Christian bronies: meet, greet, and mingle!

[Lexamena 391]

No I was the one mistaken. Of course telling a person of faith to pray, they'll at least take it under better consul than someone not of faith. Even still though, I've always held true to the notion of "God helps those who help themselves." By all means pray, but you have to meet God halfway.

Sure. I do believe that too. Cases where true God's miracles are apparent, i think those situations are happening less than before the time when people had the bible. Now that we have God's Word to help guide us, we need to make sure we are not just sitting around waiting and claiming God doesn't hear us.

[Steel Accord 6,660]

Sure. I do believe that too. Cases where true God's miracles are apparent, i think those situations are happening less than before the time when people had the bible. Now that we have God's Word to help guide us, we need to make sure we are not just sitting around waiting and claiming God doesn't hear us.

 

Huh, that's actually a good theory as to why the seas don't part or something anymore. We don't need them too.

[Sunwalker 981]

@: You got many good suggestions already, and what I think that I can add is that if you feel like talking about the subject of faith, you can also pray for a good opportunity of talking about it. Obviously the "let's have an important conversation" approach don't really work, but if the subject comes naturally within a conversation it can be much more effective.

 

I already had circumstances in which I desired to clarify to someone my faith, and I got an natural opportunity of doing so. Sometimes I even wanted to clarify a specific point, and the subject of this point is what came up. The result were interesting conversations, and this worked even online for me. Of course, it might be that talking about your faith might not be the best idea, so in this case the prayer will be answered in a different way than what you expect.

Edited July 14, 2015 by Sunwalker

[starshine wonder 79]

hold on, hold on. Just to clarify, how many people (that are following this) believe that miracles don't happen any more? Or are happening less? If there's a few, I believe I may have some links etc. to dig up...

[Sudo Krenton 243]

 

 

hold on, hold on. Just to clarify, how many people (that are following this) believe that miracles don't happen any more? Or are happening less? If there's a few, I believe I may have some links etc. to dig up...

 

It is of my opinion that it is not that miracles do not happen anymore but rather we are close-minded when it comes to miracles, in such a way that we think that miracles are like flashing, neon lights.

[Steel Accord 6,660]

hold on, hold on. Just to clarify, how many people (that are following this) believe that miracles don't happen any more? Or are happening less? If there's a few, I believe I may have some links etc. to dig up...

 

I'm not saying they don't, just that I thought that was an interesting idea.

It is of my opinion that it is not that miracles do not happen anymore but rather we are close-minded when it comes to miracles, in such a way that we think that miracles are like flashing, neon lights.

 

Exactly, it goes back to the whole flood joke. One of the best movie quotes I've ever heard is:

 

"Parting your soup isn't a miracle Bruce, it's a magic trick. Now a single mother who works two jobs and can still make it to her daughters soccer game? That's a miracle."

 

~God, Bruce Almighty

[Sunwalker 981]

@: I had forgotten to add the following on my previous post.

 

One of the things you can say is that many scientists are religious. Here is a list of some famous ones:
http://www.godandscience.org/apologetics/sciencefaith.html

 

And a much bigger list:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Christian_thinkers_in_science

 

If I may add, I am not famous but I am a scientist and a religious person. I am a chemist

[Sudo Krenton 243]

 

 

http://www.godandsci...iencefaith.html

 

Awesome website... I do recommend. 10/10 

[Lexamena 391]

hold on, hold on. Just to clarify, how many people (that are following this) believe that miracles don't happen any more? Or are happening less? If there's a few, I believe I may have some links etc. to dig up...

Please dig up links! Not because im skeptical but more so excited to read something on modern miracles. I am driving but i want to reply later.

[starshine wonder 79]

ok, lexa, I will *goes youtube searching*

[Steel Accord 6,660]

If I may add, I am not famous but I am a scientist and a religious person. I am a chemist

 

Ugh God bless you. You have a talent in a field I found nigh impossible.

Edited July 14, 2015 by Steel Accord

[starshine wonder 79]

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUaRlPOu98p2DHXimFGjU-_X9v1Mwn8dS

 

that's just to start with. I've seen miracles at my church as well, there are others in Australia, testimonies from the vast majority of the known world, which I'm happy to link if need be.

[Sunwalker 981]

Please dig up links! Not because im skeptical but more so excited to read something on modern miracles. I am driving but i want to reply later.

 

They seem to be not uncommon on Charismatic or Pentecostal circles, for example people getting healed. But I am a bit skeptical of it, I don't think that all of them are actually miracles. It is healthy to doubt at first, so you can avoid jumping into conclusions be sure if what you think is really correct or not. I can't dig a link for it though, I am speaking from my personal experience.

