Hey Riven, May I ask?

[Debp]

Is it possible that Jesus Christ used this story to reach me? As I read my own words back to myself in the final chapter, I could see him. I saw him. He saw me.

We saw each other. It was real.

I subscribe to this channel and this brief meditation just posted. Reminded me of your post above.

 

[Matthias]

I think I've turned a corner. Ironically, it was through a story I was writing. Well, I'm still writing it. But it was the first draft.

Anyways, I put all the parts of me into it. Like shards of glass, I shaped the characters who resemble parts of my psyche. They are me.

The world is the one I've been living in for several years. It is a desolate place. One of hopelessness and needles suffering. A world full of grey and endless fog, where prayers are met with silence.

It's a place where false salvation can seem so tempting because there's nothing else. It isn't real, but it makes you feel good. You might even begin to believe it if you stay in that mindset long enough. You might even believe that you've discovered a hidden truth. The one that lingers in the deep waters of the abyss beneath your feet. The one that claims to be God, but knows he isn't.

That is until the final scene arrives. When Jesus of Nazareth walks into this desolate place. He doesn't speak. He doesn't need to. He merely observes. As he does, all of the falsehoods these shards of glass told themselves are laid bare. They fall away in the face of absolute truth and mercy.

It's crazy to even think it. Am I a lunatic? Is it possible that Jesus Christ used this story to reach me? As I read my own words back to myself in the final chapter, I could see him. I saw him. He saw me.

We saw each other. It was real.

He's real.

What are you going to do now with this realization?

 

[Matthias]

I think I've turned a corner. Ironically, it was through a story I was writing. Well, I'm still writing it. But it was the first draft.

Anyways, I put all the parts of me into it. Like shards of glass, I shaped the characters who resemble parts of my psyche. They are me.

The world is the one I've been living in for several years. It is a desolate place. One of hopelessness and needles suffering. A world full of grey and endless fog, where prayers are met with silence.

It's a place where false salvation can seem so tempting because there's nothing else. It isn't real, but it makes you feel good. You might even begin to believe it if you stay in that mindset long enough. You might even believe that you've discovered a hidden truth. The one that lingers in the deep waters of the abyss beneath your feet. The one that claims to be God, but knows he isn't.

That is until the final scene arrives. When Jesus of Nazareth walks into this desolate place. He doesn't speak. He doesn't need to. He merely observes. As he does, all of the falsehoods these shards of glass told themselves are laid bare. They fall away in the face of absolute truth and mercy.

It's crazy to even think it. Am I a lunatic? Is it possible that Jesus Christ used this story to reach me? As I read my own words back to myself in the final chapter, I could see him. I saw him. He saw me.

We saw each other. It was real.

He's real.

 

[Angelina]

It's crazy to even think it. Am I a lunatic? Is it possible that Jesus Christ used this story to reach me? As I read my own words back to myself in the final chapter, I could see him. I saw him. He saw me.

We saw each other. It was real.

He's real.

Glorious revelation, @Riven! I am blown away and thank you also for being real.

 

[Riven]

What are you going to do now with this realization?

I think I'm gonna get saved.

Glorious revelation, @Riven! I am blown away and thank you also for being real.

Thanks, Angie.

 

[Matthias]

I think I'm gonna get saved.

That’s music to my ears. Now that you’re no longer agnostic, will you change your registration to “Other Faith” or to “Christian”?

 

[Nancy]

Hi @Riven,
If you set aside 27 minutes and listen to this Christian who happens to be scientifically knowledgeable...he goes through at least 20 things that were already known in the bible before we as humans ever figured out. These things were already in place but, humans discovered what is already there. Perhaps you can watch in parts but, my guess is that it would at least give you food for thought.
Just give it a shot! Thanks :)

Google Search

 

[Angelina]

That’s music to my ears. Now that you’re no longer agnostic, will you change your registration to “Other Faith” or to “Christian”?

Saying and doing are two different issues.

I think I'm gonna get saved.

When you're ready and when you genuinely want to make that change for yourself by following our lord Jesus too. Please reread the prayer I sent to you, way back, @Riven, only when you are ready.

 

[Riven]

That’s music to my ears. Now that you’re no longer agnostic, will you change your registration to “Other Faith” or to “Christian”?

Well, I gotta take the plunge first. Then it's up to the powers that be.

 

[Matthias]

Well, I gotta take the plunge first.

I’m filled with optimism that you will. When and where do you think you will?

