footballer
Member
My belief is, God speaks to us through our conscience.
| CURRENT EVENTS Israel vs. Iran, and where will the US fit in?
- Thread starter Brandon Van de Graaff
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XXL TideFan
There is nothing to be gained by continuing this discussion. I wish nothing but the best for all
TerryP
Staff
Except, to expand your experiences a bit?
You are not cut to run away from conversations...don't get this move.
Yes and definitely through His word…let the light of His word dispel the darkness of this world. We are definitely walking in darkness, “your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path”.
footballer
Member
For me, the three most important life rules are, Say what you mean and mean what you say, Let your conscience be your guide, Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
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XXL TideFan
No, I don’t run from conversations. However, there comes a point in discussions of this nature where there isn’t anything to be gained by continuing. I’ve had plenty of “experiences” in different denominations as you undoubtedly remember my previous declarations of such.
As the Paschal season has come to a close the greetings between Orthodox Christians the world over are “Christ is Risen!” and the reply is “I deed HE is risen!” or a slight variation.
Try fasting for the 40+ days of Pascha. No meat, eggs, dairy or alcohol except wine & fish on certain days. Something like half of the year is that way. The part that I’m sure gets to the young married couples is we are not supposed to have sex during times of fast.
I’ve had your experiences, come and experience ours. The part people have a hard time understanding is the scope. In any protestant their Christianity is a part of them. Orthodoxy is far more immersive to us. Our homes have a prayer corner or space. Set up similar to the church. The following is a good example but not a requirement. The only must haves are icons of Jesus & Theotokos and a cross. I’ll be ordering a swing censor to cense the house with during our morning and evening prayers. Same with the Lampada should be lit when you are home & awake.
Ive always thought the reason for fasting was to withdraw from the world so you can hear from God. But in the Orthodox Church, fasting is because of tradition and Lent? Sir, you don’t have to answer but at the very least I think you should reconsider your importance to God. If he thought you were important enough to die for, He might have something to say to you.
Truly, you present a regimented, even rote, process, and those you counter provide personal experiences of a relationship. Honestly, I think both camps are secure in their salvation, as they earnestly seek Christ in their lives, and both are worthy of their commitments of faith.
Praise be to God for His love for mankind.
TerryP
Staff
Believe what I say, not what you've seen countered with some saying I can't see it so I can't believe what you say.
musso
Member
And I will say, "you lack evidence."
I used to have experiences of a relationship with an invisible friend. Then I grew out of it. Later, charismatic Protestantism rekindled it and refashioned my "friend" into a creator-savior hybrid. Then I finally grew out of it for good, realizing there is no one watching or in control, save Big Brother and Big Government.
TerryP
Staff
Except. I don't.
Except. I've seen signs. I've seen wonders.
I went the other direction looking to see if it could be replicated. And it led to more wonders.
Tim nailed it earlier. You are questioning personal experiences based on something that is only visible in your frame of reference. A little shaky if you ask me...
TerryP
Staff
No. Let me correct myself. It is shaky.
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XXL TideFan
You resort to petulance easily these days. Prayers for all. God grant you all many years!
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ElephantStomp
Member
You’ve seen things happen, but that doesn’t prove the mystical being
TerryP
Staff
Then how did I experience them? I'm not supposed to believe what's seen and experienced?
Because, like a child, I've asked questions? That's the only reasonable explanation for the statement: petulant? Some of the comments deserve a Princess Bride gif.
musso
Member
As persuasive as your excessive use of periods is, I nevertheless must distinguish between subjective experiences and objective reality. We all have experiences we can't explain or don't fully understand. With such experiences, some of us are tempted to invoke the divine. An even smaller portion of the population experiences hallucinations regularly. I actually know such people.
Then there is objective reality, which essentially is a crowd-funded enterprise via the scientific method, able to be observed, measured, tested, replicated, challenged by skeptics, and either disproven or reaffirmed accordingly. This is the only realm of knowledge that can be accessed by the public at large and verified and falsified.
TerryP
Staff
So, that was funny. Should I use an Elliptical in my next post? With such a framed view of life it seems fitting (ironically, constraining as your view seems to be.)
Signed~ Petulant.
TerryP
Staff
@XXL TideFan I would have suggested "are." But, refraining from the petulant and pedantic side of my personality.
All for you.
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