[Faith-talk] Questioning Our Beliefs

Thu May 15 20:32:46 UTC 2014

Linda,

It can only be true if there is an “I” to which these labels can be applied. There is certainly an apparent body for which these things seem to be true, but the actual reality of what “I” am is none of this, and all of this, and all other things. If there is an I that appears to be, then I back up and say, who am I? Who is this I that perceives through this body? And then I notice that there is an awareness behind the I, a witness, an observer that only witnesses. Then I notice that this awareness contains all the content of consciousness, and this I is only another thought among many, and I choose to stop believing in that thought, at least for the moment. That awareness knows no good or evil, but encompasses it all without judgment.

If you back up and simply observe, you will see that thoughts and actions arise, but are they from “you,” or are they universal? If you do this, you will find that they simply arise. You have the thought, “I think I will check my email.” But from where did this thought arise? Did you create it? If you watch, you will see it simply came, then immediately it was gone.

It’s when the mind decides that certain things should be so, that we get stuck in this cycle. We create our own personal hell because we resist what is. But hell only lasts as long as you choose to be there. The torture is all self-inflicted.

Brandon
On May 15, 2014, at 4:20 PM, Linda Mentink <mentink at frontiernet.net> wrote:

> So, Brandon, it's not true that you're a male? It's not true that you were born? It's not true that you are blind? It's not true that the sun rose this morning? It's not true that you have shelter? It's not true that you have a family?
> 
> These are all in your experience.
> 
> At 03:10 PM 5/15/2014, you wrote:
>> I love to question. In my experience, nothing is true.
>> On May 15, 2014, at 3:53 PM, Linda Mentink via Faith-talk <faith-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> 
>> > And God says in His Word, the Bible, that he resisteth the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Of course, it's fine to question many things, but not the Bible and your faith in God, if you have such. If you don't, that's good reason to question your beliefs.
>> >
>> > Blessings,
>> >
>> > Linda
>> >
>> > At 02:37 PM 5/15/2014, you wrote:
>> >> I think that questions can be good, but as a father of 7, I do find that
>> >> when my children are able to listen without questioning everything I ask of
>> >> them it brings a trust, an intimacy that is sometimes tattered by the twenty
>> >> questions. As for me, being married, I will often do something for my wife
>> >> simply because she asks me, I may think that it is silly, may want to
>> >> question her reasons, needs and all that, but simply doing, or obeying does
>> >> more to create the bond of love and trust that I think a marriage is built
>> >> on than being a analytical owl about everything. Also, we will often pride
>> >> ourselves on asking questions about something like faith, something that
>> >> demands a real commitment from us, but we will often swallow whole the
>> >> garbage in our culture, imitating much of it, desiring much of it, or
>> >> prematurely condemning it. Interesting stuff.
>> >>
>> >> -----Original Message-----
>> >> From: Faith-talk [mailto:faith-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Kirt
>> >> via Faith-talk
>> >> Sent: Thursday, May 15, 2014 11:26 AM
>> >> To: sheila; Faith-talk, for the discussion of faith and religion
>> >> Subject: Re: [Faith-talk] Questioning Our Beliefs
>> >>
>> >> :-) I, for one, take pride in questioning everything. Even my questions.
>> >>
>> >> Sent from my iPhone
>> >>
>> >> > On May 15, 2014, at 12:38 PM, sheila via Faith-talk
>> >> <faith-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> >> >
>> >> > hi Linda I am in complete agreement and am not interested in questioning
>> >> my beliefs. They are based on the  word of god.
>> >> >> On 5/15/2014 10:15 AM, Linda Mentink via Faith-talk wrote:
>> >> >> Hi all,
>> >> >>
>> >> >> I do not question my beliefs, not since Christ came to live in me. The
>> >> Bible is my Guide for life. I receive many things from it, including
>> >> comfort, wisdom, assurance that I will spend eternity in heaven, and
>> >> knowledge of the Triune God.
>> >> >>
>> >> >> Those who say they have accepted Christ as their personal Saviour, and
>> >> still continue to lie, cheat and steal, put too much emphasis on what they
>> >> did. They have not repented of these sins, and, consequently, their
>> >> conversion is not real.
>> >> >> True Christians abhor sin, and, with God's help, do their best to live a
>> >> different life than they did before Christ came to live in them. When they
>> >> do sin, which all do, they are sorry, and ask God's forgiveness; and, if
>> >> necessary, and they have sinned against someone, they ask forgiveness of
>> >> that person. Many who think they are Christians will be surprised when they
>> >> meet God, and are turned away from Him to spend eternity in hell with Satan
>> >> and his demons.
>> >> >>
>> >> >> Christianity has been around since the beginning of creation. Those who
>> >> take God at His Word, and accept the free grace and forgiveness He offers,
>> >> will spend their life after earthly death in eternity in Heaven with Him.
>> >> Eastern religions and cults are man-made, and were made up not that long ago
>> >> by people who rejected God, didn't know about Him, or wanted to do things
>> >> their own way--which, I guess, is the same as rejecting God.
>> >> >>
>> >> >> I am sad for those who believe such nonsense, because their end, no
>> >> matter what they say, will be condemnation to the lake of fire, where no
>> >> relief will be had.
>> >> >>
>> >> >> I don't mean to be harsh or offensive, but that's what the Bible says
>> >> concerning them, and I believe the Bible to be true. It is the inspired Word
>> >> of God. All it says will come to pass, if it hasn't already.
>> >> >>
>> >> >> I will not question my beliefs, but will continue to stand on what I know
>> >> to be true in the Bible.
>> >> >>
>> >> >> Blessings,
>> >> >>
>> >> >> Linda
>> >> >>
>> >> >>
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>> >> >
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>> >> il.com
>> >>
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