What exactly is a God experience?

[Mud Hole]

I am new here so forgive me if there was a more appropriate place for me to post this but I would like to inquire about experiences with God. I have been lurking here reading posts for days and that little popup that thinks I am having fun and should register finally got on my last nerve, so here I am.

I hear people talking about their experiences with God but they are never very detailed. I would like to know how you know it is an experience from God? What does it feel like?

I understand most basic Christian principles, can quote scripture like a beast, and spent some time in a church as a pre-teen until I finished high school but I have always been an atheist, at least as long as I can remember, and it was confirmed for me in college, but I have recently taken an odd interest in religion. I am more of a closeted atheist because my family are all now very strong Christians but are very intolerant to nonbelievers and so I do not feel good about sharing this with them, so I thought it would be easier to ask strangers about this.

I am interested in hearing from people who went from not believing in God to having an experience and then believing. I am wanting to figure out if this feeling I am having is some kind of calling from a God or is just my obssessive compulsive disorder manifesting in yet another way to help me feel more like the average person. In all of the years I spent in church and being exposed to Christianity I never felt or experienced a single thing, so I have absolutely no understanding of what everyone else is feeling.

And if you are another atheist please don't poke and prod me about how I am being a sucker because I am taking an interest in religion. I get so tired of seeing and hearing that.

If anyone would like to share about their experiences I would love to read them. Thanks

 

[joey_downunder]

A lot of different people could tell you a lot of different things and they would all be telling you the truth! Do you want to read about feelings of God's presence, or actual personal testimonies?

OK - I was brought up Catholic, but had gone to several different churches over the years and then backslid badly after I moved from my home town. Things got really bad from approx 2003-2007 when I went through a very long period of doubt because I had fallen for the doctrines of scientism. However I still wanted for proof God existed.

I would go along for a while, bad things would happen, I wouldn't cope, I would cry out for a God to help me, the prayer was answered, my reaction was "it would have happened anyway so that doesn't count".... etc. etc.

At a shopping centre towards end of 2007 I actually heard someone preaching and that jogged my memory of all that I had learned before. I went home and again complained I wanted proof. The thought came very clearly to my mind "disprove the Gospels and resurrection". I still had all the christian apologetics books on my shelf. It was checkmate. I knew all the evidence. I was cross. I didn't want it to be true. It didn't finish there though. This actual verse also came clearly to my mind:
"You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that--and shudder." (James 2:19). Did that do enough to make me repent? No - I was too stubborn.

Over the next few days I felt led that I needed to read the actual book of Hosea (Old Testament). I strongly felt as I read it I had been just like Israel, whoring herself after anything that took the place of God and was nearly convicted but was again too stubborn.

Bizarrely even though I didn't want to fully apologise to God I was obeying the impressions that I should read these books. Then the final straw was when I was reading the Book of Proverbs and came across this passage.

Proverbs 6:16 There are six things the LORD hates,
seven that are detestable to him:
17 haughty eyes,
a lying tongue,
hands that shed innocent blood,
18 a heart that devises wicked schemes,
feet that are quick to rush into evil,
19 a false witness who pours out lies
and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.

I had been so proud, I had distorted the truth whenever it suited me, I caused trouble for my family from revenge, I had caused family friction because of severe unforgiveness - I realised I needed God's forgiveness. That is what caused my massive change in my life because I truly repented.

A few weeks later I decided I wanted to go back to church and when I went there a lady introduced herself and invited me to her Bible study group that was starting up at the end of the year. That group ended up healing me so much - all were wives with non-christian husbands (that's me) or divorcees, a few had had bad families, a few had been abused by their ex - like me.

A lot more has gone on from then but the same pattern has continued with my husband getting posted and the house being right near a local church etc.

From what you can see I didn't have a spiritual "ecstatic feeling" experiences or respond to an emotional altar call that I know atheists and skeptics dismiss almost by reflex. I have had my faith built on factual evidence, Bible passages that answered everything I had done plus what has actually happened AFTER I returned to God. No "I said prove yourself first and He did" in my case.

Hope you get a few more responses to help you out with your question.

