What I can read from the writing, if this person had not went for a cup of coffee, that person would have been a victim too!
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WOW! Gave me shivers to read this message thinking that this student's detour saved his/her life. The student was very fortunate. God bless the families of the victims. I get sick every time I see his sorry a** on t.v. or online. I hope he's burning.
Powerful.
Seems odd to attribute to a coffe cup, and God that which was actually a choice made by that person. Not sure if they are feeling guilty for being alive; or are unwilling to shoulder the burden of not being where they should have been because of a choice made. It does prove one thing, every decision matters. I hope they figure that out.
MY HEART GOES OUT TO THE FAMILEYS WHO LOST LOVED ONES I WILL KEEP ALL OF THEM IN MY PRAYERS. WORDS CANT TAKE AWAY THE PAIN BUT THE KINDNESS OF OTHERS CAN AND WILL HELP OUR HEARTS TOO HEAL JUST STAY IN PRAYER AND THE MOST HIGH WILL HEAR YOU KEEP YOUR HEADS HELD HIGH AND MAY YOU BE BLASSED.
Shocking.Devastating.However the social fabric of the western countries needs to be cleaned completed.The education, the social life must have more inter-action amongst family members.A respect for relationship.a respect for the living standards of the world.Love, Care, Understanding and sharing is the new order that needs to be imposed on every family in the world.
To think the coffee drinker missed possibly being killed just because he/she decided to get a cup of coffee! This reassures my thinking that when you're meant to go, you are going no matter what the circumstances! I guess for this person it just wasn't time! I know I had a close call once (was saved by an angel)! I was riding a bike over to my sisters one day, and as I was crossing the busy intersection, an 18 wheeler was turning the corner and blew his horn at me startling me so much that I started falling over toward the wheels of his truck. All of a sudden, I was pushed (and I felt the hands!!!) over in the opposite direction, very forcefully by something??? - an angel??? - before going under the wheels of that truck. I was pushed so hard that I hit the ground in the opposite direction hard enuf to knock the wind out of me! The truck was NOT going fast enuf for it to be the wind from it knocking me over. So... you tell me what that was? My guardian Angel? The feeling was so strong that that's what it was, that once I was up, I had such a peaceful feeling inside. And, it scared the truck driver to where he pulled over and came running over to me to apologize. I asked him, "Are you ever going to do that again? I could have been under those wheels!" I wish I could have had a camera to capture his face! That's my story and I'm sticking to it! (LOL... I can laugh now, but wasn't laughing that day!)
i had not a close call before ,but i hope i'll have one when my life will dying. thanks for the coffee cup ,a victim relived.
This event will always be with me. I remember the 7 astronauts on the shuttle, 9-11, Columbine, and now VT. There are so many tragic events in this world, but there are so many good things in life. My prayers and thoughts will be for all the victim families. I can't never imagine what's going through their minds now. I just pray that they will find peace and comfort in a situation like this.
Newer, I'm sure there's beauty somewhere in what you wrote, but for the life of me, I cannot find it. Could you please restate your feelings?
Mark: are you serious???? that comment couldn't be any more ignorant. the person who wrote that obviously is putting their life on god's hands which is why they are thanking him. another thing.. if they are thanking god it means that they are glad they are alive doesn't it? so why would you carry a "burden" as you very ignorantly put it? and its not an attribute.. its a symbol or a reminder. unless you're of a certain religion or cult, or extremely depressed, i dunno why you would be glad to die. but maybe I'm wrong your comment comfirms i quote i heard: "better to be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt" (i dunno who said that quote) my heart goes out to the families of the victims.
Just an example of how the twist of a moment can alter our path and escape from disaster. I'm guessing that everyone of us have been saved from 'something' that we never came to learn of because we were late, we couldn't find our keys, we missed the bus, the dog got out and made us chase him three blocks, we had a flat...who knows!!
It's times like these that makes us remember to never take a single moment for granted. I'm grateful for each breath I take, each and every day. These angels we lost on April 16, 2007 will live on forever in our hearts and memories. I'm sure they are in heaven right now, looking down on us!
I don't think GOD sees one person as being special over others. All are equal and equally special in GOD's eyes. Then what is the explanation of the coffee-cup survivor? Is it time? Not yet.
I don't like coffee.
So, what? God wants us to drink coffee? AND LO, ALL YEE WHO PARTAKE IN THE JAVA, FOR I SHALL SPARE THEE AND ALL THY KIN, FOR IT IS THE BEAN THOU SHALT HONOR. THOU SHALT BE WIRED!!
I'm happy she wasn't in the building, but don't confuse God with a lucky decision.
I think "God" IS the coffee cup. You people worship that nasty crap...
Somebody better keep an eye on newer
Luck is the reason the cup owner missed the rampage! Maybe we should see how (we) all have the option to choice by chance or luck, don't you? God sees us all the time in our needs and in our faith spiritually.
Spirituality VS Luck. There have been several occasions in my life that I do not know why I didn't die. These were near misses. Once while at a traffic light, the light turned green and I began to go forward, but the engine on my motorcycle killed before I went more than a few feet. Just then a car on my left flew through the intersection. Had my engine not killed, I surely would have died. Just last year a similar incident occured when a driver flew through an intersection doing about 35 miles per hour. The traffic signal just turned green for myself and other drivers, but noticed the car on my right not moving. I also didn't go. I was very tired as I had driven hundreds of miles that day and was reaching the end of my journey, visiting my mother in another state. Call it luck or an angel. But it wasn't my time. I'm grateful for whatever the reason. I'm sure the people who lived after 9/11 have similar stories of why they lived and others didn't.
Aruna, nicely said. Vernah, it is not luck, it is predetermined, it was not time. God planned my life before i was ever born. And, yeah, i am not always happy with what happens to me or my family, BUT I am grateful I am here and that God loves me.
I'm pretty sure God didn't send her for coffee. Rather, she awoke thinking 'wow, I'm tired from last night's late night studying. I need some java to rejuvinate.' She's one lucky soul - and she can thank God that she made the decision she did.
Truly sad. But if you're going to thank God for intervening for one life, make sure to blame him for taking 33 others. You can't have it both ways. Either God is responsible for generating a massive tsunami that wipes out 30,000 children, or he's not. If he's not, he can't be responsible for the saved ones either. You might as well thank the cup itself...
