What exactly is a God experience?

[razeontherock]

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?

 

[Mud Hole]

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.

If you follow the creation story as written, I just don't see how you can connect how any of it makes sense but that is a really enormous topic.

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)

From what I understand, God is not power but the force behind the power. The being that distributes the power. If you want to look at God as mother nature or something a bit more scientific then ok. 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.

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?

I am not sure which of these categories I fall into for you and I am not sure that we are still on the same page here. This gets complicated easily. I never really seperated the being of God into something else that would be something with less human qualities, so I may be a little slow to form on this topic.

 

[razeontherock]

a really enormous topic.

If you are trying to claim God is the source of why everything came together that is fine.

So far so good.

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?

 

[Mud Hole]

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.

 

[razeontherock]

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.

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

Some people claim that God is the source behind everything that happens in the universe.

Clearly this is false. Sin, for example.

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.

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 verse Holds 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.

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.

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.'

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?

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.

 

[Mud Hole]

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

I've noticed.

Clearly this is false. Sin, for example.

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."

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 verse Holds 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.

Yeah Hebrews 1:3. It helps to cover as many of the possibilities that you can think of. That way you don't feel as though you have overlooked something.

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.'

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.

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.

Yes it does border on it but, correct me if I am wrong, deism suggests God no longer interacts with creation. I am not suggesting this. I am just suggesting that all laws were put into place with creation and then no more intervention was required to maintain creation, not that there is no interaction. You may build a house and then live in it and maintain it internally but you are done building. I like how you keep up. It is a rare thing. What is your religious background? Was it all independent study or do you have an education in divinity?

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. I am not one of those people. 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.

 

[razeontherock]

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."

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!

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.

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!

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.

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

What is your religious background? Was it all independent study or do you have an education in divinity?

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.

 

[Mud Hole]

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!

ok. We are still traveling down the same road. Where's the next stop?

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!

Are you mind melding me?

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

People want to use it to have their way. I like things how they are. I don't demand some drastic change.

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.

That sounds like a lot of work to get accepted. Here those programs are everywhere. It is easier to guess where someone's education lies, here if you first ask them if it was divinity. Too many preachers and not enough followers.

 

[oi_antz]

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?

 

[Mud Hole]

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?

It is possible that they use it out of context. I don't claim to be an authority.

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.

Many have suggested that you can't know the difference between truth and lies in the bible if you are not a believer. There are lot of scriptures to suggest that, at least.

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?

It isn't so much lying because you quote or don't quote scripture.

"Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist that denieth the father and the son."

I deny that Jesus is the Christ and I deny both God and Jesus as his son because I am not a Christian. So I feel that it applies to me. I might not be lying in the view of Christian unless I am misquoting scripture, but how do I really feel about the scripture that I am posting? I don't believe it and don't take it to heart, so I feel that is what the scripture relates to.

 

[FutureAndAHope]

Hi mate,

I have read your initial post and I love it, because i love sharing experiences with God. I normally just post these stories with no info on what I felt etc, but because you have asked I have included feelings etc.

One morning I got up and walked into the hall and I heard a voice that I believed was God say "How would you like to be stabbed in the Valley". The Valley was known as the rough end of town, and the voice scared me a little, I wondered if I had done something to offend God. I had planned to go down to the Valley to ask people out to church as was my habit at the time. In the end I went anyway regardless of the fear. I walked up to the first person I met and asked him if he would like to go out to church. He said to me "I am an atheist, I don't believe in God". I just said "fine", but hoped to change his mind. He then proceeded to unbutton his shirt and showed me scar marks up and down his chest and stomach. He said to me, "I was attacked by a knife wielding man in the Valley some time ago and spent months recovering in hospital, How could God allow that to happen to me". Then I knew why God had said in the morning "How would I like to be stabbed?". God understood this man, but had a good plan for him. Some weeks latter this man came out to church and became a Christian.