 

[andreha]

Recently, myself and my wife took a trip to our local favorite restaurant - we've been giong there for over 10 years. So, just around the block from the place, I was waiting for oncoming traffic to pass, so I could turn. So, the traffic signal turned yellow, and as I got ready to turn, my mouth opened, by itself, and the words "He's going to skip, He's going to skip!" issued forth, without any warning. As I decided to heed this warning, I saw a car speeding through the intersection. It would have hit us at high speed. That was divine intervention - as I didn't see any danger. Since the warning was at the perfect time, and truly a blessing, it could have only come from God.

 

[singpeace]

From the website: www.a Glimpse of Eterity.org

Download book or watch video at http://www.aglimpseofeternity.org/ians-testimony/

Atheist Ian McCormack’s ‘God Experience’ Testimony (short version)

“One night while diving for lobster on the small Island of Mauritius I was stung on my forearm by 5 Box-Jellyfish, which the local Creole fishermen called "invisables" A sting from a Box-Jellyfish often proves to be fatal - as exemplified in Australia where 70 people are known to have died from their stings. Many books quote this particular type of Jellyfish to be among the most venomous creatures in the world.

By the time an ambulance arrived my body was totally paralyzed and necrosis had begun to set into my bone marrow.
At this point of my life I was an atheist. I knew I was nearly dead and I didn't know if there was life after death or whether there was just nothing. As I lay there dying, I saw my mother in a vision praying for me, encouraging me to cry out to God from my heart and He would hear me and forgive me (my mother was the only Christian in our family.) I didn't know what to pray and cried out that if God was real, could He help me to pray. Immediately God showed me the Lord’s Prayer, and for the first time in my life I prayed from my heart and gave my life to the Lord.

The ambulance stopped and they placed me in a wheel chair and raced me into the hospital. The nurse took my blood pressure twice but could not find a pulse as my veins had collapsed. The doctors tried to save my life by injecting anti-toxins and dextrose into my body, but seemingly to no avail. Within a few minutes I seemed to slip away (apparently life ceased from my body for a period of approx. 15 minutes).

During this time I found myself in a very dark place, not realising where I was. So I tried to find a light switch, thinking I was still in the hospital - but as I reached out into the dark I couldn't touch anything. Reaching to touch my face I found my hand go straight through it. It seemed so bizarre, as I knew I was standing there but couldn't touch any part of my physical body.

As I stood there I began to sense that this wasn't just a physical darkness but that there was something else there. I could feel a cold eerie feeling as though something or someone was looking at me - a spiritual darkness. From the darkness I began to hear men’s voices screaming at me telling me to "shut up" - "that I deserved to be there" - "that I was in Hell". I couldn't believe it, but as I stood there a radiant beam of light shone through the darkness and immediately began to lift me upward. I found myself being translated up into an incredibly brilliant beam of pure white light - it seemed to be emanating from a circular opening far above me (I felt like a speck of dust being drawn up into a beam of sunlight).


The Journey
I entered this opening to find myself inside a long narrow passageway or tunnel - at the far end of the tunnel I could see the source of the light - it was so radiant that it looked to be the centre of the universe. As I continued to look towards this light it seemed to draw me towards it at an incredible speed - I wasn't walking but was being translated along this tunnel towards the source of this light. I watched as a wave of light broke off the source and moved up the tunnel towards me - as it passed through me I could feel a wave of warmth and comfort flood my soul … it was incredible. This light wasn't just physical, but was giving off a living emotion … Halfway down another wave of light - this time it gave off pure peace - followed by another wave - of pure joy. Coming out of the end of this tunnel I found myself standing in the presence of awesome light and power - it seemed as though even the constellations in the universe must find their energy source from this focal point.

As I stood there I wondered to myself if this was just an energy source in the universe or if perhaps there could be someone standing in the midst of this light!!!!! A voice immediately responded to my thought and asked me "Ian, do you wish to return?" Return, I thought!!! Where am I??? As I looked over my shoulder I could see the tunne1 going back into darkness.


