What Is G-d That We Should Be Mindfull?

[Traveler]

For this is life eternal to know the only true G-d and Jesus Christ who was sent by G-d.

What is it about G-d that has convinced you to worship or not worship him? What in his character and attributes is it that makes him G-d? Should you, as a believer be an example of that charactor and attribute?

If you are reborn in G-d how are you convinced you that you are one with G-d? If not what is your opinion about being one with G-d?

The Traveler

[Jenda]

I hate to ask (or say), but I am not sure what "being one with God" means. Is it a fancy way of saying that God, through the Holy Spirit, dwells within us? or does it mean something different?

I can say that I have had numerous personal experiences with the Holy Spirit, the first being when I was 21 years old. Which experience changed my life 180 degrees. And have had many more since then. (Not as often as I would like, but we can't have everything. )

It is that Christ loves me so much, and gave me so much through His teachings and His sacrifice, that I feel that God is more than worthy of my love and devotion. I wish I could love others the way He loves me. I wish I could be patient and kind, and not prone to anger or rebellion. But I am glad that He loves me when I am not always worthy to be loved, and gently shows me the way to come back to Him.

(I was not sure what you were asking, so I am not sure that this is what you wanted.)

[StrawberryFields]

To me, simply put; God is Love. Anything else, not in the realm of Love, is not God.

When you show Love in all things; you are one with God.

[Traveler]

Thank you both for your excellent responses. May I drill down a little deeper into you ideas?

I know a "slow minded" person that is loving beyond fault. I also grew up with a dog as a child that was one of the most loving things I have known. In both cases I respected the love but did not feel a need to worship the one that was so loving. Am I to understand that you will worship anyone that will love with a g-d like love or is there something more or else that is the real trigger of your worship?

The Traveler

[Jenda]

I don't believe that there is any person or any "thing", other than God, that I would worship. I worship God because He is the only reason I have life and hope. Without Him in my life, without the sacrifice He made, without the teachings he gave as an example to live my life by, there would be no reason for me to get out of bed in the morning, there would be no joy in my life. He makes life worth living. While we might find some of those attributes in other people and things for short periods of time, there is no one who could fulfill all my needs and desires the way He does. There is no one who makes me want to be the best I can be or calls me to righteousness the way He does.

[Guest curvette]

Originally posted by Traveler@Nov 16 2004, 06:41 PM

Am I to understand that you will worship anyone that will love with a g-d like love or is there something more or else that is the real trigger of your worship?

The Traveler

Most objects of worship are considered superior to the worshipper. The Judeo Christian God is considered by His followers to be perfect. He is also considered to be our creator. Any grateful person would want to worship his/her perfect creator if that creator commands us to worship Him. We just have the added bonus of also having a very loving, personal God. Who wouldn't want to worship a God like that? (if they truly believed in one.) Throughout human history, people have worshipped the forces of nature in the form of idols out of fear. We have the unique experience of worshipping one God out of love.

[Amillia]

Originally posted by Traveler@Nov 16 2004, 08:29 AM

For this is life eternal to know the only true G-d and Jesus Christ who was sent by G-d.

What is it about G-d that has convinced you to worship or not worship him? What in his character and attributes is it that makes him G-d? Should you, as a believer be an example of that charactor and attribute?

If you are reborn in G-d how are you convinced you that you are one with G-d? If not what is your opinion about being one with G-d?

The Traveler

I am born again, but I doubt I am God's completely. I stray often. Good question Traveler!

[Amillia]

Originally posted by Strawberry Fields@Nov 16 2004, 08:49 AM

To me, simply put; God is Love. Anything else, not in the realm of Love, is not God.

When you show Love in all things; you are one with God.

Very lovely response Strawberry. I love it.

[StrawberryFields]

Originally posted by Amillia+Nov 18 2004, 09:36 AM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Amillia @ Nov 18 2004, 09:36 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin--Strawberry Fields@Nov 16 2004, 08:49 AM

To me, simply put; God is Love. Anything else, not in the realm of Love, is not God.

When you show Love in all things; you are one with God.

Very lovely response Strawberry. I love it.

Thanks. :)

[StrawberryFields]

Originally posted by curvette@Nov 16 2004, 08:33 PM

[

We just have the added bonus of also having a very loving, personal God. Who wouldn't want to worship a God like that? (if they truly believed in one.) Throughout human history, people have worshipped the forces of nature in the form of idols out of fear. We have the unique experience of worshipping one God out of love.

Amen.

