“And what is faith? Faith gives substance to our hopes, and makes us certain of realities we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1).

I had to type the above verse– the whole entire verse– by hand. Egads.

Normally, I copy and paste. In other words, I go the easy route.

But I love the way the New English Bible translates this verse. And as far as I know, it’s not on any of the Bible apps or websites. It must not have been a wildly successful translation.

But faith truly is believing in a future as securely and confidently as if it were already a done deal. Because for God, it is. Casting Crowns sings about how our future is a memory to God. He’s already there.

Sitting around a bonfire with some friends, I was reminded that our common bond, what draws us together, is also what holds each of our individual lives and worlds together.

I know I’ve referenced this before, but another meaning for glory is weight. As in only God deserves glory because He’s the only focal point strong and weighty enough to keep our lives from flying apart.

I love that it’s not about great faith in God that saves me, but faith in a great God, even if that faith is mustard seed-sized and barely perceptible to the human eye. Sometimes, that’s all I got. Most of the time, that’s all I got.

Oh, and I found a hammock and got in a few precious minutes of bliss. Hammock time and a bonfire in the same night? I think that qualifies as a whole new level of awesome.