12/5/2020 - A Conversation with Kalee Ewell

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This is true for a new generation radio and now the man who preached in 50 states and 50 days beaker writer, and advocate for Christian apologetics Dr. Alex McFarlane, the Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit that Psalm 3418 Psalm 147 verse three says that God quote heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds hi Alex McFarlane, you're welcome to this edition of truth for new generation, and on this program.

We've got an exceptionally inspiring interview with a young lady she's just a high school senior, but she suffered a debilitating accident. Her name is Kaylee Ewell, who despite a a terrible injury, and a debilitating illness that you learn about she's praising God. And she's thriving and she's shining boldly for Jesus in spite of a situation and irreversible damage to her body that might make other people angry at God, but it does bring up the subject of the problem of pain-and-suffering.

CS Lewis, the great defender of Christianity, said that the reality of pain-and-suffering scholars call it the problem of pain or the problem of evil in a world created by a good God in a world presided over by a providential all-powerful and loving Savior. Why is there pain-and-suffering in this world. Lewis said that was the most perennial apologetics issue and he said really the thorniest and the most difficult to respond to because on the one hand, we we are here we have life, and there is God. God has shown us in his word that he is good he is merciful. He's powerful and yet in this world there. There are things that are bad, tragic, in fact, like precious young people on the eve of their entire future getting injured and injury that will dog them and follow after them for life, and so how do we reconcile the two. Is it possible to understand and respond to the problem of pain without compromising what we know about God because some people. They look at the problem of pain and this it will. Maybe God is evil or maybe God is nonexistent.

Or maybe God is limited and God is finite and maybe just like us. As one pop song said maybe God is just like one of us and he would like to fix the world, but he can't do Christianity sets forth something that scholars have a big $0.85 word for word's antinomy now and antinomy is something that looks contradictory on the surface, but upon further investigation, you see that it is we in this world, a fallen world, a world of sin, yet God is there a God is real and the tomb is empty.

We have on our hands and antenna mess situation.

It looks irreconcilable, it looks contradictory God. What we read about God and yet there is pain-and-suffering in the world I would submit to you, it is possible I believe now I realize emotional fulfillment is not the same thing as intellectual reasonableness. I would say on the front side. It is intellectually possible to reconcile the reality of a perfect God with an imperfect world outlook God made everything in six times in the opening chapters of Genesis 6 times God looked over his creation.

He said it is good. It is good. It is good but what happened is you know was sin. God created a perfect world, but Adam and Eve in Genesis chapter 3. They chose to disobey, and thus the fall. The fall into sin. Sin is a lot of things its rejection of known truth. It's disobedience to a known directive, but sin has again CS Lewis said, sin is treason against the most high God.

And so we look at this world. He said this world is not the way things ought to be. And God looks at this world and God says agreed.

This is not the way things ought to be.

That's why he sent his son, and here is we get ready to celebrate Christmas as a joy to the world says no more. Let sin abound. North thorns infect the ground because Jesus came, the son of God and do you know what's so beautiful. And this is the power of the Christian message. Not only has God acted to solve our sin problem and to redeem us from the penalty of sin. Save us from the power of sin when they remove us from the very presence of sin.

God is so amazing and so powerful that even as we experience salvation we mature spiritually.

We grow as a Christian.

Not only are we more and more in the presence of Christ, and we grow as believers if you will trust him with your situation, you will be rewarded in heaven you'll get crowns and rewards in heaven. For the ways that you trusted Christ and believed even in spite of the challenges of this world, Charles Spurgeon, who I so deeply love Spurgeon lived 100 years ago and he he said once when a skeptic was challenging him. How can we believe in God. How can you believe in Christianity when there's pain-and-suffering in the world and Spurgeon said of everything I've ever tasted in this world of God's mercy and he said my path has been remarkably strewn with God's loving kindness, he said, second only to his relationship with Jesus salvation that the thing that he secondarily was most grateful for your trials and pains and you think will. How can that be. Spurgeon said, quote I am sure I have derived more real benefit. Permanent strength growth in grace every precious thing from the furnace of affliction, more so than I have ever derived from the days of prosperity.

