A Pastor we know decided to try hang-gliding for the first time.  Declining all advice to take some type of instruction first, he declared that he would 鈥渟tep out in faith鈥� and jump.  In fact, he thought this would be a good lesson to his congregants about living by 鈥渇aith鈥�.

So, one sunny morning, he cheerily jumped off the mountainside in the sincere hope that his ride would be wonderful.  Almost immediately, he began a series of erratic twists and turns as he plunged down into the valley below.   At the last moment, a gust of wind lifted him from certain death, and dumped him into a dense patch of brambles.

The following Sunday morning, a lacerated but thankful pastor stood before his congregation, and delivered a much more accurate message on faith.

Many people mistake feelings of religious sincerity for faith, hope for the best, and end up disillusioned when they crash. Jesus taught that faith is the intelligent application of 鈥渋nstruction in righteousness鈥� from the Word of God.

Can we trust the Bible enough to base our lives upon it?  There is only one book in the world, proven to span 6000 years, which recorded history in detail before it came to pass.  There is only one book in the world accurately documenting scientific data long before man ever figured it out.  There is only one book in the world testifying to the love of God for all mankind.

John, an eye-witness and follower of Jesus Christ, wrote: 鈥淎nd we know that the Son of God is come, and has given us an understanding, that we may know him who is true, and we are in him who is true, even in his Son, Jesus Christ.

This is the true God and eternal life.鈥�  Blessed are all they who place their faith in him.