Just don’t let your mom see you doing it. That can be real embarrassing, and potentially dangerous. It sent George’s mom to the hospital.
I’m not convinced that everything that is true and real has such a decisive moment associated with it. Sometimes it sneaks up on you, so that it seems like you’ve always known when you do realize it. And sometimes you still have doubts in some part of your mind, even if rationally you know something is true. Just because something is true, doesn’t mean that it feels like it’s Truth. Sometimes all you get is “Well, this is kind of nice, you know…”.
“Despise the unholy beasts known as centaurs, for they bear the mark of the damned!”
Wow, this guy sounds like he hangs out with Jack Chick! (Not Curtis, Rev. MacArthur)
Curtis, once again, what sins could a thirteen-year-old have possibly committed? Honestly, I was mostly just a snotty adolescent at that time.
Unless you’re a sociopath who’s abusing animals and starting fires, I think you’re okay. (Um, you DON’T abuse animals and start fires, do you?)
I don’t get it ??
I may not know where it comes from in the Bible, but I know it well enough: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
Or, as Bill and Ted would have it, “Be excellent to each other.” That, it seems to me, sums it up well.
Curtis, I believe that if you follow this rule you’ll be where you want to be.
You began reading the Bible. Have you actually read the whole thing yet?
I’m hoping a renowned biblical scholar like Curtis will be able to answer this one for me… if man was created in God’s image, how come we’re not all invisible?
Jesus encouraged parents to kill their children?
Original Sin. Adam and Eve started out invisible, but turned visible due to the Fall. That’s why the first thing they did was find some clothes.
If they were invisible, how did the snake see them to ask them to consider making an apple crumble?
Oh, and can someone just clarify for me - why exactly did God create a talking serpent?
ps. First person to say “It’s an analogy!” gets an “I Love Jesus” sticker.
It was a pit viper - it tracked them by their body heat.
It’s really heart warming to see the response when a young man expresses his concerns. Some of you just couldn’t resist stopping by to relieve yourselves.
We were just talking about this habit in a recent thread. Thanks for providing a another example. Our adolescent OP is more mature.
So , you think we could track God by his body heat too?
Is this your reverend, Curtis? Or does he just have a similar name? It does help if we understand your theology. A Baptist Calvinist?
Good point.
Curtis - The only thing I can add to help you along on your personal spiritual journey is this: Don’t be too hard on yourself.
It seems unlikely that a just and loving God would put you on earth just to beat yourself up about how you aren’t focussed enough on God. Consider that he made you exactly as you are, and perhaps your doing just fine and he’s very happy with your performance, and He’d like you to get on with doing whatever it is you’re meant to do in life, and stop worrying about Him all the time. Kind of like how a just a loving parent wants their kid to run along and have fun and stop mooning about the kitchen.
I should also point out that I’m serious, and I’m not screwing around with you. Good luck, buddy, you’re going through a tough couple of years, and you’re doing fine.
Curtis,
I have to wonder why you decided to air this on the SDMB but since you have I’ll add my 2 cents and you can take it or leave it.
I hear where you’re coming from. I remember from my own journey through Christianity the feeling of communion with God. Those moments when you feel so connected to that mysterious something more and with everything. The warmth and sense of peace is wonderful. You don’t get that all the time but I find as we learn and grow and engage life those moments continue to come. They’ve continued for me apart from Christianity and organized religion.
You need to work it out in your own time and in your own way so because of that, I’d advise you not to be too wrapped up in finding and following the correct doctrine. Life and however we perceive God is a mystery that varies a lot from person to person, group to group, culture to culture. Look within and follow the connection you feel.Dedicate yourself to being honest with yourself and seeking love and truth where ever you find it. You can listen to advise and opinions but in the end it’s up to you to choose and be responsible for those choices. There will always be people who are eager to tell you “what God wants” for you. They don’t know. That is for you to discover. Don’t let’ the beliefs of others and desire for their approval hinder that discovery.
I’ll share a few things I think I discovered along the way just for consideration.
There are no written words with divine authority that we need to adhere to. Words can move and inspire us but that is within us, not any particular book. It’s okay to trust that inner connection and not rely on some external authority.
As others have said. Beyond a wholesome discipline, don’t be to hard on yourself. Love your neighbor as yourself and keep in mind that love doesn’t mean giving people everything they want. Remain true to yourself and compassionate to others and you’ll be a positive part of people’s lives.
I can create a painting in my image*, but that doesn’t mean that that painting is made of flesh, has a mind, can walk about etc. Being made in the image of something doesn’t require being a total likeness.
*Ok, that’s a lie. I can’t paint.
God maybe if he shows up. Not Jesus, since he’s either a zombie or a vampire.
Invisible? Isn’t being irrelevant enough?