Experiencing God
November 7th, 2009Saturday’s Reflection
WHAT ARE YOUR IMAGES FOR GOD? If you are a visual learner, you may be able to visualize and perhaps even draw your image or images for God. However, we have found that American mainline Protestants tend to experience God as a feeling (such as love or warmth) rather than an image (such as shepherd or fortress). If you are an auditory learner, you may sense God through music or in the sounds of nature. If you are a tactile learner, you may understand God’s presence through lighted candles or incense or through items you can touch, like a cross. People experience God in a variety of ways, and no one way is the “right” way.
- Valerie K. Isenhower and Judith A. Todd
Living into the Answers: A Workbook for Personal Spiritual Discernment
From pp. 29-30 of Living into the Answers: A Workbook for Personal Spiritual Discernment by Valerie K. Isenhower and Judith A. Todd. Copyright © 2008 by the authors. Used with permission of Upper Room Books. http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/. Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question
Take some time to consider how you experience God. Share your reflections.
Today’s Scripture Reading
Jesus said, “The truth is that this poor widow gave more to the collection than all the others put together.”
- Mark 12:43, THE MESSAGE
This Week …
- Special Need:
- This Week: Pray for caregivers. Add your prayer to the Prayer Wall.
- Tips for Your Spirit:
- Looking for clarity? Learn the Quaker way of the Clearness Committee to help with making tough decisions. Try it out.
- Saints, Inc.:
- This week we remember Antoinette Brown Blackwell (November 5).
- Lectionary Readings:
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November 7th, 2009 at 5:01 am
I experience God in many unexpected ways – which is a good thing. I am a person who loves a routine – who unfortunately easily has expectations. But, I cannot contain God in a box – expecting Him to come to me in a way that I want Him to. This is very hard. But, when the realization comes – the experience – it is more wonderful than I could imagine – if He would have come as I “expected” Him to. I keep asking for His guidance and to make me aware of Him – because I can so easily have tunnel vision. When I make myself available – He uses that.
November 7th, 2009 at 5:10 am
I’m not comfortable with the idea that I belong in one category or another or another. How limiting that must be.
Being open to God and his initiatives means I may experience him in many different ways… through ‘any or all of the above’ and others as well. And , as Jill says, the unexpected approach is one I find God uses often.
November 7th, 2009 at 8:30 am
I’ve always believed in God, but since I’ve rededicated my life to Him, I experience God in many ways. I was told to start with reading the book of John in the bible. While doing this, I felt the Lord all around me.
As I look at the world around me…the beautiful fall leaves, the crispness in the air, I experience God.
As I sit in church on Sunday morning…He’s there.
When I pray for comfort and peace…He’s there.
Now that I’m living for Him, I feel His presence everywhere.
November 7th, 2009 at 8:38 am
I have experienced God afresh in these responses. Thanks for this. It has been a tough couple of days.
God makes His presence seen and felt and heard in so many ways in my life. The problem is, I can be so deaf and dumb and blind to it all at times.
“Tunnel vision.” Sometime I need more of that. Focus on God’s narrow path instead of the random wanderings the world extends.
Keep me ever focused on You, Jesus, whatever form you might take. Amen.
November 7th, 2009 at 3:05 pm
I don’t rely on feelings to experience God — those are too easily affected by all sorts of exterior, or even interior, things. Most often I see His action in my life in results of things I do or say. Sometimes it’s an impulse I follow that turns out in a particularly surprising and/or rewarding way. Most often, though, I see God most clearly through hindsight. I’m sure I miss a lot of what He is doing but I am most grateful for what I do see.
November 7th, 2009 at 4:48 pm
I have experienced God thru my sickness and surgeries and prayers. He was alwasy there, thru it all.
November 7th, 2009 at 5:29 pm
I experience God in all these ways. Anything can trigger a spiritual response from me. A beautiful sky, a peaceful song, nature, food, my family and friends. I believe this is the way God wants us to experience his love.
November 7th, 2009 at 10:48 pm
I am experiencing some frustrating times right now, but today I completed a 24 hour fast and prayed with incense and candles to help me through it. I believe I felt God’s presence today. I struggle at times with faith, but all the previous comments have been helpful.