Christian Doubt» Video

The Gospels and Acts as History by Dr. Timothy McGrew

Mark Lefers — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 05:15:01 +0000

One of the good things that have come out of this website is that I have gotten in touch with some very nice and knowledge people. I recently got an e-mail from Dr. Timothy McGrew who informed me of a talk he gave at the Reasonable Faith group in Belfast. I just got done watching it. The talk has a lot of information that will take me several days to digest. Very good lecture.

You can watch below, or download the audio or powerpoint slides.

Click here to view the embedded video.

To Know You by Nichole Nordeman

Mark Lefers — Sun, 15 May 2011 21:11:26 +0000

Another song to add to my song list dealing with doubt and uncertainty.

Click here to view the embedded video.

It’s well past midnight
And I’m awake with questions that won’t
Wait for daylight
Separating fact from my imaginary fiction
On this shelf of my conviction
I need to find a place
Where You and I come face to face

Thomas needed
Proof that You had really risen
Undefeated
When he placed his fingers
Where the nails once broke Your skin
Did his faith finally begin?
I’ve lied if I’ve denied
The common ground I’ve shared with him

And I, I really want to know You
I want to make each day
A different way that I can show You how
I really want to love You
Be patient with my doubt
I’m just tryin’ to figure out Your will
And I really want to know You still

Nicodemus
Could not understand how You could
Truly free us
He struggled with the image
Of a grown man born again
We might have been good friends
Cuz sometimes I still question, too
How easily we come to You

No more campin’ on the porch of indecision
No more sleepin’ under stars of apathy
And it might be easier to dream
But dreamin’s not for me

I Will Not Be Moved by Natalie Grant

Mark Lefers — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 18:10:58 +0000

I have been moved.

Click here to view the embedded video.

I have been the wayward child
I have acted out
I have questioned Sovereignty
And had my share of doubt
And though sometimes my prayers feel like
They’re bouncing off the sky
The hand I hold won’t let me go
And is the reason why…

[Chorus:]
I will stumble
I will fall down
But I will not be moved
I will make mistakes
I will face heartache
But I will not be moved
On Christ the Solid Rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
I will not be moved

Bitterness has plagued my heart
Many times before
My life has been like broken glass
And I have kept the score
Of all my shattered dreams and though it seemed
That I was far too gone
My brokenness helped me to see
It’s grace I’m standing on

[Chorus]

And the chaos in my life
Has been a badge I’ve worn
Though I have been torn
I will not be moved

[Chorus]

Doubting Thomas by Nickel Creek

Mark Lefers — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 03:01:23 +0000

When doubt has me down, songs can be a great soothing balm. Some songs give comfort, some hope, some come alongside me in my hurt and pain. Here’s one that has been all of the above.

Click here to view the embedded video.

What will be left when I’ve drawn my last breath,
Besides the folks I’ve met and the folks who know me,
Will I discover a soul saving love,
Or just the dirt above and below me,

I’m a doubting thomas,
I took a promise,
But I do not feel safe,
Oh me of little faith,

Sometimes I pray for a slap in the face,
Then I beg to be spared ’cause I’m a coward,
If there’s a master of death I’ll bet he’s holding his breath,
As I show the blind and tell the deaf about his power,
I’m a doubting thomas,
I can’t keep my promises,
‘Cause i don’t know what’s safe,
oh me of little faith

Can I be used to help others find truth,
When I’m scared I’ll find proof that its a lie,
Can I be lead down a trail dropping bread crumbs,
That prove I’m not ready to die,

Please give me time to decipher the signs,
Please forgive me for time that I’ve wasted,

I’m a doubting thomas,
I’ll take your promise,
Though I know nothin’s safe,
Oh me of little faith

Desperate by Fireflight

Mark Lefers — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 03:40:28 +0000

Some may find this song by Fireflight helpful. There are some gems in the lyrics (see below). I also like the music as it encompasses some of the anger and desperation I feel inside.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Seek and you will find, they say
but I’ve been looking everyday
for a way past this wall that’s in front of my face I’m on hands and knees searching for my faith

I know there’s so much at stake
but I don’t know if I can take one more pat on the back saying I’ll be okay Can’t you see my whole life is in disarray

You’ve got me desperate

I know You hear me,
Would You give me a sign
Reel me in before I’ve fallen in line
You’ve put me on a path I don’t understand I’m standing on a ledge waving my hands

You’ve got me desperate (do You see me?) Desperate (do You hear me?) Desperate (will You help me?) You’ve got me desperate

I know You’re my only hope
The only One who truly knows how it feels, what it’s like when it all starts to fall You’re the One I can trust who hears when I call

Some things I’ll never figure out
Until I let hope erase my doubt

You’ve got me desperate

I know You hear me,
Would You give me a sign
Reel me in before I’ve fallen in line
You’ve put me on a path I don’t understand, I’m standing on a ledge waving my hands

You’ve got me desperate (do You see me?) Desperate (do You hear me?) Desperate (will You help me?) You’ve got me desperate

Christian vs Atheist Debates

Mark Lefers — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 05:53:04 +0000

One of the great resources that I’ve found is debates between Christians and Atheists. In debates both sides put forth their best arguments. It becomes an efficient way to get the main points of both sides. I also enjoy that I can listen to the audio files on my long commutes. So I will be trying to keep a good list of debates on this site, and where time allows try to review them. However with 561 debates currently listed this is already a daunting task. I set it up so that you can filter and search the debate database. Enjoy.

