What is Your Perception of God?

Namaste Jesus

Namaste Jesus

Praise the Lord and Enjoy the Chai
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On the last thread I created, I asked what constituted proof of God's existence. It was meant to be answered based on one's own perception of God, but as usual a few challenged the question on that basis instead of answering it. So, let's ask that very question instead. What is your perception of God?

My answer comes from 3 sources. Christian scripture, Hindu scripture and personal experience. Essentially to me, God is everything. All there ever was, all that will ever be.

God is as the wind. Felt, but not seen. An unknown entity without beginning, without end. Everywhere and nowhere at the same time. Gentle enough to cool us from the summer's heat, yet strong enough to level the earth in the mere blink of an eye.

We are created in God's own image. In turn, God is the spiritual image of us. We posses the very same attributes as God, but our physical existence limits their use. God however knows no bounds and thus has no such limitations. God is our essence, our very being. Without God, nothing.

Even though God has no material mass, he often makes himself known to us. The stranger you met on the bus. The passerby that nodded in your direction. The person that allowed you to go ahead of them in line when you were in a hurry or even that gentle soul that turned to you for solace. Hardly a second thought is ever given to any of these situations, but you never know when someone or even something is acting on God's influence.

In case you haven't guessed, I see God in all things each and everyday. Others do not. Christian and Hindu scripture tell us that how you perceive God is how you will find God. So, what is (your) perception of God?
 
That was always a sticking point for me. If I had to have a perception of who/what is God then all I could get was the statue of Abraham Lincoln in DC. Or a big billowy cloud on a hot humid day. But I also knew that wasn't right so it was always a problem.

But I kept thinking about, trying to find answers, fit the pieces. Until I realized that the only perception I needed was to understand the function of God. And then I realized I could best understand that function as physics. I don't know a lot about physics but I do know that I shouldn't hook up my end of the jumper cables to my nipples.

If it is, then that's what it is. I think...
 
Gordian Knot said:
Already gave my answer to this question in my thread in the Introduce Yourself Forum. See post #12.
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Yup! I'd venture to say that just about every question recently posed on this forum has already been asked and answered in a past thread. We do have a habit of repeating ourselves here...:rolleyes:
 
Namaste,

I have been thinking about your post here for awhile. My first reaction was to say that I perceive God as love, and this is true to a certain extent, but there is a little more to my current perception of God than that. I perceive God as one who is able to clearly see what is good in me and what is not; and working from that clarity, to begin the process of separation. Here, thoughts of Cain and Abel and Saul and David run across my mind. Also, the flood of Noah which separated that which was in the ark from the old world. And the separating work of Genesis, leading toward the third day, when dry land appeared. And of course the cross, or that element of death which is present in all meaningful change. And also God is that one who is able to find us when we are without the camp, forgotten and beyond the help of man. Just a few scattered thoughts I had this morning.

So my perception of God at the moment is of one who loves, and yet sees clearly what we are; and with that love and clarity, begins to effect a change, working toward a creation not temporal but eternal.
 
stranger said:
Namaste,

I have been thinking about your post here for awhile. My first reaction was to say that I perceive God as love, and this is true to a certain extent, but there is a little more to my current perception of God than that. I perceive God as one who is able to clearly see what is good in me and what is not; and working from that clarity, to begin the process of separation. Here, thoughts of Cain and Abel and Saul and David run across my mind. Also, the flood of Noah which separated that which was in the ark from the old world. And the separating work of Genesis, leading toward the third day, when dry land appeared. And of course the cross, or that element of death which is present in all meaningful change. And also God is that one who is able to find us when we are without the camp, forgotten and beyond the help of man. Just a few scattered thoughts I had this morning.

So my perception of God at the moment is of one who loves, and yet sees clearly what we are; and with that love and clarity, begins to effect a change, working toward a creation not temporal but eternal.
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What is loving about the Biblical deity?
 
Quirkybird said:
What is loving about the Biblical deity?
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Quirkybird,

Perhaps nothing, if seen only in the letter of scripture; but the beating heart behind that veil is what I was grasping for. I believe once it is glimpsed, if only briefly, paths and perceptions can change.
 
My perception of God? Because I'm a Christian, our Lord Jesus is my God and He is love.
 
stranger said:
Quirkybird,

Perhaps nothing, if seen only in the letter of scripture; but the beating heart behind that veil is what I was grasping for. I believe once it is glimpsed, if only briefly, paths and perceptions can change.
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I am not sure what you mean by 'beating heart behind that veil'?
 
Quirkybird said:
I am not sure what you mean by 'beating heart behind that veil'?
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Quirkybird,

I meant the life hidden behind the letter, not just words on a page but something personal and vital.
 
Quirkybird said:
I am still unsure what you mean?
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Quirky,

It's kind of like the difference between seeing only a photograph of a person and actually having interaction with the real person. It's pretty hard to fall in love with a photograph, but one might fall in love after interacting with a real person. After falling in love with the real person, then the photograph is not seen in the same way. It becomes sacred, so to speak. It holds nuances and secrets that I would not have realized if I had not encountered the reality behind it.

Take the Genesis creation account. To some it is historically inaccurate, unscientific, perhaps laughable. To me it is sacred because I have become a part of that creation. I am that ruined earth, void and formless, without hope. But the spirit of God hovers and broods over me. And that work which God takes up, God will complete, in this life or in the next. Whether in a world or in a human heart, it is the same.

