Question of Faith

This last week I came across the L.A. Times story by William Lobdell and was moved. I have been a Pastor for over twenty years and his story touched the heart of my mission.

William lobbied his editors for the religion beat because he wanted to show people of faith in a positive light. He did find the affirming stories in Orange County that he knew were out there, but the darker stories soon overwhelmed him, bringing his own faith into question. This story was written in July of this year, but is the story of many millions in the United States. To read the whole story, go to: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-lostfaith21jul21,0,3530015,full.story?coll=la-home-center

In this blog and in the many to come I want to begin to address the questions he and others have raised on this courageous journey testing the reality of God. No faith is worth having if it can’t be tested.

Your comments will be welcomed and I am sending an email to Mr. Lobedell to join in the discussion, but this is much bigger than him for it is the issue that all of us must face if we are going to discover the truth about God and our faith in Him.

So, Mr. Lobedell, I hope you are listening and will write back. I imagine that many people have written offering their thoughts, attempting to rescue your faith, while other applaud your courage. In the end, most of them don't really understand but only project their own convictions upon your actions. Now is the time for dialogue and the ruthless search for truth, no matter where it may take us.

This is the only story worth writing, the only life worth living.

(This post is part of my sermon this week and you can check it out at www.fcog.us, after Sunday. Text will be available on Sunday and audio on Monday.)