SEEK TO UNDERSTAND GOD THROUGH OTHER BELIEVERS
Find a bible study to attend, you don’t have to know anything, just go to absorb - there won't be a test. Talking about scripture and finding what others think about it and how they interpret it and how it has worked in their lives will help you see it in your own life. Preachers and teachers in churches, on TV and online can teach you (just beware of your sources and never stand firm on ONE source, learn, question, seek your own answers).
SEEK TO UNDERSTAND GOD IN BOOKS
You can learn about God through books written by others who seek Him. There is a large number of fiction and non-fiction reading available to help you grow in your walk. There are christian fiction authors that I enjoy because in the stories they offer real life-like people going through similar life struggles and they show how these people incorporate God into their professional life, their actions and their attitudes. I hadn't really had any role models like that professionally, so I wasn't sure how to do that. These books helped me.
Authors: Dee Henderson, Ted Dekker, Judith Pella, Janette Oke, Oliver Stone
COMPREHENDING HEAVEN...
The Left Behind Series IS fiction, it utilizes scripture, and has a storyline and timeline of fictional events that may not happen as described, which lead up to our time in heaven...
BUT what this series did for me was to give me a possibility to grasp, something tangible to imagine, and it helped me to truly look forward to heaven. And I think that is a huge struggle for a large number of christians...to think of earth as being a temporary visit and only a preparatory phase for our final destination in heaven with our Father.
How can you look forward MORE to your upcoming vacation than to heaven? That’s out of balance and means you aren’t informed. TRUST ME! No, read the bible and TRUST IT!
Book Recommendation: The Left Behind Series
GOD'S PERSONALITY
"The Sacred Romance" teaches you big picture outlook and offers added insight to God's personality and understanding Him better.
"More than a Carpenter" can help questions concerning the "story" of the bible, to stand firm on scripture and the reality of it and application in today's world. Is the bible valid? Can you trust it? Is it real? What if it is? You might want to firm up that assumption before you go forward if you’re not sure.
The bible isn't just a historical book about other people during another time. It's relevant! And it is the only book to be a best seller across all time. Who else could author such a popular book but God?
Book Recommendation: The Sacred Romance, More than a Carpenter
SHOULD YOU BELIEVE THE BIBLE?
Some people need more information to help them grasp the solidness with which they can stand on the Word.
Reading some non-fiction about archaeological finds concerning evidence that supports biblical events. Or how the bible was put together...
Transcripts that have been found from early times that show that the bible hasn't been altered translation by translation as some say it has.
Or reading secular books such as the works of Josephus who keeps an account of secular events that happened along the same timeline as biblical events...
There is a world of resources out there, but don't get too caught up in them. It is good to question, to seek, to learn and to grow, but don't get so caught up in getting answer that your faith falters. If you had all of the answers, you would be a god. Don't cross that line.
ISN'T IT BLIND FAITH?
"Even after Jesus had performed so many signs in their presence, they still would not believe in him." John 12:37
Be careful how much "evidence" you need. For it's a matter of the heart. We aren't required to have blind faith. But if you want to go there... We can discuss all the things that you have faith in everyday, things that complete strangers tell you that you can trust and you choose to believe.
- Your car not falling apart while you drive down the highway at 60mph...
- That other drivers will stay in their lanes...
- That your house won't cave in...
- That the food you eat is safe....
- That what occurred in our history books actually happened (YOU sure weren't there!!!)
The following website outlines similar explanations as the book "More than a Carpenter" http://www.everystudent.com/features/faith.html
I want to encourage you to question and to seek.
Life will be so much more fulfilling if you try to get to know the one that created you and what he's about. Just as so many study genealogy, God has a story to tell about your own lineage. Find out who HE says you are and get to know Him. You just might be surprised!
Find a bible study to attend, you don’t have to know anything, just go to absorb - there won't be a test. Talking about scripture and finding what others think about it and how they interpret it and how it has worked in their lives will help you see it in your own life. Preachers and teachers in churches, on TV and online can teach you (just beware of your sources and never stand firm on ONE source, learn, question, seek your own answers).
SEEK TO UNDERSTAND GOD IN BOOKS
You can learn about God through books written by others who seek Him. There is a large number of fiction and non-fiction reading available to help you grow in your walk. There are christian fiction authors that I enjoy because in the stories they offer real life-like people going through similar life struggles and they show how these people incorporate God into their professional life, their actions and their attitudes. I hadn't really had any role models like that professionally, so I wasn't sure how to do that. These books helped me.
Authors: Dee Henderson, Ted Dekker, Judith Pella, Janette Oke, Oliver Stone
COMPREHENDING HEAVEN...
The Left Behind Series IS fiction, it utilizes scripture, and has a storyline and timeline of fictional events that may not happen as described, which lead up to our time in heaven...
BUT what this series did for me was to give me a possibility to grasp, something tangible to imagine, and it helped me to truly look forward to heaven. And I think that is a huge struggle for a large number of christians...to think of earth as being a temporary visit and only a preparatory phase for our final destination in heaven with our Father.
How can you look forward MORE to your upcoming vacation than to heaven? That’s out of balance and means you aren’t informed. TRUST ME! No, read the bible and TRUST IT!
Book Recommendation: The Left Behind Series
GOD'S PERSONALITY
"The Sacred Romance" teaches you big picture outlook and offers added insight to God's personality and understanding Him better.
"More than a Carpenter" can help questions concerning the "story" of the bible, to stand firm on scripture and the reality of it and application in today's world. Is the bible valid? Can you trust it? Is it real? What if it is? You might want to firm up that assumption before you go forward if you’re not sure.
The bible isn't just a historical book about other people during another time. It's relevant! And it is the only book to be a best seller across all time. Who else could author such a popular book but God?
Book Recommendation: The Sacred Romance, More than a Carpenter
SHOULD YOU BELIEVE THE BIBLE?
Some people need more information to help them grasp the solidness with which they can stand on the Word.
Reading some non-fiction about archaeological finds concerning evidence that supports biblical events. Or how the bible was put together...
Transcripts that have been found from early times that show that the bible hasn't been altered translation by translation as some say it has.
Or reading secular books such as the works of Josephus who keeps an account of secular events that happened along the same timeline as biblical events...
There is a world of resources out there, but don't get too caught up in them. It is good to question, to seek, to learn and to grow, but don't get so caught up in getting answer that your faith falters. If you had all of the answers, you would be a god. Don't cross that line.
ISN'T IT BLIND FAITH?
"Even after Jesus had performed so many signs in their presence, they still would not believe in him." John 12:37
Be careful how much "evidence" you need. For it's a matter of the heart. We aren't required to have blind faith. But if you want to go there... We can discuss all the things that you have faith in everyday, things that complete strangers tell you that you can trust and you choose to believe.
- Your car not falling apart while you drive down the highway at 60mph...
- That other drivers will stay in their lanes...
- That your house won't cave in...
- That the food you eat is safe....
- That what occurred in our history books actually happened (YOU sure weren't there!!!)
The following website outlines similar explanations as the book "More than a Carpenter" http://www.everystudent.com/features/faith.html
I want to encourage you to question and to seek.
You were made lovingly by a God that cherishes and values you.
You were made for a purpose.
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