Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
We were driving home from a concert one evening with our pastor, Dr. Bob Morrison, and his wife riding along with us when he commented about the statement that he had heard and that so many of us have often heard, “Why do bad things happen to good people?” Dr. Bob just said there are no “good “people because we “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” He also said there were no “bad” things because of the scripture listed above found in Romans 8:28. I know that we try to live right and that there are so many that are living as they please and yet we often wonder why we are faced with the trials and problems that we so often encounter. As Christians, we have been promised a home in Heaven and that is ours, but God doesn’t really owe us anything else.
We were questioning God five years ago when we lost our beloved son and brother, Shannon Childress, to a rare cancer. After diagnosis, he only lived about 18 months. Mom has often said that Mary gave her Son so that her own son could have eternal life, and for that we are grateful.
One of our family members recently lost their job of 16 years at the same place of employment and had no idea or expectation that it was coming. Even though she has questioned God as to why this had to happen, she is still trusting that God has another plan for her life. I do know that she was unhappy with some of the circumstances at her job but was in a comfort zone and never would have moved on otherwise. It was a bad situation for her and she was a good worker and a great person. She still wonders why this happened to her, but she is trusting that God has something better for her. She often finds herself singing the lyrics to the song, “When God has another plan, walk on and just say yes.”
We have lost other friends and loved ones recently to that dreaded disease called cancer. The names on our prayer list had been dwindling because some of them have recently been taken home to Glory. But, today, we were hit with it again. Our beloved pastor, Dr. Bob Morrison, was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia. Our church family at Grapevine Baptist Church in Madisonville, Kentucky is devastated as he faces many weeks of treatments and isolation due to his disease. It is crucial that he receive immediate treatment. Dr. Bob is a preaching machine! We have grown so much under his preaching. God has been doing amazing things at Grapevine and using Dr. Bob in great ways. One Sunday, we had over 80 souls saved! Apparently, Satan is unhappy with Dr. Bob and is rejoicing about this diagnosis. But Dr. Bob is claiming all of those promises that he has preached for so many years, and his families (biological and church) are trusting God for a miracle of healing.
We ask that you keep our pastor and our church in your prayers. While Dr. Bob really believes that there are no bad things and no good people, he is trusting the Lord to be with him through this situation. Our church is believing for Dr. Bob’s healing and that through this situation, he will come out of it stronger and better than before so Satan had better look out! God’s got this!!
