Does God exist?

[paulnoel]

A man went to a barber shop to have his hair and his beard cut as always.
He started to have a good conversation with the barber who attended him.
They talked about so many things and various subjects.
Suddenly, they touched the subject of God.

The barber said: "Look man, I don't believe that God exists as you say so."
"Why do you say that?" - asked the client. Well, it's so easy, you just have
to go out in the street to realize that God does not exist.
Oh, tell me, if God existed, would there be so many sick people?
Would there be abandoned children?
If God existed, there would be no suffering nor pain. I can't
think of a God who permits all of these things."

The client stopped for a moment thinking but he didn't want to respond so
as to prevent an argument. The barber finished his job and the client went
out of the shop.
Just after he left the barber shop he saw a man in the street with a long hair
and beard (it seems that it had been a long time since he had his cut and he
looked so untidy).

Then the client again entered the barber shop and he said to the barber:
You know what? Barbers do not exist." "How come they don't exist?"-asked the
barber.
"Well I am here and I am a barber."
"No!" - the client exclaimed.
"They don't exist because if they did there would be no people with long
hair and beard like that man who walks in the street."
"Ah, barbers do exist, what happens is that people do not come to me."

"Exactly!"- affirmed the client. "That's exactly the point. God does exist, what
happens is people don't go to Him and do not look for Him that's why there's
so much pain and suffering in the world."

 

[Levi44]

And that is surely the truth!!! Wonderful devotion!
God bless you, Paul. Hedi

 

[Ic3]

AMEN!

Great story.

 

[NorwayUnn]

 

[JPPT1974]

God indeed exists
Through Jesus Christ
Our Lord and Savior!

 

[heartnsoul]

WOW!!!! What a powerful message. THANK YOU SO MUCH PAUL for posting that story. That hits the nail right on the head (no pun intended!). If only non- believers would give God a chance and turn to Him in their time of need. Humility is so hard to achieve by people who refuse to go down on their knees to God in prayer.

This story is exactly what strengthened my belief in God. It was only when I was down on my knees crying for God's mercy and love that God revealed Himself to me. Blessed be to God. I love Him with all my heart and soul.

 

[paulnoel]

Psalm 68;26..NIV

Praise God in the great congregations; praise the Lord in the assembly of Israel.

God bless each one of you.
Love, Paul.

 

[trustgod]

Amen!

 

[Notrom]

I loved that!! Very good!

 

[KingZzub]

Let me also add an accolade to that story:

BRILLIANT!!

 

[Shadowcat]

Paul, thank you for sharing such an awesome story.

God bless you

Love
Rebecca

 

[JPPT1974]

That is great & inspirational
Thanks!

 

[simpletrust]

Hey wow that's great!

 

[EarthMomma]

He is all there is.
He is reality.
Without Him, is nothing.

Thanks for sharing this beautiful piece.

 

[Jonahan]

It is a lovely story, and a very nice illustration. However, it doesn't tell the whole story. I only mention this because there may be people thinking, "but I *do* come to God, and I still suffer -- what am I doing wrong?" In fact, sometimes coming to God is the cause of the suffering. Jesus said so in Luke 6:22 -- "Blessed are you when people htae you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man."

Who has suffered as much as Jesus did? And yet he told us in Matthew 16:24 that if any want to follow him, they must "deny themselves and take up their cross and follow" him. Jesus doesn't promise freedom from suffering for those who follow him.

And in truth, it seems that God has made this world in such a way that he chooses to let things unfold as they will, rather than intervene in everything, protecting his "own", simply because they believe. Of course this doesn't mean that God is powerless to stop evil and suffering, nor does it mean that he *never* chooses to do so, but we don't understand God's ways, his choices, or by what logic (if it is even something akin to logic) he uses to make such decisions.

If you are suffering today, rest assured that it does not (necessarily) mean you are not following God's will, nor does it mean that you have not properly come to God. Take comfort in the *fact* that we are an Easter people -- God's ultimate proof that what happens here is temporary, and his power is eternal.

That being said, I really do love this story, and think it's a good *beginning* to a very "real world" way of looking at why things are and presenting the solution in a way that even a child could understand. I hope I haven't stepped on any toes. Thanks for sharing!

 

[EarthMomma]

Dear Jonahan,

You've made a good point here, by taking this to a deeper level. Please know your point is not lost, and I for one appreciate your taking the time to share.

It is a lovely story, and a very nice illustration. However, it doesn't tell the whole story. I only mention this because there may be people thinking, "but I *do* come to God, and I still suffer -- what am I doing wrong?" In fact, sometimes coming to God is the cause of the suffering. Jesus said so in Luke 6:22 -- "Blessed are you when people htae you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man."

Who has suffered as much as Jesus did? And yet he told us in Matthew 16:24 that if any want to follow him, they must "deny themselves and take up their cross and follow" him. Jesus doesn't promise freedom from suffering for those who follow him.

And in truth, it seems that God has made this world in such a way that he chooses to let things unfold as they will, rather than intervene in everything, protecting his "own", simply because they believe. Of course this doesn't mean that God is powerless to stop evil and suffering, nor does it mean that he *never* chooses to do so, but we don't understand God's ways, his choices, or by what logic (if it is even something akin to logic) he uses to make such decisions.

If you are suffering today, rest assured that it does not (necessarily) mean you are not following God's will, nor does it mean that you have not properly come to God. Take comfort in the *fact* that we are an Easter people -- God's ultimate proof that what happens here is temporary, and his power is eternal.

That being said, I really do love this story, and think it's a good *beginning* to a very "real world" way of looking at why things are and presenting the solution in a way that even a child could understand. I hope I haven't stepped on any toes. Thanks for sharing!

I look forward to seeing this topic developed in another thread. It reminds me of some very insightful comments made on the deeper fellowship thread by someone going through a very difficult time. There is joy in the suffering when you've turned it over to God.

Your sister in Christ,
EarthMomma

 

[JPPT1974]

All things are possible with Christ
No matter what occurs!

 

[notanordinarygirl]

That was great!

 

[notanordinarygirl]

It is a lovely story, and a very nice illustration. However, it doesn't tell the whole story. I only mention this because there may be people thinking, "but I *do* come to God, and I still suffer -- what am I doing wrong?" In fact, sometimes coming to God is the cause of the suffering. Jesus said so in Luke 6:22 -- "Blessed are you when people htae you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man."

Who has suffered as much as Jesus did? And yet he told us in Matthew 16:24 that if any want to follow him, they must "deny themselves and take up their cross and follow" him. Jesus doesn't promise freedom from suffering for those who follow him.

And in truth, it seems that God has made this world in such a way that he chooses to let things unfold as they will, rather than intervene in everything, protecting his "own", simply because they believe. Of course this doesn't mean that God is powerless to stop evil and suffering, nor does it mean that he *never* chooses to do so, but we don't understand God's ways, his choices, or by what logic (if it is even something akin to logic) he uses to make such decisions.

If you are suffering today, rest assured that it does not (necessarily) mean you are not following God's will, nor does it mean that you have not properly come to God. Take comfort in the *fact* that we are an Easter people -- God's ultimate proof that what happens here is temporary, and his power is eternal.

That being said, I really do love this story, and think it's a good *beginning* to a very "real world" way of looking at why things are and presenting the solution in a way that even a child could understand. I hope I haven't stepped on any toes. Thanks for sharing!

 

[Dylan_Chica]

bullshít. tell me what the starving babies in africa and the abandoned children throughout the world have done that did not please god, or tell me that the good christians living in nigeria on the brink of starvation have not turned to god? there is no logic in your comparison what so ever.