[LI SNOWBIRD]

Alas, I am not. But I just read a book that is spiritual. It does not try to "Justify the ways of God to man" as Milton did in "Paradise Lost", but rather tells a charming story of personal loss and questioning God's relevance and place in one's life.
I will only say that The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit become flesh to help a man come to grips with loss and with his relationship with them.
The book is "The Shack" by William Paul Young.
It was an interesting read-- but I'm still not spiritual though I am Christian-- I would recommend it

[elbear]

If I read between the lines, spiritual meaning the qualities of being spiritually minded..goodness, kindness, helpfulness and so on..then I've been on the path (sometimes slip off), most of my life. I call it religious but we get caught up on semantics with terms. I believe in God too, but not the anthropormorphized God. I have grown up Christian so I see God in this light or the qualities of God, is a better description. I think the Mystics, who seem to have no problem with each other no matter what background, have it right. Being spiritually minded, how should I act? The Golden Rule is the answer and I believe it included all things and creatures on this earth. I tend to stay away from extreme dogmatics especially as they break this rule and in this sense say religions divide, heart-felt spirituality brings us together.

[Taltarzac725]

Originally Posted by elbear

If I read between the lines, spiritual meaning the qualities of being spiritually minded..goodness, kindness, helpfulness and so on..then I've been on the path (sometimes slip off), most of my life. I call it religious but we get caught up on semantics with terms. I believe in God too, but not the anthropormorphized God. I have grown up Christian so I see God in this light or the qualities of God, is a better description. I think the Mystics, who seem to have no problem with each other no matter what background, have it right. Being spiritually minded, how should I act? The Golden Rule is the answer and I believe it included all things and creatures on this earth. I tend to stay away from extreme dogmatics especially as they break this rule and in this sense say religions divide, heart-felt spirituality brings us together.

I like that approach. I rarely go to church but minored in Religious Studies at the University of Nevada, Reno. Brought up Lutheran but really do not accept some of their doctrines. I have not really found a church that has just doctrines I can accept. So many religious rules seem to come down from rulers using religion to manipulate for some goal they had at that time. I do believe in the Golden Rule and probably see Jesus Christ as the messiah but this is basically just a leap of faith.

[graciegirl]

I am not sure just what I am, but I would like to be buried with a Mass and I would like to see my grandchildren walk down an aisle like their ancestors did and I like and feel comforted by tradition. Sometimes my faith in God slips but I honor it in others, just as I accept someone who does not believe. My tendency is to accept, unless the person means to hurt or to harm another. My concept of God is goodness.

If God is, he will understand me and all others who try to do what they think is right. And I am pretty sure he does exist and he loves us.

[kittygilchrist]

I wonder why this thread is located in the forum for laughs....unequivocally, yes.
Gratefully, humbly, yes, I am.

[elbear]

(Smiling) God loves a cheerful person?

[Challenger]

Originally Posted by elbear

(Smiling) God loves a cheerful person?

1 John 4:8
Whoever does not love, does not know God, for GOD is Love

I do not know the answers to the questions of Diety. I do know that the quoted passage is helpful in my quest for meaning of life.

[SALYBOW]

I too read "The Shack." It is a very interesting and inciteful read. It definitely shakes up some peoples images of the Triune God. I love how the author presents the different members of the Holy Trinity.

[jblum315]

No, 'fraid not. I was until I was about 10 yrs old.

[rubicon]

I believe we are by nature spiritual beings. I believe most people on their death beds become believers. Since energy can't be destroyed and we are composed of energy we will always exist. We all lived and will travel between the two eternities.

The problems associated with all religions rests with the conceit of some humans.

[elbear]

Can you explain travelling between two eternities? I'm not sure what you are saying.

As humans we search for "something more" and this is evidenced in every area of life. Look at our creativity! Watch us when confronted with a puzzle! Our spirituality is not shut up in just one area,we seek, we wonder. Why should it be different in death? All through life we see regeneration all around us is by faith it seems normal to believe in something beyond death.

[jblum315]

Have you ever stopped to think exactly what is meant by meeting our loved ones again in Heaven? Will they be old and feeble? or will they be rejuvenated and young and healthy? in which case they would be a lot better off than me, old and dead. And what fun would that be?

[karostay]

I wonder.

[tedquick]

Some quick thoughts:

First off, I have wanted to respond to nearly all of the posts from the first to the last. I have chosen instead to address a variety of items herein. Snowbird, what a wonderful and thought-provoking question!

“The Shack” is a wonderful book, but so is “Cross Roads”, another Paul Young book. I actually liked the latter one slightly better than the first but both are wonderful reads. Each presented the Triune in a very personalized manner. While the Triune is a challenging concept, the closer friend that Christ became to me (during the reading of these two books) helped me to understand and feel His Love and His unbounded Friendship better than before. Reading the two books has brought me closer to Them/It/God/Christ. Of course, I recognize that I became closer to Christ instead of Him becoming closer to me, as Christ is always there. When I don’t feel close to Him I am the one who has moved away, not the other way around.

For those who have any interest in the hereafter/heaven I strongly recommend two other books, “Heaven is for Real” (about a 4-year old who had an NDE) and “Proof of Heaven” (a neurosurgeon who was near death and unconscious for 7 days). Both are exceptional reads. I will have moved permanently to TV by the end of the month and for anyone who does not want to purchase either one of these books I would gladly loan one or both to you. And Snowbird, each of these books is spiritual in nature.

As a Christian I believe that Christ died for all of us. All the rest is simply unbelievably fascinating and interesting. I have done many Bible studies and been involved in a very closely-knit group of men for the past few years and we all love the intrigue and experience of trying to determine exactly what it is that God would like us to know about Him. It might be as simple as He wants each of us to search out, in our own ways and in our own being, who and what He is from each of our own private and personal perspectives. It is up to each of us to determine that in which we believe or don’t.

I also think that religion is the worst thing that ever happened to Christianity. “In the name of religion” too many wars have been fought and too many people have died. While I think that religion is dangerous, it is only such when its goal is anything other than the simple (yet challenging concept) of sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. I do think that the formality of “church” provides a format for those of us who want to worship and/or share our beliefs with others. I attend church regularly for rejuvenation and revitalization, yet most of my learning and investigation comes from the inner action and discussions that can be found in small groups.

I will be following the rest of this thread with interest.

[DruannB]

Interesting topic. My husband was just asking me today if I thought we would be able to find a church in TV that suits our beliefs about being "disciples of Christ." We're not crazy about the term "Christian" since it has been so abused throughout the centuries. I imagine we'll try all the churches in the area, but if anyone would like to make a suggestion, we would love to hear what makes your church special. Prior to returning to church just this year, we stayed away for about 20 years, believing as Emily Dickinson did that you can celebrate God anywhere. Now we find the church community inspiring and it allows us to grow in so many positive ways.