| Jan 23, 2006 @ 11:50 AM |
Your idea of heaven
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kattsmeow
Posts: 21,272
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The ideology of "heaven" is merely a reflection of the ego's fear of physical death for it knows that when the body dies, it dies, too
I for one am not afraid of dieing.
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| Jan 23, 2006 @ 12:00 PM |
Your idea of heaven |
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kattsmeow
Posts: 21,272
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 That is sweet. Hm, now, I do love a good fire out side with hotdogs and marshmallows!!!! Think of all the grandkids running around us,,while we just sit and think,,,,glad we can send these home with their parents!!!!! 
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| Jan 23, 2006 @ 12:09 PM |
Your idea of heaven
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waiting41
Posts: 1,926
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You know Waiting.....won't just "think" it.....she'll be yellin', "HEY, DON'T YA THINK IT'S PAST THESE KIDS BEDTIMES!!!!! THEY'RE LOOKIN' KINDA SLEEPY TO ME!!!" and then the old folks can relax and laugh and watch a movie and  without my daughter complaining about it around HER kids. And we can complain about everything WE don't like about how THEY are raisin' them youngins.
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| Jan 23, 2006 @ 8:25 PM |
Your idea of heaven |
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Kimmaranclh
Posts: 132
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I envision heaven as a place where we can all be together. With our loved ones that have passed and there's no fighting..just peace.
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| Jan 23, 2006 @ 9:15 PM |
Your idea of heaven
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Angel54214
Posts: 14,056
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...and Angel be so happy not to work so hard every day. I can instead reap my goodness of rewards and write beautiful poetry of all the pretty things I seen on earth. Play my harmonica to everyone and have lots of Angel food cake.... 
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| Jan 23, 2006 @ 10:53 PM |
Your idea of heaven |
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sirdidymus
Posts: 1,087
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Hi ServantofChrist
Hi! I choose to follow a vegan diet (no meat, dairy, eggs). On a personal level - i would love if the whole world too, was vegetarian/vegan. However, i'm also aware that the best way to assure that someone won't become vegetarian - is for me to get in their face about it, claiming some sort of moral high fiber - trying to make someone feel like they're doing something wrong, just because they don't follow what i've decided works for me, on a personal basis.
No, if i really feel in my heart that strongly about the issue - the best thing i could do, is lead by example, and respect that just as I took my time before deciding to become vegan, everyone else has the same privilege to make their own choices - without any type of condemnation from anyone else.
I really do think that in your heart, you mean well - and regardless of whether or not i agree with your specific views - please know that i admire your conviction and passion for your beliefs. I don't know if you realize, when writing some of the things that you do - how very strong those words come across.
Here is my suggestion for food for thought, and you are certainly welcome to take or leave this. Think to yourself - very deeply - what is more important? Is it (a) more important that you express your views or (b) is the message you are trying to convey, perhaps more important than your need to express that message. If, by any chance, your answer would be "b" - then it would prudent to think about the best way to deliver that message - and when you attempt to deliver the message in a certain manner - people won't "hear" the message, so then it becomes a point of ...really ... what is the purpose of trying to communicate that message to begin with.
you don't think it's terribly important if there's an "afterlife" or not?
Seriously?
this is leading the witness. When you ask that question, are you looking for someone's honest opinion on the matter - or - are you trying to lead them to answer in the way that you feel would be most appropriate?
You've been given the opportunity to remain "alive" in an absolutely "perfect" place; with absolutely no concerns; forever...and you don't think it's "important"???
Again, you're not actually asking for someone's view - you're basically, albeit in a question form, pretty much telling someone what "they should" think is important.
Has your life has been so entirely miserable that you're not able to envision yourself being "alive" in an environment seemingly tailored to meet your ever-lasting happiness?
Just asking? (Definitely not "judging". *grin*)
Indeed, you're not asking at all - you're being insulting by insinuating that just because someone doesn't share your view - that it must equate with someone having a miserable life
So again, with everything above, what ...really...is the point of your post? Is it to ask an honest question in hopes of an honest reply? Is it to lead the witness to what you would want them to say/believe? Is it to try and get a blessed message across that you feel you want to share with fellow human beings? I think it makes sense to tailor your emails to suite whichever it is that mirrors, most closely, your true intentions.
