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Ok, now we're getting somewhere. And we used to think that protons, electrons and neutrons were the smallest particles. Now we have it down to string theory, which I find to be in NO disagreement to Scripture, but rather to make perfect sense.
Either way, the basic element of power necessary to put the earth under our feet, and all other things into existence, that's the beginning of what we know of what the Bible calls God. (By His many Names)
So when anyone says they don't believe in this, all I see is a logical disconnect, or a semantic difficulty, or a defense mechanism. So you DO believe in this much, you just don't see how to get from there to the Bible. Or is there something else I'm overlooking?
a really enormous topic.
If you are trying to claim God is the source of why everything came together that is fine.
I can't follow with God as a being with an intention and also something causing atoms to bond with this intention.
This gets tricky. Can I dismiss this difficulty? Let's see.
Atoms bond, in ways that can be controlled in a lab, theorized about, predicted, and repeated.
I think it's safe to say that's not God?
Mmm. Well I am not sure if you can say it is God or not. Some people claim that God is the source behind everything that happens in the universe. That he holds everything together simultaneously while still being able to count hairs and answer prayers and such. They postulate that God created all understood laws of physics, maintains them, and can change them at will. Also that all that we know now is subject to change at this will and so we can never claim a theory to truly be a law. Are you one of these people? Or do you believe possibly that God created the laws, set them in motion, and now they are self-maintaining and can be changed by us only through other currently unknown laws that God also previously created?
Man, my brain hurts.
Some people claim that God is the source behind everything that happens in the universe.
That he holds everything together simultaneously while still being able to count hairs and answer prayers and such. They postulate that God created all understood laws of physics, maintains them, and can change them at will.
Also that all that we know now is subject to change at this will and so we can never claim a theory to truly be a law.
Or do you believe possibly that God created the laws, set them in motion, and now they are self-maintaining and can be changed by us only through other currently unknown laws that God also previously created?
Well, you're asking what a God experience is, to try to tell if you're having one. I'm trying to pinpoint the ineffable. Yup, brains explode that way
Clearly this is false. Sin, for example.
This almost says what you said previously, which I wasn't sure if I could dismiss or not. I think I did, but this I cannot. If I were to post the Scripture, you could probably give me book chapter and verseHolds all things together by the word of His power. So yeah, I think this part has to stand. But this statement here is an interesting contrast to the similar one you posted before. It wouldn't surprise me if the difference comes down to super strings, but obviously no one knows at this point.
This I don't go along with. I don't think God is some prankster who will change things like the laws of physics just to spite us, or keep us 'in our place.'
Now you're bordering on Deism. As an aside, US founding fathers couldn't have been deists, because they credited "Providence" w/ intervening on their behalf, granting victory in the Revolutionary war. But I don't think we can alter physical laws, nor that God will. I have seen miracles though, so this tells me He clearly hasn't relinquished control over all that.
You mean man's choice of sin, correct? God would have created the sin per " I form the light and create darkness. I make peace and create evil. I the Lord do all these things."
I didn't mean this as a tower of Babel sort of thing. I was thinking along the lines of changing it to meet the needs of the planet.
deism suggests God no longer interacts with creation. I am not suggesting this. The Founding Fathers debate is one I do not participate in. I don't think their religious beliefs have anything to do with how the country should be run. Too many people like to change things only to fit their personal desires.
If they were Deist then they were Deist. If they were Christian then they were Christian. I don't find it important enough to change anything.
What is your religious background? Was it all independent study or do you have an education in divinity?
Yes, man's choice of sin - and consequent action. Notice the difference in the words between the Lord form and create? (Also create and made) 1 is like a blueprint, the other is like the building. Key concept!
You know, Babel is exactly what popped into my mind as I typed that. It would be interesting if He changed things as we need, but that doesn't appear to be happening. Weight Watchers would love it though!
Right. I just threw that in as an aside. I just hate the way history is being re-written, when it's clear just by logic, not to mention records kept in the law library in every County seat. Call it an integrity thing
I actually turned down the chance to be ordained before age 23; backed out at the last minute. Their program is very informal, but actually turns out to be identical to the way the Orthodox do things. Anyone expressing desire to be a Priest is almost disqualified, and someone ordained must take you under their wing, nominate you, vouch for you, and really stick their neck out on your behalf. My first Pastor did that. Very humble guy, and only much later did he confide in private that he had a PhD in Divinity.
I didn't choose the identity of anti-christ. It seems to have been chosen for me.
True. Thank you for the correction.
As do I. I appreciate all that you have shared thus far.
I want you to think about this:
1 John 2:22 (New Living Translation)
22 And who is a liar? Anyone who says that Jesus is not the Christ.[a] Anyone who denies the Father and the Son is an antichrist.[b
If you read the entire passage in context, what is being said is that many teachers of faith do not teach the truth, and the book then sets forth to identify how we can identify false teachers. So the question must be raised: are you teaching faith and if so are you a false teacher. If you are not teaching faith then does this passage apply to you and I would say it probably doesn't. It does seem to be speaking about people who are teaching untrue faith rather than people who just don't believe in Jesus. Do you think perhaps someone is using this scripture outside it's intended context when they call you an anti-christ?
Edit: furthermore the verse above is more pertinent to your identity: 21 So I am writing to you not because you don’t know the truth but because you know the difference between truth and lies.
