Meditations - Faith

Jesus is the author and perfecter of our Faith.
He is more than simply the reason and source of our faith
and more than a focal point for our faith.
He gives and builds faith in his people
by what he does and is doing.

Faith is foolishness with a basis.
It's standing alone in a crowd.
Gritting your teeth against all odds.
Faith is the stuff fairy tales are made up of,
children's imaginations.
A conviction because, "God says so".
A light at the end of the tunnel for a blind man.
The warmth of the fire for those who see.

Faith calls upon the God-image within us.
It is the hinge and faucet of the God-man relationship.
Simplicity in action.
Faith sees the big picture -- the continuum.
God claps his hands
when he sees gutsy faith and says "Aha!"
The gifts are distributed according to faith points.

Faith makes God happy,
it reflects and mirrors his qualities.
Faith starts like this:
I believe there is a God.
I believe that God wants me to know about Him,
and that he loves me and will help me in this desire.

The muscle and sweat of faith is obedience.
Faith looks for its reward in both the now and hereafter.
It's both down to earth and profoundly ideal,
a visionary and a ditch digger.

Faith and miracles are twins.
Eternity, timelessness and faith
call each other , "My brother",
and courage wears faith as a garment

By faith God's might was realized;

Kingdom's conquered... Justice administered...
Promises gained... Lion's mouths shut...
Flames quenched... The sword escaped...
Strength gained from weakness... Power received...
Armies routed... Death reversed.

By faith God fearing men steeled their souls;

Tortured... Jeered at... Flogged... Chained...
Imprisoned... Stoned... Stabbed... Humbled...
Persecuted... Mistreated... Outcast.

Faith feels the tip of the iceberg,
tastes the hint of refreshing dew.
Faith relaxes on the edge of resting,
reaching beyond itself
to grasp the prize
already won.






		Howard Lenos December 1989