Me: That sky is not as pretty as the real night sky.
Prodigal: I agree.
When you look from the perspective of a scientist at the universe, it looks as if it knew we were coming. There are 15 constants–the gravitational constant, various constants about the strong and weak nuclear force, etc.–that have precise values. If any one of these constants was off by even one part in a million, or in some cases, by one part in a million, million, the universe could not have come to the point where we see it. Matter would not have been able to coalesce, there would have been no galaxy, stars, planets or people.
by Francis Collins.
To continue to believe there is no God is a bigger step of faith then if you would just believe.
Isaiah 41:10
fear no, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
This is from Living Above the Level of Mediocrity by Charles Swindoll
Legend has it that a man was lost in the desert, just dying for a drink of water. He stumbled upon an old shack—a ramshackled, windowless, roofless, weatherbeaten old shack. He looked about this place and found a little shade from the heat of the desert sun. As he glanced around he saw a pump about fifteen feet away-an old, rusty water pump. He stumbled over to it, grabbed the handle, and began to pump up and down, up and down. Nothing came out.
Disappointed he staggered back. He noticed off to the side and old jug. He looked at it, wiped away the dirt and dust, and read a message that said, “You have to prime the pump with all the water in this jug, my friend. P.S.: Be sure you fill the jug again before you leave.”
He popped the cork out of the jug and sure enough, it was almost full of water! Suddenly he was faced with a decision. If he drank the water, he could live. Ah, but if he poured all the water in the old rusty pump, maybe it would yield fresh, cool water from down deep in the well, all the water he wanted.
He studied the possibility of both options. What should he do, pour it into the old pump and take a chance on fresh, cool water or drink what was in the old jug and ignore its message? Should he waste all the water on the hopes of those flimsy instructions written, no telling how long ago?
Reluctantly he poured all the water into the pump. Then he grabbed the handle and began to pump, squeak, squeak, squeak. Still nothing came out! Squeak, squeak, squeak. A little bit began to dribble out, then a small stream, and finally it gushed! To his relief fresh, cool water poured out of the rusty pump. Eagerly, he filled the jug and drank from it. He filled it another time and once again drank its refreshing contents.
Then he filled the jug for the next traveler. He filled it to the top, popped the cork back on, and added this little note: “Believe me, it really works. You have to give it all away before you can get anything back.”
And the pots, and the shovels, and the basins: and all these vessels, which Hiram made to king Solomon for the house of the LORD, were of bright brass. 1 Kings 7:45 (KJV)
Me: We can rest and I will share this to encourage you.
This is from the book Praying Through Life’s Problems featuring Stormie Omartian
Regardless of your present situation, know that God has an abundance of blessings for you. He is working powerfully in your life right where you are, so don’t stop praying. Close your eyes, call His name, and sense His presence. He wants you to trust that when you are afraid, you can turn to Him and find His peace. When you are weary, you will find His strength. When you are empty, you will find His fullness. When you are sad, you will find His joy. And when you are in the middle of a raging storm, you will find His shelter and provision. Don’t let yourself be blinded by circumstances, afraid of what’s happening, easily discouraged, drawn toward bitterness, or quick to complain. Instead, look for God in the midst of your circumstances.
But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for his mercy endureth for ever. Psalms 136:15 (KJV)
Me: Makes your face look distorted, but I know what you really look like.
This is from Philip Yancey
Jesus corrects my foggy conceptions of God. Jesus reveals a God who comes in search of us, a God who makes room for our freedom even when it costs the Son’s life, a God who is vulnerable. Above all, Jesus reveals a God who is love.
