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For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 Living Bible (TLB)
How Do You Imagine God?
God in America and USA WEEKEND Magazine are partnering to explore Americans' images of God.
How do you imagine God?
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I am holding you by your right hand—I, the Lord your God—and I say to you, Don’t be afraid; I am here to help you. 14 Despised though you are, fear not, O Israel; for I will help you. I am the Lord, your Redeemer; I am the Holy One of Israel. Isaiah 41:13-14
My Beliefs
I believe ...
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God created everything we know as the world around us. I am a Bible believer and if I don't have the answer I go directly to God in prayer or to the Bible which I believe is his Word, written by men who were inspired by God to write it. I believe in God the Father, Jesus His son, and the Holy Spirit. I believe that we were created by the Holy Trinity and because humans were incapable of always doing what is right God sent His only begotten son, Jesus, to be born and be the perfect example of what humans could be. That He is our redeemer and chose to come and redeem us from the death and hell we deserve. I didn't always believe that. As a child I attended church off and on and was confirmed in the Methodist Church. I did believe in God then but as so many of us do when entering adulthood, I questioned Him and chose to disregard some of the things I am opposed to now. I came of age during the Vietnam War and married at 19. My husband was drafted into the US Army. I don't really know when I started listening to the rest of the world and stopped listening to God As abortion became legal I would've never considered it for myself but agreed with making it available to others. This is now one of my biggest regrets. I do consider myself spiritual and not religious mostly because I don't let organized religion get in my way of worshiping the Lord. I prefer more informal smaller groups to a large church group to worship with.
My most powerful moment of belief was ...
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When my husband decided to leave me for another woman. I had only recently been "saved" and consider myself a new Christian at that time. My Daddy was killed when I was only 4 years old and I wanted more than anything for my children to grow up with their father in the home and our family complete. My husband's father had deserted the family and left the state so he wouldn't have to pay child support. I don't know why I thought it could never happen to me, but our marriage seemed almost tangible. Even so, it was a fear of mine that it wouldn't last. For about 6 months before he left I heard, "I'm just not happy" and then "You don't make me happy." Finally he left me and moved in with her. I always thought I could never survive that, but God was with me every moment. He prepared the way for me to survive and not only that, to thrive! He led me to a job I could have only gotten through Him. As much as it hurt it felt as if I were in a bubble insulated from everything that was happening around me, floating above the pain. During all this time I knew God loved me and I could count on Him to provide for me, protect me and my children, and be my husband. "For thy Maker is thine husband; the Lord of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called." Isaiah 54:5 I mourned the loss of my marriage and what I hoped it would be. One of the things that bothered me was seeing old couples together because I knew my expectation of growing old with my husband was not going to happen. One day I felt really strongly that God whispered, "The best is yet to be!" I believe that the best is yet to be and it will be much greater with the Lord as my "husband" than it ever would've been with my earthly husband because he is not a man that he should lie. He loves me with a pure love and although he doesn't stop everything hurtful from coming my way he does support and protect me and prepare me for it and after I've gone through it I will be stronger and better able to face the next trial that comes. I know now that nothing will ever be impossible. As a side effect, I have been able to share with other people what God has done for me and help them know that they will be able to come through it and everything will be all right. It may not be what they imagined their life to be or anything they wanted to happen but they will be all right and maybe even better and stronger and wiser because of the experience.
My greatest moment of doubt was ...
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I cannot think of a great moment of doubt in the 33 years since I was saved and trusted the Lord with my life. But I suppose if I were to answer considering any time in my life it would not be a moment, it would be almost my entire lifetime. I sometimes do question God but I don't feel the need to do so now. As a little 4 year old girl, though, and ever since then it has been very difficult and painful to not have my Daddy here to share it and be there. I think the older I get the more I realize how much I've missed and am still missing. No Daddy at birthday parties or fun times, no Daddy there on the first day of school beforehand to kiss me goodbye or afterward to tell me how to respond to the bullies. No Daddy at graduation or to walk me down the isle at my wedding. No Daddy there when the babies came. You get the picture. There has never been a moment of any day in my life since that night the chaplain told me he had gone to heaven that I have not missed him. Mostly I think of all the pain my Daddy has avoided such as crashing and being a POW in Korea or developing cancer from everything he was exposed to or even just being old. He is forever 29, my hero. For some reason unknown to me but known to God, it was better that he leave this earth at that time. I am looking forward to meeting him again. I picture myself running into his arms and rejoicing nonstop for eternity. It probably won't be that way but knowing that it will be for eternity maybe I won't have to cling.
