"I think it runs in our family,"

There are some things that are just hard to define with words. Jim Moore builds a case for "Faith" being one of those words. Faith is hard to define, but so are the qualifying words. "More" faith is required to accomplish some things. "Lost" faith is the reason for failure in some cases. "Coincidental" faith is the explanation for one being saved from tragedy and others perishing. "Enough" faith is hard to determine; except, that you simply didn't have enough. The misunderstandings, distortions, half-truths and simple difference of opinion try to tell us that faith is bullet-proof body armor. We are protected from pain, sorrow and tragedy by an invisible shield, Moore, rightly, tells us that we cannot be born with the faith in God that it takes to face all the different situations in day-to-day life. Our DNA may be a help, but there is no automatic transfer or transfusion of faith at birth. He lifts Jacob as an example. Isaac is his father. Abraham is his grandfather. Two more positive examples of lives lived in complete faith to God cannot be found. Jacob seemed to be Teflon coated, when it came to faith in God. He was born grasping at his brother's heel. Refusing to share food with a starving Esau until a proper deal could be made for the birthright. In spite of all the family devotions and bible studies, Jacob cheated and lied to secure Isaac's blessing. Jacob was not the example of a virtuous brother and son. He was a master of lying, plotting, conniving, and tricking any and all who could benefit him. Moore puts it well, " We are Christians, not, by chromosomes, but by our won convictions and commitment." Jacob was a master barterer. He played "Let's Make a Deal" at every turn with God. It became obvious that God would be made the better, if all the preconditions laid out by Jacob were accepted. Moore lists at least five bargains that Jacob attempted. We are not immune from this sort of thing, are we? Think back to your prayers and the petitions that have been offered. We cast God in the role of ATM, healer, judge and jury, weather man, and any number of other roles, given the day's circumstances. Like Jacob, we come face to face with being between a rock and a hard place and have to wrestle with God and come to the unconditional surrender. Jacob now faces the need to own an unswerving allegiance to God. Read the litany of confessions that Moore lists on page 120: Old Testament witnesses, New testament witnesses, more recent historical witnesses and finally, the ultimate unswerving witness, Jesus. Did you ever play the child's game "Made you flinch" ? When did something swing at your faith and make you flinch?