A Conversation

A Conversation

The story is about two people walking down the road en-route to a cafe. The conversation is between two friends Bob and Ralph and they’re talking about how bad the weather has been this last month and sharing my belief in God.

“So Bob did you get any sleep last night with the wind and lightning going on?”

“Sure I did” replied Ralph, “I don’t let things like storms keep me up. I know my house is sound and will hold up, unless we’re in a hurricane!”

“Wow I couldn’t go to sleep myself, with all the racket, I got up and stayed in the living room to watch the light show.”

“You must be tired then?” Said Ralph

“You bet, but this isn’t the first time this has happened to me.” Replied Bob, and I’m sure it won’t be the last.”

“You need to chill out, your house is in good shape so what are you worried about?” Asked Ralph

“I don’t know, life in general what’s happening all around us, you know like the price of everything. We can’t keep going on this way, we’re going to run out of money.” Replied Bob

“Did you ever think about giving your problems to the Lord, and ask him for some help?” Said Ralph?”

“You know I don’t believe in that stuff, no one can help me out, said Bob”

“Look I’ve been through a lot in my life, with all the surgeries, and the ups and downs that life throws at you, and if wasn’t for my belief in God and Jesus Christ there is no way I could have survived, all you need to do is tell God you believe in Him and his Son Jesus Christ, and that you know he died on the Cross for your sins. Start praying and asking for help and ask him to take the burdens you’re carrying around and let him have them.”

Mathew 11:29 Jesus said “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

“Believe me when I tell you there’s more to those words than you’ll ever know, once you begin to give your problems to the Lord he will be there!” replied Ralph.

“I’ll give this some serious thought and maybe I’ll give it a try.” Said Bob.

“I’ve got a Bible I can give you and we can talk about it” said Ralph “let’s head into the coffee shop and get a cup.” Once inside they ordered a couple of cups of coffee and headed to a empty table.

“So tell me Bob what’s going on, that has you so upset?” Asked Ralph

“I’ve got a lot my plate right now, with losing my job due to cut backs, and I don’t know where to turn. This is also effecting my family wondering where our next meal is going to come from!” Said Bob

“Wow I didn’t know you lost your job, but I’m sure you’ll find another soon. You were working at a welding shop weren’t you?” Ask Ralph
“Yea that’s right and I’m sure I can check out the local shops and see if anyone is hiring, but it’s the unknown that’s getting the better of me!”

“Well I can certainly see where you’re coming from, but I would like to tell you about my story and how I came to believe” said Ralph.

“I’d like to hear what you have to say, so lay it on me” said Bob.

“I grew up in a Church family going to Sunday School and then going into the sanctuary for the sermon. I learned some stuff in Sunday School, but the Sermons went over my head. I joined the Navy and went to Church when I could, or in boot camp it was required, anyway I was sort of off and on during my time in the service. When I got out, I lived at home started back to Church and I found a girl Susan and we got married in a Baptist Church. Susan had Lupus when we got married but she didn’t have any effects from the disease and then we tried to work on having kids. We tried and tried for over a year and then she went to the Doctor because she was having sever cramps during her period. The Doctor ran test and found she had endametrious and he suggested that she should have a full hysterectomy and she was only 22. That went well and we adopted 2 kids 1 boy and 1 girl, both were only weeks old when we brought them home. Life went on and we went to church and tried to join a church group with families with young children. Again things were going along fine until Susan had a stroke caused by a head aneurism. It was at this point I really began to ask God what we’d done to cause us these problems. He didn’t answer but I started reading the Bible and looking for answers, but the answers didn’t come and when I read the Bible it was black and white, I couldn’t see all the things that were going on because of my unbelief. I ended up divorcing Susan and I was awarded the children. It was during this time that I was baptized with my kids and I accepted God and his Son Jesus Christ, who died on the Cross for my sins. I didn’t know it then but things did get better.”

