I also have an inner peace no one can infringe on, but I must admit your use of "quotes" is really starting to get to me.

I'm not afraid of death either. It would be nice to live to be 150 but hey, we all gotta die sometime.

I saw a bumper sticker the other day that said, "Jesus is ALIVE!". But nowhere on the bumper sticker did it mention where Jesus was. If he's alive, where is he?

I'm not questioning your happiness. You sound sincere. But I think maybe the "unreachable goal of knowing Jesus" is unreachable because Jesus is dead. I would think it would be impossible to get to know somebody if they're dead.

To me it would be the same as the unreachable goal of knowing Abraham Lincoln. I could know about Abe Lincoln because there's been lots written about him. Also, he wrote lots about himself and his thoughts when he was alive. But it would be hard to actually know him because he died 142 years ago. And as far as I know, nobody has seen him since. So I really can't have a conversation with Lincoln to get to know him because he's dead. And if I was having conversations with him.....well, I'd probably need some serious medication for that.

So I can understand why getting to know Jesus would be an unreachable goal.

I like the image/picture you chose.

I believe Jesus is alive.  He said if a man (or woman) believes in Him He and God and the Holy Spirit will come and make their home in that person.  

Jesus doesn't talk out loud to me but I believe He and God and the Holy Spirit is living in me and in people that believe in Him.

I believe I have a living relationship with me and it is the opposite of gravity in its effects on my inner man.  

The relationship continually opens new rooms to explore in The Word of God and the relationship within.  This is my personal experience and experimental find of the reality of the Scriptures, my spirit, and the Holy Spirit given to me when I was born again of the water and the Spirit.  I find it all to be real.  It is all real to me.  Jesus is real to me.

I can't imagine ever getting bored with this focus or adventure! 

Sounds like you and me are in the same place, just not on the same page.

In the summer of 2007 I find myself sailing through life. And at age 55, just knowing that I've probably only got 20 good years left (if I'm lucky) I'm trying to enjoy as much of it as I can. It's not always easy because problems pop up now and then that need my attention. But so far they've all been little problems.

I don't take expensive vacations or buy a lot of stuff. Just sitting on my front porch with my feet propped up feels good to me. The other night I grabbed a beer from the refrigerator and climbed up on the roof of my house. I took my portable CD player to listened to some "Pink Floyd" while I was up there. I laid back and looked up at the millions of stars above me. I could see Venus on the southern horizon and the half moon in the east. I must have been up there for a couple of hours just gazing into the galaxy.

I somehow feel a connection to the universe. I know that probably sounds corny as hell but it's the only way I know how to describe it. Some people might call that spiritual. I don't know.

I always thought spiritual meant being religious. I'm not religious. So far I haven't found any evidence of a god. And I just don't see the need to even look for it. What's the point? Life is good as it is. I'm a good person. If there's a god out there who wants to punish me for not believing in him, then I don't want to be in his company in the first place. After all, if he's really a good god, then why doesn't he just reveal himself instead of sending millions of people to hell for not believing in him?

So how do I think the universe got here? I don't know. The only thing that I do know for sure is that time is on the move.

Thirty years ago in September of 1977 the US sent a space probe called Voyager into outer space with a message on it that said, "We are the children from planet earth." After 30 years of traveling at 40,000 miles per hour Voyager is just now leaving the solar system and entering deep space.

By the time Voyager approaches the closest star to our solar system, it will be 300,000 years since the night I laid on my roof and gazed at the stars. There will be no trace that the night ever happened or that I ever existed.

Life is short. Enjoy the good stuff.

RickRebel,

Your story reminded me of something I have wondered about - how far can the eye see? You saw Venus for one, so I guess you have that range.

I'm speaking from the perspective of faith which by definition can't be proved. To me it's interesting that the analogy of the sense of sight is used in scriptures to describe faith. The eye of faith can see beyond death - that's father than Venus - but of course it can't be proved.

I haven't seen much that can be proved in these discussions, and I'm not trying to be irritating but fit in with the frankness I like around here. For instance, you say you are happy and I believe it, but really you could only prove it to yourself (which is enough for you).

I have seen people mention here that faith in Jesus or however they described it was tried and didn't work for them. It does work for me but I can only say that honestly but can't prove it.

I can only offer it to those who might believe me as I believe you.

Mephibosheth,

Anybody with normal sight has that range. If you know where to look you can see Venus with the naked eye just standing out in your yard at night. You can also see Saturn and Mars. It's cool.

