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Topic: Do you yearn to know
yashafox_F4X1's photo
Thu 05/15/08 03:26 AM
Sure I'd like to know if there was a god. Only one way to do that, though, and that's to pass away. For now, I'm content to believe there's a God and read the book that I think is his word. I can feel what he does and see what he does and I can believe in what he tells me he does and believe in what he tells me he did. But I don't think there's any way to know for sure.

I strive to see God's face every day, but I haven't quite got there yet, I think.

If you see him around, tell him I'm looking for him, will you?

no photo
Thu 05/15/08 05:15 AM

I did not speak of euphoria. I spoke of a love of life that goes beyond normal living. I will tell you it usually becomes aware to people who have suffered beyond normal and over come the event. It comes from deep inside of you, it is not conscience thought, although conscience thought does help it.


"Dragoness" maybe you have become more aware as to what life may be and now have a greater appreciation for it..but you so far have describe nothing more than what the average person may experience and that doesn't take spirituality just self awareness


Funches, I feel it, daily, it courses through my body, it is life. It is the force of life. We are born, we learn, we live and we die. But at some point in all of this another "awareness" comes to be if we are open to it and it is the force of life, the spiritual force of life. No god controls it, no rules restrict it unless we allow them to, it is free and pulsing with life.


another awareness?????....see now you are sounding like a believer ..and that Jesus God or the holy spirit have entered your body ..I'm sure believers would agree with this...er...can I get a witness and a amen from any of you believers out there


I have been through this on here before and I have problems expressing it but it is, because I became aware of it, at a time when I knew the life was ebbing out of me.


me and 'iamageorgiagirl" had this same conversation and she described partically word for word what you are now saying ...but she say it had something to do with the god thing ...Dragoness it's only my assessment but it does sound like that you are a believer of some sort of body-possessing God entity

Britty's photo
Thu 05/15/08 05:48 AM

whether or not God is real?



For me, He is real.


flowerforyou

no photo
Thu 05/15/08 06:55 AM
This thread doesn't make character, it reveals it.

I hope everyone is having a nice Thursday. flowerforyou

no photo
Thu 05/15/08 07:04 AM
It is possible for a sphere to be so large, that it appears flat to any observer who stands upon the sphere. Early man believed the earth to be flat. According to a recent survey, most ants are firmly convinced that the earth is flat. The truth is sometimes bigger than we can accept.

MyrtleBeachDude's photo
Thu 05/15/08 07:04 AM
It's hard to believe that I was created for the sole purpose of worshiping another man (being). It's hard to believe that God has a reason for everything (tell that to the mother of a 5 year old that has been raped and murdered). I am to stupid to say their isn't a god but at the same time why would he stay such a mystery? Why wouldn't he appear just one time to let everyone know he is what he is? Don't tell me "faith" because that is a typical answer and in my ears it sounds like "I don't know". My secretary (very religous) said the other day "I prayed for god to let it rain because my car was covered in pollen and 2 minutes later it rained. god is great" I said "what about the people having a birthday party, a family reunion or anything else taking place outdoors and prayed it wouldn't rain" I could go on forever about this topic so I'll stop here

no photo
Thu 05/15/08 07:14 AM

It's hard to believe that I was created for the sole purpose of worshiping another man (being). It's hard to believe that God has a reason for everything (tell that to the mother of a 5 year old that has been raped and murdered). I am to stupid to say their isn't a god but at the same time why would he stay such a mystery? Why wouldn't he appear just one time to let everyone know he is what he is? Don't tell me "faith" because that is a typical answer and in my ears it sounds like "I don't know". My secretary (very religous) said the other day "I prayed for god to let it rain because my car was covered in pollen and 2 minutes later it rained. god is great" I said "what about the people having a birthday party, a family reunion or anything else taking place outdoors and prayed it wouldn't rain" I could go on forever about this topic so I'll stop here



Then you need to clean your ears out. The Bible is clear that God wants us to believe through faith. The book of Hebrews lists people and explains what their faith accomplished for them. If you had absolute proof that God existed, then your first concern in worshipping God would be to avoid punishment or to gain reward. The OP of this thread is the question that God wants people to ask themself "If God exists, would I want to know him?" If you answer "Yes" to that question, then you have taken the first step. A desire to know God will cause you to seek God. Seeking God with an open and accepting heart will lead you to God. It's a simple and elegant plan, which is perfect for bringing those who want to know God to him, while not destroying their or anyone elses ability to have faith.

