Lousy Cooks

Many people have a problem with those who don't believe exactly like they do. Sure, certain doctrines are unbiblical and at times even anti-biblical, but that is no reason to reject everything they may say because of that. Often there are many wonderful ideas to be gleaned from groups, denominations, and individuals with whom we might disagree on a number of matters. With that in mind, consider the following.

Student: Teacher, I don't agree with the teacher on the other side of the river.
Teacher: Eat the meat and spit out the bones.
Student: But it is all bones.
Teacher: Boil them down and make soup.
Student: This soup tastes bad.
Teacher: Some people are just lousy cooks.

Discerning God's Voice

It is often wondered how to distinguish God's voice from one's own voice, or from an evil spirit's voice. Here's a thought:

If the voice draws you to love God more deeply, love people more sincerely, live life more humbly, it is the voice of the Spirit of God. Neither the human spirit, nor evil spirits speaks with that tone of voice.

The Presence of God

Recently somebody said on a discussion page: "We don't need the presence [of God] in material objects external to us when we have the presence internally dwelling in us 24/7."

My response was as follows:

"Wow! Just, wow!

"I speak only for myself here:

"If I couldn't see/sense God's Presence beyond myself, in external things, people, situations, etc., my life would be pretty pathetic, my Christianity would be shallow, and my spirituality empty.

"I am just an insignificant, tiny vessel with an extremely limited capacity. I may be Spirit-filled, but it takes such a micro-minuscule portion of the boundless, limitless Spirit of God to fill me. There is so much more of His Presence outside of my puny life and limited understanding: a whole universe actually. A thimble full of water would be foolish to say there is no ocean beyond itself. If I can't see God's Presence in His creation, or in other people, or in external 'things,' then I am blind and need healing in so many ways.

"You may be satisfied to limit the Presence of God to the Spirit within you, I am not. I hope I never come to that point in my life."