Miracles
I was standing on the edge of the bank about twenty feet downstream from Wayne when he looked over at me. “Remember the big ole grizzly bear that we have been seeing around here every day for the past several days?” “Yea,” I replied, “what about him?” “Well he is back again and this time is standing about ten feet behind you.” “What’s he doing?” I asked in a rather high pitched and wavering voice. “Well he is just sniffing you out right now. Oops! He just took a couple steps closer to you.” I peeked over to my right and saw Wayne slowly reach down with his right hand and unsnap the strap on the holster of his .44 magnum pistol. “Oh great,” I thought. “How is he ever going to drop a charging grizzly bear quick-draw cowboy style? I know he is a good shot, but get real; it is my life at stake here.” After sneaking a peek over my left shoulder at the bear, I whispered over to Wayne “Get ready, he’s gonna make a move.” I could see Wayne holding his pistol grip, ready to quick draw and fire. I was trapped and completely at the mercy of this big grizzly’s whim. It was going to take a miracle to get me out of this jam. “Dear God”, I prayed, “If you are out there, I could sure use a little help right now. This bear is going to attack!”
Do you believe in miracles? The New Testament is filled with miracles performed by Jesus and there is no doubt they really happened, but what about modern day miracles? Do you think real miracles can still happen today?
What kind of an event qualifies to be truly called a miracle from God? C.S. Lewis in his book “Miracles” defines a miracle as “an interference with nature by a supernatural power”. Many people feel that natural childbirth is a miracle in and by itself, but according to Lewis’ definition, normal childbirth would fall into the category of God’s providence. I have twin granddaughters that were born prematurely. One weighed just over one pound and the other less than one pound; not what you would call a normal childbirth. I know that it took a miracle for them to survive and now at twelve years old they are both beautiful and normal young ladies. Praise God for His miraculous intervention in their lives!
I have been involved in dozens of certain death situations in the wildernesses of Canada and Alaska, yet managed to live through them all due to some very definite interferences by supernatural powers. Things like getting caught in forty foot waves while piloting a twenty foot boat fifty miles from shore in the North Pacific Ocean. Or being attacked by a half ton bull moose at close range, or better yet, being surrounded by a pack of 50-60 howling wolves when I was three miles from camp in the dead of night. Or, how about unknowingly creeping up to within twenty feet of a monster boar grizzly bear in thick brush, yet getting out of that jam unscathed. These are just a few of the many true adventure stories found in my book Miracles In The Wilderness. The following is an excerpt from that book.
Needless to say, I did survive that grizzly bear encounter on the banks of the Susitna River, which is about one hundred miles north of Anchorage, Alaska. Adventure stories, although exciting to read, are not the message of my book, however. The grace (and patience) of God is my true message.
My walk through life has been more like a run. As a young child, I was every mother’s worst nightmare. If I couldn’t find any trouble to get into, I simply created my own. My sense of adventure and daring was out of control for most of my youth and spilled into my adult life for many years as well. I used to love getting scared half to death just to appreciate still being alive. Sound crazy? It was, but the true drama surrounding my life was my unwillingness to yield to the possibility of God until I experienced the power of God. You see, through my many years of being wild, reckless, and daring, yet being spared time and time again I began to ask the question “why”. Why was God continuing to intervene in my life by saving me from certain death so many times? Did He have a purpose for me, and if so, what was it?
I don’t believe in luck, but I do believe in the providence of God as he looks after all of His creations. So many of my precarious situations needed an interference of supernatural powers above and beyond providence for me to survive, so I couldn’t help but to realize over time that God was in control of my life; not me.
I was a “tweener”. I was between thinking I knew truth and actually knowing the real truth that only a saved Christian can know and experience. His miracles in my life drove me to the cross, and then God provided the most awesome miracle of all; He saved me for eternity. I now know that He saved me so that I could help spread His word of salvation and love while still residing here on Earth.
My book has become my mission in life. I give talks to church groups, for wild game dinners, and gatherings of any kind whenever and wherever I can to spread the word of God’s grace and love. I never charge money for my time, but I do sell my book (see below for purchase information). I also keep a supply on hand for providing signed copies for those who wish them.
My life has been an unusual one: full of adventure, danger and excitement. It has also been a life filled with God’s unending love and grace. Psalm 68:20 is very special to me. “Our God is a God who saves; from the Sovereign Lord comes escape from death.” 1 John 4:8 says “...God is love.” 4:9 “…and God showed His love for us by sending His only Son into the world, so that we might have life through Him.” When I became saved on March 30, 1996, the Lord revealed these words to me. “Life is all about love, Tom, and God is love.” Truer words have never been spoken.
In April of 2012, Mary Jo, my beautiful wife of forty eight years, and I moved to the High Country of North Carolina. Jefferson in Ashe County is now our home and we love it here. Our new church family is The Gathering, where pastors Scott Day and Luke Peterson preach the true Gospel according to God’s word. They are amazing young men with unwavering faith and courage.
My latest adventure in life, if you can call it an adventure, has been my battle with cancer. In December of this past year, I was diagnosed with colon cancer. Six weeks of chemotherapy and radiation treatments comprised phase one of my journey with this dreaded disease. Major surgery in April, followed by more chemotherapy, and secondary surgery in September rounded out the treatment program. Having cancer is scary to be sure, but I trust in the Lord God 100%. He has looked after me for sixty eight years and I know he will not quit now. His will shall be done! I will neither question nor complain because I have been so blessed in my life. With my wife Mary Jo at my side, and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in our hearts, we can, through faith, love and trust, manage any adversity.
