Loneliness is a chink in my armor

[Rigatoni]

It is .. excessively hard to do that with chronic degenerative illnesses. When I find myself having trouble gripping a pen, or opening something because I can't muster the fine motor control anymore, I just feel lit all going down and I can't do the things I want to do and it's really frustrating having a body that won't obey the mind. It's like trying to play those claw games in arcades and movie theaters, the translation of where you want the arm to go doesn't work very well and trying to grab the plushie or whatever other prize you're aiming for never goes right. It's a "why can't I do this normal thing that everyone else can do without even trying?!" even worse realizing you used to be able to do it. Or like when you give up hobbies because you can no longer do them. I can no longer go for hikes or mountain biking, I can no longer play guitar
Since praying for healing has always resulted in 2 Corinthians 12:9.. no healing just.. I guess waiting for resurrection to make me better. That is why Matthew 22:30 hurts because by the time I get better.. it'll be too late for that relationship that I would like to have.



Well,. not only a woman. It's like pieces of a puzzle. you have other relationships, you're just missing that 1 (or well a few because obviously, no children too). I don't at all delude myself that having a wife would by itself cure loneliness. Without a relationship to God a relationship to a woman would be meaningless to me. So I prioritize the relationship to God.
It'd just be nice to be able to have both, like many other people do.

Sometimes I try to view Matthew 22:30 and its corresponding verses in Luke and Mark differently, sometimes I try to look at Isaiah 65, specifically Isaiah 65:23. What offspring if there are no more children right? But... I end up rejecting entertaining those possibilities because Matthew 22:30 is the clearest statement.
I will always root myself in the clearest statements in scripture, even if it does make me unhappy to do so.

One of the ways I've dealt with loneliness in the past is by turning my attention to helping the body of Christ, even online. Like dedicating my time to learning new things in regards to doctrine, prophecy, apologetics, etc., and using that knowledge to help others or defend the gospel. I would learn by numerous biblically-sound teachings on YouTube, as well as personal studies and investigation in scripture. Would that be an option? A ministry - even a small one - in a sense, might help with that longing for a wife.

In Matthew 22:30, Jesus didn't necessarily say there wouldn't be companionship in Heaven that's similar to marriage here on earth. The Pharisees were trying to trip Him up, and He responded by tripping them up. He didn't technically answer their question, He just claimed that the law of marriage between a man and woman won't be necessary there.

The picture we have of Heaven is in Genesis, after Adam was created. He was divided into a masculine being (Adam) and a feminine being (Eve). They were two lovers in paradise who had fellowship with God. They both had jobs to do, and the earth was filled with wildlife. That's what I believe Heaven will be, but to a greater extent - due to Christ's redemptive work at the cross. Even before Adam fell, and even though He had fellowship with God and a job to do, God still declared: Genesis 2:18 I strongly believe that life here on earth is a picture of what Heaven will be like.

 

[Rigatoni]

I personally hold this testimony of Heaven as the most accurate description given to date.

 

[Jamdoc]

So since man is in the image of God,
And God created a female human version from a male,
Can God also have a feminine spirit version within/of Himself?

There's nothing consistent suggesting that from scripture, that'd be a lot of eisegesis to read a female spirit INTO scripture based on Male and Female both being the image of God but I don't think you can read a feminine aspect of God OUT of scripture (exegesis)

 

[Jamdoc]

One of the ways I've dealt with loneliness in the past is by turning my attention to helping the body of Christ, even online. Like dedicating my time to learning new things in regards to doctrine, prophecy, apologetics, etc., and using that knowledge to help others or defend the gospel. I would learn by numerous biblically-sound teachings on YouTube, as well as personal studies and investigation in scripture. Would that be an option? A ministry - even a small one - in a sense, might help with that longing for a wife.

In Matthew 22:30, Jesus didn't necessarily say there wouldn't be companionship in Heaven that's similar to marriage here on earth. The Pharisees were trying to trip Him up, and He responded by tripping them up. He didn't technically answer their question, He just claimed that the law of marriage between a man and woman won't be necessary there.

