I think it's unreasonable of us to expect to be able to understand God, and it's clear that the Bible was intended to give us little more than what we needed to know. However, He created us as human beings who (some of us, at least) like to have answers to the questions that come up, and, where the Bible isn't clear, we tend to fill in the blanks with stuff that we've made up.
I agree Bobby because He ALWAYS answers prayer if they align with His Will. Sometimes yes, sometimes, no, and sometimes wait
Thanks, Bobby. Sometimes I think I might reveal too many personal things on this site but the thing is, I'm not hiding from anyone. I sure can't hide what's in my heart from God so why try to fool people. Life is too short.
I feel the same Dwight, Im searching. and you are so right, in fact to me, life is getting shorter every day. I guess I'm like Fox Mulder, "I want to believe".
No band here for me, @Bobby Cole. I just found that the more I read, the more unanswered questions, contradictions, and doubts I had. My reaction is different from most people and I usually don't discuss religion with people on an honest level as I don't want to introduce doubts into other people's faith.
John 20: 26-29 Jesus had seen that problem all around Him. He had experienced people who had personally witnessed all of the miracles, testimonies and teachings He provided but still…..failed to believe. That’s why He stated that blessed are those who see Me not but still believe. Please, don’t ever think that somehow you are failing when the answers aren’t readily at hand. By the sheer fact that you have acknowledged answered prayer is a Tremendous step so not to worry, you’re going in the right direction and a highly blessed one at that.
Yeah, I can relate to that on sooooo many levels. I spent nearly 10 years trying to disprove the scriptures and with the exception of 13 mistakes due to the lack of cultural knowledge by the translators, I came up empty handed and that’s when I think I started to grow. One of the largest hurdles I had to make was trying to understand sacrifice and to be truthful, I still do not understand it or at least, not totally. It’s a head banger! For instance; Why couldn’t grace exist without sacrifice? That question took me a long time to come to grips with and even though I still do not like the answers and to me they’re not logical but somehow now, they make a little more sense than they did. Just a suggestion. You mentioned prayer but as you pray, perhaps you might ask for wisdom and discernment before perusing the scriptures again. It helps me and some others I have suggested it to. Maybe you too…?
Funny thing about that. When I bought my first Bible as a new believer, I also bought a cover so other people wouldn’t know it was a Bible when I carried it in public. Big change from those days to open street preaching in Phoenix.
Everything that is created is created out of things at hand, that amazes me, Even God create Adam from the dust and breathed life into him. But like Don I can really complicate things if I study on them too much.
I have the problem with the sacrifice as well, and a literal hell. I understand the sacrifice more now than the eternal hell-fire. The sacrifice is basically in my words, blood must be shed, totally sinless flesh. Jesus was the final sacrifice, and that was necessary for a God that cannot, or will not look upon or forgive sin. So, to save the people God so loved, there had to be sacrifice of blood. It's a mystery but yet I get it as He puts it in the bible. Even the animal sacrifices I learned were animals that the people loved, they were like pets, sometimes living indoors with them. We had to understand that every sin we committed had to be paid for and even ourselves was not enough to sacrifice because we were sinners. Someone, or some animal (OT) had to be given freely. It was meant to be painful for us so we would not sin again, or else lose something dear to us. Hell I'll save hell for another time.
Same here. I think my problem has been thinking I can solve all puzzles with my intellect. I'm learning that you can run into a stone wall that way. I'm happier when I involve my heart and spirit, not try to figure it all out and trust that God will let me know what I need to know at the right time. God: I created a companion for me from one of your bones. Adam: You're ribbing me, right, God?
Old Testament, that the earth was round, and hung upon nothing was something to wonder about, or the mention of the constellation's and even named a few of them. Makes me wonder if it was in the early scrolls.
Our minds, imo, could not begin to comprehend the mind of a God that creating ALL things. Those that are atheist, I guess, believe in Big Bang Theory. Stephen Hawking, a great mind, but I would like his answer to who created the BBT? I've never believed things just happen, no rhyme of reason, that's just my opinion.
I get that Dwight, I am happier too, and more at peace when I ignore my ego, a self-sufficiency, and just trust there is a God, and He's got this, whatever it is.