Tag: Christianity

Donald Trump is NOT a Christian

Donald Trump is not a Christian.  There is absolutely no way.  Even if you only go to church around Christmas and on Easter you should know enough about our Lord and Savior to know that Trump is not patterning himself after Him.  We all fall short, we all stumble and I think we are all hypocrites but Trump isn’t even trying to act like a Christian.  This can’t possible be his best pious act because there isn’t that much failure in the world.  That is unless he doesn’t even know how a Christian should behave.

If you don’t believe me here are a few Bible verses that should lead you to believe that Trump is no more Christian than a snapping turtle.

 

Matthew 7 :15-20

“Watch out for false prophets.  They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.  By their fruit you will recognize them.  Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?  Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.  A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.  Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.  Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

Trump incited violence while he was running for office.  He has exacerbated racial tension in this country.  He encouraged police officers to mistreat people in custody.  The White House is in chaos.  These are the fruits of the Trump administration so far.  I can’t think of one positive thing that the man has accomplished so far.  These are not the fruits of a man that is being lead by God.

A lot of Christians believe that Trump is a Christian but I believe he is just a wolf in sheep’s clothing that talks a religious game to gain popularity.  He’s a charlatan and a lot of Christians have been had.  He rattles off a few Bible verses as a smokescreen before putting racist policies into play.  That is the way fake, White, American Christianity works.  It’s always been used as a way to sell racism to the White masses.  It hasn’t stopped working since the Pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock.

Galatians 3:28

There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

There is absolutely no Biblical basis for racism.  None!  But Mr. Trump, his Cabinet and party have been busy making racist policies.  In fact they campaigned on racism and won.  Trump and his supporters may think they are Christian but everybody talking about heaven ain’t going there.  Racists are going to burn in hell right along with their president.

Luke 16:18

“Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery, and the man who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

I’ll leave this right here.

Proverbs 31:30-31
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.  Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Women should be honored for their works and not their looks.  What a concept.  I don’t think the Bible mentions grabbing women by the #($$% even once.

1 Timothy 6:10

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.  Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

We all know Trump loves him some money.  Donny has been famous a long time and I’ve heard him mention his love of money many times.  I never once heard him mention loving the Lord until his presidential campaign.

2 Timothy 3:1-5

But mark this:  There will be terrible times in the last days.  People will be lover of themselves, lover of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God-having a form of godliness but denying its power.  Have nothing to do with such people.

My goodness this describes Trump to a t.  What does it say about a nation that would elect such a man?

 

 

 

When Christians Act Like Christians Part II

Sigh.  Gospel singer Kim Burrell has been trending on Facebook for two days.  She was giving a sermon in a church and said something about a perverted homosexual spirit.  Someone recorded it and the video circulated around social media.  A lot of people became enraged and called her comments hate speech.  Celebrities, including gospel singers have condemned Ms. Burrell and turned their backs on her.  She has maintained her stance and is refusing to apologize.

Ms. Burrell is on the soundtrack of the new movie “Hidden Colors” and she was going to perform on the daytime talk show “Ellen” soon.  Her appearance on the show has been cancelled probably due to Ellen DeGeneres being a lesbian and all.  The timing of all of this is quite peculiar.  I’m unsure if this is sabotage or a brilliant marketing ploy thought of by Ms. Burrell’s managers.

Here’s the long and short of it.  The Bible does not condone homosexuality.  It just doesn’t.  No where.  Like at all.  The Biblical model for marriage involves one man and at least one woman.  Period.  Kim Burrell is a preacher and is called to preach from the Bible.  Not “The Wall Street Journal” or “Teen Vogue” or “Cosmopolitan”.  There’s really no way around that.  So I really don’t know what all the fuss is about.  Have we not all heard this before?  And if you don’t believe in God, or the Bible or have any respect for church why do you care what some gospel singer thinks?  Why you mad?

It’s not fair to ask someone to compromise who they are to suit you.  Gays shouldn’t have to do it but neither should Christians.  There is room for all of us to live our dreams in this world.  Everything comes down to respect.

