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Holy Consequences
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If you have been introduced to The Bible or other form of religious following after many upsets or problems filling your life and then circumstances started to change for the better, would you attribute the change to the book,the belief, positive thinking on your own or other elements that may have changed your view and could you specifically define the reason for the turning point in your life?
Sorry, I'm sure that's more than one question.
Sorry, I'm sure that's more than one question.
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No best answer has yet been selected by luna-tic. Once a best answer has been selected, it will be shown here.
For more on marking an answer as the "Best Answer", please visit our FAQ.Hello Luna. Nice question.
My belief in the Bible came at age 29 when life was pretty good. Good job, house, wife and family, (only two kids at the time), and no traumas to send me screaming for help.
But, it changed my outlook on so many things, once I realised that religion was a load of old twaddle, with its ceremonies and divisiveness, and that Christianity was more than that, a personal relationship with a person, Jesus Christ.
As the years rolled on, and the inevitable traumas and crises raised their ugly heads, I had two methods of dealing with them, my own strength and abilities, and guidance from prayer to the one treu living God in whom I believe.
This is not quite the answer you are looking for, but it's my story anyway.
My belief in the Bible came at age 29 when life was pretty good. Good job, house, wife and family, (only two kids at the time), and no traumas to send me screaming for help.
But, it changed my outlook on so many things, once I realised that religion was a load of old twaddle, with its ceremonies and divisiveness, and that Christianity was more than that, a personal relationship with a person, Jesus Christ.
As the years rolled on, and the inevitable traumas and crises raised their ugly heads, I had two methods of dealing with them, my own strength and abilities, and guidance from prayer to the one treu living God in whom I believe.
This is not quite the answer you are looking for, but it's my story anyway.
This is going to sound a little 'hippy on the wacky backy' probably but it's my belief and no stranger than a virgin birth!;0)
There's this thing called affirmations, (I first heard of it reading Dilbert), you have to write it down something you want 15 times a day and while you're writing you have to visualise it (you have to be kind of specific) and it happens. Now I don't do this but I agree with the principal, not that I can make anything happen but the fact that if you concentrate on something you want for long enough during the day (or night) then without realising it you do things to achieve what you want. And it seems to work. Or at least it does for me.
Obviously I can't change things that happen to me or raise the dead but by concentrating on how I want my world to be once a day I keep myself balanced and keep doing the things that shape it. The times when I stop doing that I notice the difference.
Part of the reason for this is that I do believe that we are all connected in a way in this world and that we change our enviroments every day... walk on the beach and you change the shape of the sand or the pebbles, walk on the grass and you do the same. Doesn't matter much to us but the creatures underneath it might not be best impressed. (Same way those little creatures intruding in the living room can change me from happy to terrified in very few seconds).
Anyway... that's what I think. And I think it's a form of positive thinking but more. It's about being in tune with the people and the enviroment in your world.
There's this thing called affirmations, (I first heard of it reading Dilbert), you have to write it down something you want 15 times a day and while you're writing you have to visualise it (you have to be kind of specific) and it happens. Now I don't do this but I agree with the principal, not that I can make anything happen but the fact that if you concentrate on something you want for long enough during the day (or night) then without realising it you do things to achieve what you want. And it seems to work. Or at least it does for me.
Obviously I can't change things that happen to me or raise the dead but by concentrating on how I want my world to be once a day I keep myself balanced and keep doing the things that shape it. The times when I stop doing that I notice the difference.
Part of the reason for this is that I do believe that we are all connected in a way in this world and that we change our enviroments every day... walk on the beach and you change the shape of the sand or the pebbles, walk on the grass and you do the same. Doesn't matter much to us but the creatures underneath it might not be best impressed. (Same way those little creatures intruding in the living room can change me from happy to terrified in very few seconds).
Anyway... that's what I think. And I think it's a form of positive thinking but more. It's about being in tune with the people and the enviroment in your world.
Hello Theland, It's jolly good to see you via AB again.
There really wasn't any overly strict criteria for the answer, as my question was multi-faceted anyway.
My question is sincere and not looking for arguments, just experiences, so your answer was more than I was looking for because it was true.
