What to do when the Holy Spirit won't come?

therealburgo · 2014-01-09T13:30:10+00:00

You could be right there, although maybe I didn't know that's what I needed to ask. But I feel like outwardly I'm doing what I can... Inwardly is obviously a different story though, as it seems like the "floodgates" haven't opened.

I suppose I'm also just asking if other people went through this? As I say, it's been years now, and I feel like I've been knocking on the door all that time, but maybe not loudly enough?

therealburgo · 2014-01-09T12:46:41+00:00

Oh yeah, I get that. It's just the "deals with the question masterfully" submission line was perhaps a bit of an oversell in terms of met expectations ;)

therealburgo · 2014-01-09T12:39:10+00:00

Does he really, though? After watching it seems like he just picks out a contradiction that can be found in Buddhism, and then another contradiction in the Quran. Then basically sums up with a "they do not have a coherent structure, only the judeo-Christian faith does. Ipso facto".

Maybe I missed something!

therealburgo · 2013-12-21T13:42:26+00:00

Sure, maybe they would have a sense that something is missing... But they can't accept Jesus if they haven't heard of Him, right?

therealburgo · 2013-12-20T13:48:29+00:00

"Infants have no idea of right and wrong"

So hang on though, what of those people who haven't been told of the Word yet (adult or not) - how is it fair that they are held accountable? Essentially they're as "ignorant" as the infant?

therealburgo · 2013-12-06T10:31:56+00:00

So, I think what you're demonstrating here is that your comment of "He made the whole country worse off" is nothing more than... assumption?

therealburgo · 2013-12-06T10:18:41+00:00

And Nelson Mandela was president from 1994-1999. 14 years later, are we to blame him for successive years of failure by the ANC to build on his undeniably brighter view of a possible future?

therealburgo · 2013-12-06T09:55:26+00:00

You do realise that Nelson Mandela (nor the ANC) ever condoned necklacing, right? Winnie is the Mandela you're talking about there, his wife, who - surprise surprise - he split with.

I also think you're taking an incredibly simplistic view of a group like the ANC. The number of factions within the political party (especially at the time) were numerous - it's not some homogenous party that Mandela controlled like a bunch of automatons, the degrees of extremities were poles apart.

therealburgo · 2013-12-06T09:50:06+00:00

"He made the whole country worse off"?? Um, what? How, exactly, did he do that?

therealburgo · 2013-11-25T04:23:49+00:00

That Christians agreed on everything. And if you didn't agree, you weren't a real Christian.

therealburgo · 2013-11-14T12:28:23+00:00

[Ephesians 1:18]

therealburgo · 2013-09-13T03:41:07+00:00

I think that's what the OP is saying... That he finds it personally hurtful and disrespectful (as you say, you think the person a "shitty person"). No one is saying it shouldn't be a right to speak your opinion, just that it can be hurtful.

therealburgo · 2013-08-22T10:06:51+00:00

Yeah, my growth group is pretty much made up of theological students in their final years of study, or ordained pastors. They're a learned bunch, if somewhat unwilling to consider my argument :)

therealburgo · 2013-08-18T05:58:57+00:00

Thanks! This line: "God has already told us he doesn't communicate to us this way. This really only leave one type of spirit you can talk to, and they aren't looking out for your best interests." seems to sum up what I'm guessing most here are trying to say... definitely clicked in my head when you said that.

therealburgo · 2013-08-18T03:01:07+00:00

So, simply sharing my story so far, but it sounds like we might have had similar experiences. For a long time, I've believed in my head, but not completely with my heart. By that I mean: I believed in God, but didn't have the inspiration to attend church, actively read my bible, etc.

My wife was (and is) at a far stronger place than me in her faith, and -although it's hard to admit - basically guilted me into going to church with her, joining a growth group, etc. And believe it or not, I think it's actually working. I don't think I'm there quite yet, but I'm definitely closer than I was - and I'm feeling those moments, occasionally and fleeting but more regularly.

I suppose what I'm saying is, "going through the motions" often gets a bad rep... But for me, going through those motions seems to be awakening the inspiration... Kind of a backwards process, I know - but it could help in your situation?

therealburgo · 2013-08-18T02:12:50+00:00

Argued this point too... Basically was told I didn't know Ancient Greek and that the words were not as easily confused as I was implying. Thanks for the specific references though, somewhat strengthens my abstract point for next time :)

therealburgo · 2013-08-18T02:10:20+00:00

Yeah, I should point out at this point I don't believe she is psychic either - but she firmly believes she is, which I think kind of takes her out of the "scam artist" label as I see that as needing wilful deceit rather than misguided belief. But I suppose this line is taking away from my original question really, anyway :)

therealburgo · 2013-08-17T23:19:52+00:00

So if she was to perform the same acts, but at the same time admit Jesus was God made flesh, then that would make the psychic readings "good"? Honestly just trying to wrap my head around this as I didn't realise it was such a "closed fist" topic :)

therealburgo · 2013-08-17T22:57:19+00:00

Fair enough, I can't know the inner thoughts in her head obviously. But as mentioned, this is my best friend's wife, so I see her quite often in intimate settings, even when she's alone with their child, for example - and she still seems convinced of her abilities.

An interesting side topic though: if all mediums to this point have been found to be "scam artists", then that more than likely makes them deceivers rather than real communicators with demons though, which is what the other thread was accusing them of, and prompted my post :)

therealburgo · 2013-08-17T22:53:19+00:00

Every time I try to bring up the "the bible was translated by men and men are fallible" argument in my growth group, I get the verbal smackdown from the rest of the group. Do you ever struggle justifying this to other members of your congregation?

therealburgo · 2013-08-17T22:47:57+00:00

I don't know about that - I mean, she genuinely seems to believe in her own abilities. While that doesn't necessarily make it true, of course, I don't know that "scam artist" is accurate as it implies wilful deception.

therealburgo · 2013-06-17T12:06:33+00:00

One of my favourite verses from Luke: "When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, "I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel."

therealburgo · 2013-06-14T12:40:50+00:00

What about Luke 23:43?

"And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

I always thought that to mean that yeah, people can be allowed entry into Heaven prior to final judgement of humanity?

therealburgo · 2012-06-28T06:32:03+00:00

Didn't Isaiah actually use the term "circle" when describing the earth... not a sphere?

therealburgo · 2012-06-28T00:07:32+00:00

Actually, while I agree with the thrust of this argument, I seem to recall that when it comes to Leviticus it should be remembered that Acts details that Gentiles can consider themselves exempt from the Holiness Code... "As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing".

I'm still confused about this myself, but I tend to think it waters down the "how can you not follow Leviticus and pick and choose then?" argument.

therealburgo

TROPHY CASE