Zone1 Do you try to be a better person of faith?

[DennisPTate]

Did he explain parallel universes also ? And the access points here on earth.

Now that is a truly fascinating concept.

One of the best articles that I have ever read that attempts to explain how time is not limited to being one straight line was written by near death experiencer Kevin Williams Ph. D.

I believe that there is even more to this topic though than what this article gets into because there is evidence that there may be more than one version of you, or me, in alternative time lines that may already have taken place.

[Kevin Williams Ph. D.] :

4. The Future is Not Fixed and Can Change​

NDEs repeatedly suggest that the future is not predestinated but it is a living work in progress – responsive to choice, love, and perspective. Across testimonies and research, NDErs report being shown “probable futures” that become a reality the moment a heart, a habit, or a society changes course. Karen Schaeffer, for example, saw one outcome for her children if she stayed in the light; but by returning, she altered that outcome entirely. A subject in Margot Grey’s research was told that even predestined events can be modified by how we encounter them. Howard Storm learned the same lesson at a global scale: collective behavior can tilt the course of history toward catastrophe or healing. Dannion Brinkley was warned that coming troubles were contingent on human choices – and that service for others is the quickest method of change. Dr. George Ritchie received a time-bounded commission that, indirectly, began modern NDE research itself. Ned Dougherty’s “Lady of Light” placed world outcomes in the quiet power of prayerful groups and aligned intention. Taken together, these testimonies portray the future not as fixed fate but as a field of possibilities – one that bends toward the decisions we make, the love we practice, and the courage we bring to each moment.

During Karen Schaeffer’s NDE, she was shown her children’s future as it would exist if she decided to remain in the light. Because she decided to return, the future she was shown did not happen. This suggests that the future is always changing from moment to moment based upon our current actions and decisions. This principle supports quantum mechanic principles." [Kevin Williams]

The Future and the Near-Death Experience - Near-Death Experiences and the Afterlife

Near-Death Experiences and the Afterlife profiles The Future and the Near-Death Experience . Did you enjoy reading this post, we have more!

near-death.com

 

[Stann]

Now that is a truly fascinating concept.

One of the best articles that I have ever read that attempts to explain how time is not limited to being one straight line was written by near death experiencer Kevin Williams Ph. D.

I believe that there is even more to this topic though than what this article gets into because there is evidence that there may be more than one version of you, or me, in alternative time lines that may already have taken place.

Clue : The Van Allen Radiation Belts are the pathway connections. Been there , done that.

 

[DennisPTate]

Clue : The Van Allen Radiation Belts are the pathway connections. Been there , done that.

Wow!

Based on researching near death experience accounts since 1990 I actually have a glimmer of a clue as to what you are talking about and................. Wow!!!!

 

[task0778]

Do you try to be a better person of faith?​

I am trying to be a better person, but faith has nothing to do with it.

 

[Stann]

Wow!

Based on researching near death experience accounts since 1990 I actually have a glimmer of a clue as to what you are talking about and................. Wow!!!!

I followed the flow. You have to be totally open to the experience. No fear allowed.

 

[sparky]

Did he explain parallel universes also ?

not that i know of Stann

~S~

 

[Stann]

Do you try to be a better person of faith?​

I am trying to be a better person, but faith has nothing to do with it.

I understand , but you do have faith in yourself , not religion. And as far as I'm concerned that's best.

 

[Meriweather]

For starters, spiritual hubris that eventually becomes self-aggrandizing sanctimony and self-righteousness.

The Bible calls out several examples of this within the priesthood and church congregations and individual believers.

In other words, the truly sanctimonious and self-righteous avoids others with the same traits and keep to themselves?

 

[BreezeWood]

Perfectionist not possible in this world. The math doesn't add up.

perfect is a non word, nothing or any being is what does not exist -

monotheism is all in the heavens are equal having become pure, triumph over evil the depth of their knowledge is all that separates them.

 

[my2¢]

I try to be better at my faith through reading the Bible and listening to sermons and taking heed the best I can. The question of faith brings to my mind doubting Thomas:

But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.”

A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.”

(John 20:24-29)

 

[MostBoringManInTheWorld]

In other words, the truly sanctimonious and self-righteous avoids others with the same traits and keep to themselves?

Say what you want, but I don't hold my beliefs or opinions over others.

Yes, I do avoid the truly sanctimonious and self-righteous, but I don't keep to myself.

Ever since leaving the church over 20 years ago, I have seen more good from people in the world through various jobs and endeavors.

And I am currently involved in helping my local community with other like-minded people who are not held down by any one faith or belief system or any at all and are just committed to doing good for all people, unlike the various religious communities I was involved in for the first 30 years of my life that pretty much kept to themselves and just pontificated and preached but really did not do much of anything except raise money at every service basically for upkeep of their spiritual country clubs and to pay the leaders.

