Born Again Christians Thread-No Bashing please

[Zippa D Doodah]

I have faith because I once did not. As I consider the universe around me I see that it is no accident or random occurence. A loving God has ordered things "just so" in this universe so life can exist. On a personal level I know that my own life was once aimless, but now I have a motivation and direction that is a gift to me from God. Everything about me -who I am, where I live, my good and bad traits -is part of God's plan for me. My mission in life is to glorify God. The truth of Jesus Christ has been revealed to me through God's great love -by the reading of scripture, by the testimony of other believers, by the witness of the Holy Spirit that speaks to my soul in a language too profound for words.

Now, having said that, I know that to an unbeliever, especially a cynical one, this may sound like infantile twaddle. But it is the genius and grace of God that he designed the good news of Jesus to be something that you don't "get" by being smart enough, brave enough, or insightful enough. All you have to do is believe. Maybe to be more specific, you have to be in tune with what God is doing around and among us. That sort of shoots the enlightened rugged-independence theory of life out of the water IMO. Faith truly is a leap -a matter of trust between a human being and God. You can read Strobel, Graham, Warren, and all the others (and they are all inspired theologians) but faith ultimately comes when you let go of everything else.

 

[Aidensmom]

Do you really think that God is providing for you? God being God in the sense that He's a being that looks like the guy Michaelangelo painted on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel? I'm not bashing, really, but this is the part about Christians that I don't understand.

I understand faith. I believe in the power of prayer. But I believe in it as a focusing of positive energy that can have very powerful affects.

Do you believe that God looks like a man, watches what you do, listens to your thoughts and acts on those thoughts?

I personally have no clue what God looks like, I don't see what difference it makes, so I really don't concern myself with that. I do believe God is all-knowing. I don't know what you mean by God acting on people's thoughts. I believe God acts out of His own will, not ours. I believe He answers prayers, but not always the way we expect Him to.

Signing off for the night, time for bed....

 

[JoyG]

Do you really think that God is providing for you? God being God in the sense that He's a being that looks like the guy Michaelangelo painted on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel? I'm not bashing, really, but this is the part about Christians that I don't understand.

I understand faith. I believe in the power of prayer. But I believe in it as a focusing of positive energy that can have very powerful affects.

Do you believe that God looks like a man, watches what you do, listens to your thoughts and acts on those thoughts?

Where is the power in the prayer coming from? Where does the "energy" come from? Where does it go? Where did you get these beliefs from? Did you form them yourself? Did you read about them first?

(not bashing, just curious!)

I don't know what God looks like other than I was made in his image...so there must be some kind of family resemblance . I do believe he watches what we do (is all knowing) and listens to our prayers and acts on them...the Bible says that he does.

 

[mick67]

I have faith because I once did not. As I consider the universe around me I see that it is no accident or random occurence. A loving God has ordered things "just so" in this universe so life can exist. On a personal level I know that my own life was once aimless, but now I have a motivation and direction that is a gift to me from God. Everything about me -who I am, where I live, my good and bad traits -is part of God's plan for me. My mission in life is to glorify God. The truth of Jesus Christ has been revealed to me through God's great love -by the reading of scripture, by the testimony of other believers, by the witness of the Holy Spirit that speaks to my soul in a language too profound for words.

Now, having said that, I know that to an unbeliever, especially a cynical one, this may sound like infantile twaddle. But it is the genius and grace of God that he designed the good news of Jesus to be something that you don't "get" by being smart enough, brave enough, or insightful enough. All you have to do is believe. Maybe to be more specific, you have to be in tune with what God is doing around and among us. That sort of shoots the enlightened rugged-independence theory of life out of the water IMO. Faith truly is a leap -a matter of trust between a human being and God. You can read Strobel, Graham, Warren, and all the others (and they are all inspired theologians) but faith ultimately comes when you let go of everything else.

I understand what you're saying. But I've found the joys you speak of, the power you recognize, the beauty that moves your soul, the love that guides your life...I have what you call the Gift of God, but without the God part. And I know I'm going to be dead as dirt the day I stop breathing and I'm OK with that.

 

[binny]

Well, I can tell you that I am not so far removed from my Native American ancestors that I dont respect their beliefs. There is a lot to be said for respecting mother earth and all that it entails.
My ancestors, the Cherokee, very much believed in the afterworld. Actually 2 of them. Much like Heaven and Hell. But the concepts were different. They had no concept of sin per se. The goal was to live a good life. There were rules and you had to abide by them. There was a devil of sorts, even.

