So i made a deal with God...

[Jbs2763]

Deb, what part of the country are you in, what country are you in for that matter? is there an LDS congregation in your town? or a nearby town?

[Heavenguard]

Deals with God... usually don't work. Or they don't work out the way you expect or would like. Do you have some friends you could talk to? I myself just called out my best friend to talk about some needs I have, and she told me hers. We didn't really resolve any of our issues, but it's alwas helpful to be able to talk things out with a sympathetic someone.

[deblldo]

Hi,

I am in the u.k, there is a lds church in the next town a bit too far to walk and i dont drive. The only friends i have are baptist christians and do not understand at all. The missioanries told me before to step out in faith and God will give His answer, but i have so much to lose. I guess im being selfish and should do what i think is right, it would just be nice to know that what im doing has GOd's seal of approval then it wouldnt hurt so much what people say.

deb

[pam]

Originally Posted by its_Chet

No offense, but are you implying something?

haha That's kind of what I thought when I just read that.

[FunkyTown]

Hey Deb,

I experienced a very similar situation to you when I first joined the church. My family were certainly not big on it. I'm living in the UK myself now, too. In a town called Egham.

[sjdean]

Hi deblldo, great post. Reminds me of myself in many ways.

There are some things I don't understand about the LDS faith, but I am inexplicably drawn to it. But I can't bring myself to do anything about it and make a serious commitment.

I too keep asking for a sign, and why not?

Once I was given a Book of Mormons by a couple of missionaries in Solihull giving out books. I haven't seen anything like that before or since.

I heard something about the idea that you shouldn't test God either. I suppose in that respect, it is not right to ask for a sign. It is perhaps doubting God. But at the same time, what is Moroni's promise if not a sign or a deal?

So I figured I'd change the terms of my deal.

Instead of asking for a sign off God, who I believe is incontrovertible, I thought I might ask for a sign from the missionaries. When I invited the missionaries round for the lessons, they gave me the talk on the holy spirit and how they've felt an urge or something of that nature to knock on a door.

Well, if they're guided like that, then they must knock on my door.

I decided to stop asking God to knock on my door and instead Im asking the missionaries!

Cya
Simon

[its_Chet]

It may be important at this point to draw a distinction between making a deal with God and seeking a sign or testing God. One is perfectly okay, and the other two are not.

Making a deal with God is okay. It's basically like making a covenant, only not as serious since it's not sealed by the Priesthood, and is usually done from a significantly less enlightened position than a covenant would be. Even when, like in my case that I mentioned on my last post, the deal is made by someone who has little faith and isn't sure what will happen, there is still a modicum of faith required. We don't make deals with a God we're convinced doesn't exist, after all. I guess in a way the deal I made at the airport could have been kind of considered a test, but I like to think that since I went beyond honoring my end of the deal that respect and gratitude were the over riding factors in that deal.

Basically, making a deal with God, as I see it, is a plea for His assistance by a person not fully convinced one way or the other what He will do, but yet believes that He can do something to help. And part of making a deal involves ponying up your end of it also.

Seeking a sign or testing God, on the other hand, are bad ideas. They imply skepticism, cynicism, and pride. It's as if to say "If you're really there, prove it." And invariably, that which is sought by the person doing such a thing is some kind of miracle that only follows faith. Faith which is absent in the endeavor. It's like demanding that a wagon move on its own without a horse to pull it. But in addition to that, it's a slap in the face to God. It's treating him like your own personal "yes man", a breath-taking show of irreverence and disrespect. God builds planets and stars, and governs worlds without number. It is very unbecoming to demand that He satisfy mere curiosity or prove His existence, contrary to the plan of salvation. The plan of salvation requires that we demonstrate faith before we receive any signs. That faith may not have to be much, but at least some is always required.

I don't know how much faith deblldo has, but I think it's safe to say she has enough to get things started here. Perhaps the question is, is she beyond that point? Is she at a point where Heavenly Father, rather than sending the missionaries to her, wants her to seek them out? I think only deblldo can answer that one. Maybe that's the real question. How much faith does she feel the Holy Spirit asking of her? More than she's shown so far? Not more? She may need to consider that as part of the path to getting answers. I think sjdean is onto something.

As a convert, I know that my baptism took a leap of faith. My testimony came later. I got baptized on a hunch. The miracle (in that case, my testimony) came after the demonstration of faith.

[mnn727]

John 17:17 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.

Sorry, your "deal with God" seems pretty one sided to me. To me giving God an ultimatum is never a good idea -- lets turn the 'deal' around a bit "Send the missionaries to me, without my doing anything, or I won't join your Church" Same exact meaning -- but a different point of view.

Sounds like God has been leading you for months, yet you keep putting him off, you say Church is lonely -- have you tried to get to know someone? the best way to get a friend is to be one.

[deblldo]

Hi,

Thanks Simon, its nice to know that im not the only one. I am in cannock in the midlands. As for the other posts i do agree, i am not meaning to test God i just want to make sure im doing His will rather than going off and doing what i want, ive been a little bit of a church hopper the past 2 years, and to be honest im not sure if thats because i havnt yet found the church that God wants me to be in or because im looking for somtying that doesnt exist.

If i had my own way and cared about no-one else i guess i would be down at my local Lds church on sunday and just keep going til i fet it was right (or wrong) for me. However this is a very big step for me to make, due to the fact i have been a baptist for 16 years, that my husband does not agree, annd that the pastor of my current church happens to be my father- in- law. I think it would seem selfish and hasty to just go off and "see what happens" although i know that if this is the church God wants me at things will work out.
If this is where God wants me then i just want to make sure before i cause upset in my family and make a stand for a church that im not sure of.
I hope this explains my situation a little better, im not trying to be demanding, i just dont want to flit from church to church any more, and the next time i want to make such a big step i want to make sure that its the right one.

deb

[bytebear]

You can attend church as a visitor for as long as you like before baptism. Maybe you should try attending for a month or two and decide if you want to join after that. But I would say be an active visitor, meeting the members and involving yourself in Sunday School for example.