Bulletin July 26, 2020
Charles Darwin’s “Annie”
Charles Darwin (1809-1882) married a young woman by the name of Emma Wedgwood who
was a strong believer ion God. The Darwin’s oldest daughter was a sweet girl by the name of
Anna. She and her father were very close. In 1850, Annie became ill. Although treated medically, she continued to get worse. On April 23, 1851 at the age of 10, Annie Darwin died.
Charles Darwin, who had been studying the theories of evolution and having doubts about religion, became angry. He blamed God for her sickness and death. One writer said, “Annie’s death was the end of the road” for any belief in God for Charles. He could no longer accept the beliefs of his family.
Eight years after Annie’s death, Darwin published The Origin of Species – a book that popularized evolution and created similar doubts in the hearts of others.
When Darwin quit believing in God, he lost all hope of seeing Annie again. The Bible says, “without faith it is impossible to please Him, for who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He rewards those who diligently seek Him” (Heb 11:6). Darwin made several mistakes in his thinking about Annie’s death.
He blamed God for Annie’s death. God is good and does not delight in the death of children. Death, however, is a consequence of sin. Paul said the last enemy Christ will destroy is death (1 Cor 15:26).
He thought God didn’t care. How untrue (1 Pet 5:7). If God is aware of a small sparrow that dies (Mt 10:29), He is aware of what is happening in our lives. In fact, God cares so much that He sent Jesus so we can leave this world of pain and death and dwell with Him forever.
He expected God to abolish all pain. God cannot do this and allow us to have our free-will. We cannot make Heaven on earth. Pain is not an indication of God’s anger or that God does not exist.
He saw no value in suffering. Adversity builds character. The same fire that burns wood will also purify metal and harden clay. It is not the fire, but what the substance is made of that makes the difference. James tells us trials produce patience (Js 1:2-4).
His house collapsed because it was built on the sand. Jesus said winds, rain and floods will come to all. Those whose lives are built upon faith in Christ will withstand adversity. Adversity will cause all others to collapse into hopelessness and ruin, as did Darwin’s (Mt 7:24-27).
When David’s baby died, he said: “But now he has died; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he will not return to me” (2 Sam 12:23). Hardships, heartaches and suffering will happen. Your faith, strengthened by prayer and the hope of heaven, will get you through those dark days. Or, your faith can crash, like Darwin’s did, and you lose all hope of eternity,
Death is not the worst thing that can happen. Sweet Annie is being comforted by our Lord. Don’t give up on God when life turns sour. God has a place awaiting you!
News/Notes/Quotes
THE SICK …… Ann Ledgerwood is having serious back issues and is needing surgery. She needs our prayers…Roger Vines is still waiting on the results from his MRI on his feet.… … Priscilla Cullison continues to rest at home. She has cancer of the liver and has decided not to undergo the treatments… Phil Cullison is also dealing with health issues…It was great to see Herb Starr able to be out last Sunday…
Shutins: Charles Bradsher is now at St. Elizabeth’s. Standard procedure is for him to be quarantined for a couple of weeks. Beverly Allen is confined at home… Editha Kern is at Liberty Park Assisted Living and so are Bob and Jean Evans…Shirley Coots is confined at Walnut Ridge Nursing Home… Norma Carr at Randolph County Nursing Home in Pocahontas…
AUGUST BIRTHDAYS. 3 rd – Ann Ledgerwood ; 6 th - Tonya Weaver; 7 th – Gary Jones; 9 th – Brett Ladyman; 10th – David Kern; 12th – Peggy Higgins, Justin Watson; 15th – Madison Groves, Haiden Malone; 18th – Phillip Cassidy; 21st – Bill Cossey; 22nd – Scarlett Kennedy, Michael Parrish;; 24th – Kale Cossey, Debbie Davis; 25th – Brenley Cossey; 26th – Evan Campbell, Alice Stevens; 28th –Beth Cossey; 29th – Will Pierce; 31st – Rick Mellow, Roger Vines
GOSPEL MEETINGS
Oct 4-9 – StoneRidge! - Meeting With Men We Support
April 4-9, 2021 – StoneRidge! – Mickey Galloway
When you know you should do a thing, and do it, immediately you know more.
----------
The smallest good deed is better than the grandest intention.
View Full Content Source:
http://www.stoneridgechurchofchrist.com/resources/bulletins/2020/07/26/bulletin-july-26-2020
