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Has this ever happened to you? I have to admit it has happened a time or two when I mentioned something and then it came to pass. I did that today and I probably jinxed whatever it was I was babbling about.
My question is.....what do you call this particular phenomena? Is it divine or is it just dumb happenstance? I mean, according to how I was raised you spoke with certainty about it to god and then he/she/it/they would immediately answer. Really? I think I might be able to recall the scripture that speaks about it......
King James Version.
Matthew 21:22
And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.
John 16:24
Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.
Ok I grew up with the KJV onlyism so King James is all I know pretty much. Have either of these scriptures applied to anything in your life? No. And don't say "I know someone who was healed"....the doctors and nurses did that. I'm talking about instantaneous without a doubt result of praying with "belief" and that is all. I guess I'm saying that everything has an explanation and if it doesn't yet, science will eventually provide one.
The point is, do you think you have that kind of faith? The kind where you see a miracle or a god's hand in something that is completely explainable and has nothing to do with prayer or a god? Give us examples. I bet I can explain it either scientifically or logically to the point that you start to wonder if I'm right. That's all I ask.
For people to look at things critically, logically and rationally before assuming that goddunnit. Because he/she/it/they do not exist. It's a hoax. Oh how I wish the intellectuals who for some reason still believe in a god would actually face the truth that there is no evidence for one.
Well, do ya? Have complete, undeniable, unwavering faith that it will come to pass? Has it ever, really? My guess is never. My Stepmother died of cancer and she said before she died that she didn't have enough faith and belief that god would heal her so that's why he didn't.
That to me is very sad. She died believing it was her fault. What if this IS the only life that is on the table? Nothing to hope for, look forward to or hold onto to. But that is not how is has to be. The living should be living it up! Enjoy the contentment and joyous moments and be prepared for the bad moments. That's all there is to it.
The realization of there not being a god is harsh, but it is in fact, reality. It does not have to be depressing or scary.....those of us who have been fortunate enough to live during this generation of growth and knowledge are in a better position to drop the fairy tales and live in reality. Times were tough for our ancestors and they desperately needed something to hold onto. I get that. When life is worse than death itself sometimes religion is all a person has to cling to.
I'm not knocking religion, it saw me through some things for sure. But my dog was the best comfort of all and she was really the one who recognized my pain and would actually hug me. I don't have all the answers. But I can guarantee you that believing in this life is more sane than believing in some imaginary afterlife. You see, there just isn't proof.
Enjoy the here and now. I would like to hear what others have to say about the faith it takes to move mountains and if you think you have that kind of belief and faith. Examples please. I still don't think I have conveyed what I have in my head. We don't need religion to function. I think it's better to move along in life as if this is the only one.
In Hebrew, abra cadabra means something like "I will create as I speak".
From the link which contains a fuller explanation. Scholars who support the Hebrew etymology say that abracadabra is a corruption of the Hebrew, ebrah k’dabri, meaning “I will create as I speak,” ie that the act of speech will magically create new realities. If this is indeed the derivation, then it would chime with the kabbalistic notion that the words and letters of the Hebrew alphabet have the power to create.
Has this ever happened to you? I have to admit it has happened a time or two when I mentioned something and then it came to pass. I did that today and I probably jinxed whatever it was I was babbling about.
My question is.....what do you call this particular phenomena? Is it divine or is it just dumb happenstance? I mean, according to how I was raised you spoke with certainty about it to god and then he/she/it/they would immediately answer. Really? I think I might be able to recall the scripture that speaks about it......
King James Version.
Matthew 21:22
And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.
John 16:24
Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.
Ok I grew up with the KJV onlyism so King James is all I know pretty much. Have either of these scriptures applied to anything in your life? No. And don't say "I know someone who was healed"....the doctors and nurses did that. I'm talking about instantaneous without a doubt result of praying with "belief" and that is all. I guess I'm saying that everything has an explanation and if it doesn't yet, science will eventually provide one.
The point is, do you think you have that kind of faith? The kind where you see a miracle or a god's hand in something that is completely explainable and has nothing to do with prayer or a god? Give us examples. I bet I can explain it either scientifically or logically to the point that you start to wonder if I'm right. That's all I ask.
For people to look at things critically, logically and rationally before assuming that goddunnit. Because he/she/it/they do not exist. It's a hoax. Oh how I wish the intellectuals who for some reason still believe in a god would actually face the truth that there is no evidence for one.
Well, do ya? Have complete, undeniable, unwavering faith that it will come to pass? Has it ever, really? My guess is never. My Stepmother died of cancer and she said before she died that she didn't have enough faith and belief that god would heal her so that's why he didn't.