Christian vs Atheist Debates

I’m not dead

Mark Lefers — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 02:49:01 +0000

To borrow from a classic, “I’m not dead”. I’ve just been extremely busy. I’ve been pulling 80+hr/wk at work for the last two months which leaves very little time to do much else. Hopefully things will turn around quickly so I don’t end up like the old man on the cart. I think I’ll go for a walk.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Answer to Prayers?

Mark Lefers — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 14:52:50 +0000

Having a newborn in the house has taken much of my “free” time. However, with the late night or early morning feedings I have had an opportunity to watch more TV. The other day I watched the movie Evan Almighty, which is kind of the sequel to Bruce Almighty. The movie is about a guy named Evan (played by Steve Carrell) who has been visited by God (Morgan Freeman) and told to build an ark, just like in the story about Noah in the Bible. This movie has a lot of great quotes and scenes. One of my favorites is below. In this scene Evan’s wife, Joan (Lauren Graham), and kids think he’s gone crazy, so they’ve left him to stay with Joan’s parents. While on the road they stop at a diner to eat. They’re already on the road, and they’re stopping to eat at a diner. Here Joan meets God but doesn’t realize who she’s talking to. God encourages Joan and gives her some insight on life and prayer.

Click here to view the embedded video.

In my struggle with losing my Christian beliefs I wonder if in my prayers for faith, God chooses not to just give me faith, but gives me the opportunities to learn more so that I will have a reason to believe and to not just have a blind faith. Wouldn’t this actually be the BEST answer to my prayers? Unfortunately, my limited ability to see in the future makes this struggle hard and uncertain. But little clips like these gives me encouragement.

Evolving in Monkey Town

Mark Lefers — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 03:30:47 +0000

Evolving in Monkey Town by Rachel Held Evans is a wonderful a story of survival from certainty, through doubt, to faith. Rachel’s story is about how her beliefs have evolved over time. Rachel started in an unquestioning fundamentalist environment where her faith was not challenged, and where she thought she had all the answers. Her faith then started to crumble when seriously confronted with questions about hell, and was she a Christian only because of where and when she was born. These led to more questions and more doubt. As Rachel was exposed to the environment outside of Christian fundamentalism, she was confronted with the choice of changing her mind on certain beliefs or face losing her faith. She decided to compromise, by letting go of some of her long held beliefs and embraced uncertainty.

As someone who has gone through doubt and is now an unbeliever, Rachel captures the struggle of the doubter. In one moment Rachel is questioning a loving God who sends people to hell for eternity, and then a moment later she is clinging fast to a God that loves her. I could feel the tension and the pain of her struggles. It was also comforting to know that I am not alone in my doubt.

The book is a quick and easy read with very enjoyable stories of different people who have influenced her life’s path. The stories make it personal, while also giving a glimpse of the rich variety of different beliefs and experiences. Rachel is an excellent writer and I found myself highlighting many sections in her book.

I would recommend this book to anyone who feels trapped in Christian fundamentalism. Rachel gives an example of a healthy alternative to the absolutes that are often found in Christianity today. I would not recommend this book to someone who is looking for answers. This book is about asking questions, and living out your faith in spite of the uncertainties.

Rachel also has an excellent blog that I would recommend too.

Here the book trailer:

Click here to view the embedded video.

http://www.youtube.com/v/TKxeM3uv0

Give me a revelation

Mark Lefers — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 00:11:34 +0000

This song just spoke to me, and captured some of my feelings today.

Click here to view the embedded video.

My life has led me down the road that’s so uncertain
And now I am left alone and I am broken,
Tryin’ to find my way, tryin’ to find the faith that’s gone

This time, I know that you are holding all the answers
I’m tired of losing hope and taking chances,
On roads that never seem,
To be the ones that bring me home

Give me a revelation,
Show me what to do
Cause I’ve been tryin’ to find my way,
I haven’t got a clue
Tell me should I stay here,
Or do I need to move
Give me a revelation
I’ve got nothing without You
I’ve got nothing without You

My life has led me down this path that’s ever winding
Through every twist and turn I’m always finding,
That I am lost again (I am lost again)
Tell me when this road will ever end
Give me a revelation,
Show me what to do
Cause I’ve been tryin’ to find my way,
I haven’t got a clue
Tell me should I stay here,
Or do I need to move
Give me a revelation
I’ve got nothing without You
I’ve got nothing without

I don’t know where I can turn
Tell me when will I learn
Won’t You show me where I need to go
Oh oh
Let me follow Your lead,
I know that it’s the only way that I can get back home

Give me a revelation,
Show me what to do
Cause I’ve been trying to find my way,
I haven’t got a clue
Tell me should I stay here,
Or do I need to move
Give me a revelation
I’ve got nothing without You
I’ve got nothing without You

Oh, give me a revelation

I’ve got nothing without You
I’ve got nothing without You