Cade Sands

Theology Class

[Cade Sands @CadeSands]

@SandwellSarina @oholyshift @somethingwithin R10: I don't believe that speaking eloquently is very important to prayer or God. I think that it is more important to focus on the substance of the ideas you are saying. I feel that God cares more about what you are saying compared to how. @somethingwithin @oholyshift #VUTHL1000

[Cade Sands @CadeSands]

@stephenriesco10 @somethingwithin @oholyshift R9: I, too, was wondering how long you would lose your faith for. Did you ever think you would give up on God completely or were you always unsure of what you may do in periods of disbelief? @somethingwithin @oholyshift #VUTHL1000

[Cade Sands @CadeSands]

@ColinWa95690953 @somethingwithin @oholyshift R8: I agree with this statement as well. Often the best thing to do can be to talk to people with differing opinions and either get them to understand your side or allow them to teach you about their side and understand the opposing view. @somethingwithin @oholyshift #VUTHL1000

[Cade Sands @CadeSands]

@ColinWa95690953 @somethingwithin @oholyshift R7: I, too, have always just assumed that ministers never doubted religion or faced any obstacles with their faith. It is interesting to know that even the most faithful may have experienced disbelief at times. @somethingwithin @oholyshift #VUTHL1000

[Cade Sands @CadeSands]

@catheri01432075 @somethingwithin @oholyshift R6: I can also relate to this statement. Especially if I feel as though God has been less responsive recently I may feel as though I have less to say to him myself. @somethingwithin @oholyshift #VUTHL1000

[Cade Sands @CadeSands]

@MaddyJo98125329 @somethingwithin @oholyshift R5: I had the same question. This seems like it would have affected your teaching and preaching on the subject. Did you ever thing about giving these up while in a period of disbelief? @somethingwithin @oholyshift #VUTHL1000

[Cade Sands @CadeSands]

@sophiapedro_ @mollymooore @somethingwithin @oholyshift I remember writing during free write in elementary school where you wrote about anything you wanted and it's true that this kind of writing allows you to reach greater levels of meaning and really express your own opinions how you want to. @somethingwithin @oholyshift #VUTHL1000

[Cade Sands @CadeSands]

@rusty_abate @somethingwithin @oholyshift I agree. The fact that she in her position can lose faith but regain it will inspire many who may be unsure about their faith to stay motivated. It can be very impactful when a more distinguished person experiences the same problem. @somethingwithin @oholyshift #VUTHL1000

[Cade Sands @CadeSands]

@mollymooore @somethingwithin @oholyshift R2: I agree that journaling seems like a great way to pray, track your prayers over time to see how you may have changed, and maybe even bring back old ideas that you had done in the past and would like to continue. @somethingwithin @oholyshift #VUTHL1000

[Cade Sands @CadeSands]

@GrenotJessica @somethingwithin @oholyshift R1 I believe that both are okay in one's relationship with God. While you may wish that God could talk more and be more responsive it is important to show to him that you have faith that he is still there with you even when he might not be directly reaching out to you with words.

[Cade Sands @CadeSands]

P10: .@somethingwithin I can relate to your point that sometimes while praying it can be harder than others to come up with words to say and silence comes about. Why do you believe people sometimes feel as though they have less to say than at other times? @oholyshift #VUTHL1000

[Cade Sands @CadeSands]

P9: .@somethingwithin I agree with your opinion that the simple prayer no longer exists. I feel that people have changed prayer to focus more on the sound of words than the content and purpose of the words, which is not what prayer is about. @oholyshift #VUTHL1000

[Cade Sands @CadeSands]

P8: .@somethingwithin I agree that people nowadays don't see God in the same way as our ancestors. People and life today is completely different than what it used to be causing people to think completely different than before on everything, including God. @oholyshift #VUTHL1000

[Cade Sands @CadeSands]

P7: .@somethingwithin Religious experiences are often parallel to other experiences. The quote "When you stop looking for something, you see it right in front of you." This happens to me all the time as it happened to you when you stopped looking for God. @oholyshift #VUTHL1000

[Cade Sands @CadeSands]

P6: .@somethingwithin Upon realizing you had lost belief in God, were you nervous of what your future may hold as you had devoted so much time to preaching and religion? Once you regained belief, how did your break in belief affect your view on religion? @oholyshift #VUTHL1000

[Cade Sands @CadeSands]

P5: .@somethingwithin It is amazing to think that at one point in time even you with your position now had chosen to walk away from God and faith as he appeared to be gone from your life for such a long time. It really shows how tough this journey can be. @oholyshift #VUTHL1000

[Cade Sands @CadeSands]

P4: .@somethingwithin your intro to chapter two about how the crape myrtle trees blossom as the rest of the plants brown seems symbolic of how God can suddenly and magically appear once again after a long period of absence and dullness. @oholyshift #VUTHL1000

[Cade Sands @CadeSands]

P3: .@somethingwithin After reading the first chapter, I am still confused by the main quote that headlines the chapter: If you can't pray--at least say your prayers. Can you explain the significance of this quote as it relates to the chapter? @oholyshift #VUTHL1000

[Cade Sands @CadeSands]

P2: .@somethingwithin I agree that one's spiritual journey is way more often experience periods of dullness than highs. But I believe when experiencing periods of dullness is when one's faith must be strongest. @oholyshift #VUTHL1000

[Cade Sands @CadeSands]

P1 continued … one's relationship with God? @oholyshift @somethingwithin #VUTHL1000

[Cade Sands @CadeSands]

P1: #VUTHL1000 .@oholyshift @somethingwithin I believe anyone could relate to your first line of chapter 1 "No one is ever prepared to endure the long silence that follows intimacy". I had never applied this to my relationship with God. How would you say a "long silence" affect