Like I said earlier, you seem like you're pretty satisfied with life and I think that's great. You say you're happy and I see no reason not to believe you. Enjoying the journey is what's it's all about.

A-fucking-men! 

As you say, that is your perspective. And a perspective is a point of view not necessarily based on facts. In fact, the idea of an evil, invisible force controlling people's thoughts goes against the laws of physics. There's absolutely no evidence that this is happening outside the fantasy of the mind.

What if someone you know sincerely believed that aliens were controlling his thoughts? Would you believe him?

What if somebody told you that Jesus was sending him messages through his dog, or that he saw Satan's face in scrambled eggs? Would you not think this person might be delusional or maybe on drugs?

If you truly have peace of mind and everything is going well in your life, then I'm confused as to why you came into this forum. Are you trying to convince us that your beliefs are real or are you trying to convince yourself?

RickRebel,

It's pretty hard to prove unseen things - such as your happiness and peace. I am speaking from the faith perspective so I feel free to talk about what I experience, admitting it can't be proved, like a lot of unseen things you can't prove either.

As for the examples you gave (alien control, dog channel) - no I wouldn't believe that myself; however I might believe that they believe that.  

Like I said, I am here for understanding. One example is I have read people who said faith in Jesus and God and the Holy Spirit didn't work for them. I am simply sharing that is does work for me.

Yes. There are some things that I can't see. Like air. I can't see air. But, I bet I can find tons of trustworthy evidence from hundreds of years of research by many respected scientists that air molecules do indeed exist.

Also, I've never seen Japan. But I've seen thousands of photos and video of Japan. And I've talked to Japanese people from Japan. I bet I can find tons of trustworthy evidence that Japan does indeed exists.

I've never seen the Land of Oz. But I've seen a book about the Land of Oz and about a Wizard who lives there and a mean witch who does evil things. I've also seen a movie about a little girl who travels to Oz. But I don't have to do research to see whether or not the Land of Oz really exists because my common sense tells me that the story is only a fairy tale.

But what if everybody I knew and trusted believed in the Land of Oz? What if eighty-five percent of the America public, and billions of other people all over the world believed in the Land of Oz? What if I had been told since birth that the Land of Oz was a real place? What if I had always been told that the author of the book and the producer of the movie were inspired by God? What if I was taught by people who worshipped the Wizard that all I have to do is find the yellow brick road and it will lead me to Emerald City where the Wizard will grant all my wishes. Would I believe in Oz then?

Most likely I would. After all, if everybody else believed in a magical land over the rainbow, then I'd probably believe in it too. But hopefully my common sense would help me see that a lack of trustworthy evidence for Oz meant that Emerald City and the Wizard and the witch and the little girl were only make-believe.

Would it still be okay to believe in the fairy tale anyway because it felt good? Sure. But to me, living in the real world makes more sense than living in the world of make-believe. And when stuff makes more sense, life is better.

There is a tutorial on how to use the Quote Function here. 

Enjoy!

It must be kind of crowded in there.   Didn't the churches used to burn people for believing they were inhabited by spirits?

This is confusing me.   You have a living relationship with you?   Is that some kind of dual personality disorder?   The opposite of gravity would be a force that repels matter.   Any force of that kind acting on your "inner man" (once again the dual personality thing) would have pretty disastrous, not to mention messy, effects. 

No doubt it does seem real to you but think about what you have just said.   I've seen things you probably can't imagine that seemed real at the time but on further reflection turned out the result of large doses of psychedelic drugs.   The only other cases I know of where people make such claims they are usually committed as insane.   Imagine you went to a psyciatrist and told him you believed that three other entities were inhabiting your body.   Just because you name these three entities God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit means you can get away with it.

 Good because this adventure is called Life.   I prefer to live it on my own terms, taking responsibility for my actions, making my own decisions and mistakes, trying to learn and improve myself all the while.

Thanks for pointing out this typing error. It should read: I believe I have a living relationship with Jesus.

Yeah, there is that danger of being regarded as insane. Jesus warned of and experienced that accusation.

[MOD EDIT - fixed quotes]

Snafu,

The understanding of bipolar disorder is that the body of the one with the affective disorder stores up "acid" (LSD) and then releases a quanity of it all at once. I have never taken drugs like that but I have experienced what you are talking about - while on a manic high.

For a long time I feared things like you mentioned. This is different.

[MOD EDIT - fixed quotes.  An earlier post indicated you figured out the Quote Function.  Please use it.] 

