I'm wondering...

[crabcake]

Kind of like the analogy of the post man that slips and falls down in the blinding snow delivering the mail, the point is, yes he slipped, but he didn’t stay on the ground thinking, why me? why did this happen? life sucks...etc. He got back up and continued his route...

WRONG! He sued!

Does K question everything you tell her?

Of course she does ... she's 7! Everything is "why", "how", and "what about ..." But as often as possible, vs. just saying "This is the answer", I tell her/help her to look into it, read about it, try it, and find the answer so she knows for herself. I hated and still hate hearing "Cuz I said so" as an answer to a question I have, so I try my darndest not to give her that as an answer to legitimate questions (not the usual "why do I have to go to bed" stuff), but have her search out the answers for herself so she can make her own choices in beliefs.

Her dad is a pretty spiritual believer, and enrolled her in bible school this summer, and she enjoys it. I won't discount that, or tell her she can't go when she comes home tomorrow. I won't tell her what to believe just because it's what I believe (or don't). It's her choice. I might even go with her and/or volunteer just to see if I can find answers to the questions I have. But I know those answers aren't gonna come via "Cuz I/God/the bible said so."

 

[mAlice]

I'm just having a hard time understanding where you are coming from, as this is never happened to me.

I tried to explain what I know, but I believe your situation is past my experience level. It would have been better if I had some kind of better insight for you to take in...

I wish you the best in trying to figure out what you want in life

I know what I want in life.

I'm just trying to understand what you, and others, are experiencing that I never experienced. I probably searched harder and longer for the truth than any of you, so I just don't get it.

 

[dems4me]

WRONG! He sued!


Of course she does ... she's 7! Everything is "why", "how", and "what about ..." But as often as possible, vs. just saying "This is the answer", I tell her/help her to look into it, read about it, try it, and find the answer so she knows for herself. I hated and still hate hearing "Cuz I said so" as an answer to a question I have, so I try my darndest not to give her that as an answer to legitimate questions (not the usual "why do I have to go to bed" stuff), but have her search out the answers for herself so she can make her own choices in beliefs.

Her dad is a pretty spiritual believer, and enrolled her in bible school this summer, and she enjoys it. I won't discount that, or tell her she can't go when she comes home tomorrow. I won't tell her what to believe just because it's what I believe (or don't). It's her choice. I might even go with her and/or volunteer just to see if I can find answers to the questions I have. But I know those answers aren't gonna come via "Cuz I/God/the bible said so."

Maybe you should study some books in the field of Apologetics (knowing what you beileve and why you believe).

 

[Dondi]

You know, I grew up going to church, even got "saved' at 13. Later in life, I'd gone as about as far away as you can get from God, even to the point where I seriously questioned His existance. It wasn't untill I was at a real low point in my life that I took a chance on God. It seemed like a blind thing to do at the time. Any inkling of God seemed like a million miles away. I really didn't expect much, but my heart was hurting bad and I had nowhere else really to turn. So, I just poured my heart out to a God I wasn't even sure was there and BOY, did I feel such a flood of love and forgiveness in my heart. It was just unconditional love flowing through me. I've never before felt this. It was like God reached down, picked me up and dusted me off and telling me, "Yeah, I'm here and I love you." I would have everyone know this Love. I pray it for anyone who is seeking God honestly and openly.

 

[Tonio]

He loves you just as He loves us all.

It doesn't feel like that to me. It feels like God will never approve of us no matter what we do. It feels like that partly because so-called "men of God" like Jerry Falwell claim that 9/11 was God's punishment.

 

[dustin]

I know what I want in life.

I'm just trying to understand what you, and others, are experiencing that I never experienced. I probably searched harder and longer for the truth than any of you, so I just don't get it.

I shouldnt have said "what you want in life"

I was just getting the impression you were looking for answers :shrug:

 

[Goofing_Off]

Wow, this thread just exploded today. I'm glad I got out when I did!

 

[2ndAmendment]

Of course she does ... she's 7! Everything is "why", "how", and "what about ..." But as often as possible, vs. just saying "This is the answer", I tell her/help her to look into it, read about it, try it, and find the answer so she knows for herself.

Oops. Forgot they grow up so quickly. She is not a "little child" and does not have "child like faith" anymore.

I hated and still hate hearing "Cuz I said so" as an answer to a question I have, so I try my darndest not to give her that as an answer to legitimate questions (not the usual "why do I have to go to bed" stuff), but have her search out the answers for herself so she can make her own choices in beliefs.

