3-16-10: I was certain that God didn’t exist… until He spoke to me.
He has spoken to me several other times. He has filled me with His presence. I’ve asked Him for things and He’s provided them, in some cases in ways that were nothing short of miraculous. I’ve seen His hand steering my life in a manner too blatant to deny.
I talk to Him every day. I try to determine and carry out His will. I do not, however, go to church or read the Bible, and am not a Christian, as I have no proof yet that Jesus might exist. This leaves me in a strange no-man’s land; how many people have you ever heard of that have God active in their lives but don’t have any religious framework to guide them?
I’m not willing to blindly, randomly grasp at any particular religion’s idea of what God is like or what He wants from me, so on the one hand I do a lot of stumbling around, but on the other hand I’m getting what little guidance I do have directly from Him.
One thing that is clear is that He wants me to share my experience with others; hence this blog.
I picked this template because of the photo; the regular path on the right, and the forgotten-looking path to the left, going over a bridge to a destination obscured by branches and mist… and is there any doubt which path I’ve taken?
Edit 9-22-12: I do have a Bible now, although it’s still in the wrapper; I assume that I’ll get the urge to start going through it sometime soon. In the meantime, I’ve been collecting Bible verses that I find from various sources, from forums to JO’s sermons to the random Bible verse generators. I learn a little bit of scripture pretty much every day, and am starting to see which bits can probably be largely discounted and which are potentially transcendent.
And I know that Jesus WAS real, but is a part of God now and not to be addressed separately… oh, you can talk to Jesus, and God does hear you, but you might as well address the source directly.
AND; I’m being called to preach, and so will technically be seen as a sort of professional Christian eventually, even though I don’t ever focus on Jesus.
Edit 2014: I’m gong through the Bible cover to cover for the first time this year… actually, THREE times.
Edit 2015: God guided me to not only start gong to church, but picked the specific church for me. My spiritual life has been jet-propelled; the Holy Spirit, speaking tongues, prayer meetings, healings… with more to come.
Gorgeous. I was brought here trying to remember a quote I wrote down (and could not read my writing) from one of my rare encounters with a JO talk. Thank you for the synchronicity.
— Rev. Dawn, Interfaith Minister (www.revdawn.com)
Thank you, both for the compliment and for taking the time to comment!! I’m glad I could help out. 🙂
He certainly does work in mysterious ways…so glad you found Him…he ain’t in the church, he is in the hearts of a few that gather there. I hope you find your way to His Word…it is a living thing and I suspect that in His time you will find that out…many blessings to you on your journey!!!!
Thank you for your visit and your gracious reply, Lisa!! I’m guessing that the totality of God’s Word is more than I can grasp in a lifetime, but I hope to get a little bit closer each day. Many blessings to you as well!!
God Bless you on your journey. But I wanted to address something you wrote in your post. You said that,
“And I know that Jesus WAS real, but is a part of God now and not to be addressed separately… oh, you can talk to Jesus, and God does hear you, but you might as well address the source directly.
AND; I’m being called to preach, and so will technically be seen as a sort of professional Christian eventually, even though I don’t ever focus on Jesus.”
The Bible teaches us that God is three unique persons, yet he is ONE GOD. He is God the FATHER, God the SON (JESUS), and God the HOLY SPIRIT. We call this the Trinity*, or triune nature of God*. This is hard to understand, even for adults. However, water is a great example of how something can be three different things, and at the same time remain one thing. Water can be a liquid, a solid (ice), and a gas (vapor/steam). In John 14:6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
There is no way that you can get to God or know the nature of God without focusing on Jesus because they are one in the same. Jesus isn’t just a part of God “now” he always was. The reason He came to die for us on a cross is because we didn’t have a way to get back to God. Because of our sins we were out of fellowhsip with God, although He loved us so. Jesus, became flesh and bore our sins as the ultimate sacrifce so that we could come into fellowhsip with God once again. The bible says that we must believe not just in God but in the Son in order to receive eternal life.
Phillipians 2:6-11
who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
We must even pray through the Son, Jesus in order to pray to God.
