Hey, freda:

I too was disappointed that the Faith thread was hijacked into a Faith Is Hooey thread. Seems like they could have started another thread with that title. I wasn't trying to argue faith. Talk about the ultimate folly... Prove Faith. I was not judging, or even criticizing people who don't have faith, and I wasn't trying to establish which faith was best (or say that it doesn't make any difference, either.) For me, faith, peace, quiet, calm are so interwoven that I can't separate them. That doesn't mean that everyone else feels the same way. I'm just expressing my own beliefs.

Eight years ago, I was moved to join a black church. I am the only white male member of the church with a congregation of over 1,500. When I talked with some of my friends, the standard response when I told them that I was starting to go to a black church was, "I could never do that." And then they gave all the reasons why THEY couldn't go to a black church. After awhile, I started to become impatient, and would say, "Excuse me. I thought we were talking about me, not you." Of course, we all talk about ourselves. When I talk about my faith, I'm not talking about, or making any comment about anyone else.
It's hard enough getting to truly know yourself without claiming to know someone else well enough to tell them what is good for them.

This is not a Faith II thread. But, if faith is where someone finds their quiet and peace, I don't see any reason why it can't be talked about without being challenged.

Along those lines, here's a song I wrote years ago at a time when I was in a fatal accident. I thought you might like it, freda.

Eyes Of Faith

I take cold comfort in the ways of man
I find no justice in this land
I feel the anger of the un-stayed hand
May my heart find rest in Thee

   And in the darkness, give me the eyes of faith
   In my sorrow, send down your healing grace
   And on my journey, may my path be straight
   May my heart find rest in Thee

Give me the wisdom, that I might understand
Give me the courage, that I might take my stand
And when I'm weary, lend me a helping hand
May my heart find rest in Thee

Some spend their lives in a search for power
Ignoring treassures time can't devour
All that I ask in my final hour
May my heart find rest in Thee

Jerry