Identifying The One True God

[carrdero]

This was such a big hit on another thread that it would be a shame not to hear viewpoints from other Phatmass messengers.

Edited August 4, 2004 by carrdero

[CatholicCrusader]

Well we know allah is not God and moslems do not worship God because they do not believe in the Trinity, Who is God.. all other gods are false created gods. (I don't know if that is what you meant by your question)

[EcceNovaFacioOmni]

We do not have to identify Him, He has already revealed Himself to us through His Son Jesus Christ.

EHEYEH asher EHEYEH.
I AM that I AM.

All people seek Him, but they only find glimpses of Him outside the Catholic Church.

Edited August 4, 2004 by thedude

[carrdero]

CatholicCrusader writes: Well we know allah is not God and moslems do not worship God because they do not believe in the Trinity, Who is God.. all other gods are false created gods. (I don't know if that is what you meant by your question)

Well I was kind of desiring to hear from your own experiences and how you have come to know the ONE TRUE GOD and what were your inspirations on the matter but I still enjoyed your response and thank you for your reply.

[Aloysius]

The One True God- YHWH, Creator of the Universe. In the Person of the Holy Spirit He Has guided me through the Sacred Scriptures and through Church Teaching to know Him more fully. The Holy Spirit has made me aware of my own sinfulness, and educated me through the Holy Bible that all who claim to be sinless are decieving themselves. In the Person of the Son, Jesus Christ, He has revealed His physical presence to me through the Most Holy Eucharist. Jesus Christ who is God has reprimanded me through His priests to keep me following the path that leads to salvation, which is strait and narrow. In the person of the Father He has held me to a high standard of holiness. God has brought me out of the darkness to reveal the light to me, though I sometimes prefer darkness He reprimands me, whips me into shape, and heals my soul. Is that personal enough for you, or did I not base it enough of private revelation and too much on being educated by the pius men He sent to me? Sin is real, sin exists, and you are a sinner like me. God to me is the all perfect definition of existence, the one who IS, 100% GOOD.

[daugher-of-Mary]

carrdero, I have to admit, you're giving me a lot to think about!

I came to know the one true God by the hunger that is in every soul to know Him. "Our hearts are restless until they find rest in You, oh God!" Still, when I first came to know God I could only see a mere shadow of His great glory and love. Having found Him, I longed for Truth and found it within the arms of Holy Mother Church. While I could only see a shadow of His greatness before, as a Catholic I am in the presence of Heaven itself when the Son of God is made Present at the hands of a priest at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. What love our good God has to remain (Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity) among us! Holy Mother Church has also made me more and more certain that God's greatest attribute is mercy! Through the Sacrament of Reconciliation I confess the great extent of my misery, but He who "listens to the heartbeat of sinners" makes my soul as white as snow as His representative speaks the words of absolution. I am grateful beyond words to have been received into such a Church--founded by Christ, against which the "gates of Hell will never prevail."

[MorphRC]

You can worship the same God thru ignorance of not knowing what he truly is. Why this is so? I dont know. But thats what the Church teaches about Muslims, and what I gather from the Catechism, even though theres archaeological proof, Allah is just the one supreme diety chosen by muhammad and then labelled Creator.

[Tora-Musume]

I found you!...woo hooo...new topic. Enlighten me.

[carrdero]

daugher-of-Mary writes: carrdero, I have to admit, you're giving me a lot to think about!

My two favorite gifts from GOD have ALL(WAYS) been wondering and dreaming.

MorphRC writes: You can worship the same God thru ignorance of not knowing what he truly is. Why this is so? I dont know. But thats what the Church teaches about Muslims, and what I gather from the Catechism, even though theres archaeological proof, Allah is just the one supreme diety chosen by muhammad and then labelled Creator.

Makes me wonder if this is a language barrier between sects (different names in different languages) or an actual identity crises (describing different entities for different gods). It would be interesting if the people of all nations would get together and at least try to agree on some common qualities about GOD.

[God Conquers]

It would be impossible to search for and find God. We mere humans can not hope to connect, by any meditation, prayer or sacrifice, with an all-powerful, all knowing, everpresent, infinite being. This is IMPOSSIBLE. We are flesh and He is spirit.

