Do We Trust The Story?

This is the key question I asked of everyone yesterday in the message. Do we trust the story of suffering spelled out in scripture. Not that we go out looking for opportunities for persecution. But, are we able to handle the natural suffering that is a part of life and handle it in such a way that brings glory to God. I never thought that was the case you know. I always thought everything eventually works out and that everyone inevitably lives happily ever after. But after seven years of ministry I have found that sometimes the baby doesn't make it. Sometime the boss doesn't rise to the occasion and gets better. The boyfriend doesn't kick that heroin addiction. And the relationship doesn't bounce back. Sometimes the blessed happens and when it does we shout it from the mountain tops and praise God. But when the miraculous does not occur can we live in faith knowing God is sovereign over it all (in times of plenty and in famine; in times of certainty and times of desert wandering). Can we trust the story of the way of the cross. The story of suffering for the purpose of growth and death begetting life. Its a thought easily written but awfully hard to live.

What are our doubts?

I'm finishing up preparations for this new sermon series I'm starting in June on the Gospel of Luke. In this book Luke is parading in front of us 100s of "eyewitnesses" to affirm our faith. Then I began asking the question what doubts do each of these eyewitnesses address. Because that is the function of a witness, isn't it? There is a doubt about the truthfulness of an event. Then someone presents witnesses to clear up doubts so we can rely on the truthfulness of the event in question. So what are our doubts about faith? I want to collect as many comments as I can so that I can factor them into my further sermon preparation. So let me know: What are some doubts and uncertainties that people have about faith? What are the uncertainties we find ourselves living with as Christians?