What has God done in your life? on the Peoria.com Forums - Page 3

Giving up control of your life simply means just that. You've obviously said that you can't control it, and that is a great first step. ( I can't control mine either. My past is absolute proof of that) ( I also can't control it now, and I have absolute JOY in knowing that)
When you give it up, it gives you someone to lean on, instead of leaning on yourself. ( which doesn't work) Jesus paid that at the cross for you. He really did.
The fact that your prayers are not being answered is an easy one. No one gets to the Father except through His son Jesus. If you haven't accepted Him into your heart, asked Him for His forgiveness, showed Him you truly love Him like he loves you, and give it up to Him like He gave it up for you, then your prayers simply aren't being heard my friend.
You are asking very valid questions Tape. The same questions that I asked, and the same statements that I spewed. I was saved 15 years ago, and continued to live the life of a non believer and/or committed follower for many years. ( you've seen how I was living during my time here at PDC)
Guess how that life was working out for me? ha.
God allowed me to hit a bottom in the last year that I've never experienced and REALLY rocked my world. For the first time, I truly felt His presence and Him calling me to truly commit, and yes it was a feeling that was, and continues to be, real.
Dude, I've been screwed over by more hypocrite Christians than you can shake a stick at. Now I know it's not about them, but it's about me and my life with God at the center. At the center of my marriage, at the center of my family, and at the center of my heart.
I should have been dead 100 times man.( and I was once) I give God praise every second for what He has done and for what He is going to do.
What God has given to me, and to other believers like Froggy and AV8r is something that we HAVE to give away. It's that good.
Now, keep in mind, we would never attempt to "talk you into" a decision. That is something that is yours and yours alone, and when you know, you know.
The best thing for you do is to keep asking questions, and perhaps give up 90 minutes of your life on a Sunday to find out why these people are going about their lives with such serenity, joy, peace, and love. GIGLIG my friend. God is great, life is good.

I will keep asking questions. And I will keep waiting for an answer even though I don't expect it will ever come.

I will not however go to your church, non-denominational or not, because I've already spent half my life wasted on churches and the bible and the mere concept of "Jesus" has done nothing but make me a very angry person. I've been so much better without him in my life. I have sanity. I finally have peace. It is so good that I HAVE to debate with believers, I can't help it.

I have given up control, the control that the brainwashing likes of religion HAD over my life. And Christianity is a religion just like any other, just so you know.

Yes, AV8R, I may struggle to pay the bills, but at least I'm humble, or trying to be.

So the preacher is in a boat by himself, and he's taking on water.
The boat begins to fill with water in advance of sinking.
The preacher calls out to God. "God please help me" . All of a sudden, another boat comes and offers him help. The preacher says, "nope, God's gonna help me" ( the boat continues to sink) Another 2 boats show up and the preacher says the same thing. "God's gonna save me". Eventually the boat sinks, and the preacher drowns. He gets to Heaven and asks God.. "Why didn't you save me?" Gods reply... "I sent three boats to you!!!"
Moral of the story. God works in mysterious ways, but they are in fact His ways. He gives us the decisions to make on our own. If we don't recognize Him, it's certainly not His fault, because He has no faults.
This story was brought to me by none other than HipKat! Thanks Hip for sharing this last Saturday.

So the preacher was an idiot. I like that story.

That preacher may just as well been a garbage man, a waiter, a chef, a Realtor, a self made millionaire with nothin' but time on his hands, a painter, a lawyer, an unemployed guy living unem check to unem check, a guy that's struggling with a low paycheck trying to make ends meet, a guy named Tape, a guy named Kev,Hip,Froggy or AV8R. The beauty of the story is, is that guy is us all, ignoring the call of God in our lives, and that He wants to save us. (Yep, as you know, some preachers don't even get it)( I know several! lol)
Ignorance is not a bad word. Ignorance is simply a lack of knowledge.
And doggone it Tape. I am sorry you are an angry person. That is the kind of absolute and REAL BONAFIDE bondage that literally binds us from making ANY real progress.
At one time, there was no one angrier than me, and it is so awesome now, not having any anger, resentment, grudges, or anything in my life that creates me to be in bondage.
Someday man I hope and pray that you and others feel the touch that I have received.

I'm only angry on the topic of Jesus, otherwise, aside from the stress in life such as financial issues, politics, other things normal people love to argue about, I am quite happy. I'm satisfied with my achievements and working towards new goals with patience overflowing.

Regarding your story... You're basically telling me my problem is that I refuse to accept an act of kindness as an action put into motion by our divine creator. Why should I?

You might as well be telling me NOT to use my brain. As if being thirsty on a rainy day is God pouring you a drink. I'm sorry, but no... It's just some f***ing rain. Am I thankful for it? Of course. Does it prove to me with ABSOLUTE CERTAINTY (as you do) that God exists? No, it doesn't.

