How do I enjoy this life?

[posthuman]

Let's see, cozy in cocoon, having a really good night rest, everything feels good, wake up, break out of cocoon, and be a butterfly

**bleary eyed**

whoah where's my mandibles???

what are these, wings?? how the . . .

 

[theanointedwinner]

Can graph theory help defend the Bible?

 

[posthuman]

Can graph theory help defend the Bible?

yes; there are measures of connectivity that can be applied, for example, and ((just an hypothesis)) it may be able to be shown that no other book exists that is like this. that no other book is as complex and interconnected.
it could be possible to identify patterns in the scripture are reflected in the natural world, when physical systems are similarly described as graphs. it could be possible to show unique relationships that act as markers indicating that the same entity that created the Bible created the heavens and the earth.

i can't like, demonstrate it, because i haven't worked it out. but i can see a path to it

what book has complexity and holistic meaning like the Bible does?
i mean, can you find Mohammed on every page of the Q'ran? is Krishna testified of in every page of the Vedas?
you can see where that's going, i think -- and i think it is possible to express it in an graph-theoretic algebraic topology that forms measurable sets.

((apologies for the big words lol))

 

[posthuman]

yes; there are measures of connectivity that can be applied, for example, and ((just an hypothesis)) it may be able to be shown that no other book exists that is like this. that no other book is as complex and interconnected.
it could be possible to identify patterns in the scripture are reflected in the natural world, when physical systems are similarly described as graphs. it could be possible to show unique relationships that act as markers indicating that the same entity that created the Bible created the heavens and the earth.

i can't like, demonstrate it, because i haven't worked it out. but i can see a path to it

what book has complexity and holistic meaning like the Bible does?
i mean, can you find Mohammed on every page of the Q'ran? is Krishna testified of in every page of the Vedas?
you can see where that's going, i think -- and i think it is possible to express it in an graph-theoretic algebraic topology that forms measurable sets.

((apologies for the big words lol))

i don't know much of anything about kabbalism, but i think they try to do something similar. every once in a while we get someone on the forum talking about it, but to me it's all seemed really unfocused, unrigorous, and to my math-brain, not very useful. i've never met anyone into that sort of thing who seemed to actually know much math at all besides being able to add and subtract. like, there may be something there, but i've always felt like what people tell me about it, good grief, they hardly have a clue about math and they expect me to be amazed that two odd numbers add to an even one ((every time! wow! lol)) -- maybe i've just never met anyone good at explaining it. or maybe ((like @leahmariepierce)) i just get a bit pessimistic sometimes

 

[BillG]

It is my understanding that as a Christian I am to hate my life and myself in that I am a sinner and eternal life is what truly matters. I understand this is only a tiny part of my true life. But I just can’t seem to enjoy anything being so preoccupied with going to heaven. And I am very unhappy. God calls us to be joyful but how can I be joyful in this world? It is evil and ran by the devil. I don’t want to love the world but how am I to go on?

Hi and welcome to CC.

I am not sure where and why you understand that you are to hate your life.
I can't recall any Bible verses that say we are to believe this.
Afterall if God has given us life (and only he can give life and take it away) why would he ask us to hate the life he has given us.

Yes we may hate our life but that's different from being called to hate it.

We may hate our life because of life's experiences.
That cause pain and hurt that we carry over and dictate how we walk with Jesus.
If we are to hate anything it should be the things in our life that stunts our walk with Jesus.

Now if God has given you life there must be a purpose, no matter how life has been so bad.

Romans 8:28-30
28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

But you say I don't want to love the world.
But God did.

John 3:16
16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

That does not mean you have to be like the world but be in it yet be like Jesus.

The world is not run by satan.
God is in control.
Satan has no authority other than what God gives him.

 

[leahmariepierce]

Thank you for this

 

[zeroturbulence]

I know there is a scripture in John where Jesus says, "He who loves his life will lose it. But he who hates his life will keep it unto eternal life."

But there is also a scripture in the old testament (I can't remember where) that says, "It is a blessing for a man to able to enjoy the fruits of his labor" (I'm paraphrasing)

I think what this means is that someone who loves the pleasures of the world too much will not go to heaven.. But it also means that God wants us to enjoy the fruits of our labor (enjoy what we've been blessed with). So I think the lesson is... Just don't make worldly pleasure the #1 priority in your life.

 

[zeroturbulence]

I found that second scripture I mentioned:

Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil--this is a gift of God.
(Ecclesiastes 5:19 NIV)