The Light
I thought - darkness - hospital bed - am I out of my body? - is this real? - am I standing here? - or am I in a coma having some bizarre dream? Am I in my body or out of my body?? (I could cognitively think of the two alternatives.) As I looked back towards the light, it was still there ... I responded "I don't know where I am, but if I am out of my physical body I wish to return." The voice responded "If you wish to return - you must see in a new light." "New light", I thought, "I'm seeing the light." "Are you the true light???" Words appeared in front of me "God is light and in Him is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5)." I had never read a Bible before in my life so I didn't know this was straight out of the scriptures. God is light, I thought - that is pure light - I see no darkness here, I have just come from darkness - I see no evil, no shadows - this is pure light - am I standing in the presence of God??? He knows my name and I didn't tell Him, only God could do that - He knows what I am thinking before I even speak, only God could do that. Then he must be able to see everything I have done wrong in my life ... no ... I don't want God to see that. I felt totally exposed and wanted to move away from the light and go back into the darkness where I belonged. I thought someone had made a mistake and brought the wrong person up. As I drew back towards the darkness a wave of light swept through me ... I felt pure unadulterated Love flow over me. Love I thought, how could God love me - I've taken his name in vain - I've slept around - I'm not a good man … but no matter what I said, waves of His unconditional Love continued to flow over me. I found myself weeping uncontrollably in His Presence. It was so amazing that He had totally forgiven me and accepted me as I was.

The waves of Love ceased and I wondered if I could possibly step into the light and see what God looked like. I was so close. ... I asked if I could step in. ..???.. I heard no response but thought if God could love me so much, He wouldn't mind …. As I stepped into the light I found myself disappear into it as it was so radiant - it had the intensity of laser light, yet you could look directly at it. The light seemed to absorb me into it - the centre seemed to be very bright so I aimed for it - I could feel a healing presence coming off this light that was healing my broken heart ... it was touching me deep inside my heart of hearts where no one gets to see … so beautiful.


God
Suddenly it opened up in the centre and standing in front of me was the most awesome sight - I could see a man standing in front of me, but he was not like anyone I'd ever seen before in my life. His garments were shimmering white in colour - garments of light - I could see His bare feet and His hands were outstretched towards me as if to welcome me. I knew I was looking upon God … as I looked toward His face the intensity of the light seemed to increase 7-fold - you couldn't make out the form of his face as the light was so bright - such purity, such holiness, such beauty. I asked God if I could step closer. I felt I could, I wanted to see His face. Moving closer waves of more Love began to flow towards me, and I felt very safe. Standing, now feet away, from the Lord I tried to see His face - but I didn't know that no man can see the face of God and live. And so, as I moved my face into the radiance that surrounded His face, He moved - and all His Glory moved with Him. Directly behind Him it opened out into a brand new World - green pastures, a crystal clear stream, rolling green hills to my right, mountains in the distance, blue skies above, to my left fields interspersed with trees and flowers. As I looked at the grass in front of me I could see the same light that was on the presence of God was radiating throughout this entire creation - totally untouched by man - perfect creation. And in my heart I knew I belonged here, that God had created me to live here - I knew I was home.

Return?
I was just about to enter in and explore, when God stepped back in front of me, and asked me this question. "Now that you have seen - do you wish to step in or do you wish to return?" I thought, "I don't want to return. I wish to step in. I have no one to go back for and no one has ever loved me, all they've ever done is manipulate me and try to control me ... I have no one to go back for, I wish to step in." But God didn't move, so I looked back behind me to say "goodbye, cruel world", and standing behind me in a vision in front of the tunnel was my mother. And as soon as I saw her I knew that there was one person in my life that had shown me love, and that was my mother, and that she had prayed for me every day and tried to show me that this was the way. In my mind I thought, "if I am dead and I did choose to step into heaven, what would my mother think? Would she know I made it or would she think I went to Hell - because she knew I had no Faith? … I realised that it could break her heart and that she would have no reason to believe that God had heard my prayer in the ambulance and forgiven my sins. … I thought, "how can I do that to my mum, it would be so selfish" … and decided I wished to return.

God then spoke to me and said, "If I wished to return - I must see things in a new light." I understood that to mean that I must begin to see through his eyes of Love, Peace, Joy, Forgiveness, from His Heavenly perspective, not my temporary earthly perspective. Looking back towards the tunnel again I now could see a vision of all my family, and thousands and thousands of other people. I asked God who all these people were, and He told me that if I didn't return then many of these people would not get a chance to hear about Him….