this was a very sad day but we must move on may god look over all of us
God!? The greatest lie god ever puller was convincing the world he exists. There was no supernatural phenomena in affect here... this was luck
Conichiwa and Margaret 1. you are obviously both idiots. 2. Conichiwa--you apparently think you are clever with your "trendy" little blog name that actually is not spelled correctly. (it's KONICHIWA) Like none of us here know what that means and you are the all knowing guru. 3. Conichiwa--if God did not exist, how could "he lie and convince the world", as you said, that he existed if he did not really exist. Something or Someone who does not exist can't "do" anything. Don't want to warp your little brain there, but it really doesn't make sense, does it? 3. Conichiwa (again)--you're right, it was not a supernatural phenomenon because it was not Harry Potter or some sort of witch craft that our society is so obsessed with that did this. It was from God that this person was not supposed to die at this time. He obviously has a plan for them. I know you or Margaret (or Irania)don't "get" this. 4. Margaret--it isn't the coffee or the cup or the bean that saved this person. It's called "devine intervention". God intervened and saved this person. The cup is a symbol to show and prove this intervention, but you along with the rest of our porta-potty society who worships everything from Britany Spears to Wicca always wants to make light of something this grand. (you all need to pick up a book, maybe the bible, or go to a play and have some true culture in your miserable lives) I bet the person that was spared does not feel this situation should be made light of and I'm sure you wouldn't have the guts to make a joke of it to their face either. I've also noticed several people saying "God sent this person to get coffee??" No. But there was something that stalled this person (maybe a long line, they used a check card and had to sign) and that is the reason they were not there. It wasn't dumb luck. And before everyone starts jumping on the bandwagon of how I've written things that aren't very "Christian like". GET OVER IT!! The people of this country that actually believes there IS a God are getting sick and tired of being disrespected when every other religion and I use the word religion very loosely, (I would actually call it a "feel good secular farce) and having to apologize for our beliefs. So I don't want to hear it. There are more of us than everyone thinks. It's just the whiny secularists that get all of the left wing biased media attention and they want everyone to believe that everyone is the U.S. feels this way. I also want to personally apologize to this person who was spared from this horror for the people on this blog who apparently don't have a clue and for me posting all of this on this blog because my intention was not to take away from your personal beliefs and story and I am very happy YOU can actually see that God intervened in your life and that you are here!! GOD BLESS!!
this picture shows you that one decision as simple as going to get coffee can really change your life...life is short so live each moment like it was your last. no regrets
Good job JC: I was an atheist until you started your rant by calling 2 people idiots...I wanna be a Christian now.
JC: Idiot? Very bible-thumpery of you. I worship neither Britney Spears nor Wicca, thankyouverymuch. Please do not suppose to know me or anyone like me. Please continue in your efforts at perfection; they are in vain, but what the hell, if it makes you feel all warm and fuzzy, knock yourself out. I love it when the thumpers start raging about the media. I wonder why "god" doesn't do some of that fantabulistic "divine intervention" when the media start trying to present many points of view. Or maybe He in His Great Wisdom was too busy giving someone a craving for coffee to spare their lives but ruin their liver, while a madman went off on a nutty, killing so many more. Oh, that's right. It's HIS WILL. What a load of crap.
To JC - Very Christian of you to belittle those whose ideas don't mesh with yours. I'm unsure what events in your life put such a chip on your shoulder, but you need help. You say, "There are more of us than everyone thinks..." That statement is scary. More of whom? Angry people? Please do take a good long look at yourself before castigating others. As Thor says, can't have it both ways...if there was "divine intervention" that saved a coffee drinker (please take note of the spelling of divine, smarty), then it was the same intervention that put all those people in front of that maniac. Doh. It was mere chance, luck, whatever. It does point out how fleeting our lives can be. I am so sorry you don't have the ability to concieve that religion is just faith, not fact. Good luck to you, you obviously need it.
It's amazing to me that we always seem to find a way to turn anything and everything into a debate. If that person believes that she she was saved by God, then she was. That's her belief, in a situation that the rest of us can't understnd. The photograph is a statement about our percieved safety in everyday life. It's about tragedy and trying to understand why. Don't use their tragedy as a forum for our religious banter.
AMEN to JC ! God Bless the families of the victims and the ones who lived may they seek the Lord who gives us new life.
Dont blame God for what happened. First of all, Satan is the reason why bad things happen... but God always brings good out of the bad...because he is more powerful... Everything happens for a reason, and for Gods glory... Nothing is a coincidence...I also don't expect grow ups whose hearts are hard against God to understand what I am talking about...But those of you who are willing to listen >> Those people who died that day, they have done Jesus' will and are happier where they are now ... The person who got the cup of coffee still has other lives to touch on this earth and he has a testimony to tell... Nothing can be more powerful than that... There will be more lives changed by this event than anyone can ever realize... Only He knows...
Ummmm... JC--Divine intervention IS when a truck is zooming down the street right at you and at the last minute a gust of wind blows you aside. Divine intervention IS NOT when you decide to make a left for a cup of coffee.
JC, very well put. As to the comment if we give God credit for the lives spared we must assign blame for the lives lost. How absolutely absurd. When God created man he gave us each free will to make our own decisions in life. The decision to believe and follow his light or the decision to live in the dark without him. This evil being that killed all those people at Virginia Tech obviously lived in the dark. That was his free will, it was his free will that made him get up that morning and kill all those people. GOD did not cause this, the lack of GOD did. As to those that were killed I believe we all have a predetermined time to die, maybe not a predetermined way, but it was their time to either join GOD or to spend eternity without him, as to those saved, it plainly was not their time to go. For the one that the desire for a cup of coffee saved you, remember this, you have things yet to do with your life, continue to praise GOD and live a good life.
By the way, Conichiwa, it's "The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist." Originally from a french story where it was "the devil's best trick is to persuade you that he doesn't exist." I don't think that that quote regarding the trickery of the Devil has anything to do with this woman's decision, due to her own chance or God's will, to get coffee and therefore not end up herself as a victim.
thats really insane...God Bless all the familys that lost someone.
Why can't we all just get along and go have a java together and chill----maybe a nice Jerusalem Mild Blend.....
So... what are you self proclaimed Christians, self proclaimed Atheist and self proclaimed Agnostics saying "REALLY" happened at VT?
People should stop trying to bring down the other, that's all. The One who Photographed this wanted to take a shot of a symbol of what she believed was Gods Blessing. JC: wanted to prove a point but began to rant. Stop that! You'll only cause people to get angry at you which at turn would only upset you right back, but I totally understand what you wanted to say so, God Bless you but internet bullying is not worth anyones time... unless they have nothing better to do with their lives. Margaret: Sometimes it's better to say nothing, because you've seen something that you didn't like written about you on the internet they wont know that you saw it unless you say something. Saying nothing could make them feel they wrote a long essay of Gibber for nothing, because it wasn't seen by the target ^_^ Conichiwa? Meh! You have your own beliefs dont try to bring somebody down because they don't own the same things you think is right. It is hurtful and ignorant. So if you wanna say something that contradicts another say it in a way that doesn't bully them, its not fair behind a computer screen Mark: Same as Conichiwa... at which both of you probably would never see... Hope I said something significant. Anonymous <--- yes... I'm invisible... maybe...
Whats the problem with all you atheist people here? Belive in what you want thats fine. But dont start insulting others when they start expressing their faith in God. Me- Who are you to say what divine intervention is or isn't? You're to ignorant to realise that it depends on the view point that you look at this whole thing from. If someone belives that divine intervention is someone having a craving for coffee right before the VT shootings then go ahead and let them. Dib- Your last line was probably the most retraded thing I've read here all day. Your saying the guy needs help because hes expressing his views and opinions about God and what "divine intervention" means to him? Guess all of the millions of people out there that would have said the same thing as him "need help too." Im so glad such an intelligent person decided to come on here and started telling people they need help because of their religion...sounds kinda like hitler.
Wow. I was touched by the cup and what it meant to the writer.. then I was touched at people trying to understand and empathize with what the survivor is going thru. Last, I was appalled by the self absorption of religious debate. Sad... it was the lack of compassion, tolerance and understanding that led to this great tragedy. Experts believe that the love of one person can turn a life around, perhaps the understanding of one needs to be added to that.