Our only Hope is that that being, God, would reveal HIMSELF to us. Our only hope of understanding Him and seeking His salvation is if He came to US.

Oh Saving Power of God, Mystery of Mysteries, Hope of all Hopes!!! HE HAS DONE THIS!!!!!

We know that Jesus Christ is the One True God, because He came to earth, using the only possible way for us to know Him.... by becoming one of us. Thus is the extent of His love.

[MorphRC]

carrdero

Ive read alot of archaeological books and articles about Allah, and archaeologically it is impossible for Muslims to worship the same God. I mean put it this way. Im an egyptian pharaoh and out of all the egyptian gods i chose Anubis to be the one, supreme deity, and label him God, Creator, etc.

Does that mean I worship the same God?

[cmotherofpirl]

[quote name='CatholicCrusader' date='Aug 4 2004, 08:43 PM'] Well we know allah is not God and moslems do not worship God because they do not believe in the Trinity, Who is God.. all other gods are false created gods. (I don't know if that is what you meant by your question) [/quote]
THe Moslems worship the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, who is the one true and only real GOD. Just because they don't believe in the Trinity doesn't make them wrong, it simply means they are missing a large part of revealed TRUTH.

[MichaelFilo]

Allah is arabic for God. So in arabic churches where vernacular is used, they refer to him as Allah (Had to clear that up). Cmom is right, they do worship the same God. What you'll find very amazing is that they also have a great devotion to our holy mother (She has helped them before, especially in the city of Mosul, in Iraq, which was at some point predominatly Christian).

Back to the original topic. How do I know the one True God? Well there is definatly revelation. I know that the one True God exists because of several things, for starters, I have been raised Catholic, and never understood the half of it. Once I learned about my faith I began to go to Adoration and that is where I really built my personal relationship with God. How do I know I hit the right one? The Truth has been set before me. Even then, my faith grew, and so God, like he does to all his faithful, loves to encourage them, especially during times of trial. One day, I had forgotten my homework at home, well at least half of it. My homework was in a folder tha twas at home ( I had finished it the night before in hopes of taking it to school ). I found the first half in my bookbag (Because I am incrediably neat ). I was really sad that I didn't have it, and so I prayed for God's help. I walked into my 3rd period class, and there was my folder, so I was like cool, but I left it at home and I had put my homework in it. Sure enough there was my homework that I had done the night before, but the amazing part was, the first half that I put in my bookbag, was also in there! This is just one of the cool things that God has done for me (makes me want to repay him even more, to bad we can't as humans )

Aside from that, God helps those who are faithful in ways that aren't humanly possible. Does a miracle prove that the God I worship is the True God? Not really. But it sure helps.

To be quite honest, you will know the True God because he has to be perfect, source of all things. Fountain of all good. If he was anything less, he wouldn't be God.

God bless,

Mikey

[Tora-Musume]

[quote name='MichaelFilo' date='Aug 5 2004, 09:42 AM'] To be quite honest, you will know the True God because he has to be perfect, source of all things. Fountain of all good. If he was anything less, he wouldn't be God.


[/quote]
If GOD was perfect, why did he not make us ALL perfect? Perfect=without defect; free from any flaw, faultless: completely skilled; expert. Since GOD is perfect, could he not have made us ALL entities in perfection? Just a question or should I start another trend for this?

[quote]Aloysius Posted on Aug 4 2004, 09:00 PM The One True God- YHWH, Creator of the Universe. In the Person of the Holy Spirit He Has guided me through the Sacred Scriptures and through Church Teaching to know Him more fully. The Holy Spirit has made me aware of my own sinfulness, and educated me through the Holy Bible that all who claim to be sinless are decieving themselves. In the Person of the Son, Jesus Christ, He has revealed His physical presence to me through the Most Holy Eucharist. Jesus Christ who is God has reprimanded me through His priests to keep me following the path that leads to salvation, which is strait and narrow. In the person of the Father He has held me to a high standard of holiness. God has brought me out of the darkness to reveal the light to me, though I sometimes prefer darkness He reprimands me, whips me into shape, and heals my soul. Is that personal enough for you, or did I not base it enough of private revelation and too much on being educated by the pius men He sent to me? Sin is real, sin exists, and you are a sinner like me.[/quote]

You mean to say that we are all sinners and that we are to be punished for all our sins? Ok..now I am really lost. Is it not that we are free of sin when we are baptised or is it that we are free of sin when we are born? I got 2 answers on the free of sin and they are both from the same faith. Help me out here with this question please.

