Doctrine 612 Posted July 23, 2014 Posted July 23, 2014 So my wife and I had a long talk the other night about our personal relationship with god,Like how do we feel when we keep the commandment, when we don't. How we talk with him, how he talks to us.All and all it was nice to try and define the relationship.How do you define your relationship.
3DOP Posted July 23, 2014 Posted July 23, 2014 I haven't defined it. But I like your question and will think about the best to way answer.
ERayR Posted July 23, 2014 Posted July 23, 2014 (edited) I am comfortable knowing for sure that despite my short comings he is aware of me and provides what I need, sometimes before I know I need it. I am of the opinion that when I see him next he will greet me as a friend. Edited July 23, 2014 by ERayR 3
JLHPROF Posted July 23, 2014 Posted July 23, 2014 So my wife and I had a long talk the other night about our personal relationship with god,Like how do we feel when we keep the commandment, when we don't. How we talk with him, how he talks to us.All and all it was nice to try and define the relationship.How do you define your relationship. Do you mean - "Fatherly authority", "Stern schoolmaster", "Loving parent", "Eternal lawgiver" - that kind of thing? Because try as I might I've never been able to shake the "stern schoolmaster" feeling. Not that I doubt God's love and mercy, but because I know he is bound by law I have a hard time getting past the "sit up straight, pay attention, don't cheat off your neighbor" perspective.
The Nehor Posted July 23, 2014 Posted July 23, 2014 A few analogous relationships to what I have experienced with God: Father/SonTeacher/StudentWooing Lover/Serial CheaterKing/PrinceJudge/BeggarLiberator/CaptiveJudge/Defiant DefendantLord/StewardProtector/Terrified Child 3
Buzzard Posted July 23, 2014 Posted July 23, 2014 Maybe I am too informal, but when people asked me if I ever was in the military, I told them I had worked for my Dad instead of my Uncle (Sam). 2
VideoGameJunkie Posted July 23, 2014 Posted July 23, 2014 For me it seems Father/Son. He's the perfect Father and I am the imperfect son, who makes mistakes, but loves my Father and knows He dearly dearly loves his imperfect son. 2
Damien the Leper Posted July 23, 2014 Posted July 23, 2014 He persistently nags me. Or maybe that's Mom. Either way, they get what they want and I learn it's for the best. Couldn't traverse this bad experiment without them.
VideoGameJunkie Posted July 23, 2014 Posted July 23, 2014 I hope everyone views Heavenly Father as He is, our loving Father. 2
3DOP Posted July 23, 2014 Posted July 23, 2014 Well, I have thought about it. I don't think I should try a definition. Maybe I would do best to fall back on the old Catholic apologetic...Mystery.
mfbukowski Posted July 24, 2014 Posted July 24, 2014 He is my ideal of all the best ways of being I can possibly imagine.
Kenngo1969 Posted July 24, 2014 Posted July 24, 2014 As others have pointed out, it could be any of the relationships described in different proportions at any given moment: one moment He's my Stern Schoolmaster and I am his penitent pupil, another, He's my "Kind, Wise, Heavenly Friend" and I am desperately in need of His counsel, and so on. And/or, perhaps it's like balancing an investment portfolio according to our investment goals: 5% precious metals, 25% stocks, and so on: a certain percentage of one type of relationship, a certain percentage of another, and so on.
Storm Rider Posted July 24, 2014 Posted July 24, 2014 My relationship with God? When I see so darkly through eternity's glass you ask to describe the indescribable. My finite, broken, and lowly spirit exists because of him who with a word created all that is. He is my Father and through his Son I am washed clean by his blood. It is deeply personal. He shows me my weaknesses and helps me to understand that I am sanctified through the sacrifice of his only begotten Son. He is my Master, my joy, and my strength.
Duncan Posted July 24, 2014 Posted July 24, 2014 Not too sound ungrateful or whiny but sometimes I get the feeling that God isn't too interested in making good on his promises. There are things I have been asking for for years that were promised in various blessings and just answers to prayers that have never ever come to fruition. Funnily enough in my PB it says(paraphrasing) that God is interested in helping me but I am literally banging my head on the radiator here saying where is it????
