How do I talk to God again ?

[Mavrikmind]

I haven't talked to God in a very long time. Five years ago my youngest son past away from birth defects. To say the least I've been very angry at god for a very long time. For the past couple of years I've been trying to find my spiritual path again. I believe I've found it but the thing is, and this has been bothering me alot, I don't feel or hear God around me anymore. Have I pushed him away so much that I'm unable to hear or feel him anymore? Some advise would be appreciated

 

[NoahideHiker]

It's not that He's not around you. You simply needed to take a step back from Him. One single step forward back to Him is equivalent to running into His arms. You endured a great tragedy in your life. You have every right to be angry about it and you can tell G-d so. There was a reason for your loss. There has to be otherwise G-d is a filthy liar and no god to be followed. You don't need formal prayer or communion or some long drawn out struggling time to get back to Him. Simply open your mouth and let it all out weather it be anger, sadness, or doubt.
The single greatest secret to happiness in life is simply talking to G-d.

And whatever you do DO NOT get caught up in the religious aspect of faith. You don't have to be a christian or a Jew or a Buddhist or anything other than what you are right now...YOU! It's just you and G-d. But of course if you consider yourself a christian already going to church or speaking to a local pastor is always good too.

Here's a video done by a great rabbi I have learned a great deal from. While he is a Jew,and a rabbi his teachings to happiness are universal.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6558315783729622816&q=rabbi+lazer+brody


I also greatly encourage you to go to his web site. He has a series of CDs that can and will change your life. They did for me. They're only about $5 a piece and they cover a wide range of subjects. His book The Trail to Tranquility is also a great source for conecting to G-d on a universal level.

http://lazerbrody.typepad.com/lazer_beams/

 

[cardero]

How To Talk with GOD

• The conversations will start out with GOD and you. Once you get comfortable with this relationship, you will find yourself addressing topics that apply to almost everyone.
• Every time you talk with GOD is always better than the last. (It also gets easier.)
• One thing you will learn after a few conversations is that GOD never shuts up. If this gets to be too overwhelming for you, keep a notebook or tape recorder around and make notes so you do not forget topics or the essence of any conversation.
• GOD manifests him/herself differently in different ways to different people. You will find that when talking with GOD, GOD will speak in a style that is familiar and friendly. You may think that GOD is talking to you in GOD's manner but GOD's truths are his/her own and will manifest through your personality.
• Pay attention to all forms of stimuli: dreams, meditations, and conversations with other people, music, movies, and books – any form of input that can be detected through ALL of your senses. This is GOD's way of paging you – of bringing something to the attention of your consciousness. There are no coincidences. If a message is meant to be received, it will get to you.
• The best time to talk with GOD is when you are alone.
• If you are writing down your conversations, DO NOT stop to think about what you are writing. Always read the dialogue after you are finished. It will feel as if you are reading it for the first time. DO NOT edit or censor your questions and answers. Keep an open mind. Whatever comes to you later can always be added another time.
• If you must play any background music during your transcripts (and if you have the means), may I suggest you play Mozart. GOD likes Mozart. Go figure.
• DO NOT be upset or disappointed with any of the answers you receive. As a human being, some answers may surprise or shock you. This is GOD helping you to UNDERSTAND. It would also be helpful to shed your worldly views and past patterns, and bring a new UNDERSTANDING to these conversations.
• DON'T expect that the same UNDERSTANDING given to you will also be given to another person. DO NOT go into this thinking you can change the viewpoints of everyone in the world. First and foremost, you are only helping to bring enlightenment to yourself. If you glean anything from anyone else's conversation, consider it a blessing to you. DO NOT exploit or force your viewpoints on another fellow being who is not ready for this kind of UNDERSTANDING. Remember, everyone is on the correct path he or she should be on.
• Keep in mind that GOD is not "The Answer Man/Woman." If GOD's answers are vague and unclear, it is because you may not be ready to receive the answers. You may need a little more UNDERSTANDING in some areas of your life. It is not because GOD doesn't know the answer or wants to confuse you; it is because GOD would rather see you come to the joy of realizing the answer for yourself. GOD will always lead you to the door, but it is up to you to go through it.
• To derive the maximum benefits from your talks with GOD, always remember where you came from and where you are now. Try to leave your ego out of the conversation. Don't be afraid to look back once in a while for a better UNDERSTANDING. In time, you will never have to look back again.
• Remember, anyone can talk with GOD; GOD has always been talking with you.
• Do not make excuses for not talking with GOD; GOD doesn't buy any of them. Remember, any conversation is a two-way street. You do have the time (more than you think!) that GOD has provided for us. But, if you do not have the time to actually document or write down the moments of the conversation, GOD will UNDERSTAND.
• If you are having trouble getting started, start by talking with GOD about the weather or TV shows. Even ask GOD how to make a good cup of tea. Focus on your question. Make sure this is exactly what you want to ask GOD. Type or write out your results as if you were having a regular conversation with anyone else. This is where it begins for anybody. Do not humble yourself or feel intimidated. You will find out that GOD is easy to talk with and is just as friendly (probably more so) than anyone you know.

