M30USA Posted August 5, 2012 Posted August 5, 2012 Very true! LOL Same with praying for God's will for your life. Careful what you ask for Here's what I do: I pray for God's will in my life...but I ask him to take it ssslllooowww... 4
mercy Posted August 5, 2012 Posted August 5, 2012 What the hell. another baloney religious saying? Ok, if you're going to cry about it, I'll acknowledge you, but only this once. Relish it. Doesn't matter that you don't believe in God, what matters is He believes in you. 3
M30USA Posted August 5, 2012 Posted August 5, 2012 Doesn't matter that you don't believe in God, what matters is He believes in you. He may believe in orangepeels, but that doesn't mean orangepeels exists.
TheFinalWord Posted August 5, 2012 Posted August 5, 2012 Here's what I do: I pray for God's will in my life...but I ask him to take it ssslllooowww... Hey M30USA, Not sure if you or anyone else does this, but the past 6 months I've been keeping a spiritual journal. It contains answered prayers, victories, lessons God is teaching me, things the Holy Spirit has put on my heart, connections I've made between my life and passages I'm studying. Really helps. I looked back at it while reading this thread. It's so easy to forget what God has done in our lives. Especially during a trial. This has helped me visualize how much God actually does respond to my prayers and how much He is involved in my life. It has helped me a lot! It's pretty easy to create if anyone wants to do one. I was using a moleskin (I love those things) but I've just been doing it in a Word document lately. I have these basic categories: Prayer Requests Daily Scripture Victories and answered prayers Lessons (anything can go here, such as if God puts something on your heart, something new you learned in scripture) Goals Here's links with some other ideas: Keeping a Spiritual Journal http://www.covchurch.org/resources/files/2010/05/8-Keeping-a-Spiritual-Journal.pdf 3
mercy Posted August 5, 2012 Posted August 5, 2012 Hey M30USA, Not sure if you or anyone else does this, but the past 6 months I've been keeping a spiritual journal. It contains answered prayers, victories, lessons God is teaching me, things the Holy Spirit has put on my heart, connections I've made between my life and passages I'm studying. Really helps. I looked back at it while reading this thread. It's so easy to forget what God has done in our lives. Especially during a trial. This has helped me visualize how much God actually does respond to my prayers and how much He is involved in my life. It has helped me a lot! It's pretty easy to create if anyone wants to do one. I was using a moleskin (I love those things) but I've just been doing it in a Word document lately. I have these basic categories: Prayer Requests Daily Scripture Victories and answered prayers Lessons (anything can go here, such as if God puts something on your heart, something new you learned in scripture) Goals Here's links with some other ideas: Keeping a Spiritual Journal http://www.covchurch.org/resources/files/2010/05/8-Keeping-a-Spiritual-Journal.pdf Thank you for the links! 2
Lobouspo Posted August 5, 2012 Posted August 5, 2012 There's some thoughtful agnostics/athiests on this board who engage in substantive debate. This orangepeels is obviously trolling let's put him on ignore and move on folks 4
pureinheart Posted August 5, 2012 Posted August 5, 2012 :DSo true..just like dad said. When you pray for patience you are going to come into situations that will grow that patience. This is a test, only a test of the emergency God system (EGS). This is another one I was advised to avoid praying, it seems to happen anyway. You know, there are so many other things to pray for:D 2
KathyM Posted August 5, 2012 Posted August 5, 2012 This is oozing with hate. if this is your idea of god and religion no wonder more and more people are leaving the church. your divisiveness reeks. I have no hate or animosity for Jews or any other faith for that matter. Some of the nicest people I know are Jewish, and I have a lot of respect for them. I feel bad for them, however, because they are in the dark. They are separated from God because they have rejected God's Son. I'm sorry if that bothers you that I said that, but that is what Christians believe. Our sin has separated us from God, and it is only through His Son that we can be reconciled with God. 3
KathyM Posted August 5, 2012 Posted August 5, 2012 She made a rabidly anti jewish post and doesn't have any use for non extreme christians. shes for sure even more rabidly anti muslim. god knows what she would say if she saw a gay couple. i've seen hate preachers in every little town in the south. it scares the hell out of me that millions follow their every syllable. the south does cling to guns and religion and call me an elite hater all you want. the religious hard right is begging for another civil war. have at it.How dare you. I have nothing against Muslims or Jews, or gay people, and I have friends of both faiths and friends who are gay. People choose their own beliefs in life, and I respect their right to choose their beliefs, even if I have different ones, and I have no problem getting along with any of them. I've had enough of your nastiness. I'm reporting you to the mods. 2
madjac74 Posted August 5, 2012 Posted August 5, 2012 How dare you. I have nothing against Muslims or Jews, or gay people, and I have friends of both faiths and friends who are gay. People choose their own beliefs in life, and I respect their right to choose their beliefs, even if I have different ones, and I have no problem getting along with any of them. I've had enough of your nastiness. I'm reporting you to the mods. I wouldn't get too bent out of shape about what orange peels says about you. They seem to give negative comments without offering any incite of their own. Sort of like when a kid gets flustered and doesn't know how to respond and says "Oh yeah! Well..well...you stink!" 4
YellowShark Posted August 5, 2012 Posted August 5, 2012 Wow. Just wow. I've read through this entire thread and marvel that there are people who think god answers their prayers. Really? You think that highly of yourself that you think the person you claim created the universe is listening to YOUR prayers? That's very narcissistic and frankly delusional. Sorry "god" isn't listening to YOU. And to think he does is laughable. In fact a recent Harvard University study of 1800 patients proved that prayer has zero effect. In fact the people who prayed did worse in the study that the ones who didn't pray. Guess god was busy those days. The Seattle Times: Health: Study: Prayer didn't help sick
OpenBook Posted August 5, 2012 Posted August 5, 2012 You think that highly of yourself that you think the person you claim created the universe is listening to YOUR prayers? No. I think that highly of HIM - that He would take the time to even listen to me, much less help me out! ME, a tiny little pathetic speck on the @ss of the universe. I worship a Big Big God. 5
