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Steps to finding God; And my prayers
Topic Started: Sep 10 2009, 05:59 AM (1,193 Views)
Mike
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I'm worried sick for the souls of many of my friends here. so rather than sit on my hands and do nothing, I'm offering up a few steps that you might take, in a journey to salvation. I'm not posting this to offend, but rather in love and hope. Just ignore my continued prayers and entries if this is not for you. I hope and pray that you all take a step forward, but will never try to force the issue. This is my gift to you, whether you are in the receiving mood or not. Every journey has a beginning, so step 1 below is a good place to start...in my opinion. There are only five steps listed, and I believe if followed, you will be on your way to salvation.


1. Seek humility first

If you feel stuck in your spiritual search, set aside the search for God per se and seek humility instead. The importance of this step cannot be overstated. Pride is one of the most effective ways to block God out of our lives. Throw all your efforts into becoming a more humble person. For inspiration, read up on people throughout history who were known for their humility. If you're not exactly sure what true humility involves (I definitely wasn't), this is an excellent article that explains that humility is not the same thing as low self esteem or thinking that you're bad.

2. Go on a cynicism fast

Commit to a period of time during which you'll fast from all sources of cynicism.: give up watching TV shows or tuning into radio programs that make jokes at other people's expense (even if it's about celebrities or politicians)... try to change the subject or say something positive if such conversations come up in person and avoid making cynical jokes or comments yourself. You might be surprised at how much this fast will transform your heart.

3. Read the great Christian authors

While a transformation of heart, a turning of the soul toward God, is the most critical step in opening ourselves to God, it's also important to realize that seeking God does not mean setting aside logic and reason; as I mentioned in this post, quite the contrary is true. Asking tough questions and hearing what the great Christian thinkers have said on the matter will only bring you closer to God. Some authors I recommend are C.S. Lewis, G.K. Chesterton, Thomas Aquinas and Augustine of Hippo.

4. Do this experiment

I believe that God's existence can be "proven" in a certain sense, as long as you understand that God = Love, and what you're trying to prove is Love itself. This is not something you can know about from analyzing data or reading books alone. To get the "proof" that you seek, you must enter the laboratory of your heart, and actually conduct the experiment... live, for a while, as if God did exist. Pray. Follow the Ten Commandments. Show love and kindness to everyone, even your enemies. Read the Bible. Give God the thanks and honor and respect you would show him if he did exist. As Pascal suggested, just try it for a while, and see what happens.

5. Pray frequently

This is by far the most important step. I know... you feel like you're talking to yourself. You don't see the point of it. But there is no substitution for humbly, regularly turning toward God with an open mind and an open heart. If you're stuck for words, consider reciting something like the Prayer of St. Francis, or just pray, "God, I want to find you. Show me how. I'm listening."


The bottom line is this: seek, and you shall find.

This statement is true. If you understand what it really means to seek (using both your mind and your heart).. and if you understand that the finding part doesn't necessarily happen immediately, that you're beginning the long process of building a relationship that will continue to grow and change for the rest of your life, you will find God.

I have quite a bit of experience in counseling those with doubt, fear, or other issues that have kept them from a relationship with God. So feel free to PM me if you need any help. And of course, all such exchanges are in kept strictly in confidence.

Mike
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ngc1514
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Finding god? Didn't know he was lost.

Why step 3? What happens if you read the great Jewish authors like Maimonides? Will you find the Jewish god?

Isn't your step 3 presupposing the Christian god is the only one?

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Mike
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I'm proposing that you and others follow all five steps. Each one will help you find God. Are you interested in finding god, or simply discussing the steps I've proposed?

If you are interested in finding God, then why not participate. If you are not, then we don't have anything further to discuss on the plan. What I have proposed is a process that has been successful with many others and I believe it will be successful for you and others who decide they want to find God. I will be praying for you tonight.
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ngc1514
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What makes you think I haven't tried the steps in the past, Mike? I went through a couple year period in my late teens/early 20's that overlapped my time in Vietnam where I actively sought out god.

He wasn't home or not responding.
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Mike
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I'm sorry to hear that NG. Sometimes it takes an extra effort, and I do hope you avail yourself of this plan. I'm not being cynical and disrespect.. and judging is not my intent. Please accept this as a sincere effort on my part, with only the best of intentions ... I really and truly care.
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Banandangees
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Quote:
 
1. Seek humility first

If you feel stuck in your spiritual search, set aside the search for God per se and seek humility instead. The importance of this step cannot be overstated.


Humility. This is a step I need to work on and seems a great first step. I am not humble. My son is humble.. always has been, born out of a self image problem and lack of self confidence. His humility stayed but his self confidence grew as he identified and applied his talents which are totally different from mine. He has also developed a great confidence in his spiritual matters, mostly through his own efforts and study. For him the other steps you mention seem to have come more easily for him than they have for me as I have not grown through the years to being very humble.

Mike, thanks for your suggestions. It sure won't hurt to try. Step 1 won't be easy for me to master right away. It will need work and effort on my part.
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Mike
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:bang: I forgot to link the humility article...

Here it is in it's entirety.. I'm going to spend a significant amount of time working on my own lack of humility. It is a muscle that weakens rather quickly when not exercised on a regular basis. :smile:

_____________________________________________
Being a Man of Humility
By Maurice Blumberg


I once asked a group of men whether being a “man of humility” was a high priority in their lives. The answer for the most part was a resounding “No.” To help better understand why there were so many negative responses, we did a word association. “OK men, what words come to mind when you hear the word humility?” Although there were a few positive associations put forth, most of them were negative. Here are some of the word associations that were suggested: weak, wimpy, timid, doormat, meek, low self-image, low self-esteem, shy, quiet, and unassuming.

