by Gill Cranch
"Things that sustain my faith" that’s got me thinking!
For me, a broad answer is "relationships"
Relationship with God and relationships with people.
To sustain my faith, I recognise I need to spend time getting to close to God-it might be talking to Him out loud about stuff that's on my mind, or in the quiet of a room - in the car by myself or the shower or a walk-anywhere!
I find thanking God for as many things as I can think of and praising Him for His character eg creator, loving, forgiving, and being interested in little old me! This seems to put me into a place of spiritual closeness to God and sustains my faith.
Regular daily reading from the Bible is good and I find "Word for Today " booklets are helpful because they have a few sentences of scripture and then an explanation/application to daily living. (There are usually spare ones on a book table in the church foyer)
I think, just as we each have varied interests and strengths, there are many ways in which we can draw closer to God. So, mine is particularly via people and music, whereas others may be art, contemplation, in depth books and studies, photography. I find the words and music of the Messiah amazing. My mother had an experience of God telling her something through a dream about cabbages! (she loved gardening). I, too have had what I firmly believe was from God, significant dreams that gave me such hope and encouragement in hard times - ask me about those dreams if you want!
I personally need people who are like minded in faith matters to encourage me. My "home group " helps with this – a pretty laid back affair - meet weekly for a cuppa, a catch up and then pray for those in need and a study or video for discussion. It’s amazing how a small group comes up with different angles on a subject.
Similarly, church is where I get "fed" spiritually but also spend time with others and their journeys in life.
All human relationships are very fallible but as a Christian once said "we are one beggar telling another beggar where to find bread"!
For me, a broad answer is "relationships"
Relationship with God and relationships with people.
To sustain my faith, I recognise I need to spend time getting to close to God-it might be talking to Him out loud about stuff that's on my mind, or in the quiet of a room - in the car by myself or the shower or a walk-anywhere!
I find thanking God for as many things as I can think of and praising Him for His character eg creator, loving, forgiving, and being interested in little old me! This seems to put me into a place of spiritual closeness to God and sustains my faith.
Regular daily reading from the Bible is good and I find "Word for Today " booklets are helpful because they have a few sentences of scripture and then an explanation/application to daily living. (There are usually spare ones on a book table in the church foyer)
I think, just as we each have varied interests and strengths, there are many ways in which we can draw closer to God. So, mine is particularly via people and music, whereas others may be art, contemplation, in depth books and studies, photography. I find the words and music of the Messiah amazing. My mother had an experience of God telling her something through a dream about cabbages! (she loved gardening). I, too have had what I firmly believe was from God, significant dreams that gave me such hope and encouragement in hard times - ask me about those dreams if you want!
I personally need people who are like minded in faith matters to encourage me. My "home group " helps with this – a pretty laid back affair - meet weekly for a cuppa, a catch up and then pray for those in need and a study or video for discussion. It’s amazing how a small group comes up with different angles on a subject.
Similarly, church is where I get "fed" spiritually but also spend time with others and their journeys in life.
All human relationships are very fallible but as a Christian once said "we are one beggar telling another beggar where to find bread"!