From the beginning, this has been a faith-based ministry.

But the word faith is better translated as "confidence" and "trust," because it is about something inside you and not directed toward something external.

Reason is in fact the path to faith, and faith takes over when reason can say no more.

We do not hope for what we have. Therefore, to live in hope is to live in poverty, having nothing. And yet, if we abandon ourselves to economy of Divine Providence, we have everything we hope for. By faith we know God without seeing Him. By hope we possess God without feeling His presence. If we hope in God, by hope we already possess Him, since hope is a confidence which He creates in our souls as secret evidence that He has taken possession of us.

Place no hope in the feeling of assurance, in spiritual comfort. You may well have to get along without this.

Indeed, too often the weakest thing about our faith is the illusion that our faith is strong, when the "strength" we feel is only the intensity of emotion or of sentiment, which have nothing to do with real faith.

We believe, not because we want to know, but because we want to be.

By faith we know God without seeing Him. By

By faith we know God without seeing Him. By hope we possess God without feeling His presence.

Would undisputed evidence of the ark be of value? Absolutely. But is it necessary for one's faith? Not in the least. So do not forget this point: the Bible is true, and Christ is who He says He is, regardless of whether anyone finds the remains of the ark or not.

It's a power that I can't explain. As it flows and it grows and it shapes my faith. There've been hundreds of moments I can't deny. When it brushe against the fire or dwelt in the Fire of God.

We can't even begin to know God through our emotions or our physical senses. We should be emotional about the things of God.