This is a really good site to explain the Cherokee faith. http://www.cherokeenationmexico.com/rel_traditional.html



Where I part with my ancestors is the Salvation concept. I do believe there is a Heaven and a Hell. I believe one needs to accept Jesus as their Saviour to get into Heaven.


I will admit to being very drawn to the old ways and to their concepts. I find it fascinating. There is a part of me that will always look a little closer at animals and all living creatures, just to see. I have a very strong tie to my roots and I wont deny that but my Faith in God has always been the strongest and most important root.


I dont believe it is arrogance really, to believe there is an afterlife. I believe it is Hope and beyond that, need. Need to know that what we do on earth isnt wasted. That we ARE here for a purpose and we do make a difference. Need to know that there is something larger out there for us to look forward to. I dont want to just go to sleep when this life is done. To me there is no purpose in that.




So that is my belief

Does that help?

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

I understand what you're saying. But I've found the joys you speak of, the power you recognize, the beauty that moves your soul, the love that guides your life...I have what you call the Gift of God, but without the God part. And I know I'm going to be dead as dirt the day I stop breathing and I'm OK with that.

Not to pick, but are you sure you're OK with that? Sure, the afterlife is part of Christian belief, but I would hardly say it is why most people are Christian. I do believe the overwhelming witness of scripture regarding life after death regarding life after death. I believe because I believe the teaching and historicity of Jesus.

 

[mick67]

Where is the power in the prayer coming from? Where does the "energy" come from? Where does it go? Where did you get these beliefs from? Did you form them yourself? Did you read about them first?

(not bashing, just curious!)

I don't know what God looks like other than I was made in his image...so there must be some kind of family resemblance . I do believe he watches what we do (is all knowing) and listens to our prayers and acts on them...the Bible says that he does.

I don't know where the power/energy comes from. It's something we don't understand. To me, calling it God or calling it The Force amounts to the same thing. It's a presence that's undeniable and I think because man wants to understand and pigeonhole things, belief in God helps him with that.

I was raised Catholic. Then I got born-again, but it was a life change that I was never comfortable with. I have a very strong light, and it wasn't able to shine in a natural way through christianity. Frankly, christianity really screwed me up for a long time, but I recognize that its basic morality is very important to our society.

 

[mick67]

I dont believe it is arrogance really, to believe there is an afterlife. I believe it is Hope and beyond that, need. Need to know that what we do on earth isnt wasted. That we ARE here for a purpose and we do make a difference. Need to know that there is something larger out there for us to look forward to. I dont want to just go to sleep when this life is done. To me there is no purpose in that.




So that is my belief

Does that help?

Thanks for the link. I put it in "My Favorites" so I can check it out later.

That "Need" part you speak of really hits on what I'm talking about. The "need" is generated by man, so man provides the answer he wants to hear (IMO). I don't believe all the good you do is a waste if there is no afterlife. All your good is seen by others. It influences them in positive ways and adds warmth to their world. And a piece of that passes along to the ones who love you most. Like the bee pollinates the flower to breed more beauty. That can't possibly be a waste.

 

[JoyG]

The need is not generated by man, but by God. In Ecclesiastes it says that God put eternity in the hearts of man...we seek something more than ourselves because of that.

The "Mother Earth" that you speak of was created by God for the Glory of God. Psalm 19 says "The Heavens declare the Glory of God, the skies proclaim the work of His hands."

 

[Disneyfan63]

Checking in. I became a Christian in October 2001, not long after 9/11, and later joined the Presbyterian church in my neighborhood. I read two chapters in the OT and one in the New each day and go to church each Sunday.

Jim

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

Hi Jim... Glad you checked in

 

[Albertan mom]

Hey Mick67, happy to see you here!
For me, Christianity is my world. I look at "God' in 3 ways:

Father-He is the father who watches over me. The one who cares for me. I didn't have a good earthly father (alcoholic, neglective, abusive, unfaithful), so this one is a biggie for me. He is the one who watches over me when I am scared of the lightning, the one who I feel protecting me. The one who sent his only son to die for me. The one who has my picture on his fridge.

Jesus-The man who has walked in my shoes, so feels my pain. The one who knows what it is like to have blisters from walking too far in sandals. The one who felt sad when his friends decieved him. The one who needed rest, needed to eat, the one who wept. The one who went through pain and suffering for me.

Holy Spirit-The one who convicts me. Who tells me to quit watching a tv show that is innappropriate. The one who tells me when someone is hurting, and prompts me to go to them and ask them how they are, and be ready when they break down in tears and tell me. The one who gives me compassion for people, and gives me a desire to help them. The one persistently tries to keep me on the straight and narrow. Like a guide, or that little 'angel' on your shoulder, whispering what to do! The one who I can feel in me, my spirit.

