A born again Christian,by definition,is a person with a relationship with God.
How do we decide what is God's will for us?
Some of this absolutely belongs in this forum-there are sometimes voices-
sometimes we recieve signs-sometimes we ask for signs,sometimes we flip a coin.
Sometimes the Bible isn't adequate to help-maybe it's our imperfect knowledge or understanding-every sincere Christian has a real and magical connection with God.
Diuscuss.

Although your post sounds rather Christian-specific, the title of the thread was not so I'll chime in.

I believe everyone who believes in God has some form of communication with it. Whether it is conscious or not, satisying or not, noticeably helpful or not - are different considerations, but I believe the connection exists as soon as the existence of a more pervasive consciousness than our own is admitted into awareness.

Where to look for guidance? The question would probably be better posed as where not to look for guidance! Guidance is everywhere.
There is as much to learn from friends as there is from those we sometimes consider foes.
There is as much guidance and inspiration in the world as anyone could wish for, providing help for any problem. All we need is to be able to recognize it.

In this sense, religious dogma actually limits spiritual discernment because it tends to cause people to believe that 'God' is only expressed through certain specific vehicles. Just as an example, many Christians conclude that there is something wrong with other religions since they do not worship Christianity's one God: this shuts off the benefit of spiritual wisdom of billions of fellow human beings around the planet. If one shuts a door as soon as a non-Christian starts expressing spiritual truth in a non-Christian way, then one renders a huge source of spiritual guidance unavailable to oneself.

Talk to you,
M.

In this sense, religious dogma actually limits spiritual discernment because it tends to cause people to believe that 'God' is only expressed through certain specific vehicles.

Limiting is absolutely necessary!We have such a variety of inputs coming in and in such great numbers, trying to give equal weight to everything is ridiculous.
BTW I do not believe God limits Himself to communicating with believers-when
Paul was saved He [God] asked "Why do you kick against the pricks?" [Pricks of conscience]
Our conscience is an instrument of communication with God.

Limiting is absolutely necessary!We have such a variety of inputs coming in and in such great numbers, trying to give equal weight to everything is ridiculous.


Ah, but giving equal weight to everything is not at all what is being suggested. What is being suggested is that regardless of what inputs we do choose with our limited mental focus, there will be great spiritual guidance in it. The only limiting factor becomes how adept the individual is at seeing that guidance.

I think you know what I am driving at here. I think we all know people who seem to have a knack for drawing inspiration, strength and lessons from everything that is thrown in their path, be it a boon or an obstacle. These people draw their spiritual guidance from life itself.

M.

ok-what happens in your life,i believe, is intended to instruct you-so what you say is valid-God certainly knows us well enough to know how we're going to take things.

ok-what happens in your life,i believe, is intended to instruct you-so what you say is valid-God certainly knows us well enough to know how we're going to take things.

Well whether it is intended to instruct or not is questionable, and is in the end secondary to the fact that it can instruct of we are open to the instruction.

I also make no claims as to how well 'God' knows us... but I respect your belief that he knows us very well.

M.

One could listen to dreams, intuition and the environment (sugns).

i think you have to think about everything coming in on you-in your experience,your thought life,your fantasies,your dreams,your friends and enemies,tv ,internet-your life
means something.

I have a handbook written by a great woman who knows a lot about this topic, and she goes over the many different ways God communicates or reveals things to us. I'll try to find it, and maybe post some of it here, if you want. It's definitely a very interesting topic. :)

I think the Bible is plenty adequate.

I think we could find all our answers from the Bible but it's hard to read.I'm not going to limit my exposure to spiritual matters to one source.
I'd to hear about BC's source.

Well, everything she says in the booklet is backed up, so it's nothing weird or anything.

but i'll have to look for it, i'm not sure where it is at the moment. If i find it, i'll maybe transcribe some of it tomorrow or this weekend or something. :) although i have been spending too much time here lately. :|