Funny thing happened on the way to the devotional this morning -

[ampaterry]

Well, not really FUNNY, more like catastrophic.

I started my computer early, getting ready to post and E-mail my daily devotional, and went to the kitchen to fix coffee while it was booting up.
When I returned, I faced the dreaded blue screen.
I shut it off, waited, started it again.
Got an error message saying Windows failed to start.
I ran the app that fixes the windows start up.
It failed.
I ran the app that does a system restore.
It failed.
I continued through the laundry list of programs designed to fix the computer, and every one failed.
There was one program left.
Erase the entire C drive, and restore the computer to the condition it was in when I bought it.
I would loose everything; all my passwords, all my programs, all my devotionals, all my messages for church, all my bible software -
Of course everything CAN be replaced, but it would take many weeks and months of work to do all of that.
I felt completely defeated; I decided that if that was my only option, I would simply disappear from the cyberworld and live out the rest of my life without the internet, E-mail, discussion groups, web-sites, etc.

I turned the computer off for the dozenth time and just sat here staring at the blank screen. I thought about how my ministry would simply cease to exist outside of the four walls of Bethany Church. I put my hand on the Keyboard, and prayed. I asked God to take care of this problem, because it was, at this point in my life, more than I could handle.

After the prayer, I turned the power back on again.
The computer started completely normally.
I shut it down and off, and re-started it again.
Everything OK.
I shut it down again, and re-started it.
Everything OK.
I brought up Norton and did a full system scan.
900,000 files were scanned over the next two hours, with zero problems found.
I shut it down and off again, and re-started it.
Everything is fine.

NO virus, NO glitch, NO problems whatsoever.

Let me see now -
A dozen starts in a row failed.
I tried every solution, and all failed.
I prayed about it.
Started normally five times in a row after that.

Coincidence? Loose connection on a card edge? Hole in my bit-bucket?

I don't think so.

I will give the glory to God, who created the universe and everything in it.

And is able to fix a computer.

[Willie]

Great post. It sees like if we will just let him he will help us. Everyday. I had an employee problem for the last few weeks and was struggling with how to handle it. Then today said employee just doesn't show or call. Problem solved? Thank you Lord Jesus! I am trying to learn how to let him lead me,and it is hard. But I am trying.

[jaydub]

Buy an Apple then God won't have to make house calls, besides, everyone knows Bill Gates is really Rosemary's baby all grown up.

[ampaterry]

Thanks, Willie -
Yes, it IS hard.
We pound our heads against a wall for LONG periods of time before we 'resort' to calling on God. We should not make Him a last resort, but rather a first resort.

God does not have to make house calls, Jaydub.
He wants to.

As for Apple - if they were compatable with all the websites and programs that MS machines were, I would own one. Until then, I will use a machine that runs the largest percentage of programs.

[BlackEagle]

...and get an external hard drive and do a complete backup...

God answers prayer.

[jack404]

Terry thats my tough spot solution

when i'v tried all i can i ask The Good Lord to chip in

more often than not we're rewarded with a fix

and never ceases to amaze me eh

sorta like dawn on a clear day .. always a thrill