Your secretary needs some good scriptural teaching. If she actually prayed that God would send rain to wash her car, then her teachers have failed her greatly. God isn't a vending machine, insert prayer and get your prize. If it rained, then it was due to meteorological effects, not God trying to save her a from having to go to the carwash.

Abracadabra's photo
Thu 05/15/08 07:23 AM
As long as people continue to think of God as being a jealous egotistical dictator they will never come to know God. Religious dogma and ancient mythologies are the greatest obstacle to knowing God. Get rid of religious dogma and you can come to know God, and then all your questions will be answers. As long as you worship a book, then a book will be your God. yawn

s1owhand's photo
Thu 05/15/08 07:33 AM
laugh

dogma is not really an obstacle to god
ritual is an assistance to meditation

the problem is what one chooses to worship
"choose wisely"

laugh

“The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, worry about the future, or anticipate troubles, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly.”

-(Hindu Prince Gautama Siddharta, the founder of Buddhism, 563-483 B.C.)

MyrtleBeachDude's photo
Thu 05/15/08 07:45 AM


It's hard to believe that I was created for the sole purpose of worshiping another man (being). It's hard to believe that God has a reason for everything (tell that to the mother of a 5 year old that has been raped and murdered). I am to stupid to say their isn't a god but at the same time why would he stay such a mystery? Why wouldn't he appear just one time to let everyone know he is what he is? Don't tell me "faith" because that is a typical answer and in my ears it sounds like "I don't know". My secretary (very religous) said the other day "I prayed for god to let it rain because my car was covered in pollen and 2 minutes later it rained. god is great" I said "what about the people having a birthday party, a family reunion or anything else taking place outdoors and prayed it wouldn't rain" I could go on forever about this topic so I'll stop here



Then you need to clean your ears out. The Bible is clear that God wants us to believe through faith. The book of Hebrews lists people and explains what their faith accomplished for them. If you had absolute proof that God existed, then your first concern in worshipping God would be to avoid punishment or to gain reward. The OP of this thread is the question that God wants people to ask themself "If God exists, would I want to know him?" If you answer "Yes" to that question, then you have taken the first step. A desire to know God will cause you to seek God. Seeking God with an open and accepting heart will lead you to God. It's a simple and elegant plan, which is perfect for bringing those who want to know God to him, while not destroying their or anyone elses ability to have faith.

Your secretary needs some good scriptural teaching. If she actually prayed that God would send rain to wash her car, then her teachers have failed her greatly. God isn't a vending machine, insert prayer and get your prize. If it rained, then it was due to meteorological effects, not God trying to save her a from having to go to the carwash.


very well said but my ears are perfectly open. I question god. If he is all that he is supposed to be then that means he gave me the abilty to be curious, right? The bible says many things but so does science. Anyway why are people murdered? Because god has a plan? Why are children raped and tortured, because they didn't have faith? Why do 100,000 people die in a typhoon...because all 100,000 were evil? No I don't need to clean out my ears but maybe you need to open your eyes

beautyfrompain's photo
Thu 05/15/08 07:45 AM

whether or not God is real?


I know He's real!

no photo
Thu 05/15/08 09:00 AM
Edited by Spidercmb on Thu 05/15/08 09:22 AM

very well said but my ears are perfectly open. I question god. If he is all that he is supposed to be then that means he gave me the abilty to be curious, right? The bible says many things but so does science. Anyway why are people murdered? Because god has a plan? Why are children raped and tortured, because they didn't have faith? Why do 100,000 people die in a typhoon...because all 100,000 were evil? No I don't need to clean out my ears but maybe you need to open your eyes


God has a plan, but we carry out the details. Part of God's plan is that we feed the hungry and care for the poor. The suffering in the world is due to us not doing our part. The universe is largely automated, but sustained by God. So a storm that kills 100,000 people is a freak of nature, not an act of God.

Christians often have a poor understanding of many concepts in the Bible. The Jews believed that all things are in the control of God, the Christians do too. The difference is that the Jews think of it in a completely different way than Christians. God is in control in the sense that God can stop or alter any event at his whim. So God is in control of the weather, in the sense that God can change it at his desire, but he isn't directing the weather.

God might change events, so that a terrible earthquake or storm doesn't hit a particular area, if the people are loyal to him, but God doesn't necessarily cause the earthquake or storm.

Jesus had more faith in God than anyone else to ever live, but he still suffered and died. That's part of being human, that we suffer and die. Jesus experianced the same temptations that we do and some temptations that were more than any human will experiance. Jesus also suffered terribly and died a thief's death. As Jesus said "He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous." It's important to know that action verbs can also mean "allow" in Hebrew culture. So "sends rain" in this context means "allows rain to fall". God doesn't do evil things, but God does sometimes allow evil to befall people.