I really thought that once gay marriage was legalized that would put some of the disagreements to rest.  I thought that marriage rights were the goal and that was what the gay community wanted.  Evidently I was wrong.  Homosexuality has been normalized in pop culture.  There are many gay celebrities and gay characters on TV.  None of this seems to have done much to make the gay community happy.

FYI I am a Christian that has always been in favor of civil unions or gay marriage.  As a civil matter I see absolutely no reason to be against same sex marriage.  I don’t want any group in America to feel like they are being discriminated against or being denied their pursuit to happiness.  I am not a person that likes to see anyone stand on a high horse and pass judgment on others.  But that is a two way street.  I have always believed in live and let live.  That is a two way street as well.

I have read or watched remarks on social media that blame Christianity and specifically Ms. Burrell for gay people committing suicide.  I do not understand what it is like to be gay or suicidal.  I am not a therapist.  But if you are depressed and need help please seek it out.  It seems like a real disservice to blame someone else for your depression or mental health problem.  Learn to love and value yourself.

Furthermore, the remarks made about Kim Burrell are just plain mean, misogynistic and racist.  There have been dozens, probably hundreds of remarks made about her weight on social media.  There have been remarks saying that she looks like a man.  I even read a remark saying that Black women are disgusting.  This is lynch mob bullying folks.  All of this negativity is not really standing for anything but hatefulness.  But I thought these folks were fighting for love.

In sixteen days the U.S. will inaugurate our new president who chose Mike Pence to be our Vice President.  While Mr. Pence was Governor of Indiana he opposed laws that made it illegal to discriminate against gays.  He also diverted funs away from programs to combat AIDS.  Pence also supports gay conversion therapy.  Mr. Pence is the type of Christian that makes Christianity embarrassing but no one is giving Gov. Pence the treatment that Kim Burrell is getting.

The fact is that Kim is an easy target.  She is a gospel singer that has no real power or a great deal of influence.  Mike Pence is a White man that influences policy and will soon probably be running our country.  Cowards don’t have the nerve to challenge him.  So they make fun of the chubby Black woman instead.  It’s sad and shameful and I may go buy a Kim Burrell CD soon.

It takes all kinds to make the world turn.  That includes the Christians and the Gays.  Both groups need to learn that no one has the moral high ground and everyone’s beliefs should be respected.  Live and let live.

 

How Tithing Shaped My Views on Money

tithing

About ten years ago I decided to get serious about my Christian beliefs.  I wanted to be obedient to the word of God and stop picking and choosing the scriptures I would adhere to.  I wanted to submit myself to God and stop be a disciplined Christian.  I decided to fully commit to tithing %10 of my income.

Tithing is a controversial and heavily criticized practice.  I don’t understand the criticism.  Churches have bills and expenses like everyone else.  I think that if you attend a church that is ministering to people, changing lives and reaching out to the surrounding community in a charitable way you should help support the church financially.  Nothing in this world is free and I believe in putting your money where your mouth is.

You can tell where a person’s heart really is by where they consistently put their money.  If they spend money at a sporting goods store, a book store, or a store that sells designer fashions you can tell where their passion lies.  If a person spends most of their money on their child or a lover you have no doubt about how they feel about that person.  If a Christian believes in their church and trusts their pastoral staff they should financially support their mission as long as it aligns with scripture.  If they don’t trust the pastor or support the churches mission they should find a different church.

Tithing has been a great spiritual exercise for me.  It has taught me to not become too attached to money and material possessions.  I have also learned a lot about generosity, sacrifice and selflessness.  Whether you have a lot of money or a little it is very easy to exalt money in your life and make it a god.  Tithing has given me a different perspective on money.  Money is very important but it is not the end all be all.  Money is not a constant.  Money and it’s source is easy come easy go.

I have to be honest.  There have been times when I had to make a mental IOU to God because if I wrote a check for %10 of what I anticipate earning the next week the check would have bounced.  But I will also say that tithing has in no way been a detriment to me.  I’ve always gotten the bills paid.  I’ve always had money for my necessities and I’ve usually had money for things that I want (within reason).  There has always been enough.

