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Author Topic:   The power of prayer: in action
riVeRraT
Member (Idle past 415 days)
Posts: 5788
From: NY USA
Joined: 05-09-2004


Message 256 of 304 (154485)
10-30-2004 8:24 PM
Reply to: Message 255 by CK
10-30-2004 2:04 PM


Sorry for the ignorance, but what is a yob?

This message is a reply to:
 Message 255 by CK, posted 10-30-2004 2:04 PM CK has not replied

riVeRraT
Member (Idle past 415 days)
Posts: 5788
From: NY USA
Joined: 05-09-2004


Message 257 of 304 (154486)
10-30-2004 8:28 PM
Reply to: Message 245 by purpledawn
10-29-2004 7:58 PM


Re: The Process
I was thinking about your words in my spare time.
Its hard sometimes to meditate on what people say in here, because of time constraints. But when I sit down and spend time with God, and pray I get answers.
The other thing is that it is a forum, and we are limited to it being just that. But I get a sense of peace from you, its nice.
I wanted to ask you, you have forgiven everyone, and that is beautiful. Have you made any oaths in your life based on what people have done to you?

This message is a reply to:
 Message 245 by purpledawn, posted 10-29-2004 7:58 PM purpledawn has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 260 by purpledawn, posted 10-30-2004 11:19 PM riVeRraT has replied

riVeRraT
Member (Idle past 415 days)
Posts: 5788
From: NY USA
Joined: 05-09-2004


Message 258 of 304 (154489)
10-30-2004 8:41 PM
Reply to: Message 244 by Dan Carroll
10-29-2004 3:58 PM


I have prayed about what you have said to me. you bring up a lot of hard issues, and sometimes I do not have all the answers. But the truth of the matter is that God has put the responsibility in our hands.
There are several religions in Africa. I do not know if it is Christians being slaughtered, but God definatly answers our prayers when we are praying for help in such a desperate time as this. Those are the times that you truely call out to God.
the best I can do in my life is to pray for them too, and go and help when I can. I may or may not go to Africa, but I will be going to different parts of the world to help. Our organization did do a collection for the victims in Burundi. It was our children over there that got slaughtered. Children that are being supported by Hope For the Nations.
You seem to be getting mad at single incidents and refuse to look at the bigger picture. There are many things that will not go our way. God has taught us that from the very begining, since we ate from the tree of knowledge. By praying and getting closer to God, is not to worry about dying and going to be with him. Our purpose does not end here on earth.
By you not believing in God, and in fact being angry about the whole thing, does not do a single bit of good. Instead God needs people like you to help sort things out, instead of making them more confusing. But you are a long way off. As time goes by, things will become clearer to you, and answer will present themselves. I don't think you are in any kind of position to judge God's priorities, as you do not know them fully. The situation you are judging is your own personal priority. Just becasue you feel its bad that people are dying, they may actually be happier now going home to the father. People in Africa could also use your prayers.
Proceed.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 244 by Dan Carroll, posted 10-29-2004 3:58 PM Dan Carroll has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 282 by Dan Carroll, posted 11-01-2004 9:31 AM riVeRraT has not replied

sidelined
Member (Idle past 5908 days)
Posts: 3435
From: Edmonton Alberta Canada
Joined: 08-30-2003


Message 259 of 304 (154502)
10-30-2004 9:57 PM
Reply to: Message 240 by riVeRraT
10-29-2004 3:24 PM


riVeRrat
Go ahead, solve E=MC^2 and 2+2 in the same amount of time.
E=MC*2 means Energy and Mass are equivalent 2+2=4 Not that hard.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 240 by riVeRraT, posted 10-29-2004 3:24 PM riVeRraT has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 261 by riVeRraT, posted 10-30-2004 11:44 PM sidelined has replied

purpledawn
Member (Idle past 3457 days)
Posts: 4453
From: Indiana
Joined: 04-25-2004


Message 260 of 304 (154516)
10-30-2004 11:19 PM
Reply to: Message 257 by riVeRraT
10-30-2004 8:28 PM


Re: The Process
quote:
Have you made any oaths in your life based on what people have done to you?
Since you said "done to you" I'm assuming you mean an oath of revenge of sorts. If that is what you are asking, then no I don't and haven't.
Revenge serves no purpose and is a waste of energy. It causes you to lose your inner peace.
If you are speaking of a positive oath, such as because I suffered this I will do such and such to prevent others from suffering the same. I don't and haven't done that either.
I do make a mental note and watch for opportunities that might serve the purpose.
My path in life tends to be flexible which allows me to help or learn from those in close proximity. Large scale actions are not my strength. I stick with my talents.
Hopefully that answers your question.

