Communicating With God

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sniper762

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I would like to see how Christians perceive how the communication between God and man transpires.

How does one speak with and hear God? To believe in the reward of heaven or the punishment of hell one must believe in a non-tangible, immortal, spiritual existence. If this process was of the physical form, it would cease to exist upon ones natural death.

Hundreds of years ago, man could not comprehend radio waves and the concept of one man speaking to another who was on the other side of the world and was considered to be ludicrous. Now, with today’s technology, it’s understood.

My perception of our communication with God is somewhat similar to radio wave propagation but on a spiritual basis. It’s a non-physical, way of communicating requiring one to be in tune with God’s frequency, metaphorically speaking. This process cannot be comprehended or explained using mortal logic.

The best analogy that I’ve seen presented by mortal man is likened to George Lucas’ concept of “the force” introduced in his “Star Wars” films. I relate the force that exists between the Jedi families and with their mentors to be similar to our spiritual connection with god. The influence of Satan, I relate with “the dark side” of that force.


I would like to see how Christians perceive how the communication between God and man transpires.

How does one speak with and hear God? To believe in the reward of heaven or the punishment of hell one must believe in a non-tangible, immortal, spiritual existence. If this process was of the physical form, it would cease to exist upon ones natural death.

Hundreds of years ago, man could not comprehend radio waves and the concept of one man speaking to another who was on the other side of the world and was considered to be ludicrous. Now, with today’s technology, it’s understood.

My perception of our communication with God is somewhat similar to radio wave propagation but on a spiritual basis. It’s a non-physical, way of communicating requiring one to be in tune with God’s frequency, metaphorically speaking. This process cannot be comprehended or explained using mortal logic.

The best analogy that I’ve seen presented by mortal man is likened to George Lucas’ concept of “the force” introduced in his “Star Wars” films. I relate the force that exists between the Jedi families and with their mentors to be similar to our spiritual connection with god. The influence of Satan, I relate with “the dark side” of that force.


I would like to see how Christians perceive how the communication between God and man transpires.

How does one speak with and hear God? To believe in the reward of heaven or the punishment of hell one must believe in a non-tangible, immortal, spiritual existence. If this process was of the physical form, it would cease to exist upon ones natural death.

Hundreds of years ago, man could not comprehend radio waves and the concept of one man speaking to another who was on the other side of the world and was considered to be ludicrous. Now, with today’s technology, it’s understood.

My perception of our communication with God is somewhat similar to radio wave propagation but on a spiritual basis. It’s a non-physical, way of communicating requiring one to be in tune with God’s frequency, metaphorically speaking. This process cannot be comprehended or explained using mortal logic.

The best analogy that I’ve seen presented by mortal man is likened to George Lucas’ concept of “the force” introduced in his “Star Wars” films. I relate the force that exists between the Jedi families and with their mentors to be similar to our spiritual connection with god. The influence of Satan, I relate with “the dark side” of that force.
 

Miss Hepburn

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I would like to see how Christians perceive how the communication between God and man transpires.

How does one speak with and hear God? To believe in the reward of heaven or the punishment of hell one must believe in a non-tangible, immortal, spiritual existence. If this process was of the physical form, it would cease to exist upon ones natural death.

Hundreds of years ago, man could not comprehend radio waves and the concept of one man speaking to another who was on the other side of the world and was considered to be ludicrous. Now, with today’s technology, it’s understood.

My perception of our communication with God is somewhat similar to radio wave propagation but on a spiritual basis. It’s a non-physical, way of communicating requiring one to be in tune with God’s frequency, metaphorically speaking. This process cannot be comprehended or explained using mortal logic.

The best analogy that I’ve seen presented by mortal man is likened to George Lucas’ concept of “the force” introduced in his “Star Wars” films. I relate the force that exists between the Jedi families and with their mentors to be similar to our spiritual connection with god. The influence of Satan, I relate with “the dark side” of that force.

