It seems most disrespectful when you call Him by that term!
Christians are quick to point out that it is impossible to fully know God Are you saying that YOU fully understand God? If so, then you would be certain why God wanted to create this world full of pain and suffering.
No, I don't fully understand Him. I find it exciting that it will take an eternity to get to know Him, all the while loving to be with Him!
I don't fully yet know Him but I choose to trust Him and take Him at His Word. There are laws, just as the law of gravity. With my finite mind I can only imagine some of those are in effect as to why things are the way that they are. I don't understand trials and tragedies even in my own life, DV. Nevertheless, I choose to trust Him.
You're missing the point. When you ask for things in prayer, you are asking God to change the course of what he already had planned. A successful prayer would change God's mind, no?
Prayer can be asking Him to change His mind, but it goes far beyond that aspect. Prayer is fellowship with God. It is telling Him my heart, and the desires thereof. It is seeking to know Him, as I admit to and show Him what He already knows about me. It is trusting that He loves me and that I may go to Him and speak to Him as a trusted friend. It is an attitude of the heart to live in without ceasing. Prayer goes beyond our wildest dreams of the best, of the best, best, best relationship and the closeness thereof, sharing life and trusting and loving. Prayer is praising and thanking Him for all that He has done. Prayer is seeking Him for His help and strength and help for others. Prayer can be a playful, it can be somber. Prayer is adoration. Prayer is faith in His existence. Prayer is hearing His still small voice. Prayer is a constant song in our hearts, with differing melodies and tunes which exceeds the grandest, Heavenly musical scale. Prayer is meditating on His Words and reminding Him of His promises.
Would you mind telling me exactly how many people made it into the Promised Land from Egypt? Wasn't it TWO? TWO out of an estimated three million people? How is that VERY GOOD? You see, this is an excellent example of the whitewashing I described.
Yet, you choose to paint everything black!!! I don't pretend to understand it all. I can see my Spiritual heritage as an Israelite as I so soon forget His provision. I can fully well realize how only a couple made it into the promised land as I seek out Godly friendship today and see how few really love and adore Christ. Then, I must look at myself and wonder if I am any better.
I do not, as you claim, believe he exists. However, when partaking in discussions on God, it's easier to speak with the assumption that he DOES exist. Otherwise, I'd have to start every sentence with, IF GOD WERE TO EXIST... Make sense?
Yes, it makes sense. The Bible promises us wisdom and understanding. We have to read it and I become concerned how you could do that not believing. I don't understand the why's of everything that God does. I know that I glory in the fact that He deals with imperfect people who seek wholeheartedly after Him. I am grateful that the God that you attempt to paint does not exist. He is not horrible, evil, nor wicked.
And again...when you avoid painting the whole picture, I am forced to pick up the slack, and that usually involves pointing out the negative. If you were TRULY objective, you would point out the good WITH the bad. A perfect example would be the Exodus comment you just made.
God also gives us hope. I know He has the ability to strike me down, and by anything but the blood of Jesus and Him in me, he has every right to treat me most horribly. Nevertheless, I find He deals with me in love and compassion.
The Bible asks and wants us to realize that we can echo the same, "Oh, death, where is thy sting?" In addition, Psalm 23 tells us that we can have peace in death. I say with the greatest love for anyone I can have, the deaths of my loved ones were preciously sweet. He gives grace even in death. How much more so through the deaths of His saints? I think that is simply how He is, and Who He is. Yes, many Israelites died, but He tells us that precious in His sight are the death of His saints. It is we who paint death as black. Gates of pearl, streets of gold, no pain, crying, separation from Him, no more death or dying, mansions, rejoicing, music more glorious than we have ever heard, glorious sights that we could never look upon in this earthly body...Heaven! Those fleeing Egypt made it to the Promised Land, DV.
The first time Pharoah hardened his heart, it was of his own accord. When God hardened his heart, He was saying, in effect, "Do as you are determined to do, Pharoah; I AM not changing. I will be the same yesterday, today, and forever."