My spiritual life means...
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everything to me. There is nothing I cannot overcome if I remember God is on my side and will protect me and bring about His will in my life. I feel so loved and safe when I communicate with Him and read His word!
The biggest misconception about my faith/belief system is ...
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that Christians are zombies who can't think for themselves. You are never so free as when you give your life to God and ask Him to make you into what He had in mind when He created you.
My spiritual role model is ...
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many, many friends I have who are believers and live their lives in a way that proves what they believe works. That is what drew me to the Lord in the first place. They are so honest and real and ready to help in any way they possibly can. I suppose that is one of the main reasons some people never want to be Christians, they see the ones who say one thing and act the opposite way and make the gospel seem like a lie. I say they are human and no one knows what is happening in their lives to distract them from living what the Lord teaches. Our job is not to judge, our job is to serve one another and our fellow man and lift each other up in prayer. Just think how different this world would be if we all did that!
The tenet/practice/teaching I appreciate most about my faith is ...
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the gospel. It is so simple and free and available to everyone. Some people try to complicate it for some reason, maybe they think we should have to do something more to receive forgiveness. But it's as simple as this - God created us to have fellowship with Him. However, as Adam and Eve demonstrated, we humans could not be trusted no matter how much we wanted to do right. So God came up with a plan and actually sacrificed his only begotten son. Imagine that. If you knew you would only ever have one son would you be able to sacrifice him? But Jesus was born in a manger in the most humble of circumstances and grew up in a small village. He taught people what he knew to be the truth and if they listened he also told them who he was, Jesus Christ, the son of God, Savior and whoever believes on him will never perish but have everlasting life! Amen!
My Faith History
As a child I believed ...
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in Jesus, the Holy Trinity I suppose, and heaven. My daddy was killed when I was 4 and I remember the chaplain asking me if I knew about heaven and telling me he had gone there.
I was raised as ...
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a Methodist from elementary years on. Mostly just a Christian, details didn't seem to matter so much back then.
Are your beliefs or practices different from your parents? If so, how and why?
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Yes, very different! My mother isn't sure what she believes, I don't think. My stepfather might have been a Christian if it weren't for his Baptist family who lived such unchristian lives but professed to be anyhow.
If you have children, did becoming a parent change your relationship to faith? If so, how?
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Not really. I wasn't what I call saved until I was 30 years old. At that point it became very important for me to teach my children what I believe is right.
How I Practice My Faith
Where and when do you practice your faith?
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Always, everywhere. I don't have to have anything special to practice my faith or pray. I try to always listen to the Lord and follow his teachings. They are for everyone's good whether they believe the same way or not.
Does your family practice more than one religion or faith? If so, how do you blend the traditions?
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I live what I believe, my children and grandchildren believe primarily the same and we try to celebrate without cramming it down anyone else's throat or denying what we believe.
How easy or difficult is it to live your faith? Why?
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It's easy in that it comes natural because Jesus changed my heart. Is is difficult in that the world around me is becoming toxic and does not want us to have our freedom.
In my house, the thing that most represents my faith is ...
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The absence of anything sexually offensive or obscene. The presence of bibles and Christian art.
The song/book/film that most represents my faith is ...
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The Bible.
Religion & the Public Square
What should be the role of religion in politics?
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I think we have a right to know how our politicians stand if religion is important to them. It's only a matter of time before it shows anyway.
Should courses about religion be taught in public schools? Why or why not?
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I think they could be but I wouldn't expect it. Religion should be taught in church and religious schools for sure.
Should the Bible, Torah, Quran or other religious texts be taught as works of literature in public schools? Why or why not?
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I think it is more important for our children to be taught academics in school. When they have that down then we could discuss religious texts. They're confused enough with sex ed without adding religion.
Is interfaith dialogue important? Why or why not?
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I think everyone comes to at least one time in their life where they have to settle the question for themselves. Until that happens it doesn't matter what is discussed it's only talk.
Do you feel comfortable discussing your faith with others? Why/why not?
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Yes I do although I never want to offend anyone else.
Do you feel that you have a duty, because of your faith, to put your beliefs into action? What are some of those actions?
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Yes, I do! Read the 10 commandments and that's about it but not all. We are commanded to love one another as we love ourselves. Loving ourselves is the hardest part.
Are religious beliefs compromised by engaging in politics?
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what?
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