Gibo,
"...We always get healings checked out by specialists.
This is common practice throughout the charismatics. Many doctors are amazed and scratch their heads in wonder..."

Was the healee checked out by specialists prior to the healing and the illness verified prior to the healing? Do the doctors belong to a church or a religion - are they independent? Are the people undergoing orthodox medical treatment at the same time? Are these true 'miracles' or easily faked/placebo effect cures? eg back pain, hemorrhoids,headaches vs restoring amputated limbs?

http://www.pressiechurch.org/Theol_2/charismatic_movement.htm

"...There are a number of serious discrepancies between the healing miracles in the Bible and what is supposedly occurring today. Most healings performed by Christ and the apostles occurred in public places, in front of unbelievers. They did not hold healing services; they healed people right out in the open, even in front of their enemies (e.g., Lk. 5:22-26; Ac. 3:4-10). Have you ever seen a modern faith healer go into a major hospital and heal the sick? Have you ever seen one heal someone on the steps of city hall, in a shopping mall, or at a public park? If these faith healers have the same ability as the apostles, why do they do their “healings” in church buildings, in front of people who already believe? Signs are given for unbelievers; Christians do not need to be convinced that Jesus is the Christ—they already believe..."

No one has addressed Celivia's excellent question; " 'Why doesn't God heal amputees?' when amputees pray for healing". Same goes for faith healers, seem to be able to manage cancer but not a paper cut.

With all that "God Save Queen" going on, the Old Girl should out last the pyramids.

O.

Dear Oly,

Prince Charles would agree with you.

He said he was prepared to
wait for a "long time," for the throne,
but he didn't
realize that his mother was "Eternal."

Gibo et al,

Human Interest said,
"Christians do not need to be convinced that Jesus is the Christ—they already believe..."

Which made me remember a golden opportunity for Gibo and others to convince non-believers of those healings.

Did you know that:
The Australian Skeptics will pay $100,000 for proof of extraordinary powers?
http://www.skeptics.com.au/prizes/challenge.htm

Imagine all the people you'd attract to your church, and the souls you'll be saving!

Think about it- you say that there's already evidence that healings happen at your church; if the church could actually show that they can heal, say, a paper cut, through the power of prayer, your church would be able to do so much good with that money.

But wait there's more...
The Australian Skeptics offer a $20,000 spotter’s fee to anyone who nominates a person who successfully completes the Australian Skeptics Challenge.

I wish you good luck with your nomination- not that you need it...

What Causes Arthritis?

A drunken man, who smelled like beer, sat down on a subway train next to a priest. The man's tie was stained, his face was plastered with red lipstick and a half-empty bottle of gin was sticking out of his torn coat pocket. He opened his newspaper and began reading.

After a few minutes the man turned to the priest and asked, “Say, Father, what causes arthritis?”

The priest replied, “My son, it's caused by loose living, being with cheap, wicked women, too much alcohol, contempt for your fellow man, sleeping around with prostitutes and lack of a bath.”

The drunk muttered in response, “Well, I'll be damned,” then returned to his paper.

The priest, thinking about what he had said, nudged the man and apologized. “I'm very sorry. I didn't mean to come on so strong. How long have you had arthritis?”

The drunk answered, “I don't have it, Father. I was just reading here that the Pope does.”

Sorry Im a bit slow on this thread. It took so long to come up originally that I somewhat lost interest, then when it did come up, it was that much harder to get into responses. Originally it went over to a question thread from GY on Creationism.
But Im working my way through it.

Ollie.
I should think that God would want to rest or cease on the Seventh day.
Work does end.
It gets done... then its finished. No more to do.
God was finished and Genesis 1:31 we see "God saw all that He had made, and it was very good".
He had finished.

Try http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balaam

In Numbers 22:28 we see The Lord openning a donkeys mouth to speak to the prophet Balaam.

Its not unknown for the other side to do similar things...i.e. talking through beings.
Satans spirits take control of people from time to time, especially in 3rd world countries where they (the spirits) have more power, because men live an fear of them, and get caught up in worship of demons...e.g. putting out food etc to appease the spirits is a clear sign for unbelievers that demons are there.

*The Son of Sam killer had a local dog speak to him and tell him to kill people! Theres no speech centre in the dog.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Berkowitz

Its madness to dance with the occult or give way to evil spirits. Its such a door openner to possession.
Parents need to keep their children away from Harry Potters magic practices.

In Genesis chapter 3 we see the fall of man and an exceptionally cunning creature called The Serpent. Here he is seen speaking to Eve with The Temptation to eat the fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.
Later on in Genesis 3:14 we see God cursing the Serpent and the Serpent losing his legs to crawl on his belly.
I should think that losing his speech centre if he had one was not a big deal either.
God is the Power that holds the atoms together with His Word.