Storm Rider Posted July 24, 2014 Posted July 24, 2014 Duncan, I see this quite often among some of those who seek after God. For some I get the impression that they think of God like a genie lamp or like a fat laughing Buddha; all that is necessary is to rub the lamp or tummy and you get your wish. My wife has this type of mindset and it has been a sore trial for her. There is a focus on "ask and it shall be given you; knock and it shall be opened" without any degree of patience or acknowledgment that this life is about something totally different than getting all our wishes fulfilled. If I submit to God am I not more interested in fulfilling his will for me rather than being satisfied with my own. When I pray I express my feelings about my life and my concerns and ask for patience and wisdom to see the path God would have me walk. I don't attempt to shun the rocky paths in my life. If I must bear a burden, even one that causes pain consistently and constantly, that is my path and I must walk it while maintaining a joy that I live to serve my family, community, and God. There have certainly been times that I prayed for surcease; that I felt the burdens of life were too much, too overwhelming to bear. I believe that God strengthened me or even carried the load for me. My path has not been easy, but I know that God is aware and of my trails and we strive to make the proper choices in order to become the man he wants of me. Know that there is a purpose in the burdens we carry; find that purpose and keep moving forward one step at a time.
Tacenda Posted July 24, 2014 Posted July 24, 2014 I don't believe Duncan is like that SR. I prayed all my life w/o answers to the narly ones, only to the unimportant ones, such as help finding things. 1
Duncan Posted July 24, 2014 Posted July 24, 2014 Duncan, I see this quite often among some of those who seek after God. For some I get the impression that they think of God like a genie lamp or like a fat laughing Buddha; all that is necessary is to rub the lamp or tummy and you get your wish. My wife has this type of mindset and it has been a sore trial for her. There is a focus on "ask and it shall be given you; knock and it shall be opened" without any degree of patience or acknowledgment that this life is about something totally different than getting all our wishes fulfilled. If I submit to God am I not more interested in fulfilling his will for me rather than being satisfied with my own. When I pray I express my feelings about my life and my concerns and ask for patience and wisdom to see the path God would have me walk. I don't attempt to shun the rocky paths in my life. If I must bear a burden, even one that causes pain consistently and constantly, that is my path and I must walk it while maintaining a joy that I live to serve my family, community, and God. There have certainly been times that I prayed for surcease; that I felt the burdens of life were too much, too overwhelming to bear. I believe that God strengthened me or even carried the load for me. My path has not been easy, but I know that God is aware and of my trails and we strive to make the proper choices in order to become the man he wants of me. Know that there is a purpose in the burdens we carry; find that purpose and keep moving forward one step at a time. this is the thing if you've promised something then eventually you should give it to the person asking for it, if you want that person to still follow you
LOSTONE Posted July 24, 2014 Posted July 24, 2014 Because I have a child, I see a lot of similarities in my relations with her as I do with my relationship with God. My relationship with God is a ‘parent child’ relationship. That works great for me on every level of life. God is awesome!
Calm Posted July 24, 2014 Posted July 24, 2014 (edited) this is the thing if you've promised something then eventually you should give it to the person asking for it, if you want that person to still follow youIf we are only following God because of the blessings we get****I don't see that as a total commitment. Look at Job. What blessings did he have to look forward to after all those calamities fell upon him? He probably had very low expectations. I see our relationship with God needing to be wholehearted....marriage is often used as an analogy, but I think a parent child relationship is more appropriate. We won't abandon our children even if they are so handicapped they can't show or perhaps even experience love. God is requiring we give all of ourselves without reservation so that in the end he will be able to do the same to us because we have opened ourselves up to him fully, removed all the walls and conditions/limits.In my view, any blessings we get now during the time we are supposed to be seeking out God are extra. He gave us life and a chance to become like him. He owes me nothing, I am eternally in his debt as it is. A major portion of humanity has lived without enough food, no education, minimal shelter. I feel like I have an over abundance of riches just by being born at this time in a very well off country.So some blessings come and others don't, most of the time it is all good (I do have bad days when I would just like to know why he apparently thinks we need things so screwed up, but I have managed to get to the point of acceptance....it just would be nice to know the more immediate purpose as opposed to just the long term version).****I am not saying this is why you try to follow God, but even expectations can hold us back in committing until they get fulfilled. Edited July 24, 2014 by calmoriah 2
Boanerges Posted July 24, 2014 Posted July 24, 2014 If by God your talking about Heavenly Father, then I see my relationship as rather distant. I recognize and worship him as the Creator. I also recognize Jesus Christ as his son, sent to be the Redeemer of the world and who does and will intercede on our behalf. I believe neither of them have much, if any, direct interaction with us humans, although Jesus did once have very close interactions with a relatively small group of us. If you are speaking of the Holy Ghost as God, then I think I have a good and close relationship. It could be argued that the Holy Ghost is simply relaying the messages of God the Father and/or God the Son - but how much of a God does that really make the Holy Ghost? I do believe the Holy Ghost has Godly power and acts as an indepent member of the Godhead. This is why I htink it's so confusing sometimes for our non-Mormon Christian friends - they don't recognize the difference between God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost because it is the Holy Ghost that most often, by a long shot, interacts with us. I have a hard time believing the Holy Ghost is just a messenger.