That to me is very sad. She died believing it was her fault. What if this IS the only life that is on the table? Nothing to hope for, look forward to or hold onto to. But that is not how is has to be. The living should be living it up! Enjoy the contentment and joyous moments and be prepared for the bad moments. That's all there is to it.
The realization of there not being a god is harsh, but it is in fact, reality. It does not have to be depressing or scary.....those of us who have been fortunate enough to live during this generation of growth and knowledge are in a better position to drop the fairy tales and live in reality. Times were tough for our ancestors and they desperately needed something to hold onto. I get that. When life is worse than death itself sometimes religion is all a person has to cling to.
I'm not knocking religion, it saw me through some things for sure. But my dog was the best comfort of all and she was really the one who recognized my pain and would actually hug me. I don't have all the answers. But I can guarantee you that believing in this life is more sane than believing in some imaginary afterlife. You see, there just isn't proof.
Enjoy the here and now. I would like to hear what others have to say about the faith it takes to move mountains and if you think you have that kind of belief and faith. Examples please. I still don't think I have conveyed what I have in my head. We don't need religion to function. I think it's better to move along in life as if this is the only one.
I am especially curious about what I bolded.
Where do either of the verses you quoted state what you ask for, you'd 'receive' "immediately" or "instantaneously?"
People are not wizards praying to God and not without Him For He is the one who brings answered prayer people cannot do anything without Him .... Even demons spirits will answer prayer which is always evil
In Hebrew, abra cadabra means something like "I will create as I speak".
From the link which contains a fuller explanation. Scholars who support the Hebrew etymology say that abracadabra is a corruption of the Hebrew, ebrah k’dabri, meaning “I will create as I speak,” ie that the act of speech will magically create new realities. If this is indeed the derivation, then it would chime with the kabbalistic notion that the words and letters of the Hebrew alphabet have the power to create.
Amazing. The Vedas says something similar as well. The power of speech is itself divinity. The words are seen by organs but the meaning that rises from it is divinity itself.
Does the placebo effect mean failure or success?
For years, a placebo effect was considered a sign of failure. A placebo is used in clinical trials to test the effectiveness of treatments and is most often used in drug studies. For instance, people in one group get the actual drug, while the others receive an inactive drug, or placebo. The participants in the clinical trial don’t know if they receive the real thing or the placebo. This way, the researchers can measure if the drug works by comparing how both groups react. If they both have the same reaction — improvement or not — the drug is deemed not to work.
Placebos work up to a point. They are not going to cure your cancer, but they might help you to manage pain for example.
State of mind is an important factor in how you live your life.
There are no miracles here though. You have to make things happen yourself through your own actions. Live a good life, be kind, look after yourself and your family. Be happy. These are the things that are going to have a real influence on outcomes.
Has this ever happened to you? I have to admit it has happened a time or two when I mentioned something and then it came to pass. I did that today and I probably jinxed whatever it was I was babbling about.
My question is.....what do you call this particular phenomena? Is it divine or is it just dumb happenstance? I mean, according to how I was raised you spoke with certainty about it to god and then he/she/it/they would immediately answer. Really? I think I might be able to recall the scripture that speaks about it......
King James Version.
Matthew 21:22
And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.
John 16:24
Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.
Ok I grew up with the KJV onlyism so King James is all I know pretty much. Have either of these scriptures applied to anything in your life? No. And don't say "I know someone who was healed"....the doctors and nurses did that. I'm talking about instantaneous without a doubt result of praying with "belief" and that is all. I guess I'm saying that everything has an explanation and if it doesn't yet, science will eventually provide one.
The point is, do you think you have that kind of faith? The kind where you see a miracle or a god's hand in something that is completely explainable and has nothing to do with prayer or a god? Give us examples. I bet I can explain it either scientifically or logically to the point that you start to wonder if I'm right. That's all I ask.
For people to look at things critically, logically and rationally before assuming that goddunnit. Because he/she/it/they do not exist. It's a hoax. Oh how I wish the intellectuals who for some reason still believe in a god would actually face the truth that there is no evidence for one.
Well, do ya? Have complete, undeniable, unwavering faith that it will come to pass? Has it ever, really? My guess is never. My Stepmother died of cancer and she said before she died that she didn't have enough faith and belief that god would heal her so that's why he didn't.
