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borg
Registered Member
Date Joined Apr 2003
Total Posts : 324
| Posted 4/27/2004 2:53 PM (GMT -6) |   | Jo-Ann this is my best attempt at showing how I view the Almighty Father; which you asked in an earlier post.
"For He has rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. He is the image of the invisible God, the first born of all creation. For by Him all things were created both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities- all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. He is also the head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the first born from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. For it was the Father's good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven." Colossians 1:13-20
"Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on the cross. For this reason God also highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Philippians 2:5-11
"And one called out to another and said, 'Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord of hosts, The whole earth is full of His glory.' And the foundations trembled at the voice of him who called out, while the temple was filling with smoke." Isaiah 6:3, 4
"Then Moses said to God, 'Behold, I am going to the sons of Israel, and I will say o them, "The God of your fathers has sent me to you." Now they may say to me, 'What is His name?' What shall I say to them?' God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM"; and He said, "Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, I AM has sent you.'" Exodus 3:13, 14
“Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.” Rev 19:11-16
This is how I view God. I believe that these verses are among the clearest definitions of who God is, His character, and His dominion. I fear to comment on these verses lest I do an inadequate job of portraying God for who He is, and would prefer Scripture to say all that it needs without my awful justifications and mere speculation. If you need more of a concrete idea, let me know, perhaps I can work with the thought. But these sections of Scripture depict God as I believe Him to be. Hope this helps.
Blessings,
For Christ’s Crown and His Righteousness,
Borg
"So it is a more glorious work of power to uphold a soul in a state of grace and holiness, and to carry it on till it is brought to glory, when there is so much sin remaining in the heart resisting, and Satan with all his might opposing, than it would have been to have kept manfrom falling at first, when Satan had nothing in man." Edwards | | Back to Top | | |
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John Earp
Registered Member
Date Joined Oct 2002
Total Posts : 1715
| Posted 4/27/2004 3:06 PM (GMT -6) | | quote:
Originally posted by moon_river_j
What does your picture of God look like? Mine looks just like Jesus. I'll expound on this once a few people have replied. This is in response to a discussion that Borg and I were having. Each of us sees Him slightly differently I know. Who is He to you? What aspects of His character are most meaningful to you?
(Can we do this and be nice to each other?)
Blessings,
Jo-Anne 
Great question, Jo-Anne! I used to think of Jesus as full of love (and I still do), while I thought of the Father as a very angry old man ready to hurl thunderbolts down on my head if I slipped up.
When I think of the Holy Spirit, I tend to think more in terms of how I've experienced Him--light, life, warmth, comfort, encouragement, strength, joy, etc.
But about my image of the Father, I have for several years now tried to keep in mind that Jesus said, "If you have seen me you have seen the Father." That said, Jesus presents some pretty stern images at times, too, especially in the Book of Revelation! | | Back to Top | | |
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PhilTheThrill
Registered Member
Date Joined Jan 2004
Total Posts : 95
| Posted 4/28/2004 7:01 AM (GMT -6) | | Well, I read alot of H.P. Lovecraft (1930's weird science fiction) and his gods were gigantic planet-sized terrifying entities full of tentacles and whatnot. I don't picture God like that, but I do sometimes picture him as this vast... presence. Have you ever been on an airplane that flew inside of a cloudbank and all you can see in any direction is this white fog that looks like it goes on for infinity? Sometimes I picture God like that, like an infinitely large storm cloud. When I think of God's glory and might, I tend to think of this enormous stormcloud saying "Look! Where can you go that I am not already? How can you escape my sight?"
Other times I picture him as a fatherly figure, tall and mighty yet gentle and patient. When I think of his love, I picture him with a hand on my shoulder, disappointed at my latest mishap but lovingly trying to make me better. Sort of a Ward Cleaver type.
This is not meant to start another fight, but ever since I came to belive in and study Open Theism, I've been floored by the idea of God's mercy and his justice. His justice is all the more terrifying and humbling and his mercy is all the more real to me. Likewise, my sin is all the more real to me. For some reason, nowadays I feel like I am playing a truly active role in hurting this awesome mighty being that is "foolishly" in love with me. I feel like im Gomer in the book of Hosea. Such a slut. 
So yeah, Hosea comes to mind when I picture God's relationship style. The hopelessly devoted husband to a wandering-prone spouse. | | Back to Top | | |
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Starkman
Registered Member
Date Joined Oct 2001
Total Posts : 1747
| Posted 4/28/2004 10:40 AM (GMT -6) | | Well, there's a nice picture of God on my wall. He's wearing a suite and tie. Could have chosen a differenc color, but He's God ... WHAT? Oh, I'm sorry. Picture of God. Yes, well, um. Patient and gentle, beyond anything I could have ever imagined. That's God to me.