John 14:13
And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
We need Jesus to have a relationship with God…
I just wanted to help and please excuse me if I mistook what you were trying to say. And what an honor it is to be called to preach but I just beseech you that you will study the scriptures so that you will feed His flock in truth. It doesn’t matter if the world looks at you as you say “a professional Christian” it only matters how you look to God.
God Bless you!
Sciptures: Matt 5:17, 11:27; John 3:16, 5:11,14:6, 18:37; Hebrews 1:1-5
Thank you so much for taking the time to comment, Christi!! And thank you for your earnest and well thought out discussion of a subject that you obviously know a great deal about.
I’m still gradually sorting out where I’m going to end up on the spectrum of Christian beliefs. I’m leaning more towards the trinitarian side, but God hasn’t said anything about the Holy Spirit/Ghost yet and for such an important choice I’m counting on His input. I know that long before I ever stand in front of people to speak His word, He will make sure I have His message clearly figured out. That will be the happiest day of my life!! 🙂
Amen, that is a wonderful way of thinking!!! May God bless and make you after His own heart 🙂
Consider http://www.biblicalunitarian.com. God is one, not three. There is one God and one mediator, the man Jesus. 1Timothy 2:5.
Thank you, Christi, and have a blessed New Year!! 🙂
My friend, Jesus is the Word of God. He is the One who reveals the Father. If you don’t know Jesus, you don’t know the Father. I am praying for you because I believe that you truly are seeking the truth. Without Christ, you have no truth. One day you will see and that is what I am praying for. You certainly have a talent for writing.
Thank you for the compliment about my writing and for your prayers, Marianne-both are greatly appreciated!!
Although God’s truth is infinite, and I can never hope to embrace it all, I’m confident that He will reveal to me whatever He needs for me to know whenever He thinks I’m ready. Stay tuned; I’ll keep you posted!! 🙂
Hi 🙂 I agree with Christi…I am a former atheist…then started thinking God might exist but didn’t necessarily have to have anything to do with Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit moved me one day to ask for a Bible and I surprised myself by going home and opening up the New Testament, and Jesus spoke to me loud and clear. He is the Savior through whom we are able to be reconciled with God. Praise God!
Hi Alicia, and thank you for your comment!! It never ceases to amaze me how many ways God has to guide us to Him. I’m so glad you found Him!! 🙂
Glory to God! It is wonderful how when we seek Him, He never dissappoints because He allows us to find His truth. And when we find it, we become free. Free from every lie that seeks to deny His unquestionable existence. Bless you on your journey…see you in heaven 🙂
Hi Christi, it’s good to see you again!! I hope you’ve been having a blessed year!! 🙂
Hi, I ran into this sight after I’ve posted something on another one of your blog sights, about God being in control. Well, all of the above posts regarding Jesus as “God” is, I believe to be true. Jesus personally appeared to me 17 years ago, regarding an important decision I had to make. Being confused what to do, at the Christmas dinner table, I said why doesn’t God just talk to me like a normal human being. The next day, Jesus appeared to me in my sleep and truly is real and He is God Himself (part of the Trinity). When He showed Himself, He talked to my heart. It was not an audible voice which you hear. His personal answer to me was very clear and full of life giving love. He embraced me with the fullness of love. I never wanted to leave Him. I felt so loved and secure for eternity. This happened at 3 am. It was not a dream. I got up and went to the washroom, and laid down to sleep. A few seconds later He appeared to me supernaturally while I was beginning to sleep with my eyes closed. It was the strangest and happiest moment of my life. I can therefore testify that He is truly God and does exist! Let there be no more doubt. Also the Holy Spirit who is God (part of the Holy Trinity) is guiding me always and through God’s Word the Bible. If you have your heart right with God, He will be your constant guide. The Bible is the only book that has survived throughout the ages, a very important book indeed. It is the instruction manual of life. Thank you for establishing this blog. Praise Jesus!!!
