atheism and faith life

[anti_nietzsche]

I grew up as an atheist, and remained so for about 18 years. It was a by and all happy life. It felt like the universe was singing to me and I enjoyed many good emotions and was mentally strong. Then I got sick with schizophrenia and came to trust in Jesus in about the same time. My mind often breaks down since then and I enjoy peace only for a short time until I am in inner stress and anxiety again. The univere does not often sing to me still. I live in a world that is either very cold and emotionally barren, or confusingly hot and turmoiled. That's why my mind (not my self) often draws the conclusion that I need to return to atheism to return to the happy life I once had. I can't help it, I just get these thoughts. Normally I am a fan of Jesus because of UR and do not want to stray. But this is getting difficult. What do you think?

[guest6024]

I grew up as an atheist, and remained so for about 18 years. It was a by and all happy life. It felt like the universe was singing to me and I enjoyed many good emotions and was mentally strong. Then I got sick with schizophrenia and came to trust in Jesus in about the same time. My mind often breaks down since then and I enjoy peace only for a short time until I am in inner stress and anxiety again. The univere does not often sing to me still. I live in a world that is either very cold and emotionally barren, or confusingly hot and turmoiled. That's why my mind (not my self) often draws the conclusion that I need to return to atheism to return to the happy life I once had. I can't help it, I just get these thoughts. Normally I am a fan of Jesus because of UR and do not want to stray. But this is getting difficult. What do you think?

Just remember we can only be 'enemies' of God 'IN OUR MINDS'.
There is NO condemnation for those in Jesus.
God has reconciled us (and the whole world) to Himself, MAKING PEACE.

If we feel like we are enemies of God or we are 'better off believing this or that' then we need to stop and think for a minute...

A few months back I was let down by friends, family and basically by people EVERYWHERE i went and like 'Micah' the prophet I was a bit fed up!!!  It seemed like everywhere I went people were out to confuse me and hurt me and bring me down and treat me bad...

BUT...Then I realized something...I had FORGOTTEN about all the people that were ON MY SIDE! ... I didn't notice all the people who were being nice to me because I was so focused on the people that were not!...
... Like I'd go for a walk around my village and a car might drive by and someone might should something rude to me and I would dwell on it and let it bother me... Then a woman walking her dog would pass by and smile and say hello as she did and I didn't even notice her until I thought about things with a 'clear mind' weeks later...
I thought everyone was against me...But...it WAS NOT TRUE.  It was all IN MY MIND.

Jesus is not your enemy.  God is not your enemy.  And (like me) the whole world is not your enemy either...There are a heck of a lot of people in your corner and there always will be.

Much love to you brother!  :HeartThrob: 
Go back to singing and being happy brother...  God loves you and if God is for you who can be against you?   :friendstu:

Oh...You might like listening to this...  (It is all about the prophet Micah and how he got fed up and then came to realize that his problems were  coming from how he was seeing the world (which like myself wasn't true)).
It might help you too. 

SERMON:
http://sigler.org/RobertRutherford/The%20Nice%20God.mp3

MAIN PAGE
http://sigler.org/RobertRutherford/

[MusicLover123]

Hi Daniel. I hope this helps you:

1 Peter 1
5who, in the power of God are being guarded, through faith, unto salvation, ready to be revealed in the last time,
6in which ye are glad, a little now, if it be necessary, being made to sorrow in manifold trials,
7that the proof of your faith — much more precious than of gold that is perishing, and through fire being approved — may be found to praise, and honour, and glory, in the revelation of Jesus Christ,
8whom, not having seen, ye love, in whom, now not seeing and believing, ye are glad with joy unspeakable and glorified

Romans 8
18For I reckon that the sufferings of the present time [are] not worthy [to be compared] with the glory about to be revealed in us;
19for the earnest looking out of the creation doth expect the revelation of the sons of God;
20for to vanity was the creation made subject — not of its will, but because of Him who did subject [it] — in hope,
21that also the creation itself shall be set free from the servitude of the corruption to the liberty of the glory of the children of God;
22for we have known that all the creation doth groan together, and doth travail in pain together till now.
23And not only [so], but also we ourselves, having the first-fruit of the Spirit, we also ourselves in ourselves do groan, adoption expecting — the redemption of our body;

35Who shall separate us from the love of the Christ? tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

38for I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor messengers, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present,
39nor things about to be, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, that [is] in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Acts 9
16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.