KathyM Posted August 5, 2012 Posted August 5, 2012 Well let me ask you this. Do you believe gays should be put to death for thier homosexuality? If not you are in direct disagreement with your God and going against his will. Unless your plan is to get them to realize the error in thier ways, stop practicing homosexuality and get them to except Jesus christ as thier personal savior. If not you are going agaisnt gods will, because he feels they should be put to death. God considers all sin to be equal, except for sins against the Holy Spirit. We have ALL sinned and fallen short of God's will. God does not consider the sin of homosexuality to be any worse than any other sin. As sinners, we are all deserving of eternal separation from God, but God allows us a way to be reconciled with Him through His Son. But we do have to turn from our sin and actively seek to live in accordance with God's will. It is my desire that everyone receive eternal life by accepting God's promise of forgiveness if we make the effort to turn from our sin and accept God's offer of reconciliation through His Son. 3
cerridwen Posted August 5, 2012 Posted August 5, 2012 Has anyone ever had their prayers answered? Frequently. Have you witnessed any miracles with or without prayer that you believe was the work of god? Yes. My life hasnt been well at all the past few months. Ive become much more depressed and miserable. I completly lost myself and I feel i need god the most at this time.My suggestion would be to explore and see if a path resonates with you. Educate yourself, speak to people, walk and meditate, sit in solitude, visit places of worship if appropriate, be open. Something may come, or something may not and if it's the latter, that's okay. Wait for a feeling of connectedness and by connectedness I mean to a higher source or a greater consciousness or the people in a group who embody certain principles or the "guidelines" of a belief system that resonates with you. Only you can determine when/if you feel it. But put in the effort of gaining more knowledge, since you're feeling a nudge and motivation in that direction. I find that when seeking guidance / comfort / answers, it sometimes helps to insulate from frivolous distraction so as to be in a "receptive" state of being, but what also works is communing with others of all different faiths and beliefs, to share the experience and learn. I'm sorry you're feeling so miserable, OP. I'll be thinking good thoughts for you. 2
pureinheart Posted August 5, 2012 Posted August 5, 2012 Wow. Just wow. I've read through this entire thread and marvel that there are people who think god answers their prayers. Really? You think that highly of yourself that you think the person you claim created the universe is listening to YOUR prayers? That's very narcissistic and frankly delusional. Sorry "god" isn't listening to YOU. And to think he does is laughable. In fact a recent Harvard University study of 1800 patients proved that prayer has zero effect. In fact the people who prayed did worse in the study that the ones who didn't pray. Guess god was busy those days. The Seattle Times: Health: Study: Prayer didn't help sick YS, I had to laugh when I read your post...not at you per se, although the words. Another poster in this section of LS said that she would add this (terms that had been used towards Christians) to her list of of labels. It was said so light hearted and caused me to realise that there I times that I take things (words) much too serious. Anyway, my list of labels is racking up quick:laugh: God does think VERY highly of us (why I don't know, but He does)...John 3:16 For God so loved the WORLD (that's you too YS:D ) that He gave His only begotten Son... I've seen many people healed from many different things through prayer, myself included, and actually I am a walking miracle...and ALL of the glory goes to HIM. I just want to say a big THANK YOU to Jesus for all He has done....for ALL of us! 5
M30USA Posted August 5, 2012 Posted August 5, 2012 (edited) Wow. Just wow. I've read through this entire thread and marvel that there are people who think god answers their prayers. Really? You think that highly of yourself that you think the person you claim created the universe is listening to YOUR prayers? That's very narcissistic and frankly delusional. Sorry "god" isn't listening to YOU. And to think he does is laughable. When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor. You made them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet: all flocks and herds, and the animals of the wild, the birds in the sky, and the fish in the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas. Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! -Psalm 8 God cares for us because it brings HIM glory, not us. The fact that he cares for dust (which is what we're made of) means that he really is a loving God. So it's not about us, it's about HIM. Edited August 5, 2012 by M30USA 3
KathyM Posted August 5, 2012 Posted August 5, 2012 That wasnt an answer to my question though. I asked you if you believed that all homosexuals should be put to death. Also it doesnt say about other sins that they should be put to death, so its not true that all sins are equal. I answered your question--that it is my wish that all people receive eternal life through repentance of their sin and acceptance of God's promise for eternal life through His Son. The Bible states in James 2:10 "For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it. For the one who said, 'You shall not commit adultery,' also said, 'You shall not murder.' Now if you do not commit adultery but if you murder, you have become a transgressor of the law." The point being, we are all sinners, and have all broken God's law. We are all deserving of separation from God because of our sinfulness. It is only through Christ's sacrifice for our sins and through repentance of our sins, that we are made pure in His eyes. So to answer your question, the Bible clearly states that we are all deserving of death because of our unrighteousness. You are trying to imply that God only thinks the sin of homosexuality is deserving of death. That is not the case. All sin is evil in the eyes of God. We are all sinners. 1
YellowShark Posted August 5, 2012 Posted August 5, 2012 Might as well give it up BlackGetsuga. With these folks their 2000-year-old "scriptures" tell them that being gay is a sin, and the sinners will pay. Oh, yes.. they will burn in ahem... a little place called hell. Meanwhile back in the 21st century there is absolutely nothing wrong with two people who love each other. Gay or straight. I find it a "sin" to damn someone because they love one another. Call me crazy.
