I really wish I believed (reincarnation, God)

[1nharmony]

Originally Posted by Lintu

But the thought of reincarnating after this life is scary in itself given how the world is going.

I'm with you there! Not too interested in coming back to be with this batch of religious nuts again!

[Beachcomber]

When I say I'm "saved", I mean that in the past, I have gone through the "ritual" of asking Jesus Christ to come into my life and forgive my sins. I have prayed that prayer in earnest. People call that being "saved". But I don't feel saved. I don't feel connected. I feel lost. And I have tried very hard to connect with God, and I don't feel a connection. that's why I'm here on this site at this hour. It is very disturbing to me that I feel so disconnected.

[Katzpur]

Originally Posted by Beachcomber

When I say I'm "saved", I mean that in the past, I have gone through the "ritual" of asking Jesus Christ to come into my life and forgive my sins. I have prayed that prayer in earnest. People call that being "saved". But I don't feel saved. I don't feel connected. I feel lost. And I have tried very hard to connect with God, and I don't feel a connection. that's why I'm here on this site at this hour. It is very disturbing to me that I feel so disconnected.

I see what you're saying. Thanks for explaining, because you really did have me confused there. I really do sympathize with your situation. That would be very, very difficult. Hopefully, the time you spend here will help you find a new direction, one that feels right. Hang in there. Sometimes it just takes time.

[Katzpur]

Originally Posted by 1nharmony

I'm with you there! Not too interested in coming back to be with this batch of religious nuts again!

And which batch of religious nuts were you referring to specifically?

[Beachcomber]

Thanks for your reply. I'm curious....do you pray, and if you do, do you feel that you commune with God? Am I just completely out in left field? Is He there and I don't hear him?

[Booko]

Originally Posted by Beachcomber

When I say I'm "saved", I mean that in the past, I have gone through the "ritual" of asking Jesus Christ to come into my life and forgive my sins. I have prayed that prayer in earnest. People call that being "saved". But I don't feel saved. I don't feel connected. I feel lost. And I have tried very hard to connect with God, and I don't feel a connection. that's why I'm here on this site at this hour. It is very disturbing to me that I feel so disconnected.

Maybe it sounds odd, but perhaps you need to be lost for a while, so you can eventually find your way back.

Religion can be so full of man-made stuff passing itself as coming from God, you know?

Maybe you have to leave some unneeded stuff behind to clear your vision, so you can see where you need to go.

As long as you're still looking, you're not really lost. When you stop looking, then maybe.

[Booko]

Originally Posted by Katzpur

And which batch of religious nuts were you referring to specifically?

You don't think we're all just a bit nutty?

[Booko]

Originally Posted by Beachcomber

Thanks for your reply. I'm curious....do you pray, and if you do, do you feel that you commune with God? Am I just completely out in left field? Is He there and I don't hear him?

I know you asked Katz, but I hope you don't mind if I reply as well.

Yes, I pray. But honestly, it's one of the things about religion that I struggle with. I pray daily, out of plain obedience. Someday, maybe I'll even understand why. There are other times when I've done things out of obedience, and later understood the "why." Maybe this will come in time too.

But I do study and reflect also. And when I'm in a troubled place, I ask myself, "OK, this must mean I have something to learn -- what is the lesson, and how do I learn it?" And I look very carefully at what's going on around me, and who is in my life at the time.

That's where I really get my answers. God "speaks" in myriad ways, and not just through prayer. Sometimes I get information from someone else, a friend, a total stranger, someone online, and through them, I can see another possibility. Sometimes I'm studying and something clicks with what I've just read.

I still do the prayers anyway, and it does seem that when I do, I'm able to see the possibilities better.

The crazy thing is when, after I've been looking and looking and finally find an answer to something, I look back and see that the answer was there all the time -- there was just something getting in my way and I couldn't see it.

[Beachcomber]

Thanks Booko. I think I relate to a lot of what you are saying. Even though I have been doubting, I still find myself praying. It somehow makes me feel better....the idea that someone is listening to my thoughts and prayers. And I also have had ephiphany moments that seem to come after a string of seemingly unrelated incidents that occurred.

[joeboonda]

The BIble says that these things were written that we may KNOW that we HAVE eternal life NOW. If I wanted a car and someone said you have a good chance of getting it, I would not know for sure. But once I had it in writing, from the owner that it was indeed mine, then I could rest easy. Well, we have not just man's word, we have God's word, and it says that Whoever trusts Christ's death on the cross to have paid fullly for all our sins, HAS eternal life and will not ever come back into condemnation. God said it, I believe it, and that settles it, Praise God. Feelings and emotions are the Devils area to play with us, accept the written promises of God, and quit worrying about your salvation. Salvation is a totally free, undeserved, unmerited gift we simply accept and rejoice in. Salvation is of God, not man, you cannot do anything to earn it or keep it, it is a free gift we simply, thankfully accept, and my friends, you have God's Word on that.