By Ada Brownell
During Pope Francis’s visit to the
United States, the media reminded us of the U.S. faith
crisis, showing almost empty
and closed Catholic churches around the country
.
A recent survey by Pew Research Center reported the
percentage of Christians in America is declining. But the poll also found despite secularism in schools, government, and diminishing
freedom of religion, 70 percent of Americans say they are Christians.
Why? Probably for reasons I am a
committed follower of Jesus Christ.
Foremost, Jesus loves me and I
love Him. God declares his love throughout the Bible.
In a time of grieving I complained to the
Lord, “Heaven is so silent!”
An answer flowed through my
being. “I demonstrated my love for you on the cross and that message still
resonates around the world.”
My sins were forgiven when I
accepted Jesus as Savior, but redemption goes beyond freedom from slavery to
sin. It changed who I am.
My family, born-again one by one
shortly after I, the eighth child, arrived, demonstrated when you have the
Lord, you have everything you need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3).
What happiness when I understood because
of Jesus, I could live forever! That truth became more precious when our
Carolyn died. We’ll see her again.
Being a Christian gives me a desire to
be part of something greater than myself. I tell others about Jesus; often help
and love people in need; and give to credible charities.
America would
be a sad place without its Judeo-Christian influence. Religious people and
organizations established most U.S. hospitals. Where I live, the Catholic Sisters of Mercy
opened Mercy Hospital in 1891. Cox Hospital started in 1906 when Ellen
Burge donated a duplex to be used as a Methodist Hospital.
Many colleges and universities including Harvard and
Yale were started by Christians as well as some early public schools.
Pastors and lay people visit those in jail, minister
to the sick, comfort the dying and grieving, teach from the Bible how to live, have
a good marriage, be a good parent, and how to get to Heaven. Being a Christian has
a lot to do with my marriage of 62 years and children that serve the Lord.
The power of prayer greatly
affects me, too.
“Jesus!” I cried when our car with almost slick tires wandered head-on
toward a semi-truck on an icy mountain pass. Our vehicle moved into the correct
lane as if a hand shoved it over.
We’ve had so many answers to prayer I can’t
name them all. Gwen was thought to have multiple sclerosis. Tests showed Gary
had only 40 percent kidney function. Jaron Craig had symptoms of leukemia. Later
tests showed our children did not have suspected diseases. Jeanette, Jaron and
grandchildren had serious episodes with asthma. Yet all are O.K.
Prayer isn’t always answered the
way I hope. We lost Carolyn, but experienced God’s peace and comfort.
My confidence for the future is
tied to my faith. Problems never outweigh God’s mercy and grace.
Ada Brownell is a retired newspaper reporter and
free lance writer.
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