Religion, Bible, Faith, Prayer: FaithFrequently, I asked myself why God gives us ...

As the breeze in the afternoon is the spiritual experience of believers. Soft and sweet is your company. Blessed be God; is He who arrives.

The Bible

If heaven and earth were created in six days or if number 'six' is a biblical symbol does not change this religious story. It does not change the faith of believers. Strictly the Bible is not a scientific or historic book. The Bible is primarily a story of God deeds in favor of a community of followers represented by the Israelites in the old testament and on these days for churches or temples surviving among developed cultures and surrounded by powerful cities.

The Bible is a story of love, care and relationship between God and "His people". It is a story of commitment, agreement between two parties. Men would honor and love their God. God would love, save mankind and give life.

Now I'm going to remain silent so you can find the atmosphere to enjoy this wonderful passage from the Book of Genesis Chapter 1

God created Heaven, Earth, and everything within them in six days.

The creation of light1:1. In the beginning God created heaven and earth.
1:2. The earth was void and empty, and darkness was upon the face of the deep; the spirit of God moved over the waters.
1:3. God said: "Let light be made." And light was made.
1:4. God saw that the light was good; and He divided the light from the darkness.
1:5. He called the light Day and the darkness Night, and there was evening and morning, one day.
1:6. Then God said, "Let there be a firmament made amid the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters."

Faith

Frequently, I asked myself why God gives us the difficult path of faith to reach Him. Faith has so many aspects, facets, colors, flavors, sensations, fruits, stages, savors, tones, feelings, qualities and styles. The diverse, multifaceted experience of faith makes men able to move from one emotional/spiritual state to another that could be a totally different religious experience and often this change happens an instant.

 Faith is a Theological virtue; it is one of the 3 -the other 2 are Hope and Love- that points to reach God or have a relationship with Him. Theological virtues differ from other kind of virtues such as Cardinal virtues as Prudence, Justice, Temperance, Courage or Fortitude, human virtues that have to do with the opportunity for men to improve through them interactions among individuals and communities.

Perhaps, the reason why the virtue of faith is preponderant to please God and grow spiritually as men himself as image of God could experience is to be believed, to be understood, to be faithful to the word and promise given. This could become one of the most rewarding experience that he/she may have. Hebrews 11:6 says "Now it is impossible to please God without faith, since anyone who comes to him must believe that He exists and rewards those who seek Him.”

Faith as the suitable theological virtue to approach religious experience

The love of Jesus inspires people every day. The love of Jesus makes followers feel happy, animated, and powerful. From this view, life becomes a beautiful experience with an incredible potential…but every finding and/or disclosure should be informed by faith.

Earth and heaven seems to merge when someone feels that God is near. He/she can see God’s world with inner eyes that nobody taught to use but indubitable are worked with as a bridge to reach God and feel His care and love. Outside, the surroundings emerge different too. Every place looks as previously drawn with a pencil and that now is being taken to its development…and the soul bursts with joy. The body rejoices while the individual remains as witness of that experience seeing how his/her body and senses are caught and come to be happy captives too.

But as William James says: “…religious experience, as we have studied it, cannot be cited as unequivocally supporting the infinitist belief. The only thing that it unequivocally testifies to is that we can experience union with something larger than ourselves and in that union find our greatest peace.” James’ differentiation between ways to manifest inner beliefs is clear.

Faith as the universal tool of believers marks the most suitable approach to any religious experience. Paul in a letter to his beloved son Timothy: 2 Timothy 1:12, expresses his joy since his faith relied on God when tribulations come. Paul clearly knows in Whom he have trusted, Jesus, Who will guard Paul’s life until “…that day” as he says in the letter.

Lastly, theologians clarify that faith is first a move of God, Who impels men to turn to Him. Thus, Theology, the science of faith as an answer to God, is based on faith at the foundation of methods used to support its hypothesis, methods that differ from those used by human sciences to prove human theorems. Faith is the necessary tool to approach religious experiences, the study of theology, and all kind of interaction with a transcendent world.

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Sacraments of the Catholic Religion

Sacrament of Confirmation: one of the best resources to Christian growth -- Sacrament of Confirmation: a valuable channel to growth with the Holy Spirit


Grace and resources for Christian growth

With a majestic liturgy opened the celebration in a Christian church of historic Northeast on September 10. It was performed by Bishop Finn at Our Lady of Peace to commemorate the partnership settled between God and men. An alliance of thoughts, ideals and actions crystallized in the Sacrament of Confirmation.


For many Christians, Confirmation is a sacrament of people engagement in the task of building a relationship with God, a decision that testifies the seriousness of the commitment. God’s interaction with humankind is very important in God’s world and also becomes meaningful to those participating in this alliance.


The Holy Spirit as the Third Person of the Holy Trinity -Three persons, One God-, is given in plenitude in this sacrament. With the presence of the Spirit the newly confirmed receives the gifts of Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety and Fear to offend the Lord. These capabilities are given to develop faith and the specialty to recognize the relevance of God participating in a personal life.


Confirmation for young adults who decided to live Jesus teachings is a conscious continuation of the grace that grows up from Baptism. In this church, the sacrament of Baptism is usually delivered at early age as a pass to Christian life.


The newly confirmed shared their joy with the assembly, their family and close friends in a magnificent festivity. But not just those, the whole world are affected by this event. Humankind is a spiritual net fitted together so closely that receives the effect of the grace of the Sacrament of Confirmation spreads out to every spiritual being. For many, this ceremony is an occasion to participate as an anticipation of the delight of angels and saints by seeing God in heaven. When I asked them, “How did you feel?” The answer was “beautiful, we danced, rejoiced and celebrated.” Others impressed by the liturgy commented “The celebration was performed by not just one but four ministers: The bishop, two priests, and one deacon, very emotional!”


The enchanting simplicity of this experience filled their hearths with joy because they knew that this kind of encounter with the Holy Trinity will keep their faith alive. This is why people from these communities appreciate, love and rejoice the annual celebration of Confirmation, this year with the bishop invited to preside the Mass.
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+2%3A17-18&version=NIV;KJV
http://www.marysrosaries.com/collaboration/index.php?title=Intermediate_Catechism#LESSON_SIXTEENTH_-_ON_THE_GIFTS_AND_FRUITS_OF_THE_HOLY_GHOST


Soon you will be able to view similar articles of Marta Diaz here:
http://www.examiner.com/x-67687-Kansas-City-Christianity-Examiner