I told God that I didn't know most of them and I didn't love them, but that I loved my mother and wished to return for her. God spoke to me and told me that He loved those people and wanted them all to come to know Him. I asked God how could I possibly return back down the tunnel and back into my hospital bed. He spoke and said "Son, tilt your head, now feel the liquid drain from your eye. Now open your eye and see." And I was immediately back in my physical body.

Back to earth
As I opened my eye, I was lying back on a hospital bed with my right leg elevated, cupped in the hands of the young Indian doctor who had been trying to save my life. He had a scalpel or some sharp instrument in his hand and he was prodding the base of my foot like a dead piece of meat. He wasn't aware that I was looking at him. I thought, "what's that man doing with my foot, what is he doing with that knife!!!!!!" At the same time something seemed to spook the doctor and he quickly turned his head to see my right eye open, looking at him… Terror struck his face and I got the distinct impression that he has just seen a dead man looking at him… My eye wasn't moving much and I could see the doctor thinking to himself that perhaps he had hit a nerve in my foot and caused the corpse to twitch, and that he had the evil eye looking at him or something. As for me, I was trying to grapple with what I had just seen. … Did I just see God, has He just given my life back??? As I lay there I heard the voice of God say "Son, I have just given you your life back." I said if that is true God, could you help me to tilt my head to the left and look out of the other eye, as I was getting sick of looking at the doctor’s terrified face. Strength came back into my neck and I opened my left eye to see a whole bunch of nurses and orderlies standing in the doorway looking at me as if the dead had just risen … As my eye locked onto theirs they began to jump backwards out of the doorway. From what I can ascertain I had been dead for a period of some 15 minutes. I prayed to God that night and asked him to heal me and enable me to walk out of the hospital. That night God completely healed me and enabled me to walk out of the hospital the next day.

I asked God what I had become, as I found my entire life was changing for good. God told me I was a Re-Born Christian and that he wanted me to read His Bible. I had never read a Bible and had never heard about being Born-Again. Over the next 6 weeks I read the entire Bible. I have never been the same, and believe that I saw our Lord Jesus Christ in His Glorified form (Rev. 1 : 13 -18).”

 

[oi_antz]

I am new here so forgive me if there was a more appropriate place for me to post this but I would like to inquire about experiences with God. I have been lurking here reading posts for days and that little popup that thinks I am having fun and should register finally got on my last nerve, so here I am.

I hear people talking about their experiences with God but they are never very detailed. I would like to know how you know it is an experience from God? What does it feel like?

I understand most basic Christian principles, can quote scripture like a beast, and spent some time in a church as a pre-teen until I finished high school but I have always been an atheist, at least as long as I can remember, and it was confirmed for me in college, but I have recently taken an odd interest in religion. I am more of a closeted atheist because my family are all now very strong Christians but are very intolerant to nonbelievers and so I do not feel good about sharing this with them, so I thought it would be easier to ask strangers about this.

I am interested in hearing from people who went from not believing in God to having an experience and then believing. I am wanting to figure out if this feeling I am having is some kind of calling from a God or is just my obssessive compulsive disorder manifesting in yet another way to help me feel more like the average person. In all of the years I spent in church and being exposed to Christianity I never felt or experienced a single thing, so I have absolutely no understanding of what everyone else is feeling.

And if you are another atheist please don't poke and prod me about how I am being a sucker because I am taking an interest in religion. I get so tired of seeing and hearing that.

If anyone would like to share about their experiences I would love to read them. Thanks

The way Paul feels toward Israel in the following passage is how I feel toward some of the atheist brethren who frequent this website:

Romans 9 (New International Version, ©2011)

Romans 9

Paul’s Anguish Over Israel

1 I speak the truth in Christ—I am not lying, my conscience confirms it through the Holy Spirit— 2 I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people, those of my own race, 4 the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption to sonship; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises. 5 Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of the Messiah, who is God over all, forever praised! Amen.

I understand your signature! Why not get involved in some of the discussions?

 

[Mud Hole]

A lot of different people could tell you a lot of different things and they would all be telling you the truth! Do you want to read about feelings of God's presence, or actual personal testimonies?

Testimonies are great but I guess God's presence is more what I am looking for. I just want to be able to tell the difference. Thanks for sharing that. Is is good to see that some people don't have to have a major event happen to think they found God.

