This is a page about Faith and faith. It is a page about Faith as practiced by Christians and faith as practiced by this Christian.
It is a faith that caught me by surprise, to be honest. I did not anticipate a “rev” prefix in my life. Nor did anyone else. That is not to say I was the unredeemed figure that no one could tolerate. In fact, the opposite was true. Having carried a bit of the big brother responsibility through my life I was a pretty good candidate for a responsible adult life, but the truth of my soul was that I did not want more responsibility. I did not want accountability. And I was not as faithful to people as they assumed.
A few disparate experiences nudged me toward a Bible and specifically the gospels. When my season of searching gained traction, I was rightly threatened by the naked claims of authority of Jesus in the gospels. Being a sergeant in the U.S. Marines at the time, I knew something about naked claims of authority. I disagree with those who, like a loving parent over a lonely child, believe if people knew the truth about Jesus Christ they could not help but embrace him. My truth is different: I knew full well what Jesus meant, what he wanted, and what it would cost. I sensed less the humility of this new life than I did the humiliation of reversing my direction so publicly. Still, I promised that I would follow. That’s as much as I knew from reading the gospels, so I promised and started walking. Indeed, there were awkward moments when I had to explain that I had changed my mind on a few large life issues, but people were always kind.
This page is primarily for those trying to find a grammar for faith in God. As a gifted professor once mentioned, if we are not struggling with what the Bible says, we are not really reading the Bible. I am in that camp. I struggle with the Bible. That is, I struggle with the degree to which Christ calls for love and forgiveness. I struggle with the balance between life in the Now and life for the Then. I struggle with the claims God makes on my life. And I wonder why the Faith, which seems so ordered, gets so muddied when it comes through my faith.
That is about it. Please respond as you see fit. I am quite patient with struggle, so feel free to be honest.
Chris
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My grandmaw sent me this page. And believe me, it sure came at the right time. If I could drive down to KY every Sunday I would. Please keep them coming. Each one seems to answer some kind of question I have been asking myself recently. Thank you for taking the time write.