Your thoughts on prayer

On 21st August 2008 16:53, John Ravenscroft wrote:

Catherine, the phrase 'trust without reservations' is lovely - but really it's just a rewording (in far more attractive language) of 'belief without proof'.

I can't disagree with you on this one, John.  And I guess it's a very realistic definition of faith.  But believers have accepted that it's OK to believe in something that can't be proven.  I remember, as a small girl, being fascinated with the thought of atoms and molecules and how infintessimally tiny they were.  But I've never seen one and so have no proof that they truly are the stuff that matter is made of.  But that doesn't stop me from believing and having faith that there are atoms and molecules.  It's kind of a simplistic analogy, but I'm OK with belief without proof.

 

 

Hi Catherine:  Sometimes it's impossible to discern what we're supposed to learn from events in our lives because of being in the middle of the storm, so to speak.  That's where, when we pray to have our eyes opened to it, a fellow human being will come along side and be able to see from the outside in, and help us with that discernment.  That's often the way God shows up when we call on him.

 

On 21st August 2008 16:53, John Ravenscroft wrote:

Catherine, the phrase 'trust without reservations' is lovely - but really it's just a rewording (in far more attractive language) of 'belief without proof'.

I can't disagree with you on this one, John.  And I guess it's a very realistic definition of faith.  But believers have accepted that it's OK to believe in something that can't be proven.  I remember, as a small girl, being fascinated with the thought of atoms and molecules and how infintessimally tiny they were.  But I've never seen one and so have no proof that they truly are the stuff that matter is made of.  But that doesn't stop me from believing and having faith that there are atoms and molecules.  It's kind of a simplistic analogy, but I'm OK with belief without proof.

 

 

No John, perhaps that's what the phrase 'trust without reservation' means to you, but please remember that to a great many of us it means 'Walking by Faith'.  That's why the Christian message is a liberating one: a message of hope for all mankind.

Sorry if it sounds like I'm preaching here, it's not meant that way, just my personal view on an important part of my life.

Here’s some long distance love for you.  XOXO.  And I love Little Feat, BTW. 

Now to the question, did God decide to give that atheist guy a good zap?  LOL.  The answer is, of course unequivocally, NO.  And anyone who believes otherwise has a very immature understanding of God. 

Hi Catherine:  Sometimes it's impossible to discern what we're supposed to learn from events in our lives because of being in the middle of the storm, so to speak.  That's where, when we pray to have our eyes opened to it, a fellow human being will come along side and be able to see from the outside in, and help us with that discernment.  That's often the way God shows up when we call on him.

 

Hi Catherine:  Sometimes it's impossible to discern what we're supposed to learn from events in our lives because of being in the middle of the storm, so to speak.  That's where, when we pray to have our eyes opened to it, a fellow human being will come along side and be able to see from the outside in, and help us with that discernment.  That's often the way God shows up when we call on him.

On 25th August 2008 02:26, Ruth Gregory wrote:

Hi Catherine:  Sometimes it's impossible to discern what we're supposed to learn from events in our lives because of being in the middle of the storm, so to speak.  That's where, when we pray to have our eyes opened to it, a fellow human being will come along side and be able to see from the outside in, and help us with that discernment.  That's often the way God shows up when we call on him.

Often times that is how God sends his help, through others.