 

I do know about some famous miracles, though technically they aren't recent, their effects can be observed until today. Right now, a couple of them come to my mind.

 

First is the Miracle of Lanciano, in which a host visibly turned into flesh. The flesh is fresh until this day, and when it was analysed it was found that is from the muscle of the heart and its blood is type O (universal donor). This seems to have a significance, think about when blood spilled from the heart of Christ in the cross, and about the "universal donor" part remember that Christ gave his life to save us.

 

Second, it is the apparition of the Lady of Guadalupe, in which Mary appeared to a native American. Her image was imprinted in a fabric that is intact to this day, and upon analysis the design is too complex and has too many details to be just a fake. Even then, a normal painting would wear out over time.

 

Then I also remember about Lady of Lourdes, where Mary appeared to three shepherds and then other people with them. On one of the apparitions, the Sun danced around the sky. This was even seen miles aways by people who weren't on the local, and it was reported on local secular newspapers.

 

 

Ugh God bless you. You have a talent in a field I found nigh impossible.

Awww, thanks

[I used to be a stranger 7,994]

This post has been redacted by the author.

Edited May 9, 2021 by Blue

[Lexamena 391]

I remember the day I asked the question about why we don't see miracles in today's world like they saw in the Bible days. Miracles like parting of the waters, turning water into wine or blood, casting demons into pigs, feeding the 5000, things like that. The response from someone much more spiritual than me (my mom) explained that since the Bible came to us, God doesn't necessarily need to perform miracles in order to prove his existence or convince nonbelievers, or whatever His motivation was, whether by Him or through someone else. The Bible is miraculous enough, but its contents are designed to guide us and answer our questions, therefore the necessity of miracles to make a point has decreased. I believe this.

 

Now, not to say that there are not miracles today. Every birth of a new life is a miracle, every cancer survivor, every car wreck survivor, every day that a meteor doesn't destroy the earth is a miracle. Todays "miracles" generally have to do with narrowly escaping death in some way. But the miracles of old, the ones that changed tangible things right in front of people's eyes, I believe those don't happen anymore. But maybe there are some interesting ones out there, Im interested in reading some of the links here.

They seem to be not uncommon on Charismatic or Pentecostal circles, for example people getting healed. But I am a bit skeptical of it, I don't think that all of them are actually miracles. It is healthy to doubt at first, so you can avoid jumping into conclusions be sure if what you think is really correct or not. I can't dig a link for it though, I am speaking from my personal experience.

 

I do know about some famous miracles, though technically they aren't recent, their effects can be observed until today. Right now, a couple of them come to my mind.

 

First is the Miracle of Lanciano, in which a host visibly turned into flesh. The flesh is fresh until this day, and when it was analysed it was found that is from the muscle of the heart and its blood is type O (universal donor). This seems to have a significance, think about when blood spilled from the heart of Christ in the cross, and about the "universal donor" part remember that Christ gave his life to save us.

 

Second, it is the apparition of the Lady of Guadalupe, in which Mary appeared to a native American. Her image was imprinted in a fabric that is intact to this day, and upon analysis the design is too complex and has too many details to be just a fake. Even then, a normal painting would wear out over time.

 

Then I also remember about Lady of Lourdes, where Mary appeared to three shepherds and then other people with them. On one of the apparitions, the Sun danced around the sky. This was even seen miles aways by people who weren't on the local, and it was reported on local secular newspapers.

 

 

Awww, thanks

Very interesting articles. I would imagine there are a few supposed apparition occurances, each one its own level of spiritual awesomeness.

 

sxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

my cat walked across the laptop and somehow edited this post to add the above content.

Edited July 15, 2015 by Lexamena

[starshine wonder 79]

Lexa, having read what you just posted (I'm still not sure how to quote so bear with me), I can definitely say that I disagree with you, but in order to explain why I disagree, I'm going to have to go away and pray and think about how to explain it. I want to be able to give you an understanding of where I'm coming from, but right now my brain isn't quiet enough for me to do that. I hope you don't think I'm saying that without grounds for it.

[Sudo Krenton 243]

RE:

 

(I'm still not sure how to quote so bear with me)

 

It's not that hard, just highlight what you want to quote, and boom! If the box doesn't show up when you highlight (e.g. highlighting from left to right) try highlighting the opposite direction(right to left).

 

 

[I used to be a stranger 7,994]

This post has been redacted by the author.

