Sam Luce

Blogging A beginners guide: 10 ways to grow your blog.

6 Comments / February 17, 2011

In recent posts I covered Why and the What of blogging today I want to talk about the How. How do you drive traffic to your blog, how do you help more people. 1. Write about stuff that other people will find helpful. If you only want to get people to stop by once or […]

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Our Spring Worship Set.

6 Comments / February 16, 2011

Here are the songs we are doing this spring. What songs are you doing? Rise and Sing – Ambersky Records This Love – Ambersky Records All Day – Hillsong United Forever Reign – Hillsong Promises – Shout Praises Kids Our God – Chris Tomlin Jesus Is Alive Right Now – Church on the Move I

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Blogging: A Beginners Guide: What?

8 Comments / February 16, 2011

My first post in this series covered Why we blog. This post I want to talk about What you need to know once you have decided to start blogging. 1. Ask yourself What is my goal? – If your goal is to earn money, or to have control over the look of your blog. You

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Give Away Tuesday: The Almighty Bible

14 Comments / February 15, 2011

I recently reviewed The Almighty Bible and was really impressed with not only the bible they produced but the vision they have and all the other stuff they are doing. If you want to win a copy of Genesis from the kind folks over at The Almighty Bible Tweet the following: @samluce is giving away

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The Almighty Bible Review.

Happy Valentines Day.

4 Comments / February 14, 2011

When I was growing up I didn’t like valentines day that much. Valentines day can be as much a reminder of love lost as it can be of love gained. I do have to say that the last 14 valentines days have been amazing. Did I give or recieve 20 tons of cocholate? Just how

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Blogging: A beginners guide: Why?

18 Comments / February 14, 2011

I’ve had lots of people (well not lots but a few) ask about how to get a blog started. The first question is not What blog platform is the best, nor is it How do I drive traffic to my site. The first question you need to ask is Why? Why do you want to

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Four years ago today.

YouTube Friday: Michael P. Vigilante III

8 Comments / February 11, 2011

Huge thanks to Jonathan Cliff for an amazing find for todays YouTube friday. In honour of Hillsong starting their first official weekend service this weekend in NYC. Perhaps it’s not to late for them to book Michael Vigilante for their opening service. My favorite comment under his video on Youtube sums him up best: “Michael Jackson meets

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My problem with faith.

26 Comments / February 9, 2011

One of the things that I think about often is how many of my friends who went to High School and Bible college with me who are not currently living for Christ. It breaks my heart. I have thought about it many, many times. About a year ago I think I came to an understanding

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26 responses to “My problem with faith.”

Wayne Stocks

February 9, 2011

Sam,

Great post. Thanks for being so transparent about your own faith and struggles. I think part of the problem is that, so many times, when faith is mis-defined people are afraid to face those doubts and struggles because they fear it is in indication that they have no faith. Thanks for reminding us that it is through exactly those kinds of struggles and challenges to our faith that we can find true faith in Christ alone.

As a dad and husband, I struggled with the same thing when I was "new in the faith." I wanted to see my kids grow up and grow old with my wife. I would give lip service to verses like "to die is gain" but I didn't really believe it. Only as my relationship with Christ has deepened have I come to understand the truth of that verse and the immeasurable beauty and depth of My Savior's love for me.

Even still, I have not arrived. I find myself frequently praying the prayer of the father in Mark 9: "I do believe; help me with my unbelief."

Thanks again for the thought provoking and challenging article!

Reply
Larry Shallenberger

February 9, 2011

Thanks for your honest post. I've had seasons of doubt also. I've come to believe that faith without doubt is insanity. Doubt is the resistance the the muscles of faith strain against.

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samluce

February 9, 2011

Thanks Larry such a great point to often we run from doubt when it's the very thing that helps define what faith really is. Jesus is fine with our doubts he welcomes them and overwhelms them.

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Jenny Funderburke

February 9, 2011

One of my favorite things about you is how real you are. Thanks for being transparent. You are super!

