Where is God When You Need Him? (Page 3)

ghostgeek: Oh dear, seems your God can't even get me to answer a couple of your questions, Zanjan. Maybe His batteries need recharging.

ghostgeek: As it happens, things have been rather hectic this past week. So many people have been banging on the door, wanting to look at my mother, that I'm starting to lose track of who they all are.

Zanjan: Probably church people. Who let the cat out of the bag? Perhaps she's enjoying the attention - I bet some of them thoughtfully brought her a casserole, maybe even some DEPENDS?

ghostgeek: No, she is not enjoying herself. It is doctors, nurses, care workers, therapists, and more besides, who have taken to coming around. And not one of them has bothered to bring a casserole.

Church people get told to bugger off.

chronology: Ghost you surprise me, church people have called to see you're mom? I remember telling a Guy one time that never in my life have I ever seen a church goer ever perform a single act of kindness towards anyone. He never believed me. 'They must have done a single nice thing for someone ' he said.

ghostgeek: Bible thumpers. My mother hates them almost as much as I do.

Zanjan: You've said she's a believer - does she identify with a religion?

ghostgeek: She is a lapsed Catholic.

Zanjan: By "lapsed', does that included being a crushed Christian?

ghostgeek: It means she doesn't go to church.

Zanjan: I see. Apparently, God has made a decision. She didn't tell you that part, did she? That's the part when a branch gets separated from the Vine.

Zanjan: Maybe you should ask where she was when God asked her to serve Him. If one is a believer, one is also a friend of God.......when we lose a friend, we don't expect them to show up at our door when we need help but, in case they still do, what sort of person would turn them away??

However, stepping away from a particular religion is no big deal IF one is willing to serve God in another one. In that case, they wouldn't turn any of God's people away.

Zanjan: Correction - *maybe* they wouldn't; you see, as believers living in God, they do have to produce good fruit. They can't do otherwise.

You just made me think of an event that's happening in September in Israel. A group of Jews, Christians and Muslims are getting together in one House of Worship in Jerusalem for public observances in the prayer hall. While this a cool first for Israel, which is quite exciting, I found it's only going to last one week. Maybe they're just testing the waters.

You know, Baha'i Temples (Houses of Worship) have always had their doors open to the public..in warm countries, there aren't even any doors. There's nobody banging on drums, no guitars, no instruments of any kind, and no preaching, no business conducted.

You will only see chairs, and all the Holy Books of every religion displayed there to read from. It's a place of refuge from the world, of peace, private prayer and quiet meditation to spiritually refresh. No questions asked, no rituals performed..........just walk in, 24/7

This is God's gift to the world. I appreciate that others have been inspired by this and are making the first steps towards unity. Soon, they'll realize how much they have to learn to make it real.

ghostgeek: Why have Baha'i Temples at all? Surely, just believing in the existence of a supernatural being is more than sufficient?

calybonos: That's a silly question.

If Baha'i didn't have temples, where would it's ears be?

ghostgeek: Up its backside, maybe?

Zanjan: This is what happens when someone asks a rhetorical question.

Zanjan: I beleive one of the roses in my garden has a fragrance like lemons with a hint of clove and mulberry. As lovely as that is to inhale, and however anyone else interprets the scent, it's not something I can build my life around.

Zanjan: On the subject of 'inspiration', received by the peoples of the Books of God, just wanted to mention something neat I saw in church recently. They've decided to stop passing the plate!

Somebody must have been reading my mind because it's not something the Baha'i Faith has ever done. It does seem as if there's a concerted effort to catch up with the times, and common sense. They now have a discreet donation box in the church lobby. Little steps - we're all connected.

ghostgeek: No collection plate? That'll bugger up the priest's retirement plans.

calybonos: I'd think Modern churches would have ATMs.

ghostgeek: God's credit rating being a bit on the iffy side, only a genuine miracle would see a church ATM pay out real cash.

calybonos: Blessed are those who do not see and yet believe...?

ghostgeek: Blessed fools more like.

calybonos: For they shalt inherit a wicked low APR interest rate...