Peace,
Andy
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| Jan 24, 2006 @ 2:52 AM |
Your idea of heaven
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warrior674
Posts: 4,973
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I honestly can't get much beyond the darkness or the light. The thought of an afterlife kind of scares me. Other than seeing faces of the past or souls of the future, I really don't have an idea.
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| Jan 24, 2006 @ 7:25 AM |
Your idea of heaven |
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ServantOfChrist2
Posts: 4,164
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Okay,
God bless you, (the reader).
While it is NOT my intention to use these forums soley as a vehicle for expressing my own opinions; by rising to the occasion and responding to your questions, that is precisely what I AM doing.
But for general clarity...
It's very difficult to "lead by witness" here---unless I choose to talk about myself more.
To me, this is an unattractive option. (But it certainly is something I ask for your forgiveness + pardon for doing.)
In first-person interaction, (when my actions are able to speak for themselves), it is an ever-conscious desire on my behalf to let my actions speak for themselves.
But because of the nature of this medium, it is very difficult to do that.
And I beg the understanding of others in this regard.
I confess to not completely understanding the final part of your post.
It is my intention to respond to the questions put before each of us as contained in the question. (The title of the Post??)
Admittedly, it is my intent to "try" to tell others of "the Truth" as expressed in the Bible. (Or at least, MY take on that "Truth".)
I do not mean to be insulting.
Are we to feel offended by the words in anyone else's post if the thoughts expressed THERE do not agree with our own??
Certainly not!
That is how we learn.
We expand our knowledge.
Are the intentions of "other" authors questioned as critically?
Or is it only because of the subject matter contained in these posts with reference to the Bible?
If someone writes as I do concerning THEIR opinions about pre-marital sex, do they face questioning about their motives?
Andy, if I have completely missed your question, please forgive me. My intentions are not adversarial in-nature.
Peace.
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| Jan 24, 2006 @ 7:27 AM |
Your idea of heaven
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Greystone1
Posts: 1,677
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It occurs to me that religious people, instead of presenting a reason to believe, present a reason to want to believe. Wanting something to be true does not make it true.
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| Jan 24, 2006 @ 12:38 PM |
Your idea of heaven |
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sirdidymus
Posts: 1,087
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Hey ServantofChrist,
My previous question(s) aren't really ones in expectance of answers - rather, they were something to provoke inner contemplation as i think we could all do well to think about - before giving our opinions on a subject.
I know that you mentioned that this medium is not an easy one to live by example. On that note - i'll offer this, sometimes subtlety speaks volumes. Sometimes not speaking one's views speaks louder and leads by a greater example than does any action at all. Sometimes just giving your opinions, in various threads - softly, might make someone go "hmmm...." and think to themself - and that is all we could ever ask for. However, if you speak loudly and boldy, you're very likely to chase someone away by causing them to "shut down" from your message - and in that sense, saying nothing at all - would have been better than to voice your message.
there's no wrong or right but there is the matter of being judicious in picking and choosing our moments and how we best handle those moments.
Like you said, sometimes you'll have an open forum when you have a reader like me who, regardless of agreeing or not, will be interested to hear more on the topic and ask you questions without bashing. If however, i've interpreted your view as muddled, i'd be less like to bother asking questions to begin with - nothing good, nothing bad, just human nature stuff.
Personally, i'll generally - never get offended simply by someone's opinion differeing from my own. However i would be more likely to get offended if the words used are offensive or if it seems like they are trying to "lead me" to their opinion or "invalidate" my views (see my previous post for examples). True learning means to appreciate not only each person's views, but their right/privilege to have those views - when you hold that in your heart - i believe the rest of communication will happen naturally.
Often times we learn (whether it be anything, cooking, religion, academics, etc.) because it's fun, purposeful, enlightening - however, if those conditions aren't met, as humans - we'll "shut down" and not be capable of learning anything further on the subject.
You are DEFINITELY going to get people that discount your posts, based on exactly what you said, because it's from the Bible - and that's ok, people can't be forcefed religion (wars have been fought and people tortured over this). But sometimes you'll have people that even though they might not agree, will listen and ask questions - no to bash, but just to exchange open communication.
