What if they come?” The hope I find, the security I find, is that actually that’s the narrative of Scripture, is faith in fear. In his desperation, Bartimaeus cried out to Jesus and asked for mercy to be given: “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” (Mark 10:47). . Sandra: The life of faith in the middle of fear is what changes me, so when I hear things on the news I’m like, “We shouldn’t be afraid. When we think about certain urban centers, issues of faith and fear are natural to think about. When I was the first person in my family to go to college, I would hear her voice in my ear, “Don’t let anybody steal your dreams.” When I would come to those spaces where I felt like, “Does my voice matter at all? On the other hand, fear, simply stated, is unbelief or weak belief. Wayne: No, I know, but even for the leadership to be facing that fear. What is faith that we would see it as something other than or exclusive of, or what is the relationship to fear? As we got into close range, in the most amazing way it was like watching a slow-motion nightmare unfold. I said, “The root of it is that God wants you to be whole and safe, and that’s what God wants for your daughter.”, I had some resources that I gave her. Whilst the title itself maybe a little bit of a mouthful, the stories themselves are all well paced, entertaining and incredibly varied. Marshall: It is very dangerous. On the way there I said, “You mind if I pray for you before you go?” I’ve only known this young man for two weeks. It’s not the demand for safety and the end of my vulnerability, but it is living alongside fear, venturing, with a venture towards peacemaking. For a little bit over minimum wage, about $12 in Chicago, you can pull somebody that’s in “the gang culture.” I don’t have time to go into all of that, but they want a better life. Fear is not my native land; faith is. And when the earthly fear brings death, the fear of the Lord offers life. You were there. Reggie: There is a problem when my kids do not fear touching that hot stove, there’s something to be concerned about. Reggie Williams, Assistant Professor of Christian Ethics at McCormick Theological Seminary I remember the logjam being broken because we had a conversation with the parents, and I personally had to go in and talk to parents in a group. We actually need fear. Mark: The life of faith in the middle of fear . The young people have been teaching us their fears, and we’ve been listening to them. I’m a pastor down the street, and I don’t appreciate the way you’re talking to these young people.” They said, “What do you mean, talking?” I said, “I heard you use words. The kingdom, of course, is represented when the margins are brought to the center. But I think there is the sense of insecurity, the sense of anxiety, the sense of stress that particularly our children are under . Wayne: You were the one that said you had nothing to say. Can you imagine standing at a bus stop and a squad car coming up on the sidewalk and then another one coming the other way, for children. Nine shots are fired and it kills this young man right in front of our church. Reggie: Thank you for that really fascinating juxtaposition about faith, death, and fear killing faith. Thank you for sharing the conversation. The Bible tells us about many men and women who defeated their fear and anxiety by learning to depend on God. When I listened to that, I just sat back in my chair and said, “Yes, that’s what I experience.” I’m like you, it takes a lot to make me afraid, but when I sat back I thought, “Yes, that’s what I feel around me”—this “There isn’t going to be enough. I also thought about the whole Black Lives Matter movement, and even though that does not necessarily come out in church, how deeply theological that is in the context where black bodies or black lives don’t matter. I think when fear works as an obstacle to our being able to be with each other, then we have some serious problems. Yes, we can “conquer” our fears, but — surprise! Join the author as he introduces you to stories both light and dark, fun and serious, always entertaining. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. That also applies to all four of my siblings: the doctor who’s the medical director of a hospital in a major state; the attorney who’s also a CPA; the engineer who’s in an undisclosed country right now because he’s a hacker for the U.S. government; and the one in the military. I was afraid to fail, I was afraid to say the wrong thing, I was afraid to be perceived a certain way, but I actually didn’t realize that I actually was that way. There are some legitimate fears, but when you learn how to combat fear, most of it will dissipate and you will be able to discern what is the real issue. The charging the darkness instincts, what is it that we endure to cultivate that? Set my alarm clock. The second thing was immigration, actually. That’s faith in fear.” For me, it’s been learning particularly from the church in marginalized or persecuted experiences across the world that even in my own community on the northwest side of Chicago I don’t experience. Buy Ooter's Place and Other Stories of Fear, Faith, and Love by El-Koura, Karl online on Amazon.ae at best prices. Lord, make this faith strong in us who have little faith! There is still something very vibrant within African American communities that says that God does exist. Every time he planned to attack, God revealed those plans to Elisha. Fear is a common emotion we all experience, but it doesn’t come from the Lord. I hope that part of what we take away is an opportunity to continue to reflect in our own lives—as I do, I think, almost every day—to consider what are the fears that are in me? It’s truly a transformation. Shannon: I had actually been thinking about this since you first asked us to consider But the other side of the coin is also true. I had my own response to that fear that is out there, and just as a woman, that fear continues to permeate. Sandra Maria Van Opstal, Executive Pastor of Grace and Peace Community. He’s talking about the way people, communities, are habituated in fear and shame, much like a dog that has had an abusive master. I was afraid to be perceived as entitled, but I was entitled.”. Stories; Star’s Story: From Fear to Faith; Zhang Linhao, known as Star, stands inside the Billy Graham Library in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Sept. 3, 2014. It’s not as if only black lives matter, but it’s as if the lives that have mattered least matter most. I believe their faith in God will inspire you to be courageous, too. I remember when—those of you who are familiar with the Enneagram—I was doing some Enneagram work. 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