So in that last story how did I feel. Well all I can say is I knew some how inside of me God was giving me a message. It was like light came down from heaven and rested inside of me. That is is the best way to describe it. I did not feel much but I saw it happen with what is best described as my imagination.


Some time after the second Gulf War an Australian man Douglas Wood was captured by terrorists in Iraq, who made demands for a ransom or he would be executed. I set about fasting and praying for his release, I said to God "You know where he is....tell me". Three words entered my mind ABC, Bizaar and "A-meal". I thought "I am going crazy what has all that got to do with him. Bizaar I though "this is Bizarre". I thought maybe "A-meal" is a town so I searched a map of Iraq for a town of that name, but found nothing that really matched. Some time latter Douglas Wood was freed by US troops who came across his captors. It was not until latter that I actually discovered what the three words meant. I was on a forum libertyunites.us and came across a post by a user called ABC in the post she appealed to the captors to release Douglas Wood because he had gone to a/or the Bazaar and bought food for homeless people and had provided them with "A-meal". I believe God saw this action too and blessed Douglas Wood with an escape from his captors.

With the past one I felt nothing. I just faced the wall and in faith said "God I believe you can help this guy".

One time I thought about suing some one but felt bad about it because I did not want to give a bad impression about what a Christian is like. So I prayed and asked God to show me clearly what to do. Latter that day I opened my bible at random, selecting a random verse and it opened to 1Co 6:7 "Nay, already it is altogether a defect in you, that ye have lawsuits one with another. Why not rather take wrong? why not rather be defrauded?" So I knew what God was thinking, no lawsuit. From this I do not believe God was saying the legal system is wrong just this particular action.

Again did not feel anything.

At one point in my life I was praying for scientific cures for illnesses like cancer. Because I was on a science kick I thought would it not be fun to create a real life dinosaur. I wanted Jesus just for fun to show me how to create a Real Live Dinosaur, he can show us anything you know if he wants, but when I asked him how to start recreating a Dinosaur. Jesus spoke into my head the sentence "bood", a term I had never heard before. I decided to look it up on the Internet and I found out the following: You see, the children of Semai are taught from an early age, the concept of "bood." If a parent asks a child to do something and the child replies " bood," it means in other words, "I don't feel like doing that," and the matter is closed. Bood means gently No.

Felt nothing.

One day I was witnessing to a Muslim and he asked me why we ate pork. I used the verse out of the bible which says "It is not what enters the mouth that defiles a man but what comes out of the mouth". After some general discussion I finished for the night. I asked God to give me a verse from the bible to encourage me. I opened the bible at random and selected a random verse. It opened to the exact same verse that I had used with the Muslim. The one about food not defiling. So I knew that God was approving of what I had been talking about.

Felt nothing.

Wisdom, like an inheritance, is a good thing and benefits those who see the sun. - Ecc 7:11 I have always considered it wise to seek God for every thing in life. By this I do not mean "God, what should I eat" or "what should I wear". Not small insignificant things but things that matter. God cares about the things that we see as significant, things that are important to us. There was a point in my life where I was single, unmarried and constantly bombarded by the worlds system of doing things, a system to which I was diametrically opposed. I wanted to find a partner, but was not really sure how to go about it. By trade I am a computer programmer so the Internet was very familiar to me. So I tried internet dating. I remember getting to a point of meeting quite a few people but not really fully clicking with any of them. So I prayed and said out of all the thousands of people that are online in the world there must be some one who could make a good partner for me. So I deliberately listened for God’s voice, and prayed once. The word “Grace” entered my mind. So I typed “Grace” into the search box (that was used to search for profiles). The first profile to come up was of Ru Chen. I had been contacted by Ru Chen once, but we were unable to send messages to one another over the site for some unknown reason. So I tried to contact her again, but again with no success. Some time latter Ru was able to contact me using an email I had sent to her when she had first contacted me, after chatting online for some weeks we decided to meet. We went out together to the movies and just eating out, and seeing each other for some time. Eventually we decided to marry. We went out and bought a ring. Some months latter we got married.