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1. samluce
  
  February 9, 2011
  
  Jenny thanks you are always so encouraging. Looking forward to coming to the Deep south this summer.
  
  Reply
americansquire

February 9, 2011

This article sounds like your heart!!! A wonderful heartfelt article and Sam, " faith IS all about trust" … trust in what God has done & says about us! 🙂 Thank you. You are encouraging. –RL

Reply
1. samluce
  
  February 9, 2011
  
  Thanks Uncle Bob.
  
  Reply
Wayne Stocks

February 9, 2011

Sam,

Great post. Thanks for being so transparent about your own faith and struggles. I think part of the problem is that, so many times, when faith is mis-defined people are afraid to face those doubts and struggles because they fear it is in indication that they have no faith. Thanks for reminding us that it is through exactly those kinds of struggles and challenges to our faith that we can find true faith in Christ alone.

As a dad and husband, I struggled with the same thing when I was "new in the faith." I wanted to see my kids grow up and grow old with my wife. I would give lip service to verses like "to die is gain" but I didn't really believe it. Only as my relationship with Christ has deepened have I come to understand the truth of that verse and the immeasurable beauty and depth of My Savior's love for me.

Even still, I have not arrived. I find myself frequently praying the prayer of the father in Mark 9: "I do believe; help me with my unbelief."

Thanks again for the thought provoking and challenging article!

Reply
Larry Shallenberger

February 9, 2011

Thanks for your honest post. I've had seasons of doubt also. I've come to believe that faith without doubt is insanity. Doubt is the resistance the the muscles of faith strain against.

Reply
samluce

February 9, 2011

Thanks Larry such a great point to often we run from doubt when it's the very thing that helps define what faith really is. Jesus is fine with our doubts he welcomes them and overwhelms them.

Reply
Craig Gyergyo

February 9, 2011

One of the best blog posts I've read. Period.

This is truly inspirational and edifying. Thanks for your honesty and faith.

Have you heard Andy Stanley's teaching on faith in the Faith Hope and Luck series? Your post fits well with that teaching.

Reply
1. samluce
  
  February 9, 2011
  
  Craig thanks for taking time to comment. I appreciate your encouragement. I really enjoyed being in Infuse with you. We definitely need to stay in touch.
  
  Reply
Todd McKeever

February 10, 2011

Great post and enjoyed as everyone else has hit on your openess. The only addition I would want to add would be, not all Pentecostal people can be lumped into the description you found yourself in. When I am sick, I am sick. LOL…

Again, great honest post.

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1. samluce
  
  February 10, 2011
  
  Thanks for your comment Todd, to be clear I don't think that all Pentecostals believe that. I do however think that there is a large number that do. Also I am very grateful for my pentecostal roots although I don't agree with all of it. I believe every movement brings to light truth that needs to be embraced by all.
  
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Jared M

February 10, 2011

Let me start by saying, you're awesome.
As someone who grew up Pentecostal and is now a minister in a Pentecostal fellowship, I can see where you could have grown up with some of those thoughts, Fortunately, I didn't. But it is a great reminder that I need to be careful that the kids who are in my church. I want them growing up with a firm foundation of faith.
There are days when I'm sick or struggling and I just want to hop over to the store and pick up some extra faith, or sprinkle on some holy water, or pray a little harder, but as long as I am a fallen human in a fallen world, I'm going to get sick and people around me are going to have to face death. It's tough, because I believe that God can heal them and I want so bad for them to get better, but I have to trust Him.
True faith is being certain of what we do not see. I don't always see God's hand at work in every situation, but I have faith (I trust) that He's at work.
Oh and I agree with Todd. Not all Pentecostals are crazy. 🙂

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Todd McKeever

February 10, 2011

Great post and enjoyed as everyone else has hit on your openess. The only addition I would want to add would be, not all Pentecostal people can be lumped into the description you found yourself in. When I am sick, I am sick. LOL…

Again, great honest post.