That to me is very sad. She died believing it was her fault. What if this IS the only life that is on the table? Nothing to hope for, look forward to or hold onto to. But that is not how is has to be. The living should be living it up! Enjoy the contentment and joyous moments and be prepared for the bad moments. That's all there is to it.
The realization of there not being a god is harsh, but it is in fact, reality. It does not have to be depressing or scary.....those of us who have been fortunate enough to live during this generation of growth and knowledge are in a better position to drop the fairy tales and live in reality. Times were tough for our ancestors and they desperately needed something to hold onto. I get that. When life is worse than death itself sometimes religion is all a person has to cling to.
I'm not knocking religion, it saw me through some things for sure. But my dog was the best comfort of all and she was really the one who recognized my pain and would actually hug me. I don't have all the answers. But I can guarantee you that believing in this life is more sane than believing in some imaginary afterlife. You see, there just isn't proof.
Enjoy the here and now. I would like to hear what others have to say about the faith it takes to move mountains and if you think you have that kind of belief and faith. Examples please. I still don't think I have conveyed what I have in my head. We don't need religion to function. I think it's better to move along in life as if this is the only one.
That sounds like the Word of Faith, Blab-it-and-grab-it theology. It's nonsense. Our words do not create reality.
The reality of this world is that...people die. I've always been taught that you pray for God's will be done. And pray to accept God's will.
I also believe that we can "speak into existence". Words help to make things reality. I've often used positive affirmations (for myself) and quoted scriptures out loud, to myself, so that I can physically hear it. It gets it out of my head and into reality.
And of miracles...I am reminded of the time when my brother was a little kid, and had a complicated vision problem. I don't remember what it was called, but basically, he could not focus his eyes or track. My mom had taken him to a research hospital in Gainesville, FL...and doctors said any kind of treatment would be very difficult and complicated.
My mom told the pastor of our church about it. The pastor and the deacons annointed my brother with oil, laid hands on him and prayed for him.
The next doctor's appointment with all these specialists...the problem was gone. Like it was never there.
The client that I have been exclusively working for since 2008 was sold in 2020 and at the end of this month the new overlords are giving me the bum's rush because I've been a "contingent employee" too long and there is a full time hiring freeze.
The very day after, with no knowledge of this development, the president of an industry association that the current client does business with called to feel me out as to whether I was open to transferring my skills to a startup they are creating. All of this at my current hourly rate (which would be hard to command outside my specialty) and with no more long term commitment than I'm willing to make since I want to retire in a couple of years.
In my Christian daze (some 25 years behind me now) I would have seen this as not coincidental and evidence of god's provision for me. Conveniently ignoring the times in my career (when I was still a Christian and presumably still qualified for god's largesse in this regard) when a good situation did NOT materialize when I really needed it. In particular I recall a period toward the end of my late wife's life where we were paying out of pocket for off-label experimental treatments trying to keep her alive and my main client mismanaged their way to a place where they had to cut me loose. I ended up doing scutwork for awhile at relatively low rates, until after a year or so I found my footing again, as it was a very down time in the industry.
I certainly don't think god is rewarding me for 25 years of apostasy, so now the conundrum for the believer in god's "watch-care over us" is that sometimes he creates timely windfalls for aging atheists while leaving the faithful dangling.
The truth of the matter is that life is just a series of things happening -- some of them nice, some not so nice; some conveniently timed, some not. And none of it personal or directed, even if occasionally something feels vindicating or validating (or the opposite). I should also point out that at the same time as my income stream (and therefore our additional retirement savings) is being preserved, my wife's health and my stepson's progress in therapy are not inspiring confidence and are a source of worry (or the temptation to worry anyway). So even in my own life, all is not rainbows and unicorns. And not in your life either, dear reader, if you're honest with yourself and with me.
Our minds are often likened to computers but they are not like a digital computer so much as an eager pattern-matching engine. We try to see patterns even where they don't exist. We want the gods to prosper us and so we see in our prospering, the kindly gaze of the divine. But it cuts both ways; when the wheels come off, we then have to see (or refuse to see) god's inattention, uncaring, or wrath. This is exactly why I revel in being unconnected to such baggage.
Sometimes people say things that get back to other mortals, and those mortals make it happen. Then those mortals become the "gods" that the wishful one didn't know was eavesdropping on their wishes. Try keeping your wants to yourself and see if they manifest. How easy is it to keep something you really, really want...to yourself? Without any other mortals (nada. zero.) knowing about it? (rhetorical) I'd say that's the true test (but of course you'll still have mortals making assumptions...). If those wants manifest, THEN figure out who or what made that happen. Or maybe just be glad that it happened?
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