I think you explained it well.
Except for the radio waves and tuning into God's frequency being a metaphor.
God's transmitting and we are the receiver's.
Attuning ourselves and getting the static out and the towers overpowering our receiving and transmitting is what it's all about.

Practicing His Presence is my main thang.
So tune your dials.
:) Miss Hepburn
 

comfy

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I'm thinking of how Miss Hepburn in the photo is sitting, possibly being quiet so she can get howsoever God communicates with her, not limited to how she might already understand and expect Him to communicate. Always there is the discovering of how He is creative in how He communicates. We have Luke 10:38-42 > "Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus' feet and heard His word. But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, 'Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.' And Jesus answered and said to her, 'Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.'"

So, who was communicating with Jesus? Martha was run run running, supposing she had to so sacrifice herself with "serving" Jesus, and then she was interrupting His sharing the word with Mary. That was not communicating, by Martha, though she was serving and the one personally talking with Jesus.

But Mary somehow understood Jesus; perhaps, deeper than words, she knew Jesus wanted her to just rest with Him so they could share personally. I consider that no one told her this, but perhaps she had deeper-than-words realization that the Holy Spirit gave her; in the Bible, we have, "rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God." (1 Peter 3:4) Our communication with our Father includes being pleasing to Him in His love's "incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit". And the beauty of this love is so pure and pleasant and personally intimate, very pleasing to us; so we have this personal feedback, of if we are pleasing to God: while we are submissive and obeying Him in His love, "the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit" of this love is so pleasing to us, also.

And there is the communication deeper than the words, then, so we can even feel what You are feeling, LORD, as much as each of us is "one spirit with" (in 1 Corinthians 6:17) You; so please do this with us.
 

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Choir Loft
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I would like to see how Christians perceive how the communication between God and man transpires.

How does one speak with and hear God? To believe in the reward of heaven or the punishment of hell one must believe in a non-tangible, immortal, spiritual existence. If this process was of the physical form, it would cease to exist upon ones natural death.

Hundreds of years ago, man could not comprehend radio waves and the concept of one man speaking to another who was on the other side of the world and was considered to be ludicrous. Now, with today’s technology, it’s understood.

My perception of our communication with God is somewhat similar to radio wave propagation but on a spiritual basis. It’s a non-physical, way of communicating requiring one to be in tune with God’s frequency, metaphorically speaking. This process cannot be comprehended or explained using mortal logic.

The best analogy that I’ve seen presented by mortal man is likened to George Lucas’ concept of “the force” introduced in his “Star Wars” films. I relate the force that exists between the Jedi families and with their mentors to be similar to our spiritual connection with god. The influence of Satan, I relate with “the dark side” of that force.

Beginning at the end of your remark it can be argued that Darth Vader is more like a child playing in a sand box compared to satan. Your science fiction analogy leaves a great deal to be desired. A very great deal.
You need to study the Bible to get a clear idea of spiritual reality. Leave science fiction to the Hollywood producers who know what they're doing.

