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Does God have a Plan for our lives?

Trailblazer

Trailblazer

Veteran Member
Truthseeker9 said:
Yes, an apparent plan that did work out was an blessing in disguise.
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Yes, I can see that now that I have the best job anyone could ever want, but I had to go through hell before I finally got it, and you wonder why I am in no hurry to retire?
Truthseeker9 said:
That's quite true we should not be waiting for direction from God, but while we carry our work out God will guide us.
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Yes, I agree. I feel guided to do things I don't really want to do but I am probably better off doing them.
Truthseeker9 said:
I am reminded of when in the first time in my life I took initiative as the only member of the deepening committee in Beavercreek, Ohio to start a county wide deepening committee. As a result an assistant of the Auxiliary board came all of the way from the Cleveland area. Another apparent intervention by God was that the assistant to the Auxiliary board resigned in the local area. This person, Dolly Haghighi, was the matchmaker that was looking for someone to be the companion to Sara Hengeli. You know the rest of the story. Because I took the initiative I found the companion that has been with me since October 22, 1982.
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You just reminded me of something that happened back in 1988 when I first moved up to Washington from California and was looking for a place to rent. To make a long story short, all the places to rent were over 10 miles from where I was going to work but I ended up finding this really neat condo about a quarter mile away from where I would be working because I wanted to live where they needed Baha'is. How I found that condo was a fluke and then because I found it I was in a Baha'i group with a man who led me to find a homeopathic doctor who changed my life.
 
Trailblazer

Trailblazer

Veteran Member
Truthseeker9 said:
Later, I am too tired to think any more. Perhaps in retrospect, I wasn't think clearly then either. I'm going to bed. I got up at 8:00 this morning which is earlier that my usual time.
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Okay, maybe later. It has been a day for me too, packing and moving all that stuff. It was not only physically taxing but also emotionally taxing, knowing I am probably never going back to that building, but I am so grateful I still have the same job and can do it at home, surrounded by beautiful cats!
 
InvestigateTruth

InvestigateTruth

Well-Known Member
Trailblazer said:
I thought to post this after listening to the Christian radio station this morning and hearing a testimonial. I used to think it was silly that God would have a Plan for people’s lives and I disagreed with Christians who say that because I do not believe that God is controlling our lives. Rather, I believe humans have their own will to act on their own behalf. However, I now realize that does not preclude God having a Plan for our lives in the sense that whatever happens was predestined. I believe that human free will and predestination can coexist but I cannot say exactly how that works because I don’t think anyone can know that.

My life is up in the air and I have many things in my life to resolve. I have anxiety so I am anxious that these things are not resolved and I don’t know if or when they will ever be resolved. However, today I am choosing to trust that whatever happens is God’s Will and that it will be in my best interest. I trust God because I see that things get resolved in spite of my not trying to control things like I used to do, which never worked out.

I feel like Job given all the suffering I have endured for more years than I care to say, but right now, other than an upcoming dental appointment, I don’t have anything that is really worrisome. Although there are many things that I will need to resolve eventually, I trust that God will help me figure out what to.

If I think back to what was happening one year ago this month, even two years ago or three years ago, I cringe and I wonder how I got through all of that. Now I know I was not alone, that God was there with me all along. It is always easier for me to realize that in retrospect. I thank Christians and their testimonials for reminding me of God’s presence and goodness, because I tend to lose my faith that God is good, as some of my fellow Baha’is know only too well.

I think there was a reason I suddenly decided to turn on that radio station this morning, after I had decided I did not want to listen to Christian music anymore.