“That’s quite a story” story said Bob “and things got better”

“Well” said Ralph “ not exactly. Just because you’ve accepted Christ, it doesn’t mean you’re living on easy street! We all have challenges in our life but when you come on a problem you should take it to the Lord. That’s a hard lesson to learn, we think we can take care of our problems by ourselves, but you’ll learn that’s not the case. The more times you forget or think you can do something without asking for help, you’ll learn the hard way. It’s taken me years to ask before trying to solve a problem. When you accept Christ you’re to put Him, GOD First, then family and job. I was baptized in1989, and Christ has helped me through numerous things, but I never fully admitted or said I put him first. I was scarred that I would lose my second wife, and after losing Susan my first wife. I didn’t want to turn her over to God. Then one day when I was having problems I finally said God I put you first! So far things have gone well, but it worries me sometime because she is not a believer, and I’m afraid something will happen and I know I can’t control it. Of course we don’t control anything, God controls it all”.

“Look there are things you learn as time goes on, trying to learn what it means to be a Christian and to learn about the Bible and everyone in it. It’s not simple, and we make mistakes but you learn you can have a support system with your Church friends. People come from all kinds of backgrounds, and each person has a (come to Jesus) moment, you’ll learn you’re not alone. Ask your wife to join you, there is a whole community out there who can be supportive.” Said Ralph

“You know I didn’t know about the problems you’ve told me about, but I don’t know if I believe that God or someone could be that great! I’m going to think about this and talk to my wife. I would like to get back together with you, sometime soon. Do you think we could do that? Asked Bob.

“Sure, replied Ralph, just give me a call.”

About a week later Bob called Ralph and asked “if he could talk with him some more about God and becoming a Christian?”

“I’d be glad to share more about God with you anytime” replied Ralph “lets set up a time and place.”

“Why don’t you come over to our place on Friday around 5pm and both Ruth and I will be here to talk about it” said Bob

“It’s a date” replied Ralph and he hung up.

So Friday has come and Ralph drives to Bob house, and goes to his front door. Bob opens the door and says “Great to see you Ralph, Ruth and I have been looking forward to this meeting”

“Well good evening to both of you, and I’m anxious to talk with you both, but remember I’m a layperson (one who knows a few things but I’m not a pastor), but I’ll do my best to give you honest answers and if I don’t know maybe I’ll be able to tell where to find the answer.”said Ralph

“Come on in and sit down and get comfortable, can we get you something to drink or eat?” Asked Bob

“I’m good let’s get comfortable, and you can fire away.” Said Ralph”

“I guess the first question is, What do you mean by you have to put God First?” Asked Bob
“Matthew 6:24 says “no one can serve two masters Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other.”

“Which means that you need to put God first in all that you do. Marriage is a union blessed by God where a man and woman become one and together you put God First.”

“The Trinity is God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and they are One. Jesus was with God at the Beginning of it All! Scripture says in

John 1:1-3 (1)“In the beginning the Word already existed.The Word was with God, and the Word was God. (2)He existed in the beginning with God. (3)God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him.”

“I’ve taken me years to come to this understanding, but it makes since. Jesus is God and he was with him durning all of the Old Testament.
The story of Jesus begins with his mother becoming Pregnant by the Holy Spirit (Which is God). He came into this world the same way you and I did, through the womb. That makes him one of us in the sense that he has gone through trials and tribulations (as a human being) but unlike us He didn’t sin. He came to earth basically to teach, and die! When he went to the Cross he had all the sin in the entire world on him. That’s why it says he died for us because he took our sins with him.
He has now become the perfect mediator to take our request to God because he has walked in our shoes. He knows the troubles we can get ourselves into and he is here to help.
When you’re baptized the Holy Spirit comes into you. That is God in us and he helps us when we seek Gods help.”

“I know this is a lot to grasp but this is really great news to those of us who believe. I told Bob there are a lot of people who would love to help you along your journey. We all have stories to tell about what God has done for us and how he has helped in our times of trouble. I know I’ve simplified things but this is a big part of the story, and the more you dig into it you”ll see how great it is. Do you have any more questions?” Asked Ralph

“Actually I think you’ve given us a lot to think and talk about, so we can call it an evening if you don’t mind.” Said Bob

“Thats fine with me and I brought along a Bible for you to look at and If you have more questions just give me a call.” Replied Ralph