Take It Personal!

“Now faith IS the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it men of old gained approval. By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the Word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible. – Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrances, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you may not grow weary and lose heart.” Hebrews 11:1-3, 12:1-3

Philip Yancey’s questioner struggles with: “One thing that bugged me from the very beginning: the notion of faith. It seemed a black hole that could gobble up any honest question.’ ‘Believe God whether you feel like it or now,’ he’d say. ‘The feelings will follow.’ I fake it but I can now see that the feelings never followed I was just going through the motions.” I had a friend in University who wanted to “know” God as I know Him. He would walk to that line dividing believers and pre-believers over and over again as if on one side was a drop over a cliff of unimaginable depth (that of faith) and the “solid ground” his rational mind stood upon. Can you prove faith? Or love, or hope? I don’t think we have to, yet when we have a loved one on “that” side of the line, our hearts labour and grieve until they step into faith. We must remember God is personal.

Take care to understand His Word. Your servant and friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: New Request: Deb, a very special friend in the States (diagnosed with multiple Myeloma); Michael (his mum grows more frail); Randy (unexpected changes in his life); Helen (Wendy & her mom, Helen’s husband had a heart attack). For Kevin (wisdom with his son). Praise: Eddie is doing really well has responded well to the chemo and is on the right path to good health now. David (great health now!); Leslie (growing stronger from chemo); Both Nancys (growing stronger & more patient (one with chemo - the other recovering from serious head trauma)); Thanksgiving for: Reg, Carla and Paul. Pray for: Tim & Barb (need work & encouragement as they wait); Freddy (to come home & see his mom); Adrian (many life changes); Isaias (family safety & his mission work in Philippines); God’s grace on USA. Wisdom for doctors caring for Doris, David, Poetry and Gary.






*Disappointment With God, by Philip Yancey