[Traveler]

All of your responses are interesting though not exactly what I expected. I would like to introduce a concept about G-d that I often find missing in the manner that others esteem their worship. I agree that one of the most defining wonders of G-d is his absolute and incredible love. Here is the point. He asks us to worship him, not because he is greater than us, nor is it because of his power or majesty or for any benefit for himself. He has commanded us to worship him because he loves us and he knows that we will benefit through such worship. He also knows that if we attach our worship to something other than him that it will cause us to loose benefit.

He commands our worship not because he gets a rise out of it. I actually believe that he is the king of heaven – not because he want to be king but because he knows that his being king is the best possible thing for those in heaven. He does what he does and is what he is out of service. It is a sacrifice for him. He has to give up things in order that we may be blessed with a “Father in Heaven”. The concept that G-d can do what-ever he wants is a most misleading concept. He is devoted to others to a fault; if you want to think of it that way. “For G-d so love the world that he gave his only begotten son.” Why? So we would not parish but have everlasting life. It is all for us.

The only time he seems to get upset is not when we cause him pain but when we cause ourselves or other to have to suffer, because he loves everybody and watches out for us all. In fact I would summit that he wants to forgive everybody for everything and get everybody back to heaven. The only ones that will not make it are those that just refuse to cooperate, which strangely enough is most people. They won’t live in the best heaven offers because they cannot abide the “goodness” that is so abundant there. They are in essence so selfish that they are miserable immersed in love and service. So he has prepared a place in which we can all be comfortable doing what we want and being what we want.

The final point is that G-d wants us to be just like him – willing to sacrifice and give up things for others, and this is the whole reason for this mortal existence. It is why things happen the way they do. It is why good always suffers and bad seems to get away with everything. Because we must learn to sacrifice for the benefit of others even when they do not care in order to know G-d as he really is. Without this understanding, the joy of a life of compassionate service is lost and there is misery in all that take advantage of you.

The Traveler

[Ray]

Great points, Traveler.

Originally posted by Traveler@ Nov 16 2004, 07:29 AM

For this is life eternal to know the only true G-d and Jesus Christ who was sent by G-d.

What is it about G-d that has convinced you to worship or not worship him? What in his character and attributes is it that makes him G-d? Should you, as a believer be an example of that charactor and attribute?

If you are reborn in G-d how are you convinced you that you are one with G-d? If not what is your opinion about being one with G-d?

What it is about God that helps me to worship Him is to realize that He is literally our Father and, as you said, He is only doing what He knows is best for us. And the more I learn about His character and attributes, and follow His counsel, the more I realize that He is worthy of my worship, to the point that I want to do more and more of what He wants me to do and become exactly like Him. I wouldn’t worship just anybody, you know.

Btw, have you ever thought about what it means to worship somebody, or something? Why would anybody in their right mind bow down to dumb idols? Or why would anybody in their right mind spend their whole life trying to get things that are going to be gone from them as soon as they die.

Anyway, I also know that is why our Lord worships our Father in heaven, and why our Lord urges us to worship Him. Our Father truly does know what is best for all of us.

[StrawberryFields]

Originally posted by Traveler@Nov 19 2004, 02:34 PM

All of your responses are interesting though not exactly what I expected. I would like to introduce a concept about G-d that I often find missing in the manner that others esteem their worship. I agree that one of the most defining wonders of G-d is his absolute and incredible love. Here is the point. He asks us to worship him, not because he is greater than us, nor is it because of his power or majesty or for any benefit for himself. He has commanded us to worship him because he loves us and he knows that we will benefit through such worship. He also knows that if we attach our worship to something other than him that it will cause us to loose benefit.

He commands our worship not because he gets a rise out of it. I actually believe that he is the king of heaven – not because he want to be king but because he knows that his being king is the best possible thing for those in heaven. He does what he does and is what he is out of service. It is a sacrifice for him. He has to give up things in order that we may be blessed with a “Father in Heaven”. The concept that G-d can do what-ever he wants is a most misleading concept. He is devoted to others to a fault; if you want to think of it that way. “For G-d so love the world that he gave his only begotten son.” Why? So we would not parish but have everlasting life. It is all for us.

The only time he seems to get upset is not when we cause him pain but when we cause ourselves or other to have to suffer, because he loves everybody and watches out for us all. In fact I would summit that he wants to forgive everybody for everything and get everybody back to heaven. The only ones that will not make it are those that just refuse to cooperate, which strangely enough is most people. They won’t live in the best heaven offers because they cannot abide the “goodness” that is so abundant there. They are in essence so selfish that they are miserable immersed in love and service. So he has prepared a place in which we can all be comfortable doing what we want and being what we want.

The final point is that G-d wants us to be just like him – willing to sacrifice and give up things for others, and this is the whole reason for this mortal existence. It is why things happen the way they do. It is why good always suffers and bad seems to get away with everything. Because we must learn to sacrifice for the benefit of others even when they do not care in order to know G-d as he really is. Without this understanding, the joy of a life of compassionate service is lost and there is misery in all that take advantage of you.