Reply
1. samluce
  
  February 10, 2011
  
  Thanks for your comment Todd, to be clear I don't think that all Pentecostals believe that. I do however think that there is a large number that do. Also I am very grateful for my pentecostal roots although I don't agree with all of it. I believe every movement brings to light truth that needs to be embraced by all.
  
  Reply
Jared M

February 10, 2011

Let me start by saying, you're awesome.
As someone who grew up Pentecostal and is now a minister in a Pentecostal fellowship, I can see where you could have grown up with some of those thoughts, Fortunately, I didn't. But it is a great reminder that I need to be careful that the kids who are in my church. I want them growing up with a firm foundation of faith.
There are days when I'm sick or struggling and I just want to hop over to the store and pick up some extra faith, or sprinkle on some holy water, or pray a little harder, but as long as I am a fallen human in a fallen world, I'm going to get sick and people around me are going to have to face death. It's tough, because I believe that God can heal them and I want so bad for them to get better, but I have to trust Him.
True faith is being certain of what we do not see. I don't always see God's hand at work in every situation, but I have faith (I trust) that He's at work.
Oh and I agree with Todd. Not all Pentecostals are crazy. 🙂

Reply
Henry Zonio

February 10, 2011

I have to disagree with Todd and Jared… we (those with Pentecostal backgrounds) are crazy 😉

On a more serious note, thank you for sharing so openly and honestly. I think that many times we go through times of doubt like this and think we are alone or have to put on a happy face. The more we can all just be honest with ourselves and each other, the better I think we will be. We can build each other up, cry with each other, pray with each other and struggle with each other. Faith is a funny thing. It can be both liberating and frustrating. I think that if any of us never have issues with it, then we aren't truly working out our faith. Great post.

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Henry Zonio

February 10, 2011

I have to disagree with Todd and Jared… we (those with Pentecostal backgrounds) are crazy 😉

On a more serious note, thank you for sharing so openly and honestly. I think that many times we go through times of doubt like this and think we are alone or have to put on a happy face. The more we can all just be honest with ourselves and each other, the better I think we will be. We can build each other up, cry with each other, pray with each other and struggle with each other. Faith is a funny thing. It can be both liberating and frustrating. I think that if any of us never have issues with it, then we aren't truly working out our faith. Great post.

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Jeff Haase

February 11, 2011

Great post Sam.

It honestly sounds like your journey is similar to several people, including my own. Thanks for being transparent.

Jeff

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Jeff Haase

February 11, 2011

Great post Sam.

It honestly sounds like your journey is similar to several people, including my own. Thanks for being transparent.

Jeff

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Hannah

February 12, 2011

Great post, Sam.
Pentocostal background here and my entire family, to some extent or another, has left their faith or left the church. I know Pentacostal movement is not responsible for *everyone* leaving God, but it is an issue with those who grew up in it.
I loved your description of true faith and I still pray the prayer, just about every day, "Lord, I believe, help me with my unbelief." I think my biggest issue and fear about dying young and not seeing my kids grow up is the fear they would forget me, or more specifically forget how much I love them.
Hannah

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samluce

February 12, 2011

Hannah thanks for your comment. I by no means believe that Pentecostals are responsible for the epidemic of Young adults leaving their faith. Pentecostalism is all I new growing up I can't speak to what Baptists, or Catholics struggle with growing up. I can say I believe the issue of faith and how I was taught it lead to many of my friends losing their faith when they graduated from High School because the never experienced or understood the Grace of God. They were never taught that God loves them with a never stopping, never ceasing, unbreakable always and forever love, and that because of that love we can trust God no matter what. I love being Pentecostal, I also want my kids to know that they are saved by grace, and that faith comes as a result of what Christ did not because of anything I can do.

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Jill Shea

March 28, 2012

I've been reading through many of your blog posts today. Thank you for being so transparent, I'm fascinated learning from every one of your posts. Praise God!

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1. samluce
  
  March 28, 2012
  
  Thanks Jill. Appreciate your encouragement.
  
  Reply