What I'm asking is do you believe in God because of the Bible, because there's so many amazing things in life, because of a miracle or was there some experience in your life that made you know there really is a God. I'm just curious how believers came to be, and what your foundation is.

Does this make any sense? If anyone wants to share I would love to hear it.

Girl,

I believe in God because I first made the decision to believe. I have come to the understanding that we are such awesome beings and so complex. We are full of emotions, feelings and knowing right from wrong. So many things have happened in my life where I consider times where God has "revealed" Himself to me on a personal level. Things that were not "coincidental". God has also shown me things in dreams and I am a firm believer that God speaks to us in our dreams, problem is, most of us don't know how to listen.

I guess the biggest reason why I believe in God is because there is something deep within my soul that knows he exists.

How can I question His existance? I see the evidence in newborn babies, beautiful flowers, details in nature and loving, kind, compassionate people. Psalm 19:1 says "the heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handiwork". I guess this says it all for me.... all I need to do is "look around" and know we were not some mere accident!

Rom 1:20
For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.
NAS

THat about sums it up for me.

Well, wookie, if I shared my thoughts on the matter, I would be banished from this part of the forum. I believe in evolution and not creationism, I believe that the higher being doesn't necessarily have to be "God" or "Allah" or what not, it could be a community of aliens for all we know. And when people constantly say "There had to be a beginning, there is a beginning to everything, and someone had to be behind this great beginning", nobody takes into account that the idea of everything must start with a beginning is a man made philosophy, for all we know, the norm of the universe could be "everything that is here, is just here and that's that, always been and so on". Ah well, I guess well everyone believes in their own stuff, I'll just wait patiently on my roof top for the mother ship. As we french say "chacun son gout", to each his own.

God healed me of anxiety & depression, a feat I was sure was impossible. How can I not believe?

Dear Girl,
Thank you for a wonderful thread. I'm editing to briefly share.

1) The Bible is from God. 2 Tim. 3:16, 17:
"All scripture is inspired of God . . . ."
Rev. 1:1.

Unlike any other book the Bible has been translated into some 1,800 languages with a circulation totaling into the billions. The World Book Encyclopedia says to quote:"The Bible is the most widely read book in history. It is probably also the most influential. More copies have been distributed of the Bible than of any other book. It has also been translated more times into more languages than any other book."

2) Bible prophecy

3) Things in life & miracles
A) The universe -- Gen. 1:1.
B) Shape of earth: Isa. 40:22
C) Animal Life: Lev. 11:6 "Hare . . . is a cud chewer of cud" recorded before 18 century observation. -- Zoological Society of London
D) The human body and birth are a miracle and, for example what the Bible said regarding, "skin of my teeth" is true --enamel cuticle (Nasmyth's membrane) says The Encyclopedia Americana
(1956)
E) Internal harmony is a miracle considering 40 men of diverse backgrownds wrote over a period of 1,610 years in agreement without collusion. Such awesome harmony in which various portions of the Bible are interwined.

Girl, I'm blessed just knowing you and your love of God.

Regards,
Victoria

My answer is like Tammy's (Bakedpears)...see the post Victoria asked on why we are spiritualminded. There's my story...the short version LOL!
Cindy

Hi everyone. Thanks for sharing your beliefs, opinions and scriptures. I've had a nice long bath after quite a week, so now I can enjoy reading these posts and respond with some thought.

SMears - That's a terrific scripture! This earth is really incredible, it would be hard to believe that it is all just a fluke. There is so much detail in everything, and I appreciate this more as I learn more. I made the decision to believe as well, mostly because of what I've learned and experienced. I wouldn't believe in something without having researched or experienced it, know what I mean? I don't believe in God on the off chance there might be a God - I really do believe He exists. I'm glad to see firm believers on the forum because I still consider myself a young believer.

Reena - Good scripture as well. Man, I'm gonna have a lot of highlighting to do! Wow, a buddy who loves God AND Steve Perry!

bijoux - Hey! *boots bijoux outta here* j/k You are totally welcome to have an opinion! I don't think it's fair when anyone is shot down for having an opinion, especially if they can back it up. Although I haven't had any experiences with aliens, I have had experiences with God so that's why I believe. I still consider myself open-minded, because how will we know for sure until we get there right? I wonder how much of the Bible is to be taking literally and how much is ... oh geez...what's that other word..not literally?

