Sunday sermons

[bladespark]

I used to post these all the time. I thought I might try and get back into the habit, though I doubt I'll manage to post one every single Sunday. Just whenever something from church particularly inspires me to thought.

I'm posting this unlocked, and I ask that whether you agree or disagree with my views, that you please keep things civil in the comments. I'm normally very private about this sort of thing, and I'm giving you guys reading this a lot of trust by posting it for you all to see. Please don't abuse that trust. As Thumper's mother said, "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all."



There was a lesson at church a few weeks ago, about revelation, and the teacher said "God speaks to all men." Now "men" here doesn't mean "males" it means men in the sense of mankind, of all humanity. And I was thinking about this idea, that God speaks to everyone. I don't think it's a commonly held belief. I think most religions teach, or at least assume, that God speaks only to some certain group of the chosen. But I really do think that God speaks to all of us.

Some of you are probably going "But God has never said anything to me." Well, in the Gospel According To SPark (which is most of the stuff I post, this is always my opinion, not any kind of official doctrine) there are two reasons for that. One was addressed by the same teacher with the quote "God never uses a floodlight when a flashlight will do." Ie. He's not going to descend from on high with a chorus of angels to tell you something that He can say with a little spark of quiet inspiration in your heart. I think many of those moments of small yet profound wonder that we experience are from God.

The second reason we don't always hear God speaking to us is because we don't want to. Do you think, if God spoke to you, that He'd say "You're right about everything you believe, and you're doing the right thing in everything that you do, you're perfect, just carry on as is"? Yeah, no. God always calls us to be better than we are. Even if you're Mother Theresa or some other saintly, devoted, godly sort, there's always something you could improve. But God doesn't force that on us. If we don't want Him to call us to be better and kinder and less lazy and more inspired, then He won't. We have our free will, and how much God we want in our lives is entirely up to us. Though even those who reject God completely aren't rejected by Him, I think. I think He still sends them those moments of wonder, because in the end what God wants is for us to be happy, fulfilled, and accomplished people, who live up to our potential, and who reach out to those around us and help them as well. So within the limits that we ourselves allow, God does what He can to help each of us be that sort of person.


And on the subject of reaching out, I'm opening this post up for question asking. I tried formspring once, but I never did get any questions. :) Not "popu-fur" enough, I think. But anyhow, you can ask questions about the little sermon there, or about my religion, or about me personally, my business, my art, whatever. Any question you like. All questions are guaranteed an answer, though no answers are guaranteed to be the answer you hoped to get. :)

Comments

[xianghua.livejournal.com]

I wish there was a 'like' button on facebook, beacuse I think this post needs some Likes. :)

[wolfmare.livejournal.com]

There was a point last year where, for some reason I couldn't quite say, I felt like I *had* to go out to the skating rink... But when we got there, I didn't really feel like skating, but felt compelled to stay.

A girl fell and broke her leg, I was the first person to stop beside her and the only one to keep her calm until the EMTs arrived.

So... Yes, I agree. Instead of being forceful, some things come as a nudge. I've felt the same kind of odd compulsion to talk to random people, only to find out they're having a very rough time and that something I said or was able to do helped to make it better. I think, no matter what a person's outlook is on religion, spirituality, or life, if everyone were open to those little nudges in the right direction the world would be a much better place.

[unspeakablevorn.livejournal.com]

There was a lesson at church a few weeks ago, about revelation, and the teacher said "God speaks to all men." Now "men" here doesn't mean "males" it means men in the sense of mankind, of all humanity. And I was thinking about this idea, that God speaks to everyone. I don't think it's a commonly held belief. I think most religions teach, or at least assume, that God speaks only to some certain group of the chosen. But I really do think that God speaks to all of us.

Actually, I find, at least among evangelizing religions (including LDS and most "street preachers" I know of), that this belief is relatively common! (the plural of anecdote is not data, I know, hush) On the other hand, the Catholic Church -- actually I suspect this was part of the causes of the Reformation -- assumed a difference between the clergy and the laity (I love using that word). Which is where the whole latin mass thing comes from too!

[lilsongbird.livejournal.com]

I see religion within it`s historical context so I do tend to see God speaks to all men as refering mainly to the male sex. Historically women were kept out of the church and even now many churchs limit the amount of authority of women in the church... it`s slowly changing, but I disagree about your interpretation about what he meant by that. I think he did really mean men, which is what bothers me with organized religion.

I do agree with your thoughts on how God or whatever higher power you believe in communicates though... small sparks of intition, vs "Hi I'm God". I find myself inherently skeptical of those who claim they saw Jesus and talked to him. Not to say I don't think he's not real. I believe he was real... hundreds of years ago. Who knows? Maybe I'm wrong, but small nudges make much more sense.

Anyways, hope you understand what I'm saying, both agreeing and disagreeing :)

[chiscringle.livejournal.com]

I was smote once...

I'm still an atheist, but when I was a somewhat less introverted atheist I once said that if God wanted me to believe in him, he'd do something useful like give me a ham sandwich when I'm hungry. I quickly amended that to turkey, because I don't much like ham.

For the next two weeks, whenever I went to a deli to order a sandwich, I got ham instead of turkey no matter how clearly I said the word. From then on, I decided that I'd mind my own Ps and Qs and let God get on with keeping the universe from imploding. So far that seems to have worked out.

[rain-oubliette.livejournal.com]

To paraphrase Lily Tomlin, "Why is it when we talk to God it's praying but when God talks to us, it means we're crazy?"

I'm more of a deist, so though I don't think God talks specifically to us, I do think He leaves us notes tacked to the fridge. EXAMPLE: I have a friend who *constantly* complains that she has NO inspiration to create art. I don't how she can be like that as I see it everywhere (as in they're God's little notes). This morning's sunrise was amazing! I would love to be able to sit and paint it! (My paint would freeze, though - the curse of the watercolorist.) I don't think she picks up on the notes. :(

[silveradept]

Without getting into matters that are oathbound or otherwise restricted from being told to the uninitiated, could you describe what happens in a typical "Sunday service"/Shabbat/worship gathering, if there is such a thing?

[springmoone.livejournal.com]

All I've gotta say is, I don't really know you all that well, I lurk a lot... but I absolutely agree with most of your views on religion, specifically Christianity, and I'm just so relieved that there are other Christians out there who are sensible, moderate, spiritual and not batshit insane!It's very refreshing. Every time you post about religion it's just so nice to see that someone on the internet isn't spewing hate everywhere. You respect others but aren't afraid to air your own views, and it's so nice.

I don't really understand LDS (specifically I'm not really sure /why/ the temple rituals and stuff, though I know you're not supposed to talk to them) but each to their own. I'm of the school of Cake or Death (Episcopalian)and it works for me :3