I know the person who wrote that. So sorry for all the victims
God gave man commandments such as Thou Shalt Not Kill and a Savior to show us how to truly love one another. We are allowed and blessed with freedom of choice. He told and showed us how we should live and then He allows us to make our choice. Regretably one man choose not to do what God taught. One individual chose to go for coffee. This person sees it as a blessing and there can't be a more positive way to see it. Happy to be alive and yet mournful for those who are no longer here.
Awww...what's tha' matter...got your feathers ruffled? I don't apologize for anything I have said, you can take it or leave. I told you that in the beginning. AND...you can try and make me feel guilty calling me "bible thumper, perfectionist, etc." all day long, but it really does not matter. It is high time people who are actually grounded in some beliefs stand up and get to say what they really think. All of the non-belivers get to spread their wonderful "ideas" around and the minute someone else disagrees with them, they want to start calling names too. You can belittle religion all you want, but it has been here and isn't going to leave anytime soon, so get over it. It boggles the mind how people feel as if it is okay to basically worship the world around us (Hollyweird, because most of them are, and the insane politians). Margaret-aren't you the peach accusing people of being thumpers when you haven't really mentioned anything positive to why we are "supposed" to be on here anyway. All you have done is belittle what this person felt and what they have been through. (a little narcistic are we...you should fit in well with the me, me, me society these days) AND as someone stated earlier, there is such as thing as free will and that Satan is the prince of lies, not God. He is not going to intervene on the nightly CBS news you smart little cookie you. What is there to intervene for just because a bunch of lefty's want to cram THEIR views and ideas down everyone's throats. (are we in Germany in the mid-30's) You need to peep out what Rachel said, you might learn something. I am also perplexed why you feel I think I am sheltered perfectionist and you are this worldly all knower? Trust me, I've lived that life before and I am sure there are a lot of things you think would "shock" me, but I seriously doubt it. So I am not some bun wearing, bible thumping, June Cleaver if that is what you think. However, you can be a believer and not be an uptight, stuffy shirt. As for being a load of crap, all I can say is good luck in the after life, since luck seems to be the theme for all the non-believers here. Hope you are right for your sake, but I don't feel you are. John Doe-sorry for the rant, I do sincerely apologize, but I thank you for seeing how other people with different views can be wrong too when our society today wants to make everyone else, but Christians out to be the best thing since sliced bread. Lunchbox-pack it up and go to the house. Dib-you are accusing me of attacking people who don't have ideas that mesh with mine...that's rich. Especially when I was responding to someone making light of this whole situation and Christianity in one single posting (margaret), so why is THAT acceptable? Oh and I don't need "luck" sweetheart, thanks anyway. Me-your name says enough. Judas...do you really want to go there? Self-proclaimed, please. Don't you have someone to turn on? None of us know what happened, we were not there and how could we know. Stop trying to confuse people. To Kyle, Rachel, Annie and all of the others that have God's back here...you ROCK!! See you in the after.
There by the Grace of God go I
THERE HAVE BEEN VERY MANY LIFE ALTERING EXPERIENCES WITH ME SINCE I CAN REMEMBER BE IT THE GOOD,THE BAD, AND THE UGLY. WHILE A GOOD PORTION OF THEM HAVE BEEN LIFE-THREATENING, THE "AUTHOR OF LIFE" HAVE BEEN BLESSING ME WITH COMING OUT OF IT STILL BREATHING, AND THANK YOU LORD!! EVEN THOUGH SOME OF THESE CHANGES HAVE LANDED ME IN THE HOSPITAL, AND STILL IS, I CANNOT COMPARE IT TO THE MANY LIVES THAT WAS TERMINATED IN ONE OF THE MOST COLD-HEARTED WAYS POSSIBLE, BY A VILE AND PERNICIOUS INHUMAN. I STILL CANNOT GET THE VISION OF 4 -16-07 OUT OF MY ANYWHERE!!!! MY MOTHER'S BIRTHDAY!! BLESSINGS TO ALL THE FAMILIES AND THE TOWN. KNOW THAT THE COUNTRY IS STILL IN MOURNING WITH YOU**
hey JohnDoeSeattleWash: SUCK IT UP!!!
If God is calling you today, Then trust in Christ with out delay; Tomorrow it will be too late if death occurs and seals your fate
JC... Thank you for standing firm on your belief in Christ. Obviously, the message on the cup sparked something within all of these unbelievers to write. Maybe they too long for God to send them a sign that He IS always with them. Maybe that’s what it would take for them to believe. Please pray for the unbelievers that they may come to know Christ as we have. And pray for the families that they may know the comfort and peace only God can give them.
Schantini, thanks. These are the kinds of indifferences that cause these situations. "My God's better than your God," or "Science is God," or whatever. The judgement of others is the root of this on-going problem. To me, it's moving. This person knows it could've been them. They're gonna see the world a little differently, maybe smile a little, be a little more random, all due to the realization that, hey, life's short. When's my number up? When's yours? It could be tomorrow and could happen a million different ways. I'm not trying to act like a hippie or a parent, but most of you need to get over yourselves and have a little compassion.
Nice image - I like that the writing isn't all eligible. its not needed for the impact. late or skipping class for a coffee... such a small and ephemeral thing, that impacted this person in a very big way. As for the comments on this board... a little silent reflection might be in order. It's not about you. It's about the people left. The sadness of those who just missed death. The guilt of it. The pain of the injured and the families left behind and the haunting wonder of what would cause a person to take lives in such a fashion. If you want to make it about you, go volunteer at the red cross, at a hospital, at a school. Reach out across religous and social borders, do something for someone else that impacts their lives in a positive way, for no other reason than to give a helping hand to someone who needs it.
The photo is startling. It shows how small, everyday decisions can truly touch your life. Was it an act of God? Luck? Does it matter? Some of you are bashing one another for not sharing beliefs. The ones who feel it can't be God are essentially "bible thumping" what they believe. And the ones who say it God are doing the same. Unfortunately, all this debate is taking away from the photo. It seems like a lot of you are too wrapped up to appreciate the photo. It is a symbol of survival, sorrow, amazement, disbelief. Remember the victims of the tragedy. Give them support and well wishes. This photoblog is about them... not about you.
Oh.. I cant stop laughing... not at the picture... Oh! - Sorry.... Huh? Because she believes that God spared her life then it's true?? Huh? What makes you so sure? Even if God does save some people over others, how do know it's true this time? .. just because she believes it? Oh, Margaret... you make me laugh. Here: have a Polo!
You guys need to relax...seriously...wow...it sickens me to see people fighting over religion and belief. When will people learn that everyone has the right to believe and whatever they want...people having different views about certain situations happens 100% of the time...get over it...seriously, no one is right or wrong...for some divine intervention for others luck..etc. You guys need to settle down and just realize had it been you that gone to get that cup of coffee? God or just pure luck? You just might change your mind after that happened to you. Btw. thats an awesome picture XD and my sympathy to all the families that were effected by the shooting. Much love.