Starkman | | Back to Top | | |
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quest for truth
Registered Member
Date Joined Jul 2001
Total Posts : 479
| Posted 4/28/2004 12:42 PM (GMT -6) | | Hi Jo-Anne,
I would like to contribute my pictures of God for you. I look forward to reading what your picture looks like.
First, I must start by saying I have many pictures of God. The first one that came to mind as I thought about this was the father with the prodigal son. I hear the words from the current song on the radio "He ran to me with his arms opened wide held my head to his chest and said 'My sons come home again'; He looked at my face wiped the tears from my eyes and with forgiveness in his voice said 'My son, do you know I still love you?' From this experience I can enter into God's forgiveness.
I also picture the good shepherd holding the little lamb securely and tenderly in his arms. From this I feel God's gentleness and security. I can rest in his arms and feel at peace.
Sometimes I get the picture of Jesus sitting on the rock with children gathered all around him and some sitting on his lap. From this picture I understand his patience and acceptance of me just as I am "HIS CHILD"
There are times I envision God standing firmly on the ground, standing in might and power. His white robe blowing softly in the wind. This picture gives me a sense of confidence and protection. He is the strong and mighty King of Kings.
These are some of the strongest pictures that come to my mind. They serve different purposes in my life but can be so helpful for me when I need them. | | Back to Top | | |
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1Heart
Registered Member
Date Joined Feb 2004
Total Posts : 1128
| Posted 4/28/2004 3:31 PM (GMT -6) | | quote:
Originally posted by Lee Merrill
Hi Jo-Anne,
quote:
Who is [Jesus] to you? What aspects of His character are most meaningful to you?
People write whole books on this topic! Whole libraries...
He's my teacher! I like learning, I would have been a good professional student.
He's my forgiver and restorer! I mess up a lot, and he still keeps working with me, for some reason.
And he's my hope! I expect to get to know him much more than I do now, I'm not at all satisfied with how well I know him now, and expect I can make lots of progress in this area...
I could go on and on. One more!
He's my security! I flop around an fall off the boat, and still I'm afloat, but not by my own skill or self-effort. It's all his grace...
Blessings,
Lee
I love this! Thanks Lee!
Jo-Anne
"Sometimes all we can do is go back to the character of God, and drop anchor there."
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1Heart
Registered Member
Date Joined Feb 2004
Total Posts : 1128
| Posted 4/28/2004 3:39 PM (GMT -6) | | quote:
Originally posted by borg
Jo-Ann this is my best attempt at showing how I view the Almighty Father; which you asked in an earlier post.
"For He has rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. He is the image of the invisible God, the first born of all creation. For by Him all things were created both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities- all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. He is also the head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the first born from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. For it was the Father's good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven." Colossians 1:13-20
"Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on the cross. For this reason God also highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Philippians 2:5-11
"And one called out to another and said, 'Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord of hosts, The whole earth is full of His glory.' And the foundations trembled at the voice of him who called out, while the temple was filling with smoke." Isaiah 6:3, 4
"Then Moses said to God, 'Behold, I am going to the sons of Israel, and I will say o them, "The God of your fathers has sent me to you." Now they may say to me, 'What is His name?' What shall I say to them?' God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM"; and He said, "Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, I AM has sent you.'" Exodus 3:13, 14
“Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.” Rev 19:11-16
This is how I view God. I believe that these verses are among the clearest definitions of who God is, His character, and His dominion. I fear to comment on these verses lest I do an inadequate job of portraying God for who He is, and would prefer Scripture to say all that it needs without my awful justifications and mere speculation. If you need more of a concrete idea, let me know, perhaps I can work with the thought. But these sections of Scripture depict God as I believe Him to be. Hope this helps.
Blessings,
For Christ’s Crown and His Righteousness,
Borg
I have gained an appreciation for the deep reverence you have for God and it's obvious that you hold scripture dear.
I love what God says to Moses, "I Am That I Am." What this says to me is that God is more than sufficient in each and every circumstance of life.
Thank you for sharing what He means to you. Which characteristic of the Father is most meaningful to you personally?
God Bless!
Jo-Anne 
"Sometimes all we can do is go back to the character of God, and drop anchor there."
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1Heart
Registered Member
Date Joined Feb 2004
Total Posts : 1128
| Posted 4/28/2004 3:42 PM (GMT -6) | | quote:
Originally posted by John Earp
quote:
Originally posted by moon_river_j
What does your picture of God look like? Mine looks just like Jesus. I'll expound on this once a few people have replied. This is in response to a discussion that Borg and I were having. Each of us sees Him slightly differently I know. Who is He to you? What aspects of His character are most meaningful to you?
(Can we do this and be nice to each other?)
Blessings,
Jo-Anne
Great question, Jo-Anne! I used to think of Jesus as full of love (and I still do), while I thought of the Father as a very angry old man ready to hurl thunderbolts down on my head if I slipped up.
