Do you use corporal mortification to get closer to God?
484194
How could corporal mortification possibly get you closer to anyone or anything? It's a stupid idea practiced by people who never got out of the stone age.
807026
YES. Before prayer we make abulution (Wudu)- a specific ritual cleansing. After sexual relations we also do a ritual cleansing.  If we get urine or feces on our clothes (for instance if we don't wash) then we have to go perform ablution again. Invalidation of ablution includes defecation, urination, passing wind. We then become ritually impure and must make Wudu again.When we go to the bathroom (doing #1 or #2) we are also to cleanse ourselves. Wiping with tissue first and then using water to wash with. Sorry to be so graphic but you did ask.   \nBTW - we are Muslims.\n\nHope this enlightens you.
417326
I guess that the only way is the way that works!  If you can "get to God" by following your own self-made path, then it's the right way.  If you follow someone else's path and it gets you there, then it's the right way, too.  You made the analogy, not me.  I think it works.
1054174
yes, because if thats what you want to do, then go for it. If you ever read straight through the bible, every damn thing is a sin even going to the bathroom is plus its no one elses place but gods to judge you
406097
When I was younger it always seemed so much easier to be close to God. After school I use to sneak into my church and lay under the pews in the sanctuary, leaving poems in the hymnals for people to find during the Sunday service. It was my little bit of quiet time with God. I felt that by being there, in his presence, he was listening to my every word. But now, I am disheartened by the whole "Christian" scene. \n\nI am a good person, I volunteer my time twice a week to causes that I believe in. I work with people with disabilities to help them gain independance. I love my family, friends, and all the people around me.  But people find out that I am a lesbian and all of a sudden I am this horrible awful person who is out to ruin their way of life, molest their children, and kill people. I had bible phrases thrown at me left and right, people telling me that I was going to Hell, that I would never be allowed in their life again. All of these things made me spiral into this horrible depression. I felt like throwing myself in front of a moving train.\n\nBut one day I went to church. I crawled under the pew like I use to when I was younger, and I wrote some poetry. And then, the next day I did it again. And after that first day, I reconnected with some old friends that I had forgotten about, and I left the negative people in my life behind. And I kept doing the things in my life that gave me joy. I stayed up late to count the stars, and I got up early to watch the early morning sun rise above the horizon. And then I remembered that God was there waiting to listen, that all I had to do was talk to him.
74847
pray, pray, and pray some more! its the best way to get closer to God.
1078689
we don't have to worry about that, none of us are God never have been or never will be. Accept Him into your heart by asking Him to forgive you for all your sins.you won't become God but you if you meant the prayer will become just like Him.
527702
No. You need to humble yourself, don't think more than you are. Work at it, in no time you will be yourself. Leave everything in God's hand He knows what to do
759305
by realising the God within you
551048
Sure!\n\nIn Matthew, 18:8, Jesus says,\n\n"If your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire."
440999
I have felt this way in the past.  Like I am going through motions.  \n\nI think sometimes we build up so many walls to protect ourselves from the pain in the world that we start to distance ourselves from even Him.  \n\nChange your perspective, your vision.  See those who you  into your life as a gift from God.  Try also to and show God's love through yourself.  \n\nYou may even see God through some sort of gesture from someone else.  I did this good deed for a stranger, and what she said to me, made me feel Him.  It was overwhelming.\n\nLike Socrates (the one above not the philosopher) says.  Read the Bible and pray.  God does talk back but we have to learn how to listen.  It's not easy and sometimes the messages aren't exactly clear, but that is not Him its us.  \n\nGod does love you and He is there.
1012753
I have found that the answer to our prayer is a lot closer that you think. You can not pimp God. He is sovereign. He will answer your prayer. Maybe you feel like he's not answering you 'cause your focus is on the answer and not him. When you put your focus totally on him and continue to live a life that is pleasing to him, your answer will be sitting at your feet. Focus on God and getting all the mess people can't see like envy, anger, hate, jealousy, covetousness, and the list goes on. We are all a work in progress, but when we take the time to build our relationship with him, instead of asking or "praying" for things, all our desire will be met. Now don't get me wrong, pray.... ask God for what you want and need. Just be prepared and ready to accept ,if he say not now or NO! You are not crazy or confused; life and death are in the power of the tongue. You are Godly person seeking Godly wisdom. Focus on you and everything will have changed because you have..............When what's important to God becomes important to you then what's important to you becomes important to God!=) tRust God even when he feels far away because you know he is always there never to leave you nor forskae you....BE Blessed
348777
If there is a sentient, benevolent, omnipotent being out there I'd like to think it has better things to do than to worry about a checklist of do's and don'ts for billions of little scuttling life-forms on one little planet way out on the western spiral arm of the galaxy.\n\nYou are accountable for your own actions.  Those actions have repercussions.  You reap what you sow, as it were... though that speaks more of karma than of judging God.  Anyway.  I suggest you keep your own record and take care of things the best way you can, as it seems highly unlikely anyone else is going to do it for you.  ;)
170275
you need to know god more closely
443980
I do, and I try to find something that I can relate to, not just reading any chapter & verse. God works in mysterious ways. Ask him to guide your eyes and fingers to what He wants you to know. Ask Him to speak to you through this devotion time. AND HE WILL...God Bless
118876
Yes, felt that way b/4, but this is what helped me out. I have to get very close to God. Remembering what the scripture says in the book of Job 22:21 “Now acquaint yourself with Him, and be at peace;Thereby good will come to you" I remembered also remembered and read Numbers 23:19 which says “God is not a man, that He should lie,Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?" Having this at the back of my mind, I then strongly believed that God loves me by believing the scripture John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son ..." After then u can not imagine how well and healed I was, my worries disappeared. God is Great - give Him a trial today.
742708
Hai sister. The best way to know God is by look into ourselves more and more. In other words a simple and wonderful meditation will explore in you and help to find with in you.\n\nThanks