Is this gods doings or another power

If you say "god" I think of monotheism. Whoever this God is, monotheism always assumes that we cannot *really* know this God. (I take abstraction from the Christian view for the sake of making a point - even in Christianism there is no immanentism - "men" can never become "god(s)"). Having said that, one can choose to deny God (atheism), doubt / "unknow" him (agnosticism, formerly deism) or start from the God idea as an axiom for further thought. In science, a impersonal origin has been postulated (e.g. the big bang) which does of course not explain origins any better - but it fits with scientific methodology because science does not start from a God idea. (Be aware that science is not necessarily contradictory to faith, as atheists often presume).

Given these concepts of God and origin, purpose can be explained without any god - for instance serving mankind, helping your neighbours etc. are purposes. With God, purpose can be lifted up to a higher plan, but it is important that you can never bypass "lower" purposes - which is demonstrated by the fact that there are some 2,000 verses in the Bible that talk about caring for the poor. Furthermore, belief in God does not make life easier necessarily - obviously there is a lot of needs (like those poor) and suffering in this world, and God does not drop by just like that to solve it. Christians may find this frustrating and non-believers sometimes tend to think of this as an argument against God, or proof of believers being foolish. Yet this frustration does not necessarily make believers passive - on the contrary it may make them more active, because obviously God's way is to work through human hands (at least for now). Maybe this helps to put things into perspective. Purpose may well be a human thing and a divine thing at the same time.

About the suffering, many answers have been given. Probably the best known among Christians is C.S.Lewis' book "The Problem Of Pain" - well worth the read. Maybe most importantly, without the God-idea the suffering of mankind does not go away: nature remains cruel, Pol Pot's come and go, and criminals of all kinds may kill innocents for money. The God-idea does not solve that nor really explain it. Yet God seems to offer solace in some of the greatest pains. Sometimes, people who suffer start to hate God, but others are attracted to God. In this realm, fixed answers will never satisfy everyone. Everyone has to make up his/her mind, but to have an open mind towards the possibility of a God above is always a good idea.

Satan is not here now. Not yet. Believe me you will know when he is here. He will be claiming to be Christ. All the world will have to be on an equal level. Financially and otherwise. We are getting there, but not yet. Things in the world are really bad right now, but when Satan comes back claiming to be Christ, he will clear everyones debts, set up his one world system and make everyone think that he is Christ. That is his mission. The first white horseman of Rev. NOt Christ. Satan. ^The whole world will be decieved. That is the first warning of Christ in Matt. 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21. DONT BE DeCEiVED. If they say he is in the desert dont believe it. If you can pinch yourself and you are still in a flesh body, then Christ hasnt returned yet. Because when Christ returns, all will be changed. In an instant, in the twinkling of an eye. If that doesnt happen, then it is a fake. Read your bible.

We are put here by GOD when he gives us our soul on our first breath of life.  Our pupose here is different for each individual, but as a whole it is to promote peace and tranquility and make life for others better for our being here.  But in addition though we have a purpose based on the talents GOD has given us.  Why some people die with out pain and others go through great pain, I do not know on the whole.  I know I live in pain for stupid decisions I made, but my daughter has been in pain her whole life because of maladies she was born with.  We both love GOD and know GOD has a purpose for us, obviously somehow involving our pain.  We should not  , base on our life heaven, or overly think about heaven, but on doing the best we can do here, because it is what GOD wants us to do, but when we finally get to face GOD I think we will know.  I hope I have answered your question, it is a difficult question and I am sure you will hear a lot of different answers.

from a "faith" standpoint, we are put here by God in His Image to give to others and to show other's his goodness. (remember, however, that this is based on faith, so if you dont have faith, none if this makes sense). Unfortunately, one does not always fulfill our "purpose" before we leave this earth.

I have Parkinson's. I was always athletic. i coached, and played baseball for many years. i've always have questioned god as to why i have been afflicted with this. well, the answer was simple. i have been chosen to 'carry the cross" for god. When i coach, i can show others how jesus lived his daily life with his "cross", and show how we can be successful even though we may have crosses as well.

With respect to pain and suffering, we were given the gift of FREE WILL, which separates us from other living beings. but just as free will can compel us to help a person in need, it can also compel us  to have an abortion. SO, as if we can get lung cancer from smoking, god didnt light the cigarette, we did.

we must realize that our time  here on earth is compared to a single second in our "non-earthly" lives. thru faith, we have confidence that pain will be short-lived, and soon be with god.

we can only believe this, of course with faith.

be well

tom