(06-13-2023, 03:05 AM)Snarl Wrote:(06-13-2023, 02:03 AM)NightskyeB4Dawn Wrote: Why God spoke to me and lifted me, I will probably never know. I can tell you that if he does, all doubt will completely evaporate. ... but all doubt in whether or not there is a God will be totally removed.
It does not work the same way with everyone. But almost anyone it has happened to will tell you that it felt like a miracle, or even supernatural.
That's as close to a perfect description as there can be.
I'm sure there's a lot more to it too. I've lost count of my encounters (likely less than ten). The first one took me a little bit by surprise (I did have an excellent guide). The second was so overwhelming I had to literally flee His presence. The rest of 'em were surprises ... and minor encounters.
One thing I find incredibly interesting is that there are so few people who 'know' God is real ... yet are unwilling to address the subject in casual conversation. Though, on one occasion, a fella started toying with me (as a neophyte) in front of a group of folks who didn't 'know'. And, before that, I didn't know it could be a 'fun' game for some.
If anyone ever gets down to San Antonio, you could look-up Pastor Hagee of the Cornerstone Church. Very interesting fella to say the least. God is with him all the time. That's something I'd like to know more about.
I'd like to chime in here if I may. I "know" God is real. And I do not mean that in any waving a Bible in someone's face and pushing a religion down their throat's type. No, not at all. I am a simple man. A humbled man. The hardest lesson I had to learn, was the one I did not want to do, and that was learn to be meek. And I am only telling all this so that I may set up how I can say that I 'know' God.
There is an aspect that, you are right, it does not come up in casual conversation. Not many people have much to say about this aspect of it all that very very few actually claim. I myself know the entire King James version of the Bible. I've read it front to back dozens of times. But this not how I know God.
I have also read the 6 additional books in the Catholic Bible. This is still not how I 'know' God.
I have actually studied the entire Ethiopian Bible. For those who do not know, that is all the scripts about the God of Abraham. I've studied all these texts for years. But this is still not how I know God.
I have been to every church imaginable, and I won't bore you anymore with my little dance here, because without this key element I could have spent this last decade of study in vain.
So, the answer is The Holy Spirit...
Now, I cannot completely explain that, but I can and will say, there are "signs" that come along with the introduction to the Holy Spirit.
This introduction is the most controversial topic, and exceeds the book of Revelation in controversy and misunderstanding. And that is the topic of speaking in tongues.
Here's where I'll lose most, and with every thing I know and have learned, this is argued more than anything I have come across, but at the same time is the least talked about.
Before I go any further I have to say that it was faith that brought me to the understanding I believe to have found, and to me is an absolute sign of a higher power. But, the way, and how I found all of this was in no traditional way. It was a hard-knock road of trial and error, and absolute faith in something greater than, not only myself, but this illusion of reality and "free-will" we live in. Not to say we have lost our free-will, but a lot of that free-will has been robbed from us due to the "TPTB" that we discuss so thoroughly, and their big bag of magic tricks they have been manipulating our lives through. So, I diligently searched for some truths buried in all the lies we've all been spoon fed throughout.
And yes, my faith, some instructions, my curiosity, some insight from one or two others stories, some discipline and action to my faith led me to what was written anywhere from 2000 to about 6000ish years ago, and then poof, I find the biggest truth I had ever encountered, and the first sign was me speaking in a foreign language as I was filled with a feeling of love, peace, bliss, excitement and shock, was all while me rambling off in another language. This was only the first sign. (to squash some of the rhetoric, this has happened hundreds of times by now, and it is always in a moment in which I am in private, and have chosen to participate((worship my God)) and is always when I am singing for God, or dancing in joy, or in deep sorrow, or in deep thankfulness. This never happens out of nowhere. I seek the Lord and He answers me). Many signs have followed. But this is not something that can be taught. or explained in any way that would influence someone who was doubtful. (I wouldn't doubt it if this costs me my first negative points. But I didn't come here for that. I came here to help tear down some of these lies). What I can say is, a little faith can go a long long way.
I'll do my best to answer any questions anyone may have after this...