Me: Your homework assignment is to watch the movie CRASH. Divine intervention (divine being a term chosen by the person involved in the intervention act or personally reflecting the emotional position of the participant- not a term chosen by another describing the incident) is counted in milliseconds, no, in nano seconds. Every breathe or semi breathe, thought action or intent is divine intervention. We as a human race are not keyed into it as closely as we could be. We dont pay attention, we blithely forge through life head strong and head first into the void, without even so much as a glance or thought toward our spiritual awareness or universal direction. Stop and look around. Spend a thoughtful moment in reflection on your most recent act and ponder the significance. You could be amazed if you allow it!
It is a tragedy as to the events that transpired at Virginia Tech. I hope each family has found solace in the arms of a Mighty God who is our Comforter in time of need. It must be said that "being a Christian" is simply not what it is, but rather having a personal relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ. The one born of a virgin (not on Christmas Night, but rather sometime during the summer months, Christmas is just a remembrance of this event), lived 33 years on this earth in Israel sinless, died on an old wodden cross that He carried PHYSICALLY atop the hill of Golgotha, was buried in a tomb, rose again 3 days later and ascended into heaven 40 days later and now sits at the right hand of God. That is who we are to have a relationship with. The statement that the biggest trick was people believing in God, but I say that it is the fact people believe it was a trick. Jesus Christ is real, I could have HUNDREDS upon THOUSANDS of people (real people) stand and talk about the grace of God, but that wouldn't be enough for some to come to Him alas many will continue with their lives not knowing Jesus Christ and the Gift of Life He is offering. This event should point to the need we as a people have for Jesus Christ. Jesus isn't some dictator wishing to "RULE" everything, but rather a God wanting to love and be in every person's life. I shall finish by saying, as God is wonderful and merciful, He is a Just and Righteous. He says in Revelation 3:20 "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me." but God will stop knocking. If you admit there is no God, that is more than likely God trying to get your attention. One day He will stop and the Merciful becomes the Judge and we are ALL found Guilty without the Blood and salvation of Jesus Christ. God is holy and cannot look at sin, but through Jesus sacrifice on the Cross we can have life free of this judgement that is going to come. Isaiah 45:23 "As I live, says the LORD,Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God" I have written all this to say, Jesus Christ is love and is willing to give life to ANYONE who opens the door of their heart, but God will judge and it will happen rather you believe it or not. Think about this, what if your wrong and Christians are right? What happens when you stand before a mighty God and He says, "Depart from me, I never knew you" and eternity is spent in hell, why take that chance? For a point you are making? A stand you are taking? There will be no stands or points in that day, only God saying "Thou good and faithful servent" or "Depart, for I never knew you." Please don't stand on pricipal and die not knowing the Lord. One day this world will stop being as it is, but God will be an eternity, it is just up to you where you spend it. May God Bless the families of Virginia Tech.
i think margaret's hilarious
quit. its not god or a caffeine habit. she was expressing herself and how she felt. dont put a tag on it....religious or otherwise.
Why don't you all appreciate the cup for what it means to that person? A symbol of how grateful he/she feels that he/she did not die that day. For all of you atheists whining about the Christian faith, close your mouths. For all you Christians whining about other religions and atheists, close your mouths. You're all being equally horrible. You were not here that day. You do not know, despite all the coverage, what we feel, what we have seen, and what we think. I AM a student here at VT and, you know what? I KNOW that the school, the police, and SOCIETY screwed up. That doesn't mean that they are inherently wrong. They made a mistake. Yeah, 32 (I will never count him as a victim of anything but society and himself) people died. Stop harping on about what should have been done or what we should be doing with our beliefs or what's wrong with society/people, because nothing will EVER get done by it. If you have the energy to expend on hating each other, that energy would be better put to use helping those who are hurting. You want something to get done? Get up and do something about it. Don't whine on a public forum.
First and foremost I applaud Jonathon, one of the few rational and precise arguments. I am new to this blog phenomenon and have reviewed several of these photographs. And it seems that the content of the photos themselves are not the focus, but your personal opinions that you wish to wheedle out and derive from the specific image in order to contribute our dangling rant.
Humans usually need a plan of action in order to accomplish what they want to do. Predestination is linked with the idea that God must have a detailed plan for the universe wherein everything is predetermined. “It has seemed to many philosophers,” writes Roy Weatherford, “that anything less than a complete specification of every event would be incompatible with God’s Majesty.” Does God really need to specify every event in advance? Being infinite in power and matchless in wisdom, Jehovah can meet any emergency or contingency that might result as his creatures exercise their free will. (Isaiah 40:25, 26; Romans 11:33) He can do this instantly and without forethought. Unlike fallible men with their limited abilities, Almighty God does not need a detailed, cut-and-dried plan that sets out beforehand the destiny of every individual on the earth. (Proverbs 19:21) In a number of Bible translations, Ephesians 3:11 speaks of God’s having an “eternal purpose” rather than a fixed plan.
I like tea better than coffee. I guess I'm going to Hell.
Yikes, well said, Schantini. Nice job.
I know, John Doe, I know. But we Agnostics love to have the last ...
...word.
black ink pen: $1.00 coffee: $1.50 life spared from gun-toting madman: PRICELESS
JohnDoeSeattleWash: I am with you 100%. I really understood what JC was trying to say, and I could not believe all the religious talk about a really touching photograph (I almost wish I didn't read the blog because it has tainted my view with talks among us believers and non believers). I know they say a photograph is worth a thousand words, but come on. I am a photographer, and I can at least appreciate the photograph for what it is. It's a message, a tribute to the people who died at the hands of someone 'evil'. And, how awesome to write it on a disposable coffee cup, the reason you weren't there to begin with. Would it have it gotten this far if the individual had not mentioned God in the first place and just kept it to themselves? It would have kept all the non believers out there quiet. It's getting to the point if you mention God it's like saying you saw an UFO (authorization to ridicule and deemed crazy). I believe in God, I do not need the words of non believers to get my blood rising. Because at the end, everyone will see their fate with their right-maker. :)
God Bless You ALL!!!
this is amazing. what luck. that's all it is though. God did not send this person to get coffee. God did not condemn the others to die at the hands of the gunman. no divine intervention. God does not save one person and leave others to die, God does not help you win a football game no matter how much you pray, God (if she exists) allows us the freedom to live and die. JC is a bit angry and should read his/her "good book" a bit more. condemning other religions is one step away from suicide bombers. if we're going to read the bible, let's pay close attention to what it says, especially the words and actions of the true "JC".
I can't believe that people start out reading about a tragedy where innocent people were killed and then start arguing with each other about what they wrote. This is why the world is the way it is today. People can't say anything nice or swallow their pride long enough to get along. This is why innocent children die everyday from senseless violence. Who cares what people beliefs are. Everyone is different. People need to stop and think before they say hurtful things. Our kids pick up on everything we do and if we set a good example maybe one day our kids won't have to be scared to go to school. My heart goes out to everyone who was affected by this tragedy.