[quote]Aloysius Posted on Aug 4 2004, 09:00 PM
God to me is the all perfect definition of existence, the one who IS, 100% GOOD. [/quote]

Good=That does what is right; well-behaved; reliable, dependable; real, genuine:
let me just repond to my own quote. Reliable, dependable, real, genuine. etc...etc. Reliable=Worthy of trust that can be depended on. (still questioning this)
Dependable=that can be depended on; trustworthy (had questions that were never anwered. Still waiting...G)
genuine=actually seems or is claimed to be; real; true. (still questioning this)
So on and so forth.

[quote]Is that personal enough for you, or did I not base it enough of private revelation and too much on being educated by the pius men He sent to me?[/quote]

Pius men that GOD sent to you? Please explain. I am not understanding this statement.

[quote]carrdero Posted on Aug 5 2004, 05:45 AM  It would be interesting if the people of all nations would get together and at least try to agree on some common qualities about GOD.[/quote]

Can't we all just get along?

[quote]This was such a big hit on another thread that it would be a shame not to hear viewpoints from other Phatmass messengers. [/quote]

I didn't even get to post in that last thread. It was closed down. . Can I ask it here? Never mind. I will just start a new thread.

[quote]CatholicCrusader Posted: Aug 4 2004, 06:43 PM 
Well we know allah is not God and moslems do not worship God because they do not believe in the Trinity, Who is God.. all other gods are false created gods. (I don't know if that is what you meant by your question) [/quote]

How is it that ALL other GODs are false created? Just a question

[quote]thedude Posted: Aug 4 2004, 06:51 PM 
We do not have to identify Him, He has already revealed Himself to us through His Son Jesus Christ.[/quote]

And you have seen His Son Jesus Christ through....? Or was this revealed in the Bible and the teachings of the church? Just a question


Gotta Love me

[MichaelFilo]

I'll be back in an hour from Church, if no one answers your questions, I'll do it.

[carrdero]

God Conquers writes: It would be impossible to search for and find God. We mere humans can not hope to connect, by any meditation, prayer or sacrifice, with an all-powerful, all knowing, everpresent, infinite being. This is IMPOSSIBLE. We are flesh and He is spirit.

I would think that humans are the perfect conduit to connect to GOD (our bodies even resemble antennas) and our physical forms are designed to express all of the finest qualities of GOD (a simple act of GODLY consideration like picking up a dropped item off the floor for someone or opening a door to a building for another fellow human BEing) to expressing deeper qualities like LOVE and TRUST or by just BEing there for someone. No one should ever underestimate the physical potential of our BEing and what we are capable of doing.

Believe it or not GOD is talking back. ALL(WAYS) has, ALL(WAYS) will. I cannot imagine a Creator abandoning or ignoring a creation as important as a human BEing. I cannot imagine a Creator saying to me:

“What!?!? What do you want now!?!? Why are you bothering me with this?!?! Wasn’t this very same problem covered in that book I sent you?!?! What did I have you humans write it for, if you are not going to read it?!?!?!. Did you even bother to ask Fr./ Rev./ Deacon/ brother Robert or Mother/sister/ Rev. Sally? Maybe they know!!”

GOD understands what it is like for a human trying to BE. GOD understands that we will ALL have many personal questions that need to be addressed with satisfying conclusions. GOD understands that there will BE many times humans will want more from a realtionship with GOD then what is offered on earth. GOD understands the desire to connect. GOD understands ALL.

It is absolutely are decision if we desire to listen. Some people do not listen. Sometimes people let their own ego or their own pride or other distractions stop them from hearing GOD. Some people are so concerned about where they are going they forget to listen for where they are at.