Bakedpears - You inspire us all and I'm quite that your strength was partially God strength. You have to take some credit for all your hard work though. I know I've worked my butt off to get over this anxiety and depression.

Victoria - lol! Victoria...you always give one heck of a response! I don't mind at all though because I usually learn a thing or two. That is awesome that the Bible is the most read book of all time. Also, one thing I always keep in mind is that the entire world lives by the birth of Jesus - our calendar! Who could be that important that the whole world counts the days since his birth (or close to) but the Son of God? That's my thinking. The reason why I ask questions like this thread is to strengthen my belief. I have had doubts over the years, mostly when I'm going through difficult times but I always get over those doubts. Lots of times I just doubt my sanity which is never any good for my relationship with God. Anyhow, thanks for sharing your beliefs and scriptures Victoria. Your response is always appreciated.

Cindy - Does that mean I don't get to read your post? Durn it. I will just re-read Tammy's post then.

Girl,

Here is my post from the other message I wrote...this is the SHORT SHORT version, but I think you will get the point.

I never grew up going to church. I prayed a little pray at night, but didn't think I was really talking to anyone. Or it didn't feel like I was talking to anyone at the time! I figured I was a good kid, so I would go to heaven or wherever you go when you are good.

Anyway, when I was 18 or 19, I met a good friend of mine during a summer job I had. She started lighting the fire... I started going to her Bible studies, and then our job stopped and I didn't put any more effort into it. I went off to college and while living in the dorms, started going to Bible studies in our hall weekly. This helped me even more, but I still wasn't convinced. Then, I met another good friend when I turned 20 and went through this weekend retreat thing...which got me moving again a little bit more. (It was very moving!) I started kind of reading more about the Bible and praying more...but still not understanding much. When I was 22 I had a really bad panic attack, and that's when I went to God. One of my good friends (another one) and I met to do Bible studies. My anxiety and panic was so bad at that point. I thought I was going to die. My friend told me about being saved. (I was praying for Him to "fix" me so I could be "normal" again.) So I figured I was going to die, so why not become saved. So I did it. I told God that I would follow His word if I could go to heaven. (Not proud of this, but you will see...)

I started reading the Bible more and praying for His help in getting over this aweful condition. The following spring (2001) I got the program. I went through a terrible depression which I won't get into, but it was pretty bad. I prayed that He help me get out of it. (No meds, no doctors.) He did. (I am getting teary eyed now.) It took weeks to get out of my depression, but He was there...right there the whole time.

What's funny is that I told one of my friends who I have known since 2nd grade that I became saved and she said that she had been praying for me to find God since we were little. Still gives me goosebumps!

Anyway, I am 24 now, and I try to attend church regularly and read the Bible. I am not perfect in this, in that I feel awkward about going to church. I mean, I have never belonged to a church. I don't know what I should do. I don't even know the Bible stories that everyone "should" know. Granted I know more than I did, since I have read from the Bible, but I'm pretty stupid when it comes to this stuff. I wish I had friends here who could help, but I am at a loss in what I should do. I'm not one to go up to people and start a converstaion at church because I feel stupid in that I don't know too much about the whole thing. I just try to read the Bible when I have time and I pray. Giving thanks to Him for when I did not know Him, for He has always been with me!

Since all of this, I have relied on God for many things and He's been right there. His answers not always coming right after asking, but answering me in His own time. Anyway, sorry this is so long LOL I just thought I would share.

Girl, I hope I have helped in some way... Don't know if I have! But I'm not the most reliable in this area, I just know that God is with me and will be with me...even in the bad times. I remind myself that God doesn't give us anything that we can't handle and through Him anything is possible. RIght now I am praying about getting into vet school. If He wants me to get in, He will get me in...and if not...that's just Him saying that's not what He wants for me in my life.

Anyway, babbling...sorry! Ok, I hope I've helped! Take care and have a great weekend!

Sincerely,
Cindy

Cindy,

Ok, I remember reading your reply to Victoria's post. Thanks for posting again. The question I asked sounded similar to Victoria's post about what got you spiritually minded, but to me it means something different. I can totally relate to your story...mine sounds quite a bit like yours except I don't go to church on a regular basis. I am trying to get up the nerve to go but I find it hard not only because I have to go alone, I have to deal with this social anxiety. I am doing much better now so I will give it a shot again. Also, I'm like you in that I don't know a whole lot about the Bible or know the stories that people "should" know. So, having a conversation with someone at church is difficult enough but if they said something like "Hey, you know the story when..." And I would be standing there going "Uhhh, no. I don't" I guess we should think of ourselves as being in learning mode, and not worry if we don't know the Bible stories that many church-goers know. It's just too much pressure. At this point I would be happy if I went to church and sat through it on a regular basis. Learning would come over time.

