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"Faith is believing in something when common sense tells you not to." - from Miracle on 34th Street

I am a beliver, attend church regularly, and serve on the Board of my church. I believe in the direction that is set in scripture.This is my moral compass and the standard I choose to hold my self to. Yes, I tithe 10% of my income (before taxes, then I render unto Caesar). Do I feel the need to belittle those who do not believe? No. I try to love all my neighbors as I love myself. In other words, I try to walk the walk. Another favorite quote: "He preferred to witness his faith by living an upright life rather then spending overmuch time on his knees on Sunday whining about his piety."

Judeo-Christian scripture is the basis for accepted morality and legality in this country. Those who don't believe: Why is theft wrong? In the absence of spiritual decree, there is no absolute to appeal to.

Yes, there are churches that have evolved into money machines for a pastor or a church administration. Ours operates on shoestring, with an underpaid pastor (he needs another job to make ends meet) and no other paid positions. I know that there are those who fail to meet our human standard for faitfulness (Swaggert, Bakker), and these will always exist.

In this economy, I derive comfort from my faith, although I have been unaffected by job loss or declining salary. I derive comfort from my faith even when what happens is not pleasant (cancer diagnosis, nephew killed in Kabul, cousin dying of AIDS, car crashes). I accept that bad things happen to good people (and vice versa), and that I may not see a reason for it. But to say that God should fix everything because he assuredly can skips an important point. What do you learn from being protected from your own lapses and mistakes? Nothing!

posted 3 years, 5 months ago
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