tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-233575308075184290.post300230102690866226..comments2023-10-26T01:39:50.304-07:00Comments on Sarcasm 101: Signs from God and Other Faithless Ramblingsrubyspikeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06960381846323445061noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-233575308075184290.post-4222075407360351682011-05-03T07:20:22.263-07:002011-05-03T07:20:22.263-07:00Okay, I'm two weeks late, but thought that I w...Okay, I'm two weeks late, but thought that I would respond anyway. While I can see your point about noticing things when you're looking for them, that explanation just doesn't cover the list of "coincidences" that I experienced when finding God. I didn't have to use any stretch of the imagination when I asked God for my wallet and immediately received a call saying it had been found in a parking lot. And the adoption references I was getting were a lot more direct than "Oh, that was my friend's favorite store and she was adopted, so that reminds me of adoption." One example of God responding to me very directly - I had a conversation with God about the adoption where I had basically convinced myself that adopting a child with special needs would just be too hard on our family. I thought that adoption was doable, but special needs would be too difficult. Then, I went to church. We had a guest pastor from the Dominican Republic - his entire message was about how often God asks us to do hard things - something that's a sacrifice. He said that if God hasn't asked you to do anything difficult in life, you're probably not listening. This pastor could not possibly have spoken more directly to the conversation I had just had with God (and myself) without saying, "You, Nicole Hewitt, are SUPPOSED to do something hard. That's the whole point." Was it a coincidence? I can see someone arguing that - but I don't think so. And when I put it into the pile with all the other coincidences, it starts to look even less coincidental. If I had all day, I could tell you some pretty amazing stories from friends (One friend made it through a sudden illness that 80% of people die from due to a laundry list of "coincidences" including a nurse who put blood aside for her, against protocol, just because she felt like she should for some reason). I understand skepticism - I used to be there myself. But, I won't deny what I've felt, heard and seen. <br /><br />I wholeheartedly agree with you when you say that we filter out so much of what we encounter every day - I honestly believe that many people filter out God on a daily basis. I believe he's there, whether or not you choose to see him, just like the Camry's are out there, whether you notice them or not. :-)Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-233575308075184290.post-61139905572170932152011-04-15T11:27:54.257-07:002011-04-15T11:27:54.257-07:00I was thinking about the Joshua Tree effect, but t...I was thinking about the Joshua Tree effect, but thought more people could relate to the "new car" version. Plus I couldn't remember what book that was from. Hold on, must go Google it now...<br /><br />... ok, that didn't work. Gonna have to go look in the library now to try to remember.rubyspikeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03264207401334871402noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-233575308075184290.post-32304439853709041662011-04-15T08:20:07.348-07:002011-04-15T08:20:07.348-07:00You would love chatting with my friend Ryvre. She ...You would love chatting with my friend Ryvre. She is a pagan, but one of the most knowledgeable people I know when it comes to religious writings. The Bible, Koran (I'm prob spelling it incorrectly) etc. Her ability to quote the bible would humble any priest :) I suppose you have to be that well read when ignorant people think pagans worship the devil and run around naked, and force her to defend her beliefs and educate them about religions (sometimes their own) constantly.OakParkGirlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15285043572322774639noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-233575308075184290.post-73907430023023892092011-04-15T08:15:59.995-07:002011-04-15T08:15:59.995-07:00It's the Joshua Tree effect. That's someth...It's the Joshua Tree effect. That's something I read about this guy who learned what a Joshua Tree was, and then he started to see them all over the place. So, if you're looking for something, you'll find it everywhere. If you are looking for a sign from "G-d", then you'll find it. And usually you'll find your "answer" because your subconscious knows what answer you want or need.Roxannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12330094142744544717noreply@blogger.com