Oh, here we go again. I think it is great that the person who had a coffee thinks God was to thank or was involved in some way. That's faith. Good for them! Whatever helps them come to terms is fine by me. My belief it wasn't God. Pray for me? Look - I do not wish to trivialize anyone's feelings. Our society is largely defined by freedom and tolerance. I understand people get heated when they feel their beliefs are being attacked, but the freedom to speak what we feel is one of the things that makes America so great. Believe and say what you want - but you don't treat people any way you want. The intent of my post was not to stick up for anyone or to attack you, but to have you turn your attention to why you feel it necessary to label people "idiots" online when it is apparently because they expressed an opinion you disagree with. Subject aside, does such a reaction jive with the tenets of the religion which you are so vehemently defending? So someone made light of the situation in your eyes...is it not their right to do so? Your reaction is an expression of anger and intolerance. Which is worse? You seemingly place yourself above others based on a post that is indicative of their beliefs, but really you know nothing about them. I suspect someone once upon a time taught you how to talk to people with simple courtesy if not outright respect. I'm also pretty sure that you wouldn't speak to someone in person that way, because it would be uncomfortable to deal with their response. (not to mention get you in trouble quickly) In short - I don't write what I write because of your beliefs, but the way you are expressing them. In your latest post you mention "all the non-believers". Context aside, the anger you express and your verbiage exhibit some scary patterns. I stand by my post about you needing help. I am sure some will rally to your cause as a percieved "us vs. them" scenario is much more fun than a post simply someone calling someone out on their behavior. Despite what some might like to think, it has nothing to do with you being a "believer".
JC: Glad to know that I'm not the only one who is sick of all the Christian bashing BS. Yes, Hollyweird has done a superb job of creating a society of know-it-all, liberal.... I won't go on as I would probably be censored (since I would be beshing someone OTHER than Christians!) I have learned that it is pointless trying to reason with these people, they are too simple minded to get it, as proven by their inability to respond to the truth with anything other than sophmoric verbal attacks. I can't express how thrilled I am to know that these brainiacs will not be around to irritate in the after. I look forward to it.
JC: I support your belief in Christ, and applaud it. I never attacked Christianity, and I never will. I was pointing out the irony of your statements. As a self proclaimed Christian, you were rather hateful. This is why some of us have turned away from the church...people like you.
If every one stops and thinks about it unless u r an ATHEIST you believe in a divine being no matter what religion u r. I am Cathlic, U maybe Baptist/Penicostal/Jew/ect. what does it matter, as long as U have something to BELEIVE in WHEN THINGS GO WRONG. If there is a heaven then, there is a hell, if there is a GOD, there is a devil. If YOU/I live life in what we believe is the right way we are God's Children, but, should we live a life the way we KNOW is wrong then we are children of the Devil. Thank u JC there should be more of us who believe in god, standing up for our beliefs against those who would hold us under (I'm just thankful our country was founded by those who believe, because every time I see a dollar or even a penny I am reminded there is something out there greater than we are (IN GOD WE TRUST)). Just on a personal note I almost died when I was 5 or 6 (I got lock in an old icebox) on the back of our property the last thing i remember was everthing getting dark, the next thing I remember was waking up briefley looking in my mothers crying eyes and then nothing for 3 days. So YOU be the judge how did they find me? There wasn't any reason to open that rusty (hadn't been opened in years) icebox. Sheer luck or devine intervention. I beleive I was spared for a purpose and it wasn't my time yet. To the person who left the coffee cup our prayers and thoughts are with you. YOUR LIFE has just begun with a new outlook of just how precious life is and I'm sure your fallen classmates/freinds would want you to remember the happy and fun times so don't grieve to long. Remember what has happend in our past makes us who we are now and in our future. P.S. Can we stop attacking the spelling OR do you all have spell check in your finger tips?
Jonathan - Thank you! I think you had one of the first, and possibly one of the only comments I agreed with. Why does everything have to turn into a debate? I myself am not religious, and while that may be partly from choice, many of my closest friends are Christian and I've had quite a few good talks about religion as a whole. Whomever the coffee cup belonged to believes that God saved them, so what's the big deal? Just because I'm not certain of God's existence doesn't give me or anyone else the right to berate their views. If God saved them, God saved them. Now can everyone just pay their respects to the victims? Or will we have to debate more.
Dang LB, do you not know when to stop? Why can't you find fault with the people on here making light of this situation and direct some of your comments toward them?? It is not being hateful, it is standing up for the person that wrote HER beliefs on the cup and some faceless, unknown bloggers making light of her true feelings and her being grateful for being spared for whatever God's reason was. SHE is the one who said she felt God spared her, we didn't put those words in HER mouth. Why can't all of the people who said negative things about her feelings just accept how SHE feels? (it's not about YOUR feelings, it's about HER feelings) And I find it HYSTERICAL that you say "people like me have turned you from the church". Trust me, I strayed from the church in a HUGE way because of ignorant hypocrites, (and yes...there are tons I know) but guess what I figured out along my little jaunt...that is what "BIG RED" wants from us. He wants these negative thoughts so we turn away from the church and, most importantly, GOD. So I can't let you make me personally responsible for YOUR salvation, that is between you and God. AND if you are going to state that someone taking up for someone making a genuine statement about how they feel and interpret that as "hateful" and use that as an excuse not to seek HIM, that sounds like a personal problem to me. As I said earlier, I don't need "luck". Sorry you feel that way and I'm sorry that I can't support you as an atheist (since you say you support me as a Christian) becuase that is not what I am supposed to do as a Christian, I'm supposed to tell you about God and lead you to him, but this is not the time or place. Dib...interesting, you preach to me about tolerance, but you also do not "call out" the people making fun of what happened about how this person feels. Where is their tolerance? Why is it alright for them to have their opinions and express them freely, but the minute someone expresses anything about God or anything in that realm, people get their undies in a wad and call names such as "bible thumpers". Do you feel that is acceptable? Where is the tolerance there? I feel that if this person had been Muslim or Buddist or another religion and had given whatever proper respects to the higher power of that religion on her coffee cup, everyone would have jumped on the bandwagon and preached tolerance and taken up for her. Our society is so PC when it comes to many things in the U.S., but not for Christianity. You cannot tell me that is does not sicken you when someone makes a mindless remark about this whole situation. They are not contributing anything good...just trying to be provocative/edgy and not saying anything positive about the original post. It's a real shame that the people that follow the religion our country was FOUNDED on (whether anyone on here wants to accept that or not) can't even express OUR opinions and in this case support and defend the beliefs of someone that has been through something so horrific. What about HER rights? THEY were attacking her initially and yes...I was ticked off for them doing so. I agree with one thing, it isn't about me being a believer...it is about the owner of the cup being a believer when MAYBE (who knows) she wasn't before and her statement getting stomped on by some ingrate. Paulo...I'm at a loss for words.... (LB and Dib...what can you say about Paulo? I'll use them as a perfect example of our porta potty society. How can something like this be taken so lightly?) Rich, not to be disrepectful, but you do know that Jesus DID get angry and on more than one occasion. (like when he tore the temple to pieces) You don't think he "turned the other cheek" everytime, do you? Also, I do hope you don't think my name is a play on the real JC, right? I would not do something so sacrilegious. Firedancer--ROCK AND ROLL!! ;)
This goes to show that even the most mundane an insignificant choices we take for granted can have an impact in our life. Turn left you live, turn right you die.
