Good Explanation

[E.T.]

This is one of the best explanations of why God allows pain and suffering that I have seen. It's an explanation other people will understand.

A man went to a barbershop to have his hair cut and his beard trimmed. As the barber began to work, they began to have a good conversation. They talked about so many things and various subjects.

When they eventually touched on the subject of God, the barber said: "I don't believe that God exists."

"Why do you say that?" asked the customer.

"Well, you just have to go out in the street to realize that God doesn't exist. Tell me, if God exists, would there be so many sick people? Would there be abandoned children? If God existed, there would be neither suffering nor pain. I can't imagine a loving a God who would allow all of these things."

The customer thought for a moment, but didn't respond because he didn't want to start an argument. The barber finished his job and the customer left the shop. Just after he left the barbershop, he saw a man in the street with long, stringy, dirty hair and an untrimmed beard. He looked dirty and unkempt.

The customer turned back and entered the barber shop again and he said to the barber: "You know what? Barbers do not exist."

"How can you say that?" asked the surprised barber. "I am here, and I am a barber. And I just worked on you!"

"No!" the customer exclaimed. "Barbers don't exist because if they did, there would be no people with dirty long hair and untrimmed beards, like that man outside."

"Ah, but barbers DO exist! What happens is, people do not come to me."

"Exactly!"- affirmed the customer. "That's the point! God, too, 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."

[mamaflinter]

Excellent post Ed.

We have an annual celebration here every Labor Day. It's called Shared the Blessing. It's puton by area churches and it's an all day long event. There is gospel singing, games for kids, horse drawn wagons rides, a play (the most recent addition) and games for the kids. Plus food, drinks, snacks all of which is free. They won't allow anyone to pay for anything. They even have door prizes and prizes they draw for throughout the day. Some are kids prizes some for adults. It's just a day for worshipping God and fellowshipping with other Christians. I've taken the kids to it almost every year since it began and they thoroughly enjoy going.

This year I went to see the play. It was entitled CHOICE. It basically was God talking to one of his angels about all he created and how when he got to the most special creation of all (man) he gave man the ability to choose his own destiny. It was truly a wonderful play and an inspiration to all.

[E.T.]

Mamaflinter

Your Labor Celebration sounds like a great day to enjoy. Choice truly is a gift from God but so many do not understand the consequences for not choosing Christ. I have many dear friends & family who have not chosen Christ and when I think about this it truly troubles me. But I have also learned the hard way that this situation is in God’s hands and not mine if there is a solution forthcoming.

Ed. T

[mamaflinter]

It would truly be wonderful if more communities had a Share the Blessing like we do. This has been going on now for several years (but the exact number escapes me).

I truly believe the reason this country is in the shape its in is due to the fact that the majority of the citizens have gotten away from God. Our country was founded due to English citizens who wanted freedom to worship without the heavy handedness of the king. God is ready and willing to come into the lives of anyone who so chooses. But it is up to the individual to make the choice and open their hearts.

[Rifleman]

The Holy Bible: King James Version
The Psalms
1


1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly,
nor standeth in the way of sinners,
nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.


2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD;
and in his law doth he meditate day and night.


3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water,
that bringeth forth his fruit in his season;
his leaf also shall not wither;
and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.


4 The ungodly are not so:
but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.


5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.


6 For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous:
but the way of the ungodly shall perish.