Has someone asked you to Describe your faith, and you end up feeling like a deer caught in the headlights?

I was challenged by the personal profiles in this week’s Celebrate Lit book tour.

Taking out the purely romantic/matchmaking questions, <which are incredibly valuable in their own right> the profile asks some really good questions.

Questions like “Describe your faith” or “what is your biggest fault?” I want to dig into that with you guys.

But first, the book:

Please note that this post contains affiliate links for your convenience. If you make a purchase through one of the links, I may make a small commission. I only recommend books and resources that I’ve enjoyed personally, or believe that you would like. You can read my full disclosure here. You will also find information on Scripture translations there.

About the Book

Book: Thirty Days Hath

Author: Chautona Havig

Genre: Christian fiction, contemporary romance

Release Date: Revised edition, Feb 26, 2019

Blind Dates Are for Wimps!

At least, that’s what Adric Garrison thinks.
Can you blame him? Thanks to his sister and brother-in-law, Adric is about to embark on a year of month-long, chaperoned, blind dates. Awkward.

He didn’t ask for it. But Adric still finds himself living what seems more like a bad TV reality show than a new life in Fairbury.

Once an ordinary (if prematurely gray and vertically challenged) guy, Adric is now Fairbury’s newest “most eligible bachelor,” and dreams of permanent bachelorhood loom on the horizon. Will he call it quits before the year is out, or will one of his “girls of the month” change his mind?

One man, twelve women, one happily ever after.

Click here to purchase your copy!

Thirty Days Hath… The Describe Your Faith Challenge

Okay, Pastors organizing Live-in blind dates?   No, this isn’t a reality TV show, it’s Adric’s life.  

Being the “test pilot” of a new and extremely unusual program, brain-child of the local Pastors Association, could be scary, stressful, and possibly the best thing to ever happen to any of these fine people.  

The comedy of awkward first dates, hard-core premarital counseling discussions, and town gossip is blended with friendship, sweet romance, and just the right amount of humor.  

If it weren’t for the sabotage, the complete lack of privacy, and thoughts of permanent bachelorhood, Adric would be having a great year!  

Christine from February is probably my favorite character. Between her sense of humor and outgoing personality, she would steal anyone’s heart.   But then there’s Allison. And Becca, and Jael, and… Well, you get the idea.  

Honestly, if more people took the time to talk specifically and ask some of the questions from the personal profiles (Describe your faith, flaws, virtues…) in the beginning of any relationship, marriages might have a better chance! This is the inspiration for the printable below.

The Best Parts

The beauty of Chautona’s work is two-fold: firstly, it often serves as a mirror of character flaws and virtues. Second, that while each of the books or sets stand alone, characters have a way of popping up again in other books. So if you enjoy this, and want to know more about someone, you usually can.  

For example, you can find some of these ladies in The Agency Files, Past Forward, and Oh, Gracious.  

If you like romantic comedy, self sacrifice done well, or Christianity lived out, you should give this a try.  

*Note, there is one woman who has a mental breakdown, which is not treated lightly. It’s given the respect it is due.  

About the Author

Chautona Havig lives in an oxymoron, escapes into imaginary worlds that look startlingly similar to ours and writes the stories that emerge. An irrepressible optimist, Chautona sees everything through a kaleidoscope of It’s a Wonderful Life sprinkled with fairy tales. Find her on the web and say howdy—if you can remember how to spell her name.

More from Chautona

A Silent Truth No One Admits: Blind Dates Are for Wimps

Maybe I’m not the one to talk. After all, I never dated. Not really. My best friend in high school was a guy. We went to the movies. We did things. Still, we were just great friends.

I had what might be considered one date in Lubbock, Texas in 1987. Maybe. I didn’t consider it one, but I suppose the guy might have. Maybe.

Then I went from best friends with the guy I’ve been married to for 30 years to engaged in the span of a few seconds after what might have been a rhetorical question. He’s under orders not to tell me if it was. After all, he’s the fool who went on to say, “I do.” Just sayin’.

Still, in the first decade of the 21^st century, I discovered a new “thing” in reality TV. The Bachelor. Though I tried watching it, I couldn’t after a while. It started out reasonably clean, but then it devolved into cat fights, spit-swapping sessions, and drama. Oh, the drama.

But one aspect intrigued me.

The focused attention to finding the girl. What if Christians did that? What if we stopped playing the silly game of “pretend we’re not in this to see if you’re someone I could put up with for the next fifty or sixty years…”? Oh, man. What if the church rallied around its members and helped without pushing.

Trust me, you don’t want to push too much. You may discover that the people you’re pushing just get together and talk about it. Laugh at your antics. Mock the ridiculousness of it. Not that Kevin and I ever did that back in the day or anything. (Check out that story HERE.)

That “what if?” spurred an idea.

Sister churches. Chaperones. Not a couple of weeks in a giant house somewhere, but a whole month of real living with someone, day in. Day out. And again, with that chaperone to avoid that “appearance of evil” thing. If you could spend that much time with someone, seeing warts, virtues, best and worst sides… well, maybe you might just be right for each other.

At the least, you’d have a good idea if you even wanted to find out. That’s a healthier and quicker start than two or three months of a date here or there and hoping you’re seeing the real person. Right?

I created a character and ran with it. From giving him less than Hollywood good looks, to an anger problem and a blue-collar job, Adric had lots going for him… and not so much!