Although I may not follow your Christian ways, I accept that if the belief you follow keeps you strong in times of need then that is a great comfort.
Thank you.
Luna
There really wasn't any overly strict criteria for the answer, as my question was multi-faceted anyway.
My question is sincere and not looking for arguments, just experiences, so your answer was more than I was looking for because it was true.
Although I may not follow your Christian ways, I accept that if the belief you follow keeps you strong in times of need then that is a great comfort.
Thank you.
Luna
The Bible has some uncomfortable examples of trusting God in times of crisis.
Moses for example fled from Egypt, but after being confronted by God, where was he sent? Yes, Egypt, only this time with God holding his hand.
The point being that with God holding our hand, we can confront our fears.
At the moment I am ill and going through a bad patch, and I can assure you, that confronting my own fears and insecurities is no easy matter, but there is no other route other than straight ahead. It makes me shiver.
Moses for example fled from Egypt, but after being confronted by God, where was he sent? Yes, Egypt, only this time with God holding his hand.
The point being that with God holding our hand, we can confront our fears.
At the moment I am ill and going through a bad patch, and I can assure you, that confronting my own fears and insecurities is no easy matter, but there is no other route other than straight ahead. It makes me shiver.
That's a beautiful way of being China.
It seems very similar to the "Cosmic Ordering" idea that by being positive we can change our lives hopefully for the better if we concentrate enough on what we want (not necessarily material things) but to receive a good life by appreciating all that surrounds us and our connectivity with it.
Of course this may not work for everyone because of the way their life has turned out already but there's definitely no harm in wishing.
It seems very similar to the "Cosmic Ordering" idea that by being positive we can change our lives hopefully for the better if we concentrate enough on what we want (not necessarily material things) but to receive a good life by appreciating all that surrounds us and our connectivity with it.
Of course this may not work for everyone because of the way their life has turned out already but there's definitely no harm in wishing.
I was very ill in hospital last week and with my temperature well above 40 degrees celcius nigh on fitting with rygers, I told my mum I loved her as they took me in to the intensive care room because I thought that may be goodbye. I was calm and not in the least bit afraid.
Thankfully I've still got some annoyance in me!
But that to to me is the value of belief, it's the hope that floats when everything else is lost.
Thankfully I've still got some annoyance in me!
But that to to me is the value of belief, it's the hope that floats when everything else is lost.
Thanks for that Theland, I was actually admitted on suspicion of having pnemonia (they were still testing me for type 'A' community acquired pneumonia several days later) it was quite an experience, and it taught me one thing (that I'm sure) that a positive belief in God can carry you through any torment be it in life or death and that there's no point in trying to make an atheist (some atheists) understand, comprehend or even respect that.
Without God I know that, that first night would have been far longer and far darker than it otherwise was.
But I'm still no closer to becoming a saint! Far from it! ;-)
Without God I know that, that first night would have been far longer and far darker than it otherwise was.
But I'm still no closer to becoming a saint! Far from it! ;-)
Thank you everton for sharing your experience.
It just goes to show how quickly our physical presence on this planet can be suddenly altered from good to bad.
If both Theland and your belief have a positive effect on the psyche to give you hope then that is good.
Theland, I and many others may not have a belief in the biblical god. I am not an atheist either but I do understand that the Christian path you have chosen can be right for you.There is nothing wrong with asking for help and if it comes to you via a belief. I wish you both well.
My hope in day to day living and it's sometimes cruel twists and turns comes from my own personal faith. No books, only a belief in myself and wanting to carry on.
As you know, it hasn't always been like that.
It just goes to show how quickly our physical presence on this planet can be suddenly altered from good to bad.
If both Theland and your belief have a positive effect on the psyche to give you hope then that is good.
Theland, I and many others may not have a belief in the biblical god. I am not an atheist either but I do understand that the Christian path you have chosen can be right for you.There is nothing wrong with asking for help and if it comes to you via a belief. I wish you both well.
My hope in day to day living and it's sometimes cruel twists and turns comes from my own personal faith. No books, only a belief in myself and wanting to carry on.
As you know, it hasn't always been like that.