There is no denying my Luck would have run out long ago. There must be a God, I'm still here!
W

Down through time,God has been saying.."I have a better way"...and down through time men have said..."no thanks".It's amazing to me that God has been patient as He has with outright centuries of His creation(the majority anyway) contemptuously flipping Him the bird.We OWE Him...not the other way around.To those who choose to listen,and humble themselves,there is GREAT reward.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 2/22/2015 @ 6:54 AM *

When your faith starts fading, or you doubt God, read Job, that man went through terrible things,
but his faith did not leave, its hard for us to relate to something that is not physically in front
of us talking to us, thats human, God is not human, he is spirit, he came in a human FORM in Jesus,
but he is not a human like us per say.

Rook, I do not know what you are going through, but I will pray for you, and all others on the board.

* Last updated by: carabuser on 2/22/2015 @ 10:52 AM *

True Dat;)

The 'idea' that God as spirit is above all,through all,and is eternal is WAY beyond any comprehension.But that's exactly what He is....He never leaves.He's ALWAYS here.Just as He is past the farthest solar system and time itself.No ONE is EVER alone.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 2/22/2015 @ 11:05 AM *

You can't develop (or further develop) character, responsibility, spiritual maturity, or any attribute worth having without passing through trials and tribulations. Remember that steel is forged through great pressure and heat. We've never really directly communicated Rook, but your in my thoughts.

"You can't develop (or further develop) character, responsibility, spiritual maturity, or any attribute worth having without passing through trials and tribulations. Remember that steel is forged through great pressure and heat"...BINGO!Most excellent!;)

Grn14 and carabuser, Amen! I think everyone needs to read John 3:3.

Sorry to hear man. Glad you'er still with us though.

Rook, I do not know what you are going through, but I will pray for you, and all others on the board.

The problem is severe financial difficulty. The bottom is about ready to drop out and then I really don't know what. Sorta saw this coming way back when it started and I got all my anxiety out already. All I have is a computer and two bikes so there's not a whole lot to loose in material stuff. I could sell and that would buy me another few months of living after I pay what I now owe which is starting to mount up. LOL Bill time, the bank account will be empty again next week. FOk man, I was told I can't go to a homeless shelter because I work!!!! Not eligible for public housing because I do not have primary placement of my kids.....so I guess we stay in my car? I'm not selling the 14 until the bitter end. I put too much into that bike and I still enjoy messing with little mods that I can make myself from some stuff at the hardware store. That Ohlins suspension cost a few though...but half price, I couldn't pass. I took the gamble and I still think it's worth it no matter what. $154/month I pay tonight. So I'll start a thread if I end up out on my ear in a few weeks. I already started combing the member list for all the old timers like Hub and Grn. This could be it but I'm still hanging on by a straw. I appreciate all prayers a/o positive thoughts.

* Last updated by: Rook on 2/22/2015 @ 1:58 PM *

I'll make this my last entry on the subject because I could go on and on and the below only is the tip of the iceburg...

