posted November 23, 2018 03:35 PM            

God Friended Me.

Long story made very short, an atheist says he does not believe in God (not in a negative way) and then gets friended on FB by someone calling himself God and sharing information that no one should know that allows him to help people. As he's a good person and loves a mystery, he finds himself doing God's bidding (God only points the way, he has to figure out what needs to be done) while also trying to solve the mystery of who this person calling himself God is. Apparently God believes in him, even if he doesn't believe in God.

Though (so far at least) it operates on the story that there IS a God who takes an interest in us and wants to help, it doesn't seem to advocate any specific religion (and when a Bible verse was shared, it was for a very specific purpose unrelated to religion).

Know that I speak as an agnostic (or actually ignostic, since I believe in God/dess, I just think human religion can only see such through a dark lens, inevitably getting some things wrong, though plenty of religions have schools of thought that say the same, such as apophatic theology ), and I also have nothing against atheism (and know that one doesn't need religion or belief in higher realities to be a moral human being, just as religion doesn't necessarily bar people from--and is often used as a justification for--being cruel and unjust). I generally sense when shows are pandering to a ridiculous degree, and I did not feel this show was pandering. Rather, it was trying to tell an interesting story, IMO.

I was surprised at how much this show (at least the episode I saw) sucked me in and left me wanting more. It was feel good but it wasn't all sugar coated like some religious special where all problems are magically resolved in the end, and it still values personal effort rather than having God act as some Deus Ex Machina. (Of course, Your Mileage May Vary, and both those who hate atheists and those who hate religion will almost certainly hate this show.)

I'm not sure if I'm going to keep up with this show (though I'm sure to see a little more) but I thought this gem should be given a chance by many here, especially mirage 29.

More on it:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God_Friended_Me

posted November 24, 2018 09:04 AM            

Do you notice that they present issues that extremist dogmatic religious people will scoff at? .. such as mix-racial couples, and gays/lesbians? God "friends" these, to their intolerant faces! They think they have the 'exclusive' truth about God, and Jesus, and these dogmatics MISS the mark completely!!

I really liked that Wikipedia on Apophatic Theology. Lots of fabulous quotes and materials. Thanks!
.. Trying to interpret "God" begins to look like figure-ground perception puzzle?
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Figure–ground_(perception)

We're trying too hard to see one or the other, when, the answer is 'The Whole Thing' (in the frame-box; … haha, and, out-of-the-frame's box-- the Zenny BOTHiness).

You know, we can dig and dig and dig and try to fathom the mysteries of God-- or not-
God! *grin*.

#soapbox warning#

Whole thing might come down to 'what are you going to do about it?' .. What does it mean?

Heaven informing Earth? WE are a 'we'. That implies Co-Existence and Cooperation?? Can we make alchemical Changes happen? (It might demand spiritual talents being discovered in people that make some needed-corrections possible?)

song, What if God was One of US?

We're all "in a frame" called Earth's atmosphere. We have "poisoned" her. The hospitable planet will be too sick for humans to live on.

We are not being 'good neighbors' nor responsible planet inhabitants. I am soooo repulsed by some think that they can just 'start over' by letting the earth just DIE, and taking a ride to a different planet to re-establish people-colonies?

If we can't DEAL with our own selves, between each other, and work together-- then, we take 'the worst' of humanity up in Space?

We are only as good as our weakest links?
You can have many many groups working sooo hard to help the planet, help each other--- and it only takes a few to POISON it for ALL?! ugh!!!!

ref. Nov 2018 Climate Change report that came out Nov 23(?).

We get an "F" on the report-card.
All the "work" that sooo many people have done (and funded) over the decades to bring cleaner air, get rid of pollution, etc, is RUINED by "a ruthless few" who wanted to DEREGULATE everything... so they could "make money??"

It's a [b]collective[/I]-- "WE" means ALL of us Together. All it takes is a small minority to make selfish decisions and actions that DESTROY it for the rest!!!

(music) Earth Song (Tichelli, Michael Jackson) [6:44] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAi3VTSdTxU

(topic) Planet Earth (Poem, written and read by Michael Jackson) [3:16] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Z4c-ru6Y2k

What about God and Man???
We have to GROW UP OR DIE as a species. Take Responsibility. This planet, all the people in it, are OUR SHARED Responsibility.

Anyways... going back to the TV Show--
I "love" the way they anticipate different leads. They get the information in advance, then WATCH how the puzzle comes together.

posted November 24, 2018 11:57 AM            

I searched on YT and found a bunch of Extended Trailers but no Full Episodes... yet this below Synopsis Version of what appears to be the earlier part of the show (maybe just EP1 I'm not sure...!?) gives a REALLY good breakdown of whats going on.

