Faith: what, why, and how? Mechanics or supernatural?

[Lesa Cox]

I have heard of the years, "faith comes by hearing .. hearing the word of God." and If you had "faith as a mustard seed..." but what is really faith?
When you desperately need faith, where does it come from?
How is it increased or can it be increased through spiritual "exercises" or does it get bestowed on us?
Do some folks have more than others?
What happens when you don't 'feel it".
Can it be mustered up or called upon?
Your thoughts?

[Old Pete]

Paula said:

I don't think of our journey as a linear thing. I think of it as a garden. We're all in a different area of the garden (or maybe some in the same) and God meets with us in each of our areas. We grow and develop there and commune with God and each other and then we walk with Him to another area in our development (or garden). It's not necessarily a progression (although some things may be), it's more of a journey along a garden path which may crisscross and lead to a section we may need to revisit at times. We may have been in one area in the garden that someone else has been to and they may go to somewhere that we've been. It's all in what we're experiencing at any time. Sometimes we may learn just what we need at any particular time and then we may go back to that place to broaden our perspective. Does that make any sense?

Here is a perfect example of a mind blowing comment that is not directly related to the topic being discussed. I first came across "Stages of Faith" in 2003. I've always understood that it wasn't linear - even my wife occasionally has a dig about my elitist attitude - I've never been able to convince her otherwise! I've always been a keen gardener and this analogy makes so much sense. But going one step further I have for some years now had a picture of standing at the gate encouraging others to continue the journey where the paths are like a spider's web - where the paths are sometimes so narrow that you have to walk alone - at other times you can share the journey with one or two others - and where there is a need to travel along differing paths - and sometimes revisit places with a greater understanding than you had the first time round.

Earlier Paula had said that faith and prayer were two of the most difficult questions for Christians. My immediate thought was, "and another one is worship".

But I'm going off at a tangent - I'll try and put some thoughts together in a separate blog here .

[Ginny Pamplin]

on no, dude you are right on target! I believe faith is the substance that gives us acess into the throne room/heart beat of God(prayer) . Prayer(communion) allows us to touch and be touched by Him . To touch the Heart of God, to feel the pleasure, delight and Love He has for us...this loving exchange of heart ot heart adoration is what I call worship. Old Pete said:

Paula said:

I don't think of our journey as a linear thing. I think of it as a garden. We're all in a different area of the garden (or maybe some in the same) and God meets with us in each of our areas. We grow and develop there and commune with God and each other and then we walk with Him to another area in our development (or garden). It's not necessarily a progression (although some things may be), it's more of a journey along a garden path which may crisscross and lead to a section we may need to revisit at times. We may have been in one area in the garden that someone else has been to and they may go to somewhere that we've been. It's all in what we're experiencing at any time. Sometimes we may learn just what we need at any particular time and then we may go back to that place to broaden our perspective. Does that make any sense?

Here is a perfect example of a mind blowing comment that is not directly related to the topic being discussed. I first came across "Stages of Faith" in 2003. I've always understood that it wasn't linear - even my wife occasionally has a dig about my elitist attitude - I've never been able to convince her otherwise! I've always been a keen gardener and this analogy makes so much sense. But going one step further I have for some years now had a picture of standing at the gate encouraging others to continue the journey where the paths are like a spider's web - where the paths are sometimes so narrow that you have to walk alone - at other times you can share the journey with one or two others - and where there is a need to travel along differing paths - and sometimes revisit places with a greater understanding than you had the first time round.

Earlier Paula had said that faith and prayer were two of the most difficult questions for Christians. My immediate thought was, "and another one is worship".

But I'm going off at a tangent - I'll try and put some thoughts together in a separate blog here .