That is why you should read the Bible to find the answers. Faith comes through hearing and hearing through the Word.

Her dad is a pretty spiritual believer, and enrolled her in bible school this summer, and she enjoys it. I won't discount that, or tell her she can't go when she comes home tomorrow. I won't tell her what to believe just because it's what I believe (or don't). It's her choice.

Good for you.

I might even go with her and/or volunteer just to see if I can find answers to the questions I have. But I know those answers aren't gonna come via "Cuz I/God/the bible said so."

But you see, the Bible is where the answers are. If you reject the word of God out of hand as being false without reading it and giving it the benefit of doubt, then where will you find any answers? Certainly not from people.

 

[PJay]

You know, I grew up going to church, even got "saved' at 13. Later in life, I'd gone as about as far away as you can get to God, even to the point where I seriously questioned His existance. It wasn't untill I was at a real low point in my life that I took a chance on God. It seemed like a blind thing to do at the time. Any inkling of God seemed like a million miles away. I really didn't expect much, but my heart was hurting bad and I had nowhere else really to turn. So, I just poured my heart out to a God I wasn't even sure was there and BOY, did I feel such a flood of love and forgiveness in my heart. It was just unconditional love flowing through me. I've never before felt this. It was like God reached down, picked me up and dusted me off and telling me, "Yeah, I'm here and I love you." I would have everyone know this Love. I pray it for anyone who is seeking God honestly and openly.

Do you think that's what it takes for everyone, "the low". I wonder this.

 

[2ndAmendment]

It doesn't feel like that to me. It feels like God will never approve of us no matter what we do. It feels like that partly because so-called "men of God" like Jerry Falwell claim that 9/11 was God's punishment.

We have been around this before. I can't convince you. Won't try.

9/11 may have been a wake up call. God has used the armies of other nations to punish Israel so why wouldn't He use Muslims to punish us for departing from His ways? I'm not saying He did or didn't, I am saying it is certainly within the realm of possibility.

 

[Dondi]

I know what I want in life.

I'm just trying to understand what you, and others, are experiencing that I never experienced. I probably searched harder and longer for the truth than any of you, so I just don't get it.

Would you be seriously willing to try again? There is a parable about a persistent widow:

"1 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
2 Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:
3 And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.
4 And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;
5 Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.
6 And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.
7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?
8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?" Luke 18:1-10

Be persistent. Insist on God.

 

[2ndAmendment]

Do you think that's what it takes for everyone, "the low". I wonder this.

I don't think everyone has to go to an "ultimate low" to yield their life to God, but it often happens that way.

 

[Dondi]

Do you think that's what it takes for everyone, "the low". I wonder this.

I dunno, but it definitely takes a certain humility to turn to God. God resists the proud, but give grace to the humble.

 

[2ndAmendment]

Would you be seriously willing to try again? There is a parable about a persistent widow:

"1 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
2 Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:
3 And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.
4 And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;
5 Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.
6 And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.
7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?
8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?" Luke 18:1-10

Be persistent. Insist on God.

Our timing is not God's timing. Everything happens on His schedule not ours. We are impatient.
Dear God, Please give me patience, and I want it now!.

 

[2ndAmendment]

I think the "ultimate low" is the way to go.

If you mean complete yielding to God, yes.

 

[BuddyLee]

I beg to differ, my little cupcake.

Mom had been on heavy Morphine (sp) for 2 days. She didn't have an ounce of strength in her tiny, frail little body. Remember....we couldn't even get her to drink. We gave her ice chips. The Morphine we gave her was in liquid form.
I know that Mom saw God. How do I know this? I can't answer that ... but I know it. I believe in what I saw her face "do." Where did that light (in her face) come from? It came from her knowing she was going to her reward. (which she definately deserved after raising her kids)


..... and that is all I can say right now.

I think of that as a sort of great intuition. You cannot possibly prove it for sure but somehow you just know! I myself am at the crossroads, I love questioning things and learning both sides of the debate, that way I tend to learn more about the subject at hand. However, sometimes I will see something or feel something and question that! Some things are just too beautiful and some feelings are just too powerful sometimes for me not to believe there is a higher power. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>
<o></o>

Last year we had a Buddhist guest speaker in one of my philosophy classes. After class I asked him "Do you believe in God and if so why? Why do you believe in God if you have never perceived God before?” He answered with "A few years ago I was introduced to infrared. I could see many things with infrared that I could not with my own eyes without infrared. Who's to say we do not have the ability to see God? Some of us may very well have that ability but not in the technological sense."<o></o>

<o></o>
Even in my own adventures in ghost hunting I myself will admit that just because you cannot see something doesn't mean it's not there. For instance, a blind man has a pencil put in front of him. The blind man cannot see the pencil but that does not exclude the fact that a pencil is still in front of him. <o></o>

<o></o>
I doubt any of this will change anyone's personal beliefs but I just wanted to get these thoughts out of my head and written somewhere.<o></o>

 

[dems4me]

Do you think that's what it takes for everyone, "the low". I wonder this.

