|
Post by Hart's Middle Finger on Oct 23, 2018 9:01:56 GMT -5
Ultimately all things work together to bring about the creator's plan, even though it is far beyond my limited comprehension to understand how.
|
|
|
Post by jahgentle on Oct 23, 2018 15:07:28 GMT -5
Ultimately all things work together to bring about the creator's plan, even though it is far beyond my limited comprehension to understand how. That's real wisdom and true faith my friend. I see many fall into the trap of trying to comprehend every detail of doctrine almost to the point they lose faith and begin to get scared. This often causes them to fight among one another as well which is really losing the plot. It's not like we will be judged as if it were a game of jeopardy and one needs to be right about tribulations and such. I've seen more people than I care to remember saying others are headed towards hell based on a supposed wrong belief in pretrib vs post trib speculation for example. That kind of thinking shows a real lack of faith and that belief can be quite the opposite of faith. I admit I really enjoy diving deep into all these matters and trying to explore it from every possible angle but that's part of the fun and joy of it. One minute it seems I have some detail all perfectly figured out then the next minute it all falls apart on me and I have no idea what I am thinking or talking about. I swear God does that on purpose and it's fun and keeps me close in absorption. But when I do lose the entire plot I fall back on one of my favorite verses, Mathew 18:3 And he said: "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
|
|
|
Post by jahgentle on Oct 23, 2018 15:49:57 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by jahgentle on Oct 24, 2018 6:36:37 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by jahgentle on Oct 24, 2018 6:36:59 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by Hart's Middle Finger on Oct 24, 2018 16:36:37 GMT -5
To me it's very simple.... I don't understand quantum physics.. It is beyond me. My lack of understanding however doesn't make it false.
God's ability to design a complex plan far beyond my comprehension is completely logical. His ability to see a bigger picture is so obvious it would be ignorant to think otherwise. For me to put my own limited understanding as a prerequisite for belief would be stupid. I do not have the hubris within me to think that my understanding of things can come close to the creator's, and I am okay with that. I don't even seek that level of understanding because I know it is betong my human limitations... and being tempted to seek an understanding equal to that was pretty much what got man in trouble in the first place.
|
|
|
Post by jahgentle on Oct 24, 2018 18:13:31 GMT -5
And many of those top minds in the field of quantum physics are believers, it's often increased their faith.
I don't know if I could ever explain why I believe and I'm not great with words. I know beyond all doubt it's not a fear of death as I have been there and I don't see the atheist point of view particularly scary. I mean if their view is when you are dead you are dead, that's it, I would have no problem with that. How easy, nothing could be simpler...I don't even find that a grim point of view in the least. I often hear it's a fear of death and nothing could be further from the truth. It's not about that.
I'm a skeptical person too and not one to believe anything easily. I've read my Nietzsche, I'm a big fan actually and understand that point of view. I practiced Buddhism for close to a decade and have a decent grasp of those states of being. So there is probably no logical way for me to explain why I believe Jesus of Nazareth is exactly who he claims to be but I do believe Him. I believe Him as much as I believe I am sitting here right now. John 6:44 explains much of it for me. John 15:16 too. It's not what it seems on the surface is it? It is super naturally revealed to the point I really think much of it is predestination. Romans 9:15.
It's like when Pilate asked, 'what is truth?" He couldn't see it and I do find that an extremely heart breaking moment for Pilate. He knew something was there...but...
I think another mistake people make is thinking it's a book of morals we need to live by. Of course we don't need it for simple morals. Atheists often ask that question...'why can't I be as moral?' Wrong question as they can be..it's not about that. I dunno. I have no desire to convert anyone or think their path is wrong so I never attempt it. But I do often wish I could for the love, bliss it can bring. I often see Christ very, very close to people as well and they have no idea. I can see Jesus closer in some atheist's than I do in some believers so perhaps it doesn't matter. He choose them and they aren't aware of it, at least not yet.
One other thing that has always struck me as a bit odd and that could just be my weird head but this idea of belief in general. What I mean by that is I hear one person say "I believe' and another say "I don't believe." And I'm not being a wise apple but I don't really know what that means or what difference it makes. I've heard it so many times from both sides and it doesn't seem all that genuine or well thought out. On top of that there are those who struggle with belief and I don't get that either. I'm not sure it's the place to start or the point in endlessly asking that question. Can all this not be bypassed by love instead? By that I mean do you love Jesus? Do you love Mary? and how could someone not? I find the love for them so strong that question doesn't really occur to me. I could push that question to the point of do I believe anything? What is real? What is reality? Are there such things as facts or is everything belief? I feel like I could play those games for a few million years. And all I really know is I love Jesus and Mary to the point of tears.
|
|
|
Post by jahgentle on Oct 25, 2018 8:32:17 GMT -5
Peace Prayer of Saint Francis Lord, make me an instrument of your peace: where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy.
O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.
|
|
|
Post by jahgentle on Oct 26, 2018 17:27:29 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by jahgentle on Oct 27, 2018 6:33:22 GMT -5
Prayer for Generosity St. Ignatius of Loyola Eternal Word, only begotten Son of God, Teach me true generosity. Teach me to serve you as you deserve. To give without counting the cost, To fight heedless of wounds, To labor without seeking rest, To sacrifice myself without thought of any reward Save the knowledge that I have done your will. Amen.
|
|
|
Post by jahgentle on Oct 28, 2018 5:31:42 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by jahgentle on Oct 28, 2018 15:04:17 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by jahgentle on Oct 30, 2018 4:38:42 GMT -5
Let Nothing Disturb You Let nothing disturb you, let nothing frighten you, all things will pass away. God never changes; patience obtains all things, whoever has God lacks nothing. God alone suffices. Amen.
Teresa of Avila
|
|
|
Post by jahgentle on Oct 30, 2018 4:39:56 GMT -5
To St Teresa of Avila (St Alphonsus de’Liguori)
O Saint Teresa, seraphic Virgin, beloved spouse of thy crucified Lord, thou who on earth didst burn with a love so intense toward thy God and my God, and now dost glow with a brighter and purer flame in paradise: obtain for me also, I beseech thee, a spark of that same holy fire which shall cause me to forget the world, all things created, a nd even myself; for thou didst ever avidly desire to see Him loved by all men. Grant that my every thought and desire and affection may be continually directed to doing the will of God, the supreme Good, whether I am in joy or in pain, for He is worthy to be loved and obeyed forever. Obtain for me this grace, thou who art so powerful with God; may I be all on fire, like thee, with the holy love of God. Amen.
|
|
|
Post by jahgentle on Oct 31, 2018 5:39:59 GMT -5
|
|