WHY DO YOU BELIEVE THE WAY YOU DO?

Proverbs 30:12 There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness.
Isaiah 5:21 Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!
Proverbs 12:15 15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.

Maybe you ought to listen to these guys. They're telling you the truth.

I see what you're trying to say.

God is everything, in a way. That's totally true.' In all and through all'.

I mean, when you think about it, who created every atom? God.

Who created the forces used to drive and control those atoms? God.

Who created atoms with the ability to pass electrical current in synapses in our brain in order that we think and feel and learn? God.

So, yes, everyone's God lives in heaven, in the sense that it is one God that rules everyone, therefore the God of every human being lives in heaven.

And also, in another way you're on the right track. That God created all the tribes and lands and divided them. Separated land from land and language from language.

And you're also right in that God has ability to see now, past, future and everything else and 'enter' into our hearts and minds in a way we can't even do for ourselves.

He searches hearts and minds, so to speak. Just like Jesus could know what the people were saying behind his back.

I also believe that when the day comes for us to sit in front of God, that He will speak to us in a personal way, as though using His understanding of us.

And that's the same with everyone to some degree. God does speak to people in so many different ways depending on the person's outlook.

But really what I think you're saying is that you see God as a peace maker, bringing people together and giving us all that 'warm fuzzy feeling'. And I believe that's true too.

That God does have the ability to transcend boundaries, divisions, tribes, nations and languages. That He will bring all under Him just like He says.

The love and togetherness spirit is what I take from your post more than the language you used to post it.

I think your heart's in the right place but just be careful. Words can easily be misinterpreted, and the wolves tend to jump on you at that point.

Have a lovely day

Oh my....see, you explained it.... I'm just not good with words...And I'm not trying to fight anyone...but I'm still going to feel the way I do....change my opinion elsewhere, but not here... sorry....

It takes time to get it into words dude, so no worries.

Remember; it's the heart that matters. If you ever feel in doubt about the words, just say: I see God as someone who brings all people together in love.

I can tell you, you're not far off base there.

The heart in you wants peace, love and joy. And that's what the Kingdom of God is, my love

Never lose that saltiness!

All my life I went to any friendly church who believed that we are saved through Christ, and who had the Holy Spirit. I had a vague idea of God the Father; I spoke to Him through Christ. I felt that if I listened to much to the Father it was somehow denying the power Christ had to save us. I almost memorized the New Testament; the Old Testament seemed of mostly a harsh God I did not understand.

One day I needed to drive with a young woman for several hours. During that time Patty talked mostly about such things as that the OT is much bigger than the NT, and much of the NT refers to the OT. Or that God prepared the world for thousands of years for Christ; we need to understand about that preparation. She gave me a book by a man who felt the church needs to understand this to better understand Christ.

I was very elderly when I met Patty, I had time to study. I studied OT in light of the culture of the time it was written to; I delved deeply into the history of the development of how men interpret what God says to sort out man’s thoughts from God’s thoughts that are accepted by the church today, I spent hours a day deep in scripture.

I am sure that many of you remember when you first realized who Christ is and what He means to us. You want to tell the world. Now, I not only have met Christ but also the Father. He loves us, He created us. I feel I want to tell the world!

So, so happy for you. This is the greatest thing that can happen to a person./

That moment where you go, 'So WOWWW, He REAAAALLLYYY loves us!'

A lot of it, as you say, is to do with interpretation, especially of the symbolism and storytelling nature of how the people spoke in ye olde Aramaic and Hebrew.

Much confusion, and when you see it, it's like 'wow, how did I not see that before'.

Awesome post

Have a lovely day.

Talking about personal experience as a reason to believe? I cant do that.
Innocently i became a prophet...thats where ideas (full thoughts in detail)come in your head you tell them and they come out true.
Very powerful. There are also very powerful signs and wonders also....real stuff...i understand there is
the Phoney acting stuff and the emotional hype stuff, not talking about that.

Im talking about real stuff and real power. Real strong and everyone sees it come true.
Blah blah i could fill pages...To say the least God showed me what familiar spirits were.
I really dont think(i pray) im wrong to want objective truth......experience doesnt mean a thing to me.
And i threw off all that junk. Thank you Lord!

It's strange how people can be different, because I'm the polar opposite, Abiding.

The things that I've went through and seen have made me aware of God but also aware of the nature of humanity.

And I find myself being able to understand my own mind, and in turn being able to hazard a good guess at others'.

I don't believe in making things objective because faith, and love, and hope, for me, are very personal things, which mean much to me (emotionally) and also to others.

Beliefs are right smack bang in the heart of a person and to objectify things (for me) is to objectify the person in a way.

I prefer it to be as much of I am a real person and they are also a real person', as I can possibly make it. (I'm not saying that you don't see people as real people, I'm just saying that I prefer things to be very personal. No ulterior points here'.

For me, compassion and love that is the heartbeat of what this faith entails.

There is a truth for each moment. And each moment has its own, in a manner of speaking. Words can be very powerful, as can emotions. Soft hearted people tend to be also very emotional. It is strange that this is the case. We are meant to not be hard hearted, yet have enough grip on our emotions that we do not become selfish and wicked and hard.

