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Would you be willing to tell us what is not working?Reflectionist wrote:I've been a Christian for a while, but now it's not quite working for me, and I'm trying to figure out why.
the whole 'there's no proof for any of this' thing.olavisjo wrote:Welcome to the forum.Would you be willing to tell us what is not working?Reflectionist wrote:I've been a Christian for a while, but now it's not quite working for me, and I'm trying to figure out why.
When I was your age (about 30 years ago) I had to make the most important decisions of my life, and I have to say that I was way too young for my age. So I made a lot of bad decisions, but God took all my mistakes and made me a better person from them.
I admit to being biased and I do have my own theology, which I have developed from years of weighing evidence and to listening to what others say. And I still change my mind about things. But what I am the most certain about is that God is, and God loves us with a passion and will bring us safely through it all.
That is a valid concern. But that is the way it has to be.Reflectionist wrote: the whole 'there's no proof for any of this' thing.
...I'm sorry, but that's not how it is at all. I've tried those things. They don't work. When I do them, I feel stupid at best. I've even thought the very same thoughts that you've posted. They don't work. I've been up and down and side to side debating for the existence of God, and I can't believe it at all. I know all of the arguments front to back. They're silly, and there are many more explanations to the contrary that are actually testable, actually palpable, visible.olavisjo wrote:That is a valid concern. But that is the way it has to be.Reflectionist wrote: the whole 'there's no proof for any of this' thing.
Try to imagine for a moment what life would be like if there was proof that there is a God. People would not have a choice to believe or not, any prudent person would do whatever they had to do to please this God, a relationship based on love would not be possible, it would be all based on what can God do for me. It would be a form of slavery.
It is kind of the same effect that when you are dead broke and have problems in your life, it is easy to tell who your real friends are, but after you win the $30 million lottery, everybody is your friend.
God will give you proof, but it will be special to you, and will not mean that much to others. It is like husbands and wives that have been with each other for many years, they have ways of communicating that would be totally missed by outsiders.
Try to read the Bible everyday (5 minutes or a chapter or a page) pray (talk to God, out loud when you are alone) and hang out with other Christians, be honest with each other, you will work out any differences. That is the spiritual version of eat right and exercise, it is easier to sit on the couch and eat junk food, but that is not going to get you anywhere.
God is not looking for great people, he just needs willing people and he will give you success in whatever direction he has chosen for you, he wants to give you the desires of your heart.
You are welcome to send me a PM if you want to talk about anything more personal.
Don't give up, the Bible says...Reflectionist wrote: ...I'm sorry, but that's not how it is at all. I've tried those things. They don't work. When I do them, I feel stupid at best. I've even thought the very same thoughts that you've posted. They don't work. I've been up and down and side to side debating for the existence of God, and I can't believe it at all. I know all of the arguments front to back. They're silly, and there are many more explanations to the contrary that are actually testable, actually palpable, visible.
God? There's nothing there for that. Just... other people's word. And other people are susceptible to lying, and being manipulative, and mental disorders. And being extremely gullible.
Prayer is the most that you can do for now. Believing in God is not something that a person can do on their own, it has to be given to you by God. And I know that one day he will give it you. Jesus said...Matthew 7:7-8 wrote:7 "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
Even people who were with Jesus himself felt the way you do, there is just some things you have to go through before you believe.John 6:65-69 wrote:65 He went on to say, "This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled him."
66 From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.
67 "You do not want to leave too, do you?" Jesus asked the Twelve.
68 Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God."
