What's with the Jesus skywriting?

[lovethattink]

Some will say they hear him, but then lock up somebody else because he says he hears him.

Funny you should say this, I was just thinking of when I was an intern working on the psych floor. One of the doctors said to me, society sets the norm and decides how things should be governed. What was considered psychotic in one era isn't and vise versa.

 

[cardaway]

Funny you should say this, I was just thinking of when I was an intern working on the psych floor. One of the doctors said to me, society sets the norm and decides how things should be governed. What was considered psychotic in one era isn't and vise versa.

Is there supposed to be a point in there? I really fail to see what that has to do with what anybody posted.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

As I read this thread it makes me reflect on prayer. Be warned... I am rambling . There is a lot of power in prayer that I have experienced and seen others experience. God is the one who has given us the good gift of medicine to start with. It is a means that God uses to heal in so many ways. Someone said prayer wasn't valid because it was like betting on every horse to win the race. Prayer isn't about risking anything or putting God to some sort of litmus test.

Prayer is communication with God. Communication requires a response, someone says. I say God does respond. It may not be in an audible voice, but it is in a way that those who will listen do "hear" it. Maybe a clumsy illustration, but it makes me think of how DW and I communicate sometimes. We don't have to speak a word -sometimes she knows what's on my mind and vice versa.

 

[lovethattink]

deleted

 

[Buckalew11]

Wow. You all sound so bitter.
I've said this too many times lately but I'll share it again because it is relevant. My father just passed away (almost 2 weeks ago) from aggressive prostate cancer (BTW, guys, get your PSA's checked! Dad did yearly and it still got him). It was a long, 3 year battle. Trust me when I tell you that I was praying for him. The desire of my heart was that he be healed or at least given more time. I shared that desire with God (and I did have 3 good years with him) but I also prayed for help in accepting what was to happen to my dad. We all die someday of something so I know better than to even think my dad could live forever.

Now, do I think my prayers weren't answered? No way. My dad is healed now. He wasn't healed on earth but he was healed as he died and now lives with God for eternity. And my prayers were heard? You betcha. God helped me through something I thought I could never do. And sure, even if I wasn't a Christian, I would have lived through my dad's death. People do it every day. Yet, my faith sustained me. God has given me peace that passes all understanding... a promise from the Bible that He fulfilled.
Do I think I "bet on all the horses"? No way. But whatever floats your boat. Think what you want.

I'm glad your life is going well, Groucho. My life seems to have ups and downs, sorta like a roller coaster. But, through those highs and lows and sharp turns, God is with me and I am grateful for His presence. There is no promise of a perfect life, all rosy with no troubles just because you choose Christ--not here, anyway. I am of the belief that we all make a choice about God. Looks like you've made a choice and have thought it through. And life is good. The Bible tells us that God allows to to rain on the just and unjust...Christians certainly don't have an upperhand on rosy conditions!

And communication with God? Sure. Communication does go both ways. It is part of the relationship that you enter into when you accept Christ. God hears and answers. And that is something a non-believer will never understand. Y'all just think we're nuts, LOL.

 

[cardaway]

Wow. You all sound so bitter.

Please tell us what makes you feel people are bitter, because that sure reads like an insult unless there is more to it.

 

[Buckalew11]

Please tell us what makes you feel people are bitter, because that sure reads like an insult unless there is more to it.

No, I'm not insulting you or Groucho or the other screenname I can't remember who commented about the communication thing... I just get the feeling from your posts (plural your) that you have deep resentment or something for Christian beliefs or something. It just sounds bitter, like you have been pushed or had bad experiences so you think we're all terrible people.
No insult, really. Just an observation from what sounds like the tone of the posts. We're both always on any posts that relates to Christianity. I guess one reads those types of posts and really wonders what has happened between posters and Christians or the Church or something. I'm sure I can't be the only one who gets that kind of vibe.
Sorry you thought I was insulting you.

 

[orljustin]

Now, do I think my prayers weren't answered? No way. My dad is healed now. He wasn't healed on earth but he was healed as he died and now lives with God for eternity. And my prayers were heard? You betcha. God helped me through something I thought I could never do.

See, here's the thing. If he lived, your prayers were answered. If he died, your prayers were answered. Whatever happened, your prayers were answered. It's rationalizing.

It sucks your dad dies, and if it helps you to get through it by believing he is in a better place, I'm glad that works for you.

Is it so bad to just believe that someone who dies is just dead? Why is that so wrong?

 

[Buckalew11]

See, here's the thing. If he lived, your prayers were answered. If he died, your prayers were answered. Whatever happened, your prayers were answered. It's rationalizing.

It sucks your dad dies, and if it helps you to get through it by believing he is in a better place, I'm glad that works for you.

Is it so bad to just believe that someone who dies is just dead? Why is that so wrong?