A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 257 by riVeRraT, posted 10-30-2004 8:28 PM riVeRraT has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 263 by riVeRraT, posted 10-31-2004 12:17 AM purpledawn has replied

riVeRraT
Member (Idle past 415 days)
Posts: 5788
From: NY USA
Joined: 05-09-2004


Message 261 of 304 (154519)
10-30-2004 11:44 PM
Reply to: Message 259 by sidelined
10-30-2004 9:57 PM


So, one took longer to type out than the other.
Point made.
I think the actual numbers require a little more than what you put.
We are bound by time and distance (same thing). That should be obvious.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 259 by sidelined, posted 10-30-2004 9:57 PM sidelined has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 262 by sidelined, posted 10-31-2004 12:04 AM riVeRraT has replied

sidelined
Member (Idle past 5908 days)
Posts: 3435
From: Edmonton Alberta Canada
Joined: 08-30-2003


Message 262 of 304 (154525)
10-31-2004 12:04 AM
Reply to: Message 261 by riVeRraT
10-30-2004 11:44 PM


riVeRrat
I think the actual numbers require a little more than what you put.
Nope. You just set C equal to 1 and the equation is E=M. Energy and Mass are different sides of the same coin.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 261 by riVeRraT, posted 10-30-2004 11:44 PM riVeRraT has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 264 by riVeRraT, posted 10-31-2004 12:19 AM sidelined has not replied
 Message 265 by Percy, posted 10-31-2004 8:07 AM sidelined has replied
 Message 267 by 1.61803, posted 10-31-2004 9:21 AM sidelined has not replied

riVeRraT
Member (Idle past 415 days)
Posts: 5788
From: NY USA
Joined: 05-09-2004


Message 263 of 304 (154532)
10-31-2004 12:17 AM
Reply to: Message 260 by purpledawn
10-30-2004 11:19 PM


Re: The Process
Thats awesome!
Can you clear something up for me then, you said
Since I stopped praying and no longer trust in the ambiguities of religion, my fortune hasn't changed. Actually my husband and I are happier.
Haven't you made an oath against churches and religion?
Do you still believe in God? Jesus?
How do you communicate with God if you still do?
I am not judging your decsion, just asking politly for an explanation.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 260 by purpledawn, posted 10-30-2004 11:19 PM purpledawn has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 268 by purpledawn, posted 10-31-2004 11:28 AM riVeRraT has replied

riVeRraT
Member (Idle past 415 days)
Posts: 5788
From: NY USA
Joined: 05-09-2004


Message 264 of 304 (154533)
10-31-2004 12:19 AM
Reply to: Message 262 by sidelined
10-31-2004 12:04 AM


The numbers are longer in proving it.
2+2=4 is a proven statement, E=M is not without the numbers.
You know what I'm talking about, don't be silly.
The Lunar eclipse was awesome.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 262 by sidelined, posted 10-31-2004 12:04 AM sidelined has not replied

Percy
Member
Posts: 22391
From: New Hampshire
Joined: 12-23-2000
Member Rating: 5.2


Message 265 of 304 (154584)
10-31-2004 8:07 AM
Reply to: Message 262 by sidelined
10-31-2004 12:04 AM


sidelined writes:
Nope. You just set C equal to 1 and the equation is E=M. Energy and Mass are different sides of the same coin.
c is a constant. You can't set it to 1, but you can choose your units so that it is 1.
Choosing such units does not reduce Einstein's famous equation to E=M, because without c2 in the equation the units don't come out right. Mass/energy equivalency does not mean that energy and mass are the same thing, because they aren't. It only means that a given mass possesses an inherent and equivalent nuclear energy, regardless of which mass you're talking about. Once the mass is known, the amount of inherent nuclear energy is known, since c, the speeed of light, is a constant. That's why they use the term equivalent, because no other variables beyond the amount of mass are involved.
You couldn't make the same equivalency claim about, say, force and acceleration, because there is another variable involved, mass (F=ma).
--Percy

This message is a reply to:
 Message 262 by sidelined, posted 10-31-2004 12:04 AM sidelined has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 266 by sidelined, posted 10-31-2004 9:02 AM Percy has not replied

sidelined
Member (Idle past 5908 days)
Posts: 3435
From: Edmonton Alberta Canada
Joined: 08-30-2003


Message 266 of 304 (154586)
10-31-2004 9:02 AM
Reply to: Message 265 by Percy
10-31-2004 8:07 AM


Percy
c is a constant. You can't set it to 1, but you can choose your units so that it is 1.
Thanks for the correction your are correct. I would like to discuss this further since there is something I need to clear up on this and I will debate you later as I must rush off to work today. Later.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 265 by Percy, posted 10-31-2004 8:07 AM Percy has not replied