Then I tested it out. Acid test. I signed him up for eHarmony.

No, really. I did.

For the record, apparently short, prematurely graying mechanics with anger issues are a hot commodity. It took hours to get it set up, but man there were many women out there for him… supposedly.

And to this day, my Gmail email (that I never use) still says adricgarrison@gmail.com. No joke.

For what it’s worth, Adric learned one very difficult lesson that year.

As I’ve already confessed. I’ve never been on a blind date. I doubt anyone would even consider that I’ve been on a date. Still, after writing this book, I know for one thing. Blind Dates Are for Wimps.

If You Were Asked to Describe Your Faith

  How would you describe your faith? Would you be able to put it into words?  

Deb over at Counting Your Blessings has a few great words to explain your faith with.   We are commanded to always be ready to explain the hope we have. (1 Peter 3:15)    But do we spend any effort in preparation for that?   Or do we avoid the subject, hoping not to be put on the spot.   Afraid of being embarrassed or made fun of?  

I have a problem with that. After reading 12 women answer these questions from “Describe your Faith” to “what is your biggest flaw?” I felt challenged.   How does my fear of God vs fear of man rate? Do I have a ready answer for these questions myself?   I will let you know in a minute.    

Being Asked: How is Your Spiritual Life?

  Ouch. You know this post is hard to write. If you were to ask me, “How is your spiritual Life?” I would have to use words like pale or weak. Timid. Strong. Lukewarm. Hot. Inconsistent  

In many ways, it’s not easy to define your faith. Its hard to quantify in words. But at the same time. God has provided some awesome words we can claim to describe our faith.    

Describe Your Faith – But, What is Spiritual Life?

What is spiritual life, though, really?   There’s an article over at Christianity Today that I wish you would take the time to read. Being the busy people we are though, I’ll give you the (very) short version.  

Having a deep spiritual life is a matter of discipleship. Studying, observing, doing, and teaching others what we’re learning.   Discipleship:  

John 8:31–32 (NIV) 31To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”   With that in mind…  

How Would You Describe Your Spiritual Life?

  I recently did a study on discipleship. We spent a lot of time on the passage in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Considering a professional athlete compared to a hobby athlete. We compared the two, and all I could say was Ouch!    

  Thinking in terms of athletics training, how would you describe your spiritual life? For me, my investment in discipleship seems more on par with a hobbyist than a professional.   But I won’t give up.   Because He won’t give up on me!!      

Describe Your Faith: My Personal Statement of Faith

  With all of this in mind, I decided this would be an excellent time to write out (and share) my personal statement of faith.   I took a few questions from the profile from Thirty Days Hath… and am answering them here.   After all, If I’m going to ask you to describe your faith, I should go first, right?  

Okay, Profile questions:

Describe Your Faith:

My faith, my confidence is that Jesus came to seek and save the lost. That he doesn’t want any to perish, but still allows us free choice.   This world is so messed up and suffering under the curse of sin, so we’re waiting eagerly for Jesus’s return.  

I have to trust that God knows what he is doing, even when I don’t get it. That he works all things to good for those who love him and are called according to his purposes. If I didn’t, I couldn’t cope with life.  

I have Peace like a River. And since rivers aren’t always calm and steady, I don’t expect my life, circumstances or emotions to be, either. But I know I have no need to worry.  

My Redeemed Lives, and he loves, and he doesn’t sit on the sidelines waiting for me to remember him or get my life together.   I am a disciple of Jesus, I have faith that he will lead me well, and stay beside me. My part is to listen, and follow.  

Describe Your Church:

 Having moved a lot, I have been a part of many churches with a variety of strengths and weaknesses.   From 100 member churches to 1,000+ member churches, traditional to conservative, each one led to spiritual growth for me and many others.  

The core values of God first, taking care of one another and reaching the lost have always been consistent.   My current church home is a place of vibrant prayer and active community involvement.  

• The basic beliefs of the Southern Baptists can be found here.
• The core values of the Vineyard can be found here.

What is Your Biggest Fault:

My biggest fault is probably a lack of consistency and follow through. This shows up in my spiritual life in inconsistent quiet time and a less than stellar prayer life.  

What is Your Greatest Virtue:

Assuming the best about most people and situations. Especially with people I don’t know or don’t know well. Unfortunately, I’m still working on that same degree of optimism with those closest to me. For some reason, I expect more from them. Which is why I am dealing with my emotional baggage regularly.  

Pet Peeves (in Church/Ministry)

Having a requirement of working in childcare because you have a kid who attends. I mean, you aren’t required to join the choir because you have a voice!  

Before I had children, I worked with children’s ministry. Since having kids, as a stay at home mom, Sunday morning service is something I look forward to, having an hour with grownups, not kids! And I know a lot of grandparent types who love working with kids…    

What Does Your Faith Mean to You? Time to Describe Your Faith!

Okay, so I answered. Now it’s your turn. What does your faith mean to you?   How would you describe your faith?   I would love for you to download this free pdf and describe your faith. Then read Thirty Days Hath…. It’ll have you laughing so hard, and then get you thinking!  

Describe Your Spiritual Journey

Remember it’s a journey, this faith-walk we are on. To describe your spiritual journey today includes both how you would describe your faith years ago AND how you would describe your faith today!  

And if you’re wondering what this looks like, how to be sold out for Jesus, look at Mary!   I would love to hear a bit about how you would describe your faith! Care to share in the comments?