Returning to the beginning of your post and questions about how Christians communicate with God, you should be advised that there are several levels of communication.
1. Prayer - where man talks to God either verbally or silently. It matters not to God, but there is spiritual power when a prayer is spoken aloud.
2. Still small voice - God speaking to man in the stillness of the mind.
3. Scripture - God speaking to man by means of highlighting verses for guidance. For example, a verse may jump out in its importance as an answer to prayer, a point of guidance or command, inspiration, comfort, etc.
4. Visions & Dreams - not completely reliable all by themselves, but they are a form of communication which at times can be very powerful.
5. Circumstances - The most powerful and least understood method by which God speaks to us. Most people are unable to "connect the dots" with regard to understanding the things that happen to them.
6. Interpretation & guidance by others - Counsel by spiritual and experienced elders is often very helpful in "connecting the dots" as mentioned above.
7. Worship and praise - The forgotten art of Christendom. Most Christians have no idea how to worship. Contemporary songs offered as worship and praise are mostly expressions of conceit and spiritual pride rather than true worship. They do act as a form of cheerleading and give the participant a temporary 'feel good' experience, but there is nothing of God in it. True worship comes from the heart and is focused upon Christ.
8. Cut off - An actual act of God whereby the Christian is separated permanently from some object, life path, personal health, finances, etc. Usually misinterpreted by humans as punishment or judgment. Such things are more akin to 'pruning' or 'refining' or 'molding' in the same way that a human craftsman will create and perfect an object such as a clay pot or a garden.
9. Preaching - Once upon a time this method of mass teaching by an educated spiritual elder was an effective means of transmitting the heart of God to the body of believers. In the present age, there is a famine of the word of God from the pulpit. Mostly what we hear from there is feel goody nonsense, in one ear and out the other. The patrons of the experience usually forget what was said before they reach the parking lot at the end of the show. It was not always so, however.
10. Miracles - Acts of healing, deliverance or divine providence wherein God acts directly in the physical world thus expressing His love openly.
11. The resurrection of Jesus Christ - Proof positive that God came to earth in the flesh, surviving the worst that men could perform and communicating the best that God has to give; the truth, the path to God and eternal life.

None of these have anything to do with radio waves, smoke signals, ray guns, aluminum foil helmets, space aliens or video games.

There is a great deal of detail in which books can be written about each separate point above. Suffice it to say that George Lucas and company do not even come close to the depth, the reality, and the glory of even one of these. The force indeed.

There is pure unadulterated POWER in prayer and in all the forms of communication with God.
There is no redeeming quality in Star Wars at all except that of a flickering image on the movie screen which the viewer has to PAY FOR.
The gift of fellowship with God is absolutely FREE.
 

comfy

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Sep 18, 2010
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Hi said:
4. Visions & Dreams - not completely reliable all by themselves, but they are a form of communication which at times can be very powerful.
I have found that I can get a "word" or visions and ones can share visions, but we do not know what these mean, at the time; but when God pleases, He brings the explanation, or He simply actually does what they mean and then reminds us that the "word" or the vision meant this. "I told you so (c:"

And you said:
5. Circumstances -
I think of "God resists the proud," in James 4:6 and also in 1 Peter 5:5. While I am doing anything that God knows is in ego, I have the personal communication of God's resistance, caringly messing with what I am doing without Him - - not that You, LORD, are punishing me or trying to mess up me and my life, but Your caring resistance keeps me from going where Satan would take me into much worse trouble; and as I get into nasty and negative reacting to how I am not getting my own way, this can serve as a warning sign that I am not really doing what God has me doing in His love and leading; and then I can get wise to this and stop while You correct me and restore me to sweetly and sensitively sharing with You in Your love, and submitting to how You guide me to do what is better than what I was trying to do.

Also . . .
6. Interpretation & guidance by others - Counsel by spiritual and experienced elders is often very helpful in "connecting the dots" as mentioned above.
"Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you." (Hebrews 13:17) So, I can now see that God has His leaders, here for us, and whom God Himself trusts; so surely, if You, LORD, trust these people, then You expect us to trust them. But we need to submit to You, so we have the right understanding of their example and what they tell us to do. "And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment," (Philippians 1:9) So, in Your love, we have Your own knowledge and discernment shared with us; this is very reliable communication, so we know who to trust, who to marry (if You want), how You want us to trust or not to trust each person.

And we have, "for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure." (Philippians 2:13) So, I would say God is personally communicating with us, at each moment, by how He works our wills to be willing to do what He wants. We may not understand what His words mean, but we can submit to how He has us doing what He knows He means, better than words can tell (Ephesians 3:20-21). It's like how a lady can be in her man's arms, during a love dance: she doesn't need to be told at each moment where to step next or what to do next, because she is in love with him, sensing and submitting. I think of how Paul says, "To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily." (Colossians 2:29) So, I can see that Paul was deeply sensing and going with the flow of howsoever, at each moment, God was working in His almighty power in Paul.

