I Believe

According to recent studies, physical and mental activities help reduce weight, high blood pressure, heart disease, depression, sadness, stress, and more; plus, people’s outlooks on life become more positive. All of us are faced with a second birth. The first one is physical which we have nothing to do with. The second birth is spiritual which we have everything to do with because it is a choice we make. It is a gradual unfolding process that continues throughout life as we become more God-centered and less self-centered. 

Many people are guilty of pulling the Bible down to their level of understanding instead of bringing their level of understanding up to meet the requirements of the Word. Society does us a big disservice when we go along with prioritizing people from most important to least important. This is not Biblical. The Bible gives us a simple, clear, and foolproof, three-step plan for salvation. We must admit that we are sinners, believe Jesus died to save us from our sins, and commit our lives to trust in Jesus as our Savior. (ABC)

There are three major influences that impact our lives: circumstances, people, and God’s Word (or its absence). Whatever the influence, anything contrary to God’s Word should be rejected. Those who believe in Jesus as their personal Savior will inherit eternal life in Heaven (present with God), and those who do not believe will inherit eternal life in Hell (absent from God). Without love, law-abidingness might become mechanical, miserable, and discouraging, but with love, every commandment inspires joy, delight, and peace of mind.


Self-reflection is always a good exercise. What I believe is a work in progress, not limited to these statements and subject to change. What do YOU believe?

Daniel Taddeo

Longtime Parma Hts. resident and educator in the Parma School district.

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Volume 11, Issue 5, Posted 7:35 AM, 05.01.2019