A tough feat for any person, but for me, being emotionally filled is very rewarding in the slightest of things.

Compassion is a mighty tool.

Good thread sir..i was actually raised Roman Catholic..i at one time had planned to become a priest but once i discovered many ills of the past of the church of rome i renounced roman catholicism at the age of 16..i went my own way, drugs..partying..was actually an atheist/agnostic for a time..when i found Jesus through many series of events..I got saved at a revival pentecostal church, i was there for several years yet they taught strange teachings and are part of that laughter movement, at the time i was still smoking clove ciggarettes and had long hair and was a vegan and dressed funny, many judged me for the music i listened to, cloves that i smoked and food that i ate, which really hurt because at least i was in church tryig to do better, they did not see that..since i did not laugh or scream or fall down like they did i was seen as unyielding to God,which was not the case at all....I left there and found myself not intentionally in a charismatic non denominational church, for several years i was there and actually served in a leadership capacity but left after having to step down from leadership to go to school..they did not understand and did not allow me to serve in a certain ministry i felt lead to do,which is fine at the time i was really hurt about it..i found myself in several other pentecostal churches which had great pastors but the leaders and members were very cliquish..and i felt not a part..i found myself in several 'non denominational' churches(whatever that even means these days, it can mean anything) and even found one that was with a baptist background..trying to be a part of several of these churches and even giving suggestions and even coordinating a mens group really left me burnt and frustrated..I found myself in a very broken place recently, i kept on trying..even trying one more non denominational church that was too 'contemporvant' even for me and the pastoral staff were not as available to the flock due to their size and it seeming like to be a seeker friendly church..through my persistant stubborness i found a church that i felt at home a few months ago..i purposed in my heart to seek a place that
1)teaches the Love of God 2) was not reform/calvinist 3) emphasized fruit of the spirit over the gifts of the spirit 4)where the pastor has a pastors heart and sought to be available to the flock

which lead me to the Wesleyan Church..i love it, and i am hoping and praying that they do a plant/new church here in my city..right now i must commute, but its worth the commute to me.
So yes, i am no longer pentecostal..i am not against tongues but do believe they are very much forced and imposed upon many who, wanting to be spiritual..or feel 'gifted' or not be rejected and accepted they go along with the tongues, and flowing in the prophetic..etc. Tongues are biblical yes, but half of what goes on i see is very showy and quite contrary to what is spoken of in 1 corinthians 14

God and God alone or God and 'your brand of theology' you wish to force upon somebody..seriously Jimmydiggs, at least have the integrity to say what you are..a divine determinist..if she is not 'elect' as you believe..then you waste your words..why would any good calvinist say such nonsensical mishmash that you just said..makes no sense, just be honest..say what you mean..don't play word games man.

I enjoyed your testimony, but I'm having difficulty getting a grip on this statement. The person he was talking to had an Universalist view which can be very dangerous. I respect Jimmydigg's postings because he's not argumentative or spending time pushing his point. I also agree with him. Anyone who believes in all gods does not know the Savior. The Spirit of God will confirm this in the believer's heart that there is only one God.
However, I'm glad you came through the things you've experienced. It can be difficult when you've been a part of so many denominations. It could put you through spiritual burnout. I have met many on this site in the rooms that no longer go to church for such reasons. Hang in there brother. God has good things for you.

They can easily tell what will happen if they have control with what will happen,
and the person itll happen to. with me it was majority future things. Its not
smoke and mirrors, or wasnt with me. I didnt even want it.

Sorry i dont explain well. I dont objectify my feelings and emotions. Yes the Truth will
include our emotions and feelings as it should or we would be icecubes.

But its objective things and truths that manage my feelings and emotions
and not subjective feelings and emotions that guide or become the objective truths

Could literally spend all day on this couldn't we lol.

What can be more objectively important to your own insight, than YOU?

In terms of interpretation, 'mirroring yourself against the bible', so to speak.

An objective truth can GUIDE my emotions, Ie. for instance, I can cultivate compassion by realising the truth of what compassion is, both objectively, and in fact, subjectively.

It encompasses an outward perspective, and an inward, personal feeling, or reaction to something outside of myself.

What I mean is, it's all very subjective ...

Actually it was several years before the prosperity gospel(left in 75). It was a large nationwide cult that stemmed from EW Kenyon who basically was one of the key players of the later prosperity/faith movement. So the prosperity
part wasnt significant part really looking back it was maybe biblical since there surely is a truth: to he which soweth sparingly reapeth sparingly etc etc.

But it was big on the faith business and the gifts. Full of pride and i was sorta innocent then and took
the bait. Pushed so fast into leadership i found it kinda fun, although i didnt care so much for the responsibility of so many(hundreds) people seeking advise and council almost daily. It was like who am i...please go away and pray.Ha

Stephen the part that took me years to get over....if im over it i dont know was the spiritual gifts part.
Its not that i dont think the Holyspirit works in people. He does. But theres a side of it that is not dark
and is not evil at least it doesnt seem that way. That truly is powerful, supernatural, and is not from God.
Talk later.

Yes with a need for guidance, but maybe ill come back to this with more time.
Till then. I like your mind.