So many people (as an answer to so many things) say, "It ain't a perfect world..." I, personally, tend to believe that it is! It is a beautiful, wonderful and once immaculate place. People in the world, however, are not perfect. There are those too (the same), who believe in a god that created life, the heavens and this world, but not people. People create people and God has given to each and every one their own life or soul, to do with what they will; their own and unique free will. And though His will for all of us, I believe is, of course, to follow the very simple (not necessarily always easy, but simple nonetheless) way, truth and life that He has given and shown us, there are those, who through their own free will, choose not to, as it is their choice, not God's. There are too, those who believe, “things happen for a reason” or “That is what God has chosen/His ever-changing plan…” I don’t believe that things happen for a reason, or maybe better stated; His reason. Things happen because of reasons, or things that we have done or said---everything everyone does, in some way, affects everyone. And I don’t believe that we are God's puppets, or toys, to play with and manipulate however He chooses, or pawns to position and set-up among the kings, rooks and bishops just to be toppled at His will in some heavenly game. I believe God’s will is un-changing---ancient and eternal. He doesn't take life away. To me, that would be extremely contradicting. Life is simply what it is, as it was long ago created, and part of it, is learning, growing and dying. How we die and the things that may happen to us, I believe, are largely because of and by ourselves---the things we have done and created (apart from just growing old, of course).

“Let go and let God” or “Just give it to God” are statements I have pondered since the first time I heard them. I have heard them many times, in many different ways. Oh, how wonderful it would be to just let everything go---and so easy too! I do suppose that there are those for whom it's easy to let everything go and sometimes I wish I was one of them. But I find it difficult to let go the things that have made me who I am; hard-headed, maybe.

It might be pretty neat, I guess, and maybe even comforting, to know what God is going to do, as some believe they do. It is difficult for me to comprehend a God so 'versatile' and ‘wishy-washy’. And it makes me laugh, sometimes when people say things like, "God told me to do this, or to do that (whether their ‘told’ is an actual heard voice or some sort of ‘sign’ that was perceived as telling). How very lucky are those to whom God speaks! Or not, maybe, as I have heard of a lot of serial killers who claim that God has told them to do some very, what I would consider un-godly things.

I am happy for and proud of those who have gained the peace that you have! May thanks be to God for his original, lasting and unchanged ancient wisdom and guidance, but credit to you, for choosing as you have; for it was truly by you and your strength that it was accomplished, maybe because if God, but you nonetheless!

RD,

There has obviously been much thought put into your beliefs. There is a great sincerity that shines through your words and it was a pleasure to read them.

There have been many topics here, lately, disucssing peoples beliefs particularly on what basis they have formed their opinions.

Having just written a lengthy reply in a thread attempting to determine the difference between 'faith and belief' I would like to ask you a couple questions?

What expereinces have led you to believe in the singular devinity of God?

AND

What role did or does the Bible play in those experiences?
What is your perspective on the Bible as a teaching tool?

You kind regards to these questions will be much appreciated.

I think the earth is a pretty cool place too. But to say that it’s immaculate would be naïve I believe.

The fact is that many animals are carnivores and each other animals. I hardly call that an immaculate world. Same thing with disease, and even natural disasters including things like drought and whatnot. When rain fails to fall in places it can put quite a strain on the animals and humans living there, causing them to die in many cases.

The idea that if it wasn’t for the evil sins of mankind the world would be perfect is a romantic notion that holds no water.

Any religion that believes that God created all the animals by design must acknowledge that God indeed created a dog-eat-dog world. There’s just no way to get around it. A dog-eat-dog world that is designed by its very nature to be a competition for life is hardly “immaculate” in my view.

But to each their own.

Not meant to be a ‘complaint” by the way. I’m just pointing out that a dog-eat-dog world is not immaculate. And the idea that man’s sins are responsible for the fact that carnivores exist is utterly absurd IMHO.

The world we live in today is not God's world. Our current condition is a result of sin. Adam and Eve chose to follow the devil and He now rules the nations. He offered the nations of the world to Christ in the temptation, Mat 4. and He rules the world, and is the god most worship in different forms.

2Co 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

The world God created was one in which the animals did not bite and devour one another. They lived in harmony with man until sin. They now reflect the nature of the devil. He influences nations and that is why God calls the various empires Beasts. When Christ returns He will change the nature back to the way He created it.

Isa 11:6 The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. Isa 11:7 And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. Isa 11:8 And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den. Isa 11:9 They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.

God never intended man to have illnesses and disease. Some of our diseases in America are degenerative and caused by excess sugar, smoking, chlorine in the water, unprotected sex, and so on. They are a direct result of undisciplined living.

God did not create us to be sick, and when Christ returns, He will put an end to disease.

Isa 35:5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Isa 35:6 Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert. Isa 35:7 And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water: in the habitation of dragons, where each lay, shall be grass with reeds and rushes.

Art

I'm gonna ride one of those dragon's