faith

IS GOD REAL? by M. Dionne Ward



How do you know God is real?

Step outside. Notice the sky. You may or may not see clouds, but you can see how vast it is, how beautiful it is to know that people you’ve never even met are possibly looking up at that same great space. Whether night or day, it is an awesome feeling. Look at the trees, and how they grow tall and strong. Green leaves that filter the air so that we may breathe it. The birds chirp, wolves howl. The sun beams and the moon glows. There are stars so distant that if we ever made our way to them they would have already burnt out, twinkling and shimmering like diamonds.


Look in the mirror. Do you ever notice how unique you are, that your composition is different than anyone who has come before you? Even if you are a twin, you know that you are different. It’s a feeling you have inside that says “I am more than my physical appearance” leading you to believe that no one can duplicate who you are. Your hair, your teeth and your very fingerprints are all different from anyone else ever created. It is remarkable that we exist here, on this planet, in families that love and care for us.

You can see pictures of the world we live in. From the Amazon Rain Forest to the Grand Canyon, it is all so amazing. The oceans are teeming with life, some of which have not even been discovered. We have food in abundance, grown from the very ground we stand upon. There are great monuments that have been built, such as the Giza pyramids that cannot be duplicated by any scientific means. We are a diverse species whose distinct characteristics complement the environments we originate from, yet we are intelligent enough to find a way to live in any area of the globe.
This is NOT by chance. There is a reason for all that we see and hear and do. I know God is REAL because I feel it deep down in my soul every time I look at my sisters and brothers. Each time I kiss the woman I love, I feel his presence. When I talk to my granny, I know he’s present. Hugging my father, I can feel his arms around us. Looking in my mother’s eyes, I can see God looking back at me.

See, for me, belief is not a choice. Atheists talk about not being able to believe in something they can’t see, but that’s foolishness. I guess you don’t believe in air, then? Or, how about microwaves or radio waves? Do they not exist just because we can’t see them with our eyes? Why is it that some human beings can’t stand not being able to know everything? Why can’t you just be humble enough to say, “Well, I don’t know everything. I guess God could exist.” There’s no shame in that. Matter of fact, that’s a more intelligent affirmation than, “I don’t believe in what I can’t see.”

You know what? I believe as human we expect everything to be laid out for us. We think it all has to be simple and understood and there’s no deviating from the reality presented to us. I recall reading in my history books as an adolescent that man was convinced the earth was flat for a long time. Then, someone proved them wrong by sailing around the globe. Now, if someone were to say that the earth was flat they would be regarded as ninnies and dummkopfs. All I’m saying is think about it: how could all this exist without a benevolent creator. A creator with a grand design for us. A design we can’t fathom, but must have faith to follow.

The Straight Path, Re-Visited by M. Dionne Ward

"Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator."
-Colossians 3:9-10


Thank you God for giving me another chance.

I know so much has happened in the past year, but I continue to be hopeful. You have made a way for me when I literally had none. I can remember when I was at work in Washington, not knowing where I was going to sleep that night, lo and behold you sent someone that gave me a place to lay my head for not one night, but three. Lord, I was actually homeless for those days, and I realize that you wouldn't let me fall too far, as long as I had you on my mind and in my heart.

I thank you for just being God all by yourself. You don't need any help to make the stars shine and the planets move. I am humbled by your grace and in awe of your majesty. I ask that you continue to build in me the great human being you have asked me to be. I know I have my flaws and I fall short of what you want me to be, but you love me anyway. Thank you.

I ask that you take care of my loved ones. I want you to watch over them and keep them safe, Lord. My friends, all those near and far, keep them close to you so that no harm may befall them. I ask that those things or people you don't want in my life Lord, remove them with grace and expedience, Father, for I must not tarry. Liberation is near.

My true goal in life was to just be free. I know it sounds simple and maybe even crazy, but freedom is elusive. Highly sought, but rarely found. Help me find my way, Heavenly Father. This is my prayer to you, for I am but a lowly servant, a man trying to be a warrior. Put me on the straight path, so that I may lead by example.

In Jesus name I pray to Thee, Amen.

Ministry: the Beginning? by M. Dionne Ward

Ultimately the goal should be the betterment of self.

Don't know how many times I've went over this one, but it remains one of my foremost plans of attack. I am starting anew, putting the Lord first because in order to care for a family (when that all comes around) I have to be strong enough to hold everyone else together. I'm glad I got myself right, cause I didn't wanna turn into my uncle...

I am so happy though. I am so hopeful for the future and all the things that will happen. I just decided to start a new blog called "Ministry of Seven", which I will coordinate writing duties with my best friends. The point of this blog will be to create discourse between Christians who are experiencing troubles in their lives that they feel they can't deal with. I know I would have loved some help like this, and I know that my friends and I are very experienced in the hardship department. We all have so much to testify about, that I feel we can give many people so much hope.

I want to try and offer guidance to those that need. This ministry will be comprised of seven individuals that will be the "main" bloggers, but will invite discourse with others. I hope we can get people that will want to be interviewed about their faith and also give testimonials for those people who are not Christians...

I am excited, and I hope this will work out well. It has some potential...great potential.

God bless you all. Thanks for the blessings and support.