Psycho-Babble Faith Thread 475828

Shown: posts 1 to 17 of 17. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

About God , our purpose, and death..

Posted by Spriggy on March 26, 2005, at 12:45:09

I read something recently that really left me thinking about my purpose here on earth.

Everyone knows how popular the "purpose driven life" book has become. Why?

Everyone, no matter who they are, whether they are a drug addict and prostitute, or the preacher in the pulpit REALLY longs to know WHY we are here and what we were created for.

There's not a single breath (I Believe) that has not pondered the thought about God and what life means, and where we go after we leave this place, etc..

I think God created that in us; that deep longing to KNOW WHY and to know Him. Even people who swear they don't believe in Him, sit and ponder about Him constantly and the reasons why they believe He doesn't exist.

It's just engrained into our inner being to question those things. A dog barks, a bird chirps, humans long to know if God is really there and if He is, who is He?

I believe with all my heart I have found those answers through Jesus CHrist.

I know my purpose in life. I am daily doing my best to fulfill that calling He created me for.

Anyway, I said all that to say this.

I read a few things lately that really struck me hard in the depths of my being.

1) God did not create us to make a big deal out of us, God created us so we can make a big deal out of Him.

2) Death does not have to be fatal..

That last one really struck me considering my dad is on his death bed.

I guess no matter how much faith you have or what you believe, when you are staring death right in the face, you have reevaluate all you claim to believe in.

So death does not have to be fatal.. I guess what that meant to me is that for the believer in Jesus.. Death REALLY is not "death." Death is merely the reward for our faith.

If you believe in Jesus CHrist and that He really is who He claims He is (from the bible) than we know that when our physical bodies are laid down and "die", we then proceed on to be in His presence for eternity.

So death for the Christian, is almost the equivelent of having your birthday and at the end of the day, waiting to open up all your presents.

When my dad's "flesh and bone" finally fails him and he dies, I know that he is simply finding his reward for all he believed in this life on earth.

That Jesus is the son of God. That He really did raise from the dead and pay the price for us. and that we truly do have eternal life if we just believe that.

Just me rambling again... but thanks for listening.

 

Re: About God , our purpose, and death.. » Spriggy

Posted by 10derHeart on March 26, 2005, at 13:06:59

In reply to About God , our purpose, and death.., posted by Spriggy on March 26, 2005, at 12:45:09

Amen. I agree with all you said.

I'm so sorry about your dad. This has to be a trying time. I will keep you in my prayers.

 

Lou's response to Spriggy's post-evyonelngs » Spriggy

Posted by Lou Pilder on March 26, 2005, at 18:00:01

In reply to About God , our purpose, and death.., posted by Spriggy on March 26, 2005, at 12:45:09

Spriggy,
You wrote,[...{Evryone}...longs to know why we are here and what we were created for...].
Could you clarify if any of the following are what you mean?
A. I belive that there is a creating God so thearfore evryone longs to know what we are created for.
B. since there are preachers and drug addicts and prostitutes, evryone longs to know what we are created for.
C. I know that evryone longs to know what we were created for because I am a believer in Jesus Christ.
D. I know that evrybody longs to know what they were created for because [...Jesus is the Son of God...]
E. all of the above
F. none of the above
G. a combination of the above
H. something else.
Lou

 

hey Lou

Posted by Spriggy on March 26, 2005, at 18:39:14

In reply to Lou's response to Spriggy's post-evyonelngs » Spriggy, posted by Lou Pilder on March 26, 2005, at 18:00:01

I will take A for $300 please.

;)

 

Re: About God , our purpose, and death..

Posted by SLS on March 26, 2005, at 20:40:20

In reply to About God , our purpose, and death.., posted by Spriggy on March 26, 2005, at 12:45:09

I struggled for quite a while trying to figure out what the purpose of life was. Then, one day, I found the answer that has worked for me ever since:

Life is its own purpose.


- Scott

 

Re: About God , our purpose, and death.. » SLS

Posted by Dinah on March 26, 2005, at 21:15:02

In reply to Re: About God , our purpose, and death.., posted by SLS on March 26, 2005, at 20:40:20

I rather like that our purpose is to help make God's world a bit better.

 

Re: About God , our purpose, and death..

Posted by Spriggy on March 26, 2005, at 21:29:01

In reply to Re: About God , our purpose, and death.. » SLS, posted by Dinah on March 26, 2005, at 21:15:02

There are some days, like today, when my purpose seems to be to see how much mass quantities of chocolate I can consume.

I wish it were that simple.. *sigh*

Scott and Dinah, I think you're both right!

 

Re: About God , our purpose, and death.. » Spriggy

Posted by rayww on March 30, 2005, at 1:11:24

In reply to About God , our purpose, and death.., posted by Spriggy on March 26, 2005, at 12:45:09

I appreciate your post and your sharing of your understanding. I encourage you to continue searching. I've never heard a person regret the journey that comes with prayerful searching. However, I would seriously ask, "Is it better to not know or to know too much?"