Though Prayer and meditation are fine ways to include and connect GOD into your life some people truly miss the (obvious) physical signs that GOD leaves for us. I see this fact proven over and over to me everyday. As a toll collector it is my job to assist drivers who are lost and are looking for directions and I come across many lost souls in a matter of hours. Our flesh (read:physical senses), as well as our spirit, give us numerous opportunities to recognize and connect to GOD. It is our responsibility to discover which methods work best for us.

Edited August 5, 2004 by carrdero

[MichaelFilo]

Since the obvious misunderstandings in carrdero's post, and the length of musume's I'll address each one, in different posts.

[quote]If GOD was perfect, why did he not make us ALL perfect? Perfect=without defect; free from any flaw, faultless: completely skilled; expert. Since GOD is perfect, could he not have made us ALL entities in perfection? Just a question or should I start another trend for this?  [/quote]

This is a whole other thread. 2 things to keep in mind, we can never expect to understand God beyond what He shows us, and second, at times it is best to accept things as they are.

God is above perfect, because he doesn't meet the bare requirements, but is the ultimate completeness of perfect. I could consider Adam and Eve perfect, as they were without flaw. Rebellion against God was indeed a choice, not a flaw. So, I guess I can consider humans at some point perfect, in the sense of the defenition you gave. God then, did make humans perfect, we chose to leave His love for imperfection.

[quote]You mean to say that we are all sinners and that we are to be punished for all our sins? Ok..now I am really lost. Is it not that we are free of sin when we are baptised or is it that we are free of sin when we are born? I got 2 answers on the free of sin and they are both from the same faith. Help me out here with this question please.  [/quote]

Again, another thread entirely. We are baptised to come into communion with God and His Church. We have our sins washed away in baptism, we are not free of sin. We are all born with original sin.

[quote]Pius men that GOD sent to you? Please explain. I am not understanding this statement.  [/quote]

The apostles, prophets, those who carry The Faith. (Also note, saints, popes, and pius followers of the faith).

[quote]How is it that ALL other GODs are false created? Just a question  [/quote]

He means they are either worshipped statues, or made up gods in peoples imaginations. There are only 3 faiths that claim revelation from God. Christianty, Judiasm, and Islam. All other gods are made up ones, or are just statues and stuff.

[quote]And you have seen His Son Jesus Christ through....? Or was this revealed in the Bible and the teachings of the church? Just a question  [/quote]

Jesus is the Logos(Word) made flesh. God revealed to the Jews that a savior was comming, he also revealed to them who He was, what His intentions were, what He wanted. Jesus was the Savior that Jews were promised by God. God took human form, and fulfilled His prophecies that He spoke through the prophets. Jesus is God. Therefore, that is how all was revealed to us about our faith. Nothing after Jesus's going to heaven.

There was one thing that you said that made no sense to me. If you can clarify, I'd appreciate it.

[quote]Good=That does what is right; well-behaved; reliable, dependable; real, genuine:
let me just repond to my own quote. Reliable, dependable, real, genuine. etc...etc. Reliable=Worthy of trust that can be depended on. (still questioning this)
Dependable=that can be depended on; trustworthy (had questions that were never anwered. Still waiting...G)
genuine=actually seems or is claimed to be; real; true. (still questioning this)
So on and so forth.[/quote]

I'll answer once I get it. Musume if you'd like an overview of what Jesus's role in our salvation was, you can message me, or start a thread, and I'm sure I and anyone who possibly knows better than I will help you. It seems you have alot of questions. This is the best way of going about finding God, as he loves those who seek Him out, and this seeking out comes from Him, so you are carrying out His will, which is awesomeness to the extreme.

God bless,

Mikey

[MichaelFilo]

I will try to be charitable here, although I share Jeff's view that you've left all intellectual thinking and it isn't easy to respond to anything you say. However, I will try as long as you post. Carderro I'd like to know, why you have this awkward capitalization, just wondering.

