Sounds Absurd, Doesn't it?

     A well known pastor was caught in crossfire yesterday as he was making his way to a homeless shelter to serve lunch. He had served lunch there every Tuesday for three years and had encouraged his family, his staff and his congregation to join him to no avail. On this particular day he had been distracted by thoughts he had eluded for a long time. Long enough in fact, that he was sure he had conquered them for good; but here they were...


His injuries were severe. When the ambulance arrived he was conscious but was losing blood at an alarming rate. When asked what hospital he wanted to be taken to he acted as if he didn't even hear the question. With wide eyes he demanded to know if he was going to make it.

"If we get you to the hospital within five minutes you may live. If it takes even 5 minutes more you will die for sure."

"I might die even if we get there in five?"

"Yes, you are losing a lot of blood."

The pastor laid his head back, closed his eyes tightly and was overcome with fear, regret and anxiety... "It shouldn't be this way" he thought. "I should have been ready!"

Then, with urgency in his voice, he demanded that the EMT take him by his office at the church. "Absolutely not, you are dying and we need to get you to the hospital."

"I need you to take me to the Church" he insisted. "I have to erase some things off of my computer!!And then by my house. Please, you must understand!"

"That is absurd; we are taking you to the hospital."

The pastor began to sob. He had lived in fear that someone would find out and he would have to reveal to the world that he couldn't do it on his own. Now, if he died they would know for sure and there was nothing he could do about it. He decided if he lived he would tell someone. But who? He would be subject to strict accountability and could lose his job, his prestige and even his family. He decided at that moment that he would rather die.

JJ Heller

What is Faith?

I have been thinking about faith lately and want to share my thoughts. I would love to hear your thoughts as well!


I have often prayed for more faith, asked for God to grow my faith etc.. But what is faith? How do we attain it? Can it be measured, that is, is it something that can grow and diminish or is faith just... faith. 


Does witnessing a miracle increase faith? 
Perhaps the most famous verse on faith is this:
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Heb 11:1 (NIV)
But what does that mean really? It certainly does not explain how we "get" faith. When I read that I believe that witnessing something awesome will not produce faith.
Consider this verse in Luke:
He said to him, 'If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead. Luke 16:31 (NIV)


So, how do we attain faith and be seen as faithful in the Father's eyes. Here is the answer:Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ. Romans 10:17 (NIV)


It is so simple and yet so often we try to make it much, much harder. You want faith? Read the Bible. Listen to the message as often as you have an opportunity. Have conversations that are laced with scripture. Surround yourself with the written word of God. Listen to music that is inspired by scripture. And most importantly; spend time with God each day.


Moses, Jacob, Abraham, Isaac, David and countless others in the scriptures- made time with God a priority. Most of them had a specific place that they "met with God" and because they were faithful to listen for His voice, to get to know Him, he called them friend. Read Hebrews chapter 11 for examples of lives that were lived for things hoped for, risks taken with nothing but God's promise(His word) to them.


So, I think faith doesn't grow or diminish-I believe faith is either there or it isn't. Hearing God and moving into the unknown with certainty- trusting with all that we are that God knows better than we do in every situation is evidence of faith; living life by faith means we are hearing and acting on God's word each day, in everything.


Click Here for a list of scriptures on faith- notice the connection, in most cases, between faith and action... Faith comes from hearing the word, and our action(or failure to act) is the measure of our faith- 0 or 100%, not 0 to 100%.