I wish I had a story to tell you about me tithing at church and then I hit the lottery next week.  Nothing that dramatic has ever happened to me and I do not believe in prosperity Christianity at all.  However, I have always made ends meet even when money has been tight.  I have been blessed and God has always made a way for my household.  I have had several financial blessings come my way.  I believe that these blessings come from being obedient to God and the financial discipline that tithing brings.

The world we live in is absolutely consumed by greed.  People do horrible things in the pursuit of money.  The lack of money and the chase for more creates a great deal of anxiety and stress.  Tithing is a great practice because it teaches you to prioritize something ahead of your own financial gain.  Tithing teaches you to turn to God for your needs instead of your own ability to earn money.  Tithing also teaches you discipline which will help your finances in the long run.  I believe that tithing has been a blessing in my life in more ways than one.

False Ideals – Shannon in Kansas City

We are taught to love, uphold and strive for ideals.  The media and the culture at large teach us about ideal beauty.  We should all want to be thin, young, have long hair and be White, or at least the Whitest version of what your ethnic group can provide if you are a non White person.  We are told how an ideal citizen is supposed to behave.  We are all supposed to want to go to school, get married, have a few kids, buy a home, work for forty years and pay taxes.

I don’t think anyone truly benefits from ideal imagery.  Privilege is given to those that match a culture’s ideal imagery but that privilege is based on superficiality and falsehoods.  But they sometimes struggle to maintain their admirable façade and suffer when their reality doesn’t match the image that the world sees.  Those that don’t match what their culture calls ideal can become victims of discrimination and must endure the consequences of unfair treatment.

Anyone that tries to promote an ideal image is most likely trying to manipulate you for their own benefit.  The cosmetics industry needs to present you with an ideal image so that you will want to buy what they are selling in order to pursue their idea of beauty and desirability.  Weight loss companies sell fat people the idea that an ideal thin figure will lead to happiness.  Dating websites promote that being a part of a couple is the ideal to single people in order to sell their services.  White supremacy has been sold to the world in order to consolidate resources and wealth for certain people and places in the world while others suffer.

The only ideal is Jesus Christ.  Nothing else matches His purity or perfection.  Beware of anything or anyone that tries to sell you an image or idea of perfection other than Christ.  When humans try to convince others that they or something they produce is ideal they are going to try to exploit and take advantage of others.

There are many people that I admire for their abilities, talents or beauty.  But we all have gifts and talent but none of us are perfect.  It does not matter how beautiful, athletic, smart, wealthy and talented an individual is we all need a savior.  There is nothing wrong with striving for beauty, career success or wealth but it is important to remember that none of those things are the end all and be all.  It is easy to create unhealthy idols of our ideals.  Always put God first.

 

Exodus 20: 3-4

3 You must have no other gods  before me.  4 Do not make an idol for yourself-no form whatsoever-of anything in the sky above or on the earth below or in the waters under the earth.

Romans 3:23

All have sinned and fall short of God’s glory, 24 but all are treated as righteous freely by his grace because of a ransom that was paid by Christ Jesus.

Psalm 146:3-4

3 Don’t trust leaders; don’t trust any human being-there’s no saving help with them! 4 Their breath leaves them then they go back to the ground.  On that very same day, their plans die too.

Perks of Being a Christian – Shannon in Kansas City

Discernment

I am so grateful to know Jesus Christ and to have access to his word.  The Bible has opened my eyes to the will of God and the plans God has for my life and thereafter.  Christians are promised redemption for their sins and an eternity spent with our father in heaven.  But there are perks to being a Christian while you are living here on Earth.

The world we live in today is very confusing.  Some of the people in it will smile in your face but will have every intention of using you just like the devil will.  They will act like your friend and then take every thing you have to give and leave you with absolutely nothing.  Following God’s standard will help you sort out sweet spirits from evil ones.

I am a woman that has never been married.  Near the beginning of a relationship I tell men that I am not interested in sexual intercourse unless we marry.  Usually I stop hearing from them after that.  Sometimes if I even mention church attendance or attending a Bible study I don’t hear from these men anymore.  It is disappointing and hurtful but at least I did not allow myself to be used and it is because I decided to trust God.  God’s word spared me a relationship with a man that is selfish and only sees women as play things.