Sincerely, Trailblazer. :)
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It is one of the questions I don't know. But scriptures tells us everything is predestined in a sense. It means God has already determined plans for us.
I have to say I don't know what God is, so, I cannot even understand what it means if God has a plan for us. We will probably know when we go to the other side. So, let's hang in there.
:) life too short
 
Twilight Hue

Twilight Hue

Twilight, not bright nor dark, good nor bad.
Trailblazer said:
I thought to post this after listening to the Christian radio station this morning and hearing a testimonial. I used to think it was silly that God would have a Plan for people’s lives and I disagreed with Christians who say that because I do not believe that God is controlling our lives. Rather, I believe humans have their own will to act on their own behalf. However, I now realize that does not preclude God having a Plan for our lives in the sense that whatever happens was predestined. I believe that human free will and predestination can coexist but I cannot say exactly how that works because I don’t think anyone can know that.

My life is up in the air and I have many things in my life to resolve. I have anxiety so I am anxious that these things are not resolved and I don’t know if or when they will ever be resolved. However, today I am choosing to trust that whatever happens is God’s Will and that it will be in my best interest. I trust God because I see that things get resolved in spite of my not trying to control things like I used to do, which never worked out.

I feel like Job given all the suffering I have endured for more years than I care to say, but right now, other than an upcoming dental appointment, I don’t have anything that is really worrisome. Although there are many things that I will need to resolve eventually, I trust that God will help me figure out what to.

If I think back to what was happening one year ago this month, even two years ago or three years ago, I cringe and I wonder how I got through all of that. Now I know I was not alone, that God was there with me all along. It is always easier for me to realize that in retrospect. I thank Christians and their testimonials for reminding me of God’s presence and goodness, because I tend to lose my faith that God is good, as some of my fellow Baha’is know only too well.

I think there was a reason I suddenly decided to turn on that radio station this morning, after I had decided I did not want to listen to Christian music anymore.

Sincerely, Trailblazer. :)
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A God is just an avatar, all planning is a result of your own endeavors.
 
Truthseeker

Truthseeker

Non-debating member when I can help myself
Trailblazer said:
sun rise said: "what works for me is the belief that God has a plan and it's our choice whether to carry it out or not."

Can you explain what you think that means maybe with an example? Do you mean God has a plan and he hopes we will carry it out? How could we EVER know what that plan is, in order to carry it out?
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We know the spiritual principles and laws from Baha'u'llah. It is not a personal plan for us in particular, but part of a plan for all mankind. That's where I went wrong in how I saw what he said.
Trailblazer said:
The only quotes I can think of are these:

“Intone, O My servant, the verses of God that have been received by thee, as intoned by them who have drawn nigh unto Him, that the sweetness of thy melody may kindle thine own soul, and attract the hearts of all men. Whoso reciteth, in the privacy of his chamber, the verses revealed by God, the scattering angels of the Almighty shall scatter abroad the fragrance of the words uttered by his mouth, and shall cause the heart of every righteous man to throb. Though he may, at first, remain unaware of its effect, yet the virtue of the grace vouchsafed unto him must needs sooner or later exercise its influence upon his soul. Thus have the mysteries of the Revelation of God been decreed by virtue of the Will of Him Who is the Source of power and wisdom.”
Gleanings From the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 295

Or this one?

“Know thou, O fruit of My Tree, that the decrees of the Sovereign Ordainer, as related to fate and predestination, are of two kinds. Both are to be obeyed and accepted. The one is irrevocable, the other is, as termed by men, impending. To the former all must unreservedly submit, inasmuch as it is fixed and settled. God, however, is able to alter or repeal it. As the harm that must result from such a change will be greater than if the decree had remained unaltered, all, therefore, should willingly acquiesce in what God hath willed and confidently abide by the same.

The decree that is impending, however, is such that prayer and entreaty can succeed in averting it.”
Gleanings From the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 133
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No, it is nothing like those quotes. Something to the effect that no matter how the die is cast, even or odd, it is to our benefit. Found it! The words even or odd enabled me to find it:

Another of the sacred responsibilities of the believers is their spiritual commitment to serve God’s Sacred Threshold at all times and under all conditions so that they may dedicate the few, fleeting days of their lives—particularly in this age of transition—to the Cause of God, unmindful of the vicissitudes of fortune, trusting in Providence, and relieved of worries and anxieties. Witness what joyful tidings the Pen of the Most High has given to such blessed souls:

