Reasons for faith

[Tom 1]

Just interested in hearing about the ways in which people came to their faith, or lack of faith. I can’t really explain mine, I mean I find the bible to be true and reasonable, but finding that out has been retrospective. My parents were both atheists, and I kind of understand why. I always had a faith, although it took a long time for that to take the shape it has now. I can’t really explain or put my finger on just why I had that innate faith, and this or that other person I know doesn’t. Doubtless there were things that influenced my thinking early on but I can’t point to anything specific.

I’m also interested in hearing from anyone who just has no interest in the whole question at all. More than anything I find that hard to understand, e.g I remember having a long conversation with a colleague about faith and the bible etc and he finished up saying that it was just something he’d never thought about. I find that puzzling, the idea that a person would go through life without ever giving the whole question any thought.

Haha I realise this is a bit vague but I’m interested in what people think.

 

[Homer Les]

Personally, I have to say that faith for us isn't about what we think or believe. Although that is the foundation, I have found our faith more from living it out rather than thinking about it. I see the intellectual foundation for faith has to be established but if nothing is built on that foundation it is just an empty slab of concrete. Faith has to look like something for it to be faith.

Our journey started long ago. My wife became a believer in the church. I met Jesus at a rock concert. Long story. Anyways after many years in the church, and very unfulfilling ones at that, we left. After a time God intervened in our lives and we had a dramatic renewal. Went back to organized religion for a time to start the necessary lessons of maturity.

Around this same time God blessed us financially with our business and we bought a house in the suburbs. We were learning much from God and growing through each lesson He gave us. Eventually we were led out of religion, this time for good. He was drawing us to rely on and follow Him alone. This is what I see faith as. Not as some intellectual construct but a living testimony of obedience.

The time came when we sold our business and house to move east in an act of faith. It was out east that God orchestrated events so that we lost everything, and I mean everything. We were left homeless in the fall of 2011 and had to live in the woods for 40 days. It was a little rough for a family of 4, two dogs an bird, that didn't even like camping. Needless to say God was testing our faith to the absolute limit. He pushed us far beyond the world of thoughts and ideas into the harsh reality of looking daily for food, clothing and shelter. I can honestly say that if your faith doesn't get down to the basics of trusting Him for your food, warmth, clothing and shelter it isn't really faith, just beliefs. When we prayed for our daily bread we meant it for there were many days when we had nothing.

From there we went on a 40 month odyssey of homelessness and wandering. 82 moves and all sorts of experiences as we trusted Him for our daily bread. Sometimes we went very hungry. 3 times all 4 of us went 21 days without any food. Other times our lives were threatened. Twice we had to sleep in snowbanks in 15 F temperatures. We faced the hatred, betrayal and slander of man as well as their kindness and generosity. But at every step God was with us, teaching us about His ways and our own duplicitous 'self' nature. He never left nor abandoned us.

So that is our journey of faith. No theology, grand ideas or lofty arguments. Only gritty determined faces set on following Him no matter the cost. To us there is no other kind of faith.

Blessings.
Homer Les and Wanda Ring

 

[Sarah G]

Personally, I have to say that faith for us isn't about what we think or believe. Although that is the foundation, I have found our faith more from living it out rather than thinking about it. I see the intellectual foundation for faith has to be established but if nothing is built on that foundation it is just an empty slab of concrete. Faith has to look like something for it to be faith.

Our journey started long ago. My wife became a believer in the church. I met Jesus at a rock concert. Long story. Anyways after many years in the church, and very unfulfilling ones at that, we left. After a time God intervened in our lives and we had a dramatic renewal. Went back to organized religion for a time to start the necessary lessons of maturity.

Around this same time God blessed us financially with our business and we bought a house in the suburbs. We were learning much from God and growing through each lesson He gave us. Eventually we were led out of religion, this time for good. He was drawing us to rely on and follow Him alone. This is what I see faith as. Not as some intellectual construct but a living testimony of obedience.

The time came when we sold our business and house to move east in an act of faith. It was out east that God orchestrated events so that we lost everything, and I mean everything. We were left homeless in the fall of 2011 and had to live in the woods for 40 days. It was a little rough for a family of 4, two dogs an bird, that didn't even like camping. Needless to say God was testing our faith to the absolute limit. He pushed us far beyond the world of thoughts and ideas into the harsh reality of looking daily for food, clothing and shelter. I can honestly say that if your faith doesn't get down to the basics of trusting Him for your food, warmth, clothing and shelter it isn't really faith, just beliefs. When we prayed for our daily bread we meant it for there were many days when we had nothing.

From there we went on a 40 month odyssey of homelessness and wandering. 82 moves and all sorts of experiences as we trusted Him for our daily bread. Sometimes we went very hungry. 3 times all 4 of us went 21 days without any food. Other times our lives were threatened. Twice we had to sleep in snowbanks in 15 F temperatures. We faced the hatred, betrayal and slander of man as well as their kindness and generosity. But at every step God was with us, teaching us about His ways and our own duplicitous 'self' nature. He never left nor abandoned us.

So that is our journey of faith. No theology, grand ideas or lofty arguments. Only gritty determined faces set on following Him no matter the cost. To us there is no other kind of faith.

Blessings.
Homer Les and Wanda Ring

Hello, your story seems fascinating. When you say 'family of 4' I am curious as to how old your children were during these pioneer, desert times? Or were 2 of the 4 perhaps the dogs or parents or siblings? I did check out your page but this detail is unclear to me.

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

More than anything I find that hard to understand, e.g I remember having a long conversation with a colleague about faith and the bible etc and he finished up saying that it was just something he’d never thought about. I find that puzzling, the idea that a person would go through life without ever giving the whole question any thought.

Haha I realise this is a bit vague but I’m interested in what people think.

Just like on this site, and most forums, it is not comfortable for most people to be on the "hot seat" and have their faith questioned (thus your conversation with the colleague - like many people they did not think about it(faith, the bible, etc) since it would disrupt their life that they were 'comfortable' (although dead) with ).
Since also it is not allowed, we cannot test a person's faith to find out if it is real or not, and if we find out, we are not permitted to post the information. This greatly restricts the ability for people to be saved, if their faith is not real, whether they know it or not.

 

[Homer Les]

Hello, your story seems fascinating. When you say 'family of 4' I am curious as to how old your children were during these pioneer, desert times? Or were 2 of the 4 perhaps the dogs or parents or siblings? I did check out your page but this detail is unclear to me.

Sorry about that. The detail of the story is in our book but not really elsewhere. My daughters are very private after what has happened to them.

Anyways my wife and I were in our 40's at the time. Youngest daughter was 16, oldest was 20. Our oldest dog was 10 and we had to put her down soon after we left the woods which was heartbreaking. Our youngest dog was only over a year old. We still have him and he gets spoiled when we can. The bird is a Senegal parrot. Lived in my eldest daughters jacket during the coldest nights. Still with us, thankfully.

Hope that helps. Thank you for your interest in us.
Homer Les and Wanda Ring

 

[Tom 1]

Sorry about that. The detail of the story is in our book but not really elsewhere. My daughters are very private after what has happened to them.

Anyways my wife and I were in our 40's at the time. Youngest daughter was 16, oldest was 20. Our oldest dog was 10 and we had to put her down soon after we left the woods which was heartbreaking. Our youngest dog was only over a year old. We still have him and he gets spoiled when we can. The bird is a Senegal parrot. Lived in my eldest daughters jacket during the coldest nights. Still with us, thankfully.

Hope that helps. Thank you for your interest in us.
Homer Les and Wanda Ring

Amazing story