 

[Paladin]

I would have to agree with Noahide, Mavrik. If you haven't confronted God with your honest feelings, questions, rage and despair it might be time to do so. I remember, when I lost my Christopher to MD when he was 16 I thought my world was going to end, and two years into the grief cycle, riddled with drugs and alchohol, it nearly did.
I am at peace with the God of my understanding, but even that understanding evolves constantly. As Noahide says, it is just you and God now and no religion should come between you.

Peace
Mark

 

[Comprehend]

I haven't talked to God in a very long time. Five years ago my youngest son past away from birth defects. To say the least I've been very angry at god for a very long time. For the past couple of years I've been trying to find my spiritual path again. I believe I've found it but the thing is, and this has been bothering me alot, I don't feel or hear God around me anymore. Have I pushed him away so much that I'm unable to hear or feel him anymore? Some advise would be appreciated

Maverikmind,

I am terribly sorry for your loss. I have two children and I cannot imagine what losing one must be like. It may encourage you to know that LDS doctrine teaches that children that die go to the highest level of heaven and that families can be together forever there. Personally, I think that God takes His very best like that. Because they are so young, they are unable to ever be tempted by Satan and therefore, do not sin. They leave the world sinless.

About your spirituality, it is very good that you are aware of what being close to God feels like, that is sometimes the most difficult thing for people to learn. You already are familiar. You likely have drifted away from God if you do not feel Him anymore. BUT, you can change that, daily prayer can start that change. God loves all of His children but in order to feel His spirit again, you must obey His commandments. Read the scriptures, say your prayers. When you pray, talk to God like you would talk to your best friend. Just talk to Him, ask Him questions. Ask Him if He still loves you. and then, listen. He will not speak audibly, but He will give you that still, small, peace. Your Heavenly Father loves you and will always love you. Pray and ask Him.

 

[ayani]

when i have trouble talking to God because of anger, hurt, or hardness, it is often easier to begin with something small. i will stay quiet for a few moments, and let something small, some small words to Him, come through. trusting that He is there, that He listens can be a huge step some mornings.

faith came back gradually for me. God speaks to us in His own ways- i believe that He knows each and every one of us, every hair on our heads, and every desire within us. often i begin the day just to thank Him that i am awake and on my feet. it's a start, and it leads to more prayers, more words to Him. i find taht talking to Him is sometimes like talking to my late father- a little scary. but i find the words, through Him. and i believe that in the end, He wishes more than anything to reconcile with us, to hear us talk to Him, and to talk with us.

 

[NoahideHiker]

often i begin the day just to thank Him that i am awake and on my feet. it's a start, and it leads to more prayers, more words to Him.

With my caregiver job I sleep at work and wake up at work and hit the ground running. I would wake up and say, "Oh man I don't wanna get up. Is it Friday yet? Damn I hate waking up at work.". I made the conscience effort to thank G-d as soon as I wake up for the nights rest and for the day ahead. What a difference!

While it can be hard to thank G-d at times when we don't understand our circumstances there is no better way of getting G-d's attention than having that mustard seed of faith to say, "G-d i don't understand why but it has to be for the best so thank you.". When we are thankful to G-d in times of trouble He will say, "Even with the trials I gave you you are still thanking Me? OK, now I'm going to give you a real reason to thank Me.". And at the other end when we are ungreatful for every little thing He gives us He may say, "What? I give you all this and you still cry? Now I'm going to give you something to cry about.".

Being thankful. Sometimes hard but always yielding results.

 

[Mavrikmind]

Thanks for all your advice. To be truthfull I don't consider myself belonging to any faith at all and I'm not sure if I even wan't to. I do know that I believe in God and I would like him and me to be friends again

 

[ayani]

it does make such a difference, Hiker. :yes:

i believe that in waking up, in moving about for the day, we know that God has a need from us this day- He needs us to be awake, to do our best, and to be mindful of His signs and of our brothers and sisters. bad things may come, and they will. but He has given us our rest and our awaking, and words with which to talk to HIm. even if it is not easy.

 

[michel]

I haven't talked to God in a very long time. Five years ago my youngest son past away from birth defects. To say the least I've been very angry at god for a very long time. For the past couple of years I've been trying to find my spiritual path again. I believe I've found it but the thing is, and this has been bothering me alot, I don't feel or hear God around me anymore. Have I pushed him away so much that I'm unable to hear or feel him anymore? Some advise would be appreciated

Never! The God I understand would be so pleased to see you wanting to be "his" again.....there is no way that he would ignore your attentions..........

I understand that what you have been through originally made you angry at God; that's understandable. Pehaps you are trying too hard, or just not as used to hearing him as you were. Stick with it, do some solitary meditation, and open your heart to whatever comes.

