faith |fāθ|
noun
1 complete trust or confidence in someone or something : this restores one’s faith in politicians.
2 strong belief in God or in the doctrines of a religion, based on spiritual apprehension rather than proof.
• a system of religious belief : the Christian faith.
• a strongly held belief or theory : the faith that life will expand until it fills the universe.
Faith. This word has so many meanings and is attached to so many things. For me it has multiple meanings and I want to clarify one of them here.
Religion. I hate that word because it is so misused. Many will say of me that my religion is Christianity. Or non-denominational or for some is Catholicism or Presbyterian. I beg to differ. For me it is a relationship. I don’t like being categorized as a “born again” Christian – even though I am. But that phrase also means so many different things to people. A word is a word with a definition but in life and experiences those words can mean different things. Many people I have met over the years react negatively to a persons response to what religion are you? If I say Christian then some just do not like that because they were hurt by a Christian or by a Christian church. That can go for any belief. They assume I’m republican. Haha. Give me a break.
Truth is, we’ve all been hurt by someone or some group at least once in our lifetime. I married a pastor and we together have pastored in various locations. I’m sure we have hurt people out of our ignorance and immaturity. Out of our religion.
I just know that over the years my beliefs have changed and my theology has changed. I’ve found that the older I get the less I know. It’s come down to this: I know God sent His only son to live on this earth, to be born as a man and He sacrificed Him on the cross so that through His death and resurrection I can have eternal life. I know because of that I know a God who fully understands what it’s like to be a human and all that entails. Do I fully understand all that? No. But by faith I believe it. I have seen unbelievable things happen in my life and our family and friends to know without a doubt that God is very real. Do we go through hard times? Yes. Read my Prisoner of Hope series https://wingedprisms.com/2012/07/22/our-darkest-day/
So, my faith? I am a lover of God the Father, his son Jesus Christ and The Holy Spirit. They are my friends. I will gladly keep company with them. They are amazing.
Enjoy!
cate b
Let's Have Another Piece of Pie 
well said Cate…i hope that clarifies things for some…
Thank you.
Very well explained. I think many of us, who have been saved for a longer period of time have struggled with these issues of misconception and labeling. Lord bless you.
Thank you and God bless you Rob 😀
I need to check my settings this post did not show up in my email. Sorry about that
do you use the “reader” page on wordpress. All blogs you follow will post there on one page for you. it’s awesome.
I just started using it today that’s how I caught the one I missed 🙂
it’s so much easier – took me a while to realize I had it. Haha
Indeed, Cate, Christianity is all about the relationship that develops between the believer and Christ. In fact, Christianity is the only “religion” to offer a relationship with God. That fact alone ought to encourage folks to check it out!
So right! Thank you for stopping by! 😀
I love that last paragraph. Thank you for spreading a little truth out on the internet.
You’re right Cate, it’s all about relationship. I have to say that as I mature in my faith I become more focussed on who I’m becoming in Him than what I’m doing for Him. It’s important for us to know him and not be focussed on doing for Him. Jesus wants relationship with us through the Holy Spirit and I’m so glad you hit on this topic. Thanks again for a great blog. Glad I found you!
Thank you. Glad you found me too!! Many blessings to you and your writing!
Thanks so much for the blessings Cate. I’m quite new at blogging. I just decided to stop procrastinating and let the world know that whatever happens they can get back up, just as I have in life, through God’s unfailing love. Thanks so much for following my blog. I just read the #12 of your series and I’ll go through them 1-12 to get the full picture. Bless you. I love your spirit! You’re a giver!
So great to meet you!!