Who is God?

[Sari]

Oh, this really bugs me. I visit a Christian site and am not permitted to say that I'm a non-trinitarian, although I am a believer of Jesus Christ. I just don't think He's God. So, I am apparently a second class Christian who is not worthy to be around other Christians. Grrr.

I am just curious, what do believers of your religion consider Jesus? How is it different from, say, Judaism or Islam?

[GMA21]

The Bible clearing states that Paradise on earth will be restored & "The righteous themselves will possess the earth And they themselves will live forever upon it" & that is what I am looking forward to where noone will say "I am sick & death, pain & sorrow will be no more.

[sdrjeolsen]

Constance, well put.
All I know is that my life is infinitely better and more blessed since knowing God and accepting him as my Lord and Savior. I don't feel controlled or run by fear, rather the opposite. I have a freedom from knowing Jesus and have much peace and joy because of the purpose in my life. I didn't have that before asking Jesus to help direct and guide me and forgive me of my sins and shortcomings. Before that time I lived under lots of condemnatin, fear and guilt. Conviction is from the Holy Spirit, but condemnation is from Satan. I don't live under condemnation now, even when I fall short, rather I know that there is a God that can pick me up and put my feet back on solid ground. That brings me great joy. I awaken every day with the joy of knowing him and that he has only good for me here on earth, and that I have all eternity to get to now Him better. I can't imagine living my life any other way.

[Edna_E]

I agree that God is not human. I also do not believe that God "punishes" people for not believing in Jesus. I cannot describe God to you, but I tend to use a generic "He" for convenience - although I do not believe that God has actual gender as we think of it. I also think that churches have often strayed from actual worship of God to the use of God as a tool to control people - and I intensely dislike that. I believe that God gave us free will and desires us to choose "good" over "evil", the betterment of society over individual interests, to help rather than to hurt, and so forth. I have been lucky to feel a very direct presence of God and so I have great faith in the existence of God - however, faith implies belief without proof, and I cannot offer any empirical evidence to those who do not believe in the existence of God. I can, and sometimes do, relate stories of my own experiences that have helped bolster my belief, but I also realize that someone can offer alternative explanations that would be possible and so I consider my belief something of a choice. I choose to believe that God exists and has a plan for me and for others, and that the decisions I make that might get in the way will somehow be diverted down unforseeable paths. Thus, when I drove my car off a cliff and it bounced and kept going (seriously, didn't even explode the tires) when I was in my 20s - I considered it a hint that I had not yet done or learned whatever I am supposed to. I have subsequently born and raised a child that I believe is an improvement to the world, and have had an opportunity to provide support to various individuals going through a rather odd assortment of challenges (both physical and emotional). I do not think I will ever be a known figure, no do I want to be. I DO think that my presence on this earth for the last 20+ years has been of value, and I'm very low maintenance. That is the only way I know to express my appreciation to God for the gifts that have been given to me and to the world. And, in case you are curious - I am a Christian who believes in the trinity and the resurrection.

[Edna_E]

Oh, this really bugs me. I visit a Christian site and am not permitted to say that I'm a non-trinitarian, although I am a believer of Jesus Christ. I just don't think He's God. So, I am apparently a second class Christian who is not worthy to be around other Christians. Grrr.

Dana, I'm sorry you have EVER been denied to opportunity to express your beliefs. I think the kind of experience you refer to is what I refer to when I say that some churches (and other organizations) have been diverted from worship of God to trying to control people - and those are often very uncomfortable with anyone expressing something that does not mesh with their presentation and they often try to silence any dissent. I personally think God gave us minds and mouths with the intent that we use them!

[Dancing Lotus]

Nice I almost forgot I started this tread. I think what I was trying to say falls in line with what Edna E is expressing. I beleive in God, but my definition(sp, why can I spell that word today?) of God is different then that of mainstream thinking.

[patra]

i truly believe that God is love, and the love we feel-when God is present.....

[changed4life]

I couldn't have said it better than Constance and Denise.
My life has totally changed for the better, spiritually and emotionally - even my marriage, since claiming Jesus as my Savior.

I couldn't imagine a day without his love, guidance, support or promises. My strength comes from His word in the bible and I love growing in this faith as He directs me.

God to me is my father, my nurturer, my companion and my hope. Without him, I am nothing and can do nothing. I believe he made us to have a close, personal relationship with Him.

He's proved it to me time and time again after removing me from emotional trial after trial and He never keeps me down for long. After each trial there is always spiritual growth.

Blessings all.

[Jaded]

I believe in the God as Nature concept. I believe that God is the energy of the universe, and is present in every living thing. When something dies, that energy is passed back into the universe to be recycled. I believe we can draw strength and power from the universal God as we need. I also believe that some of the power is passed through others, which is why I pray, and ask for prayers.

I can truly feel the power of God when I am outside in my "church" under the oak trees. Oak trees are very powerful. Think about it, when an oak tree is "killed" by lightning (and it is killed), it takes up to 20 years to die. How can you argue with that kind of power?

I also believe God is neither male nor female, nor cognizant of anything we do. I believe God is an energy source, and it is there to draw from, or not, as we see fit. I believe that "evil" is people drawing from that energy and consciously putting it to the wrong ends, whereas "prayer" is people drawing from the energy toward good ends.

I don't believe in demons, heaven or hell, or that God can forgive or punish us. I believe we are here for a reason, and everything we need is here, we just have to use it.

Isn't it wonderful, though, that we can have such divergent beliefs, and still love each other and work together? I believe the world as a whole could take a lesson from this board.

[Dixie]

I agree with Constance, Denise and Changedforlife.
To answer your question, Annk, God is my Creator, Savior and best friend.