For By Grace.....

I made the terrible mistake yesterday of getting into a "discussion" with a so-called Secular Humanist!  Whew!  I really didn't realize what I was in for.

I decided to respond (my first mistake) to a post on FaceBook which showed the scene from the Wizard of Oz where Oz in seen as The Great and Terrible above and below you see the fellow operating the screen.

Well the post said that the "above" scene was what "religious" people see and the "below" scene was reality!  WOW! That was insulting to say the least. 

When I responded and said how important faith is and was to the course of humanity the answers or responses I got were not only vitriolic, but downright insulting.  I was virtually told that "no one with a thinking brain" could possibly have Faith!  Thank goodness I have known true genius in many people who are believers.  Now, to be honest with you, I have seen faith and religion corrupted in many doctrines...sad but true...men have influenced what has been written about God and Christ.  Sad.

But, I for one KNOW that there is more to it than the simplistic view that there is "nothing" out there...  Hmmmm, matter can not be created or destroyed, wonder why?
So many things can not be explained by science.  Many, many brilliant scientists are believers, wonder why? 

I do believe that:
New International Version
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--
New Living Translation
God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God.
English Standard Version
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,
New American Standard Bible
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;
King James Bible
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Holman Christian Standard Bible
For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God's gift--
International Standard Version
For by such grace you have been saved through faith. This does not come from you; it is the gift of God

By God's infinite Grace I was led to believing when I was very young.  I have seen God come to my aid time after time, resolving issues/problems/illnesses where there was no "human" explanation.  I have had doctors stand over me and say "I can't understand how she survived" but I knew.  It was His Grace.  Why I was chosen to believe I certainly can not explain, for there is NO WAY I deserve His infinite love and Grace; but, this I know for sure, He is there - He does care - the world around me sings testament to His infinite power.  

He has given us a world full of beauty and the promise of more to come if we will only trust Him.  I do!  This Sunday, as millions of people around the world worship in the faith of their choice I know that the Creator looks down with Grace upon His creation.  

During this special time of year Thanksgiving (and it's not ALL about the food) and Christmas (and yes, I know Christ wasn't born in December) I am extremely saddened by a world which still harbors so many who believe in nothing and have nothing to look forward to.  My heart is truly burdened today for those who call themselves "secular humanists," and have become much to human.  They are much like the one who was cast down and have decided that they "know" more than God.  I pray that when the sky splits and the trumpet sounds, many will fall on their knees!

PEACE - LOVE and JOY