We are all here for you. Though not in the flesh, we are all together in Spirit. That is what matters.

And, to know this. That God is in control, and to know that He guides you in His wisdom. If there was a better thing to do things, that would be done.

God bless

[jugghead]

If you believe in the existence of Love, then you never were an atheist ... because God is Love

Just because Love is not yet linked in the mind to the word God, it does not mean it is a contradiction ... Love is a name above all names and believing in that name  ... we find peace ... we find His Rest which is Christ our Lord and Savior

Wait on His calling for you, because if it is forced .... by you or another, the peace you have will die and turmoil shall takes it's place.

Believe in what you see everyday at the bottom of your posts:

"God really loves you. Don't be afraid."

You are the church of Ephesus and you have left your first love, that love being peace ... the universe is His heavenly host unseen, singing to you to bring peace to your soul, for in that peace He shall reveal Himself to you at the proper time and you shall know the truth and that truth shall set you free.

Blessings brother

[MusicLover123]

Feel I should give this too. Blessings.

Philippians 4
4Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice;
5let your forbearance be known to all men; the Lord [is] near;
6for nothing be anxious, but in everything by prayer, and by supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God;
7and the peace of God, that is surpassing all understanding, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.
8As to the rest, brethren, as many things as are true, as many as [are] grave, as many as [are] righteous, as many as [are] pure, as many as [are] lovely, as many as [are] of good report, if any worthiness, and if any praise, these things think upon;
9the things that also ye did learn, and receive, and hear, and saw in me, those do, and the God of the peace shall be with you.

Philippians 3
15As many, therefore, as [are] perfect — let us think this, and if [in] anything ye think otherwise, this also shall God reveal to you,
16but to what we have come — by the same rule walk, the same thing think;
17become followers together of me, brethren, and observe those thus walking, according as ye have us — a pattern

[anti_nietzsche]

Thank you for the comments and scriptures. They helped.

I think my problems stem from having been an atheist already as a kid because it was the official doctrine of my then communistic country. They taught atheism everywhere and my dad also blew in that trumpet and advertized for atheism in his talking. Dad was otherwise a good and kind man and I owe him a lot, but now in this time I feel disturbed by his atheism because it's deranged and cold if I analyze it. Why would not believing in God be a good thing? There is no consolation against death and loneliness then. I had days when I felt much peace when I considered myself a friend of God like Abraham was a friend of God. Abraham wasn't supposed to do many chores and duties, it was enough that he apparently sought God often and had love for him and walked with him. I heard a church sermon once where they said there were likely many Abraham people back then because it was a period in history where many people went away from their places to find new homes in the world, a time of whole peoples going wandering. This chimes with my love for travelling and it is when I go travelling that I start to feel easy and healthy and whole, as if I can pitch my tent beneath the stars and they communicate the glory of our Creator. That's what another pastor taught me, the Jews of ancient times were a nomadic people and at first they did not settle in stone houses but wandered with their cattle and tents from place to place. They would open their tent in the evening and undimmed by citylights they saw many more stars in the sky than we do now.

I am also partial to panentheism that says that matter is like an incarnation of God like all things are because our Creator has in Himself the fullness of everything that exists. Sometimes when I am stable I can sense this, that there is no strong duality between matter and spirit and that God is very immanent in the universe and in him we live and breathe and have our being, like Paul preached in Athens.

Sometimes when I am really aligned to these thoughts and do not doubt, then a strong peace comes over me and I feel reconciled to my life and its purpose and sense. It's like I am living with God and He daily comes to me and I can really say that his mercies are new every morning.