The picture we have of Heaven is in Genesis, after Adam was created. He was divided into a masculine being (Adam) and a feminine being (Eve). They were two lovers in paradise who had fellowship with God. They both had jobs to do, and the earth was filled with wildlife. That's what I believe Heaven will be, but to a greater extent - due to Christ's redemptive work at the cross. Even before Adam fell, and even though He had fellowship with God and a job to do, God still declared: Genesis 2:18 I strongly believe that life here on earth is a picture of what Heaven will be like.

You know, I try that but it actually usually tends to reinforce my loneliness rather than steer away from it. I feel misunderstood a lot of times when I try to communicate with people I feel like people just don't "get me" like when I was trying to explain how an interaction with a drill instructor in boot camp in a way was a window into a relationship with God, it was totally misunderstood. When you try to communicate something the best you can and it totally gets misunderstood it's like you can visually see a wedge being formed between you and the other person rather than a connection.
and that's where a lot of my loneliness comes from, I can surround myself in friends and family and still feel totally isolated and alone because I feel like we're operating so differently and talk past each other rather than hearing each other and understanding each other, relating to each other. God understands me. But that's the only person I could confidently say does.
"Alone in a crowd" best describes how I feel.
In a way that's why I think God Himself can be lonely, Jesus was walking the world had followers, but He'd tell them parables and they just wouldn't get it. I don't get some of Jesus' parables either, people have tried to interpret the meanings of some of those Parables for centuries, and the fact that there's differing opinions, pretty much demonstrates that none of us fully "get" Jesus
We're all here saying "this is a hard saying, who can hear it?"

 

[Rigatoni]

You know, I try that but it actually usually tends to reinforce my loneliness rather than steer away from it. I feel misunderstood a lot of times when I try to communicate with people I feel like people just don't "get me" like when I was trying to explain how an interaction with a drill instructor in boot camp in a way was a window into a relationship with God, it was totally misunderstood. When you try to communicate something the best you can and it totally gets misunderstood it's like you can visually see a wedge being formed between you and the other person rather than a connection.
and that's where a lot of my loneliness comes from, I can surround myself in friends and family and still feel totally isolated and alone because I feel like we're operating so differently and talk past each other rather than hearing each other and understanding each other, relating to each other. God understands me. But that's the only person I could confidently say does.
"Alone in a crowd" best describes how I feel.
In a way that's why I think God Himself can be lonely, Jesus was walking the world had followers, but He'd tell them parables and they just wouldn't get it. I don't get some of Jesus' parables either, people have tried to interpret the meanings of some of those Parables for centuries, and the fact that there's differing opinions, pretty much demonstrates that none of us fully "get" Jesus
We're all here saying "this is a hard saying, who can hear it?"

I wish I could help brother. But all I can say is that I personally believe the resurrection is very close, and hold onto that hope myself. I don't think we have to worry about what's waiting for us in Heaven. God doesn't give us a desire for something without eventually meeting that desire for His glory. If we desire companionship in Heaven, there's no reason He can't allow that, especially if we missed out on it here on earth.

He seems to be getting Christians in general to a point where they highly anticipate the coming deliverance. With everything going on in the world, I would say it 's very close.

 

[Jamdoc]

I personally hold this testimony of Heaven as the most accurate description given to date.

I generally disregard "heavenly tourists", because when the Apostle Paul said it was unlawful to describe what hew saw, these people are writing books about it? Yeah, something doesn't add up.
also the idea that heaven is our 'eternal home" is false. the current heaven is more of a layover. For some people it's a very long layover, but scripture teaches that our real eternal home is earth, but with God coming to dwell with us on it.

I did get to the part where he addresses Matthew 22:30, and you know, it's a nice idea. I can think of nothing better than a man and his wife in fellowship with God face to face. I want that more than anything.
But.. I can't latch onto it and believe it, because it is not in the word of God, as much as I'd like to, I mean it makes me get watery eyed thinking that I have to abandon this idea because it is likely not a true account but fantasy. But I have to adhere to the Word of God, until I meet Christ face to face and speak directly. But just picturing the two of us face to face, by myself.. just feels like something is missing..
But it is a nice idea.