KathyM Posted August 5, 2012 Posted August 5, 2012 You still didnt answer my question. Its a yes or no answer. Do you believe all homosexuals should be put to death? All im asking is a straight answer, yes or no? If you are talking about our physical life, I personally believe that only murderers should receive the death penalty. As far as our spiritual life, I'll leave God's determination of our fate up to Him. As our Creator, He has the right. 1
KathyM Posted August 5, 2012 Posted August 5, 2012 So he has the right to do anything pretty much, even murder also? God has the right to do whatever He wants to do. Now I am done debating this off topic stuff and hyjacking the thread. The thread topic is answers to prayers. If you want to start a thread on whether the Creator of all things has a right to make rules for His creation, or whether He has the right to decide who lives and dies, feel free to start one.
quankanne Posted August 5, 2012 Posted August 5, 2012 why would God even bother with murdering anyone when we do such a damn fine job of it ourselves? Same with hate ~ pointed barbs and actions by "well-meaning" individuals on opposing sides of any argument? Y'all kill me In fact a recent Harvard University study of 1800 patients proved that prayer has zero effect. Because the premise is that God is some kind of celestial Santa Claus and therefore responsible for meeting our demands? That's putting a huge burden on him in what should be a two-way relationship. What kind of effects are we looking for anyway? prayer isn't about demand and supply, but deepening a relationship to a point where we learn to appreciate God for just being ... the most powerful prayers I throw out there have nothing to to with me, but are passionate pleas for God to help someone in need. Because when it comes down to it, there are folks out there who are suffering, who are in more need than I am, and my little bit just adds to their petition for help. Remember the phrase in "The Alchemist," in which Paulo Cuelho writes "when your heart truly desires something, the whole universe conspires to help realize that desire." IMO, prayer is a huge part of helping someone because it reshifts our focus on self and places it on other, very much the same way volunteering at a soup kitchen or donating your nice business suits to a shelter so that someone in need has something nice/suitable to wear for an interview. aside note: Has anyone kept the kind of prayer journal where you write down someone's name and what they need prayers for? Has doing that kept you centered in praying for their needs? 2
YellowShark Posted August 6, 2012 Posted August 6, 2012 You're arguing with a brick wall BlackGetsuga. Anti-gay prejudice, discrimination, and bigotry is god's will. Why it says so in the bible.. (see: Leviticus 18:22 & 20:13) IMHO I think it is abhorrent to discriminate against a person solely based upon that person's sexual orientation. I guess I have evolved past the iron-age beliefs of 2000 years ago. 1
TheFinalWord Posted August 6, 2012 Posted August 6, 2012 You're arguing with a brick wall BlackGetsuga. Anti-gay prejudice, discrimination, and bigotry is god's will. Why it says so in the bible.. (see: Leviticus 18:22 & 20:13) IMHO I think it is abhorrent to discriminate against a person solely based upon that person's sexual orientation. I guess I have evolved past the iron-age beliefs of 2000 years ago. http://static.someecards.com/someecards/usercards/1344212382640_6388987.png
YellowShark Posted August 6, 2012 Posted August 6, 2012 http://static.someecards.com/someecards/usercards/1344212382640_6388987.png Means nothing to me. The title of the thread is "Anyones prayers answered?" A bunch of delusional people claim yes god listens to them and answered their prayers. Ok... if you say so. Meanwhile religious homophobia and anti-gay bigotry is *still* wrong. Doesn't matter if you claim God says so. It is pure evil to discriminate based upon sexual preference. No matter what you post from someecards. I mean really, anti-gay bigotry should be treated no different from any other kind of bigotry.. like racism, anti-Semitism, sexism, or discrimination against disabled people.
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