Snafu,

The understanding of bipolar disorder is that the body of the one with the affective disorder stores up "acid" (LSD) and then releases a quanity of it all at once.

Really?? Who's understanding would that be?

Snafu,

It's been a while since I have read it, but tI think it is in the book "Moodswing" by Dr Fieve.  I have given all my copies (and others I have purchased).  It's out of print now but can be purchased for pennies on Amazon.  He makes the assertion as I remember that LSD was itself discovered by isolating that substance in a manic person.

I might have read it in "An Unquiet Mind" by Dr.Kay Redfield Jameson - considered top authority on bipolar at one time - doctor at John's Hopkins University and also one who has experienced affective disorder, describing it better than I can to myself. 

If you read the descriptions of a person in a manic state in either of those books I bet you will see a similarity to what you referred to with psyc drugs. 

I am not a scientist or in the know on this, but I have experienced the manic state.  I have also talked with people who have been on psyc/changing drugs and the states of mind have had similarities.  

I have been fooled by the seductive leading of the manic state and I am on guard against it.  The fellowship I have with God in my heart and soul is not a manic state.  I know the difference.

Mephibosheth 

I checked and found a ton of information concerning the discovery of LSD - but I didn't find the statement I remember reading - something like, "the bipolar stores up brain chemical and releases it all at once on the system"  and "LSD was discovered by isolating it in the blood of a manic person".  I can't remember what book or article I read that in.  I'm not a scholar.  Thanks for challenging this.  I have never taken LSD so I can't compare it to my experience in the manic state (over 30 years ago).  

I don't have either of the two books "An Unquiet Mind" or "Moodswing" in my possession.  I gave them all away.  

Snafu,

Yes, I confess I don't have a perfect memory - yet another reason why I don't trust in myself.  

The way I remember you brought this whole thing up in the context of how my faith was similar to your experience with psyc altering drugs, thus my faith was like that.

My answer was that I have not taken psyc altering drugs but have experienced something similar in the manic state, and this faith is not that.  

My point was not specifically lsd but the experience of psyc altering drugs - something I have experienced in natural form.  

As far as clinging and being vulnerable I am by far the more vulnerable in this converstaion.  You know a lot more about me than I do about you.  I think that indicates my willingness to venture out of my hole and put my faith to the test.  

I think you are killing a gnat with a bazooka and celebrating taking a city.   You haven't said anything that concerns faith - just my memory about a book I read when struggling with bipolar.  So I don't have a photo memory - big deal.  What does that have to do with faith in Christ and understanding my need for it? 

Mephibosheth 

I did concede the point off topic - you must have missed it, but that's fine.

I didn't say I feel vulnerable, and I don't. I said in answer to your question 'why am I clinging to my belief' (afraid to try something else) - I have proved I'm not afraid of that by making myself vulnerable - opened myself up to your inspection of my faith.

snafu,

Great question, and I appreciate you asking. I had an issue, a debt I couldn't pay to God. Jesus paid it with His blood. I was baptized into Christ. I'm in Christ and He's in me. I can honestly say "I have sinned", but I can honestly say, "I am forgiven". How? As a gift from God. Jesus experienced what should have happened to me because of my sin.

So through Christ I have a righteousness I can put my full weight down on - not my own righteousness, but Christ's righteousness. I examine myself, and, like you I see faults and weaknesses and imperfections - nothing as far as righteousness that I can put my trust in if I am honest. But when I look at Christ - examine the Sacrifice - I find the Lamb of God to be perfect. Everything about Him is perfect - everything He said, did, and now does, because I believe He rose from the dead and thus overcame death.

When God looks at me, He sees Christ, because I am in Christ. I am acceptable to Him through faith because I have accepted the free gift of His Son.

And the same power that raised Jesus from the dead is at work in me, through faith. And I am really at peace and happy and secure, not fearing death. Walking by faith is really under-rated. It's great!

Your view doesn't matter on this debt/credit.

He that puts his hope in Jesus purifies himself as He is pure.

This is what I want to do.

The Scriptures say this and I believe it.

I have peace that surpasses understanding.

Adam and Eve tried to cover themselves with leaves (their own righteousness). I am wearing the garment God provides.

I'm glad it's fine with you although it doesn't need to be. I'm exercising my free will too, plus I want to share my joy with you.

Snafu,

I can respect that. May things go well with you.

Mephibosheth.

[MOD EDIT - fixed quotes.  Mephibosheth, all you have to do is click the "quote" link at the end of the post to which you wish to respond.]