When I think of the Holy Spirit, I tend to think more in terms of how I've experienced Him--light, life, warmth, comfort, encouragement, strength, joy, etc.
But about my image of the Father, I have for several years now tried to keep in mind that Jesus said, "If you have seen me you have seen the Father." That said, Jesus presents some pretty stern images at times, too, especially in the Book of Revelation!
Thank you. Funny, I used to separate the Father and Jesus too. It's only been in the past couple of years that it has really sunk in for me that the Father looks like just like Jesus. I'll tell you more about how I see him when I get through these responses.
God Bless you John,
Jo-Anne 
"Sometimes all we can do is go back to the character of God, and drop anchor there."
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1Heart
Registered Member
Date Joined Feb 2004
Total Posts : 1128
| Posted 4/28/2004 3:48 PM (GMT -6) | | quote:
Originally posted by PhilTheThrill
Well, I read alot of H.P. Lovecraft (1930's weird science fiction) and his gods were gigantic planet-sized terrifying entities full of tentacles and whatnot. I don't picture God like that, but I do sometimes picture him as this vast... presence. Have you ever been on an airplane that flew inside of a cloudbank and all you can see in any direction is this white fog that looks like it goes on for infinity? Sometimes I picture God like that, like an infinitely large storm cloud. When I think of God's glory and might, I tend to think of this enormous stormcloud saying "Look! Where can you go that I am not already? How can you escape my sight?"
Other times I picture him as a fatherly figure, tall and mighty yet gentle and patient. When I think of his love, I picture him with a hand on my shoulder, disappointed at my latest mishap but lovingly trying to make me better. Sort of a Ward Cleaver type.
This is not meant to start another fight, but ever since I came to belive in and study Open Theism, I've been floored by the idea of God's mercy and his justice. His justice is all the more terrifying and humbling and his mercy is all the more real to me. Likewise, my sin is all the more real to me. For some reason, nowadays I feel like I am playing a truly active role in hurting this awesome mighty being that is "foolishly" in love with me. I feel like im Gomer in the book of Hosea. Such a slut.
So yeah, Hosea comes to mind when I picture God's relationship style. The hopelessly devoted husband to a wandering-prone spouse.
Wow. Phil, I truly loved what you had to say about the Father. A storm cloud...how unique. I agree with you about the O.V. I have a far deeper sense of His justice and of seeing him as a warrior, my warrior in that He fights for me and His mercy blows me away as well Phil, and I, like you, don't deserve it!
Be of good courage. Because you are His your heart is good. Remember how he reassured Peter on the shores of the sea of Galilee. We have a Lord who cooks us breakfast, sits down to eat with us, embraces us and tells what a good heart we have. This is such an intimate relationship.
God Bless!
Your sis...Jo-Anne 
"Sometimes all we can do is go back to the character of God, and drop anchor there."
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Tom
Registered Member
Date Joined Jul 2001
Total Posts : 10353
| Posted 4/28/2004 5:10 PM (GMT -6) | | It's idolatry to have a picture of God in your head. I only think of the objective, facutal, historical God of the Scriptures. I experience that objectively and factually. No red planes. Just truth.
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1Heart
Registered Member
Date Joined Feb 2004
Total Posts : 1128
| Posted 4/28/2004 8:05 PM (GMT -6) | | Now it's my turn...
First...here's something I want to share with you:
"Watching 3-D movies requires special glasses. While wearing these glasses viewers see a dramatically different picture. The glasses make it possible to see to a depth or perspective that is otherwise impossible. Without the presence of the Holy Spirit in us, we cannot see withGod's perspective. The Spirit enlightens "the eyes of [our] heart" (Ephesians 1:18) so we can understand the hope to which God calls us." (from Meeting God in Everyday Life).
I've said a little already but I could never say enough. I'm sure that we all feel that way. Primarily I see the Father as the lover of my soul who is always pursuing me and I see my relationship with Him as a sacred romance. (OK, before you gag remember who inspired The Song of Songs). My relationship with Him is intimate - but only as intimate as I will allow it to be. He inspires me. "For you did not receive a spirit of slavry to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, Abba! Father!" (Rom. 8:15)
"It is that very spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ - if, in fact we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him." (Romans 8: 16,17) I see Him as the Father who not only gave me new life, but is transforming me day by day into the image of His Son. We are being transformed "from glory to glory" as we walk with Him.
He is my tender shepherd as well as my warrior. "If God is for us, who is against us?" (Rom. 8:31b) and "For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God n Christ Jesus our Lord." He is the One who is able (above all others) in my life to keep me from falling and when I do, He is the One who tenderly picks me up and carries me until I find I am able, once more, to find the solid rock beneath my feet.
