As an Ex-Christian I think I have an idea of how Christians have a "relationship" with god..?

Question

Faith is wrought with trials, happiness, enjoyment and even fullfillment.

But it's not the good I want to discuss it's the "bad" times. When something bad happens in their lives and someone starts questioning their faith. Or maybe just questioning their faith in general.

Some ask for strength in the lord, some may even question if god is real to give them this strength.

It makes sense that you would question the nature and viability of god. You are a real live thinking animal who uses logic and reason in their lives. Only a blind man wouldn't question what he believes.

My theory is this, when you question god you look for answers. You look for comfort in your faith. When something happens to make things better, be that the problem is fixed or time heals it, you praise god.

Is this the "personal relationship" that Christians say they have? I would guess I'm aiming in the right direction.

What I'm getting at is their relationship is based on the coincidence's and circumstances of life.

Humans- mammal- animal

What I'm getting (again) is how you say you know god exists because you have a "personal experience" with him. I believe that I hit the mark with this question in determining "how" you have that relationship.

"Michelle"- Then what is the basis of your "relationship" and why do you even believe?

Hey peanutbutter!

Answer 1

Hey Pirrates! Arrgggg!!! Great to be back and soon deleted! :) PEANUTBUTTTER FOR ALLLLL!!! ARGGG!!

Answer 2

One person's coincidence is another person's miracle. I have a guy buddy who tells of a time he was particularly "down and out", having gotten himself into trouble with the wrong people in California, and having to leave town in a hurry. To make a very long story as short as possible, he found himself hitchiking barefoot during a heat wave. That pavement was HOT... He curled up in a box under a bridge, having checked the area out to be sure it was safe...and in the morning, lo and behold, there was a pair of sneakers sitting outside of the box just as if someone had left them there. He swears they were not there the night before, and he believes God arranged for them to be there for him, and no amount of explaining how such a thing could happen by coincidence will shake his faith.
Could he be correct? Could God have sent those shoes to him, by whatever courier?
Of course we question our faith. Anyone who is afraid to question it is obviously scared that their faith is too weak to withstand se rious questioning.
For those who do question, it often happens that from great questions comes even greater faith.
Just so you know, my friend has not always been a devout Christian, in spite of the sneaker incident. You'd like him, he would have laughed at your pics of the dog's butthole. And then he would have prayed for you....as I have and do.
OH, yeah, and he did have a parrot, but it died, so please be nice, since he's an old guy too.

Answer 3

Why are you an ex-Christian? Why wouldn't a blind man question what he believes? Life itself is wrought with trials, happiness, enjoyment and even fulfillment. The salvation that is precious is not here on earth but in Heaven. I praise God in the good times and the bad times. On Him I can rely. Friends and family will let me down in various situations, God will not. God is not a theory and salvation is offered to all that believe in Him.

Answer 4

Well I consider my relationship with God to be much like a relationship with your best friend. I have little chit-chats with God every day even though God already knows my thoughts and such; so yea its back and forth. Ones faith can be strengthed by tests. Think about Job's trials. Every time he was tested his faith grew even though he questioned God.

Answer 5

It could very well be. During my brief stint with theism, however I had what some people call a "religious experience". You know, where you feel connected to a higher power? That weighs into it as well.

As a side note, I've come to realize that religious experience is very common, and people of all religious inclinations have them. I believe what I experienced then was nothing more than a very vivid flight of fancy.

However, if people draw comfort from this I really have no objection, indeed, if it makes them happier people, why not? I only get cranky with the religious when they try to legislate their religious views, preach at me when I ask them to stop, or try to undermine science.

Peace.

Answer 6

Wow, well first off I would not classify myself as an animal.
Second off- I have never questioned my faith in God, I take the Good and the Bad and the Ugly and just deal with them.
I let God pick me up when I fall(I do not sit and wallow in despair at what may have happened) I try to change it to make it better
Only those who tend to question there faith when the bad times hit are the ones who tend to be weak in their faith

No one has guaranteed that life here on Earth will be peace full(Not even God) but in the end if we are righteous enough(it will be)

Edit: Animals act on instinct(naturally)
Humans act on the ways we are taught(we have to be shown)

Edit2:
Those who only turn to God when stuff hits the fan..are hypocrits(and believe me there are alot of them)
My realtionship with God is based on Faith. If you have read the Bible then you will know that He says, Blessed are those believe in me and have never seen me...That right there is showing you that in this day and time, we only have our ability of faith to get us through.
As far as God making a grand apperance, He has and does everyday when the sun comes up, when the moon comes out.
My Husband is getting ready for work right now, when in reality(by Doctors diagnosis) He should be 6 feet under.(No Joke)
I think you want physical proof (touch,see...etc..) that no one can give you, as well as no one can prove to me that He does not exist.

Answer 7

Actually what you are saying is that being a Christian yields wholly satisfying answers to the believer's world view. Of course, that is the point; to make some sense of the world around us.

It beats the heck out of the cognitive dissonance others will endure extant of Christianity.