Coincidence or Christ?

By Dimitri Skopos

is a book of self spiritual discovery. It is designed to promote deep thoughts of our lives and true purpose. By analyzing our talents, experiences, and gifts we will be lifted to a new level of thinking. The basic premise of this book is twofold: there are no coincidences and miracles happen constantly around us. We are being designed and groomed for a greater purpose. Rough mathematical models, calculations, and everyday logic are used to provide self proof. Historical scenarios, miraculous lives, and everyday miracles are exposed as examples of divine intervention. The end goal is to strengthen our awareness and more fully develop our intimate relationship with God.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: May 30, 2017
• ISBN: 9781512788082

Dimitri Skopos

Dimitri Skopos is a graduate of California State University Sacramento with a bachelors degree in Finance and Management. He became a CA real estate broker concentrating in mortgage loan financing. In 1989 Dimitri pursued a career as a CA general contractor focusing on custom homes and eventually commercial property build outs. He found love and married Sandra in 2000 and together they have lived in the Sacramento area. In recent years Dimitris spiritual growth has re-focused his attention to divine intervention in his life and especially showing it to others. He is devoted to proving that miracles happen every day.

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Copyright © 2017 Dimitri Skopos.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Scripture taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

WestBow Press

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Bloomington, IN 47403

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

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ISBN: 978-1-5127-8809-9 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5127-8810-5 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-5127-8808-2 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2017907949

WestBow Press rev. date: 05/24/2017

Contents

1. Coincidence?

2. The Odyssey

3. Perception and Battle of the Mind

4. Only You

5. Did I Do That?

6. Saved

7. Miraculous Lives

8. Miraculous History

9. Everyday Miracles

10. Why Me?

11. Faith Required

12. Acknowledgment and Repentance Required

13. Pride Limits, Humility Liberates

14. That Little Voice

15. More than Coincidence

To the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit

1

Coincidence?

W hat is coincidence? Are we to believe that events and thoughts occur by mere accident or luck? Perhaps we believe in fate, serendipity, or a predetermined outcome. Some of us explain events as being of divine providence. I think most of us would agree that sometimes things seem a little too perfect or too coordinated to be just luck.

Once we come to the conclusion that something or someone is controlling outcomes and events, how do we prove it? Are there methods to measure luck, apparent coordination, or outside influence? Are some events, chance connections, or miracles a little too short on information or facts to make a firm conclusion? I believe the short answer is no. We can get close, we can use our logic, and we can calculate approximate odds to conclude the obvious. The methods we can use are a lot like those used in science, statistical analysis, and basic math. Of course, we still will have to draw our own conclusions. If this sounds a little too difficult already, let me assure you it is not. With basic, everyday logic, historical facts, and simple math, anyone can do this.

My intentions are grand—to make you think more deeply about your life and purpose. Basically, this book is a journey of thoughts, rough calculation techniques, and obvious conclusions. We will look at ourselves and possibly discover how special we really are. We will discuss our talents and gifts and those of others in the past. I will tell you true stories about my own experiences of fate and protection. Then we will delve into history and learn more about miraculous lives and events. Our intellectual journey will look at everyday miracles that occur constantly around us. I will attempt to explain some of the big questions about life, purpose, and our relationship to God. The last portion of the book is devoted to discovering and expanding our intimate relationship with the Holy Trinity.

The following are just a few questions that I think a lot of us ask ourselves: What is the meaning of life? Why am I here? Can I control my own destiny? When will I be liberated from bondage? Was there an original Creator? Will I go to heaven or hell, or will I just decompose? Is there a living God who loves even me?

Some of us are just trying to keep up with day-to-day life and struggling to survive. Maybe we just want our fair share out of life. For others, life is great—they feel fortunate, and things are fine just the way they are.

From our childhoods to our retirements, most of us have big dreams—dreams of financial or career success, dreams of love and friendship. Others seek stardom in movies, sports, or music. Some of us wish we could find a scientific cure. Then there are those who just want to help and bless others. These are all great goals and wonderful achievements, but there is no certain success. Maybe you won’t get the break you need or you won’t meet the right people. Maybe you will get close to success, but time or money won’t allow a breakthrough.

What we need is a guide. If we knew what we were made to do, or if we knew the quickest path to joyful success, we would probably take it. I have come to the conclusion that for life to have meaning we must have a spiritual and growing relationship with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. When we realize God’s perfect plan for our lives, it opens up new doors of opportunity, joy, and receiving the hidden desires of our hearts. Do you believe it? Do you want to see it? Well, I’m prepared to show you.

