18 November 2014

On Giving Thanks – Faith

Greetings Dear Reader,

I know that I have written about faith often.  It would be repetitive to define and show its import here.  Not that I am not repetitive but rather that I have another purpose.  I want to express my gratitude for the gift of faith.

I worked hard to get to the place where I believed but once there it was cemented and strong.  I can stand on faith as if it were iron.  There are times when I fear or doubt but beneath that is a bedrock of faith that does not fail me. 

I do err in thinking it is that easy for others.  That error is what necessitates the gratitude.  I do not wish to take faith for granted.  It like any good thing is a gift from God.  It is a treasured gift since without it one cannot please God. 

The other prime reason to be thankful for faith is that it is a primary element.  It is what forms things that are hoped for.  It is what proves the unseen.  When God gives us faith he gives us a scaffold, a tool, and materials. 

As I move toward Advent and the celebration and the object of my faith I feel great gratitude for that faith.  The primary way to show that gratitude is to live my faith.  I must also keep in perspective that faith comes easy for me now and that is not true for everyone.  I am thankful for its protection as well.  It is what fuels my hope when I feel hopeless.  It is what quells my fear when faced with terror and pain.

By Faith – Michael Card

By faith one was commended
For the sacrifice he made
Another out of holy fear
Built an ark the world to save
Another left his homeland
and as a stranger he'd reside
But none received the promise then
And so, in faith, they died.

Others conquered kingdoms
Quenched the fury of the flames
Some made strong in battle
Some were raised to life again
But many more were martyred
Midst the crowds loud clamoring
By faith they would not bow the knee
Nor kiss the emperor's ring

Faith understands and offers
It assures and calms our fears
It can shut the mouths of lions
And make sense of scars and tears
We persevere in hope
And with conscience clean and clear
We walk this fallen wilderness
With Salvation's Pioneer

Being sure of what we hope for
Seeing what is yet unseen
A universe from nothingness
New life where none had been
The known made from unknowable
And hope for the comfortless
Who hear and hold on firmly to
The faith that they possess

Faith understands and offers
It assures and calms our fears
It can shut the mouths of lions
And make sense of scars and tears
We persevere in hope
And with conscience clean and clear
We walk this fallen wilderness
With Salvation's Pioneer

So fix your eyes upon the Champion
As you seek to run the race
Understanding that He cheers you on
As you long for His embrace
So hold on and do not grow weary
Of the faith that you profess
Remembering that you are ringed around
By this cloud of witnesses

Faith understands and offers
It assures and calms our fears
It can shut the mouths of lions
And make sense of scars and tears
We persevere in hope
And with conscience clean and clear
We walk this fallen wilderness
With Salvation's Pioneer

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn
Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

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