Samson's Jawbone

Many years ago, I visited my primary care physician about a medical problem. He examined me thoroughly, ran a battery of test and referred me to a specialist. After yet another thorough examination and a review of the data from my primary doctor, the specialist diagnosed my problem saying, "After 30 years of practicing medicine in this state and reviewing the test data I am 99% certain based on my experience that you have ..., but I want to run more tests to be sure." How is that an accomplished physician who had been an expert in his field for over 30 years and who knew how to interpret the data needed to confirm his own educated opinion and vast experience? Perhaps My doctor understood that the best most qualified practitioner can be 99% certain about what their experiences and be 100% wrong. It is possible to be sincerely wrong about your impressions and what you think is "the voice of God." Our experience with God is not revelation, it is not his voice to us, as...

A friend of mine once told me how God told her whom she was to marry. When her car broke down on a traffic-circle near the Chrisian college campus she attended, she knew that a man, a fellow student, who had romantic interests in her would likely be following the same route on his way to work. She "put out a fleece" asking God to confirm whether she should pursue a relationship and marriage with the man. She prayed that God would lead him to pass her, stop, and rescue her from her distress, if he was the man, she was supposed to marry. In this way God would speak to her about his purpose for the relationship. Within minutes of her prayer the young man did pass, saw her, stopped, started her car and went on to work. Nearly a year later they were married in the college chapel. It was hardly a "happily ever after" story. The marriage was troubled from the start. The young man had substance abuse issues, practiced criminal activity and was involved in multiple extra-mar...