You see problems and challenges they purify us. They purchase of self-reliance and arrogance and pride and they drive us to Christ and one of the ways that we begin to process the problem of pain is to realize that his word makes great promises like in Revelation 21 verse four. Speaking of heaven, which says God will quote wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, God will wipe every tear from our eyes. No more death morning crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. A friend as we get into our interview with Kaylee, you will please listen carefully and allow yourself to be motivated and inspired, maybe even a little bit convicted by a young person who, in spite of a harder path than most of us will ever tread she's trusting God growing in grace and praising the Lord stated true for new generation is back right after this America today is like a patient struggling to live yet is being forcibly euthanized by her quote doctors. The life force within the patient fighting for survival is the honest citizens like yourself team of quote caregivers are the local and national leaders actually contributing to the demise of the patient economy is crashing crime is exploding. The Constitution is being abolished the assault on America how to defend our nation before it's too late. By Alex the farmer has one single purpose to get you prepared the real source of America's current problems that no one else is talking about and what you can do now to face tomorrow.

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The assault on America how to defend our nation before it's too late. Available now at Amazon and Barnes & Noble, and local Christian bookstore you know Alex is been writing for many years, and one of his classic books is still great. Today is a basic introduction to the Christian faith.

It's called stand courtrooms must know for the unshakable faith. This book will help you help your teens get off the roller coaster of doubt onto solid ground.

You'll read about the six pillars of biblical Christianity.

They are one inspiration of the Bible to the virgin birth. Three. The deity of Christ for atonement.

Five. Christ's resurrection and six.

Christ's return know Alex mixes it up with humor and stories gleaned from decades of working with youth and encourages things to build a foundation of faith that will stabilize their lives and help them take a stand for Christ. Simple and straightforward stand courtrooms you must know for an unshakable faith available wherever Christian books are so for apologetics resources by Alex McFarland and to find out where Alex is speaking to visit Alex McFarland.com and he was chapter 13 the Bible promises Jesus will never leave us or forsake us.

Where is Jesus we were going through deep valleys and hard times and even painful situations hi Alex McFarland, you're welcome to this edition of truth for a new generation traveling the country writing and speaking. Probably the most common question related to apologetics is not so much evidence in his history and archaeology prove the Bible. Although we get those questions we love to speak to those issues.

I would say in hundreds of churches in probably thousands of interactions with people of the last 30 years. The most common question why do bad things happen. Sadly, many people when they go through very trying times.

Some people get angry with God. Some people turn their back on God, and some people walk away and they may be throughout their hands thinking in a God doesn't love me anymore or this bad thing that's happened means that there must not be a God will today on the program were going to talk about this issue. In this issue is very significant because it's a personal issue. None of us like to hurts.

None of us like to go through hard times and when we do I believe it is very critical that we spiritually land on our feet. As of today you could've made a very special guest who has graciously agreed to talk with us a little bit on truth for new generation knows I travel I meet thousands and thousands of people and every now and then you meet people that are just so special and the way the hand of the Lord is on their life. I just think myself.

I want people everywhere to meet this or that special person. One such person is Kaylee you'll I'm on the road in eastern North Carolina and Kaylee is a high school student.

She's got a very wonderful story is a Kaylee I want to thank you.

This is very spur of the moment, but you've graciously agreed to give some time and I want to say thank you and also welcome to the truth for new generation broadcast. Thank you for having me so your family lives in eastern North Carolina. Christian family, and your you're a believer yourself right correct. As a Christian's life always hunky-dory. No problems. It's it's just an easy road to follow Christ. Is that right or wrong. Definitely wrong.

Sometimes even faithful Christians go through painful things that they of course would you share a little bit about your story and kind of what you've been battling the last couple of years. Yeah so for the past four years I have been battling with a lot of health issues and started with a concussion and then later it turned into a pain chronic pain issue and it's been a really rough road.