Webster’s Seventh New Collegiate Dictionary defines humility as “the quality or state of being humble; absence of pride or self-assertion” and humble as “1. not proud or haughty, not arrogant or assertive, 2. reflecting, expressing, or offered in a spirit of deference or submission, 3. ranking low in some hierarchy or scale, insignificant, unpretentious.”

No wonder humility is not a character trait that men typically seek after. We certainly think these are important attributes of saints or full-time clergy or other “Religious.” But as men who are deeply enmeshed in the daily battles of life (and our families) –no thanks. But why is this so? Perhaps, it is because humility often gets confused with being weak-willed or timid or feeling bad about ourselves. But I believe that as we come to more clearly understand the meaning of true humility, we will see that it reflects strength of character, not weakness of character.

So let’s try to get our arms around “true humility,” especially from a Christian perspective and let’s see if it is a character trait that is masculine and one that men should seek after. Here are what I believe are ten attributes of true humility:

1. True humility enables us to honestly recognize whom we are as finite humans compared to the infinite majesty of God (i.e., who we are relative to who God is). It allows us to see ourselves as God sees us.

2. True humility is not a matter of downcast weakness but of a strong determination to let God work in and through us, not by our own power but by the working of his power—not by our wisdom but according to the wisdom of his plans and purposes.

3. True humility frees us from pretense and delusion about ourselves; it strips away whatever would mask our identity as God’s beloved children.

4. True humility allows us to see our sins and weaknesses and still know Jesus’ overwhelming love for us.

5. True humility recognizes that all of our talents, virtues, and gifts come from God.

6. True humility allows the Lord to strip away any sense that we are the sole authors of our lives.

7. True humility allows the Lord to empty us of self-determination so that we can live in obedience to his will and his commands. And the more we are emptied of self-love, the more we can let Jesus’ light shine through us.

8. True humility frees us to do the works of God to bring glory to Jesus not to ourselves.

9. True humility leads us to lay down our lives for others—especially those in our family and those in need—and to do so boldly

10. True humility tries to point others to Jesus and not to ourselves.

Scriptures and Humility

The Bible also has a lot to say about humility. Here are some scriptures that tie humility to wisdom:

James 3:13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.

Proverbs 11:2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.

Here are some scriptures that tie humility to honor:

Proverbs 18:12 Before his downfall a man's heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.

Proverbs 22:4 Humility and the fear of the LORD bring wealth and honor and life.

The bible also distinguishes between false humility, which is a form of pride, and true humility (see Colossians 2:18-23).

Growing as a Man of Humility

Did you notice that none of the attributes of humility listed above, or the Scripture references, reflect weakness of character, but actually reflect strength of character? Also, none of the attributes or Scripture references has anything to do with being weak or wimpy. On the contrary, humility is a very masculine attribute as it was for Jesus and John the Baptist (see article in this e-zine called “John the Baptist, A Man of Humility”).

As you review and reflect on the attributes of humility, ask the Lord to show you which ones he wants you to develop more deeply in your own life. I’d suggest starting with two or three that strike you as applying most to you. Then define some steps you can take to incorporate that attribute into your everyday life. Pray each day for the grace and strength to be faithful to your plans. You may be surprised in how the Lord works in your life and transforms you more and more into his image and likeness, that is, into a man of humility.

Conclusion

Christlike humility has been called the “queen of virtues” because through it we are freed from self-centeredness and compelled to love God and neighbor. The humble of heart know that nothing can separate us from the love of God except our own stubborn pride and willfulness.

As you ask the Lord in prayer to help you grow in true humility, don’t be surprised when he asks you to be both humble and bold, especially as you point other people to Jesus and not to yourself. Don’t be surprised to see Jesus’ life increasing in you. For as you decrease, Jesus’ life in you will surely increase.

“Lord Jesus, I surrender my life into your hands knowing how dependent I am on you for everything. I ask for the grace and the strength to be more like you. Help me to see myself as you see me. May you increase in me so that I may draw others to you.”



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Mike
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"For whoever is begotten by God conquers the world. And the victory that conquers the world is our faith." (1 John 5:4)

O Lord, teach me to seek you, and reveal yourself to me when I seek you. For I cannot seek you unless you first teach me,
nor find you unless you first reveal yourself to me. Let me seek you in longing, and long for you in seeking. Let me find you in love, and love you in finding. O Lord, bless these precious souls with a thirst for knowing you, reawaken the longing we all have for you presence, and pour forth your love and overwhelming grace on those who seek you in their lives.

Amen
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Mike
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Prayer is the soul's sincere desire,
Unuttered or expressed;
The motion of a hidden fire
That trembles in the breast.

Prayer is the burden of a sigh,
The falling of a tear
The upward glancing of an eye,
When none but God is near.

Prayer is the simplest form of speech
That infant lips can try;
Prayer the sublimest strains that reach
The Majesty on high.

Prayer is the contrite sinner's voice,
Returning from his ways,
While angels in their songs rejoice
And cry, "Behold, he prays!"

Prayer is the Christian's vital breath,
The Christian's native air,
Our watchword at the gates of death;
We enter heaven with prayer.

The saints in prayer appear as one
In word and deed and mind,
While with the Father and the Son
Sweet fellowship they find.

Nor prayer is made by man alone,
The Holy Spirit pleads,
And Jesus on the eternal throne
For sinners intercedes.

O Thou, by Whom we come to God,
The Life, the Truth, the Way;
The path of prayer Thyself hast trod:
Lord, teach us how to pray!

--James Montgomery, 1818
__________________________________________________________________________________________
O Lord, I beseech thee to have compassion and mercy for those who seek you, yet struggle to know you. Open their hearts and bless them with courage to take these baby steps. In your Son's name I pray.

Amen
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Mike
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In Psalm 19 David proclaimed:

"The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night showeth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard."

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