To the proph and Civilpunch,
Both of you have by your effort to get into this forum demonstrated some degree of belief in God. As well, both of you are seeking answers and or the "feeling" of closeness to God that either you have felt at one time and or seen in another.
Unfortunatly what places you on the "non Christian"side of the registration rules is that you have not expressed your commitment to Jesus.
Hopfully we here at CFS can assist you in your efforts to know Him and help you get to the point of making that commitment.
Some things I wish to mention.
There is a differance between not believing and not knowing.
And there is a differance between believing, knowing and accepting.
Another aspect that needs concideration for both of you is the matter of "feelings"
In as much as all of these are variable, basicly intangable and relitive to factors such as maturity and situation we all (Even devout, mature Christians)have at times difficulty with them. So take comfort in that you are most definatly not alone.
Feelings
While feelings are an important part of any relationship, and certianly no less in ones relationship with God they should never be the only concideration.
Why????
Because "feelings" are affected by outside factors. Reflect back on your freinds or family. Have you always been happy with them??? always valued their relationship? always responded to it favorably? Always been as close as you wanted Have there been times when yo just saw them as strangers? distant? not present in your life?
We get tired, distracted or they do or say something that makes us resentful angry or feel rejected or distant.
Feelings are always in termoil. This is not a bad thing once one learns to understand and respect that.
There is purpose and value not only in feeling close to God but feeling distance, rejection and or anger from God in our lives. It lets us know that we need to do something or change something in our lives so that we again have that relationship and that feeling of closeness we want and need.
For both of you there is something missing, something in your heart that tells you that something is wrong.. You feel that and you are seeking it.
As I said in the begining it is not belief that you are lacking. No one seeks that which they don't believe exists. You are here because your belief has brought you to this point.
The more one knows the greater the possibility of knowing what it is that one is missing.
Your three most valuable venues for knowledge of God are; His written word (The Bible), personal contact/ relationships with those who know Him and last but certianly the most important is talking to Him personaly(prayer).
Sincerely His
Cliff
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