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People on the spectrum long for paradise

ValorWoman4Jesus

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It may seem like people like us might be living in a dream world, and in a sense we are. However, I believe we have more of a gift of seeing more specifically of how things were supposed to be in the Garden of Eden. All though we all long for the paradise that was lost, people on the specturm see things of what could be but aren't. We learn life the hard way, not understanding why other people are not affirming our values, loves and interests. We can't seem to be on the same page as nuerotypicals.

I am into culture, animals, nature, music, science which are all beautiful and therapuetic. These are things that are all the moreso therapuetic for people on the spectrum. The problem is these interests, which help us get more into God's prescence are not cheap. For me and for many others I am sure life has been a quagmire of an existence in which we desire lovely beautiful things that are considered to be a luxury to neurotypicals, who still take them for granted, yet our condition can cause us to not advance enough in life to afford these things that we cherish. This is one way life is cruel towards those with ASDs. For instance people on the specturm access these loves via entertainment, travel, and hobbies which are considered privleges, not rights by most people's standards. The people who can afford these interests who have been able to work hard, earn and deserve them often don't cherish these things like people on the spectrum do. Their motives are more worldy and materialistic, and so they chase after things money can buy to fill a void, a void that only God can fill.

What's interesting is that one not need to be materialistic to enjoy travel, pets, music, nature, cultural events, concerts, and other recreational enjoyments. The desires of people on the specturm, which for most are also emotional needs, don't go away when they accept Christ. In fact, becomming a Christian can cause them to treasure them all the more. God is the mastermind behind nature, music, animals, dancing, romance, beauty, cultural performances, because they all related to His creation and relationships. I think when the Phillipians 4:8 tells us to focus on what's lovely, noble, true, right, and admirable it is telling us to focus on things that radiate such qualities. People on the spectrum, even those who are unsaved can see what these things are moreso than nuerotypicals.

God has a reason for more people on the spectrum being born. God will be using this new wave of people on the spectrum to change the world, putting the wise to shame and helping Him bring the kingdom to earth. It will be based upon what he commands in Phillipians 4:8, which is no fantasy or pipe dream. Bringing the kingdom to earth, which consists of beauty, truth, people affirming one another's true callings, joy, pure pleasure, peace, living in harmony is real and authentic. God is glorified by these interests we embrace so much. What makes paradise paradise is God's presence as well as all of the qualities and characteristics that define Him like beauty, sweetness, goodness, wonder, awe, magnificense, splendor, truth, perfection and most of all love and therefore give God glory.

Right now, we live in a fallen world where paradise has been lost and people on the spectrum in their childlikeness, see more of what's missing and it is harder for them to accept. Yes, we need to accept the reality of this fallen world we live in, yet we do not stop believing and having faith of what could be. We are commanded to do what we can do glorify God on earth, being in the world, but not of the world, doing even more works than Jesus did. So let's keep dreaming, believing in God's promises and the truth of His word, using our unique talents to make this world a better place before Jesus comes back!
 
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Sabertooth

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Please use paragraphs.

I see the difference between what should be and what is like the difference between math and physics. When that difference is pronounced, it is usually the result of an unconsidered factor. In the former arena, it is frequently due to subterfuge or some other form of sin.

In effect, MRIs work along the same principle. So, you could say that Aspies (and other auties?) can gain an MRI sense using our inborn sense of idealism as a base.
 
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1watchman

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Well, wishful thinking of what might be is not as good as what God has promised in His Word --John 3:16 and all of John 14. Paradise is not on earth anymore, but in Heaven, for Eden is gone. I have found that a new life in Jesus, the Christ of God is what will settle one and bring peace now and for eternity. Look up always!
 
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Sabertooth

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ValorWoman4Jesus

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Well, wishful thinking of what might be is not as good as what God has promised in His Word --John 3:16 and all of John 14. Paradise is not on earth anymore, but in Heaven, for Eden is gone. I have found that a new life in Jesus, the Christ of God is what will settle one and bring peace now and for eternity. Look up always!

I have been trying to look to heaven. I often focus on wining and dining with Jesus in a beautiful place. I try to meditate on that. I do acknowledge His goodness to me. However, I am still seeking to feel loved by God and Jesus in a way that is real and meaningful to me, but it still has not yet happened. we are in a fallen world right now and Satan is the God of this world. The bible doesn't promise paradise during the church age, but in Revelation, it promises that Satan will be bound forever and that we will have a new Heaven and new Earth. A place where there is no more sorrow or pain. Creation has been groaning for this time promised to come after the church age. Longing for this is NOT wishful thinking.
 