Of all the gifts that Christians are given I think that discernment is one of the greatest.  Whenever I come to a cross roads in my life I pray about it.  If I meet a man that wants to get to know me romantically I always pray about it and ask God if it is His will.  I ask God to make the relationship flourish if it is of His will or take it away if it is not.  I’m a little nervous at this point because all of my romantic pursuits have floundered but I will continue to have faith in God.  I’m still hopeful that there is someone for me.

I also pray when it comes to professional commitments.  I have had a great deal of on the job drama.  I don’t know why because I just want to do my best and make a living.  I have lost several jobs due to work place politics.  I have been slighted and forced out the door more times than I care to remember.

But I don’t think I’ve ever lost anything that was going to take me to where I want to be in life so I’m better off without it.  If something isn’t a help it’s a hindrance and we all need to know our value and fight for it.  Hopefully, God has something fulfilling and financially viable for me.  Despite my checkered professional past I’ve always been able to find another job, I pay my tithes, my bills have been paid and I have and do nice things.

When I pray over relationships and situations that I’ve been in I ask for the Holy Spirit to intervene on my behalf.  The Lord has always revealed the truth.  We just need to ask and give Him time.  I have always learned the true character of the people.  The Lord will show you who is trying to take advantage of you and make a fool of you.  He will also show you who really cares for you.  Jesus will take you right out of a negative and stressful situation that is draining your spirit.  The peace God gives is a blessing.

1 Corinthians 14:33

God isn’t a God of disorder but of peace.  Like in all the churches of God’s people,

If you are experiencing a lot of confusion you should consult the Bible and pray about it.

1 John 4:1

Dear friends, don’t believe every spirit.  Test the spirits to see if they are from God because many false prophets have gone into the world.

It is OK to test friends, romantic interests, family members and business partners.  Ask God to help you sort out who is good for your life and who isn’t.

1 Thessalonians 5

Pray continually.

Keep on praying.

#bodypositivity – Shannon in Kansas City

 

 

#bodyposi is a popular social media hash tag which encourages women to be comfortable with and love their bodies.  The hash tag is often accompanied by a photograph of a nearly naked young woman.  I am completely in favor of women feeling good about themselves regardless of their body shape, height or ethnic background.  There are many types of beauty in the world and that should be appreciated.  However, I think the body positivity movement is misguided.

The confusing thing about #bodyposi is that these women want to put as much flesh on display as they can get away with.  The women in these photographs are typically heavier set and do not have the type of bodies that are commonly featured in fashion magazines.  I’m sure any one of them would look great if they styled themselves and wore flattering clothing.  I’m not exactly sure what these women want.

A lot of thin women look awkward in bikinis as well.  Everyone isn’t going to look great in a bikini or under wear.  That’s why fashion models are well paid for their efforts.  They also work out and follow a health conscious diet.  There is a price to be paid for everything including a fit body.

I’m sure there are some women that are uplifted by the body positivity movement and there is value in that.  But we are probably just changing the beauty standard instead of helping women find real contentment and peace within themselves.  Mattel recently designed Barbie’s that have alternative body shapes.  “Sports Illustrated” is featuring a heavier (size 10) model in their swim suit issue.  Stores are using fuller bodied mannequins.

Standards of beauty have changed throughout history.  Changing the standards may help a few people feel more accepted but then someone else will feel left out.  I think that we shouldn’t give the media, the fashion industry or the entertainment industry such power over our minds that they have the ability to make anyone feel less worthy than someone else.  The power that we have given popular images is idol worship.

I was given a copy of the New Testament to read when I was nineteen.  It made a huge impression on me and I would hate to think what I would be like without God’s word in my life.  If I was not grounded in Christ I would probably be as vulnerable to media images as all the “body positive” women are.

The Bible taught me that I have a savior.  That savior was born to be a living sacrifice to save my soul.  I don’t know how anyone can hate themselves with this type of conviction.  If God loves me that much who am I to doubt myself or my worth as a woman.  The following scriptures can help anyone that is struggling with self image:

1 Samuel 16:7

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Have no regard for his appearance or stature, because I haven’t selected him.  God doesn’t look at things like humans do.  Humans see only what is visible to the eyes, but the lord sees into the heart.”