You are blessed to have had such a wonderful experience, JR!! You can feel certain that God is always with you, and you never need to worry about how things will turn out in your life. Thank you for the comment!! 🙂
Bless you as you journey on with Him , have very much enjoyed reading so far what you have written
I’m so glad you’re enjoying my blog!! Thank you for the comment. 🙂
I happened onto this blog while looking for an answer to God’s plans for me. I have followed Him since I was 12 years old and am always thankful for His grace towards me. With that said, He guided me to you a newer follower of Him who loves us, as a way to show me that He can and will use a new follower to re-new my faith, belief and dependence on Him. God is good all the time. Today He helped me to see that He has it all under control and I am free.
You’re right, Toni, He does, and you are!! I’m glad my blog has helped you-thanks for the comment!! 🙂
Chantel
Was truly blessed by your sincerity and tactful way in which everyone have their insights. Blessings
I’m glad to hear that, Chantel!! Thank you for the comment. 🙂
Hello.. I just stumbled across your post, just looking for an answer for where I am in my life right now. You spoke for me. You said the things that, I had problems with explaining to others how God affects me. I love him, I am waiting for the moment when he changes my career life for the better, I need my job, but I need to help others. Tears… Thank you for your words of encouragement.
You’re very welcome!! Thank you for the comment!! 🙂
You know what. Its a blessing you don’t have any religious framework. Keep seeking Him as you are. Give him access to your heart. He’s big enough and glorious enough to lead you into the next chapter of your life. Sounds to me like He’s teaching you to trust His revelation. Only He can make you hungry for more of Him. I luv hearing about stories of how God reveals himself to those who seek Him and are hungry for His presence. I can identify completely with you.
That’s excellent advice, Grace, thank you!! 🙂
HI
Ask God to fill you with the Holy Spirit. He is the 3rd person of the Holy Triune. He is the Spirit of Truth who will lead and guide you into all truth and wisdom and I do know He will enlighten you about Jesus the Son of God who is my Father. There is only one person but three functions. The Holy Spirit whom I also know is the Person of the hour. He is the One whom the saints must rely on in these end times. The still small voice that you mentioned in your blog is that of the Holy Spirit. If you need to confirm simply ask God.
I will agree that no one goes through to the Father except through His Son but I also know God talks to anyone more so the unsaved.
Please pick up your new bible and study the Holy Spirit it will all make sense and My spirit agrees with everything that you have shared in your blogs. Welldone this must be preparing you for what God has planned for your life but I would encourage you to first get the revelation of who Jesus and the Holy Spirit really is and then I’m certain God will pour out a new anointing over your life one of power and of love and of a sound mind. Get ready get ready get ready.
Thank you, Sierra!! 🙂
This is so exciting!!!!! I’m so happy for you
OMG!!! Yoυ jυѕт don’т ĸnow нow crazy I ѕoмeтιмeѕ ғelт wιтн тнιѕ ѕaмe тнιng yoυ are ѕнarιng. I waѕ тold тнaт ιғ I dιdn’т ғollow тнe crowd I woυldn’т вe ιn relaтιonѕнιp wιтн God. I waѕ lead вy мy creaтor тo releaѕe мyѕelғ ғroм all oғ тнaт cнυrcн ѕтυғғ and тнe вιвle ιт never мade ѕence тo мe anyway .I now ĸnow мy creaтor creaтed мe jυѕт ғor нιм. Tнanĸѕ,ғιnally I don’т ғeel weιrd anyмore.
You’re welcome!! 🙂
From Racquel Taylor Women of God!!!