God Friended Me – Synopsis / Trailer
http://youtu.be/ItBwgskZg70 [6:08]mins

The Show is definitely something that... (much as it does the main Protagonist) will have one question the very Nature of Reality, and while the Synchronistic and Happy-Accident Conclusions do leave me with a 'Feel Good' sensation... It's just that the very idea that 'something' has such Power and chooses to 'Play God' when it feels like it... has many horrifying implications the deeper one delves into such a Mystery.

And having seen the Synopsis Trailer, I don't really feel compelled to see much more of the show because I just don't think (other than discovering who or what is behind the GOD-User) can it top the initial lead in to whats likely going to be a Rinse & Repeat of him helping various people, with more and more prompts from his GOD-Friend... I could be wrong I don't know... but a number of shows over the years have used similar gimmicks such as 'Early Edition' which also has an undisclosed GOD-Source who seems to know of future events and leaves the decisions involving them up to the Protagonist.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Early_Edition

Early Edition 'Superman It's Not Easy'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kl-10eNvEyg [3:39]

Ultimately, as intriguing as the 'Who or What' is behind the GOD-Friend Identity... such can never be revealed as it will only be a disappointment that would diminish the very Mystery and Magic of what makes the show both likable and interesting in the first place... sure we want to know... we NEED to know... but you can't... and in actuality, as is often said about such Quests of Knowing, it's not about the End (or Revelations)... it's about the Journey and the kind of Person one becomes along the way that's more Important.

posted November 24, 2018 04:30 PM            

"There's a Reason.. for everything."
Quote
Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.
- Hebrews 13:2
- http://biblehub.com/hebrews/13-2.htm

You are correct about them (probably) never revealing God! He's the Quest!

Lather-rinse-repeat!
Yeah, I get that too?..
But it's like a vacation from all the usual gore and blood, and attacks and horrible-endings. This show is predictable-- maybe-- but lighter and "refreshing" to the soul.
Also "easier" material to take visually and emotionally for the younger children or Sensitive souls {who need a break?!}.

We are all connected in some way.
We just don't always get to know 'how'.
It's a matter of degree.
- http://www.sciencealert.com/are-we-all-really-connected-by-just-six-degrees-of-separa tion

We are Stardust in the Highest Exalted Way--
(music) We Are Stardust (Symphony of Science, featuring Neil DeGrasse Tyson, Richard Feynman and Lawrence Krauss, lyrics) [2:58] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8g4d-rnhuSg

posted November 24, 2018 08:39 PM            

Ahh I hope my Rinse & Repeat comment didn't come across as my being overly Cynical/Humbug about the show. I honestly enjoyed the Synopsis and maybe part of my not wanting to see such (as I did say) is because from a purely narrative-critique POV its likely going to fall off... and has a major writing dilemma to solve in terms of a 'Reveal'... And while I'm honestly curious about THAT... I just don't think it will be satisfying... hrmm...

That said, I'm a Total Softy for shows that can often be Extremely Frivolous (many of my Anime Playlists) and more for Simple Pleasure or Feel-Good Humor and Niceness... which is an interesting contrast to my Love of all things Horror.

Also, I REALLY loved the Stardust 'Auto-Tune' mix you linked, that was awesome...! I ended up listening to a bunch more on their channel... cheers for sharing those, likely would have eluded me otherwise.

posted November 26, 2018 09:37 AM            

Randall, Joan of Arcadia has the theme song I was thinking about-- 'What if God was one of us?'

GFM is a whole lot lighter than Joan of Arcadia. Joan was dealing with some of the heavier-to-bear emotional feelings in high-school and adolescence.

GFM can make someone want to cry too-- but it's 'cleaner' (at least, to me).

posted November 26, 2018 06:45 PM            

Seriously, I liked watched about a dozen music vids related to the Star-Dust Autotune lel, and found many of them very inspiring for a project I'm working on at the moment, thanks so much for nudging me in the right direction...! Not unlike the God-Identity from GFM!

:::Hugs:::

Hrmm and this short-vid is somewhat related to the Concept of 'Choosing to Do the Right Thing'... perhaps closer to how events played out in Early Edition though its reasonably similar to GFM also.

The focus is on how studies that were done where people got the chance to preform Superhero like abilities in Virtual Reality vs a Group that wasn't... and as a result the Superheros side of the Group were more likely to ACT upon these principles afterwards in respect to the Parameters of the Study... very fascinating!