Give it all, give it all, give it all to our Lord Jesus,
and He will make all the difference
in all we give to Him;
so let's give all, let's give all
to Christ our King and our Groom,
and He will lead us in love dance,
every footstep shared with Him . . .
through it all; through it all . . .
though there be more problems to give Him,
there will be blessings gift-wrapped within them,
as He feeds us His own love to live;
so let's give all, let's give all
to our Personal Lover within us,
and He will make all the difference
in all we give to Him!!!

Thank You, God our Father; and God bless you, too (c:
 

sniper762

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Sep 5, 2007
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Beginning at the end of your remark it can be argued that Darth Vader is more like a child playing in a sand box compared to satan. Your science fiction analogy leaves a great deal to be desired. A very great deal.
You need to study the Bible to get a clear idea of spiritual reality. Leave science fiction to the Hollywood producers who know what they're doing.

Returning to the beginning of your post and questions about how Christians communicate with God, you should be advised that there are several levels of communication.
1. Prayer - where man talks to God either verbally or silently. It matters not to God, but there is spiritual power when a prayer is spoken aloud.
2. Still small voice - God speaking to man in the stillness of the mind.
3. Scripture - God speaking to man by means of highlighting verses for guidance. For example, a verse may jump out in its importance as an answer to prayer, a point of guidance or command, inspiration, comfort, etc.
4. Visions & Dreams - not completely reliable all by themselves, but they are a form of communication which at times can be very powerful.
5. Circumstances - The most powerful and least understood method by which God speaks to us. Most people are unable to "connect the dots" with regard to understanding the things that happen to them.
6. Interpretation & guidance by others - Counsel by spiritual and experienced elders is often very helpful in "connecting the dots" as mentioned above.
7. Worship and praise - The forgotten art of Christendom. Most Christians have no idea how to worship. Contemporary songs offered as worship and praise are mostly expressions of conceit and spiritual pride rather than true worship. They do act as a form of cheerleading and give the participant a temporary 'feel good' experience, but there is nothing of God in it. True worship comes from the heart and is focused upon Christ.
8. Cut off - An actual act of God whereby the Christian is separated permanently from some object, life path, personal health, finances, etc. Usually misinterpreted by humans as punishment or judgment. Such things are more akin to 'pruning' or 'refining' or 'molding' in the same way that a human craftsman will create and perfect an object such as a clay pot or a garden.
9. Preaching - Once upon a time this method of mass teaching by an educated spiritual elder was an effective means of transmitting the heart of God to the body of believers. In the present age, there is a famine of the word of God from the pulpit. Mostly what we hear from there is feel goody nonsense, in one ear and out the other. The patrons of the experience usually forget what was said before they reach the parking lot at the end of the show. It was not always so, however.
10. Miracles - Acts of healing, deliverance or divine providence wherein God acts directly in the physical world thus expressing His love openly.
11. The resurrection of Jesus Christ - Proof positive that God came to earth in the flesh, surviving the worst that men could perform and communicating the best that God has to give; the truth, the path to God and eternal life.

None of these have anything to do with radio waves, smoke signals, ray guns, aluminum foil helmets, space aliens or video games.

There is a great deal of detail in which books can be written about each separate point above. Suffice it to say that George Lucas and company do not even come close to the depth, the reality, and the glory of even one of these. The force indeed.

There is pure unadulterated POWER in prayer and in all the forms of communication with God.
There is no redeeming quality in Star Wars at all except that of a flickering image on the movie screen which the viewer has to PAY FOR.
The gift of fellowship with God is absolutely FREE.

you fail to see that i just used those things as an analogy. as for your comment "You need to study the Bible to get a clear idea of spiritual reality. Leave science fiction to the Hollywood producers who know what they're doing"

you have no idea. i have read the bible over 4 times, cover to cover in the last 30 years and have studied its context diligently writing many articles and thesises on it. to question my spiritual knowledge of the bible would definately be unwarrented..
 