Felt nothing.

This is a story of God working between me an my wife to get his point accross. One night I was laying on my bed and the verse of scripture came into my mind "With patience possess your souls". Latter that week my wife called me into the bedroom where she was reading the bible not knowing anyting about what I had heard said to me "this is a verse you will like", a thing she never has done before. It was Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near.Jas 5:7-8 It was not that I was not being patient, for I was, when talking to my mother about it we both felt it ment, the coming of the LORD is near means his intervention in our lives is near. When we are patient we reap a harvest of his blessing given time. So by faith I believe some time, sooner or latter God will do something if we just wait patiently and obediently for him to act, even if it is his final salvation on his return.

Felt a slight indication that God was speaking to me, but nothing more.

I was praying for all Muslum countries on the 27 of Febuary 2011, and specifically for the president of Iran, which I do whenever I pray for them. That God might bring them to salvation that can only be found in the Love and mercy of Jesus Christ. Like the bible says there is no other name given under heaven or earth by which man can be saved. I went into the kitchen, and asked the LORD for a verse of scripture for him, I opened the bible up to a verse, It was quite condemning, so I said LORD you must be able to have more mercy than that. So I opend up the bible again and it opened to "Seek good, not evil, that you may live. Then the LORD God Almighty will be with you, just as you say he is." - Amo 5:14. I was not sure if either of the verses were for him, so I did not send anything. The next day I was having a break from work and thought of him again. So I prayed LORD do you have anything that I can send to bless him with. This time I was on the computer so I used my electronic bible, a different one to the night before. I randomly selected a verse, not looking at where I was choosing and it rested on the exact same verse I had received the night before. "Seek good, not evil, that you may live. Then the LORD God Almighty will be with you, just as you say he is." - Amo 5:14 So I knew God had chosen that verse for him. So I sent him the verse of scripture and an encouragement to seek Jesus. Then on the 6th of March a Sunday I set about praying and fasting, and prayed for the president and all the members of his parliment, again I said LORD give me a verse for them, bless them and bring them to you, even if they have resisted you, just bless them with salvation. I opened the bible and again, and my finger rested on "Seek good, not evil, that you may live. Then the LORD God Almighty will be with you, just as you say he is." - Amo 5:14 I have to admit I am not sure what God's plans are for them, but I know they are good because God loves them. I feel these verses sum up the attitude it is wise to have, "The highway of the upright avoids evil; he who guards his way guards his life. Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Better to be lowly in spirit and among the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud. Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD". Pro 16:17-20.

Just felt exited that God loved them, nothing more.

Today I have been praying and seeking God. There were time where I could feel God resting upon certain things I was praying about, or showing me what His plan were for people, but it was only slight not a strong anointing.

Actually I mightt as well share with you two additional stories. One was lately I have been seeking God. And I kept opening my bible at random, as I mentioned in the past posts, and it would keep opening to a passage in Ezekiel, and I was draw to the verses Eze 18:31-32 - "Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, O house of Israel? For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent and live!". Some times I would think well I wonder if it just opens to that page becase my bible is creased or something. But I was at my sisters house and there was an old 100 year old bible there, I just love opening bibles at random to get guidence from God, so I thought I will do it here. And guess what it opened to the exact same passage in Ezekiel. The one about God not taking pleasure in the death of anyone. He has been showing me when in the new testiment he says he is "faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness", that he really is a totally loving kind forgiving God. Who is willing to take back anyone who is truely repentant, becasue he is just good.

This takes me to my second verse experience today, and yesterday. I opend the bible at random yesterday and it opened to, Mat 18:12-13 How think ye? if any man have a hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and go unto the mountains, and seek that which goeth astray? And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth over it more than over the ninety and nine which have not gone astray.