The Lord came to me when I was growing up... things were traumatic and abusive growing up. There was no one I could turn to and had thoughts of suicide at the age of 6 and 7, and then one night during a particular traumatic events growing up, the Lord took me under his wing.
I don't want to go into much detail, but neither of my parents were religious or churchgoing, etc... but the Lord found me and has been my rock and foundation of strength ever since that night. My finding the Lord was very much like that country song on the radio that's a story where the girl watches her parents get killed growing up and she's behind the couch and see's Jesus... that's kind of how it happened for me and that's why nothing on this planet will ever make my faith waiver. He's my everything and always has been. I've seen my entire close-family members obliterated through the years in one form or another through disease or addition to drugs and alcohol. There is noone but God for me that is a constant in my life.

For me, my rock and sole source of strength is the Lord and always will be. For alot of us HomeSick, its that way... I always wondered about some of these folks that are haughty with themselves. If one day they were to wake up and have nothing in the world, and no family, parents, kids, spouse, friends, etc...what would they do with the emptiness?... my guess and bet is they'd seek the Lord out pretty quick. Eitherway, everyone has had trials and tribulations, I think its a matter of keeping your faith through them and knowing in your heart that the Lord is really there and in existence or not.

Sorry if thats too much information - I'm sure it'll be used against me and I'll be flamed for saying this some time or other... I was just trying to witness and give a brief synopisis of my faith and how it came to me.

 

[mAlice]

Would you be seriously willing to try again?

No. I've since learned too many things that would make it impossible to ever believe in a god again.

 

[Dondi]

I think of that as a sort of great intuition. You cannot possibly prove it for sure but somehow you just know! I myself am at the crossroads, I love questioning things and learning both sides of the debate, that way I tend to learn more about the subject at hand. However, sometimes I will see something or feel something and question that! Some things are just too beautiful and some feelings are just too powerful sometimes for me not to believe there is a higher power. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>
<o></o>

Last year we had a Buddhist guest speaker in one of my philosophy classes. After class I asked him "Do you believe in God and if so why? Why do you believe in God if you have never perceived God before?” He answered with "A few years ago I was introduced to infrared. I could see many things with infrared that I could not with my own eyes without infrared. Who's to say we do not have the ability to see God? Some of us may very well have that ability but not in the technological sense."<o></o>

<o></o>

Even in my own adventures in ghost hunting I myself will admit that just because you cannot see something doesn't mean it's not there. For instance, a blind man has a pencil put in front of him. The blind man cannot see the pencil but that does not exclude the fact that a pencil is still in front of him. <o></o>

<o></o>

I doubt any of this will change anyone's personal beliefs but I just wanted to get these thoughts out of my head and written somewhere.<o></o>

Your comments are welcome and appreciated. I admire your openmindedness, tempered with your willingness to investigate. When you are searching for God, you have to consider all alternatives.

 

[2ndAmendment]

elaine and others, keep seeking.

Luke 11:5-13

<sup id="en-NASB-25411">5</sup>Then He said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend, and goes to him at midnight and says to him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves;

<sup id="en-NASB-25412">6</sup>for a friend of mine has come to me from a journey, and I have nothing to set before him';

<sup id="en-NASB-25413">7</sup>and from inside he answers and says, 'Do not bother me; the door has already been shut and my children and I are in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.'

<sup id="en-NASB-25414">8</sup>"I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will get up and give him as much as he needs.

<sup id="en-NASB-25415">9</sup>"So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

<sup id="en-NASB-25416">10</sup>"For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it will be opened.

<sup id="en-NASB-25417">11</sup>"Now suppose one of you fathers is asked by his son for a fish; he will not give him a snake instead of a fish, will he?

<sup id="en-NASB-25418">12</sup>"Or if he is asked for an egg, he will not give him a scorpion, will he?

<sup id="en-NASB-25419">13</sup>"If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?"