"God said this and God said that".
In case you hadn't noticed, God has never muttered one utterance!
Not one syllable in the whole existence of man kind.
The voice of God is always through the written hand and voice of man.
And through out history, we've seen and experienced how reliable mankind is.
Moses went to the mount and came back and advised God spoke to him. Provable? Witnesses?
Of course not. There never ever is.
And the Bible. People dedicate their life to this book. But who wrote it? Seriously. Who wrote it?
If I'm dedicating my life to a piece of literature, I'd probably like to know who's responsible for its contents.
And if you belive and follow this book that is full of holes and unlikely events, you must believe God is the greatest mass murderer in the history of the world because he destroyed all living creatures via a great flood, guilty or not, including animals and infants who had no comprehension of wrong or right because he was a bit angry.
A previous comment stated "Prove God doesn't exist". A ridiculous concept. If you belive there is something out there that is out of the ordinary that cannot be physically seen, touched, spoken to, and in the history of the universe does not have one semblance of proof or logic to confirm its existance, then it's up to you to show your beliefs have validity. But apart from a book written by an unknown human hand and a few stories told by human tongues there is no proof. None. Not a jot. Nothing. I repeat. Nothing.
I happen to believe their is a giant frog who resides in space that watches over all of us. He has 4 heads, 27 legs, 236 genitals and is pink and purple with a little green patch.
Prove it is not so...
If there is a God then those that believe are nothing more than slaves. God says do as I say and if you don't you will be punished. Just as black slave who did not tow the line were whipped, believers in God who do not do as they are told will burn for eternity. No difference at all between the two concepts. Freedom? Yeah right. Lovely way to live with that hanging over your head.
And you believers all go to your beautiful churches with the stained glass windows and immaculately stained pews and pray to your God. But against the bibles teaching on material gain, you spend inordinate amounts of money building and maintain these places of worship while children around the globe starve and go without.
I will not be a follower. I will not live my life a certain way because others tell me to via some unprovable, non realistic and unreliable entity.
I don't need one of a selection of several Gods or religions to know what's wrong and what's right.
I live my life doing what I believe is right. I don't need a God to tell me what that is. No one does.

And perhaps there will be a response or two with some analogy that doesn't really mean anything like "steel is forged through great pressure and heat".
But I can surely tell you one thing that is 100% certain. No one will respond with anything, great or small, that resembles any kind of proof to back their point.
Why?
Because in the history of this planet no one to this stage has ever done so...

Are you starting to see why non believers get so frustrated and angry?

Finally, here's a little last thought of the day for all you believers out there.
God is love. God is great. God is everywhere. God is with you always.
Mmmm...
Then explain that to the little innocent infant babies being born with AIDS every single day who are doomed to a brief life full of nothing but pain?

* Last updated by: yannih on 2/22/2015 @ 3:16 PM *

Crap.
I wrote all that and saw Rooks entry added before I submitted mine.
I'm really sorry to hear all that Rook.
All the best mate.
I hope it works out.
If you were over here you could have spent some time at mine...

link...
It always gets ugly when this is brought up.

* Last updated by: jimmymac on 2/22/2015 @ 4:02 PM *

Not a problem, man! It's poor Aussie's thread about wrecking his bike but I don't hear him complaining.. LOL BTW, I got you on the list even though you're not exactly an old timer.

I do also wonder about certain stories of heinous crime I've heard and have to wonder why did God not just let that Christian child die instead of endure what she did. People can believe whatever they like but to me, seems like very bad luck. For every miracle, we have a tragedy. 50/50. You can roll sixes just as easy as snake eyes.

Rook, I fear your anguish and questions about where God is in the midst of trouble are way to deep to address in this thread. I would like to recommend a book though which I think could be really helpful: God Up Close and Personal by Christopher Berner. I have an extra copy and would be happy to send it to you if you want to PM me with an address to send it to.

Damn Rook that's terrible news. Very sad to hear. You and your family are welcome at my home for as long as you need, we have plenty of room...and a heated garage with enough room for a couple more bikes.

Don't worry about my thread! It's an interesting discussion for a bunch of blokes riding 200hp motorcycles! It's a dangerous topic but everyone is respecting each other's views.

Personally, I don't know if there is or isn't a god. I do believe there is a lot more to life than death. I've seen enough spirits (another discussion) to realise when we die, our souls/spirits go on. I'm just not sure how it works. I believe we have spirit guides, be they passed family members or friends who do speak to us, we just don't listen.

Ultimately, I think we all need to have an inner faith first and foremost. Belief in ourselves. Without that, no higher power can help us.

ps Rook, I hope in the long run, everything works out and your current predicament is short term.

* Last updated by: AussieZX on 2/22/2015 @ 10:27 PM *

Man, after reading some of the comments in this thread and the "Muslim" thread, all I can say is.... I ain't asking you guys about anything except ZX14s!