Try to see people, including yourself the way God sees them.  Focus on the human heart.

James 4:14

You don’t really know about tomorrow.  What is your life?  You are a mist that appears for only a short while before it vanishes.

Life is fleeting and so is youth.  Don’t drive yourself crazy over something that is guaranteed to end.

Colossians 3:11

In this image there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all things and in all people.

We’re all the same in God’s eyes.  Don’t sweat the small stuff.

Galatians 2:20

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.

You are a vessel for the Holy Spirit when you accept Christ.

Exodus 20:3

You must have no other gods before me.

Worship our savior, not your body.

I think that people would have a better self image if they learned about the love God has for us and the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross for mankind.  People would also be well served to not be so self focused.  Love yourself and treat yourself well but it seems to me that some young women and men are absolutely obsessed with their image.  None of us are perfect and we are not meant to be.  No one is perfect but Christ.

God gives us different gifts.  Some of us are artists, great in math or great singers.  Some of us are blessed with the gift of looking great in a bikini.  We all can’t have the same gifts.  Instead of coveting someone else’s blessing be grateful for your own.

 

Your body will fail you one day.  If you live to be old your youth will become a memory.  Don’t let frivolous things become an idol in your life.  Beauty and image is subjective and is often an illusion.  Focus on serving God.  I’m certain that you will become a happier, satisfied, joyful and content person.

The Crusade for Femininity

I love femininity and I love women.  I enjoy being a woman and I don’t ever remember a time when I did not delight in feminine interests such as make up and hair care products.  I’m what you would call a girls girl.  I think that femininity is something to be admired and respected.  Unfortunately, in today’s world I feel my opinion puts me in the minority.

In my observations femininity has become something that people make fun of, disrespect and try to own and control.  Women that use make up and other products to give themselves a more feminine appearance are labeled high maintenance, thirsty or slutty.  I do not understand how people have come to this conclusion.  What’s wrong with a woman wanting to look feminine and presenting herself nicely?

It also seems to me that in 2015 femininity has become synonymous with slutty.  That’s very disturbing to me because I believe that it is possible to be a mature feminine woman without giving the appearance that you are sexually available to any man that winks in your direction.

I feel like some women have decided to present themselves in a more gender neutral way because it gives them a greater sense of power and makes them less vulnerable.  I suppose I can’t blame them.  Femininity is no longer seen as something to be protected, cherished and respected.  In modern times it is often thought of something to be controlled, abused and attacked.

I try to present myself with feminine grace physically and with actions.  That is not to say that I play dumb or make myself passive to men around me.  I think that femininity can be smart, strong, successful, powerful and independent.

I don’t think that femininity is something that exists strictly for a man’s pleasure.  It’s natural for a man to appreciate feminine beauty but it is not theirs to own.  A woman’s beauty is her own and it should be used to glorify God.  The way she presents herself is a reflection of who she is, and who her creator is.

I believe this misunderstanding is where the lack of respect and need to control femininity comes from.  People like to put down what they don’t understand and what intimidates them.  The availability of pornography and business marketing strategies have made men believe that attractive, young women should be readily available to them.

Men are taught that they are entitled to feminine beauty.  Therefore, women, especially attractive ones get labeled thots, hoes, bitches etc.  Attractive young women are seen as objects to be used and tossed to the side.  When they are old or used too much they are to be tossed aside for good.

Femininity is a part of God’s plan.  I’m a believer in Christ and I believe that femininity and masculinity are a part of God’s plan for our lives and the world we live in.  Pardon the reference to Eastern religion but masculinity and femininity are a part of the world’s yin and yang.  Both are necessary for harmony and balance.  Both are needed and should be respected.

Women should contribute beauty , softness and a delicate nature to the world.  American culture is dying for that.  The world we live in had become much more male dominant and masculine.  We are loosing respect for the feminine grace that gives us appreciation for art, poetry, flowers, fashion, fine china, flowers etc.  We are much more interested in things being fast, cheap, and in large quantities.  We love violent entertainment and sexualized humor.  It’s because we have no real respect for women any more and women are socialized to be more like men.