How Harry Potter Turns You Into A Wizard
(Starting it at the part about the Superheros)
http://youtu.be/zTtiJEYW6_A?t=150

And that kinda directly made me think that even as a Social Experiment concepts of GFM might actually work, regardless if the person behind the account was GOD or just a Nobody... that somehow, it still managed to set off an Jungian-Unconscious chain of Synchronicity just by Altering the Perception of the person who thinks/feels God has Friended them on Facebook or wherever!

posted November 26, 2018 08:46 PM            

I wish there was a way we could privately message each other, but I don't think we have each other's emails.

Right now I'm juggling A LOT so I have very little time to come here or to reply. Someone let me know you spoke of more things that you later took out (you took it out before I could see). Getting the gist of it, I'm going to take a bit of time to share a little of personal stuff.

Not only did my grandmother die, but I found out my father did as well. His family did not want me there, so my own family decided to spare me pain by not telling me until I was there. While Dad was far from perfect, I still loved him, and I visited his grave with a silent prayer letting him know (as best I could) that if it mattered to him that I forgave him everything and sincerely desired peace for him.

I could go on, but I don't really have the time.

I am involved in multiple charity works. It's sad that politics has polluted much of it, cutting funding to programs that work so that it's more on volunteers who can only do so much (such as Meals on Wheels, a program I highly recommend you get on if you can as many not only deliver food, but also let caring individuals who show the best in humanity spend time with you, and just might be able to find a less toxic RM for you).

Speaking of which, you should try watching eps of What Would You Do? Example that comes quickly to mind:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVtcfW9p5OE

I wish I had more time, but that's all I got for now.

posted November 29, 2018 09:38 PM            

-=-=-=

It would be pretty cool if LL had something like a Discord Server, atleast... for those of us who wince at Facebook

Mirage, are you at all familiar with Discord!? Works easily in a web-browser, Firefox & Chrome (Nods)

http://discordapp.com/

posted November 30, 2018 04:32 PM            

quote:

---

Originally posted by mirage29:
LK! *heart*
Rinse & Repeat was very true. I did not take it as a Humbug.
Glad you enjoyed that yt channel.
One of the things I really enjoy between you and PJ are the very interesting topics and links provided.
To me, there's just a nifty chemistry present in these kinds of topics. I really appreciate the two of you very much.

Randall, Joan of Arcadia has the theme song I was thinking about-- 'What if God was one of us?'

GFM is a whole lot lighter than Joan of Arcadia. Joan was dealing with some of the heavier-to-bear emotional feelings in high-school and adolescence.

GFM can make someone want to cry too-- but it's 'cleaner' (at least, to me).

(music) What If God Was One Of Us (Alanis Morisette) [5:15] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwehpjiggOE

---

posted December 03, 2018 12:34 AM            

PJ.. your dad, too? at same time as Grandmother?.. *bheart* His family didn't want you to know? .. (I know how that feels.)
Your forgiving gesture towards your dad is a sign of the caliber and quality that you are.
I'm sure your Granny must have beamed with Love and pride for you, that you were able to do that.

It's okay with me if you want to exchange emails-- ask Randall to execute the swap?
(thanks in advance, Randall!)

*~
I CRIED when I watched that vid from TV show 'What would you do'.
Several times, I have payed for the entire shopping basket for families before (decades ago, when I was making good money).
It's a GREAT feeling when you're in the position to be able to do things like that.

(And I have personally witnessed that kind of surprising, rude, and callous cashier-behavior before. Younger girl. Rattled me to see that-- stinging and disturbing. I was seated on a bench a little-further away, witnessing her for a while. She dissed a few people. She didn't last long with the food store company as an employee... less than a month?, we didn't see her anymore.)

L_K ..
I saw the Fly like Superhero or Fly as a Helicopter social experiment.
You know what I noticed? ..
The Superhero is a HUMAN.
The Helicopter is a hard chunk of metal, and you couldn't even see if there was a person inside it-- hard shell, no contact.