 

[Jamdoc]

I wish I could help brother. But all I can say is that I personally believe the resurrection is very close, and hold onto that hope myself. I don't think we have to worry about what's waiting for us in Heaven. God doesn't give us a desire for something without eventually meeting that desire for His glory. If we desire companionship in Heaven, there's no reason He can't allow that, especially if we missed out on it here on earth.

He seems to be getting Christians in general to a point where they highly anticipate the coming deliverance. With everything going on in the world, I would say it 's very close.

I also believe we're in the last generation, but, considering my eschatology (which admittedly is a minority position, most people just believe they'll be raptured before anything bad happens), the anticipation is met with equal apprehension. I talk about "tough love" and "training" and "conditioning" well part of why is every time I ask God what He wants me to do.. the answer is.. wait.
if suffering is conditioning and training... well it's conditioning for something that seems very difficult.
not just a sudden poof.
I'm pretty precariously positioned too, or perfectly positioned, depending on your perspective. Without the resources or physical condition to escape, in a family of non believers that can turn me in (and I have tried changing that.., but most are "devout" atheists, mom is pretty new age after having been raised Catholic which I don't know which is worse, the atheists or the new age), I use the VA for healthcare so I'm already in government systems, and I'm in debt from multiple angles (things like the VA sends me to get a procedure done they can't do themselves, but because I got scheduled (unknown to me) on an invalid date I am on the hook for that procedure, trying to work it out, I can't pay it (and shouldn't since it was a consult, and it was the hospital's mistake, but I get held responsible for it)), my disabilities sprang up basically within 2 years of graduating college so student debt.. all of that makes me highly traceable and hamstrung, how much coincidence can even exist?

 

[GospelS]

There's nothing consistent suggesting that from scripture, that'd be a lot of eisegesis to read a female spirit INTO scripture based on Male and Female both being the image of God but I don't think you can read a feminine aspect of God OUT of scripture (exegesis)

The image of God has Father, Holy Spirt, and Son.

Joining of male and female brings forth new life. That’s the image of God.

The Son of God existed in the beginning before Mary was even born.

How then did the Father has His own Son in the beginning?

 

[TheWhat?]

There's nothing consistent suggesting that from scripture, that'd be a lot of eisegesis to read a female spirit INTO scripture based on Male and Female both being the image of God but I don't think you can read a feminine aspect of God OUT of scripture (exegesis)

Shekinah, Ruach, are feminine. I don't think that implies a feminine gender, necessarily, but it's definitely not male, unless you think a dove is especially masculine.

 

[TheWhat?]

And female =/= Jezebel. That's a fallacious assumption. If you had tried to pass that off any where near Deborah, I'd say stay away from tents.

 

[Jamdoc]

Shekinah, Ruach, are feminine. I don't think that implies a feminine gender, necessarily, but it's definitely not male, unless you think a dove is especially masculine.

John 14:26

26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

John 15:26

26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:

All 3, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are male.

The spirit of God being feminine is a Kabbalah (IE Satanic) teaching.
In a lot of world religions devils masquerading as gods are shown to be both male and female or androgynous. See the Hinduism gods (and note the things like pitchforks, skulls, and serpents associated with their images.. pretty similar to what we commonly see as things associated with Satan and demons), and I believe this same spirit is now teaching our culture to be androgynous and "gender fluid" when God made us male and female. This absolute explosion of transgendered visibility and acceptance is .. well the timing couldn't be more suspicious if you're keeping your eyes open.

The image of God has Father, Holy Spirt, and Son.

Joining of male and female brings forth new life. That’s the image of God.

The Son of God existed in the beginning before Mary was even born.

How then did the Father has His own Son in the beginning?

He's God. He made a virgin give birth without having sex with her, He pulled a rib out of a man and made a woman from it. He made hundreds of millions of Angels that do not procreate.
He doesn't need a woman to have a son. The Son just is.

