Intro To The Series

STEP ONE: BREATHE

Take a deep, cleansing breath. Allow the air to fill your lungs and expand your body. Exhale and empty yourself into the room. Repeat three times - once for the one who Created you, once for the Incarnate One who walks beside you, and once for the Spirit whose life fills your being.

STEP TWO: DWELL IN WORD

If I've heard it once, I've heard it a thousand times. Amid personal crises, someone will likely ask, "what do people without faith do?" I have come to understand the question as a rhetorical profession of a deep sense of personal belief. Faith gets us through challenges much as a candle pushes back the darkness of an unlit room. That said, unlike a flickering candle, faith is mostly unseen and can be hard to wrap around our spiritual imagination.

We use the word 'faith' in all sorts of ways. We can use it to describe deep-held beliefs and temporary opinions. Faith can also mean a religious tradition, spiritual practices, or even a long-shot (for example, those who have faith that the Twins will win the World Series this year.). It can be paradoxically synonymous with confidence or the place where we hide when our world crumbles around us.

This final devotional series in the Living Faithful bundle looks at faith itself. What is faith? What does it mean to live a faithful life? How can I nurture faith and grow as a follower of Jesus? These are important questions about some serious matters. But who has the time to ask them or ponder them?

We remain busy people with packed schedules. Life is complicated and changing. As our culture moves away from the religious practices of a generation ago (i.e., going to church on Sunday for worship) there is additional uncertainty. Somehow faith itself seems to have changed since the days of our childhood and the childhood of our parents. Previously unquestioned 'faith' has been replaced by disturbing doubts. Answers of the past no longer correspond to the questions of the present.

Although I would like to be able to say that over the twenty-eight days of this devotional series all will become clear; it won't. The chances are good that I will complicate matters and raise a few more things to consider. Instead of providing answers, I intend to journey into the spiritually-promising realm of doubt, seeking a greater connection with God, each other, and our neighbors.

Together we will explore what theologian Paul Tillich once described as "ultimate concern." Through the use of stories, poems, inspirational images, Jesus stories retold, and reflections, we'll dig a little deeper into the mystery of faith. We will delve into sacramental encounters and our committed responses. Finally we will consider faith in terms of community engagements with neighbors of differing spiritual perspectives.

It is with a bit of fear and trembling that I look forward to beginning this series. It is an opportunity to share some thoughts, beliefs, and accumulated experiences surrounding faith. More than that, I welcome this chance to share my faith itself.

In Christ's Light,

Walt

STEP THREE:  RESPOND IN PRAYER

Faithful God, you remain steadfast in your love, even when we falter. Guide us into the pathways of faithfulness. Strengthen us where we are weak. Make us bold where we lack courage and give us wisdom where we are foolish. Through Jesus Christ, amen.

Permission granted to share with friends and family. Copyrighted 2019. Walt Lichtenberger