(music) Fly To Paradise (Eric Whitacre's Virtual Choir 4) [13:16] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8oDnUga0JU

I explored your Discord website suggestion.
Are you on the Hypersquad? *grin*

I like the way they said they want people to feel uplifted by interactions with each other on the website. *thumbsup*
I saved pages about security settings (as figuring those things out are the biggest reason I don't have FB or a YT account right now; and was the reason I was never mod after reading posts by AmiA in LLC2.0 years ago-- they figured out where she lived. Doxed?!).
.. I ran the pointer over the various games, and listened to the music and sounds. So full. Amazing graphics.
Thanks for the invitation.
I haven't participated in electronic games since there was a 'shelling' contest I played with a friend using cannons. I got pretty good at that one, estimating trajectories, weather-factors.
The website is to encourage friendships among gamers, in a non-violent and friendly atmosphere.. even though the content is about monsters, death and limbo, and (hearing those Ducks fighting was hilarious). Strong content.
And again, thanks for the invite.
I'd need to practice at 'kiddie' levels somewhere before considering. LOL
*~

Thanks for your caring, PJ, LK.
Things just feel so complicated.

posted December 03, 2018 02:37 AM            

I'm currently using a lappie which is frustrating to use. I'm still getting used to its quirks and it's very limited compared to my home computer (though it has a few advantages).

That said...

quote:

---

Originally posted by mirage29:
PJ.. your dad, too? at same time as Grandmother?.. *bheart* His family didn't want you to know? .. (I know how that feels.)

Your forgiving gesture towards your dad is a sign of the caliber and quality that you are.

I'm sure your Granny must have beamed with Love and pride for you, that you were able to do that.

---

I'm sure she would.

Dad died many months ago, back in March, presumably from drunk driving. I only have town gossip to go on, but it is known that it was a closed casket funeral and so I do believe it was a drunk driving accident.

His family didn't want Mom or me there. They have never liked us (I've actually considered having my surname legally changed to my mother's maiden name since they have more to do with me while that side of the family has never been warm to me, and kept me at arm's length ever since the divorce). Since they made it clear I wasn't welcome, my mother's side saw no need to tell me, though I'm glad I found out by now since from time to time I've sent him Christmas and birthday presents (which I never get a response over which is why it's rare these days, but it could've happened).

And so I found out right at the same time I learned Granny was dead, but many months separated it.

quote:

---

Originally posted by mirage29:
I CRIED when I watched that vid from TV show 'What would you do'.
Several times, I have payed for the entire shopping basket for families before (decades ago, when I was making good money).

It's a GREAT feeling when you're in the position to be able to do things like that

---

I've seen and experienced such nastiness in this world, and it can be overwhelming at times. Sometimes it seems corruption and petty hatreds infest this world to the core which has a detrimental effect on my own mental health and character.

It was my cynicism that got me to volunteer at a food bank. Girl Scouts Juniors were volunteering there, including a girl I was fond of, and I decided I should go to protect them--not that all were bad by any means, but some can be quite dangerous. There was a difference that I quickly discovered, however, in that I was basing my expectations based on my experience as a runaway (which meant the homeless we mixed with typically couldn't get help just as we couldn't, with plenty of them desperadoes wanted by the law, predators who saw kids as prey, or so mentally ill that they were completely unable to take care of themselves but could be a danger to us, especially if prone to paranoia).

But the people who came to the food bank were different in that many were not homeless, and the actual homeless were not outlaws or deeply ill mentally so were as trustworthy as anyone, and also knew that to get help they had to be on their best behavior. I ended up befriending many of them. This was when some made me an "honorary Christian" because I got them free Bibles and made fliers to organize a Bible study where they could worship together without being treated with contempt as they often were in the churches.

I found there was cause for concern, but not with the homeless, but a few wolves in sheep's clothing working the charities to exploit the suffering (and steal from the charities), and when the Girl Scouts stopped going, I didn't. It was also nice to have something I was good at...my childhood experiences on a farm made me the best at sorting through the food donated by farms to get what was fit for consumption and what was only worthy of being compost.

It's a long story of all that happened and what I got involved in, but long story short, it was good work and I felt better for it, more connected to my own humanity, and helping me to remember the good that is in the world (without being naive about the wolves in sheep's clothing).

And then the 2011 earthquake and tsunamis hit Japan which devastated it so hard, wiping out entire communities, spreading fire and destruction, causing meltdowns, and displacing so many while destroying lives (thousands killed, thousands missing, thousands injured) which also destroyed jobs, threatened the infrastructure, and was just so devastating on so many levels.

Hundreds of nations as well as international relief efforts mobilized quickly from all over the world. As if that wasn't beautiful enough, even those that Japan were not on good terms with came to help...most amazing to me was how the Koreans (I believe the North as well as the South) came to help...and understand, there are plenty of Koreans (among others who also helped) who remember the BRUTAL occupation and slavery by Imperial Japan and though the newer generations do all they can to put that behind them, it has left lasting scars, and yet the Koreans reached out to help as well...the forgiveness and compassion in that moment rising above the resentment (and hatred in some) was symbolically the most beautiful to me, and gave me hope that the rest of the world (including here in the USA) could rise above its hatreds as well. And I looked at the help (as much as I could) with a careful eye and I believe that the vast majority of it was done without ulterior motives. Humans saw others suffering and simply HAD to help.

