Psycho-Babble Faith Thread 427721

Shown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

Evolution of law

Posted by rayww on December 11, 2004, at 10:34:10

It didn't take long for earthlings to outwit God's definition of law. That is why we look at the spirit of the law and figure it out for ourselves. And actually, the Bible makes it more clear than some are comfortable with. In the beginning law was perfect and complete. It was earthlings who rejected and changed it. Some think it was the other way around, that we started out as apes and gradually progressed toward law, and that we are degenerating back toward being apes again. Wrong. If there is part of the human race that is degenerating is the part that for centuries has ignored the perfect law. For instance, if we obey the law of health it we will likely live longer. There is a law for morality and marriage. The saying, "if in doubt, leave it out" would likely apply here. There comes a time when one must face conscience and define personal values. It is no wonder there is mass confusion where law is concerned. There has to be a standard. God would not create the earth to let us flounder on our own. God so loved the world that He sent His only Begotten Son, that whoso believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
http://scriptures.lds.org/query?words=1+John+3%3A16&search.x=23&search.y=9

If God loved the world that much, there must be hope and purpose for each of us. If purpose could be reduced to a single most important reason for living, what would yours be?

 

Re: Evolution of law » rayww

Posted by Toph on December 11, 2004, at 11:08:56

In reply to Evolution of law, posted by rayww on December 11, 2004, at 10:34:10

> If purpose could be reduced to a single most important reason for living, what would yours be?

I'd have to defer to God on that one, all else would be mere speculation.

 

Re: Evolution of law » Toph

Posted by rayww on December 12, 2004, at 16:59:22

In reply to Re: Evolution of law » rayww, posted by Toph on December 11, 2004, at 11:08:56

...then speculate. why are you here? Is there a person who needs you in order to make it through life? Is there a person today?
Imaginate a little.

 

Re: Evolution of law

Posted by Toph on December 13, 2004, at 19:34:47

In reply to Re: Evolution of law » Toph, posted by rayww on December 12, 2004, at 16:59:22

> ...then speculate. why are you here?

OK, if I had to speculate based on my half century of experience, I would have to conclude that I am here to suffer.

 

Suffering » Toph

Posted by rayww on December 14, 2004, at 0:41:56

In reply to Re: Evolution of law, posted by Toph on December 13, 2004, at 19:34:47

> > ...then speculate. why are you here?
>
> OK, if I had to speculate based on my half century of experience, I would have to conclude that I am here to suffer.
>

....And then what?
....Why?
....Who?
....Where?

Now, construct a paragraph with a beginning, middle and clincher at the end. In the middle answer the questions, which, what, why, who, where. Then conclude with a sum-up statement.

I'm not trying to be uncaring or callous. If I think of something as a paragraph and focus on the structure, the paragraph shares the emotion of the subject, and it becomes easier to explore.

If nothing else, write a short paragraph about suffering in general, answering the same questions as which, where, why, how, who. Examine it and see what you have learned, or what someone else has learned, or why you have had to suffer.

I acknowledge your suffering, but you are not alone. No matter who we are there is always someone greater than and lesser than ourselves. It does no good to compare ourselves to others because you are you and I am me and we are all here to learn the basics of life and love. We make mistakes and even if our mistakes lead to suffering, we still learn from them. You are not alone.

Faith can make you whole. Believe in Christ. He took upon Himself your pain and suffering, not just your sin. He will share your load if you reach out to Him. He has the power to heal.

What is the purpose of suffering? Through suffering we discover our own vulnerability and recognize our dependance upon God. Through suffering we get to know ourselves and stretch our level of endurance. Through suffering we get to know the emotions felt by Jesus Christ. Use your suffering to get to know the Savior. No matter how much we suffer, He has suffered more and understands what we are going through. There has to be purpose because life's experiences are for a reason.

There are two directions we can chose in the midst of our pain.
1. We can curse and blame God and reject Him, or
2. We can lean on God and reach out to Him, draw near and rely on Him.
If we allow our trials to bring us closer to God, He will not forsake us. We can sync to His power and feel peace and comfort in the midst of it. I know many people who have chosen either direction. The end of the story is much better than the beginning when the person choses to lean on God in his suffering. I've been there too. I have faith in the direction that leads me to God. Sometimes all one has to hang on to is that faith. Faith always preceeds the miracle and will light the path of the dark trail. Choose God.

Now, look for the beginning, middle, and clinchers in my paragraphs and see if I figured out how to write one.

 

Re: Suffering » rayww

Posted by Toph on December 14, 2004, at 21:14:26

In reply to Suffering » Toph, posted by rayww on December 14, 2004, at 0:41:56

ray, it is obvious to me that you are a sincere person. I am not always myself but I try to be most of the time. I sincerely envy anyone who has a faith, a philosophy, a theory, a compass that helps them to navigate the infinite paths facing humans each successive moment on this Earth. As you may have already surmized I have an old compass that I am not sure is very reliable so I only turn to it when I am desperately lost. I'd love to borrow yours Ray, but I'm too proud and still think that I can find my way on my own. Guys have a problem with asking directions, they say. Someday, if I am fortunate I'll either discover a new one or some incredibly charismatic person will convince me to try theirs. Even better, I suppose, an angel of mercy will shine His countenace upon me and make me see the one path that renders all compasses useless.

Sorry if I beat that metaphor to death, but it's a paragraph anyway. I'm told that Jesus summed it all up in only two words, "I am." My response to your question was short but an accurate answer of how I feel.

I respectfully suggest that you consider that if you want someone to try something for you that you ask them and not tell them. I confess that I wander over to PBF only rarely so I'm not sure that we will be able to have much of a dialogue. I hope you don't mind that I took a stab at your question. Thanks for your response.
-Toph

 

Re: Suffering » Toph

Posted by rayww on December 15, 2004, at 8:47:42

In reply to Re: Suffering » rayww, posted by Toph on December 14, 2004, at 21:14:26

Great paragraph! I will try to remember to ask, rather than tell (social skills lacking). I am actually fairly quiet around my family, preferring to have them figure out things without me either telling or asking, but it seems thoughts find an easier trail through cyberspace. Come back any time.


This is the end of the thread.


Show another thread

URL of post in thread:


Psycho-Babble Faith | Extras | FAQ


[dr. bob] Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD, bob@dr-bob.org

Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.