Honestly, suits her you were playing volleyball and you got an injury in a volleyball game. What happened, so it was the 30 over and me in the same me and another girl went fair the same ball and she got up Friday and hid it in my right eye temple area and I blacked out and got a pretty bad concussion. Dear member like suffering the hit and ending member blacking out or did you dislike like up at the doctors later. Well I remember him walking off the court like a zombie and then being in the bathroom and then being in the car and then being at the hospital but in between all that, I don't remember when did you and your parents realize that this was not just an average little injury but this was something very, very serious. I really don't now I couldn't walk because I so dizzy for a couple weeks and maybe that's when started because with concussions. He usually are completely fine between 7 to 10 days and I was not. I can't really get off the couch and any of that time and besides the physical implications of your injury him and this is impacted your school and your graduation has definitely gone so I was supposed to graduate in May 2020. And here is November 2020 and and I was like okay maybe I'll graduate December 2020 and will see but it doesn't really look like that's can happen. What is been some of the other physical complications that have come in the aftermath of the concussion on so I I said I am in chronic pain and arm so that stand off of the concussion so the doctors belief and arm that has caused many to his difficulties and between that and sometimes I'm in a wheelchair and sometimes I can walk sometimes I can use my arm. Sometimes I cannot like there was a time when I was in the military for six months and that was really really really hard and there was even little things I couldn't put on socks and shoes for six months and it was honestly ridiculous. It's the little things as well as the big things. What what is this done for your belief in Jesus. Are you walk with the Lord. It's open up so many opportunities and doors for me to reach out and minister and the month of September 2018. I got to go to Cincinnati Children's Hospital for program called the first program and that's functional independence restoration and that was to really teach me how to walk and use my entire body like normally normally and just live through the pain and fund that I got to see how people were without Christ, and it's really honestly set aside what people turn to when they don't have God they were turning to sexuality. Transgender is on disobedience just so much sin and didn't have that hope and peace in Christ would have to take a brief break, but if I'm hearing you correctly as rough as it's been as bad as the pain is in the complications that ultimately this is giving you ministry opportunities hasn't yes I talked to people with pain. Honestly, all over the world. There's been people from the Netherlands people and I think it was Britain and people in all states of the United States and it's been so awesome folks take to continue our conversation with Kaylee, you'll who, in my opinion is doing a wonderful job of representing Christ.

I want to pray for Kaylee and her dear family are wonderful people estate to come back and hear more from Kaylee after this brief break Alex's written many books to help you defend your faith.

One of them answers questions from skeptics it's cleverly titled 10 answers for skeptics today. Skeptics are looking for authenticity, integrity, and straightforward truth and in the book Alex McFarland identifies the 10 most common types of see if this is of the lake doubters mindset offers believers proven strategies for connecting intellectually and spiritually with those who are skeptical about the claims of Christianity. Learn how to answer intimidating questions.

Identify the root issue behind those questions and dismantle the spiritual bombshells dropped by atheist plus provide encouragement to face hostility by persevering in love. The ultimate apologetic Christians could offer as a witness to our loving God, check out 10 answers for skeptics. When you visit Alex McFarland.com Christians don't necessarily agree with one another when it comes to questions of religious pluralism, homosexuality, the role of government abortion and war. Too often, we manage these disagreements by ignoring them network called to engage the world for the sake of Christ.

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You're listening to the truth or a new generation radio by Alex McFarland you're welcome back to truth for new generation.

You know, as I record this, we are wrapping up a fantastic day of ministry at Union Grove Church of Christ in a community called Pongo. It's near Plymouth North Carolina near the it the eastern part of North Carolina. A lot of amazing people down here and I'm were talk with Kaylee Ewell and I want to resume her story.

Kaylee was injured in a volleyball game. A lot of them physical complications have emanated from that, but that has not hurt her walk with the Lord. Kaylee immediately resorted to something up there's a speaker that we've used in our conference is called Johnny Erickson totter was paralyzed in a diving accident and she is she and her husband can wonderful Christian people, but for 40 years. She has ministered to people with disabilities and led probably hundreds and hundreds of thousands people to Christ and she said something one time. She said this is not an assignment I ever would've asked for, but it's what happened, but it's been a platform to minister for Christ so I'm this is not an assignment.

You ever would've anticipated nor asked for is it now, but honestly I don't know if I would take it away because of how much I've grown from Sears saying the hard times have actually brought you closer to the Lord. I definitely when you were sitting in a wheelchair for six months.

