I think believers of all faiths should be the vanguards of hope in the world. Sometimes we let the bad stuff of the world get to us and we reflect that in our attitudes about things. We are urging on the end of days when we should be urging people to find their way into a relationship with a higher power that will change them so they can change the world for the better. I certainly think believers need to smile more.
Tag Archives: faith
If You Want: Faith
If you want to display something like the 10 Commandments in public, study them, live them, make them manifest physically. If you want prayer in schools, just pray anytime when others aren’t looking. If you want your faith to matter in the world make it worth believing. If you want people to embrace your faith share it in practical, meaningful, simple ways that will bring people to the table. If you want there to be more love in the world do it like Jesus, Ghandi, Mother Teresa, Martin Luther King, Jr and Pope John Paul II did. Remember the greatest thing you can do is to love and love fiercely.
A Ramble About The Church and LGBTQ Stuff
I have thought the problem with the church universal is that people know what it’s against versus what it’s for. There is the problem a lack of grace and love among its believers. There is also a problem with some seeing people as sinful before getting to know them. I know many gay and lesbians who are some of the best people of faith who have a calling on their lives too. One man I know is one of the best scholars on scripture I know.
There is also the problem with many in the church thinking they are above sin and can cast judgement on the lives of others and they see no speck in their eyes. I personally think the church needs to figure out inclusion because the LGBTQ community isn’t going away and the church could be stronger with some diversity. I am of the opinion that everyone is imperfect and there are loads of people who aren’t doing what they need to do to live with others in a faithful community. Jesus prime directive was to love one another as I loved you.
Why I Use The Term “Higher Power”
In many of my posts I choose to use the term “Higher Power”. This is not to deny my own faith but to acknowledge the faith of others.
Faith and spirituality are deeply personal things and as a blogger and social media commentator I think it’s a more inclusive language. Some of my fellow Christians would blast me for using such a term and wondering why not use the word “God” (which I do) and my previous posts show that. I just think there are several world religions with their own deity and their own traditions and customs. I believe in sharing the love of Jesus Christ in different ways but I know that there is a Buddha too among other gods and goddesses from other faith systems. I am interested in building bridges of understanding and encouraging all people to find a system of belief that offers them connection, community and comfort.
Yes I know there are some folks out there who don’t believe in anything or have their doubts and to my atheist and agnostic friends I hope you have people in your life to share the journey with. To me that is important for anyone, no matter what they believe or choose to not believe.
I am commanded by my faith to love my neighbor as myself so perhaps starting with that is a great way to have dialogue and fellowship with people who are different from me.
In future posts I hope to expand on this. But for now may you all have grace, peace and much love.
Your Testimony
If you are a believer let your life be a testimony to the love and grace given to you by your creator/higher power. “When necessary use words” St. Francis of Assisi.
What I Believe
A fellow blogger challenged me on what I believe. The person said they believed in science, physics, that sort of thing. Basically taking the whole notion of a divinity out of the picture. Friends I have no problem with incorporating the sciences in with my faith in a higher power, in my case the God of the Trinity (Father, Son/Jesus, Holy Spirit). My policy is to not attack the beliefs of others unless it might be doing serious harm to them. If someone is adhering to a faith that encourages them to care for themselves and others then its pretty good.
I am of the persuasion that every person has the right to a belief system that makes sense to them. For me it comes from a background of being in Baptist and Methodist churches.
It’s my belief that Jesus has a lot to offer people although he has gotten some really bad representation from some of his followers. He has inspired people to build orphanages, hospitals, schools and other institutions that have made our world a better place. It is in those schools that scientific and medical advances have been made. Jesus followers still call him the great physician so there’s that.
To be up front with you my interpretation of faith is that God’s story is still being written and that people should be loved no matter their gender, orientation, economic situation, social standing, etc. Friends It’s not my style to bash people over the head with the Bible. Religion/spirituality is still a very personal thing with many people.
So if you ask me what I believe….this is pretty much it.
(BTW this ended at 284 words…I guess I can write long.)
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