Throw out the time factor. Whether a day is a millisecond or a million years means not a whit. Throw out history, throw out science as we know it, throw out human wisdom. Here is the shadow of eternal creation laid out in in a linear fashion so that we can have a chance at grasping it. A divine alchemy of sorts.

And so these forms and allegories are very important to me because I have had a glimpse of the heart behind them; that one, who, having begun a good work in me, will complete it.

This is the best answer I can give you from my perspective, friend.
 
stranger said:
Quirky,

It's kind of like the difference between seeing only a photograph of a person and actually having interaction with the real person. It's pretty hard to fall in love with a photograph, but one might fall in love after interacting with a real person. After falling in love with the real person, then the photograph is not seen in the same way. It becomes sacred, so to speak. It holds nuances and secrets that I would not have realized if I had not encountered the reality behind it.

Take the Genesis creation account. To some it is historically inaccurate, unscientific, perhaps laughable. To me it is sacred because I have become a part of that creation. I am that ruined earth, void and formless, without hope. But the spirit of God hovers and broods over me. And that work which God takes up, God will complete, in this life or in the next. Whether in a world or in a human heart, it is the same.

Throw out the time factor. Whether a day is a millisecond or a million years means not a whit. Throw out history, throw out science as we know it, throw out human wisdom. Here is the shadow of eternal creation laid out in in a linear fashion so that we can have a chance at grasping it. A divine alchemy of sorts.

And so these forms and allegories are very important to me because I have had a glimpse of the heart behind them; that one, who, having begun a good work in me, will complete it.

This is the best answer I can give you from my perspective, friend.
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The Bible doesn't even give you a photo to focus on, but accounts by a good number of authors who have created their version of the deity in their own image, imo.

However much people might deny it, I believe ALL believers have created their version of God to suit their particular take on faith.

I have my own deity created by me. It has to listen to all my problems and is not permitted to answer back, that suits me just fine. :D
 
stranger said:
Quirky,

It's kind of like the difference between seeing only a photograph of a person and actually having interaction with the real person. It's pretty hard to fall in love with a photograph, but one might fall in love after interacting with a real person. After falling in love with the real person, then the photograph is not seen in the same way. It becomes sacred, so to speak. It holds nuances and secrets that I would not have realized if I had not encountered the reality behind it.

Take the Genesis creation account. To some it is historically inaccurate, unscientific, perhaps laughable. To me it is sacred because I have become a part of that creation. I am that ruined earth, void and formless, without hope. But the spirit of God hovers and broods over me. And that work which God takes up, God will complete, in this life or in the next. Whether in a world or in a human heart, it is the same.

Throw out the time factor. Whether a day is a millisecond or a million years means not a whit. Throw out history, throw out science as we know it, throw out human wisdom. Here is the shadow of eternal creation laid out in in a linear fashion so that we can have a chance at grasping it. A divine alchemy of sorts.

And so these forms and allegories are very important to me because I have had a glimpse of the heart behind them; that one, who, having begun a good work in me, will complete it.

This is the best answer I can give you from my perspective, friend.
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I do like the way you put things...:)
 
Quirkybird said:
The Bible doesn't even give you a photo to focus on, but accounts by a good number of authors who have created their version of the deity in their own image, imo.

However much people might deny it, I believe ALL believers have created their version of God to suit their particular take on faith.

I have my own deity created by me. It has to listen to all my problems and is not permitted to answer back, that suits me just fine. :D
Click to expand...

Fair enough Quirkybird. I enjoyed the conversation and hope to see you around on another thread.
 
Namaste Jesus said:
Hi, welcome to the forum. So, do you make a distinction between Jesus and God or do you believe they are one and the same?
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Thank you.
I believe "one God in three persons" ...
The Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God, and yet there are not three Gods but one God.
 
I think my 10 year old Grand Nephew may have solved the whole who is, what is God problem for us. According to him, God is a pizza!

Allow me to explain. Last night, after dinner, my wife and I were socializing with his parents. As is often the case, the subject turned to religion. While the adults pondered that, my Grand Nephew quietly played a hand-held video game near by.

As everyone was getting ready to leave, my Grand Nephew turned to me and said, "So, God is like a pizza!"

Much like some of the folks on this forum, he doesn't react well when people fail to take his side. So, I cautiously inquired as to why he felt that way, "Why do you say that?"

"Well, some people like lot's of cheese on their pizza. Some people like pepperoni. Some people like sausage, but no matter what you put on it, they all have the same crust," he replied.

I got the gist of what he was saying, but wanted to make sure. "So God is like pizza dough?"

"Yup, he said gleefully, that's what keeps all the other stuff from spilling into your lap."

"Oh I see. So, God is the dough and the toppings are all the different religions."

"Yup," he repeated with confidence.

"But, what about the people that don't like pizza?"

Loosing patience, "Uncle, nobody doesn't like pizza!"

Being a gluten for punishment sometimes, I inquired further, "But what about people that don't believe in God?"

Dumbfounded he replied, "That's just silly! If you don't believe in God, all the good stuff on the pizza is just going to fall into your lap and make a mess!"

Out of the mouths of babes.......
 
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