FAITH


Faith is to believe what we do not see, and the reward of faith is to see what we believe.
-st. Augustine



The fields were parched and brown from lack of rain, and the crops law wilting from thirst. People were anxious and irritable as they searched the sky for any sign of relief. Days turned into arid weeks. No rain came.

The ministers of the local churches called for an hour of prayer on the town square the following Saturday. They requested that everyone bring an object of faith for inspiration.

At high noon on the appointed Saturday the townspeople turned en masse, filling the square with anxious faces and hopeful hearts. The ministers were touched to see the variety of objects clutched in prayerful hands – holy books, crosses, rosaries.

When the hour ended, as if on magical command, a soft rain began to fall. Cheers swept the crowd as they held their treasured objects high in gratitude and praise. From the middle of the crowd one faith symbol seemed to overshadow all the others: A small nine-year old child had brought an umbrella.
:)

source:Chicken soup for the Christian Soul

Amazing Grace..

In the 1700’s, John Newton went to sea with his father on a merchant ship. Soon, after his father retired, Newton was pressed into service on a warship. Facing intolerable conditions, he deserted and later requested a transfer to a slave ship that was soon to set sail for Africa.

Newton hardened himself to the trafficking of human beings, and eventually he became captain of his own slave ship. On May 10, 1748, however, his life was changed forever. His ship encountered a terrifying, violent storm. Just as it seemed that the vessel would sink, Newton cried aloud, “Lord, have mercy upon us!”

That night in his cabin, he began to reflect upon God’s mercy. Through faith n Christ’s sacrifice for him, John Newton experienced God’s amazing grace in a personal way. In time, he left the slave trade and entered Christian Ministry. Although he became a preacher of the gospel, he is most remembered for his much-loved hymm “Amazing Grace.” Its an amazing testimony of his own experience. :)


source: Our Daily Bread