riVeRraT writes:
I have decided to open myself up to this forum, and everything I tell you is completely honest, and from the heart. It was before, but now I hold no barriers between you and what is in my mind.
I appreciate that. Thanks for answering my question, BTW.I understand you have many posts to reply to. I hope you don't mind me asking some more.
riVeRraT writes:
I would say at least 30 people have told me this. They are people who haven't seen me in a while, and people who see me every day.
could it be that since you've been 'saved', you feel relieved and elated, smile more and generally your whole demeanour is more positive? It's very common that people who feel miserable and tired, look older. When people feel better about themselves they tend to 'appear' younger and attract similar comments. This happens, no matter what caused the change in the first place.
riVeRraT writes:
No, as matter of fact the bad things have decreased dramatically
Don't mean to sound patronising, but are you counting
all the bad things, or is it just that now you tend to worry less about them, so you count less ?
I find that, when I'm feeling bad (for whatever reason) little misfortunes tend to stick in my mind for longer than when I'm feeling good. For example, if x bad things happen to me on a 'bad' day, I'll remember them for weeks to come. If x bad things happen to me on a 'good' day, a week later I've forgotten half of them. It's kind of a confirmation bias, I suppose.
riVeRraT writes:
As a matter of fact, I went to 4 churches and tried to play in "the band" but they were never interested (they would almost refuse me as I asked). When I came to my current church, I didn't even want to ask, because they were too good, and I didn't want to be let down again. But I did ask the worship team leader where I could get the music sheets of the music they were playing, he asked me why, I told him I play piano, then he asked me to join on the spot. Coincidence?
No, perfecty explainable: You admit that before you were saved you were feeling and looking worse and had bad habits (drink, pot, etc.) All these were reflected on your looks and attitude. It's no surprise the previous churches didn't want you in the band. Once your appearance and attitude improved, it was much easier for a church to have you in the band.
riVeRraT writes:
Please note, I am not bragging here. I just sharing what God can and will do in your lives as well. I am also publicly thanking him for the opportunity to server him and my fellow man.
I understand.
riVeRraT writes:
Because I never felt anything like it before. Its not like I'm thinking of something first all the time either, it can just come to me when I least expect it, and fill me with anyone of the gifts he has blessed me with. If I was capable of doing that to myself in my own mind, I think I would drop dead from shock on the spot.
Many people
do that in their own mind. It's called self-suggestion. I know you think this is unique to you, but so does everybody else who are convinced they experience something 'special'.
riVeRraT writes:
Right, I never have been inspired in my 39 years of life, so I don't know what that is.
Why are you putting yourself down? We all have been inspired at some stage. It's just that now you attribute some special force behind your inspirations.
riVeRraT writes:
You can start to break things down and try to explain away each one of these things I posted, but you cannot explain away them as a whole.
But if each of these things can be easily explained to causes other than your faith, what is left as a whole? Nothing.
Listen, you obviously needed to turn your life around and you did that. You stopped the bad habits, improved your attitude towards life and others and are reaping the benefits. That's great! But why are you looking for someone/something else to take the credit? YOU are the one who tried and succeeded, YOU must take the credit.
Instead of having faith in imaginary beings, why don't you have some faith in yourself?
"In life, you have to face that some days you'll be the pigeon and some days you'll be the statue."
™ Version 4.2