Since you know you can quote scripture and you know when people are misusing scripture, do you feel as though you are one to tell the truth about Jesus or do you feel that you are one to tell lies about Him?
Do you know anyone who has had the same experiences?
I am not sure. I guess any christian who know the character of God could have a go at it. Why I say that is these things don't happen all the time, and a person needs to make a destinction between what God is really saying and random chance (referring to bible opening specifically). For example if I was seeking a bible verse for you, I would not know on the first opening if it was from God or not, I am just not that enlightend I guess you would call it. If it opened to something judgmental I would be fairly certain it was not from God, so I would not give it to you, I would just think well that was a random opening and God was not in it. If I kept praying for you, and tried that random thing a few times and it always opend to the same verse I would say God had something to say specifically. But people do not always need a verse of direct revelation from God, neither do I. Just general revelation as revealed in the bible as a whole.
As for hearing God's voice I have to admit I have gone off that a bit, probably due to a little bit of fear,I don't like to make mistakes, but for me it seems to be the same principal, I can't always hear Him, I guess the best way to say it is I am not very perceptive. If something works out for good, or makes sense in the end then I normally say well that must have been God. i.e. in asking for info about a wife as I mentioned. But generally now all I do is seek God's will via the bible, with more prayer I may well be able to percieve God's voice more clearly, but until my faith grows, I kind of stear away from it. Like I said I don't want to go around saying God says, this or that, and it is just my imagination, or worse the devil. That is why I stick with the bible now days, I know God's word is not going to speak a lie. I still have weaknesses when it comes to truely having faith in God, but given time I hope all of them will be disolved. By that I don't mean I don't believe in God, I just mean I still have doubts when it come to perforing something miraculous, I just want to make sure God is involved.
Is there a reason why you think a scripture that appears to be judgmental would not be from God?
I guess the thing I want to ask you are you prepared to put your trust in God. Lets have a chat about it. If yes, then like I said Jesus with throw a party and bless you. If not then lets reason together why, some times it is not our fault, we just have inner thoughts that have been implanted in us that blind us to God's true care for us. I think the biggest thing for most people is thinking God will rob from them their lives. But I count my life blessed, I have a great job, I enjoy going to work each day, I have a loving Christian family. I don't have to put up with the violence or agression from the club scene. I just enjoy eating out with my wife, going to the movies sometimes, even on a rare occassion an online game with my long term friend. Just generally enjoying what God has given me. In between just living I seek God, and he shows me stuff sometimes, lately how much he loves people. I could not any longer live with out God, I just know how good he really is. Every thing is not perfect, the devil tries to anoy me from time to time, saying how much God hates me, but God is always there to encourage me. But there is much more than what I do, some people are so sold out to God that they have even raised the dead. Have to admit I did not believe it at first, I had thoughs go through my mind that guy is probably just tricking me, I guess I was just not really used to hearing the stuff. But now I believe it, why, well I have seen the miraculous in a small measure, so I dare not say he is a lier today. Anyway back to my question, are you prepared to live your life with God, either as a natural person, just doing what you do with a trust in God, or a supernatural person fully kicking butt for God. I don't mind what you choose to do, but I hope you can muster up the faith to believe God will not demand too much of you, he just wants you, he says in the bible Mat 11:29-30 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.".
There has to be something that gives you a new opportunity to believe.
Ok fair enough. I will share with you a link that is a story about a guy who was clinically dead for, half an hour, or an hour can't remember which. There is a written version at the bottom of the page of videos if you prefer it. Ian McCormack - Heaven Hell and the Box Jellyfish | Ians Testimony
If you get interested search for "Christian Testimonies" on the web there are lots of stories out there. Some are a bit dull, but last time I did a search out of interest my self there were many good ones. Does not hurt to do a bit of research.
Anyway hope all goes well for you. Sounds like you have at least got your life together. I don't have many other testimonies of my own to add, most of them were on that list. There are some others but I won't try to convice you further, I mean I can only give what I have. Maybe some else will come in here and blow you away with their story, or have a strong presence of God or something. Is there anything you want to know further, I don't want to just force and beg. In finishing, I will leave you with a verse, as you would know from my posts I like to do. Col 3:12-14 clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
So how was the video, I was quite interested in his story when I saw it, but I did not have the benifit of the internet back then. I think I worked as a pest controller, did not even know the internet existed. Is Ironic I now work as a Website Designer. Think I saw it on VHS. He sure has aged since the time I saw it. He was a young guy when it happened, I guess it happens to the best of us.
Actually I have a bit of a question for you, this post is way too long for me to read it all. I am interested to know how you have found it so far. What experiences were interesting to you. Oh btw I appreciate you good attitude towards me sharing my stories, it can become very tiresome sometimes trying to share my stories then be told at times, they awful, or I am a lier. The other thing which is a bit frustrating to me, is some people believe me but still want their own religion, which they say them selves has no miracles at all. Absolutely frusterating. You would think if God was real, and in their religion, that something God like would happen. Muslums, Jews, some of them want me to go to their religion but what do they have to offer me, a religion where I can't actually find God, only seek my whole life. Even if they did have something miraculous, I would prefer the love that Jesus preached. Who wants dead religion, not me. But anyway I am just ranting. Pray God blesses you and your family.
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