Edited May 9, 2021 by Blue

[AlbaTross 1,586]

Thanks for all the responses guys. There are way too many to respond to, but I read them all. I'm also intrigued by this conversation about miracles that appears to have started in my absence. If there's one thing I learned about miracles, it's that my own skepticism has proven to be a barrier to God working miracles in me. For example, I didn't think I could speak in tongues, and part of me was kind of afraid to ask God to let me speak in tongues since if I couldn't do it after all that would pose a challenge to my faith. I heard God telling me to let that doubt go and just trust him, and then I spoke in tongues. Sure, that may not be along the lines of parting the Red Sea, but even small miracles are miracles in their own right.

[Sunwalker 981]

Thanks for all the responses guys. There are way too many to respond to, but I read them all. I'm also intrigued by this conversation about miracles that appears to have started in my absence. If there's one thing I learned about miracles, it's that my own skepticism has proven to be a barrier to God working miracles in me. For example, I didn't think I could speak in tongues, and part of me was kind of afraid to ask God to let me speak in tongues since if I couldn't do it after all that would pose a challenge to my faith. I heard God telling me to let that doubt go and just trust him, and then I spoke in tongues. Sure, that may not be along the lines of parting the Red Sea, but even small miracles are miracles in their own right.

 

It is important to remember that miracles aren't necessary at all in order to have faith, so you shouldn't feel bad if you are not capable of a certain gift or something. But usually the reason that God perform miracles isn't to make a "spectacle", but as an way to show where He is present, it is a "divine signature" if you want. Even then, people are expected to have faith in a selfless way, without expecting nothing in return, even miracles. Never forget: "Blessed those who believe without seeing Me".

 

In the beginning of one's spiritual journey is common for they to get a lot of spiritual comfort and good feelings, it is not wrong to get this stuff but one must take care in order to not follow God with the intention of getting comforted or seeing extraordinary things, true love is not utilitarian. So, usually when someone progress through their spiritual journey, though God never leaves one's side, He might tone down the visible signs and the comfort you feel, so you can learn to have faith in a more mature and selfless way. Some people do not even feel God at all, and sometimes they even feel that God has abandoned them, this is called "dark night of the soul".

 

I don't know if you can relate with this, but you never know . In my particular case, I can say I never had any "religious experience". Though I usually feel at peace when I pray, this is a natural level of peace, I never felt anything extraordinary as I see some other people describing. I trust that God is on my side, but I don't really "feel" it. Also, when I am praying it usually comes to my heart that I am not going to see any extraordinary signs with me or in front of me, though this may happen with people I know. I think that it is this way so I have the opportunity of making the effort in trusting in God without seeing him. This is more difficult, but in the end of the day I think it is more fulfilling.

 

From all points of Christianity, the one that is the hardest for me to deal with is about Eternal Life. Yes, I am intellectually convinced that there is life after death, I am capable of making an argument for it if I need to debate the subject. But this isn't something that I "feel", from the emotional level for me it is like there were nothing beyond this life, which somewhat frightens me (even though I think there is an afterlife) and it makes more difficult for me to cope with my own mortality and the mortality of other people. I have mentioned something about it on my post in the "worst fears" thread.

 

Anyways, everyone has some limitations to deal with, which varies from person to person. But in the end of the day any hardship with your faith is an opportunity to become more humble and mature . 

[Steel Accord 6,660]

 

 

It is important to remember that miracles aren't necessary at all in order to have faith, so you shouldn't feel bad if you are not capable of a certain gift or something. But usually the reason that God perform miracles isn't to make a "spectacle", but as an way to show where He is present, it is a "divine signature" if you want. Even then, people are expected to have faith in a selfless way, without expecting nothing in return, even miracles. Never forget: "Blessed those who believe without seeing Me".

 

On that note actually, it's funny how often Jesus would heal the sick or walk on water and instead of following up with "THAT is why I'm God" instead, "now that I have your attention, perhaps I could share some life advice with you." 

[starshine wonder 79]

There's a passage in one of Paul's letters that talks about following up what we say with signs and wonders, 'a demonstration of the Spirit's power,' I believe the quote is. I've seen miracles, both in my own life and the lives of others, that God has used to show someone His love and power towards them. There have been times where God has partnered with me to perform miracles that have not only shown God's love towards the person, but have amazed and blessed me as well.

 

Blue, the reason I wanted to wait was because this morning, my head wasn't in a coherent place to answer the comment, and now it is. For me, I like to have my thoughts in order before I write/type them. There are times when I say what I feel the Spirit saying (and that tends to happen a lot), but there are times when I like to be succinct. Does that make sense?

[Sudo Krenton 243]

How's everyone's week starting off?

[Steel Accord 6,660]

How's everyone's week starting off?

 

Little slow. Got up late today and I hate when I do that. It makes me feel inactive. Aside from that though, great.

[LittleMac 3,085]

How's everyone's week starting off?

It's been alright. Not much happened today besides me being lazy