[quote]I would think that humans are the perfect conduit to connect to GOD (our bodies even resemble antennas) and our physical forms are designed to express all of the finest qualities of GOD (a simple act of GODLY consideration like picking up a dropped item off the floor for someone or opening a door to a building for another fellow human BEing) to expressing deeper qualities like LOVE and TRUST or by just BEing there for someone. No one should ever underestimate the physical potential of our BEing and what we are capable of doing.[/quote]

Conduit = 3. A means by which something is transmitted. Now, I am not clear what you mean by connecting to God. I agree through prayer we are elvated up to God and we can talk to Him, if that is what you mean. However our human bodies don't just talk to God. He knows what is in our hearts and minds, I agree, but our bodies are no form of conversation with God ( the fact that we are shaped like antennas deserves no refute, this is logically silly. We are flesh, He is spirit. )
Our physical forms are in the image of God, so I semi-agree with you. Our physical form though, is not what shows the greatest qualities of God (Love, justice). The body only carry's out acts of these things. The fact you put so much value on a body scares me. There is a limitation of what we can do in these bodies. It is when they are raised up and glorified and our spirits are put back in them, that then we can do great things.

[quote]Believe it or not GOD is talking back. ALL(WAYS) has, ALL(WAYS) will. I cannot imagine a Creator abandoning or ignoring a creation as important as a human BEing. I cannot imagine a Creator saying to me:

“What!?!? What do you want now!?!? Why are you bothering me with this?!?! Wasn’t this very same problem covered in that book I sent you?!?! What did I have you humans write it for, if you are not going to read it?!?!?!. Did you even bother to ask Fr./ Rev./ Deacon/ brother Robert or Mother/sister/ Rev. Sally? Maybe they know!!” [/quote]

This one, all Catholics can refute. Personal revelation and interpretation will NEVER make a religion. God did give us the bible. God also gave us His Church so He can lead it, and we can know where to go by what it teaches us. If God was just a personal God, and each man came up with a different God, then he would not be God at all, he would be a lie. To suggest through private revelation and discussion with God, we can know all we need to know about God, you are wrong. All those who ask the True God, will be lead to His Church ( or wherever else He wills them to learn about what he wants of them, but eventually that also reads to the Church ). This is true because all His truth are collected in His Church.

[quote]GOD understands what it is like for a human trying to BE. GOD understands that we will ALL have many personal questions that need to be addressed with satisfying conclusions. GOD understands that there will BE many times humans will want more from a realtionship with GOD then what is offered on earth. GOD understands the desire to connect. GOD understands ALL.
[/quote]

I agree with all this but the 3rd and 2nd to last lines. Is your relationship with God not satasfying? Does God not walk with you? While it is true I cannot wait until the day when God raises the dead and we all become a part of the new Jerusalem, I am happy with what I have with God now, and strive to fulfill God's will. Again you mention connecting, please clarify.

[quote]  It is absolutely are decision if we desire to listen. Some people do not listen. Sometimes people let their own ego or their own pride or other distractions stop them from hearing GOD. Some people are so concerned about where they are going they forget to listen for where they are at.
[/quote]

Agreed. For me and for the 2000 year old Church. Anyone can reject God, and not care for Him.

[quote] Though Prayer and meditation are fine ways to include and connect GOD into your life some people truly miss the (obvious) physical signs that GOD leaves for us. I see this fact proven over and over to me everyday. As a toll collector it is my job to assist drivers who are lost and are looking for directions and I come across many lost souls in a matter of hours. Our flesh (read:physical senses), as well as our spirit, give us numerous opportunities to recognize and connect to GOD. It is our responsibility to discover which methods work best for us.[/quote]

Again I'm not clear on what you mean connect. I can be in cummunion with God. I cannot connect (in the sense I'm getting it) with God through prayer. The only connection available to us humans is the Eucharist.

You said it is our responsibility to discover which methods work best for us, again, clarify connect please. Shouldn't we do what method He favors most, not what we favor most?

God bless,

Mikey

[MichaelFilo]

Sorry for the long posts. >.< I'm in the mood.

God bless,

Mikey

P.S. Java apps aren't working my Internet explorers, anyone who knows how I can fix this? Thanks.

[EcceNovaFacioOmni]

I would start with restarting the computer. If that doesn't work, come back.