THIS IS GOD!!!!.....STOP ARGUING ABOUT ME. I DO EXIST AND I LIVE IN BOCA RATON IN A 4 MILLION DOLLAR MANSION WITH MY CREW. JC YOU ARE DEFINITELY GOING TO HELL. I SAW WHAT YOU DID LAST YEAR AND FRANKLY IM DISGUSTED WITH YOU..... THAT IS ALL
"Coincidence" is God's way of being anonymous. This student understands that. He definitely has a plan for her life!
You're all morons if you think that coming on here and arguing with someone about a picture will get your point across, the point of this "blog" is to intelligently discuss your points of view on each picture. It is to discuss YOUR views on what you see on EACH picture, not go on and bash eachother on what other people think. Since when are we not allowed to state our opinions? Well, just so you all know, MY opinion for those of you who choose to pay more attention to other peoples comments, than the beauty of the picture itself...should take your unimportant bullying intentions elsewhere. i totally expect you to have your opinions about my comment, but just so you know im not going to check up on it, and waste my time seeing whose was last updated so i can see who wants to argue with me...dont waste your time replying, the seed has been planted. Have a great day!!!
I can really relate to this situation and when God brings you home, it's your time. My best friend died right next to me in a car accident. May God bless the victims, family and friends and a nations that has become way to callous of such crimes against humanity.
This picture really touched me... I have mourned the victims of the VT shootings along with many many others. I hope and pray that we never experience anything even close to what VT has suffered. But please don't make this situation worse by attacking those with a different view of religion or life. I am a Christian... but some of those here who are claiming to be Christians sure aren't walking the walk.
This is how wars get started.People thinking there faith or belifes are better then some other peoples.This photo was not on what you belive.We all belive in a god some shape or form.My heart goes out to VT students and families!
YUR SOOO SMART...I'm so glad we have people like you to belittle everyone's ideas and thoughts. You are such a contribution to society!! It's too bad you can't come on here and input some intelligent conversation and when you are getting your butt kicked TRYING to do so, you have to make a mockery of the Christian religion. Better be careful, all of the libs are trying to pass a bill that will (if passed) make verbalizing against religion (and other things) a federal hate crime...aren't you happy since you probably voted in Ol' Pelosi. Have fun riding shot gun with big red and roasting in eternity.
Why is everyone fighting?? Cant we let the author of this cup breathe a sigh of relief and thank whomever she wants to thank for her not being six feet under right now. I personally agree with JC and so many others out there, but thats not the point. The point is that this girl was a part of something that has never happened to most people, and i hope it never happens to any of us. If she beileves that a cup of coffee saved her life (which it looked like it did) and that God intervened then who are you to say diffrent??
JC: I had no idea the coffee cup mentioned God...it's too small for me to see. To that point, you are correct; it IS about that person's personal relationship with God. If it had been my Dr. Pepper can, I might have written a few words about kharma. I will answer your rant, and your question about Paulo in one shot: (why people make light of the situation) *You've never been a cop, you probably wouldn't understand.
SouthernLady - I certainly believe that your experience happened because the same thing happened to me. When I was 7 years old, I was standing at the top of my porch steps when all of a sudden I felt something push me off the landing. However, a few seconds after that the heavy wooden step that was directly over my head, crashed down exactly where I had been standing! I know I didn't imagine this, because I remember vividly how it felt when I was pushed in my back. Unfortunately, as people grow over, they tend to lose the belief in guardian angels.
Come one everyone who cares who or what made this person stop to get coffee. All that does matter is they were one less person caught between a crazed man and his intent to kill "anything that moves". So I say to the coffee drinker, wake up everyday thankful that you're still here. As for the poor souls who lost there lives on that day. Call it God's divine intervention, or the Devil doin his dirty work, it was something that NEVER should have happened, but do to the fact that this world has become such a sad place, it did. Personally I don't blame anyone but the cold hearted idiot who pulled the trigger.
I just had to comment on this picture and all of the other comments I have read pertaining to it. Call it an act of God, luck, good fortune, whatever it may be, it just wasn't the time for this person to go. I strongly believe that every one on this earth has a purpose of being here whether it be something so little as to put a smile on the face of a person in need or something as large as making the next big medical discovery. What should be learned of this is "seeing it in the moment." Know that you were spared to do something great. I bet the actions that took place that day forever changed the life of that coffee cup owner. There is a story called Pay it Forward. When something fortunate happens to you, you pay it forward to some person in need. So maybe this person was fortunate enough to have his/her life saved that they, in turn, will someday be the person who saves somebody else. So whether it was an act of God, luck, or good fortune, don't take anytime on this earth for granted and always remember to "Pay it Forward."
I was thinking, we seem to be 50/50 on if it was "God", or "luck". If we comprimise, we can agree that "Glock" would have also stopped this.
Basically the concept here seems to be fate and if everyone gets the fate they deserve or if it is just random and beyond the individual's control. In this case the individuals were not entirely innocent parties as was the case in which innocent Amish school girls were the victums. In this case many of these students were classmates for the past several years during which many of them could not resist shooting a helpless victim with their snide and petty physic darts. When the tables were turned and they became the helpless victims with the strength of numbers negated by fire power, the laughing stopped. I guess the lesson is that you don't go to college with the Frankenstein you spent ten years painstakingly creating.
Doesn't "divine intervention" slur the whole "free will" thing? Now I am not trying to offend anyone. I will never deny that god exists. He/She/It might, but I don't know. I will say that I have never "felt" god. So I ask again do the two not clash? Does intervention by definition is "interference in the affairs of another." So If someone interferes then it is not "my will" correct? Thoughts?
Reading all of your comments was very interesting. I'm glad some of you were moved by the photo as I was. Please, all of you try to focus on the student that wrote on the coffee cup and keep posting your gut reactions to THAT, rather than getting sidetracked by religious debates that were, frankly, quite disturbing to read. I was amazed at the direction the discussion took, starting with Mark who took someone's reaction to this tragedy and used it to debate the existance of God. Not the time or the place; a little inappropriate. But the worst part was some of the Christian responses, which (based on my understanding of how Jesus lived), were not very Christ-like at all. JC, whoever you are, please take a moment to put yourself in that student's place and grieve. You have lost sight of the true meaning of the photo - that we should all stop and take a breath, and appreciate our life here on earth. Peacefully.
'Much ToDo About Nothing.' How sad that one student's expression of faith has people at one another's cyber-throats over whether or not there is a God and if she was saved by 'divine intervention' or a mere caffeine craving. I believe in God. I absolutely believe in His divine protection. I'm not going to belittle her desire to glorify God for her 'dodging a bullet' and I'm not going to judge the situation further than that without knowing all the facts. Maybe she didn't have a regular habit of going out for coffee? Maybe her mom or a friend was praying for her that morning, and maybe a still small voice spoke in her ear, saying, "You really need to go out for some coffee this morning." Please allow her the freedom of giving some thanks to God without ripping one another to shreds about it. Don't we still have freedom of religion in this country, or did I miss something? Unstead of cursing God because 33 kids didn't make it, maybe we should be thanking God that there weren't 34 kids killed - or 35 -or 36 - or 66. Maybe we should be thanking Him for all the kids that weren't hurt or killed, for whatever reason! God allows both good and bad in the Earth. Please don't add to the bad by being so ugly to one another over this. Use your energies to pray for our society, that horrible things like this will stop happening! God really does listen to prayer!
Did anyone think that maybe he just had a late night partying, and just needed a cup of Joe to wake up??
