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Doubter

Posted on April 4, 2024April 4, 2024 by Pam

“Doubt is dangerous to faith”, is a remark by Jon Bloom in an article I read today. I see that at different stages, while on our faith-walk, both doubt and faith can co-exist. My favorite example is Peter in Matthew 14:30. He boldly asks Jesus if He can join Him as Jesus walks on water – unheard of. Notice that no one else wants to go to Jesus on the water – kudos to Peter. I think that is the critical issue. Do we doubt because we depend on us and is faith only activated when we depend on Jesus? Peter follows Jesus but then starts looking around and gathering information on the facts – eyes off Jesus. Fear replaces faith. Peter begins to fail, calls on Jesus, and is saved. Sounds like everyday is an opportunity for salvation as Jesus keeps saving us! The Book of Jude teaches on faith reinforcement. Sometimes we believers need positive and sometimes negative reinforcement. Peter received both, ‘come’ and ‘oh ye of little faith’. Three powerful pictures of faithful living in Jude are (from my leadership Bible): 1)The Jews in the wilderness were destroyed due to unbelief, 2) The fallen angels were imprisoned due to disobedience, and, 3) Sodom and Gomorrah were burned due to immorality and rebellion. Jude is encouraging us to do the right things – believe, obey, and live as close to ‘good’ lives as possible.

I’m sure you thought I might be examining Thomas, but the conclusion to Peter walking on the water is in Matthew vs 32-33, “And when they got into the boat, the wind stopped. And those who were in the boat worshipped Him, saying, ‘You are certainly the Son of God'”, and I concur. I would like to be as bold as Peter but able to keep my eyes on Jesus. Amen to that.

Point No Point Lighthouse viewed this week in Hansville, WA

"Thoughts from a genuinely evaluative mind."

Pam writes so that must make her a writer. Recently retired, she can now fill days with family, friends, missions, writing, creating, and showing up for whomever needs her. Pam loves the Lord and people. The Bible is God’s love letter to us (and who does not need more love) so she studies and writes some more.

Pam lives in the Pacific Northwest but was home-grown in Southern California. She attended San Jose Bible College and finished a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry at UCLA. She became a teacher, then a Research and Development Chemist, then she built two successful real estate businesses in two states. Pam also pursued study at Fuller Theological Seminary and just completed six months serving in missions abroad.

Pam has two amazing children, married to two precious in-laws, and five sweet grandchildren. Pam is a gifted connector and communicator and the Northwest has the perfect climate for staying inside and writing – or baking! She has been writing since a wee one and is currently converting many years of blogging, by topic, into ten books. The first is a collection from 2011 titled, Beautiful Enough. The second is a yearly day-timer titled, Weekly Planner - Lessons in Life, Glory, and Grace. Number three is in progress with the working title, Christmas Today.

Ten facts about Pam in no particular order:

  1. On the team that developed an insulation for the Alaskan oil pipeline.
  2. Loves looking at homes, decorating, and has flipped five homes.
  3. Likes being tall.
  4. Films have helped define her vocabulary.
  5. Comes from Colorado tenement farmers with history traced to Wales.
  6. Was lost but now is found.
  7. Baking makes her happy – as does eating sweets with coffee, of course.
  8. She thinks mission work is the most important work in the world.
  9. The church started in Rome so she is learning Italian.
  10. Pam is a work in progress!

“I will be your God throughout your lifetime - until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you.” Isaiah 46:4

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