Whatsoever occurreth in the world of being is light for His loved ones and fire for the people of sedition and strife. Even if all the losses of the world were to be sustained by one of the friends of God, he would still profit thereby, whereas true loss would be borne by such as are wayward, ignorant and contemptuous. Although the author of the following saying had intended it otherwise, yet We find it pertinent to the operation of God’s immutable Will: “Even or odd, thou shalt win the wager.” The friends of God shall win and profit under all conditions, and shall attain true wealth. In fire they remain cold, and from water they emerge dry. Their affairs are at variance with the affairs of men. Gain is their lot, whatever the deal. To this testifieth every wise one with a discerning eye, and every fair-minded one with a hearing ear.
(10 February 1980 – To the dear Iranian believers resident in other countries throughout the world)
www.bahai.org/r/774547475

This may not be what you had in mind.
 
C

Clara Tea

Well-Known Member
Trailblazer said:
I thought to post this after listening to the Christian radio station this morning and hearing a testimonial. I used to think it was silly that God would have a Plan for people’s lives and I disagreed with Christians who say that because I do not believe that God is controlling our lives. Rather, I believe humans have their own will to act on their own behalf. However, I now realize that does not preclude God having a Plan for our lives in the sense that whatever happens was predestined. I believe that human free will and predestination can coexist but I cannot say exactly how that works because I don’t think anyone can know that.

My life is up in the air and I have many things in my life to resolve. I have anxiety so I am anxious that these things are not resolved and I don’t know if or when they will ever be resolved. However, today I am choosing to trust that whatever happens is God’s Will and that it will be in my best interest. I trust God because I see that things get resolved in spite of my not trying to control things like I used to do, which never worked out.

I feel like Job given all the suffering I have endured for more years than I care to say, but right now, other than an upcoming dental appointment, I don’t have anything that is really worrisome. Although there are many things that I will need to resolve eventually, I trust that God will help me figure out what to.

If I think back to what was happening one year ago this month, even two years ago or three years ago, I cringe and I wonder how I got through all of that. Now I know I was not alone, that God was there with me all along. It is always easier for me to realize that in retrospect. I thank Christians and their testimonials for reminding me of God’s presence and goodness, because I tend to lose my faith that God is good, as some of my fellow Baha’is know only too well.

I think there was a reason I suddenly decided to turn on that radio station this morning, after I had decided I did not want to listen to Christian music anymore.

Sincerely, Trailblazer. :)
Click to expand...

God sees the future, so he knows that many people will burn in the fires of hell for all eternity. Some say that we have original sin. If we can't totally purge that, is God's plan to send us all to hell?
 
Trailblazer

Trailblazer

Veteran Member
Clara Tea said:
God sees the future, so he knows that many people will burn in the fires of hell for all eternity. Some say that we have original sin. If we can't totally purge that, is God's plan to send us all to hell?
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I do not believe in original sin or the Christian version of hell. I believe that hell is nothing more than distance from God. God does not send us anywhere, we sends ourselves by our own choices and actions.
 
C

Clara Tea

Well-Known Member
Truthseeker9 said:
Later, I am too tired to think any more. Perhaps in retrospect, I wasn't think clearly then either. I'm going to bed. I got up at 8:00 this morning which is earlier that my usual time.
Click to expand...
It is possible that all that happens is part of God's plan. Even in failure there might be success. God sees the future, so knows what we should do, and it might not be intuitively obvious to us. It is even possible, that being too tired to continue a conversation, is part of God's plan.
 
C

Clara Tea

Well-Known Member
Trailblazer said:
I do not believe in original sin or the Christian version of hell. I believe that hell is nothing more than distance from God. God does not send us anywhere, we sends ourselves by our own choices and actions.
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It is possible that heaven and hell are structured the same. Except for the climate, they could be very similar. In both heaven and hell, you are with your own kind. In heaven, you are among those who care about each other and help. In hell, you are among those who are only out for their own good, and don't help anyone else (they are like the people who don't want to pay for universal health care for all, and who want to cut taxes for wealthy oil companies so they can drill offshore and pollute the are because their love of mammon (money) outweighs their love of God). In hell, you are among gun advocates who don't care about their fellow souls, as long as they feel protected. In hell, you are among those who supported war, because killing a million innocent Iraqis, who had nothing at all to do with terrorism, made them feel better (more protected). They care about themselves, not about others.
 