Peace,
Andy
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| Jan 24, 2006 @ 12:50 PM |
Your idea of heaven
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sirdidymus
Posts: 1,087
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It occurs to me that religious people, instead of presenting a reason to believe, present a reason to want to believe. Wanting something to be true does not make it true.
i'm not "religious" but, reasons to believe - that's easy and the list is endless
birds flying in unison across the sky, migrating thousands of miles - from one side of the globe to anoterh - just by instinct alone
our body's ability to heal, how these cells just "know" how to work, where to go to function
the consciousness that permeates in our head - that has to come from somewhere
how a tree grows from a tiny little seed to a grandoise tree in a forest
the fact that we're here at all - as the odds against humanity existing are astronomical - but here we are...
so, personally speaking, there is a limitless amount of reasons to believe
"wanting something to be true" - that would seem to be the very basis of faith - can't imagine where we as a society would be without it. since the beginning of humanity, we've been "seeking" "searching" - i can't imagine that's by accident, it would seem we're searching for something. Other animals don't do this - only humans....something to think about..
peace,
andy
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| Jan 24, 2006 @ 12:50 PM |
Your idea of heaven |
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TiNkErGrRrRrR
Posts: 13,791
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 What is heaven? Heaven is beyond the limits of birth and death, unswayed by the rhythm of day and night; it is not of the earth.
Heaven is fulfilled in your body,and in your heart.The sea is beating its drums in joy, the flowers are a-tiptoe to kiss you. For heaven is born in you, in the arms of the mother-dust.
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| Jan 24, 2006 @ 12:57 PM |
Your idea of heaven
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ILLLOOK
Posts: 315
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Heaven is My Lords making and me only having the thoughts of a human have no idea but I can't wait to get there.
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| Jan 24, 2006 @ 12:59 PM |
Your idea of heaven |
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waiting41
Posts: 1,926
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Heaven can wait. 
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| Jan 24, 2006 @ 1:14 PM |
Your idea of heaven
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PerhapsLove
Posts: 643
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Heaven will be all of my friends - including glamgrl - in the same ballroom.
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| Jan 24, 2006 @ 1:51 PM |
Your idea of heaven |
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TiNkErGrRrRrR
Posts: 13,791
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 Heaven's just a sin away
wo-oh
Just a sin away,
Don't think I can wait
another day.
I was never that strong,
the devil's got me now,
wo-oh
Heaven's just a sin away.
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| Jan 26, 2006 @ 12:35 AM |
Your idea of heaven
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Curahee
Posts: 9
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Heaven is probably the only place where the Saints will ever win the Super Bowl.
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| Jan 27, 2006 @ 5:44 AM |
Your idea of heaven |
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sciurusniger
Posts: 2,959
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Not exactly like that, ibid, but close enough. And I have sat enough "death watches" (for both humans and animals), had enough "knowing" about another's passing, and had enough contact with those who have already left this world to know your experience was real.
We are all connected. So to me it is not the least bit unusual to hear (again) that someone who cares deeply about another takes the time to comfort them as they leave, and perhaps more importantly, that the other person is able to receive their message. Call it heaven or whatever you will, there is far, far more to life than what we typically know.
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| Jan 29, 2006 @ 9:31 AM |
Your idea of heaven
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ibid
Posts: 8
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Sciurusniger, would like to hear more about your experiences regarding life after life. You're so right, we know so little, but at least I'm convinced there's nothing to fear "over there".
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| Jan 29, 2006 @ 9:48 AM |
Your idea of heaven |
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sciurusniger
Posts: 2,959
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Ibid, I've posted some of my views earlier in this thread. Perhaps in other ones, too?
My own experiences are mainly the memories. Being with someone, often under very mundane circumstances, but there comes a split second when the "veil between the worlds" suddenly lifts and there is a deep and infinite knowing that accompanies an actual vision, rather like seeing a snapshot in a photo album, of where and how I've known the other person in other lifetimes.
It is also possible to touch that which lies beyond our physical senses during meditation. To allow and feel the soul drift out beyond the Self and its Earthly ties and feel what can only be called the "One", the ever-lasting and never-ending, boundless collective. And it is there that we can see the futility of living in fear and with the ideas of limits and scarcity. It creates an understanding that really cannot be put into words, but instead is a surety that, for lack of a better description, "god is in heaven and all is right with the world".
Does this help?
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