I want to be honest and up front about the intentions of this book. I’ll show my observations with

• logical concepts

• history analyzed with some mathematical models

• rough-odds calculations applied to everyday events

• scripture

Certain things are undeniably true:

• God is real and in control.

• You were built for a special mission in life.

• He will bless you and protect you.

• He will direct your life if you let Him.

• He will provide for you beyond your wildest dreams.

• You can see Him indirectly at work in your life with evidence, and you can feel His presence.

More specifically, you will realize that you are not separated from God and that you can have your own daily, intimate relationship with Him.

I can hear you saying, Yeah, right! So, I’m going to speak to God? Sure! or Let’s see it, buddy. I’m going way out on a limb and will attempt to prove it to you. I will show you with some logical thoughts, historical facts, and statistical odds. I also am confident—and more important, I believe—that if you give the ideas and thoughts a chance, you may be able to prove it to yourself. With self-observation of events in your life—and using everyday thoughts, logic, and faith—you will see how God is in control and has a plan for your life.

I must again be honest and up front—some readers won’t get it. Some won’t want to try. Some won’t want to even consider the possibilities. Some will be so stubborn or dismissive that there is little to no chance of ever showing them anything outside of their own thoughts or discoveries. I believe this is usually disguised fear or pride.

For some, however, there will be feelings of something beautiful and new, vanquished hopelessness, and a new closeness to God. You won’t see His face or hear audible words, but you will begin to feel His undeniable presence, and there will be no doubt—as sure as you know your spouse or mother, you will know God. You will know deep in your heart that He is always there. You will recognize that He is and has been right inside of you and in control of your new beautiful life—like a perfect companion.

When I say new life, that’s exactly what happens. You go through a sort of divine epiphany. Epiphany is an ancient Greek word that describes a sudden insight or intuitive perception—a bright light that suddenly turns on. For people who have felt God deep in their hearts, it is a feeling that almost rolls through their bodies in a very subtle but convincing way. They just know deep in their beings that God has entered their lives in a new way!

If you have always considered yourself a Christian, and you go to church regularly but have not felt this feeling, then I propose to you that it hasn’t happened yet. I firmly believe that you must know Jesus Christ in your heart, deeply, and then there will be no doubt when you feel Him.

Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV)

The whole idea of Christianity seems to be based on a new life with and in Christ. It makes sense that a sort of metamorphosis should take place. If you are still the same you and don’t feel different, even though you recognize Christ died for your sins—if you feel the same as you always have and have the same habits and same thoughts—then I believe you have not truly submitted to God or atoned for your sins. The divine enlightenment, salvation, and the new relationship with the Holy Spirit are accompanied by the following realizations:

• knowing deep in your heart and mind that the Father and Son are in control of everything—not you (You have submitted.)

• an intense feeling of love and acceptance from Christ, like no other, no matter the sin (You have repented and been forgiven.)

• a feeling of protection; an almost coddling love, like an intense hug from a loved one—but infinitely greater

• a young, excited, adventurous spirit that wants to do things, go places, and help others with passionate zeal

Of course, there are critical requirements that, if not adhered to, negate all my claims. That is, there are certain things you must do in order to see the light and feel this spirit.

One major requirement is to remain intellectually honest with yourself. You must give it a chance—don’t close the door of ideas or possibility. If you immediately think about pride, intellectual superiority, or a belief that it’s a waste of time, then chances are no one will be able to show you anything you don’t discover for yourself. If you are not open to new, unseen ideas, then I believe you will just hover over old beliefs. So there is a challenge to you as a reader and as a fellow truth seeker. Give it a chance, think deeply, and—most of all—be intellectually honest with yourself. Even the scientific method of analysis asks questions, does research, constructs possibilities, and forms conclusions. There is already no doubt in my mind. I have completed my analysis, put numbers to possibilities, and formed my own conclusions. I know and feel God’s presence. I just want you to know and feel Him also.

A second requirement is the math itself. I believe reasonable numbers don’t lie. When probabilities reach astronomical values, as you will see, it must be the best chance at being true. Sure, models, numbers, and statistics can all be challenged and discounted. Once again, however, in order for you to get anything from this book, you must be mathematically reasonable, think in logical proportions, and keep a realistic perspective. When an odds calculation reaches billions and trillions to one, will a thousand times