 

[Jamdoc]

And female =/= Jezebel. That's a fallacious assumption. If you had try to pass that off any where near Deborah, I'd say stay away from tents.

Never made that claim.
there are certainly Godly women.
But no part of God is feminine.
Not according to scripture.

Personally? I'd have liked that God could be both male and female, or switch back and forth etc as some people teach.
But, I have to stand on scripture.

 

[TheWhat?]

John 14:26


John 15:26


All 3, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are male.

The spirit of God being feminine is a Kabbalah (IE Satanic) teaching.
In a lot of world religions devils masquerading as gods are shown to be both male and female or androgynous. See the Hinduism gods (and note the things like pitchforks, skulls, and serpents associated with their images.. pretty similar to what we commonly see as things associated with Satan and demons), and I believe this same spirit is now teaching our culture to be androgynous and "gender fluid" when God made us male and female. This absolute explosion of transgendered visibility and acceptance is .. well the timing couldn't be more suspicious if you're keeping your eyes open.



He's God. He made a virgin give birth without having sex with her, He pulled a rib out of a man and made a woman from it. He made hundreds of millions of Angels that do not procreate.
He doesn't need a woman to have a son. The Son just is.

So, in other words, you're allowing identity politics to dictate your interpretation of truth. Got it. Moving on...

[Gal 3:28 NKJV] 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

So do you propose women change sexes, men change sexes, or we all become genderless or gender-fluid?

 

[Jamdoc]

So, in other words, you're allowing identity politics to dictate your interpretation of truth. Got it. Moving on...

[Gal 3:28 NKJV] 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Not what that verse means. The verse means that we all have equal value.

So do you propose women change sexes, men change sexes, or we all become genderless or gender-fluid?

Absolutely not. Male and female He created them.

 

[GospelS]

John 14:26


John 15:26


All 3, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are male.

The spirit of God being feminine is a Kabbalah (IE Satanic) teaching.
In a lot of world religions devils masquerading as gods are shown to be both male and female or androgynous. See the Hinduism gods (and note the things like pitchforks, skulls, and serpents associated with their images.. pretty similar to what we commonly see as things associated with Satan and demons), and I believe this same spirit is now teaching our culture to be androgynous and "gender fluid" when God made us male and female. This absolute explosion of transgendered visibility and acceptance is .. well the timing couldn't be more suspicious if you're keeping your eyes open.



He's God. He made a virgin give birth without having sex with her, He pulled a rib out of a man and made a woman from it. He made hundreds of millions of Angels that do not procreate.
He doesn't need a woman to have a son. The Son just is.

The Holy Spirit is never to be addressed separately from the Father, just as wife and husband become one flesh and not to be separated. That’s why we refer Holy Spirit as ‘He’ and not separate it from The Father because they are perfectly joined together unlike humans. The wisdom of God is referred as ‘she’ in the book of proverbs. That’s the Holy Spirit of God. Holy Spirit gives us wisdom and instruction to walk according to the Father. In a family, mother takes that role.

Father and the Holy Spirit are always joined, hence the Son just is. Sex is different from romance. Male is different from masculine. God is a Spirit, but there is passionate love between the two Spirits (Spirit of Father and Holy Spirit) resulting in the Spirit of The Son. In this same image He made us. That’s why marriage and family represent God. Unity between husband, wife, and children. God has all types of love within Himself.

 

[TheWhat?]

Not what that verse means. The verse means that we all have equal value.


Absolutely not. Male and female He created them.

I figured you would say that, so I fished out another.

[1Co 12:13 NKJV] 13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free--and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.

I agree God made us male and female, but the problem here is you're not incorporating theosis, which is inherently problematic for your insistence on God's gender. Either men are joined only to the maleness of God, and women are assumed to be joined to the maleness of God to suit your sensibilities, or it's the other way around. Either way you've got some weird logic happening here, and I just assume you're ok with whatever bothers you being done to women, and that just seems problematic according to your own issues no matter what you decide to insist is true.

 

[Jamdoc]

I figured you would say that, so I fished out another.

[1Co 12:13 NKJV] 13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free--and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.