Yes, orljustin, it does "suck" my dad died. It "sucks" that he won't be here to go to WDW with me ever again. It "sucks" he won't be here to see my DD graduate or get married. It "sucks" that I can never call him on the phone again.

I'm happy to know that you are "glad" my beliefs works for me.
I don't believe you could possibly understand how my beliefs work for me because you don't have a relationship to God. So, you'll continue to think I'm crazy, but that's OK with me.

No, I do not think it is bad to just believe that when someone dies, they are just dead. Just because *I* think you are wrong for thinking dead is just dead, doesn't mean it is bad in any way, shape, or form. I think it is a fine for you to believe that because I think we all have to make the decision and if that is yours, that is the decision you've made for yourself. I think we'll just be glad for each other that our choices work so well for us.

 

[orljustin]

And you can believe whatever you want. But don't try to press it on others, which was the whole point of the skywriting. (tie in)

 

[Buckalew11]

And you can believe whatever you want. But don't try to press it on others, which was the whole point of the skywriting. (tie in)

Good tie in. After 73 pages, I forgot the thread title!

I'm very vocal on the DIS about God. The topic comes up and I make comments (almost every time. ) In RL, it rarely comes up for me to put in my 2 cents but when it does, I do. Or if someone asks me, I talk about it. Otherwise, you'd like me. I'm pretty nice in RL.

 

[cardaway]

No, I'm not insulting you or Groucho or the other screenname I can't remember who commented about the communication thing... I just get the feeling from your posts (plural your) that you have deep resentment or something for Christian beliefs or something. It just sounds bitter, like you have been pushed or had bad experiences so you think we're all terrible people.
No insult, really. Just an observation from what sounds like the tone of the posts. We're both always on any posts that relates to Christianity. I guess one reads those types of posts and really wonders what has happened between posters and Christians or the Church or something. I'm sure I can't be the only one who gets that kind of vibe.
Sorry you thought I was insulting you.

And since you still gave us nothing, it still reads like an insult. I see nothing in this thread that I think could lead somebody to think another had a problem with the church or is bitter. All I see is people giving the other side to the prayer debate.

IMO prayer does help people, but because it's part of a larger group of things people do to promote positive thinking. In other words, people can get the same results without involving any higher power into the equation.

 

[Buckalew11]

Fine, if you choose not to believe me when I say I wasn't insulting you then that's your
decision. There isn't anything else to say--I apologized and you didn't accept it.
I wasn't just speaking of posts on this thread. The vibe comes from most of your posts on all Christian type threads. It is just that, the vibe you send me as I read your comments. I would hate for you to have had a bad experience and feel like as Christians we worsen the experience which is why I spoke up and wondered if something had happened in your past. Sorry I read so much into your remarks.

 

[Buckalew11]

IMO prayer does help people, but because it's part of a larger group of things people do to promote positive thinking. In other words, people can get the same results without involving any higher power into the equation.

And I forgot to comment...
I agree with you. I think prayer does make peopel feel better and also feel like they are "doing" something when they may not be able to do much more. It also does promote positive thinking which is always a good thing.
I do disagree with the last sentence though. I think once you take God out of it, it is only positive thinking.

 

[jamimb]

And since you still gave us nothing, it still reads like an insult. I see nothing in this thread that I think could lead somebody to think another had a problem with the church or is bitter. All I see is people giving the other side to the prayer debate.

IMO prayer does help people, but because it's part of a larger group of things people do to promote positive thinking. In other words, people can get the same results without involving any higher power into the equation.

Im going to tell you what I tell my pre-teen daughter I don't think it's really what's been said here but how it has been said . I agree with the other poster this has gone way beyond a friendly debate and in some cases has gotten just ugly.

 

[cardaway]

Im going to tell you what I tell my pre-teen daughter I don't think it's really what's been said here but how it has been said . I agree with the other poster this has gone way beyond a friendly debate and in some cases has gotten just ugly.

Yeah, couldn't possibly be things like calling others bitter.

I swear, if people actually owned up to the fact that many times it's Christians that turn Christian threads ugly, things might actually improve around here.

 

[phillybeth]

I've asked this question several times (on other threads) & never gotten a straight answer. Do you ALWAYS say yes to your children's requests?

Why is it assumed that God treats us like children, or that we should treat him as a parent?

 

[JoyG]

Why is it assumed that God treats us like children, or that we should treat him as a parent?

Because the Bible calls him "our Heavenly Father" and that's also the example Jesus set for us.

 

[phillybeth]

Because the Bible calls him "our Heavenly Father" and that's also the example Jesus set for us.

I call my paternal parent Father, but he let me grow up and lead my own life. When will god do that?

 

[Amity 3]

if I call my dad in Illinois with a request, he'll give me an answer on the phone. I don't have to find the nearest burning bush.