He is my "sweet friend, the dearest of friends to me."
About a year ago I wrote this song and our worship team recorded it. I guess this is me being vulnerable in sharing it...but it is how I see Him and I believe He speaks to each of us and relates to us in unique ways.
"In the countless stars above
Father I can see your face
I lift my eyes to heaven and feel
The sweet warmth of your embrace
(chorus) Jesus you're my north star
The light that guides me back to you
Jesus you're my north star
You're the light that guides me back to you
I bow my head and worship you
And I wonder at your touch
What I have to offer you
Really isn't all that much
Jesus you're my north star...
I will seek you in the countless stars of heaven
All I have I'll offer to you
Gladly trade it for one touch, one sweet embrace
Just one look upon your face.
****
He is my north star, my guide. Some day when we actually look upon His face, all this will pale in comparison and we will see Him as He actually is and we will know Him fully as we are fully known and we will be like Him.
God Bless and thanks for sharing what your picture of Jesus looks like, what He means to you. I hope you never stop sharing that.
Jo-Anne
"Sometimes all we can do is go back to the character of God, and drop anchor there."
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feelinahole
Registered Member
Date Joined Jan 2004
Total Posts : 754
| Posted 4/28/2004 8:17 PM (GMT -6) | | How do I picture God? To quote scripture, for me, would be lying, because scripture is the biblical portrayal of God, which I seldom measure up to, surely not through these glasses.
The older I get, the more I realize that however I see God, I see him through the life experiences that have made me and the needs that are mine. I cannot erase the weakness and desires of sin that are part of me, nor (do I think, in some sense anyway), that God would want me to. These are the things that have brought me to my knees, and the things that God has rescued me from.
This is me. I see God through the prism of my everyday life, sometimes well, sometimes not at all. THis does not change God. It changes me. I have no picture of God, because God encompasses all pictures in my life, for he is all supply and I am all need. Whatever need is greatest at the time, that is my picture of God.
Harold | | Back to Top | | |
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1Heart
Registered Member
Date Joined Feb 2004
Total Posts : 1128
| Posted 4/28/2004 9:05 PM (GMT -6) | | quote:
Originally posted by feelinahole
How do I picture God? To quote scripture, for me, would be lying, because scripture is the biblical portrayal of God, which I seldom measure up to, surely not through these glasses.
The older I get, the more I realize that however I see God, I see him through the life experiences that have made me and the needs that are mine. I cannot erase the weakness and desires of sin that are part of me, nor (do I think, in some sense anyway), that God would want me to. These are the things that have brought me to my knees, and the things that God has rescued me from.
This is me. I see God through the prism of my everyday life, sometimes well, sometimes not at all. THis does not change God. It changes me. I have no picture of God, because God encompasses all pictures in my life, for he is all supply and I am all need. Whatever need is greatest at the time, that is my picture of God.
Harold
Thank you Harold,
It's nice to "put a name" to a "familiar face" finally! You're right, we all see Him through the prism of our everyday life (as well as the knowledge of Him represented in the Word and through our picture of Him in Jesus Christ). Beautifully put! And He see us through "Jesus filters!"
'Nite and God Bless You Harold!
Jo-Anne
"Sometimes all we can do is go back to the character of God, and drop anchor there."
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Tom
Registered Member
Date Joined Jul 2001
Total Posts : 10353
| Posted 4/29/2004 2:11 AM (GMT -6) | | quote:
Originally posted by moon_river_j
quote:
Originally posted by TGB
It's idolatry to have a picture of God in your head. I only think of the objective, facutal, historical God of the Scriptures. I experience that objectively and factually. No red planes. Just truth.
Thanks Tom for sharing what the Father means to you. Jo-Anne
Sorry, that was supposed to be a JOKE, but nobody got it. Oh well.
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Starkman
Registered Member
Date Joined Oct 2001
Total Posts : 1747
| Posted 4/29/2004 3:01 AM (GMT -6) | | Tom said, It's idolatry to have a picture of God in your head.
See, that's why I have a picture of God on my wall!
Starkman | | Back to Top | | |
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quest for truth
Registered Member
Date Joined Jul 2001
Total Posts : 479
| Posted 4/29/2004 4:48 AM (GMT -6) | | TGBquote:
Sorry, that was supposed to be a JOKE, but nobody got it. Oh well.
Starkmanquote:
See, that's why I have a picture of God on my wall!
I got the first joke, Tom. And Starkman, I got your joke too. I appreciate the humor that is mixed in on this site!
"The joy of the Lord is my STRENGTH"
BTW, Jo-Anne, I love your song. That is beautiful! | | Back to Top | | |
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Truth Aficionado
Registered Member
Date Joined Dec 2003
Total Posts : 1544
| Posted 4/29/2004 6:03 AM (GMT -6) | | | | |
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