I've always thought if we're ready to receive the understanding, it'll be there. Sometimes it'll be something you don't particularly want to know. Other times it will be pleasant and exciting.

There are thousands of religous denominations. No one really wants to know if one is true. So, we tell God what we will and won't believe, and then we ask him for answers to our questions. How much faith and trust does it take for God to lead us to the answers we thirst for? If we hunger and thirst for answers as much as we do for food and water, and our desire is as strong as our need, and our prayers are sincere, we'll discover the answers to the questions, "Who am I? Where did I come from? Why am I here? and Where will I go when I leave this life?" It's all here and fully explained, but most people really don't want to know when it comes right down to it. So, I could say I have answers, and I'm willing to share, but there are so many who are convinced that I have been deceived, and so anxious to point it out, so what's the point? I have my answers, others have theirs, I'm satisfied, are you? I'm not trying to be rude. I've just had bad experiences trying to share what people want to believe but don't really want to hear.
http://www.mormon.org/learn/0,8672,792-1,00.html

 

Re: About God , our purpose, and death.. » rayww

Posted by Dinah on March 30, 2005, at 11:01:27

In reply to Re: About God , our purpose, and death.. » Spriggy, posted by rayww on March 30, 2005, at 1:11:24

That's making a lot of assumptions about the root causes of end behavior, Ray. It's hard to take people's reactions and make assumptions as to the cause. There are many possibilities other than that they don't want to hear "the truth".

 

Re: About God , our purpose, and death.. » Dinah

Posted by rayww on March 30, 2005, at 17:50:50

In reply to Re: About God , our purpose, and death.. » rayww, posted by Dinah on March 30, 2005, at 11:01:27

You're right Dinah. My Point: The truth isn't always easy to take, or appreciate. I took it to the limit, and maybe even started pouting a bit.
Because:
1. Of my own experience with learning truth that I wanted to believe and then learning truth that I didn't want to believe, and
2. Frustration.

My brother gropes in darkness and lives a life of ruin. There is nothing I would like more than to do everything for him and bail him out every month, but it wouldn't be in his best interest, so I hold back, keeping an ever-watchful eye, and jumping in when necessary, hoping he will catch the light, and make it on his own.

I sometimes think God feels the same about us. For some reason He has faith in us and thinks if we learn correct principles we can govern ourselves. True, but aren't we supposed to teach one another those correct principles? We learn, then teach, others do the same, and we grow together, keeping an open heart, loving without preconditioned mistrust.

Why do you suppose there are so many Christian denominations? We don't find that kind of disparity in the non Christian religions.

Well, here I am, and there you are, I am true to my roots and you remember the Primary songs, and know the stories of your pioneer ancestors, yet you chose not to follow in their footsteps, for reasons that must have been logical at the moment. Only, I don't think my brother thought about reasons. He only believed in the moment. I wish I understood how that happens.

 

Re: About God , our purpose, and death.. » rayww

Posted by Dinah on March 31, 2005, at 14:29:03

In reply to Re: About God , our purpose, and death.. » Dinah, posted by rayww on March 30, 2005, at 17:50:50

It must be frustrating to see someone you love suffering and not being able to help them. Having them not accept your help. Especially if you think you know what's best for him, and he doesn't agree.

I had, and have, my reasons for the religious choices I've made. Your brother probably has his reasons as well. They're just not reasons that you understand right now. But I think God probably does. He might or might not wish your brother made other choices, but I'll bet he understands.

So maybe the very best you can do at this point is to put your brother in God's hands with prayer? And trust God, however things appear to turn out?

 

Actually, that sort of makes me think

Posted by Dinah on April 1, 2005, at 1:26:20

In reply to Re: About God , our purpose, and death.. » rayww, posted by Dinah on March 31, 2005, at 14:29:03

I realized that the hardest things for me to hand over to God are those things that I really have no control over to begin with. Kind of ironic when I think about it.

 

Re: Actually, that sort of makes me think (long) » Dinah

Posted by rayww on April 1, 2005, at 10:10:40

In reply to Actually, that sort of makes me think, posted by Dinah on April 1, 2005, at 1:26:20

> I realized that the hardest things for me to hand over to God are those things that I really have no control over to begin with. Kind of ironic when I think about it.

Dinah that is amazing! We would rather carry the whole weight on our own shoulders than trust it with God.

I have carried one such weight since the death of my father. Rather than trust my emotions to the people I love (and could lose), I direct them to projects and writing and things that bridge over my real relationships. I make emotional connections to people through projects, and when the projects are done, what's left of the relationship? I always have to have a project. Get the picture?

