Faith

“My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person, he believed in me.”

-- Jim Valvano (1946-1993), basketball player, coach

What is faith?  Can you have faith and not know what faith is?  Most of us have a definition to suit what we believe, and belief is a major part of having a sense of faith.  At its most basic, faith is a belief in something for which there is little or no proof.  And, most important to this post, if you don't have faith in yourself how can you have faith in anything else?  

I have heard clergy state that if you have faith in God you will find faith in yourself.  I argue that if you can't find undying faith in yourself, how will you possibly know you have undying faith in something greater than yourself?  I have faith that God will help those who help themselves.  Some will argue that the effort was all theirs and that God had little to do with it.  I suppose my answer to them would be, I have faith that my love for the very young and helpless will give me the fortitude to bravely go into a burning building to rescue them.  I will pray for God to give me the strength to survive it.  Will I have survived it anyway?  Maybe, or maybe not.  But, I have found the faith to love and to sacrifice.  Faith in something greater than myself is not a great stretch.

“If you can’t believe in miracles, then believe in yourself. When you want something bad enough, let that drive push you to make it happen. Sometimes you’ll run into brick walls that are put there to test you. Find a way around them and stay focused on your dream. Where there’s a will, there’s a way.”

-- Isabel Lopez, actress

I believe that God, whatever "God" is, has endowed us with an inner sense to discover ourselves and have faith in ourselves.  I believe that, with this, God has shown faith in us, in our abilities, abilities for which God had given us control.  We can do or not, succeed or fail, try again or give up.  You only know what you know until you fail and, in failure, you will learn more than if you succeed.  This is how we own our life.  It is a continuing cycle of existence which we have been blessed to be a part of.  

Am I right?  I don't know.  I have no proof on which to scientifically base my beliefs.  I can only have faith.  But, I have to ask, how can you truly love unless you know what love is?  How can you have faith unless you know what faith is?  Love yourself first, then show others how you love as the impetus for their own discovery.  Put on your oxygen mask first, before assisting the passenger next to you.  Discover faith in you.  Doctor, heal thy self!

“The function of prayer is not to influence God, but rather to change the nature of the one who prays.”

-- Søren Aabye Kierkegaard (1813-1855), philosopher, theologian, poet

Only you can save yourself.  Discover that which is inside you and learn.  Fall down and get back up.  Have faith that you can do, and learn more from failure.  Have faith that you will, sooner or later, succeed.  Be as happy in your trials and failures as you are in your successes.  Find your own, personal faith and revel in it.  Be an example of personal faith for others to follow.  

Understand that this is the journey of your existence.  Only you can walk your path.  While on your path you must constantly ask, "Why?"  

Discovery is what we do, and discovering spiritual faith is another part of who we are.  When you are ready, take everything you have learned about faith and go discover your personal spirituality.  Go discover your God.

“The reason birds can fly and we can't is simply because they have perfect faith, for to have faith is to have wings.”

-- J.M. Barrie (1860-1937), novelist, playwright

Editor's Note

(Re: disclaimer cum "get out of jail free" card)

Before you go getting your panties in a bunch, it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion. It doesn't make either opinion any more right or wrong than the other. An opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form opinions of their own, if they haven't already done so. This is also why, occasionally, I will present an "opinion" just to stir an emotional pot. Where it may sound like I agree with the statements made, I'm more interested in getting others to consider an alternate viewpoint. 

It is my fervent hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and while engaging in peaceful and constructive discussion, in an arena of mutual respect, concerning those opinions put forth. After over twenty years with military intelligence, I have come to believe engaging each other in this manner and in this arena is the way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.

We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human. God's test for us is what we learn from the experience, and what we do afterward.

Pastor Tony spent 22 years with United States Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, instructor, and senior manager. He spent 17 years, following his service career, working with the premier, world renowned, Institutional Review Board helping to protect the rights of human subjects involved in pharmaceutical research. Ordained 1n 2013 as an "interfaith" minister, he founded the Congregation for Religious Tolerance in response to intolerance shown by Christians toward peaceful Islam. As the weapon for his war on intolerance he chose the pen, and wages his "battle" in the guise of the Congregation's official online blog, The Path, of which he is both author and editor. "The Path" offers a vehicle for commentary and guidance concerning one's own personal, spiritual, path toward peace and the final destination for us all. He currently resides in Pass Christian, Mississippi, where he volunteers as lead Chaplain and Chaplain Program Liaison, at the regional medical center.