The Traveler

Traveler,

I enjoyed your post as I always do.

Am I correct in my summary?

!. Our Father in Heaven has become as such just for our benefit.

2. In order for us to become one with God, we must not only love others, we must serve unselfishly just as he has done for us.

3. For us to be able to live in the presence of Him, we must acquire enough goodness here while we are on earth. In acquiring that goodness, we must make sacrifices for the benefit of others, love and serve, just as our Father in Heaven does for us. We must become like Him, therefore holding His image in our countenance.

[Guest curvette]

Originally posted by Traveler@Nov 19 2004, 01:34 PM

He does what he does and is what he is out of service. It is a sacrifice for him. He has to give up things in order that we may be blessed with a “Father in Heaven”.

I totally agree with you here. I think this concept is why Jesus taught that "The last shall be first and the first shall be last." Although God can seem terribly egocentric in the Old Testament--He's really the exact opposite. Thanks for bringing that up Trav.

[Guest curvette]

Originally posted by Ray@Nov 19 2004, 01:49 PM

Why would anybody in their right mind bow down to dumb idols?

And yet people "in their right minds" consistently did just that for thousands of years. It seems strange to us, because we've grown up in a monotheistic environment. Ancient peoples though, couldn't grasp the concept of a single, "Alpha" God who didn't want to have images of Him made. They didn't worship the idols persay, they worshipped the deity. The idol was just something physical to represent the deity to the people. Sun, rain, wind, harvest, fertility, etc. Their everyday lives depended so heavily on these things that they would sacrifice whatever they thought these "gods" wanted in order to keep them happy. Even Israel had a very difficult time giving up the gods that they could see the images of day to day for the unseen God Yahweh.

[Amillia]

I think traveler has clearly defined the reality of God. Simple as it is, few can comprehend and except it. Thank you traveler.

[Traveler]

Originally posted by Ray+Nov 19 2004, 01:49 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Ray @ Nov 19 2004, 01:49 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> Great points, Traveler.

<!--QuoteBegin--Traveler

@ Nov 16 2004, 07:29 AM

For this is life eternal to know the only true G-d and Jesus Christ who was sent by G-d.

What is it about G-d that has convinced you to worship or not worship him? What in his character and attributes is it that makes him G-d? Should you, as a believer be an example of that charactor and attribute?

If you are reborn in G-d how are you convinced you that you are one with G-d? If not what is your opinion about being one with G-d?

What it is about God that helps me to worship Him is to realize that He is literally our Father and, as you said, He is only doing what He knows is best for us. And the more I learn about His character and attributes, and follow His counsel, the more I realize that He is worthy of my worship, to the point that I want to do more and more of what He wants me to do and become exactly like Him. I wouldn’t worship just anybody, you know.

Btw, have you ever thought about what it means to worship somebody, or something? Why would anybody in their right mind bow down to dumb idols? Or why would anybody in their right mind spend their whole life trying to get things that are going to be gone from them as soon as they die.

Anyway, I also know that is why our Lord worships our Father in heaven, and why our Lord urges us to worship Him. Our Father truly does know what is best for all of us.

One of the most popular things of worship is money, another is power and another fame but the one that gets the most is pride. CS Lewis once said something like if you think you have conquered pride, you have failed.

Thanks for considering my opinion.

The Traveler

[Traveler]

Originally posted by Strawberry Fields@Nov 19 2004, 03:39 PM

I enjoyed your post as I always do.

Am I correct in my summary?

!. Our Father in Heaven has become as such just for our benefit.

2. In order for us to become one with God, we must not only love others, we must serve unselfishly just as he has done for us.

3. For us to be able to live in the presence of Him, we must acquire enough goodness here while we are on earth. In acquiring that goodness, we must make sacrifices for the benefit of others, love and serve, just as our Father in Heaven does for us. We must become like Him, therefore holding His image in our countenance.

I agree with both your summare and efforts to make the concept your own.

Thanks

The Traveler

[Traveler]

Originally posted by curvette+Nov 19 2004, 05:49 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (curvette @ Nov 19 2004, 05:49 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin--Ray@Nov 19 2004, 01:49 PM

Why would anybody in their right mind bow down to dumb idols?