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Choir Loft
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you fail to see that i just used those things as an analogy. as for your comment "You need to study the Bible to get a clear idea of spiritual reality. Leave science fiction to the Hollywood producers who know what they're doing"

you have no idea. i have read the bible over 4 times, cover to cover in the last 30 years and have studied its context diligently writing many articles and thesises on it. to question my spiritual knowledge of the bible would definately be unwarrented..

Your writing had the flavor of a juvenile and I responded in kind. I also posted a short specific valid list of lines of communication between God and man. I note that you've not objected to any of that....or added to it in a constructive way.

The subject is a serious one and for clear understanding the answer to it ought to be based upon sound Biblical reference and doctrine as well as testimony.

If you are indeed a published author with a smattering of Biblical reading (one can -and should- read the Bible quite a bit more than 4 times over three decades), then it ought to be reflected in the tone and quality of your post.

A man is free to write whatever he wants here. Please do not get the idea that I'm against that. Neither will I apologize for my response. A little advice goes a long way. If you have concrete knowledge of spiritual matters, then it is good to share it for the edification of fellow readers.

My Masters degree work was in Christian Theology and Church history. I work at a local college and my colleagues are at the level of Masters degree and Ph.D.
Apart from the occasional misspelling and dropped phrase, they are all capable of expressing themselves at the level to which they are accustomed. I have recently published a book with a science fiction theme. I am, therefore, well aware of the content of fiction vs. theology and am able to easily tell the difference. I can also testify that it doesn't take a rocket scientist to tell the difference. A ten year old with a little Sunday school education can do the same.

In the past thirty years I've read the complete Bible a great number of times. Don't ever recall reading anything in there about radio waves with regard to communication with God. The allusion as well as the theology is tissue thin.

I would be interested in reading some of your scholarly work. Please share some of your articles.
 

HammerStone

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Just a reminder here to remember the forum rules: http://www.christianityboard.com/index.php?app=forums&module=extras&section=boardrules

Do remember to try and avoid attacking the person; deal with doctrines if you disagree.
 

mjrhealth

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Speaking to God, such a simple thing, for even a fool knows how to speak to God, religion made it complicated. One opens one mouth, and speaks, and God listens. He is not deaff, that He cannot hear someone who mentions Him. Then comes the listening part, some say He speaks to us through the bible, that is mans choice not Gods, God gave us the Holy Spirirt, so we not have tpo resly on our own interpretaion, knowing the limuts of this pathetick fl;esh of ourrs, but so many deny the Ho;ly Spirirt. Yes God speaks to us through this still small voce, which is so easily drowned out by other voices and the things of this world. But of course this too means one must have faith, becuase speaing to ones self and listeing to voices in ones head, can land someone in a funny home, but God never said it would be easy, we just prefer to take the lazy easy way, that what men are good at.

In His LOve
 

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Choir Loft
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Speaking to God, such a simple thing, for even a fool knows how to speak to God, religion made it complicated. One opens one mouth, and speaks, and God listens. He is not deaff, that He cannot hear someone who mentions Him. Then comes the listening part, some say He speaks to us through the bible, that is mans choice not Gods, God gave us the Holy Spirirt, so we not have tpo resly on our own interpretaion, knowing the limuts of this pathetick fl;esh of ourrs, but so many deny the Ho;ly Spirirt. Yes God speaks to us through this still small voce, which is so easily drowned out by other voices and the things of this world. But of course this too means one must have faith, becuase speaing to ones self and listeing to voices in ones head, can land someone in a funny home, but God never said it would be easy, we just prefer to take the lazy easy way, that what men are good at.

In His LOve

You turned a good phrase here when you said, "then comes the listening part".

Many are not good at listening.