These all make up the Lord I worship. I would not feel complete without the Lord in my life. I turn to him many times throughout the day. I pray, I talk, I sing to him. The peace that He gives me-I can't explain it. Just knowing that there is someone there, always watching out for you, always wanting the best for you. And he is there. Always. You just have to ask! He will answer you-not always in the way you want-but in the way that is best for you. And you will see the results when the time is right. When I look back over my life, and the times God has answered my prayers, and been with me....it makes me break down. In thankfulness, humbleness, and devotion.

I really pray that you will have this peace......

 

[mick67]

I really pray that you will have this peace......

Thanks for the warm thoughts! I do have the peace you refer to. I even believe we get it from the same source, we just see it different ways.

I'm up way later than I should be, so I'm calling it a night, but thanks to Binny, JoyG, AidensMom, and Zip for a nice discussion.

 

[Albertan mom]

Thanks for the warm thoughts! I do have the peace you refer to. I even believe we get it from the same source, we just see it different ways.

I'm up way later than I should be, so I'm calling it a night, but thanks to Binny, JoyG, AidensMom, and Zip for a nice discussion.

Nice talking to you too mick.
Now I am off to bed!
Good Night, God Bless!

 

[binny]

Right, Joy. The need was put there by God. Man didnt invent need God put the wanting and the need there.

 

[DisneyTrippin]

I understand what you're saying. But I've found the joys you speak of, the power you recognize, the beauty that moves your soul, the love that guides your life...I have what you call the Gift of God, but without the God part. And I know I'm going to be dead as dirt the day I stop breathing and I'm OK with that.

Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. You might start to question where your answers come from.

2 Corinthians 11:14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

John 10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

It was directed at me,and I certainly don't believe it's representitive of Born Again Christian opinion...I hope this doesn't cause the thread to be closed. I'll feel partially responsible as I sort of lost track and posted here way too much..this was supposed to be for you guys and I am sorry

Jenny, I am late on this...but your insight is quite valuable. No thread is really for one group of people no matter how much someone may want it to be. I have learned so much from you! I am sooooo sorry that someone hurt you like this. I am especially saddened that it was someone who claims to know Christ.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

I have a genuine question. I have stayed away from this thread (other than the occasional lurk) out of respect for the born-again sect to have their own space and to fellowship with one another. But I am curious...

Why do you have faith in something that (IMO) exists mainly as lore that has been handed down through the generations? I honestly don't mean demean your faith; I really am curious. BTW, I have faith as well, just not in the conventional teachings and not in an afterlife.

Hi Mick67!

I don't know if I can explain why I have the faith I do. For one, it just feels right to me. There is spot in me that only God can fill. When I am closer to God I feel fuller, when I have moved away I can tell I am missing something.

I have felt God. When my dad passed away when I was a young girl, I know God helped me get through that. I was a "daddy's girl" and my world just crashed when he died. But my Heavenly Father kept me safe, and I had that faith because of my earthly Father who lead my family spirtually.

 

[dcentity2000]

I have a genuine question. I have stayed away from this thread (other than the occasional lurk) out of respect for the born-again sect to have their own space and to fellowship with one another. But I am curious...

Why do you have faith in something that (IMO) exists mainly as lore that has been handed down through the generations? I honestly don't mean demean your faith; I really am curious. BTW, I have faith as well, just not in the conventional teachings and not in an afterlife.

It's certainly an interesting question.

Personally, I feel that cultural and moralistic material tends to fall under the umbrella of "religious law" as far as most people go. Personally I try to keep them very separate.

Parts of most religions were intended for the people living at the time of writing; nowadays we have advanced above and beyond what we were back then. Ergo, we can disregard parts of religious texts; I personally eat shellfish, like ham and cheese toasties and have no desire to be circumcised at all, thank you very much



Rich::

 

[ead79]

Elisabeth if that is her meaning then I will publicly apologize for mistaking her. However, the tone of this thread does bother me. Not including the stupid Jesus is gay remark (which just makes ya go ) anyone offering any questions of faith, or the bible, or beliefs has been told to stop debating and go elsewhere. I find it rather frustrating, and yet we are also told that they will pray for us. I would rather they try to honestly answer the questions. BTW, these comments are not directed at you - we've always been able to discuss!

~Amanda

Amanda, I totally understand where you’re coming from. I share some of the same concerns and at the same time understand that the OP just didn’t want this thread to become a debate. I think there’s a happy middle ground that we might be missing, and I have addressed my concerns on that count off this thread. No offense taken at all—I enjoy our discussions as well!