p 230 of the case for faith
"Congenital doubters"
they are drawn like magnets to uncertainties and questions. they may be filled with angst or have a melancholy personality. for them, faith doesnt come naturally.

"Some doubters are rebellious"
even though they may not identify themselves that way. they have the attitude 'im not going to let somebody run my life or do my thinking.' this can take the form of arrogant pride.

"People who's doubts stem from their disappointment with God"
God says 'seek and ask'. what if you've sought and asked and He hasnt given? was God serious, was He even there?

"Intellectual doubters"
this was where i was at. i was doing my best to intellectually gird my faith but there were people a lot smarter than me who didnt believe in God. i started to think: is faith only for the brilliant? how can faith be so important to God, and yet you have to have an IQ of 197 to hang onto it?

the ultimate commitment is to God. we have a baskin-robbins culture where the most-dreaded sentence would be to serve a life with no options. and i do think tat contributes to people's fear of committing themselves to Christ.

p 233

One misconception- that faith is the absence of doubt.
THAT IS NOT TRUE.

Anderson: one of my favorite Biblical texts is about the man who came to Jesus with his demon-possessed son, hoping that the boy would be healed. Jesus says all things are possible to those who believe. and the man's response is so powerful. he says, "Lord i believe, but would you help me with my unbelief?"

i really do love this passage as i read, my faith grows. i hold on tight. You hung to make me strong, though my praise was few. it will increase everyday, for You are everything to me. (:

jeremy camp.

take you back

The reason why I stand
The answer lies in you
You hung to make me strong
Though my praise was few
When I fall I bring your name down
But I have found in you
A heart that bleeds forgiveness
replacing all these thoughts of painful memories
But I know that your response will always be

I'll take you back always
Even when your fight is over now
I'll take you back always
Even when the pain is coming through
I'll take you back

You satisfy this cry
Of what I'm looking for
And I'll take all I can
And lay it down before
The throne of endless grace now that radiates what's true
I'm in the only place that
erases all these faults
That have overtaken me
But I know that your response will always be

I'll take you back always
Even when your fight is over now
I'll take you back always
Even when the pain is coming through
I'll take you back

I can only speak with a grateful heart
As I'm pierced by this gift of your love
I will always bring an offering
I can never thank you enough

You take me back always
Even when my fight is over now
You take me back always
Even when my pain is coming through
You take me back