Okay Sarah, did you actually READ what I have written or did you just selectively read what you wanted? Why I ask is if you actually took the time to read what I had written you would understand that I was defending what this person had written that she felt she had been "spared" (her own words) by God and that there were people on here making a mockery of what she felt. I MADE it about her and her feelings, but I don't think it is fair for some faceless person who normally wouldn't have the nerve to say these things to this person's face come on here and make light of her feelings especially after what she has been through. I find it equally humorous that you are judging me about me being "judgmental". Doesn't that sound like pot calling kettle? I also think it is unfortunate that I actually have an opinion and I am not afraid to express it, but get judged by people like you when if this had been any other religion and people were making a mockery of it, then the PC police would have been called. So if you think you are going to "shame" me into watering down my beliefs, "good-luck". As I said to someone else, Jesus did not always turn the other cheek so I really wish people would stop making him out to be a wimp. If people want to play their bongo's, sing Kumbaya and "hope" for peace that is SUUPEERRR with me. I just know there are TONS of people in the world who aren't afraid to harm us here in U.S. (including some of our own citizens) and there is no rule that says Christians have to be the world's door mat. I refuse to conform to the world's view that we all have to be touchy-feely and accept things that are actually WRITTEN in the bible that are wrong. I didn't curse at these people so you can save the drama like I ran over their dogs or something. But I do feel I have the right just like anyone else to express my opinion especially when everyone else on here hasn't had a problem expressing theirs. (and you yours) So if you are so worried about people being "offensive" maybe you should take a closer look at what some of the other people on here have written.
maybe people should be focusing on the message of the cup? which is being grateful for your life... and every day including today. I'm sure whoever wrote on the cup didn't intend for a cranky argument about religion. if someone doesn't agree with your views, who cares. leave the computer chair and go enjoy the blessings of today, no matter where they came from. ps. LOL at LunchBox's comment!
JC: you used "I" almost 20 times. So who is this about?
LunchBox - did you seriously care enough to count? Go play with your kids! :)
I only have dogs...the kid is not due for another 4 months! ...but...you're right. LOL
I'm just taking tips from you LB since you did at one time (supposedly) have a "six figure income", worked at a lumber yard, were a police officer, now an educator and your wife is a big wig at a HUGE bank...so who/what now are YOUR comments about?? AND at least I have a life and don't sit and blog all day (wow….our kids are REALLY getting an education), make presumptive comments (like poverty is elective) and act as if I'm better than everyone on multiple sites, unlike you. Do you feel honestly feel everyone is perched on the edge of their seats so you can "bless" all of us with your knowledge or something?? To top things off, I was not even responding to you, so why are you even in this conversation?? You're sooo awesome; I don't know how we could all survive without your insight and input. Whatever.... You are of the world and I just need to accept this. You support all of the mockers on this site and their "beliefs", but try to discredit people on this site (not just this particular posting because I have read other postings on msnbc) that are actually trying to make contributive comments. All I see is you and others doing is being a menace.
As in Dennis. Or Phantom. Or best yet, Ted Knight in "Caddyshack" screaming, "The man's a menace!!"
All of you who keep saying that "God didn't send her for coffee" and the like, SHUT UP. If this girl has the faith to thank God for saving her life, who are you to question that? And JC, stop belittling others for disagreeing with you. If you call yourself a Christian, act like it. It isn't up to us, or to anyone but God, to judge others.
"Act" like a Christian?? Because I have an opinion. Hmmm.... So everyone else can say what they want, but I can't? Why is that always the case, Sarah? Libs can do and say as they please no matter who it hurts, but when someone disagrees with them, that person is supposed to sit in a corner and not open their mouth? (sort of sounds a little communist, don't you think) That is what I find hilarious about the left wing liberals in this country, they scream free speech and how everyone should express themselves until someone disagrees with them and then that person is being "insensitive". (you can have an opinion as long as you agree with US) Dearest Agnostic Margaret, since you don't "believe" in anything does that mean if I don't believe in you, you don't exist??
It's amazing the rhetoric this simple but poignant message of grief has inspired! I wonder what the writer would think after reading some of the comments?
So what if there had been a massacre at the coffee shop that day? I don't really believe in blaming these tragic events on God by saying, "It was their time to die and it's all part of Gods plan". Hogwash. I am glad this one life was spared and I am glad they shared this particular cup of coffee with the world.
Well, JC, considering some of the things you appear to believe in, I don't give a d#$n if you believe in me or not. Your opinions of me or any other topic have no bearing on me, and you know what? THEY SHOULDN'T. You're entitled to them. I don't begrudge you the right to feel deeply about your religion, and frankly, I'm glad you get comfort from it; I really am. If you notice my very first posting on this picture, I wrote "powerful." That cup represents a great deal to the person who carried it. And I don't begrudge her a thing, either. I only responded when some folks started getting a little crazy about the whole "God spared her specifically" theory. But since you are entitled to your relationship with your god, I most certainly am entitled to my Agnostic belief. P.S. Look up Agnostic belief. It doesn't mean I don't believe in anything. It means something quite different.
Its amazing how one little decision can change your life. I am so sorry for the victims of V.Tech and their families.I hope that attacks like this will someday cease to happen. Though I don't know how we can accomlish this, as a college student, I am terrified of something like this, because it really can happen anywhere, and for any reason.
JC...I'm an atheist...WE are the ones who don't believe in anything. I'm also a conservative...bet that's confusing to you, isn't it.
Ah, congrats Lunch. 4 months of freedom left ;) Enjoy the bundle... most amazing gift one can receive.
I agree completely with Jonathan, his post is the only post really worth reading... anywho, gratz lunchbox.
LOL, thanks. Things like this VT shooting, and all the others make it very difficult for my wife and I to decide on a private (Christian) school, or public school. I teach in a public school, but private schools will not put up with any nonsense. *I realize that an atheist sending his child to a Christian school seems odd, but the message of Christianity endures well beyond the mythological/spiritual aspects.
Let's get to the point - the fact that this person, by fate or circumstance or coincidence or Divine Intervention, was not there to bear witness to the tragedy that unfolded, was a blessing. You will hear the same from those who were "late for work" on September 11th. At 8am, by all accounts, there SHOULD have been 20,000 people in those buildings. How astonished were we when that number kept dropping? So many people reported that they weren't in the office, and for something out of the ordinary. "My kid missed the bus", or "My car needed a jump start" or "I had to stop at the dry cleaner's". We were very willing to call each and every one of those stories a BLESSING, and that's what this person experienced too. It doesn't matter if your belief is in God or Allah or Muhammed or Buddha or in the Universe. There are forces in play that we have no knowledge of, sequences of events that determine our fate, that we may have no control over. Some people even have some intuition when it comes to tragedy. Maybe that student wasn't feeling quite right about the day and thought a cup of coffee would set things right. Who knows. All this picture is telling us is that he/she was BLESSED on that day.