 

[Mud Hole]

Recently, myself and my wife took a trip to our local favorite restaurant - we've been giong there for over 10 years. So, just around the block from the place, I was waiting for oncoming traffic to pass, so I could turn. So, the traffic signal turned yellow, and as I got ready to turn, my mouth opened, by itself, and the words "He's going to skip, He's going to skip!" issued forth, without any warning. As I decided to heed this warning, I saw a car speeding through the intersection. It would have hit us at high speed. That was divine intervention - as I didn't see any danger. Since the warning was at the perfect time, and truly a blessing, it could have only come from God.

Thanks.
Have you experienced anything outside of verbal communication?

 

[Blind As A Bat]

I just want to be able to tell the difference.

Does the wind exist? Can you see it? No? But you know it exists right?

You can tell the difference when you come to God with a repentant heart. It just "clicks". It can be rounded off in the example above. You know the wind exists, you just do. In the same way one can know God. It's a truth you just cannnot deny exists.

 

[Mud Hole]

Thanks Sing. I haven't had a NDE and hoping that won't be required lol. It was an interesting read for sure.

 

[Mud Hole]

The way Paul feels toward Israel in the following passage is how I feel toward some of the atheist brethren who frequent this website:

Romans 9 (New International Version, ©2011)

Romans 9

Paul’s Anguish Over Israel

1 I speak the truth in Christ—I am not lying, my conscience confirms it through the Holy Spirit— 2 I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people, those of my own race, 4 the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption to sonship; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises. 5 Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of the Messiah, who is God over all, forever praised! Amen.

I understand your signature! Why not get involved in some of the discussions?

I haven't gotten into the other discussions because I am still not sure where it is ok for me to post. I see some posters discussing in places that it looks like they should not be and it is a little confusing. I hope to have a better understanding of it as I read more of the boards.

 

[Mud Hole]

Does the wind exist? Can you see it? No? But you know it exists right?

You can tell the difference when you come to God with a repentant heart. It just "clicks". It can be rounded off in the example above. You know the wind exists, you just do. In the same way one can know God. It's a truth you just cannnot deny exists.

I understand that people who believe can tell the difference. I am not past the disbelieving part. I can deny God exists. But it doesn't mean I can't be wrong. I am not closed minded. I am willing to consider whether or not I am having an experience and not totally dismissing it without cause. Right now I am inclined to think that it is just my disorder acting up and that it will pass, but I could be wrong. Just wanted to see if anyone could describe the feelings of their callings from God to see if any of it seems similar.

 

[Asvin]

I had been an atheist up until this past weekend.. I pretty much closed my eyes and prayed for Jesus to come into my heart as I knew I was missing something in life.. I can honestly say that I saw Jesus standing in front of me.. We were in a cloudy area (might be heaven, I don't know) and I asked him to forgive my sins.. Suddenly, that vision ended and everything was back to the way it was.. However, I felt something inside.. It's not something you can explain to others, but I knew that it was Jesus in my heart.. My attitude changed immediately and I was more compassionate and caring about everything.. I appreciated the wonder and beauty of this world, our nature.. I then read Scripture and felt even more good.. Just a short testimony!

 

[Mud Hole]

I had been an atheist up until this past weekend.. I pretty much closed my eyes and prayed for Jesus to come into my heart as I knew I was missing something in life.. I can honestly say that I saw Jesus standing in front of me.. We were in a cloudy area (might be heaven, I don't know) and I asked him to forgive my sins.. Suddenly, that vision ended and everything was back to the way it was.. However, I felt something inside.. It's not something you can explain to others, but I knew that it was Jesus in my heart.. My attitude changed immediately and I was more compassionate and caring about everything.. I appreciated the wonder and beauty of this world, our nature.. I then read Scripture and felt even more good.. Just a short testimony!

Thanks Asvin. I don't really feel that I am missing anything other than a better relationship with my family, but that is because they hate atheists and I can't be myself with them, and also an understanding based on the original post. You said that you felt something was missing so you prayed to Jesus? How did you make the connection from one to the other? Was it a shot in the dark or was it someone's advice? Prayer is supposed to be futile if it is not genuine, and disbelief in God causes a prayer to not be genuine. The part you mentioned that you can't explain to others is really what I am after. There has to be some basic description of it right?