 

[Comprehend]

Thanks for all your advice. To be truthfull I don't consider myself belonging to any faith at all and I'm not sure if I even wan't to. I do know that I believe in God and I would like him and me to be friends again

well, you don't have to belong to any particular religion to pray. Good luck with this.

 

[RevOxley_501]

i havent prayed or talked to God in the traditional sense in about 2 years now...but i feel like when i converse with others in places like this, and when i allow myself to go to quiet places and just think...

maybe you arent missing out at all you know?

 

[Zakaria]

Hi all,

Peace be upon you Mavrikmind, in the final testament, Quran, God informs us that everyone who dies before the age of 40 goes staight to Paradise where Adam and Eve once lived. So do not grief over your son, he is in a much better place right Now.

[Quran 46:15] We enjoined the human being to honor his parents. His mother bore him arduously, gave birth to him arduously, and took intimate care of him for thirty months. When he reaches maturity, and reaches the age of forty, he should say, "My Lord, direct me to appreciate the blessings You have bestowed upon me and upon my parents, and to do the righteous works that please You. Let my children be righteous as well. I have repented to You; I am a submitter."

Also, it is not right to be angry at God. Everything that happens in our lives is a test to see whether we submit to His will all the time, during hardship and prosperity, or transgress, and follow our egos.

However, if one repents God is the forgiver,

[Quran 39:53] Proclaim: "O My servants who exceeded the limits, never despair of GOD's mercy. For GOD forgives all sins. He is the Forgiver, Most Merciful."

Do not be trapped by Satan that this life is THE life. Since God has sent us messengers with scriptures about the Next Real Life.

Zakaria

 

[Sahar]

God informs us that everyone who dies before the age of 40 goes staight to Paradise

[Quran 46:15] We enjoined the human being to honor his parents. His mother bore him arduously, gave birth to him arduously, and took intimate care of him for thirty months. When he reaches maturity, and reaches the age of forty, he should say, "My Lord, direct me to appreciate the blessings You have bestowed upon me and upon my parents, and to do the righteous works that please You. Let my children be righteous as well. I have repented to You; I am a submitter."

"everyone who dies before the age of 40 goes staight to Paradise" i couldn't find this in the above verse?!! :help:

 

[Zakaria]

Peace on you not4me,

"everyone who dies before the age of 40 goes staight to Paradise" i couldn't find this in the above verse?!!

Almighty God didn't mean that one should submit when he/she is 40 years only. If we read the verse again we will realaize that it has a deeper meaning. All over the Quran God teaches us to worship Him alone, and to remember Him day and night, therefore submission to God can not be limited to the age of 40, therefore it is the age of Decision, the age of responsibilty - God or not God, believing in God's promise about the Next Real Life, or just being pre-occupied with this lowly life, etc.

This important piece of information is not from me, and I wouldn't understand that 40 is the age of decision on my own. This news are from God, delivered through His messenger of the covenant, Rashad Khalifa. In Quran, God teaches as that after all prophets (prophet = messenger that delivers a scripture) have arrived and delivered all scriptures, He will send us a messenger to unify their messages into one:

[Quran 3:81] GOD took a covenant from the prophets, saying, "I will give you the scripture and wisdom. Afterwards, a messenger will come to confirm all existing scriptures. You shall believe in him and support him." He said, "Do you agree with this, and pledge to fulfill this covenant?" They said, "We agree." He said, "You have thus borne witness, and I bear witness along with you."

Rashad Khalifa was sent to purify the religion of Abraham, Submission, from all pollution of idol worship of the powerless messengers/prophets/saits etc, and to devote the religion absolutely to God alone.

Rashad translated Quran into English, and wrote 38 appendices in his book.

For more information, please search for "the 38 appendices of the authorized English translation of Quran", they are available on many site on the internet.

Zakaria

PS Muhammad is the final prophet, thus Quran is the final scripture

[Quran 33:40] Muhammad was not the father of any man among you. He was a messenger of GOD and the final prophet. GOD is fully aware of all things.

 

[Zakaria]

Peace all,

Here is a clip about the 40 year grace period:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnyEeYKr_58

Zakaria

 

[JayHawes]

Before you begin to talk with God again you must

1) Forgive others, so that God may forgive you
2) Treat your husband/wife right, becuase God will ignore you if you treat him or her wrong
3) Be sincre, and ask for forgiveness
4) Pray in the name of Jesus Christ, becuase he is our mediator.

 

[Terrywoodenpic]

Thanks for all your advice. To be truthfull I don't consider myself belonging to any faith at all and I'm not sure if I even wan't to. I do know that I believe in God and I would like him and me to be friends again

God never went away... he was waiting for you to come to him in your own time.
He knows every thing you have been through.
It is always just between you and God.
Talk to him as an old friend, you have met again after a long absence.
Tell him your loves, your pains, your fears and hopes.
The comfort you feel will be both his love and his answer.
Then thank him.