Duncan Posted July 24, 2014 Posted July 24, 2014 If we are only following God because of the blessings we get****I don't see that as a total commitment. Look at Job. What blessings did he have to look forward to after all those calamities fell upon him? He probably had very low expectations.I see our relationship with God needing to be wholehearted....marriage is often used as an analogy, but I think a parent child relationship is more appropriate. We won't abandon our children even if they are so handicapped they can't show or perhaps even experience love. God is requiring we give all of ourselves without reservation so that in the end he will be able to do the same to us because we have opened ourselves up to him fully, removed all the walls and conditions/limits.In my view, any blessings we get now during the time we are supposed to be seeking out God are extra. He gave us life and a chance to become like him. He owes me nothing, I am eternally in his debt as it is. A major portion of humanity has lived without enough food, no education, minimal shelter. I feel like I have an over abundance of riches just by being born at this time in a very well off country.So some blessings come and others don't, most of the time it is all good (I do have bad days when I would just like to know why he apparently thinks we need things so screwed up, but I have managed to get to the point of acceptance....it just would be nice to know the more immediate purpose as opposed to just the long term version).****I am not saying this is why you try to follow God, but even expectations can hold us back in committing until they get fulfilled. love that! thank you!
3DOP Posted July 24, 2014 Posted July 24, 2014 Hey Duncan...I am glad you were comforted by cal's thoughts on this. I can't speak to this Patriarchal Blessing you have talked about here and elsewhere. But in general, there are some who fall away from faith in God because in His love for us, He will not grant us favors that are contrary to our best interests. It is often the case that even the most mature among us are seeking the consolations of God rather than the God of consolations. I think we continually have to guard against being overly desirous of the good feelings that often accompany communion with God. It helps me to remember than in order that we may imitate God's Son, who left Heaven to come to earth, God wants us to detach ourselves from earth that we may go to Heaven. This is not always a painless process and since Jesus went without, we might expect something similar. If we conform ourselves to God's will, we are satisfied with promised graces and the peace and joy of a good conscience before God. The only thing we crave is that ourselves and our loved ones and our neighbors will come to the faith and persevere in it. If we ask for the Holy Ghost we don't get a stone. But what if we ask for a stone? Maybe we won't get one, however much we want it? We can be confident in prayer, full of faith, but maybe the problem is that we are wanting mere stones when God wants to give us something much more precious if only we can be coaxed into asking. God bless you Duncan. Rory 2
Duncan Posted July 24, 2014 Posted July 24, 2014 Hey Duncan...I am glad you were comforted by cal's thoughts on this. I can't speak to this Patriarchal Blessing you have talked about here and elsewhere. But in general, there are some who fall away from faith in God because in His love for us, He will not grant us favors that are contrary to our best interests. It is often the case that even the most mature among us are seeking the consolations of God rather than the God of consolations. I think we continually have to guard against being overly desirous of the good feelings that often accompany communion with God. It helps me to remember than in order that we may imitate God's Son, who left Heaven to come to earth, God wants us to detach ourselves from earth that we may go to Heaven. This is not always a painless process and since Jesus went without, we might expect something similar. If we conform ourselves to God's will, we are satisfied with promised graces and the peace and joy of a good conscience before God. The only thing we crave is that ourselves and our loved ones and our neighbors will come to the faith and persevere in it. If we ask for the Holy Ghost we don't get a stone. But what if we ask for a stone? Maybe we won't get one, however much we want it? We can be confident in prayer, full of faith, but maybe the problem is that we are wanting mere stones when God wants to give us something much more precious if only we can be coaxed into asking. God bless you Duncan. Rory THANK YOU!!!!! that was nice!
VideoGameJunkie Posted July 25, 2014 Posted July 25, 2014 Unfortunately, my relationship also seems to be a lot of me always asking for favors and blessings and not doing enough thanking.
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