 

[Asvin]

Thanks Asvin. I don't really feel that I am missing anything other than a better relationship with my family, but that is because they hate atheists and I can't be myself with them, and also an understanding based on the original post. You said that you felt something was missing so you prayed to Jesus? How did you make the connection from one to the other? Was it a shot in the dark or was it someone's advice? Prayer is supposed to be futile if it is not genuine, and disbelief in God causes a prayer to not be genuine. The part you mentioned that you can't explain to others is really what I am after. There has to be some basic description of it right?

Yeah.. That's what I thought I was missing too.. But I was watching a Christian channel and heard about other peoples' testimonies and wondered if it would work if I called upon God.. I have heard people say that if you don't have God in life, you will feel a sense of emptiness... I am pretty sure it says it in the Bible too! I also did some research to find out the validity and credibility of the Bible.. That's why I prayed to Jesus, not Allah or Vishnu! I found out about the fulfillment of hundreds of prophecies and many other startling facts about the Bible that just told me that it cannot be fake! Therefore, I prayed to Jesus and had that experience!

 

[razeontherock]

I understand most basic Christian principles, can quote scripture like a beast,

Welcome to CF! This is THE most appropriate place for your question here, as non Christians (NC's) aren't supposed to post here at all, outside of their own thread. I have to comment on your strange choice of words, because the "beast" certainly knows Scripture better than any of us, but only misuses it. No, I'm not accusing you of anything, just pointing out what struck me a bit funny.

Let me point out we have a sub-forum entitled "Dreams & Visions." I have a few posted there, and one more I should put up as i think it would help anyone. Next, let me point out that "mountaintop experiences" like that, as exciting as they are, are not what has really sustained my growth.

That all comes down to the Word of G-d, as recorded in the Holy Bible. Do you find it comes to mind, naturally, in ways appropriate to the situation at the moment? I do find this to be the single most significant "G-d experience!"

Look forward to you sharing your insights ...

 

[andreha]

Thanks.
Have you experienced anything outside of verbal communication?

I've experienced the Lord taking physical control of my body more than once. I would have died a few times, and got hurt badly a good few times were it not for that. During those times, I'd be blissfully unaware of any danger. Every time my body would seem to do it's own thing - and always, shortly afterward, I'd realize what would have happened, were it not for divine intervention. One such event comes to mind:

I was driving to work, on the freeway - at about 80 miles an hour. I was blissfully unaware of the faulty stop lights on the vehicle ahead of me. I also happened to overlook the fact that all traffic on the freeway had already come to a complete stop. About 7 seconds before impact, a very gentle voice said "My child, it's time to apply brakes" - translated from my native tongue, that is. So, I just agreed, but did nothing. The next moment, a sort of a fog surrounded me, and I noticed that my foot move to the brake pedal, and press down on it. I still didn't see any danger, and also felt nothing in my legs or feet. Only as I came to a halt, did I notice the reason for my stopping. I was so touched that I just kept thanking the Lord with tears in my eyes.

I also experience a lot of help at work, as well as in my private life, with all kinds of problems I pray about. Numerous times before, I'd struggle with a tough problem, relating to IT. Usually after Google fails, I'd pray and ask the Lord for help. Sometimes, I'd "see" an image pertaining to the problem, in my mind, follow it and see the problem solved. Other times, I'd just try whatever comes to mind first, and also find the solution. Long story short, after praying, no problem remained unsolved - not even once.

 

[razeontherock]

I had been an atheist up until this past weekend.. I pretty much closed my eyes and prayed for Jesus to come into my heart as I knew I was missing something in life.. I can honestly say that I saw Jesus standing in front of me.. We were in a cloudy area (might be heaven, I don't know) and I asked him to forgive my sins.. Suddenly, that vision ended and everything was back to the way it was.. However, I felt something inside.. It's not something you can explain to others, but I knew that it was Jesus in my heart.. My attitude changed immediately and I was more compassionate and caring about everything.. I appreciated the wonder and beauty of this world, our nature.. I then read Scripture and felt even more good.. Just a short testimony!

2 things make us overcome, and this is one of them! Do you know the first? Can you identify the second?

Anyway, cool experience, thanks for sharing!

