mind and heart disagree

[MLH1986]

Hi, I have serious trouble convincing my mind that god or Christianity is real. I want to believe in it, I want to have strong faith but I just can't seem to believe in something that isn't viewable to me. It is so painful for me to see the people on this site so strong in their faith. I can't seem to grasp that. I guess being an atheist for such a long time has made me a serious rationalist. I just can't make my mind agree with my heart. It seems impossible for me to believe in anything that I can't see or touch. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

 

[Onlythingavailable]

Why do I believe? I can't explain it, but I think I have always believed. God has shown himself to me, though, in several ways. One thing that happened to me was when I was younger. I was terrified of going to the dentist, but still I went to the annual check-up (school related) and they found a cavity. I was, of course, too scared to do anything about it, so I let it slide. At the next annual check-up the cavity was gone. I believe it was God who looked out for me. It may not sound like someone rising from the dead, but for me it was huge!

Rationalism isn't per say against God. He isn't irrational, after all He did create everything you can see and touch, that which rationalism finds to be rational. What I suggest you do is put aside your doubts, pray to God and ask Him to help you in your unbelief. Rationalism and the laws of physics govern this world, but that doesn't mean God has to abide by them.

 

[Petunia]

mind and heart disagree

Hi, I have serious trouble convincing my mind that god or Christianity is real. I want to believe in it, I want to have strong faith but I just can't seem to believe in something that isn't viewable to me. It is so painful for me to see the people on this site so strong in their faith. I can't seem to grasp that.

Scripture refers to it as 'the battle between the flesh and the spirit'. All Christians have that battle in some form or another.

That tug at your heart is the Lord calling you to Him. You already have faith.. or you wouldn't have posted.

Baby steps. You don't come to the Lord with 'giant' faith. Giant faith requires spiritual growth.

23" 'If you can'?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes."

24Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!"

 

[hogndog]

You my friend are about to go on a journey. Do you like to go camping? I have collected a few things that you will need. This first thing on the list is a bible. O.k. here is your bible.
http://www.plainbible.com/ Next, the direction, your looking for faith, O.k. here is faith. Hebrews 11:1 Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. This is the most important item that you will need. Jerimiah 29:13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. I know your excited and want to get going, so go then and when you meet Jesus tell him for me that I am his true and faithful servant. Thank you.

In Christ my King,
Lee

 

[MLH1986]

cool, I love adventures!

 

[Johnnz]

Get hold of some serious Christian material that will satisfy your intellect.

Go to veritas.org or bethinking.org and download some of teh excellent material available from both sites.

John
NZ

 

[hogndog]

Jerimiah 29:13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

 

[MLH1986]

Man I prayed for a long time and read the bible, sorry im not into sacrificing animals. Also God didn't do anything. Oh well gave it a shot.

 

[Johnnz]

Information from which you form belief is essential. That is what you brain is wanting. Jesus did say we are to love God with all our minds didn't he?

John
NZ

 

[hogndog]

This is what I believe...

In Christ my King,
Lee

 

[Onlythingavailable]

What did you expect God to do, if I may ask?

John 20:29:
29Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.



Regarding sacrifices. Every sin needs a sacrifice, a payment, and everyone is a sinner, this we can all see, unless you've met a sinless human. In OT times, before Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice for everyone who believes, they sacrificed animals. Why animals? Because they are free from sin. You might think this is cruel, that the animals suffered, but go to a modern slaughter house and you might just see even more brutal things. Now you might think that at least they die for a purpose, but I ask you this: what is more noble, to feed a stomach or be the instrument of forgiveness? It's also worth noting that most animals that were sacrificed were actually eaten by the priests.

 

[UnitynLove]

You can't touch or feel love but you can experience it
You can't touch or feel hope you you know its there
You can't touch or feel happiness you your can feel it
If you surrender your heart to God you will feel him brother! Trust me.

 

[AllTalkNoAction]

Man I prayed for a long time and read the bible, sorry im not into sacrificing animals. Also God didn't do anything. Oh well gave it a shot.

Neither is God:-

Heb:10:5: Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:
:6: In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure.
:7: Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.
:8: Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law;
:9: Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.
:10: By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Some people see God work after praying for a SHORT time . .. the difference between them and you is that they have had correct teaching about what God wants to do.

God wants to give you His Spirit so that you can know Him and his personal plans for you. If you believe this and desire it above all else you will get the same as all my friends and all the disciples . . .

"they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." (Acts 2:4, 33, 39; 10:44-48).

 

[Katie7725]

lol ok unitynlove, scientist can actually point out the chemicals in your brain that cause happiness,hope,love, and all of your emotions so using that to prove god is absurd since no one has yet to find any evidence for him. If so many people have seen him why are there no photos or videos of him appearing on tape. What do I expect him to do, I expect him to be accountable for the world he created, I also expect a reply from someone I took the time to communicate to. Thats what I was raised to believe to be nice.

 

[Onlythingavailable]

I don't think Unitynlove meant that feelings are somehow mystical. Of course there's a physical reason for feelings, we are physical beings after all. I think he was referring to the qualities of feelings, the way they differ from physical contact or experiences, but still they are real. Even though you know a feeling is caused by a chemical in your brain, it is so much more than that. I doubt many even consider the chemical origin of their feelings when they are in love.

I haven't seen God, yet I believe. Actually, I'm not sure anyone has ever seen God. Regarding accountability, why should God be accountable when people choose to go against His will? If you mean that He should enforce or punish, that will come, but who will be able to withstand that day, who is without sin?

 

[onshye1]

it is often difficult to believe in what we cannot see or touch. But please know that what we see and can touch is truly unreal, and what we cannot see or touch is the true reality.

Everything we can see or touch is CORRUPTABLE. it is perishable, it can be tainted, and is dying. the bible said that there will be a day where earth and everything in it will be destroyed, but god's word (the bible and god's will) will never, ever, pass away.

 

[hogndog]

My goodness, Jesus is a loving caring compassionate Shepherd tending to his flock. Would "you" be tended to or not? The good Shepherd has been looking for you but you keep hiding behind the bush..

 

[Katie7725]

Onshye1, thats life. nothing is eternal, nothing last forever thats why we should live everyday to the fullest and enjoy every moment b/c it is precious. We all die one day and when you do your body returns to the dirt. You cease to exist. If life was eternal it would loose all value. How pointless. Its like what Achilles says "the gods are jealous because our lives are full of meaning because they are not forever, it urges us to live to the fullest."

 

[MLH1986]

hogndog you just don't get it. I am not rejecting anyone, you can't reject something that you feel does not exist or have good evidence for. I am asking for help in believing in this and your going off on a tangent. There is no one to hide from if the shepherd doesn't exist.

 

[MLH1986]

I agree with Katie, smart girl