Do You Know the Foundations of Your Faith?

This past Sunday, during the church service, which was pretty amazing(we are studying how to know your enemy, the devil, and how to fight off his attacks), we read out loud together something that some churches may read regularly, but I never had, growing up. There's something called the Apostle's Creed. It is an early statement of Christian belief, a creed or "symbol". It is widely used by a number of Christian denominations. There are several different versions that express the same foundations of beliefs, but here, I am sharing the one we read out loud during our church service.

The Apostles' Creed

Traditional English Version:
I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.


This was a great reminder to me of what I do believe, when asked. Very simple and to the point. What do you believe? Could you tell someone, if they asked you? Here is an older Rich Mullins song, called "Creed" that puts those beliefs into music.

Counting my gifts with the Joy Dare:

3 gifts of story(my story)
898. How God allowed me to be raised in a committed, loving Christian home.
899. How I was able to attend a wonderful Christian college (Grace College) and grow closer to Him there, more than any other time in my life.
900. How through all my nearly 51 years of life, of ups and downs, joys and sorrows, trials and triumphs, He has walked with me and kept me faithful to Him and to those I love!

3 gifts understated
901. God is good!
902. God is merciful!
903. Jesus loves us!

A gift high, low, far away
904. High ~ The clear blue sky....endless!!!

905. Low ~ Green grass, starting to grow again with some much needed rain!
906. Far away ~ When God is near, the devil flees far away!!! James 4:7, "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."

3 gifts of sand
907. My homemade "beach in two boxes" tabletop display.

908. To be able to feel warm sand between my toes!

909. Psalm 139:17-18 ~  How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with you.       

A gift on vacation, at home, in relaxation
910. Vacation ~I'm waiting on this gift! I haven't had a vacation in 3 years and need one badly!(A few day trips, but no week-long vacations).
911. At home ~When my family is all together at home for movie and dinner night.
912. Relaxing on my back deck with a cup of tea and my laptop!

3 gifts of endings
913. Bittersweet ending of summer ~ as the heat and dry weather will hopefully turn into cool autumn breezes and rain.
914. The end of waiting to move into our long-awaited lakehouse (It's been over a year.)

915. Looking forward to a day when there will be an end to all pain and sorrow, suffering and sadness...the day of Christ's return!!!

Linking over at these blog parties:

 Sharing His Beauty (Beauty In His Grip)
Hear it on Sunday, Use it on Monday (Graceful)
Multitude on Mondays (A Holy Experience) 
Heart Reflected(State of the Heart)
 On Your Heart Tuesdays(A Pause in the Path)
Word Filled Wednesday(Internet Cafe')
Gathering at the Grace Cafe'(Reflections of His Grace)