That leaves very few people left to be ladies.  Ladies, women hold any society together.  We set the standards for behavior and social mores. I think that women need to have more respect for feminine grace.  It starts with us.  Men will follow.

Love yourself as a woman and invest in yourself physically, intellectually and emotionally.  Your body is a temple.  You are worth good things and time.  The world desperately needs your feminine grace.

1 Corinthians 6:19  Or don’t you know your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you?  Don’t you know that you have the Holy Spirit from God, and you don’t belong to yourselves?

 

A Woman’s Worth

 

When Christians Act like Christians

Ayesha Curry, wife of NBA MVP Stephen Curry is trending on Twitter today.  She tweeted that she only likes to reveal her body to her husband.  I’m unsure why she made that statement because it seems obvious to me that any married woman would make a similar statement.  Most of the Tweets in reference to Curry are supportive even though a few are crass and take shots at women in general.

A few weeks ago former NFL quarterback was trending on Facebook because of a breakup that he had with his girlfriend.  According to the internet articles Tebow was dumped by the former beauty queen because he refused to have sex with her.  I read numerous social media comments that called him gay.  I don’t know whether Tebow is gay or not but I don’t think that refusing to fornicate with a woman that society has deemed attractive is proof of homosexuality.  I’m pretty sure that I know gay men that would have sex with an attractive woman if she offered herself on a platter.

Earlier this year Superbowl winning Seattle Seahawks quarterback began dating pop start Ciara.  Russell made a comment to the media that they were abstaining from sex and that it was his responsibility to lead Ciara to Christ.  Once again there were numerous social media comments calling Wilson a closet homosexual.  Social media pundits made fun of their relationship for maintaining Godly standards for themselves.  They had been dating for about three months at the time.

If you are familiar with Ayesha and Stephen Curry, Tim Tebow or Russell Wilson you know that they are all outspoken Christians.  If you are familiar with the Bible at all you know that fornication is a sin and women are called upon to be more than sex objects for the general male population.  I am unsure if people are unfamiliar with the Bible or if they are familiar with it but they are jealous or just disdainful of people that try to put God’s word into practice.

Either way I think that it is very sad that men that choose to not use and abuse women are thought to be closet homosexuals and women that are not competing in the slut show are thought to be anti feminist prudes.  That’t American culture in 2015.  You are free to be or do anything you want with criticism except be a Christian that tries to put God’s teachings into practice.  People love to accuse Christians of being hypocrites but the get angry when a Christian tries to act like a Christian.

Proverbs 31:10

A wife of noble character who can find?  She is worth far more than rubies.

 

Answered Prayers

I feel guilty about feeling so surprised.  I’m a Christian and Bible teaches that if we ask God for something he will give it to us as a blessing.  We are supposed to believe in and trust the word of God but sometimes I wonder if we truly believe all of what we claim to believe.

No one reads this blog so I could probably confess to a murder and get away with it.  But on the off chance that anyone ever reads this I will not share the details of a struggle that I have been having.  I actually had a few different struggles that I have taken to God in prayer.  You know what.  My prayers were answered.  It’s a pretty amazing thing to have your prayers answered by God almighty.  Why does He listen to me?  Why does He even care?  I have many qualities that I’m pretty proud of but I still don’t think I’m anyone all that special.  This really blows my mind.

My struggles have come from feeling really stuck in a rut lately and I didn’t see a way out.  I saw and still don’t really see a way out of my situation.  I was really despondent about a few things going on in my life.  I talked to God about it in prayer and things changed.  They are small things but they are very meaningful to me and give me a great deal of hope for the future and for my relationship with God.

I’m so glad that I know the Lord.  And I’m so glad that I stepped out on faith and prayed about my situation.  I’m so grateful that I knew to turn to the Lord.  And I’m ashamed that I didn’t have enough faith to believe that I would be blessed and delivered the way I have been.  God is really good.

Hebrews  11:1

Faith is the reality of what we hope for, the proof of what we don’t see.