Lunch - I agree. I am Muslim by birth, although my parents do not believe in a majority of Islam's teachings, nor do I. However, they sent me to a private, Catholic highschool. The education I received there was more beneficial than trying to keep me away from religion by sending me to the public dump (unfortunate as that is). I have the same fears, likely, of you and your wife. Look where we are today - how can I protect my future children from this increasingly evil world? Frightening...
wow. well, there have been a lot of moments where i thought: everything happens fr a reason. in othersi think: well, that was luck. for me it is hard to believe that EVERYTHING has a reason. but yes, never take a moment for granted. it could be over so easily. the only problem is that we forget that too fast. there was a moment in my life (at night) where i thought my life (and the one of four friends) was over. i had an almost-accident with a truck. the story would be too long to tell so i make it short. the car was damaged, i was the only one not drinking, the first time i drove this car, there was a truck coming and because i he was so much faster than i was, i wanted to switch to the other lane so that he wouldn't have to. but he did the same and all i saw was his huge right front headlight in my window and in the next moment the street straight ahead. i am sure that night i had more than one guardian angel. but i cannot tell wheather it was my reaction because the car wasnt fast or if it was something different. also, i couldnt hear anything in that split second. thats my story.
I'm really blown away by a lot of your comments. Focus has been taken away from the photo and it's meaning. Whether it was God or pure luck, he/she was obviously thankful that their life was spared. My heart and prayers go out to all the Virginia Tech families.
Anna from Blacksburg: I'm with you 100%. That photo has nothing to do with religion, it's about that person being happy to be alive. The VT shootings affected not only Virginians, but the nation as a whole. That's where the focus should be; not on who's a Christian and who's not. I don't think that was the purpose of this blog.
Some of you people are just sick and have looked way too far into this. No one is saying God is saving only those people who drink coffee and no one is looking at this particular coffee cup as some kind of spiritual gift or what have you. This person is simply THANKING GOD that they had an urge for coffee that morning instead of heading straight to class where they would have been met with a dieing fate. It's ridiculous how some of you want to make a joke out of something that is so real. God did intervene in this person’s life, like he did the thousands of others that didn't lose their lives. NO, GOD is not to blame for the lives that were lost. Evil is to blame for the lives that were so selfishly taken. It is not that God loved these people any less than their survivors. Did it ever cross anyone’s mind that maybe those chosen few that lost their lives that day were ones that God knew were ready to take that path to Heaven. We are no one to decide when it is someone’s time to go that is God's place. We are not to know why God does what he does we are only supposed to trust that what he does is right. It is a sad tragedy for these young adults and their families and friends, but God is with them and he knows what he is doing. I totally agree with JC. We as Christians are SICK and TIRED of taking the back burner to the ignorant atheists in this country. This country was built on IN GOD WE TRUST. If you don't like, find another country! AMEN!
I feel sad for all those that lost their lives. But what is really sad to me is that we only think about God in these times when we search for answers and don't find them. He is there always not just in these horrible times. But we need to search him out and we need to tell our children about the importance of reaching out to him in the good times as well as the bad. He is merciful and will give us strength. "Seek him while he may be found."
to say an entire group of people who do not have the same religious beliefs as YOU are ignorant is in fact a VERY ignorant comment.
So God decided to save this soul and kill off 30 or more in the process. Why? This is the same compassionate God? Realize that God didn't create Man, but Man created God. These events are called Karmic forces.
wow and i just thought it was a cool picture. we went from "ew coffee tastes bad" to "your faith sucks" with just a picture. of a coffee cup...a cup....*?*
Just thinking about going for coffee saved this persons life. God works in mysterious ways.
Christ on a Cracker, here we go again.
If only the 30 dead had stopped for coffee.
From the dictionary... atheist--someone who denies the existence of God. agnostic--a person who holds that the existence of the ultimate cause, as God, and the essential nature of things are unknown and unknowable, or that human knowledge is limited to experience. Someone who is doubtful or noncommittal about something.(wow...there's a shock) Looked both of the meanings up Margaret and LB and guess what, maybe YOU both should look up what you "supposedly" are. At least I know my beliefs and I'm not a wishy-washy wimp when asked. Margaret, you are a joke with this "I was just saying something about the whole CRAZY God spared people theory". That says it ALL, doesn't it? You say you don't care what people believe and judge, but you really do. You say you aren't close minded, but you ARE. It's "CRAZY" when people say what THEY believe, but not absolutely absurd some of undermining venom you spew? Please...spare me with your back peddling. Plus, if you don't give a "d" what I think, then why do you sound so pissed?? It "shouldn't matter" what the crazy bible thumper thinks, right?? And Lunchbox...do you really think you can confuse me?? A conservative atheist...WOW you are sooo edgy. Thank God, or in your case thin air, I have such an educated know it all to tell me how to tie my shoes. You are so much more enlightened than the rest of us simpletons on here. We may all become discombobulated and forget who we are...wouldn't that be atrocious? I seriously doubt you are the only person on here who is college educated...hate to burst your big fat narcisstic bubble. Maybe you should do all of us "Christians" a favor and keep your kids out of our schools. Pat yourself on the back, YOU are part of the reason our country is going down the toilet and the public schools are such a mess since you want to scream how your rights are being violated when God is in the schools. Don't you find it funny how our schools are now after they have become Godless?? You reap what you sow.
JC, I shake my head in your general direction, and sigh. I also hope you have a fantastically glorious summer. Peace.
JC: Every morning during the school year, I say the pledge...and I say, "one nation under God". I don't "deny" the existance of a "god", I simply don't acknowledge it, or incorporate it into my belief system. IMHO, there are far more damaging things going on in society than "God in schools". I for one, support groups of students/faculty that want to pray in school...it's the fanatical left-wing crazies that want it stopped. On that note, when those far left bozos go off about nutty far-right fundamentalists...you provide a stunning example. On thing far-right fundamentalists cannot seem to grasp is the fact that 99.9% of atheists are NOT "anti-God". Think about it...as hard as that may be...but if "we" were on a crusade to abolish "God"...wouldn't that be an admission that there is a God? Take a breath, wake up, and T H I N K.
No matter where in the world you were attending school, chances are you felt the bond college students felt on the day of this tragedy. Everyday on a college campus, you walk by people and never realize that one of your fellow peers could commit such a horrible act. We really were all Hokies on this tragic day.
This is a little long, but I believe that it's all neccessary: I feel that people take for granted the everyday things that make up our day... things as small as (in this case) getting a cup of coffe, or walking your dog in the park to take in the day and stopping to notice the texture of the grass and the life it supports and shelters beneath it instead of watching the sitcom on television alone, or driving downtown to catch a game... simple seemingly meaningless decisions that have merit in the chain events to come or that have passed. furthermore this picture illistrates to me that we as people should appreciate life and value each other at such a higher level than what we do right now. It seems that only in crisis we realize what is there all along and shortly after the scene dies down we all to easily forget. I remember the day I walked into Chili's to apply for a job after school and was suddenly awakened to this horrible tragedy. I didn't know wether to turn and weep or call someone but I couldn't turn away. My heart goes out to the families and friends of the victims in this horrible manmade disaster as well as all of thse whose lives the tragedy has touched. As for those who don't believe that God had anything to do with her going to the coffee shop... God does give us free-will the right to chose what we do and believe... but he also plants seeds along our way to try to influence our decisions and put us where he needs us and where we should be.
I find it interesting to think that that person who had the cup of coffee would think he/she would be the victim, instead of the would be savior in that situation.
I see coffee sales soring in the very near future.