And as I felt the satisfaction in what I was doing with charity and how it helped make me a happier person able to remember my own humanity that is sometimes threatened by the painful experiences I've endured and have witnessed and the hate going on around me, it actually brought tears to my eyes...this was the good side of humanity, and it was strong. Evil is also a powerful force in this world, but so is the good. And in that moment I gained a bit of hope that humanity might actually be worthy to one day leave this cradle Earth and spread, and that we can and will become better than we are as a civilization and species.

x

Since plenty leave YT vids here, I think I'll leave one, the one that came to mind, where Ruby Rose writes a letter...even without knowing the story (though worth noting they train to fight monsters called Grimm which are like demons that spread and feed off pain, misery, hatred, fear) I think it will be clear why I'm sharing her letter. Where I link should lead to 13:30
http://youtu.be/7M5WRvBQW28?t=810

It's less than 7 minutes (done by the 20 minute mark), though there is a PS and a bit more that goes on for a few seconds after that's purely story-related (and then the credits roll).

Note, the CC (Closed Caption) works really well with this.

And, because I think it will make this nicer, I will say the blonde on her motorcycle is Ruby's older sister that Ruby is writing a letter to.

posted December 12, 2018 03:10 AM            

As far as I can tell all of my posts are still there, I don't notice any missing replies from anyone?

That said, I HAVE been meaning to get back to this... just quite busy at the moment :::wipes brow:::

So for now,just adding alittle something that always cheers me up!

Bob Ross Remixed | Happy Little Clouds | PBS Digital Studios

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLO7tCdBVrA [3:26]

posted December 12, 2018 08:28 AM            

Another thing I do sometimes is to write a really long post, then at the last moment, back-out of Submitting it. Maybe I was having one of those times?

The last vid that PJ provided was very powerful.
I will have to review our posts (and vids) and pick up on where we were.

Yes, my own schedule during that 'missing time' on this thread was super busy. At the volunteer work I do, the main person I work under has been on a long vacation. They also had two people missing that they need to 'hire' for paid positions (I don't count because I am not a Spanish-speaking person). I've been "training" new volunteer-people for the phones (which work I do), in the absence of my boss. Been putting in a few "full time" days.
.. Lots more stress-- especially since I'm STILL having to deal with living in a gnarly home environment (people with huge woofers shaking-down the building with sense-surround Games and strange music(?)-- painful for me. They refuse to use 'personal-listening' {Bluetooth} devices. They have Bluetooth speakers on walls all over their apartment *owww*).

Lei_Kuei! … YOU are such a delight!! I LOVED and appreciate your very "philosophical" Happy-Cloud vid. Yup!!! It brought me to my 'Center' and my deep-within. THANK YOU.
(I used to watch Bob Ross a lot in the past.)

I want to leave a link to our other Blue-sky and Happy-Cloud thread from several years ago.

The "God Friended Me" show has that Blue-sky Puffy Cloud symbol whenever God 'Friend'-alerts the main character of this TV show.
.. Now, when I go for walks, and see the Blue-sky .. and/or a puffy-Cloud, I think of this show, and our old thread.

posted December 15, 2018 03:55 AM            

I know I was never one for making many posts as is... though I've been real bad at getting back to threads I keep forgetting about... It's just that a few projects of mine are taking up all my energy at the moment though I do spend considerable amounts of time on LL just reading. And I love many of your responses (Dream Analysis) on Astral Realms btw.

You are a True Shining Star on LL, and we are all fortunate to have you here to share with us your Kindness, Patience & Generous Nature in taking the time to help others or just share some nice vids to Brighten our days (as you often do mine)

::Hugs::

~*~Happy Christmas Mirage~*~

posted December 15, 2018 12:34 PM            

So. You read my other posts around LL?
Yeh, I guess I scatter myself around. No wonder I confuse threads and think things poofed when it was actually a response made in another thread??? sheesh.. *shakes head*

YOU brought me to a 'moment' and your words were such a gift to me today.
{{hug! thank you}}

posted October 12, 2019 03:58 AM            

quote:

---

Originally posted by Randall:
Is it similar to Joan of Arcadia?

---

I loved Joan of Arcadia. I watched the whole series again in August - watch it every couple of years. I just get into a certain mood, and I know it's time to watch it again.