I think your post is absolutly beautiful. I love how back in 2010 Father God interviened in your life and u were talking to Him every day. Wow He is so amazing at how He shows Himself. And I absolutly love How Father God led you to place ur experiences with Him on this Blog…for when you mentioned that you had not yet interviened or talked to Jesus and that you pretty much just talk to God. Well from how this all started out for you I want to first and formost congratulate you on your beautiful connection to Jesus Christ whom is Gods only begotten Son whom loves us soooo much and have Blessed us to come through Him to recieve His Father Gods gift of eternal life who is all our Father Amen to that. Yes it can be kinda complicated on how to brake it down. As a little girl I looked at Jesus as brother Jesus because I thought to my self well if God is our Father and Jesus is His Son then He must be my brother. I was only like 3 or 4 years old. As I grew older and Begain churching at age 28yrs old I begain to hear that Jesus is God in Flesh. So now because I have learned that Jesus is in God the Father and God the Father in Jesus and lets not forget the Holy Spirit all three in one…Father Son and Holy Spirit. I just look at it as ok Father God sent Jesus to Earth to save us from our Sins and so forth and Since Father God did not bare Mary with Jesus through sex but through His supernatural divinely way then it looks that since He is the Father of Jesus and since they are both in one another then hmmmmm that would make Jesus be able to be God on Earth when ever Father God wants to intervien through Him but on a more announting basis because Father God is actually His biological Father. I figure since Father God can do things supernaturaly and divinely that this Father and Son process is different from our elevation of understanding until we get more indebth with Jesus the Father and the Holy Spirit our selves which is all ONE and eventually as we stay prayed up in our Word and more, Our connection with the Trinity wich again is Father God Jesus and the Holy Spirit 3 in 1 finds a way to manifest through us and from the experiences Ive had its beyond amazing and beautiful but sometimes I just fall short of the Glory of God and have to repent and ask for forgiveness and begain again. It can be a process but once we get through all the obedience and praising and worshipping and studying and reading His word and as His divine Wisdom and Understanding comes upon us no telling what next beautiful divinly experience God will expose us to. All I can say is Im excited for more and more of Jesus. Im still a baby in Jesus Christ but its fun learning and growing .I start with Jesus because I have learned that we are saved through Father Gods mighty Son Jesus and that Jesus is the only way to eternal life and to be with the Father again which is where we all originally came from. Id like to add that its best to also Go through Jesus because their are other gods out there that our Father God clearly says dont get involved with or serve so to easily know that you are following the correct God He sent Jesus to come through. Now Im sure by now you may know most of this and can teach me some things too…I was delighted from your post. I enjoyed what you wrote and if you’d like you could add on in my facebook messaging on your great experience now with Father God. I would love to hear more to see how amazing you’ve grown. I love how Father God reaches out for His children in Jesus name Amen to that. All I can say is I see amazing greatness in your life as you preach and I see Jesus working through you tremendously and your testimonies and sermons are going to be so wonderful even you are gonna be astonished. I give God all the Praise and keep up the great Work for you are a chosen Vessel.
Thank you for your support!! My entire spiritual journey is detailed from the beginning on this blog; just go to my earliest entries and you’ll see it all. Because I’m an anonymous blogger, I have no way to contact anyone on Facebook-sorry!!
I’m actually Muslim but I love reading your blog!! It gives me hope and helps me to see life in a new beautiful perspective, wherein I try to live my life full of respect! Thank you so much.
What books do you suggest for me to read regarding contentment, living positively, etc? Your post about having a positive mindset changed me. Alhamdulillah (all praise to God). ❤
Welcome, Hiba!! I’m glad that you’re enjoying my blog. If you want positive thinking to greatly improve your life, this is the first book that you should read:
https://www.amazon.com/Power-Positive-Thinking-Norman-Vincent/dp/0743234804/
Let me know how you like it!! 🙂
Hi, thank you for this blog. I would love to speak to you please. How do we go about that?
I love the purity and honesty of you. I at one time walked in the same way. It wasn’t until after I got saved that God showed me how He was drawing me closer to Him. He knew I had a bad life a bad start and most of all knew my heart .
I wouldn’t trade my life now for nothing. Blessings to you.!! Your posts are very inspiring. I stumbled onto this. I was looking something up and it gave me your page.
I left a post but wasn’t sure it posted so I’m re-writing. You wrote about a chat room here. Please I’d love to speak to you, thank you.