[guest6024]

Thank you for the comments and scriptures. They helped.

I think my problems stem from having been an atheist already as a kid because it was the official doctrine of my then communistic country. They taught atheism everywhere and my dad also blew in that trumpet and advertized for atheism in his talking. Dad was otherwise a good and kind man and I owe him a lot, but now in this time I feel disturbed by his atheism because it's deranged and cold if I analyze it. Why would not believing in God be a good thing? There is no consolation against death and loneliness then. I had days when I felt much peace when I considered myself a friend of God like Abraham was a friend of God. Abraham wasn't supposed to do many chores and duties, it was enough that he apparently sought God often and had love for him and walked with him. I heard a church sermon once where they said there were likely many Abraham people back then because it was a period in history where many people went away from their places to find new homes in the world, a time of whole peoples going wandering. This chimes with my love for travelling and it is when I go travelling that I start to feel easy and healthy and whole, as if I can pitch my tent beneath the stars and they communicate the glory of our Creator. That's what another pastor taught me, the Jews of ancient times were a nomadic people and at first they did not settle in stone houses but wandered with their cattle and tents from place to place. They would open their tent in the evening and undimmed by citylights they saw many more stars in the sky than we do now.

I am also partial to panentheism that says that matter is like an incarnation of God like all things are because our Creator has in Himself the fullness of everything that exists. Sometimes when I am stable I can sense this, that there is no strong duality between matter and spirit and that God is very immanent in the universe and in him we live and breathe and have our being, like Paul preached in Athens.

Sometimes when I am really aligned to these thoughts and do not doubt, then a strong peace comes over me and I feel reconciled to my life and its purpose and sense. It's like I am living with God and He daily comes to me and I can really say that his mercies are new every morning.

If it's any consolation I don't know anybody that doesn't feel like that sometimes.  (up and down, good and bad, peace and havoc, happy and miserable).  I think it's just part of life.

I just remember that none of the disciples or apostles carried a 'book' around with them.  Indeed, i think the people who are constantly looking into things (too much reading) miss out on what it is really all about...Sharing time with and loving God and people...Travelling and seeing new things (rather than sitting reading in front of a screen all day)...etc.

The most important command is love and that is enough to keep everyone busy enough all day everyday.

[marie glen]

There was a time long ago, when I battled deep dark depression -  until Jesus showed me what I was "mourning" told me to put a time limit on it of 5-10 minutes. And, revealed to me I should replace each and every negative thought with a positive/faith thought. Yep, I would picture a big XXX across every negative thought whenever I thought it. I was reading His word - bread of life - so I had lots of positive thoughts to replace the negatives - but simple things like "God is love" .. "God is life" - "Perfection makes no mistakes" "Perfection cannot lose anything or one" - "by His stripes I am healed" - all these are good positives to replace any negative thoughts.

It took practice and stubborness/determination, but now I seem to just be getting happier and happier and more and more peaceful. And it's peace which fountains up into joy.

And another thing which helped me immensely was the idea and truth that since God is Life (itself) He suffers, lives through and experiences all sufferings which ever occur (!) Why would He put Himself through all that? Perhaps it's because He's not creating anything like an ant farm where no one can make any sort of choices, thus not have reasoning ability.. but is creating His own family of many bea-u-ti-ful branches and a for ever un-breakable paradise perfection..

:Peace2: :HeartThrob: Much love in Jesus.. :gsmile: :Pray:

[MusicLover123]

"by His stripes I am healed"

Here is something marvelous I discovered when wondering what this meant a while ago.

Col 2:14  having blotted out the handwriting in the ordinances that is against us, that was contrary to us, and he hath taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross; 
Col 2:15  having stripped the principalities and the authorities, he made a shew of them openly—having triumphed over them in it. 

I love this whole chapter, but wanted to point this out.

