Believe

believe: [bih-leev] 
– verb 1. to have confidence in the truth, the existence, or the reliability of something, although without absolute proof that one is right in doing so 2. to have confidence or faith in the truth of (a positive assertion, story, etc.); give credence to.

This is a pretty simple word.

But it's actually one of the most complicated things to actually do. You have to put your entire way of thinking in the hands of the unknown. And that's where faith steps in.

faith: [feyth]
- noun 1.confidence or trust in a person or thing

Let me tell you why this is on my mind. I was just reading an article about how the in the state of Louisiana there is a school board that wants to start teaching Creationism to students.*  Reading the comments left by people really stunned me. I never realized just how many people aren't believers. And when I use the term believers I mean believers of Jesus Christ and the Bible. That's just for clarification in case I am somehow confusing.

I'm a Christian and I believe what the Bible states.

1 First God made heaven & earth 2 The earth was without form and void, and darkness was upon the face of the deep; and the Spirit of God was moving over the face of the waters Genesis 1:1-2

I have faith that God created me and all living things. No, I have not seen Him physically. But everyday I relish the thought that He created all the wonders I see. When I look at the blue skies and clouds, the trees, when I listen to the birds chirp...when I stare up into the dark night sky filled with stars. I am in awe. Tears fill my eyes at His amazing works. Through these things I see Him daily. I'm not saying that there was no evolution involved, because He is so great that He can make anything happen...and if it was His will for things to change so be it. Now that's NOT saying I think we evolved from monkeys. Nope, I don't believe that.

I have some friends who don't believe in God. I respect their right to have an opinion. But I think they're wrong. I never want to offend anyone but I always want to ask them why they don't believe. Is it that hard for them to have faith in something unseen?

I always want to ask what's so wrong with believing in God? You know there are a lot of people out there who really disparage those who are Christians, call them crazy and such.

I mean my thing is if you don't believe in God and the thought of having an afterlife in Heaven, do you just believe you live and die and then ... nothing?

I don't want nothing.

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. John 14:1-3

For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. Revelation 7:15-17

This is what we are promised. Doesn't it sound wonderful? I think it does. I don't fear death because I know one day I'll be with those I love again.

For those non-believers, why not believe? If you believe in nothing than you have nothing. But if you do believe you have hope, love, grace, forgiveness.

This has been on my mind for awhile and that article just set it off. I'm not judging anyone, but I felt I needed to say it. I want everyone to have that knowledge that there is more after Earth, a spiritual life. Something better, that'll we'll only know when the time comes.

*I'm not saying one way or another whether or not that school board should teach creationism in public schools, but I will say that when they decided to separate church and state things started to go downhill. Maybe things need to be rethought.