No doubt about it!

How important is doubt to faith? The Scriptures say that without works, faith is dead. Sometimes it seems to me that when people go through a period of doubt, then faith is made stronger.

In fact, I recently heard that the Jesuit brotherhood of Catholic monks have a strange requirement. A priest cannot complete his Jesuit training unless he has gone through a lengthy period of serious doubt. It is thought that serious doubts about God's existence eventually prove that one's faith is genuine. Without doubt, one's "faith" may just be shallow religious practice.

Kind of deep for today, but what do you think? Have honest doubts actually helped your faith become strong?

The sound of a devoted dad

How often have you seen such wonderful capability in your kids...and then sacrificed your own efforts for theirs. This amazing video inspires me. Thanks Cassie.

But there's more - I got to thinking about how much the Lord has sacrificed for me. Himself, for instance. He regularly makes the plans he has for me a priority item for himself. Get it? He's that devoted dad who never looses patience or focus. Encourage one another with these words ...

POOL PARTY!

What fun we had together last Friday! I really enjoyed the swimming, the food, and the games. You kept saying, "We need to laugh like this more often." I AGREE! That special something happened when women get together. We support each other in real ways (that happened Friday); we kid around with each other (that happened Friday); we notice and get noticed -

Like Sally Fields said, "You like me, you really like me!" Yep - I like you.

What do you like to talk about particularly with women? Let's keep talkin'!

Surely? Surely.

Thanks again to Liz Cloud for a terrific video clip. A sweetie recites Psalm 23.

North Hills Facebook

You've been blogging with the girls ... now try the North Hills facebook!

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=4216178564&ref=mf

Don't get in trouble with your boss, or your kids, and don't miss feeding your poor dog! But it's fun! My facebook allows me to post pictures and answer silly questions and just get to know our church people better. Next time you have a few minutes (or, more like an hour!) - get online and try out facebook! You will have to create an account to join the fun. It's fast and painless - and could help you feel more connected with God and each other.

I wonder whether the Lord imagined facebook when he encouraged us in Hebrews 10:25 ...

Let's see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching.

Love you!

Just for fun - Weird Dream

I once had a really weird dream that...

Just for fun - Morning or Night?

Are you a morning person or a night person?

Forgiveness

I went to a workshop this week on marital counseling. There were some things said about forgiveness that just hit me between the eyes.

"Forgiveness is God’s invention for coming to terms with a world in which,
despite their best intentions, people are unfair to each other and hurt each
other deeply. He began by forgiving us. And He invites us all to forgive each
other." quotation by Lewis Smedes, theologian and author

Wow! So true. Even though I do my best to be nice, eventually (sometimes sooner rather than later), I hurt somebody's feelings. Yuck. I wish I wouldn't do that. I wish they wouldn't do it back. I'm glad there is forgiveness. Lord, teach me how to forgive and be forgiven.

Just for fun - Princess

Who is your favorite "princess"?

Just for fun - Dream vacation

I couldn't resist this question, especially while we still have 6 weeks of summer left!

What is your dream vacation?

Teach us to pray

pastor terry challenged us ... We overestimate our own ability to deal with our lives.


Stepped on my toes! I often make the mistake to think that I can deal with the circumstances of my daily life. But in my own strength, negativity and frustration are all too common at the end of the day.


1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 gives us this prayerful remedy ... Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live. (The Message)

Praying all the time gives me the perspective and power to be "cheerful no matter what". Wanna give it a try with me this week? Let us know how it's working!

Just for fun - going to the Car Wash

Yesterday, I went to get my car washed near the Berean Bookstore in Colton. A huge truck was rolling to the end of the automatic wash area, and just kept rolling until it ran into another car that was being dried. The rolling truck took out the left rear brake light and side panel of a little purple car! The poor owners just watched in dismay as their cars got into an accident with each other. Memo to me - don't let my car be dried in line with the exit from the auto-wash!

How about you? Do you wash your car or let the car wash do it?