I have created a new chatroom here:
http://us23.chatzy.com/33079567947307
You can go into it at any time and post messages that I will see when I check it… Which is basically the same situation you have here with posting comments. If we happen to be in there at the same time, though, we can exchange messages live, in real time. 🙂
Hi, I love reading your blog. I recently watched a movie about Hugh Hefner life story, thinking he was a great business man in his own way. Then, I started thinking there are some people believe in things sort of taboos (sex for an example), in Christian view, or live a lifestyle that may be seen as worldly or evil, with good intention (at least in their mind). They are true to themselves, embrace who they are, and try to live a good life and be good to others. Then, I kept thinking to my friends who are Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, etc, and they don’t believe in Jesus as son of God, but they are good people. What happens to those people when they die? Do they all go to hell? I believe in God, and Jesus, but I don’t want to condemn their belief if they are truly happy within, and do not want to judge them but I can’t keep thinking what is good? I believe in God and Jesus, but I am afraid of becoming stereotypical Christian. It seems most of Christians are hypocritical and judgmental about other people in other religions.Honestly, religious people and their lifestyle are really boring to me, and is that bad? I am a creative person, and I like fine things in life, and latest gadgets, don’t care for having children (I would love to if God blesses me with, but hasn’t happened yet). I feel like i can’t be myself because i don’t want to be a bad influence around innocent, naive Christians, but I start feeling hypocritical. I act one way outside of Church, and act like a church person when i am at church or hang out with Christians. I have been doing daily devotion over a year now, and I feel that i am maturing in my faith. If feel that God says it’s okay to feel the way i feel, and embrace who i am as an individual and as a creative person I am. But I feel bad when i start thinking in my mind when i start judging other people that are overweight or dress certain ways,etc at church and i feel like i am better than them. What am i missing here? What do i need to do embrace the difference, and connect better with people who are different from me at church, without pretending? (This is my ODD relationship with God…..)
I don’t know what happens to non-Christians when they die, and there is no way to find out. The God I know and love would not condemn good people to hell for not being Christians, but many people would disagree with me about that.
There’s nothing wrong with judging; you can and should judge, in order to distinguish right from wrong. What you should not do is condemn; hate the sinner, love the sin, and try to help people who are in the darkness into the light.
God is happy for you to be who you truly are… unless some part of that is bad. Judging people for their weight or the clothing they wear, things where no evildoing is involved, will always be wrong… and in God’s eyes, you are not better than someone who is overweight, but the overweight person who is not looking down on others will be seen as better than YOU.
There’s nothing wrong with pretending, if that is what is necessary for you to do the right thing. It is only polite to pretend that you are interested in the people around you at church, whether you are or not. You have control over your body and your voice; use that control to walk over to people and start talking to them in a pleasant, friendly manner. If you do this, you will then start connecting with them. Ask God to help you, and He will.
Thank you for sharing your wisdom. It is good to know that there is nothing wrong with pretending. I wish I didn’t have to, but that’s what I need to do the right thing sometimes to be nice and pleasant to people that I have trouble connecting with. So true… you said about judging, and there is nothing wrong with judging. Only to judge good and evil, and choose to be good and do right, but not to judge people or things where no evildoing is involved. Thank you for giving me the clarity on this. Now, I need to pray about myself to see the people in God’s eyes and connect better with them genuinely, and ask for humble heart to embrace all looks and walks in life. Please pray for me as well. Blessings,
YW, and praying!!
Hey man, great article! I am in the same position you once were when you wrote this article, he led me to it.
Could you be so kind as to email me directly to answer a few questions?
Michaelbergeron689@gmail.com
Thanks,
MJB
I’m sorry, Michael, but this is an anonymous blog, and I do not give out my email address or contact anyone directly. If you have any questions, please feel free to post them here. 🙂
Hi FH, I follow your blog and I can see that God is using you a great deal. May God continue showing you the way and that the Love of Jesus that transcends all understanding will be upon you. I would like us to talk
Thank you! Because I need to remain anonymous, the only way for us to talk would be for me to create a chat room for us to use. I can do that, I think, but my experience has been that if I do, people that say that they are are eager to speak to me come to the chat room one time, say hello, log out, and never come back, LOL. What do you think?