Born Again Christians Thread-No Bashing please

[Wishing on a star]

I firmly believe that there no 'facts' or 'fossils' that would begin to prove that we did indeed 'evolve'.

The fact that we are very similar to apes, physically, skeleton-wise, in no way proves that I am evolved from an ape.

And, what about the fossils of the perfectly detailed, very 'human' footprints, in perfect stride with huge dinosaur footprints, fossilized in the same rock???

 

[dcentity2000]

With respect to the invading forces, this is a mono-cultural thread. Any debate on topic should be started elsewhere, unless comments herein are inflammatory.

Let's keep the peace, huh?



Rich::

 

[Wishing on a star]

" invading forces " LOL!!!

 

[ead79]

Rich, you are too funny. I do agree though that this thread isn’t probably the right place to have the age-old creation vs. evolution debate. Pointing the finger at myself here for participating to a degree.

 

[disneymom3]

With respect to the invading forces, this is a mono-cultural thread. Any debate on topic should be started elsewhere, unless comments herein are inflammatory.

Let's keep the peace, huh?



Rich::

Amen, brother!!

I welcome inquiry and have no problem discussing differing points of view, but this thread is not the place to try and hash out who is wrong and who is right. The point is support and I am pretty sure this discussion is not leading to that.

invading forces....you are funny

 

[caitycaity]

*puts on suit of armor*

i'm ready for the invasion!

 

[WDWHound]

Hello all,
I have a new question for you., A long way back on this thread I posted a question regarding how people pray (which I would still love to get responses to by the way). If you don't mind, I have another question for you.

What do you do when you pray and it seems like God is silent?

In my experience, this happens to all of us at one time or another. It is also been my experience that it usually turns out that God was not actually silent, but that I had somehow found a way to stop listening without realizing it. Right now, for me personally, things seem to be going ok in the listening to for answers to my prayers dept, but I know that sooner or later I will find some creative way to mess it up.

So, what do you do when you pray, and yet can not sense a response from God?

 

[cardaway]

Amen, brother!!

I welcome inquiry and have no problem discussing differing points of view, but this thread is not the place to try and hash out who is wrong and who is right. The point is support and I am pretty sure this discussion is not leading to that.

invading forces....you are funny

A number of the people claiming wrong and right are not who I would assume are being labeled "invaders". In fact I find the whole invader remark pretty rude.

 

[dcentity2000]

A number of the people claiming wrong and right are not who I would assume are being labeled "invaders". In fact I find the whole invader remark pretty rude.

"Charge!"



Rich::

 

[cardaway]

Har Har

Thanks for the confirmation.

Another sign this whole special thread stuff is getting out of hand.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

Come on, I am all for debate and discussion, but sometimes it is easier to agree to disagree.

Hound, when I "think" God is being silent (and as you know sometimes you think that and He's not), I just continue praying, and getting more into the Word. I also understand that God answers in His time, not mine.

 

[RickinNYC]

We don't want to be sterotyped and we have to avoid sterotyping others. I have met many claiming to be Christians over the years;but their life and attitudes don't reflect Jesus' presence.

Boy howdy, can I tell you guys more about stereotypes within my own little community!

 

[Tasha+Scott]

Hound, when I "think" God is being silent (and as you know sometimes you think that and He's not), I just continue praying, and getting more into the Word. I also understand that God answers in His time, not mine.

This is what I was going to say! I also would have to add that I try to keep in mind that sometimes certain prayers work out best when they aren't answered, even if you don't realize it at the time!

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

Hello all,
I have a new question for you., A long way back on this thread I posted a question regarding how people pray (which I would still love to get responses to by the way). If you don't mind, I have another question for you.

What do you do when you pray and it seems like God is silent?

In my experience, this happens to all of us at one time or another. It is also been my experience that it usually turns out that God was not actually silent, but that I had somehow found a way to stop listening without realizing it. Right now, for me personally, things seem to be going ok in the listening to for answers to my prayers dept, but I know that sooner or later I will find some creative way to mess it up.

So, what do you do when you pray, and yet can not sense a response from God?

Hound, isn't that just the worst when it feels like you are praying to the ceiling? I know with me it is more often like an inability to focus when I pray sometimes. I'll be trying to focus on God and what God may have to say to me and suddenly I find myself thinking about the Carolina Panthers, Disney World, how hot it is, instructions I need to give my secretary, or playing with the kids after supper... You get the idea. When that happens to me I have learned not to force things -just chill out and pray later.