I agree God made us male and female, but the problem here is you're not incorporating theosis, which is inherently problematic for your insistence on God's gender. Either men are joined only to the maleness of God, and women are assumed to be joined to the maleness of God to suit your sensibilities, or it's the other way around. Either way you've got some weird logic happening here, and I just assume you're ok with whatever bothers you being done to women, and that just seems problematic according to your own issues no matter what you decide to insist is true.

Theosis isn't a doctrine I hold to begin with. serving God, being family to God, worshiping God, yes, but becoming God? No.
You have the Holy Spirit but that is still a distinct separate person from you, that you are in relationship to.
It's "one spirit" but still 2 distinct persons, as in marriage it's "one flesh", but still 2 distinct persons with 2 distinct bodies. You don't merge into 1 androgynous flesh, you also don't merge into 1 androgynous spirit. You're in a relationship with a male spirit.

 

[GospelS]

@Jamdoc God has answered my prayers concerning you. Yes, the Lord is with you. So take heart. You are not alone. He loves you and you love Him too. I appreciate your strong faith and that you believe in the scripture as God speaks through your life. He will heal you and remove all brokenness. Be patient and keep waiting on the Lord. He is going to bless you more. You will receive all you desired and prayed for. We are with you and we love you, brother. I'm here to encourage you. I didn't misunderstand you. I'm sorry if you felt otherwise. I was the same one time just like you. He made all things new when I'm born again through the Holy Spirit. I know you will be able to see things differently as God changes your life. God doesn't change. He changes us. He just gives us more understanding about Himself after some disciplining and testing. I will keep praying for you. Please feel free to reach out in a time of need. Meanwhile, I hope you ponder on this and my message in post #95:

Eve came from Adam,
Through Eve come all children of men.

Holy Spirit comes from the Father,
Through the Holy Spirit come all children of God.

@Jamdoc The Holy Spirit is never to be addressed separately from the Father, just as wife and husband become one flesh and not to be separated. That’s why we refer Holy Spirit as ‘He’ and do not separate it from The Father because they are perfectly joined together unlike humans. The wisdom of God is referred to as ‘she’ in the book of proverbs. That’s the Holy Spirit of God. Holy Spirit gives us wisdom and instruction to walk according to the Father. In a family, the mother takes that role.

Father and the Holy Spirit are always joined, hence the Son just is. Sex is different from romance. Male is different from the masculine. God is a Spirit, but there is passionate love between the two Spirits (Spirit of Father and Holy Spirit) resulting in the Spirit of The Son. In this same image, He made us. That’s why marriage and family represent God. Unity between husband, wife, and children. God has all types of love within Himself.

 

[GospelS]

@Jamdoc I hope you are feeling better today. Here's something I hope you might consider.

Three males in one and living together don’t make an image of God. That can’t make a family. It can’t be fruitful and multiply. There is limited scope for love, perfection, and unity. That’s not who God is. He is blessed, complete, and all-knowing.

God is a family within Himself. He is triune- distinctively male, distinctively female, and a combination of both. That’s man, woman, and child. This is the family picture that God created in His image. This family structure represents God. Only this structure is Godly, blessed, can be fruitful, and multiply. In the same structure of God, He created us so we can have perfect unity and love.

 

[TheWhat?]

Theosis isn't a doctrine I hold to begin with. serving God, being family to God, worshiping God, yes, but becoming God? No.
You have the Holy Spirit but that is still a distinct separate person from you, that you are in relationship to.
It's "one spirit" but still 2 distinct persons, as in marriage it's "one flesh", but still 2 distinct persons with 2 distinct bodies. You don't merge into 1 androgynous flesh, you also don't merge into 1 androgynous spirit. You're in a relationship with a male spirit.

Thanks for clarifying. At least, you can admit that you're not on the same page with early patristics. I'm more ok with the Spirit not having a gender than the prospect of never being united to God, in Spirit. That doesn't imply that we become androgynous in my view so much as a man united to God in Spirit is a more complete man, and likewise a woman is a more complete woman. Humans are made for God.