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dayhiker

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The new aspect of the Love of God that I'm feeling is from the verses that where Jesus says if you have done it unto the least of these you have done it unto me. So it seems clear That I can love Jesus thru loving people. Then I started loving people, I had them say the nicest things back to me. One day after a person had complimented me for how they felt love by me, God told me that was Him loving me back thru that person.
WOW, did that touch my heart.
 
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ValorWoman4Jesus

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The new aspect of the Love of God that I'm feeling is from the verses that where Jesus says if you have done it unto the least of these you have done it unto me. So it seems clear That I can love Jesus thru loving people. Then I started loving people, I had them say the nicest things back to me. One day after a person had complimented me for how they felt love by me, God told me that was Him loving me back thru that person.
WOW, did that touch my heart.

Yes, I do see what you mean. Unfortunately, despite my heart of compassion and gift of Mercy, I am struggling to reach out. I have extreme shyness, probably because I don't know how to relate to most people since I am on the spectrum. My heart is also not 100% believing that God cares for the little people. I have brokeness, that is causing me to see God through a cracked lens. I confess with my mouth and believe he cares about people like me and other types of needy people , but I don't completely believe it in my heart (with the exception of the Africans). :( God, make me believe!
 
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Yes, I do see what you mean. Unfortunately, despite my heart of compassion and gift of Mercy, I am struggling to reach out. I have extreme shyness, probably because I don't know how to relate to most people since I am on the spectrum. My heart is also not 100% believing that God cares for the little people. I have brokeness, that is causing me to see God through a cracked lens. I confess with my mouth and believe he cares about people like me and other types of needy people , but I don't completely believe it in my heart (with the exception of the Africans). :( God, make me believe!

Of course God cares for the little people. I pray He shows you that.

Gillian
 
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My son has been diagnosed with PDD and after this hospital stay he will be diagnosed with Asperger's most likely. Not that it matters what the diagnosis is because it all fits.

Your paradise explanation is something that I have never heard before being brought up in discussion. Other than by him. He has a very detailed focus on what euphoria looks like and to him its not an imaginary thing. Its very very real and just another world that's better than this one. The way he describes it is that there is no bad at all. Everyone is treated with love and respect. He is 15 so there are also tons of futuristic parts to it.

We have been away from the Church for a couple years after being very heavily involved. I think its time we smartly get back into going to possibly help him understand just what you talked about. He is stubborn, so it will have to be his idea and logical, but I think we can make that happen.

Its going to be a long road for sure, but I also know that we are never given more than we can handle.

Thanks for your post. BTW, this is my intro. Hello all
 
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ValorWoman4Jesus

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Hey there focused. I am so glad to see that you are touched by my explanation. I long to bring God's kingdom to earth in whatever way I can. God considers a life of paradise very good. There is a lot to overcome to bring paradise to earth, but if we keep our eyes on Christ, it will come. I am putting my hope in God for a way to bring peace to earth. I am about my God's kingdom business. Adam threw away kingdom living when he sinned, but now with Jesus Christ on our side, we can seek God's will to be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
 
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grandvizier1006

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This is all very interesting, but I don't really think I feel this idealism much, and I have Asperger's. I've always been more of a realist--too much of one, in fact. Coming to Christ made me more in-tune with my emotions and the feelings of others, as well as just getting a better understanding of how the world worked (I assumed and generalized things a lot before I was really a Christian).

I've never had idealistic plans of what I want the future to be like, but I do agree that we Aspies are somewhat prelapsarian in a number of ways. We can't lie well, for example, and many social cues and such are derived from humanity's sinful nature. Our difficulty in following it shows that we Aspies, despite being sinful, have this innate sense that some of the nuances of social interaction are not how they should be. We'd like a world where people will open up more, but at the same time I don't want people to interact with me differently than they would an NT.

And all sorts of people want things in the world to change, and sometimes those changes just can't be brought about by humans. All we can do is trust that God will help us to cope with the things that just seem wrong to us, and give us the inspiration to change the things that we can.
 
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Sabertooth

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HazelAngel

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And all sorts of people want things in the world to change, and sometimes those changes just can't be brought about by humans. All we can do is trust that God will help us to cope with the things that just seem wrong to us, and give us the inspiration to change the things that we can.

Exactly Grandvizier1006. Now that I can agree on with that part.
 
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