So today when I was praying I was praying with the knowledge of Gods great love and rejoycing over the sinners in the world. I decided at that instant, while thinking about that verse, to have a rest from praying and just lay on my bed, and opened the bible at random again and it opened to the verse above again the very one I was praying about. This is very cool to me as it was confirming to me God's great love and rejoycing over the sinners of this world. He loves them greatly and would be stoked if you responded to his love for you, and asked him for salvation. Because believe me he love you so, so much, more than you or I could imagine.

 

[Mud Hole]

Futureandahope, thanks for taking the time to type that and share it with me. That was a lot of work for you. Those are very interesting experience you have had. Do you know anyone who has had the same experiences? Funny enough, one of our conversations in this thread had to do with your reference to the scripture in matthew regarding the 99 sheep.

 

[FutureAndAHope]

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.

 

[Mud Hole]

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?

"For God shall bring every work into judgment with every secret thing whether good or whether evil"......this seems to suggest to me that God will be judgmental too; good or bad.

 

[FutureAndAHope]

Is there a reason why you think a scripture that appears to be judgmental would not be from God?

There is room for Judgement, the prophets said what God told them to, if God said he was going to judge a nation or people, they said it. But the thing to remember is that judgment with God was always known to be with the provision of repentance. God says in the bible, something like this "If I pronounce a judgment upon a nation for its evil, and that nation repents and does good then I will not perform the judgment that has come out of my mouth".

There was once, for a certian person in our nation, who actively promoted evil, that I got the same judgmental verse twice at random when I was praying about him. I can't remember what it was now.

But it is extreemly rare. In fact it is the only time it has happened. Even if I was to approach that man today I would not have an attitude of Judgment but one rather of knowing God still has love for him, and a provision of salvation for him. There is a verse of scripture that says people hate one who justifies the wicked, meaning if someone is truly evil, and you call them good it is not seen favorably. But we must remember that the bible says God is kind to the ungrateful and unjust. But he does not want them to perform evil, if he though they needed the hard sell he would give it to them. The bible is full of examples of God warning his people to turn from oppression, violence and idol worship - basically or else suffer the consequences, but remember this was to try to get them to change, like a parent warning a child don't hit your brother or I will send you to your room (or give you smack), the parent is not being unkind just using a threat if they have tried reasoning with them and it has not worked. But still Jesus rarely talked about judgment, occassionally he said something like "If the miracles that had been done before you had been done before sodom it would still exist until this day, it will be more tolerable for them than for you". But Jesus had performed miracles in front of them, and they still chose to ignore him. Not like may people who have not heard of or seen any thing miraculous. We are only responsible for what we know, not what we don't. I hope that God will reveal to you his kindness and love. He really is more loving than judgmental.

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.".

 

[Mud Hole]

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.".

I think there is a lack of understanding about how belief works for some other people. It isn't a switch that is able to be turned off and on. You can't just decide to believe in God. There has to be something that gives you a new opportunity to believe. I don't know if I have the ability to explain it well enough for there to be a common understanding.

Many people turn to God as a way to fix their miserable lives. That is a good thing. If that is what works then I encourage anything that helps a person to turn their life around. I am not a person in need of turning a new leaf. My life sounds fairly similar to yours. I am a very conservative family man and have no trouble or issues that I need to work out. Not all non believers have things that need to be healed which causes them to feel compelled to reach out to religion. I am just interested in the topic.

 

[FutureAndAHope]

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.

 

[Mud Hole]

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.

I am starting the video now but wanted to thank you for sharing all that you have. Please don't think I was being rude or dismissive of what you have shared. That isn't the case at all. I appreciate your participation in helping me to understand it very much.
Thank you

 

[FutureAndAHope]

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.

 

[Mud Hole]

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.

The video was interesting. I have never been big on NDE's myself but I understand that other people feel them to be very compelling evidence.

I have enjoyed reading the experiences here so far. Everyone seems to have experiences which are very different from others. There were also some other interesting conversations that evolved through it. I was thankful to everyone who shared.

I am sorry that people make you feel like a liar or do not respect you for your beliefs. I don't find any personal value in hurting others.