Ms. no doubt a lot of time to think what was going through your mind as you begin to think okay this might be the new reality. The new normal. In reality what was going through your mind.

So for me I don't remember ever feeling like only worried this is awful. This is terrible. I just remember feeling okay this is what the Lord has for me right now and I'm just gonna roll at that time and see what he has for me and I remember having lots of conversations like God is not doing this to me. God allows bad things happen, but the devil will try to put things in your way to mess up God's plans on the time and apparently God has big plans for me so it's a very, very mature perspective of that people that have are decades older than you who don't have that maturity. How did how did you get such a solidly biblical.

Frankly, mature perspective at such a young age. If I might ask, I don't know.

I got up in the church and I don't know how how not to trust God because there's so much she's done for me and God is good all the time. Are you in pain right now set what what do you say Kaylee to a person who says okay X happen to me. I'm going to be angry toward God, to walk away from God. This this or that thing happened. Therefore, the push got out of my life. What would you say to a person who might be at that crossroad. Why like everything good comes from God by which you push him away that's that's a great perspective.

And you know I applaud you. I and I know I listen I know you and your family well enough to know you. Give God the glory.

You're not in it for any glory for yourself but the way you're handling this is very God honoring and frankly very inspiring you a you inspire me and I know you're inspiring the listeners right now.

And isn't that our assignment as human beings to give glory to God. I mean is that your you're doing what the Lord put you to do to know Christ and to honor Christ.

That's that's in our assignment is not yeah intimate Disciples of Christ so I can use this my testimony to help others in the situation or things like this.

Would you feel comfortable saying a prayer there probably listeners that have things that are heavy on their heart. It could be family issues, financial issues could be like yourself. Physical issues you're telling me that God is faithful, and God is real, there's probably people that are asking okay Kaylee you will has it, but that's her.

Can I have that very same peace from God can code in the presence of the Lord be real in my life for the person is out there hurting. Would you would you say word of prayer sister Derek I think you can stay.

I pray for everyone. His hurting physically, emotionally, mentally, like anything any hurt God.

I pray for people who are lost looking for you. Not looking for you. I pray that they find you.

I pray for those who are witnessing for you. I pray that they are successful. God, just reveal yourself to vehicle. Please, please, heal all who hurting. Thank you for everything that you've done for us and think I simply pray, amen. That's just very beautiful. Hey I want to say thank you and I hope we get to visit again. I look forward to hearing about the progress you make in your physical issues, but I look forward to hearing how God skinny as you and II don't say this lightly, but God's hand is on your life mightily and I just applaud you for for letting Jesus lead you is you're doing thinking you're listening to truth for new generation we've been talking with Kaylee Ewell graciously agreeing to share her story and friend her story can be your story. I don't say this glibly or flippantly. But Jesus is real he really is faithful and when he says that he will never leave us or forsake us. That really is true friend you might be going through a deep, deep valley, you might be going through something that you think is simply on bearable but I close with one verse John 1028 Jesus says, I give to you eternal life, and nothing can pluck you out of my hand or or snatching God is not going to let anything take you away from his presence. If you let him be in your life got sucked in a drop you God's not to forget you, and we would urge you today.

I'm sure Kaylee would say this, her family and we say it Jesus really will loves you and and he can help you turn doing today. If truth for new generation can help you will eat right to us, email us. You'll find us online@alexmcfarlane.com if you need a Bible or you need encouragement. Let us know how we can help you and I would encourage you please share this with somebody you can like us in social media.

You can forward this show to people that you think it would benefit so God bless you, thank you for listening. Again, we thank Kaylee Ewell for being with us in the program. We look forward to visiting with you again on the next edition of truth for new generation TMG radio is made possible by the friends of Alex McFarland ministry, PO Box 10231 is Pearl, NC 27404. That's PO Box 10231, Greensboro, NC 27404 call us at 877 yes God one that's 877 yes, God, and the number one or give online@alexmcfarland.com while you're there, listen the program archives. Read Alex's blog invite Alex to speak at your event or contact Alex with a question or comment, Alex McFarland.com. Thanks for listening today and join us again next time. As we bring you more true for a new generation TMG radio