We live in an extremely litigious society where people will sue over some crazy things. As I was told by an insurance company, even though the lawsuit may be frivolous, the person suing might get something just to make them go away. Just consider some of the crazy lawsuits that have occurred through the years.
Who doesn’t love mac and cheese? Evidently, Amanda Ramirez of Florida must’ve loved it too much because she sued Kraft Heinz Company over their “false advertising” that the microwavable cups of Velveeta mac and cheese could be ready to eat in 3 ½ minutes. This time did not include opening the container, stirring, or waiting for the contents to thicken, thus adding time. Such an inconvenience, in her mind, warranted a $5 million lawsuit for “damages.” On July 27, 2023, her case was thrown out of court.1,2
Another story takes us to the Batistas. In 2001, the Mr. donated a kidney to the Mrs. “18 months to two years after receiving the kidney transplant,” Mrs. Batista started having an affair. As their marriage headed for divorce court, Mr. Batista engaged another lawyer to sue his soon-to-be ex-wife. Either cough up $1.5 million or give back the kidney. Eventually, the courts ruled “that an organ may not be exchanged for value in the United States. Because of this, Richard essentially had no rights to his organ, and this prevented the kidney from being considered a gift of value to the marital estate. Therefore, the husband was not able to get his kidney back or any monetary value from the kidney from his soon-to-be ex-wife.”3
Then, we have Allen Ray Heckard who sued Michael Jordan and Nike founder Phil Knight for $832 million ($416 million each: $52 million in damages and $364 million in punitive damages). The reason? Heckard was tired of being told that he looked like Michael Jordan and the constant comparison was ruining his life. “Heckard is eight years older, 30 pounds lighter, and six inches shorter.” There must still be enough resemblance for him to have made this outrageous claim. “Heckard later dismissed the complaint, though, without giving a reason. A Nike spokesperson said Heckard had not been paid any money, and speculated that he had “finally realized he would end up paying our court costs if the lawsuit went to trial.”4, 5
Now, here’s one for the books. In 1960, the Phoenix, Arizona home of Betty Penrose was destroyed by a lightning bolt. Nine years later, she brought a $100,000 lawsuit into an Oakland, California court. The defendant in the case? God. Yes, Betty Penrose sued God for $75,000 in damages and $25,000 in punitive damages. God was being accused of “careless and negligent control of the weather.” A summons was put out to God and the plaintiff’s lawyers were certain they would win when He didn’t make the court appearance.
Why was the lawsuit filed here? Lou Gottlieb, a singer with the Limelighters, bequeathed his 31.7-acre hippy ranch to God. Penrose and her lawyers saw this as tangible assets, therefore, “God would have to pay up.” The courts ruled against Gottlieb, stating that this was an invalid transfer; therefore, the courts also ruled against Penrose since she would have no hippy ranch to make her own.6
I don’t even know what to say! I’m baffled at the lunacy, greed, scheming – I don’t even know what to call it. One word of affirmation can be given to Betty Penrose – at least she correctly acknowledged who was in control of the weather!
Throughout the first part of this year, we’ve been overwhelmed by some of the most unusual weather patterns. Winter never seemed to want to quit with freak snowstorms sweeping through areas that normally didn’t see that much snow. Our area got hammered with hail and flooded with constant rain. Why? That’s something we cannot say for certain. A couple of truths, though, must be considered.
First, one of Job’s companions reminds us that God is the source of the weather. Elihu said in Job 37:1-12, “At this also my heart trembleth, and is moved out of his place. (2) Hear attentively the noise of his voice, and the sound that goeth out of his mouth. (3) He 
directeth it under the whole heaven, and his lightning unto the ends of the earth. (4) After it a voice roareth: he thundereth with the voice of his excellency; and he will not stay them when his voice is heard. (5) God thundereth marvellously with his voice; great things doeth he, which we cannot comprehend. (6) For he saith to the snow, Be thou on the earth; likewise to the small rain, and to the great rain of his strength. (7) He sealeth up the hand of every man; that all men may know his work. (8) Then the beasts go into dens, and remain in their places. (9) Out of the south cometh the whirlwind: and cold out of the north. (10) By the breath of God frost is given: and the breadth of the waters is straitened. (11) Also by watering he wearieth the thick cloud: he scattereth his bright cloud: (12) And it is turned round about by his counsels: that they may do whatsoever he commandeth them upon the face of the world in the earth.” Take a moment and highlight all the different atmospheric conditions.
Second, Elihu reminds us that God has a purpose for the weather. Since I am writing this devotional on May 1st, I have no idea what our actual weather is today. But as you look out and venture on to church, remember this truth concerning the weather. “He causeth it to come, whether for correction, or for his land, or for mercy.” (Job 37:13)
1https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/28/business/florida-kraft-velveeta-mac-and-cheese-lawsuit
2https://interestingfacts.com/bizarre-lawsuits/?lctg=e6fd7449-4b4d-4d27-9340-7ad6e03075f2
3https://www.butler.law/blog/2024/11/48456/
4https://www.loweringthebar.net/2006/08/identical_twin_.html
5https://loweringthebar.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Heckard_v_Michael_Jordan.pdf
6https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-star/47593344/
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