1.61803
Member (Idle past 1503 days)
Posts: 2928
From: Lone Star State USA
Joined: 02-19-2004


Message 267 of 304 (154587)
10-31-2004 9:21 AM
Reply to: Message 262 by sidelined
10-31-2004 12:04 AM


It's all so beautiful....It's all so beautiful
I'll go you one further Sidelined and raise you that everything is a different side of the same coin.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 262 by sidelined, posted 10-31-2004 12:04 AM sidelined has not replied

purpledawn
Member (Idle past 3457 days)
Posts: 4453
From: Indiana
Joined: 04-25-2004


Message 268 of 304 (154597)
10-31-2004 11:28 AM
Reply to: Message 263 by riVeRraT
10-31-2004 12:17 AM


Serious Questions
quote:
Haven't you made an oath against churches and religion?
No. Maybe I'm looking at an oath differently, but as I understand "oath" it is a promise of what I will do in the future, whether immediate or distant, concerning the specified object.
I have stopped praying and as of now I don't put my trust in the rituals of religion. They serve no purpose in my life at this time. I have no idea how my future will play out or where my journey will take me.
When family or friends invite us to religious functions, we usually go. I still discuss the Bible with family and friends within their comfort zone.
quote:
Do you still believe in God? Jesus?
I do not believe in a God or a Devil as presented by mankind/religion. Whether a supreme being exists/existed or not, I don't know.
I do not believe that Jesus is/was a deity.
quote:
How do you communicate with God if you still do?
This may be a hard one to explain. Although I no longer do the prayers of thanks or request, I do meditate so to speak. It all depends on what I'm trying to work through or understand.
I've never really put this in words before, so hopefully it makes sense.

A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 263 by riVeRraT, posted 10-31-2004 12:17 AM riVeRraT has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 269 by riVeRraT, posted 10-31-2004 11:48 PM purpledawn has replied

riVeRraT
Member (Idle past 415 days)
Posts: 5788
From: NY USA
Joined: 05-09-2004


Message 269 of 304 (154717)
10-31-2004 11:48 PM
Reply to: Message 268 by purpledawn
10-31-2004 11:28 AM


Re: Serious Questions
I find it sad. But I am not capable of understand of how you got to that point, I only know from my perspective, which may or may not be wrong.
I try to keep an open mind about things.
An oath is like, when you break up with a guy, and you forgive him, but then you say to yourself, "I will never let a guy do that same thing to me again". In a sense you haven't really forgiven him. you have been altered from the way you were born by something that somebody did to you, not what you did to yourself. To me, it's how the Devil operates. These are hooks that the devil puts in you.
I am still learning about it. I think in Feburary my church is having a conference on it, called restoring the foundations.
If you had to sum up the reason why you left behind religion, what would it be. Thanks for replying.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 268 by purpledawn, posted 10-31-2004 11:28 AM purpledawn has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 270 by lfen, posted 11-01-2004 12:18 AM riVeRraT has replied
 Message 273 by purpledawn, posted 11-01-2004 7:31 AM riVeRraT has replied

lfen
Member (Idle past 4677 days)
Posts: 2189
From: Oregon
Joined: 06-24-2004


Message 270 of 304 (154723)
11-01-2004 12:18 AM
Reply to: Message 269 by riVeRraT
10-31-2004 11:48 PM


Re: Serious Questions
you have been altered from the way you were born by something that somebody did to you, not what you did to yourself. To me, it's how the Devil operates. These are hooks that the devil puts in you.
Everyone has been altered from the way they were born otherwise everyone would remain tiny infants incapable of speech, writing, etc. People, events, the environment have been doing things to us all our lives.
You can metaphorically say that the things your church approves of are from God, and the things they disapprove of are hooks the devil puts into people. But you have been altered by your excounters with religious persons and books. You were not born speaking Hebrew and reading the Bible, after all, someone persuaded you to accept these old belief systems. This is not science, not biology, not psychology but imaginative fantasy.
The brain works quite nicely in this mode as human brains have operated with these sorts of beliefs for thousands of years. Many churches seem to consist of groups of people clinging to the comforting old magical thinking and believing that the world it describes exists. Magical thinking they approve of comes from their idea of the deity. Magical thinking they disapprove of comes from their idea of a devil or demons.
But it's these slogans like "you have been altered...etc" that are not even examined for a moment. We are altered continuously, we change continuously. Just observe yourself rather than repeat the slogans your church pumps out. Albert Ellis does a good job of explaining cognitive psychology which is a very good introduction to how the brain construes experience and responses through beliefs and self talk.
lfen

This message is a reply to:
 Message 269 by riVeRraT, posted 10-31-2004 11:48 PM riVeRraT has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 271 by riVeRraT, posted 11-01-2004 1:20 AM lfen has replied

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