The Bible vs Science...that's a huge topic, but if you read the Bible at face value, then you would be hard pressed to find any contradictions between the two. Most of the "contradictions" that I have seen were actually misunderstandings. For instance: the Bible has the phrase "four corners of the earth". Some point to this as proof that the Bible says the earth is flat, but it's actually just an idiom meaning "all directions".

feralcatlady's photo
Thu 05/15/08 03:10 PM
I know

Quikstepper's photo
Fri 05/16/08 03:59 AM


whether or not God is real?


Growing up in the church I ALWAYS wondered whether or not God was actually real or if we were just vainly going through the motions of pointless ritual. After moving from home I was sure I was convinced God was NOT real. Slowly through life experience, I started to acknowlege that there MIGHT a higher power and began my debates with "born again" christians and "true" christians about their theology. Eventually, in a way that only God can, in a way that would only make sense to me, God revealed himself and I have no choice to not only BELIEVE God is real....I KNOW without a doubt GOD is indeed REAL! Sorry "born again" christians and "true" christians....you don't get the credit. God did it all on his own. Unfortunately, those well meaning "born again" and "true" who were trying so desperately to "save" me actually ended up delaying my realization of his exsistance because I refused to acknowledge a God that was vengful and unjust. So plead with all those who are out there trying to save the world and help them find Jesus, be careful! Jesus isn't lost. He knows exactly where he is and where the world is. Let him meet them where they are at. He knows what he is doing.....he found you didn't he?



you are right...we can only plant seeds...it's God who gives the increase... no one knows when a seed will break forth that will give life. I do beg to differ in your assessment that people held up your realization... the truth is, you were not ready for it.

That personal relationship is not something one person can do for another...they can only lead the way...

cherub_girl's photo
Fri 05/16/08 07:31 AM

you are right...we can only plant seeds...it's God who gives the increase... no one knows when a seed will break forth that will give life. I do beg to differ in your assessment that people held up your realization... the truth is, you were not ready for it.

That personal relationship is not something one person can do for another...they can only lead the way...


Agreed....I wasn't ready BUT the "Get right with God now or go to Hell" way of planting the seed did not help ME PERSONALLY get ready any faster. THAT particular message just reinforced my hesitation in the first place. Everyone is differant, that message works for some people. It just didn't work for me. God knew what I needed to hear, when I needed to hear it and he spoke in His perfect timing, in His perfect way. It just frustrates me as a believer to hear other believers deliver the message in that manner because I remember what impact that message had on me personally and it didn't help. It wasn't until I had ears to hear and I heard the message of grace on condemnation that I finally said "OK God you win. I'm lost. Come find me."

Quikstepper's photo
Sat 05/17/08 04:02 AM


you are right...we can only plant seeds...it's God who gives the increase... no one knows when a seed will break forth that will give life. I do beg to differ in your assessment that people held up your realization... the truth is, you were not ready for it.

That personal relationship is not something one person can do for another...they can only lead the way...


Agreed....I wasn't ready BUT the "Get right with God now or go to Hell" way of planting the seed did not help ME PERSONALLY get ready any faster. THAT particular message just reinforced my hesitation in the first place. Everyone is differant, that message works for some people. It just didn't work for me. God knew what I needed to hear, when I needed to hear it and he spoke in His perfect timing, in His perfect way. It just frustrates me as a believer to hear other believers deliver the message in that manner because I remember what impact that message had on me personally and it didn't help. It wasn't until I had ears to hear and I heard the message of grace on condemnation that I finally said "OK God you win. I'm lost. Come find me."


I hear yu. I never liked the armoggedon talk either. I didn't want to be "scared" into God. God is love. His hallmark & banner over humanity is one of GREAT Love.

I don't believe that Christians realize how that works against unbelievers...but it's not intentional. Lately i feel such an urgency about people around me who don't know God. I have shared my faith & experience in an encouraging way to people...yet....they just take for granted their very lives are in jeapardy. People reap suffering on themselves as a result of rejecting God. Being a good person in human standards just doesn't cut it then.

The time is now for all people to come back to their great Love...that being God thru Jesus Christ. ALL people. If we as a nation could just be in agreement with God for our safety & protections...for our healing & restoration. He would FREELY forgive us & heal our land. We could send the armies of hell FLEEING out of here, BUT. we have to be in agreement with God.

Thanks for listening. God bless....

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