A Body in Evidence
April 26, 2007
Likely someone that inadvertently
stumbled in to read my journal entries realize that I perform some necessary
due diligence at those times when a topic strikes me as blog fodder.
In preparing for today's topic I was directed to a series of "law sites"
as a consequence of a web search using the word "evidence" as my search
criteria.
Here is the most concise
and the best citation I unearthed:
"EVIDENCE, CLEAR
AND CONVINCING - The level of proof sometimes required in a civil case
for the plaintiff to prevail. It means the trier of fact must be persuaded
by the evidence that it is highly probable that the claim or affirmative
defense is true. The clear and convincing evidence standard is a heavier
burden than the preponderance of the evidence standard but less than beyond
a reasonable doubt."
Could this definition be
clearer? Not really, nonetheless I am compelled to spotlight one
of the sentences because it suits my purposes here. The caption
photo above reflects a crime scene where a dead body was discovered and
it in no way applies to God because He is alive and well.
This blog is my feeble
attempt to proffer evidence that God is alive and well and is readily available
to those that believe in Him. Of course I accept that God is powerful
enough and real enough that he hardly needs this weak-willed woman to speak
for Him, but in accepting and believing in Him I also am obliged by His
command to testify on His behalf.
The definition provided
above tells me in order to provide evidence for God I only need prove the
high probability that my claim is true. Of course some of the more
erudite and illumined within the 360 family may assert that "clear and
convincing" must be the standard. That can occur but only when God
Himself reveals His presence and provides that level of proof.
Nevertheless what evidence
do I possess that I could present that would meet the stated standard of
high probability? Eyewitness experiences are all I can present for
anyone's' consideration. I have seen God. No, I have not gazed at
His physiognomy... that is impossible because I have not been summoned
into His presence yet.
However, I have seen the
results of His power and might, and perhaps more specially His Grace and
Mercy manifested in those persons and me that believe in Him. My
experience includes a plethora of proof by His provision for my personal
needs and concerns and has identified the noumenon in others as well.
I have had the privilege
of seeing lives changed that were cursed by addictive and self-destructive
behaviors that are now healthy and productive. Of course I accept
that the changed life may be too nebulous for you to accept. However,
you must consent that in court my testimony combined with others would
be sufficient to satisfy the standard of "high probability".
Of course I cannot quote
or provide a recount of the experience of another without being accused
of resorting to "hearsay". I can however tell you that my exposure
to the experience of others led me to my own conclusions of fact.
Then in making the leap from skeptic to believer only then did the incontrovertible
evidence of the reality of God become fully apparent to me.
There is a chance that
you failed to recognize that the preceding paragraph was also my summation
of this case. The process of moving forward on faith is as good as
it gets, yet is absolutely necessary to fully discover that God is real
and He is who He says He is.