C

Clara Tea

Well-Known Member
We Never Know said:
Supposedly a god already has your whole life planned out. If thats so free won't matter.
However a god may know how your life will turn out by you using your freewill because he already knows the choices you will make.
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Then God knows that some people (or some souls that he put in them) will make wrong choices and will go to hell. He knows this even before they do wrong and go to hell. Doesn't it seem cruel to doom some to eternal damnation and the fires of hell?
 
We Never Know

We Never Know

No Slack
Clara Tea said:
Then God knows that some people (or some souls that he put in them) will make wrong choices and will go to hell. He knows this even before they do wrong and go to hell. Doesn't it seem cruel to doom some to eternal damnation and the fires of hell?
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No more cruel than putting someone in prison for life for the choices they made.
 
Trailblazer

Trailblazer

Veteran Member
Clara Tea said:
In both heaven and hell, you are with your own kind. In heaven, you are among those who care about each other and help. In hell, you are among those who are only out for their own good, and don't help anyone else
Click to expand...
Yes, I think that is a very accurate description, and we can be in heaven or hell in both this world and in the next world.
I believe there will be a carryover so what we were here is what we will be there.

This short quote describes heaven and hell. Heaven is the second to last sentence. Hell is the last sentence.

“Thou hast asked Me concerning the nature of the soul. Know, verily, that the soul is a sign of God, a heavenly gem whose reality the most learned of men hath failed to grasp, and whose mystery no mind, however acute, can ever hope to unravel. It is the first among all created things to declare the excellence of its Creator, the first to recognize His glory, to cleave to His truth, and to bow down in adoration before Him. If it be faithful to God, it will reflect His light, and will, eventually, return unto Him. If it fail, however, in its allegiance to its Creator, it will become a victim to self and passion, and will, in the end, sink in their depths...”
Gleanings From the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, pp. 158-159
 
viole

viole

Ontological Naturalist
Premium Member
Trailblazer said:
I thought to post this after listening to the Christian radio station this morning and hearing a testimonial. I used to think it was silly that God would have a Plan for people’s lives and I disagreed with Christians who say that because I do not believe that God is controlling our lives. Rather, I believe humans have their own will to act on their own behalf. However, I now realize that does not preclude God having a Plan for our lives in the sense that whatever happens was predestined. I believe that human free will and predestination can coexist but I cannot say exactly how that works because I don’t think anyone can know that.

My life is up in the air and I have many things in my life to resolve. I have anxiety so I am anxious that these things are not resolved and I don’t know if or when they will ever be resolved. However, today I am choosing to trust that whatever happens is God’s Will and that it will be in my best interest. I trust God because I see that things get resolved in spite of my not trying to control things like I used to do, which never worked out.

I feel like Job given all the suffering I have endured for more years than I care to say, but right now, other than an upcoming dental appointment, I don’t have anything that is really worrisome. Although there are many things that I will need to resolve eventually, I trust that God will help me figure out what to.

If I think back to what was happening one year ago this month, even two years ago or three years ago, I cringe and I wonder how I got through all of that. Now I know I was not alone, that God was there with me all along. It is always easier for me to realize that in retrospect. I thank Christians and their testimonials for reminding me of God’s presence and goodness, because I tend to lose my faith that God is good, as some of my fellow Baha’is know only too well.

I think there was a reason I suddenly decided to turn on that radio station this morning, after I had decided I did not want to listen to Christian music anymore.

Sincerely, Trailblazer. :)
Click to expand...
If yes, I wonder what the plan with kids dying with leukaemia is.

Ciao

- viole
 
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