What I know and believe

What I know

Life is short. I know this well, having lost several dear friends and a family member in very recent years--primarily to cancer.

Life is unfair. A celebrity known for his drunken antics draws attention and cash-filled contracts, while the anonymous drunk asleep on the stoop merits barely a glance.

Life is good. More than a chain-store’s motto, it is true that life is good. Despite the fact that it is short and unfair, it is good because God made it so. It is man that tried to improve on the original formula and messed it up. Genesis 1:31, Genesis 3.

God is good and gives good gifts. Even the “gifts” I don’t want are good for me if God is the one giving them. Psalm 100:5, James 1:17.

That’s about all I really know.

What I believe

The Bible is true, and is the best, most honest, suspenseful and seductive love story ever written, without one ounce of sentimentality or saccharine-soaked romance.

Once life is over, it is not over. Through Jesus Christ, we have eternal life.  John 17:3.

I can rely on God’s strength when I am weak. God has no favorites. He loves everyone, including those we secretly hope--or openly proclaim--He doesn’t. But He may not like a lot of what we do or think, since so much of it is messed up. Despite recent claims to the contrary, He does love His Church (if he loves all sinners, then He definitely loves the Church, and it is not dead). Romans 2:11, Hebrews 9:28, Ephesians 5:25.

The words and meaning to the song, Jesus Loves Me.

Philippians 3:8, with the proper translation. Replace “garbage” or “rubbish” with “dung heap.” Some may want to use the term “crap” or “sh*t” and they would be using the most accurate translation. Martin Luther sure did. J 

The words and meaning to the song, Amazing Grace.

The atonement is real, was necessary, and Jesus told us it was a done deal: “It is finished.” John 19:30, Hebrews 9:28.

Photo by Maggie Luddy, 2011.