010 – Almost Daily Devotional – Can We Trust It?

(Updated Show Notes - May 2025)

Episode 010 – Can We Trust It?

Originally recorded: July 17, 2006

Part of the Almost Daily Devotional series

This devotional was born from a question that still echoes in many hearts today:

Can we trust the Bible?

At the time of this recording, I was passionate about helping people see the credibility of scripture—especially the New Testament Gospels. I wanted believers to feel confident in what they were reading. I wanted skeptics to at least explore the source before dismissing the story.

In this episode, I share a short clip from Andy Stanley’s Verdict series—a three-part teaching that I believed then (and still do now) was one of the clearest and most accessible explanations of why the Bible still matters.

You’ll hear:

• Why I believed the Gospels were the foundation of Christian faith
• My reflection on cultural cynicism toward scripture
• Andy Stanley’s commentary on post-college disillusionment
• My recommendation to believers and spiritual seekers alike

Whether you grew up trusting the Bible, or are now questioning everything you were taught… this episode may offer a moment of reflection for where you are now.

✨ What I Believed Then

I believed the Bible was without error, fully inspired by God, and divinely preserved throughout generations.

I believed that all Christian faith rested on the reliability of the Gospels, and that if they were undermined, the whole structure of faith would fall apart.

I saw doubt as something to be addressed and defended against—not feared, but answered.

And I believed Andy Stanley’s message gave us tools to do exactly that.

🌱 What I Believe Now

I still believe the Bible carries sacred wisdom.

But I no longer need it to be flawless to be true.

I see it now as a spiritual tapestry—a collection of voices, perspectives, prayers, poetry, myth, metaphor, and history, all pointing toward the Divine.

I no longer fear questions. I welcome them.

I don’t need certainty to feel secure.

I follow the living Christ—not a perfectly preserved manuscript.

Today, I believe truth isn’t always about facts—it’s about resonance.

If something in scripture stirs my spirit, I lean in.

And if it doesn’t, I ask deeper questions with love and curiosity.

🔥 Why I’m Leaving This Episode in the Feed

Because this was me, fiercely loyal to the story that had saved my life.

Because I want people to hear that passion—and also hear how spiritual maturity doesn’t mean abandoning what once felt true. It means expanding how we hold it.

Because this was one of the earliest signs that I was willing to wrestle with belief.

And I still am.

If you're wrestling too… you're not alone.

Cliff