Sky Daddy Cult

This Link may show a bit of the Sky Daddy favoritism that you suggest. I have never heard of God as being similar to a Father in that He expects His people to "grow up" and not have need of Him, however.On the one hand, Prosperity Theology could be said to be a gross misrepresentation of Gods unmerited favor upon believers. There are some aberrant teachings out there concerning Gods purpose as some sort of magical genie that showers only believers with abundance...usually in the form of materialistic blessing.On the other hand, I don't see God as some stern Father that boots us out of the nest and expects us to become independent of Him, either. God desires a daily communion and personal relationship with Him.Thats what I was always taught, at any rate.

I don't expect God to fix all of my problems, but I also don't expect to be pushed out from under His covering, either. One of the most apt metaphors that defends my view of god is the The 23rd Psalm. Note how it says that I shall Dwell In The House Of The Lord Forever. It appears that we never need leave the nest!

Flying South is an instinct...a built-in feature for birds. If you look at scriptural references to Jesus as our Shepherd, nowhere does it imply that sheep reach a certain age where they no longer need a shepherd.

Yes but unlike a natural Father, God never dies nor do humans ever outgrow there need for Him. I believe that God expects us to become mature in our Faith and to use the reasoning that He gave us. I don't believe that He ever expects us to leave His nest, however. This nest is quite large! Moreover, I don't like the "nest" analogy....how about mansion?

OK...good work. You clarified the meaning of child in Biblical context.Lets re-examine this topic, however. I agree with you that we are not helpless children in the sense that God is our everyday rescuer.What do you interpret this scripture to mean, however? and while I'm tinkering around in the quote mine, can we shed some light on what Jesus meant (or how the author of John interpreted His meaning) Some folks say that GOD is unknowable. I agree inasmuch as GOD the territory is so vast and awe-encompassing that it would be impossible for a mere worm-like human to even begin to fathom the depths of His intelligence.What did Jesus mean, though..when He said: Does this suggest that Jesus was just some human guy who did what was right in his own eyes?

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Convictions are very different from intentions. Convictions are something God gives us that we have to do. Intentions are things that we ought to do, but we never follow through with them.
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“The world has achieved brilliance without wisdom, power without conscience. Ours is a world of nuclear giants and ethical infants.”--General Omar Bradley
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Homer Simpson: Sometimes, Marge, you just have to go with your gut!
Marge: You *always* go with your gut! How about for once you listen to your brain?

Don't you think that a person can both be mature and trust in the Lord on a daily prayerful communion basis?

so who says Im swinging from apron strings?I try and pray every day, but I dont treat God like Major Nelson treated Jeannie! I believe that God gives me the wisdom I need to mature. My point is that God is a loving Father....not some distant omnipotant mega-bundle of energy halfway across the universe!

lolAgain, isn't "making our own movie" the same thing as the ye shall be as gods syndrome?I agree that God does not expect us to go toddling around holding His almighty hand like wee babes, but I also don't believe that He simply expects us to do anything we imagine to do without consulting Him via some form of communion--be it prayer or meditation.God knows that we are well capable of achieving "anything that we imagine" if we so imagine it. Years ago, scoffers said that we would never walk on the moon. Scoffers laughed at the idea of words and messages traveling through the air.All of this happened,because we imagined and followed through on our discoveries.Dad just wants to counsel us on wise decisions. After all, im sure He is not proud of the H-Bomb!

So are you suggesting that perhaps God wants us to choose freely, even if it causes us to go down a less desired path?I dunno....I simply can't accept the idea that God is a deistic Creator who simply has better things to do than to guide us into our destiny and purpose. IF He expects us to do it all on our own, why the need for Jesus?

No. I was at a hospice this last week watching a close friend die. The family was there. Many people came and went and there was lots of prayer.While people are mature enough to realize that God wont fix everything and that death is another part of life, people realize that communion(communication) with God is an ongoing and necessary part of life. It also bonds us together as humans. You, however, may have a different form of communion---perhaps one such as Stiles that involves only humans.

Unfortunate? No...just unique and relative to you the individual. Am I incorrect in my assessment?

For one thing, Jesus advocated it. Within the context of my belief, there is no pretending. God exists despite no detection. I can't explain how it happens. I believe that God exists and is always present.I also agree that GOD is far far beyond any human comprehension---this I cannot explain any more than I can comprehend. Could Ringo be right in that I am pretending? Yes, it may be possible that I am wrong. When I prayed with my friends family at the hospice, it was for their comfort and thus had value even if GOD did not exist. I believe, however, that He does exist and desires communion with us.
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Why?Derision=contemptuous ridicule or mockery.Explain why we should ridicule and mock these people again? I don't see why it is charged for us to do. The scripture always told me to "bless those who curse me"....