Your post really helped, especially because your story is sorta like mine. Man, that would be fantastic if you got into vet school! I remember you mentioning that before somewhere on the forum. Good luck with that. Sounds like it would be a fun occupation.

Girl,
What an interesting question.
I can't remember ever not believing there was a God. Could never imagine that all that IS, just came about. Always felt there was a God who created everything. I reached a point in my late teens where I struggled within myself of whether I wanted anything to do with God. And what a great struggle that was. Came to find that I could find no reason to live if I didn't have God as a part of my life, for without him life seemed to have no real meaning.
The Lord has done some miraculous things in my life, which I will always treasure. And He gives me hope, peace, love and joy. The things I desire the most. And He blesses me in many other ways.
I believe in God, because my spirit knows He is God and I know within me that He is more awesome than words can ever express. And for this I am truly grateful.

Girl,
Can you take a husband/good friend to church with you? I go with my mom. I'm going again tomorrow (I haven't been in almost a month and I feel kind of bad about it) eer, today When I first started going, I got all nervous, but it gets easier. Tomorrow might be kind of hard, but it's just anxiety! I'm not good in that area...and then my friend reminded me of a verse Hebrews 10:25 and I was like...eerrr...I gotta get back into it. I've been bad for too long! So tomorrow I'm plannin on it. Anyway, I like the church I go to...too, which helps. The pastor is pretty laid back and it's a bigger church which means that I don't stand out and I can blend in. I try and sit in the back or at the end just in case I don't feel comfortable. I hope that you will go. I'd go w/ ya! LOL!

Yeah, the vet thing...I won't find out if I'm accepted until next year. We'll see. If I get in, I'm sure I will post it. I will tell you that I'm not getting my expectations up or anything like that. I've applied to a different school twice and didn't get in...which is why I'm not expecting too much. We'll see though... You don't know unless you try.

Ok, I can see that I have babbled enough. I'll talk w/ ya later. I'm tired now (just got home a little while ago from a hockey game and I WAS not tired! ) Have a good Sunday!

Take care,
Cindy

Good morning,

Grateful - I liked your reply. I feel the same way, that life wouldn't have meaning if God wasn't in our lives. We need Him. You sound like a sweet person, thanks for replying.

Cindy - I may be able to take my sister in law - we had talked about it before but she likes a serious kind of church and I like a more relaxed environment. I would try her church of choice though and if it's too serious I will just try another on my own or invite her to come with me. As for my husband, he doesn't believe in God so no chance of him coming with me. That would be great if you'd come to church with me!

Did you go to an NHL game? We watch all the Canucks games and even go to a couple games a year. It's so exciting live isn't it.

quote:

Originally posted by Girl:

Cindy - I may be able to take my sister in law - we had talked about it before but she likes a serious kind of church and I like a more relaxed environment. I would try her church of choice though and if it's too serious I will just try another on my own or invite her to come with me. As for my husband, he doesn't believe in God so no chance of him coming with me. That would be great if you'd come to church with me!

Did you go to an NHL game? We watch all the Canucks games and even go to a couple games a year. It's so exciting live isn't it.[/QB]

Girl,
I would much rather go to a more relaxed church also. I don't sing...I think God told me not to sing trust me! (I'm REALLY bad!) And I don't like the Hymn books and "old fashioned" services. I like the church I go to b/c the pastor is so laid back and so down to earth. That's why I like to go.

Yes, I went to an NHL game! I love hockey...no matter what kind it is. I go to minor league, college, whatever! I just plain love it!!! And Tampa kicked major buttocks the other night! Anyway, babbling alert...! I'll talk w/ ya later Girl. Have a good day!!!

Cindy

I hear you on the singing Cindy! I don't see in front of people because I just sound soooo bad. That's one thing about church I don't like because it feels like you have to sing but if people knew how bad my voice is they would thank me! I'm not exaggerating when I say I'm THE worst singer I've ever heard. If there was a layed back church with no singing, that would be the perfect place. Hey, we could have a sing-out to determine who's the worst. hehe