God bless!  :Peace2:

[Dandelion]

Psalm 34:

1Of David, when he pretended to be insane before Abimelech, so that the king drove him away.a

I will bless the LORD at all times;
His praise will always be on my lips.
2My soul will boast in the LORD;
let the oppressed hear and rejoice.
3Magnify the LORD with me;
let us exalt His name together.
4I sought the LORD, and He answered me;
He delivered me from all my fears.
5Those who look to Him are radiant with joy;
their faces shall never be ashamed.
6This poor man called out, and the LORD heard him;
He saved him from all his troubles.
7The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him,
and he delivers them.
8Taste and see that the LORD is good;
blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!
9Fear the LORD, you His saints,
for those who fear Him lack nothing.
10Young lions go lacking and hungry,
but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.
11Come, children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
12Who is the man who delights in life,
who desires to see many good days?
13Keep your tongue from evil
and your lips from deceitful speech.
14Turn away from evil and do good;
seek peace and pursue it.
15The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous,
and His ears are inclined to their cry.
16But the face of the LORD is against those who do evil,
to sever their memory from the earth.
17The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears;
He delivers them from all their troubles.
18The LORD is near to the brokenhearted;
He saves the contrite in spirit.
19Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
but the LORD delivers him from them all.
20He protects all his bones;
not one of them will be broken.
21Evil will slay the wicked,
and the haters of the righteous will be condemned.
22The LORD redeems His servants,
and none who take refuge in Him will be condemned.

D.

[rosered]

  I believe we put to much stock in our human existence  and go by what we feel  and experience in the here and now .

  We are dying daily , not only as a human race , but as an individual  trying to find out place  of peace  and remain there .
It does not last , everything in this life is fleeting , but we need to take a hold of the eternal life that is of GOD  , GRAB  a hold of it firmly and no not let go........
  Never give someone  elses   way of life   that power over you   , everyone thinks they are correct   and everyone else is wrong in some way , but the truth is  our differences are our strengths  and learn to use them as a teaching tool  of what to do and NOT to do  again .

  How many times do we go though the same things over and over again and never ever come to knowledge of the TRUTH ?   If the Truth is willing to set us free , than why do we  keep doing the exact things over and over again  and nothing is changed  , not even us ?
  I believe God does this on purpose  , to teach us not to  depend on ourselves or each other  , but in GOD ONLY .
  When we are at the end of our rope and ready to die  to everything we thought was  right  , and learn that lesson of  asking GOD first  before we step into that  mess /chaos  again !

On human terms people will never come together as ONE , Because they all want to be leaders , appear wise in their own eyes and  special    , you know that God chosen types .  I am ok , you are ok  stuff  if you do exactly what I say  :sigh:. 
Everyone gets to play a  small part of     the  BIG picture , but they are not the Big picture

The Big picture is GOD HIMSELF and has long been  doing this behind the scenes  as a hidden treasure .

  If the pure in heart shall see GOD and no one has seen God at any time  ,

what does that say about our hearts condition than ?     

If our carnal minds are an enemy against the Spirit  and that GOD IS SPIRIT .
  It tells me  my carnal mind is  still not seeing God   , Than   I  am not walking in   the  Spirit God fully yet , but death is ruling over my heart   still and that  somehow   God is  very  necessary to change that  and  how will I see God  in all this ?

  By faith not by sight , I can see God by my faith as a living thing  ,swallowing up the death that the carnal mind  rules over in this life .   and Love will  comfort  and calm all those fears   that death makes us  all  so  uncertain about .

ONLY GOD IS GOOD , and only   GOD CAN  do good , You ever seen any good  in your life , it is Gods doings .He did it for you as proof . God exists .


Psalm 145:9
The LORD is good to all; His compassion rests on all He has made.

Mark 10:17
As Jesus started on His way, a man ran up and knelt before Him. "Good Teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"

  Why do you call me good ?Jesus says , Only God alone is good .
 
When you seek God  you are seeking the good also .

[GodIsLove]

 :thumbsup: Rose  :HeartThrob:

[Patinak]

:thumbsup: Rose  :HeartThrob:

:thumbsup: Rose  :HeartThrob: