Whew... I've needed to do this post for a couple of weeks.
I haven't been able to shake a conversation I had with someone whose belief system is completely the opposite of mine. This guy believes in several gods, not just one God. Money is a god to him and he wasn't afraid to tell me! He explained his belief that we put too much emphasis on relationships...
It seems that on several occasions my faith has been challenged. Tonight at church our pastor had an interview with someone who doesn't believe in God. Does not believe in Heaven. Thinks God is..."make-believe". He brought up some good points! He made me think...
I can think of at least two other conversations I have had lately with people who feel just as strongly about their belief system as I do in mine. I've also heard people say they are freaked out by the way Christians say things like, "Saved" and "Born-again"... words that used to scare me not too long ago. And that Christians are just hypocrites! Tonight's church service troubled me. I have always been comfortable with my faith. I've been confident that the Bible is the truth. Why is this happening? I wish this kind of stuff could just roll off me. I couldn't wait to get in the car and listen to my praise and worship music. Oh, and another thing... I was talking with a friend of mine recently who hasn't had access to any of her worship music for the past couple of months. If I didn't have my music would my faith be watered down and weak? It's a scary thought!
The truth is... I don't know why, but I believe. That's all I can say. I don't need to be convinced. I believe the Bible is 100% truth. I just do! I can't explain it, but my faith cannot be challenged.
Will you please pray for me? I need the Holy Spirit to fill me with some peace.
I hope this post wasn't too authentic! I still love Jesus and need Him more than my next breath!
In His Love,
Angie xoxo
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15 comments:
Amen to Sheryl's prayer. Lifting up my own for you with hers. I believe that this journey you are on, Angie, is filled with purpose. May you, as a result, love Jesus more..and more...and more.
Love,
Holly
Too authentic??? I don't think there is such a thing. It's what we need more of. Being real. Getting it out there. I will pray for you! God is so pleased with your faith!!
Love ya,
Sheryl
That's one of the few songs I play on the piano. Mike and I actually sing it, too, but we don't sound like that. I adore music also, and am convinced it is the closest we get to experiencing heaven here on earth since there will be glorious worship in heaven. Doubts are meant to be taken to Him directly, my sweet friend. Ask Him to show you. He will. I am praying for your eyes to be open to things of Him, even though I know they already are as I write this. Is doubt about a lack of faith or an honest feeling of "where is God in my circumstances?" Look for Him, my sister. He is right there. Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen. . .I love you, Angie. Annette
Oh Angie Girl,
If you think this post was too authentic then you need to come read my last post. Talk about authentic and raw ugly.
I will be praying for you. You have the right attitude when you say...
'The truth is... I don't know why, but I believe. That's all I can say. I don't need to be convinced. I believe the Bible is 100% truth. I just do! I can't explain it, but my faith cannot be challenged.'
I believe the same way but, like you, there are moments when your spirit does become troubled. I think it more of a sadness or grief for the person who is so lost.
Anyway, I'll be praying. And I'll email you with an interesting comment from my "MOM" regarding my birthday adventure.
Hi Ang..
((Hugz)) First I just want to tell you please do not be hard on yourself. There were times when I first became a Christian when various books and other beliefs sparked some interest in me and I too was challenged. I think in life we are all searching, for something and want answers that will hit on what we are going through or feeling at that time or moment. That is when I began to pray for a spirit of discernment, for the Lord to alert my spirit if I was dabbling in things and places that was not of him. I find for me, that when I hear, read, or be around other people, that question my faith and I don't have peace in my spirit I just say Thank you Lord for speaking to my heart and alerting my spirit. When people challenge me about my faith against theirs,and they tend to get into a harsh debate, I just say that I respect your opinions and your belief, But I know my God is not the author of confusion and I end it there. Dear Lord, please give my sister peace in her spirit, mind, body, and soul today. We get challenged at times Lord, but our belief and dedicated Love to you cannot be challenged to a point where it can shaken or make us stray away from you. Lord please give my sister assurance that what she knows to be the truth will not be compromised and through the truth others will be drawn to her and set free.
In your precious name we pray..
Amen.
Girl, that is what sisterhood is all about. Having someone to speak honestly with. And knowing that they love you no matter what.
I won't say that I know exactly where you are coming from but God and I have been discussing some of my issues and fears lately (actually it's more me whining and complaining and Him listening) until finally I felt this prompting in my heart, saying, "Karen, either you believe Me or you don't."
I'm choosing to believe. I still have my same issues and fears but whenever satan comes tapping on my shoulder, I'm choosing to believe.
So, I'm praying for you today, dear one. May God grant you peace and power this day.
love,
karen
"Oh sweet Jesus...
Ang is not alone Lord and you know that many of us need your mighty presence to fill us up...We need your presence, your peace, your strength, your courage, your love.
We need an increase in belief, trust and faith. We love you Jesus and more than anything we want to know you more and bring complete honor to your name! In Jesus sweet name, Amen."
Heavenly Father, I ask You to fill Ang with the peace of Jesus, the peace which is above and beyond anything our finite minds can imagine. Lead her to Scriptures which will really speak to her today. Thank You for the light she is in a dark world. Holy Spirit please fill Ang to overflowing. I pray for people to hear the words of Jesus when she speaks and for them to feel the love of Jesus when they are in her presence. In Jesus' Name I pray.
Love, Annette
Amen to the prayers lifted up already. He's obviously real to you or you would not believe. Keep being real! We need real!
Engrafted by His Grace-
Shonda
Those are very hard conversations to endure and to soak in. We believe so strongly in our God that I believe we just want others to believe and have the hope we do. When others come off with such huge falacies, it is hard to take and stomach. It's heartbreaking. It's scary (for them).
I pray the Lord will give you peace and use these opportunties to speak to you and give you encouragement. May He give you words if there are any to share with those on the opposite side of belief.
I agree that we as Christians need to be careful of the terms and words we use in talking with the unbelievers. Saved is such a odd word to unbelievers. Saved is something we do to our Word documents. I believe it's better to reference a relationship with Jesus than being saved or born again.
May God's peace and comfort strengthen you this day and always.
Love,
Paula
I'm saying a prayer for you right now. Many hugs!!
Ang!!
First I love you lady! And I love this post, and I know I could have said the same thing about everyday.
If you can find the time I wish you would read Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell..
I love ya
Dear Angie,
May the God of all comfort wrap his arms of love around you this day and just hold you... you are so precious in his sight! He loves you so very much and I know you love him also. I am praying for you.
Love you,
Barbara
p.s. Here is a quote that I love:
'Do not look forward to the changes and chances of this life in fear; rather look to them with full hope that, as they arise, God, whose you are, will deliver you out of them. He is your Keeper. He has kept you hitherto. Hold fast to his dear hand, and he will lead you safely through all things; and, when you cannot stand, he will bear you in his arms.'
Dear Angie, I just now prayed for you. I think it is wonderful that you have been so honest and I truly do understand the conflicting feelings that you are experiencing.
I don't think this is a bad thing at all. I have been coming to terms with something very similar over the past three years.
I teach in a prison so I deal with religions of all sorts. It is interesting. at first I didn't know how to take things coming at it much the way you speak of here. I teach Muslims, Jewish, Native Americans and Pagans just to name of few. I was really struck at first at how devout many of them are to their own particular religion.
My Christian view has been changed a bit in the process as I came to realize how much of the world looks at Christians in a bad light and I must say there are many Christians who have made it hard for the authentic. At one point I wanted to be called a follower of Christ instead of Christian. No doubt I still have my faith in Jesus, but have learned to respect the rights of others to believe what they believe and I pray and trust the Lord with their souls.
I do not hide my faith in the Lord, but I am not allowed to bring it up. If a person of another faith brings it up...I simply tell them the reason why I believe so much in Jesus is because of what he has done in my life and whenever possible I share my view about how the Holy Spirit is alive and working through Christians, or followers of Christ. That is a big difference compared to other religions.
It is good to think and be authentic. God is with you and he is working. Blessings:)
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