And yet people "in their right minds" consistently did just that for thousands of years. It seems strange to us, because we've grown up in a monotheistic environment. Ancient peoples though, couldn't grasp the concept of a single, "Alpha" God who didn't want to have images of Him made. They didn't worship the idols persay, they worshipped the deity. The idol was just something physical to represent the deity to the people. Sun, rain, wind, harvest, fertility, etc. Their everyday lives depended so heavily on these things that they would sacrifice whatever they thought these "gods" wanted in order to keep them happy. Even Israel had a very difficult time giving up the gods that they could see the images of day to day for the unseen God Yahweh.

I am pleased to see we agree. But I would add that I am very much ammazed at what people will devote their live and energy to - even in our day of such great possibilities.

The Traveler

[Ray]

Originally posted by Traveler+Nov 20 2004, 10:00 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Traveler @ Nov 20 2004, 10:00 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>

Originally posted by -Ray@Nov 19 2004, 01:49 PM

Great points, Traveler.

<!--QuoteBegin--Traveler@ Nov 16 2004, 07:29 AM

For this is life eternal to know the only true G-d and Jesus Christ who was sent by G-d.

What is it about G-d that has convinced you to worship or not worship him? What in his character and attributes is it that makes him G-d? Should you, as a believer be an example of that charactor and attribute?

If you are reborn in G-d how are you convinced you that you are one with G-d? If not what is your opinion about being one with G-d?

What it is about God that helps me to worship Him is to realize that He is literally our Father and, as you said, He is only doing what He knows is best for us. And the more I learn about His character and attributes, and follow His counsel, the more I realize that He is worthy of my worship, to the point that I want to do more and more of what He wants me to do and become exactly like Him. I wouldn’t worship just anybody, you know.

Btw, have you ever thought about what it means to worship somebody, or something? Why would anybody in their right mind bow down to dumb idols? Or why would anybody in their right mind spend their whole life trying to get things that are going to be gone from them as soon as they die.

Anyway, I also know that is why our Lord worships our Father in heaven, and why our Lord urges us to worship Him. Our Father truly does know what is best for all of us.

One of the most popular things of worship is money, another is power and another fame but the one that gets the most is pride. CS Lewis once said something like if you think you have conquered pride, you have failed.

Thanks for considering my opinion.

The Traveler

Heh, I haven't totally conquered pride yet, but I've come pretty close. :)

And btw, was that only your opinion, or was it your testimony? Or are you of the opinion that it is prideful to claim that you actually know the truth about something?

[Jenda]

And btw, was that only your opinion, or was it your testimony? Or are you of the opinion that it is prideful to claim that you actually know the truth about something?

I think that if you know the truth about something that you don't need to make that claim, but instead, the way you discuss and act about that truth will be evident to all to see.

That is just my opinion, though.

[Ray]

Well, while I also agree with that to a certain degree, I also feel that it is important to bear my testimony to people. Not necessarily in an attempt to try to convince other people about the truthfulness of my beliefs, but to make it clear to others that there is a distinction between the things I believe without absolute confidence, and the things I know for sure.

In other words, I have many beliefs that might possibly be true, but I also have some beliefs that I’m absolutely sure are true, to the point that I can say that I know those things are true. And I think that making those distinctions helps other people to know where I stand.

[Traveler]

Ray & Jenda: Pride is a cleaver foe. A simple conviction of truth can turn a person prideful. Even a understanding of G-d can make a person prideful. I am sorry to admit that even a sincear thanks from someone can turn a person to pride. And I have never been in an argument but that pride convinced me to do so. And now I must be quiet on this matter before I condemn myself.

The Traveler

[Jenda]

Traveler, truer words were never spoken. I remember one time I asked a priesthood member at church a question about why people treated me the way they did regarding a certain behavior, and his answer made sense (I think he told me it was because I was humble about it (whatever it was at the time)), and ever after that, that discussion came back to me and I am sure I ceased being humble.

When I was at college, I had a friend who I roomed with over the summer once ask me what my favorite scripture was, and I said Moroni 7:50-52 (RLDS). She wasn't highly familiar with the scriptures, so she went to look it up, and when she came back she said, "No wonder it is your favorite. It describes you perfectly." It doesn't, and it didn't then, but if it even came close, I am sure that just from her saying that, I moved even further away from it.

Knowledge isn't always bliss. I would often rather be left in the dark. But, at the same time, I agree with Ray about sharing our testimonies. I believe that they are given to us for a reason, and that reason is to help others come to Christ (those who don't know Him), and to help each other grow spiritually (those of us that do know Him.) I guess that often the way we share our testimonies is the way we act. And when we want to share something that must be verbally shared, we must always remember that, except for the grace of God, we wouldn't have that testimony.

[Traveler]

I agree - I think. I would say that what we do is a greater testimony than what we say. My father said that unkind people will be kind when it is easy and everyone expects it but only a truely kind person will be kind when when it is impossible and no one expects it.

The Traveler