Then it's up to the powers that be.

The decision will be entirely yours to make concerning the request for registration change you will make to them.

 

[Riven]

I’m filled with optimism that you will. When and where do you think you will?

I think I'll go to the beach. It'll be sooner rather than later. I chose to wait last time and that ended up being a 20 year long journey.

The decision will be entirely yours to make concerning the request for registration change you will make to them.

The request will be mine. But the decision is not.

 

[Angelina]

Saying and doing are two different issues.



When you're ready and when you genuinely want to make that change for yourself by following our lord Jesus too. Please reread the prayer I sent to you, way back, @Riven, only when you are ready.

I feel it is important to say this again. I am very proud of you, @Riven. This is a significant step in your new walk with God and it will change your life for good. Praise Jesus! I am awaiting the celebration from heaven when all the angels of the lord rejoice. Glory!

 

[Jericho]

Or maybe it's because I want to see to believe. Having faith in something is taking a risk.

If what is real is what we can see, then reality is just light waves bouncing off objects, entering our eyes, and being interpreted by our brains via electrical signals. That means that even colors are not real. The reality is, we can't perceive 99.99% of the world around us. We can only see a mere 0.0035% of the entire light spectrum. Hearing is even less. The frequency that we can actually hear is actually close to zero out of all the possible frequencies, which is theoretically infinite. You think the chair you're sitting in is solid? Nope. Everything is made up of atoms, and atoms are mostly empty. In fact, it's been estimated that if you remove all the empty space from the atoms in our bodies, we would be reduced to less than the size of a pinhead. You think what you can feel is real? Nope again. When you place your hand against an object, you're just feeling the electromagnetic forces of the atoms at play. Touch itself is also an interpretation of the brain. The point is, our perception of reality is highly subjective. Once you get into quantum physics and extra dimensions, then reality really gets turned on its head. Suddenly, what's impossible becomes possible, and I think can explain those difficult-to-comprehend Bible stories.

If I were to ever become a Christian, I would want my beliefs to be built on a solid foundation. Otherwise I'll end up backsliding by rationalizing myself out of it.

I don't think it's something that can fully be rationalized, though rational reasons can be given to believe. The problem is, we're dealing with two separate realities that operate very differently. Some things are just not going to make sense and just have to be taken on faith. Everyone has a measure of faith, and everyone puts their faith into something. It comes down to making a choice about what that something is. The atheist and theist are no different in that regard. They believe what they do because they chose to believe so. Which is why you can have all the evidence in the world and still not believe something. Ultimately, becoming a believer is a matter of the heart, not the head.

Let’s say, for the sake of argument, there is no God and death is the end. Then I’ve personally lost nothing, Ive still lived a meaningful life, helped others, and walked with a clear conscience.

Yup, that's called Pascal's Wager. There's another saying I like along the same lines: "If the cross is true, nothing else matters. If it's not, nothing matters."

 

[Wynona]

Yes. I went to a Christian private school in the early 2000's. I joined a Christian forum because there aren't many decent forums left in general. They're a bit of a relic from a bygone era. But I like them more than the alternatives.

I am agnostic. We are famous for saying "I don't know" to the big questions. The origin of the universe, the existence of God, what happens after you die, etc.

We're a little disturbed by the level of certainty that both the Christians and athesists have in their beliefs. The athesists view us as "fence sitters", and tend to sneer at us. Whereas the Christians tend to view us as a potential Christian because we're technically undecided. The interactions can be a little awkward at times, but they're generally more friendly than the atheists, I think.

Sometimes I simplify it and just say I believe agnostics are descended from Hercules.

Welcome!

 

[Matthias]

I know you’ve been busy @Riven but …

 

[Riven]

I know you’ve been busy @Riven but …

View attachment 74034

I just posted a lengthy thread about my displeasure with American politics.

 

[Matthias]

I think I'm gonna get saved.

Those who blaspheme the one true God and don’t repent will not be saved.

 

[Angelina]

I wonder If MarilynC realizes you're not saved yet, @Riven? I do not think she does. Anyway, I'm going off to something with my friends. Catch you later, online buddy.

 

[Debp]

I thought @Riven said something recently that sounded like he was coming to faith in Christ. I don't know what happened to him now.

 

[Angelina]

I thought @Riven said something recently that sounded like he was coming to faith in Christ. I don't know what happened to him now.

(Without seeming like we are talking about him and he can't see it) He's still hovering at the doorway, sister @Debp.