Keep The Faith

Why Does God Allow Bad Things to Happen? Most of us have wondered at some point: “Why does God let bad things happen to good people? Why doesn’t He just get rid of those who do evil?” These questions are honest, human, and deeply spiritual. Years ago, I read The Shack by William P. Young and later watched the film. Both helped me see certain things from a different angle — not perfectly, but in ways that opened my heart to God’s perspective. In Chapter 10 , Mack asks Jesus why God doesn’t simply take control of the world to protect its beauty. Jesus explains that God refuses to impose His will because true relationships must be built on love, not force. Love cannot be coerced. “Here Come Da Judge” — A Deeper Look When Mack enters the cavern, he is still carrying unbearable grief and anger. The loss of his daughter has left him questioning everything — God’s goodness, justice, and love. He wants answers, but what he receives is something far de...

What Do You Believe — And Is Love at the Center? What do you believe? What faith tradition do you identify with? Are you agnostic, unsure, or still searching? Even if you call yourself agnostic, you still live by a belief system. We all do. But whatever you believe, pause and ask yourself something deeper: Is love truly at the center of it? Most of us long for peace instead of war, compassion instead of cruelty, healing instead of hatred. I believe that’s because there is that of God in every one of us — a spark of divine love that calls us toward goodness. Whether we acknowledge God or not, we feel that pull toward love because we were created by Love. So why, then, do we often become rigid and demanding in our religions? Why do we say, “You must believe exactly as I do, or you’re not a good [insert religion here]”? Why do some communities discourage talking with people of other faiths? I’ve learned — and am still learning — that when we truly li...

The topic of religious conversion is complex and deeply personal. People convert for various reasons, including spiritual experiences, personal relationships, and intellectual exploration. It's important to approach this subject with respect and sensitivity, recognizing that faith is a deeply personal journey for each individual. Here are some stories: Khalid's Story: Khalid Mansoor Soomro, from Pakistan, was a devout Muslim who had memorized the Qur'an by the age of seven. He often debated with his Christian classmates, challenging their beliefs. One day, he proposed a test: to burn each other's holy books. When he tried to burn the Bible, it struck his chest, and he fell to the ground, surrounded by smoke. In a vision, he saw a man with golden hair, wrapped in light, who told him, "You are my son and from now on you will preach the gospel in your nation. Go! Your Lord is with you." This experience led Khalid to embrace Christianity, despite facing disbelief ...

Where Is God in All This? Our U.S. elections are coming up on Tuesday, November 5, 2024 . It’s possible that Donald J. Trump could be elected president again — and personally, I do not believe that would be good for our nation. Many observers have noted that Trump and his allies appear to be following a strategy reminiscent of authoritarian movements of the past: first securing enough popular support to win power, then working to weaken or eliminate opposition. Their Project 2025 blueprint outlines sweeping changes that could allow those in power to remove perceived threats, centralize control, and impose restrictions on freedoms — including the possibility of elevating a preferred national religion and tightening control over media and institutions. If you support him and his allies, you may be unknowingly helping advance this agenda. Right now, you may seem useful in their pursuit of power — but history shows that those who outlive their usefulness are ...