Fortunately I have a wonderful loyal, stable husband who has never lost hope or faith in me. I have a lot of love in me that has to be released on something, so (this feels like true confessions) I can feel love for God, love for scriptures, love for my own writing. I can go to bed and put on headphones and feel all the love I need as I drift off to sleep. After so long he gets roaring mad and then I start blaming his pressure on my withdrawl. Hello Jesus. Then I have this dream, and the realization hits, and then I write about it on PB Writing, and then totally give up because I believe I have a DEAD block that will never go away.

While all this is happening, I am also learning that I can actually use my own faith to make things happen if that faith is strong enough. Scriptures are unfolding to me that verify this thought and I am experimenting with it a bit.

I love the way scriptures "unfold" to us as we need them. One way I use scripture (words of God), is when I need direction I let them fall open and pick out the first verse that hits me, and then I come up with my own interpretation that meets my needs for the moment.

One month I get a wonderful one, the next month a not-so-wonderful one, and then last week after I had given up on ever breaking through the DEAD block, this one fell open. 1Ne 7:17: "But it came to pass that I prayed unto the Lord, saying: O Lord, according to my faith which is in thee, wilt thou deliver me from the hands of my brethren; yea, even give me strength that I may burst these bands with which I am bound."

So, I used my own faith as I prayed to God and fasted, and bing, it's gone. Just like that, it is gone! How do I know it is gone? So far there have been four distinct signs. 1. I was able to write a brief life history and keep it postiive. 2. I was able to channel emotion directly to my husband and family. 3. I have been able to focus on our family business as a priority. 4. I lost something very important to the company (a computer file) and realized it had been least important to me compared to a ton of other stuff I must have considered way more important than it was. 5. I am going to redo the whole file as a symbolic reminder to myself of what is truly important in life.

I've gone on a bit here and shared some personal stuff, so if this is up on someone's projector being scoffed at by some stupid University class, remember, I used to be stupid like you.

 

Re: Actually, that sort of makes me think (long) » rayww

Posted by Dinah on April 1, 2005, at 10:17:42

In reply to Re: Actually, that sort of makes me think (long) » Dinah, posted by rayww on April 1, 2005, at 10:10:40

I call it priming the pump. Not that God tailors the weekly sermon to something that will speak to me. But that God brings things to my attention in my daily life that week that make the sermon meaningful to me.

Beardedlady had another word for it. Can't recall it now. But something along the lines that when something is on our mind, we see references to it everywhere.

I like to think of it as God priming the pump, though.

 

Re: Actually, that sort of makes me think (long) » Dinah

Posted by rayww on April 1, 2005, at 10:44:19

In reply to Re: Actually, that sort of makes me think (long) » rayww, posted by Dinah on April 1, 2005, at 10:17:42

I love that! God loves everyone and will use whatever situation we are in to teach us correct principles. I am amazed at how often the thoughts and experiences of the week tie in, and then into the Sunday messages. I call it "staying current". Why do you suppose that is?


> I call it priming the pump. Not that God tailors the weekly sermon to something that will speak to me. But that God brings things to my attention in my daily life that week that make the sermon meaningful to me.
>
> Beardedlady had another word for it. Can't recall it now. But something along the lines that when something is on our mind, we see references to it everywhere.
>
> I like to think of it as God priming the pump, though.

 

Re: About God , our purpose, and death..

Posted by okii on April 13, 2005, at 14:39:00

In reply to Re: About God , our purpose, and death.. » Spriggy, posted by rayww on March 30, 2005, at 1:11:24

I appreciate your post and your sharing of your understanding. I encourage you to continue searching. I've never heard a person regret the journey that comes with prayerful searching. However, I would seriously ask, "Is it better to not know or to know too much?"

I've always thought if we're ready to receive the understanding, it'll be there. Sometimes it'll be something you don't particularly want to know. Other times it will be pleasant and exciting.

There are thousands of religous denominations. No one really wants to know if one is true. So, we tell God what we will and won't believe, and then we ask him for answers to our questions. How much faith and trust does it take for God to lead us to the answers we thirst for? If we hunger and thirst for answers as much as we do for food and water, and our desire is as strong as our need, and our prayers are sincere, we'll discover the answers to the questions, "Who am I? Where did I come from? Why am I here? and Where will I go when I leave this life?" It's all here and fully explained, but most people really don't want to know when it comes right down to it. So, I could say I have answers, and I'm willing to share, but there are so many who are convinced that I have been deceived, and so anxious to point it out, so what's the point? I have my answers, others have theirs, I'm satisfied, are you? I'm not trying to be rude. I've just had bad experiences trying to share what people want to believe but don't really want to hear.

I totally agree with what you have written (Ray).
But please, forgive me. I'll change only <http://www.islamicity.com/>;

 

catching up (nm) » okii

Posted by rayww on July 5, 2005, at 17:48:28

In reply to Re: About God , our purpose, and death.., posted by okii on April 13, 2005, at 14:39:00


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.