Okay, I have to say one more thing, directly to Rook: brother, sorry to hear you're facing some tough times. Fortunately for you, you are intelligent, resourceful and considerate, and you're about to find out who your friends really are. You're gonna come out on top, no doubt in my mind; I'm not saying it's gonna be fun or easy, but just based on what I know about you from reading your posts here, I can tell you're the type of man who figures things out fast. You're gonna be ok.

Peace to all.

Okay all you believers...you can all go home now...there is no God,sorry,Yanman said so.

Anyone here ever seen Plato?Or Socrates?How about Ghengis Khan.Guess they weren't actual figures either.Just some made up deal to embellish history...yes?Brahms?Beethoven?That's not THEIR music...somebody faked the whole deal.What a gyp.

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom"."In all your ways acknowledge Him,and He shall direct your path"."Casting all your cares on Him,because He cares for you".You don't NEED to 'see" God to do this."In the beginning there was the word,and the word was with God,and was God.The same was in the beginning with God.And the word became flesh,and dwelt among us".Even to this day...he hasn't changed.You don't SEE Him,you experience Him.

You can't see quantum Physics...but they exist.You 'see' what they do...everywhere.If you're looking.You don't see the wind,but you FEEL it,and watch what it does.NO ONE has ever seen the wind...so I reckon it just really isn't there...yes?

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 2/23/2015 @ 2:07 AM *

Hey GRN,
I actually have a lot of time for you.
I've read your posts since ive been on this forum and though I haven't met you, you strike me as a very decent sort of bloke.
But come on mate.
That last post? You're better than that.
I'm not going to dissect it because I'm sure you already know it's substantial short comings.
But I'll make you a deal.
I'll believe what I want which is my right, and you believe what you want cause that's your right as well.
We'll just have to agree to disagree on this one.

I'm sure theres one thing we both do agree on.
Try to be a descent human being and considerate to all others no matter why you do it or what you believe in.

Right, no more religion from me on this site or I'll get banned!
Back to bikes.

Sorry you crashed Aussie...
Hope the girl fixes for cheap and is as good as new when your done repairing her.

And perhaps a little more distance between you and the rear of those dodgy cages???
As already mentioned, the only predictable thing about cars is their unpredictability!

Let me know if you need a hand with your bike at all...

* Last updated by: yannih on 2/23/2015 @ 5:02 AM *

agreeing with Yannih, in the words of Nietzsche " I refuse to believe in a God who wants to be praised all the time"
and there endeth the lesson

oh, and the thing with physics, is you can see them, other wise its just philosophy/theory

This thread is like ping pong but I like it!

Thanks, AussieZX and BigBloke. Thanks wfozx14 and thanks again, yannih. Thanks for the uplifting PMs. Gotta take the opportunity to thank Grn who has also offered to share the roof over his head with me, my kids and bikes! At this point, I still have some possibilities that would be less drastic. It means a great deal to me that you guys trust in me and think enough of me to make such generous offers. You're all very good folks. wfozx14 has a job offer! Maybe I will installing shower stalls, toilets and laminate flooring. Is there money in faux finishing? You have some clients with deep pockets, I can whip out a dandy faux marble. LOL probably a lot more practical to install real marble countertops!

* Last updated by: Rook on 2/23/2015 @ 4:54 AM *

Yanman said"That last post? You're better than that". Yes...kinda stupid wasn't it?

Something good will happen to ya Rook...stay strong;)Be hopeful.

Sorry to hear about the accident. Glad to see you have sustained no serious injuries. The second worse part is the bike damage. Thanks for describing the incident and I will try and learn from it for myself. My opinion is the van driver is an idiot and primarily at fault from what you describe. Good luck to you moving forward.

Glad to hear you made out basically ok. You tried hard to ride it out but in the end too many factors went against you. NEVER, NEVER trust what a person in a car will do. Plan accordingly.

Mad