In your hypothetical example of rain, are you dying of thirst? Are your crops dying?
Ok. I get it. You don't believe in God.
Do you believe that the devil exists? Heaven or Hell?
You have to believe in something Tape. What do you believe in, besides humanity? And please tell me where humanity came from. If it's a big bang, you are right. God said let it be done... and BANG! There it was.
Lets not get into an evolution debate though. Before you respond, please Google image the human eye. ( The intricacies of it etc),The central human nervous system, and how everything just HAPPENS to originate, connect and terminate in the correct places, and tell me that was just a coincidence. Notice how men and women fit together so beautifully from a physical standpoint? Ever look into an innocent child's eyes? Notice how your mouth is where it is, and where your butthole is where it is? Wow man. Not a coincidence. You really were made in His image Tape. Do you ever say Oh My God in an emotional tirade? ( Why?) Do you ever say GD? ( btw, His last name is not Damn it) ( Why, if u don't believe He exists?) Have you ever said "God that feels good" during a sexual encounter? (Why?)
Have you ever typed OMG? ( how come?)
You're a typical non believer man. Just like I was. I hope you have the time to cry His name out in a sincere way on your death bed before it's too late, because He will save you then too! ( just don't die suddenly ok?) I know I would have HATED to find out too late that hell's hot, and Heaven's not.
But I do know this now. They are both eternal, ( and that's a LONGGGG time) I choose the nice one. I hope you have time to.
God Bless you Tape. I've enjoyed the dialogue, although my Spirit weeps for you, especially if you ever have children. Don't hesitate to call me sometime if you want to chat. Kev

Whether I or my crops are dying of thirst makes no difference. You're implying that God only reaches out to those in extremely desperate situations. I call that taking advantage of an opportune moment. I put the devil, heaven and hell into the same category I put God; I don't know. Maybe they exist, but probably not.

Why do I HAVE to believe in something? I'm very curious about our origins, and I would love to learn more. "God did it" somehow doesn't satisfy my curiosity.

Says who? Why couldn't it be a coincidence? Have you seen a platypus? How can you attribute every single GOOD thing in life with God, but then turn your shoulder to all the BAD things?

I've said all those things, and I still do, but that's more of a topic on linguistics. I say it because it's a common expression, and that's the only reason.

It may sound ridiculous, but the last time I prayed to God was for him to take away my suffering, while I was taking a crap, and I had a sudden realization of how ridicuous it must have sounded. Then I got to thinking, why should I feel guilty for trivial sins like lust or foul language, etc? Does smoking a cigarette or looking at a girls ass make me a horrible person? No, it doesn't, it just makes me a stinky pervert. BOOM, weight was lifted. Been a sinner from that day forward and proud of it, man, and enjoying every minute of it.

Is your all loving God really going to condem me to hell for enjoying the small things in life and not hurting anyone else in the process? Because if so, then that isn't a God I want to know. I would be happier in hell, 100% certain.

I've been a sinner all my life too man. Still am. Hey what's wrong with the platypus? I think they're cute. Have you googled the intricacies of a platypus eye? Coincidence too eh?
Sorry man -- deeds are good, but they don't get u into the Kingdom of Heaven. But heck...as you say. you're totally ok with burning in the pits of hell for eternity, and that's sad.
Please don't have children Tape, and teach them with your self taught wisdom, k?

Tape, God is definitely all-loving but, again, He's knocking on your door and if you shut Him out completely then He will be done with you. This much is in the Bible.

It always makes me sad when someone accuses God of being all-loving then not caring enough to ___________. This isn't how God works. God is definitely a very loving God...so much that he sacrificed His only son for all of humanity. Would YOU do that for ALL of mankind? I don't think I could.

If you turn your back on God, He will eventually turn your back on you, too.

If I do have children, Kev, I'm going to let them believe whatever the hell they want, because it isn't my choice to make for them. Have fun brain-washing yours.

Froggy, like I said, I'm right here waiting for God if and when he wants to introduce himself as he's apparently done for you (without-a-doubt). Unless of course you're lying or completely exaggerating the circumstances, in which case I guess I'll be waiting a long time.

lol. My daughter isn't brain washed. We even left a Christian School after 12 yrs BECAUSE of Christian hypocrisy, and she is now at Richwoods for 2 years being a light in a dark place, at her own choice.
My daughter made her own decision/s about Christ and her faith.
Thanks for saying that your kids will have that option too Tape. That makes me feel a lot better.
God has introduced Himself to you in this thread several times Tape. You're the guy in the boat man. You're takin' on water my friend.

are you god, kevster?

no man just made in His image and serving Him

it is not all flower s and rainbows and everything is good. cause it just ain't. life, at times, sucks the big one.

i turn to God because sometimes He, for me, is someone i can talk to. i need that. even if i don't get a response. i can take out my frustations on Him. my last prayer had me saying, "you have got to help us with this sh!t!!" and i meant it.

it is better for me to turn to Him then to get drunk or do drugs or become violent when sh!t don't go my way. or b!tch about everything under the sun and then b!tch about the sun, too

cause life can be a real son of a b!tch. i would be useless to me and my family if i didn't unload my troubles, problems, frustrations on Him. He is a big boy He can handle it.