Christians Unite!

[The Albatross]

Right. Please accept my apologies.

 

[HealingInProcess]

Just want to say I've been using the Jesus prayer and I very much recommend it. It goes "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.

Hi @EveHarrington I wonder about this same thing sometimes myself. (And by the way, I started this thread and you are more than welcome in it! You and I have conversed here before). Anyway, I did know of someone who got raped and not a long time later, got involved with devil worship. So these things really do happen! When they do, it is heartbreaking to watch, especially when there is nothing one can do to change the outcome. When it happened, I think maybe the person blamed God for the horrible thing that happened, and then turned to God's enemy, thinking there was some kind of future protection there. That is just a guess.

On the other hand, one can run into tragedy in life and pray for deliverance. I do that. I have felt like that if, like in the Book of Job, God allowed something tragic to happen to me or someone I love, for whatever reason, then praying to Him about it is the only way to solve things and make them better. I always think of the Book of Job when I see tragedy strike. That book is so puzzling! However, in some strange kind of way, it does explain this kind of thing and how folks react to it. Look at how Job's wife reacts, for instance. She tells Job to curse God and die. Job does not take her advice, however. No matter how bad things get for him, he blesses the name of the Lord, and things get pretty bad! In the end, he offers sacrifices to God. Finally his life is restored to some resemblance of its original form and things go well for him. What went on behind the scenes in the book of Job between God and Satan, is the thing that fascinates me. Yet, there is not really an answer there to Job's question, which is probably our question too! That is why I say the book is puzzling. (It is in the Old Testament).

I think part of the message of Job is there are questions we will never have answers to and much of what we know about God is dim speculation.

 

[Changing4Best]

I have been using a prayer by St. Patrick:

Prayer of St. Patrick

It gives me such peace and tranquility, that which is of God, of course!

 

[HealingInProcess]

I have been using a prayer by St. Patrick:

Prayer of St. Patrick

It gives me such peace and tranquility, that which is of God, of course!

Thanks for this. I enjoyed praying this prayer.

 

[Changing4Best]

I have leaned on my pastor this week heavily, not to mention God. I am so glad she and He are there! Just saying....

 

[Lionheart]

I have a problem and a question. It seems that I view God as being a punishing God rather than loving and forgiving. How do I correct this view of God?

I have examined my beliefs about what God is and it turns out that those beliefs resemble the Anti-Christ rather than a loving Creator. I was raised Southern Baptist, and I don't know how my beliefs got so twisted around, but I would like to untwist them.

Any suggestions?

 

[Changing4Best]

I have a problem and a question. It seems that I view God as being a punishing God rather than loving and forgiving. How do I correct this view of God?

I have examined my beliefs about what God is and it turns out that those beliefs resemble the Anti-Christ rather than a loving Creator. I was raised Southern Baptist, and I don't know how my beliefs got so twisted around, but I would like to untwist them.

Any suggestions?

I think when we have a relationship with God, He shows His true character. Ask Him a question and see if you get some kind of answer. It can come through nature, people, a hunch or actually He will sometimes speak to you spiritually. That last is hard to discern, as His voice is a still small voice, kind of. Not really a whisper, but very quiet like that. His voice is gentle and clear. It is hard to explain! I do FEEL love from Him though. It is a longing kind of feeling, like He wants me to pay Him more attention than I sometimes do! (I get buried in worldly things too deeply sometimes.) Does this make any sense to you?

 

[Lionheart]

I prayed about it after writing this post to ask God to reveal himself to me and to help me form a closer relationship with him. I want to believe in a God of Love and forgiveness, but what I have come to view God as, is hatefulness and vengefulness. I asked God to help me to turn that around, to reveal the truth to me. Nothing makes much sense to me right now @Changing4Best , but I appreciate your reply.

 

[Changing4Best]

I am praying for you too, @Lionheart777

 

[EveHarrington]

I have a problem and a question. It seems that I view God as being a punishing God rather than loving and forgiving. How do I correct this view of God?

I think it may have something to do with the denomination in which you were raised? (I could be wrong here.)

I wasn’t much of a believer until I was an adult, but even so, was raised in the same church I go to now.

I went to another kind of church and their focus was so much on sin. It was a warm and welcoming church, but at the same time, when we focus on sin, hasn’t the devil already won? What I mean is that my church focuses more on the light, the good... I think this is why I see God as Love, and not to be feared. I try to focus my life not on avoiding sin, but on living positively, caring for my friends and family, doing what I can, whenever I can for others. Yes, when I mess up, I make things right, but the focus is still on the good.

 

[Lionheart]

when we focus on sin, hasn’t the devil already won? What I mean is that my church focuses more on the light, the good... I think this is why I see God as Love, and not to be feared.

Good Point!!! I think you are right, the denomination that I was raised in did focus an awful lot on hell and damnation, fire and brimstone etc. I think maybe their good intentions were misdirected because I grew up with an unshakable fear of God that was based on punishment for being a sinner, forgive me if I am wrong but wasn't that the whole reason for Jesus? Maybe I should re-examine my beliefs with a different church....just sayin', I would do well with a different perspective!!!

Thanks @EveHarrington for your reply! I feel a deep sense of relief.

 

[HealingInProcess]

You're not alone in your struggles with legalism and self-condemnation. It can be a real struggle to get over it. Remember that Jesus vindicated the Publican and not the Pharisee. God knows we're sinners and loves us anyways.