As for the times of silence, I wonder sometimes if God doesn't train us with periods of withdrawing hsi presence. This is just specualtion, mind you, but maybe a time of silence means some new task is about to head your way. I recently spent almost a year during which I felt all on my own spiritually. I confided with close friends, kept praying even though it was mostly unsatisfying, and practicing other spiritual disciplines. Now it is like new rain has fallen in that desert. God has given me more energy and more focus than I have had in a while. Without realizing it I had stopped thinking about all the things that are possible through God, and dwelled upon the limitations of my human condition instead. When those "prayer droughts" hit I would say to confide with others (spouse, friends, pastor, etc.) and maybe consider taking on a new spiritual discipline (fasting, journaling, some new area of service, etc.) Listen to your soul.

 

[WDWHound]

This is what I was going to say! I also would have to add that I try to keep in mind that sometimes certain prayers work out best when they aren't answered, even if you don't realize it at the time!

I agree that certain prayers are left unanswered, but the phenomenon I am talking about is more like losing touch with God's presence. Prayer is a conversation, and sometimes I find my self in the situation where I can't feel Gods half of that conversation. Does that make sense?

 

[WDWHound]

Hound, isn't that just the worst when it feels like you are praying to the ceiling? I know with me it is more often like an inability to focus when I pray sometimes. I'll be trying to focus on God and what God may have to say to me and suddenly I find myself thinking about the Carolina Panthers, Disney World, how hot it is, instructions I need to give my secretary, or playing with the kids after supper... You get the idea. When that happens to me I have learned not to force things -just chill out and pray later.

This is something I can definitely identify with. Its really embarassing when I sit down to pray, and then 20 minutes later I realize that I am no longer praying and I don't remember when I stopped. Somewhere in the prayer, my mind wandered off and I never even realized it. On those days, God must feel like he's talking to a spiritual 2 year old (LOL). "So, God, I have been thinking a lot about some of the opportunities that I have been having and... Look! Its a kitty! I wonder if it will let me pet it...".

As for the times of silence, I wonder sometimes if God doesn't train us with periods of withdrawing hsi presence. This is just specualtion, mind you, but maybe a time of silence means some new task is about to head your way. I recently spent almost a year during which I felt all on my own spiritually. I confided with close friends, kept praying even though it was mostly unsatisfying, and practicing other spiritual disciplines. Now it is like new rain has fallen in that desert. God has given me more energy and more focus than I have had in a while.

If you don't mind my asking, was there a certain event or action that you felt put you back in touch with God?

Without realizing it I had stopped thinking about all the things that are possible through God, and dwelled upon the limitations of my human condition instead. When those "prayer droughts" hit I would say to confide with others (spouse, friends, pastor, etc.) and maybe consider taking on a new spiritual discipline (fasting, journaling, some new area of service, etc.) Listen to your soul.

Yup. Its so easy to worry about my own limitations and forget that God can blow me right past these limitations if I would only beleive him when he say's that I'm ready. As for new forms of dicipline, One of the resons I asked the question is actually linked to my first question regarding prayer. Its so easy to become locked in a prayer rut and loose communication, and as you say, learning new forms of prayer and new spiritual disciplines can really help and this thread seemed to be a good place to seek out what works for others.

 

[Wishing on a star]

edited to add...
____________________________________________
Look! Its a kitty! I wonder if it will let me pet it...
____________________________________________
LOL!!!! that is CUTE!!!!


One thing that comes to mind, is that God is a 'constant'... He is always there... You know, the whole idea behind the 'Footsteps' poem.

I know that I do not always feel as close to God. But, I also realize, that it is me, not Him. I do know for sure that he is 'there' and that He indwells in me as my creator.

The one poster mentioned about being sidetracked with all the things going on in daily life. And, I do think that sometimes this does have an affect? God, and true prayer, come in those moments when we do humble ourselves and stop letting everything on our minds get in the way, and it is just us, and God, alone. You know, 'Be Still, and know that I am God.'

For me, I know that I love music, and sometimes the eternal presence of God hits me when I hear or sing an old classic hymn, or a hymn of Praise, that kind of thing.

I think that God does hear our prayers, and he knows our hearts, and our desires, before we even voice them. However, we have to understand that we can not really pray for our will to be done, and hope to always receive a direct response.

 

[Tasha+Scott]

I agree that certain prayers are left unanswered, but the phenomenon I am talking about is more like losing touch with God's presence. Prayer is a conversation, and sometimes I find my self in the situation where I can feel Gods half of that conversation. Does that make sense?

Oh, now I see what you are saying! In that case I agree with what Miss Jasmine said. Just ignore what I added to it earlier since it doesn't apply!

 

[WDWHound]

Oh, now I see what you are saying! In that case I agree with what Miss Jasmine said. Just ignore what I added to it earlier since it doesn't apply!

Oh no! Don't get me wrong. Your answer was great! It just describes a different aspect of the difficulites we can have in prayer.

 

[acrucifer]

*puts on suit of armor*

i'm ready for the invasion!

putting on the Armor of Christ !!