I was actually one of the nonpaid leaders in my last church, and I have to say, that was a very eye-opening time, both regarding the holier-than-thou attitudes of my colleagues and even myself to an extent, as I got caught up in that a little bit.

In my life and experience, I have found the most religious people to be the most uptight, legalistic, and judgmental. It is very refreshing and rejuvenating to be free of that burdensome yoke.

 

[Meriweather]

Say what you want, but I don't hold my beliefs or opinions over others.

Yes, I do avoid the truly sanctimonious and self-righteous, but I don't keep to myself.

I was joking! It crossed my mind that we could be too self-righteous and sanctimonious to be around others who we regard as self-righteous and sanctimonious because we place ourselves above all that. We live in a fallen world and going to church does not mitigate that fact.

Joking aside, I did get your meaning. It called to mind the well-known Gospel story of a few weeks ago about the Pharisee and the tax collector. One went to the temple more or less to worship his own status and works whereas the other was placing God above himself.

Like you, if I found myself in a church where people were placing their own importance over God, I would find another community to join in worship. Corinthian tells us we are all merely the temples of God....it is good when we all come together for worship of God--but never to pat ourselves on our own backs.

 

[MostBoringManInTheWorld]

I was joking! It crossed my mind that we could be too self-righteous and sanctimonious to be around others who we regard as self-righteous and sanctimonious because we place ourselves above all that. We live in a fallen world and going to church does not mitigate that fact.

Joking aside, I did get your meaning. It called to mind the well-known Gospel story of a few weeks ago about the Pharisee and the tax collector. One went to the temple more or less to worship his own status and works whereas the other was placing God above himself.

Like you, if I found myself in a church where people were placing their own importance over God, I would find another community to join in worship. Corinthian tells us we are all merely the temples of God....it is good when we all come together for worship of God--but never to pat ourselves on our own backs.

I was wondering if you were joking, especially with your blinking emoji!

But I wanted to splain myself nonetheless.

But I wholeheartedly agree with you here.

Another great example is the prayer closet, and I have heard more than a few prayers that are more lectures and admonishments and callouts rather than true prayer and communication and humble supplication to God.

 

[Meriweather]

Another great example is the prayer closet, and I have heard more than a few prayers that are more lectures and admonishments and callouts rather than true prayer and communication and humble supplication to God.

In the Catholic Mass we have the General Intercessions after the homily, where the response is, "Lord hear our prayer." I've come to loathe that, because too often it is phrased (lightly) as a political opinion. Not only that, I am not in favor of us telling God what to do. So...when it starts, "We pray for world leaders..." my quiet, unheard response is not "Lord hear our prayer" it is, "May world leaders bless the Lord." Whatever the petition is, my response is, May___________ bless the Lord. That is my prayer because as God blesses us, I feel it is vital we also bless Him. We're in church where we celebrate all he has done/is doing for us. Can't we at least bless Him?

Anyway, I get irritation with the usually minor aspects of community worship, when not everything goes my way.

 

[buttercup]

I noticed that a number of people on this thread said that they "try to be a better person regardless of faith." That's how a lot of people think.

But here's the thing...(And I know this will be controversial, but hear me out, lol)

Trying to be a "good person" on your own is not the way to go about it, and it's putting the cart before the horse.

Here is the important point, and Jesus stated this emphatically: you must be born again.

At the moment of spiritual birth, a true and radical inner change occurs. You become a new creation, with a new heart, a new spirit, a new mindset, a new perspective...everything is new. (2 Cor 5:17) And you're sealed with the Spirit, you become a true son or daughter of God. Adopted into God's family. And that's just the beginning. From that day on, if you abide in Jesus, you continue to grow, learn and be transformed, through the years, for as long as you're alive.

Before spiritual birth, we are in our natural state, and our natural state is fallen. You can try to be a "good person" through your own strength, but until that regeneration and renewal happens (Titus 3:5) it's not going to work. It might work insofar as meeting the world's standard, but the only standard that truly matters is God's standard. And NO ONE can meet God's standard on their own.

There's a truly awesome spoken word video that I've shared before, about the Gospel in 5 minutes. In the video he says that what people do or what empty religion does, through doing good deeds etc, is like "spraying perfume on a corpse."

So ultimately, it's not about from going from bad to good, but from death to life. And I might catch a lot of flak for what I'm about to say, but in my view life does not truly begin until one comes to God. And that reminds me of some lyrics from a beautiful song by Brooke Fraser called Day is Dimming, where she says: "Cause my life only began when I heard you call my name..."

 

[pal]

As I said, you are of the world and not of God. You believe in and follow yourself, not God.

But on a large scale, there are trust in atheism.
But many believe.
But large scale have sports interests, and non-sports think more and are more.
A lot of faith available.