In Solitude and Struggle for Survival Reality is Revealed

...for those who are not believers...

Now imagine if you were stranded on a remote and deserted island, and while walking along the beach you found a cross that had been carved out of wood. You would immediately get hope that someone might still be there to rescue you. This would not be questioned, because you know and assume it was made for a purpose.

Yes, there is the evidence and grounds for the search for a cause. Now your eyes are scrutinizing every detail of the island for its source, till eventually you see an old book. Rushing towards it, you hope it might have some answers for you to escape your lonely exile. Perhaps it will have a map or give you some instructions on how you may survive on that island. However, as you look through it you find that it is only Paley's book dealing with the Watch-maker, it is no use to you. For what good can it be for you to read about proofs for the existence of God from design when you need your daily bread, and someone else beyond you to rescue you?

But as you skim the pages to see if there might be some other indications of your real (present) needs, you notice an illustration of a modified cave among some rocks by a shore. This picture reminds you of the rocks you had passed by decided not to climb because they seemed to be of no use to you, and possibly dangerous. So you decide to see if there might be some sign of life there. After a strenuous climb over the rocks, to your amazement you find a similar cave. And after wondering if there was any intelligent connection, you enter in and find an abundant supply of dry clothes, preserved food, and everything else suited to your needs. In the course of indulging yourself you become convinced of the goodness of the person who left them so benevolently. And because of many more details it soon becomes evident that the book and everything in the cave were united in the same person.
Now having reclothed and eating, and having nothing left to do, you decide to read some more of the book. Who knows? maybe there might be a clue for help off the lonely island. And in the course of skimming through the pages again, you start reading it.
After a while you start to see how your own situation parallels the arguments. You remember how you discovered the cross and the book, and how you assumed there was a person behind the obvious design. Then the realization comes upon you how kind that person was to have gone to all the trouble to leave such things for someone so in need. At the same time you think of the book and see how God is behind so much more.
You then decide to give thanks. So you knell down and offer some deep felt gratitude for all those needed and designed provisions. Then you decide that perhaps He might hear and help you further still. So you offer up a desperate request for a way home. And upon rising to your feet you see a tiny sparkle of the sun in the lower corner. Ah ha! here is but further evidence of preservation and benevolence in a two-way radio. Your help will soon be coming.

You might be saying "this might all sound nice, but it is not real life." Realizing that it is quite loaded and simplistic, it is all that is needed with such little space. Yet I believe it serves it's purpose well. As the cross, book, and sheltered provisions proved someone was obviously behind it, so our daily needs, abundant faculties, and many deliverances reveal a Personal loving hand. This is very similar to my experience. Finding myself continually deserted by life's empty allurements, alienated from personal love, and chastened to an island of struggle for existence—when all distractions and excuses were removed, when the eyes began to open and search, then I received answers, one step at a time. When I was forced to make my theories based on reality and not on gain, then life began to make sense— hope no longer mocked me. I shall come back to this later. Lets see Paley's argument in logical form:

1. A watch shows that it was put together for an intelligent purpose (to keep time).
a) It has a spring to give it motion;
b) It has a series of wheels to transmit this motion;
c) The wheels are made of brass so that they do not rust;
d) The front cover is of glass so that one can see through it.

2. The world shows an even greater evidence of design.
a) It is a greater work of art;
b) has more subtle and complex design;
c) and has an endless variety of means adapted to ends.

3. Therefore, if the existence of a watch implies a watchmaker, then t e existence of the world implies an even greater intelligent Designer God.

As the latest sophisticated computers come from highly trained intelligence, so the far more complex code of DNA testifies of a greater Intelligence. As the intricate watch assumes a skillful intelligent designer, so the human brain—billions of times more complex—speaks as loud as heaven of a far more brilliant Creator.

Again, nothing more comes out than what goes in. As we infer the existence of man from the phenomena which he exhibits to our senses, so we infer the existence of God by His footprints of purpose all around us. We may know our Creator has all our capabilities (intelligence, communication, happiness, love, etc.) by the fact that causes have what their effects have. And yet how much more must the Divine Being have, being infinite in all respects.

O Preço do Show

Eu não quero nada de ninguém, nem de graça, nem de mão beijada. Não quero depender de ninguém, nem quando criança, nem quando jovem, nem quando velho. Eu quero ser auto-suficiente! Porque ser auto-suficiente é o melhor que você pode fazer por essa humanidade que já tem tantos problemas para ter que carregar mais um: você.

Querida(o) Amiga(o),

É aterrorizante, eu sei, mas aprenda de uma vez por todas, o mais rápido possível, antes que qualquer frustração contamine você - mude sua cabeça se preciso for -, mas compreenda, perceba, se mexa: as melhores oportunidades da sua vida, da minha vida, e da vida de todos, surgirão as nossas frentes porque outras pessoas irão indicar você, eu, todos. Sim, o melhor do mundo acontece por Indicação. Seja, as vezes, não muito certo, seja as vezes, muito certo, Seres Humanos gostam de Seres Humanos e não de Pessoas.

Os melhores trabalhos, os melhores projetos, os melhores namorados e namoradas, tudo que de melhor acontecer com você, chegará até você porque você teve coragem de frequentemente pedir a opinião dos outros sobre você para melhorar constantemente; porque você teve coragem para compartilhar com os outros o que só você sabe; porque você teve coragem de se expor em palestras, escritos, eventos, projetos que os outros fazem somente por dinheiro; porque você criou alguma coisa que irá melhorar a vida das pessoas de alguma maneira. Amar outros Seres Humanos é o Preço do Show. Do seu Show.

Hoje é o dia, e mais nenhum. Esteja próximo dos seus filhos, esteja próximo da sua família, esteja próximo de um projeto, esteja próximo de um livro, esteja próximo de uma estrela, esteja próximo do próximo; hoje, para sempre, simplesmente esteja próximo. Não para pedir e se aproveitar, mas para ser autêntico e ajudar. Se arrepie, levante a cabeça, abrace alguém Se compararmos o Brasil a construção de um condomínio de luxo, nós estamos na fase de assentamento do solo, onde os tijolos nem foram comprados, e as casas nem foram vendidas. Nessa fase em que estamos, engenheiro tem que fazer tijolo, o arquiteto tem que bater prego, o decorador tem que gostar de colar telha no teto, para depois, um dia, talvez, ou apenas seus filhos, cumprir suas profissões. Esse é o Preço do Show. Do seu Show.

A história pessoal que você precisa para ser indicado está ao seu alcance em qualquer lugar. Torne-se Síndico do seu condomínio, nomeie-se Diretor de Marketing da OnG que precisa de ajuda para levantar fundos, coordene algum grupo de trabalho da sua Associação de Classe.

Não importa sua idade, não importa sua experiência, doe a sua Energia. Esse é o Preço do Show. Do seu Show. Você está preparado para enfrentar o fim do poço? Vender suas coisas e voltar a viver na casa dos seus pais ao invés de quebrar outras pessoas? Vender seu carro, voltar a andar de ônibus, ou mesmo a pé, ao invés de quebrar instituições e fornecedores? Poder, dinheiro, liberdade, amor, segurança, de uma maneira ou de outra, todos querem ter sucesso e felicidade em suas vidas, entretanto, é possível chegar em algum lugar sacrificando aqueles que indicariam você para alguma coisa? Esse é o Preço do Show. Do seu Show.

Eu quero ser Auto-Suficiente. Nada menos que isso interessa.