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.”

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