 

[Mud Hole]

Welcome to CF! This is THE most appropriate place for your question here, as non Christians (NC's) aren't supposed to post here at all, outside of their own thread. I have to comment on your strange choice of words, because the "beast" certainly knows Scripture better than any of us, but only misuses it. No, I'm not accusing you of anything, just pointing out what struck me a bit funny.

Let me point out we have a sub-forum entitled "Dreams & Visions." I have a few posted there, and one more I should put up as i think it would help anyone. Next, let me point out that "mountaintop experiences" like that, as exciting as they are, are not what has really sustained my growth.

That all comes down to the Word of G-d, as recorded in the Holy Bible. Do you find it comes to mind, naturally, in ways appropriate to the situation at the moment? I do find this to be the single most significant "G-d experience!"

Look forward to you sharing your insights ...

We aren't supposed to post here at all? That is a little confusing now.

a beast not the beast. It means it is an exceptional talent, just slang.

I don't find that anything from the bible comes to mind in situations, but should someone improperly quote scripture I have a mental red flag that tells me where that scripture is and what part of it is wrong. I struggle not to correct people when they do it because it seems arrogant and spiteful. That is just an uncanny ability that I possess, that has nothing to do with any of this though.

I find myself irritatingly compelled to look at religious things. Articles about findings or movies or shows. I notice comments from friends easier because the word God sticks out. It isn't a good feeling it gives me but it catches my attention. I spend more time watching those really terrible movies and sermons on the satelite. Now I still laugh at most of it, mind you, but I feel like I am stuck watching it for some reason. I spend time reading message boards that normally would bore me. All of this points to my disorder acting up on me but I didn't want to discount an experience of calling or something of that nature.

 

[Mud Hole]

I've experienced the Lord taking physical control of my body more than once. I would have died a few times, and got hurt badly a good few times were it not for that. During those times, I'd be blissfully unaware of any danger. Every time my body would seem to do it's own thing - and always, shortly afterward, I'd realize what would have happened, were it not for divine intervention. One such event comes to mind:

I was driving to work, on the freeway - at about 80 miles an hour. I was blissfully unaware of the faulty stop lights on the vehicle ahead of me. I also happened to overlook the fact that all traffic on the freeway had already come to a complete stop. About 7 seconds before impact, a very gentle voice said "My child, it's time to apply brakes" - translated from my native tongue, that is. So, I just agreed, but did nothing. The next moment, a sort of a fog surrounded me, and I noticed that my foot move to the brake pedal, and press down on it. I still didn't see any danger, and also felt nothing in my legs or feet. Only as I came to a halt, did I notice the reason for my stopping. I was so touched that I just kept thanking the Lord with tears in my eyes.

I also experience a lot of help at work, as well as in my private life, with all kinds of problems I pray about. Numerous times before, I'd struggle with a tough problem, relating to IT. Usually after Google fails, I'd pray and ask the Lord for help. Sometimes, I'd "see" an image pertaining to the problem, in my mind, follow it and see the problem solved. Other times, I'd just try whatever comes to mind first, and also find the solution. Long story short, after praying, no problem remained unsolved - not even once.

This was interesting. So your experiences lie mostly with vocalization from yourself and from God and physical manifestation?

Was God ever less obvious for no particular reason? Maybe before you believed?

 

[oi_antz]

All of this points to my disorder acting up on me but I didn't want to discount an experience of calling or something of that nature.

I would suspect so too. You will know the power of God when He speaks to you. If you want to hear from God, you need to approach the Bible n a manner expecting to hear what He says, but be warned. If He speaks to you and you don't listen then your heart will become hardened against Him. This is a bad thing because it takes a lot of humility to come back to Him after you have rejected Him. Sometimes God will tell us things that aren't what we might like to hear, but it is for our own good to accept what God says. For instance, one day He told me that to lust after other men was a bad thing and I rejected His advice for several years. Then one day I came groveling back to Him and accepted that ok I can't argue with God. So I would say to you that if you aren't grappling with something God has told you then it's probably some kind of physical disorder you are experiencing. Experiences with God will not make you wonder "Is this God" because you will know it is. It is possible it could be God's enemy trying to lure you into a false church. Yes, there are demons who run some of the churches, I have met one once upon a time and even Jesus says it in the Bible about some of the Jewish synagogues who are worshiping Stan.