature: "Natural Disasters, Terrorism and War Ministry Resources

Tragedy - August 2007: "When Life Collapses, We Go to God's Word"

News of Bus Tragedy . . . Bluffton University
News of Tornado Destruction . . . CNN News story on tragedy
The Life: Disaster, Fear and Crisis
Grief and Loss Resource Centre

"Why, God, Why?" - Anne Graham Lotz

"Beyond the Ultimate: Where is God in the midst of Tragedy?"
Where Is God in the Midst of Tragedy?" . . . "Where Is God..."
"Where Is God When Bad Things Happen?" - by Luis Palau

"Where Is God in Tragedy?" - In Touch Ministries . . . "Where Do I Find God in this World of Tragedy and Pain?"

Tower of Strength devotional archives . . . Tragedy Resources

--by Peggie C. Bohanon. Copyright 2008, Springfield, MO. All rights reserved.

Once Upon a World
Unique, original audio Bible stories and podcast for children.

Pray daily for our military! View "Remember Me" - YouTube, a patriotic video.

Who Is Jesus? - International Bible Society

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Chocolate-Related Devotionals by Peggie!

Chocolate De-Light! . . . The Rat, the Cat--and the Chocolate!

Confessions of a Chocoholic--by Peggie!

So Where's the Fudge? . . . Where's the Chocolate!

Other devotionals by Peggie: See The Devotional Buffet.

(With thanks and apologies to my good friend and choco-buddy, Georgia,
from whom I crooked some of these wonderful graphics, courtesy of Cute Colors Graphics. Thanks!)

Graphics credit:

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Please note that while I strongly adhere to major tenets of the evangelical Christian faith, I may not personally agree with every specific doctrinal belief set forth in other Christian pages. I do want to provide a diversity of links and resource material for the entire Body of Christ to enjoy, and trust you will view it as such.

A safety tip: Internet links and material may include other links and/or material which do not reflect my Christian views or yours. Please choose wisely and use with discretion! And if you find an ugly spider hiding in a dark corner, you may smash it with a broom from my BROOM CLOSET--I hate offensive stuff too!