Tif on Faith by Phyllis Barber

881

The following Tif on Faith was featured in our Fall/Winter 2019 issue.

While a “tiff” is defined as a “petty argument”, a “Tif” is anything but petty–it is a short exploration of a deeply meaningful subject.

Purchase the entire issue in print or digital format to read the other featured Tifs, essays, poetry, and more!

Metaphysics of Faith

Biblical scripture describes faith as the substance of things not seen—one of the best definitions. Faith means believing in something that hasn’t happened yet, walking toward a light when you can’t see what’s behind it, expecting in something that might be beyond hope or speech.

Faith means believing, in a general way, something will happen. Specifics are troublesome, but if I have faith, I do my work with exceptional dedication, get out of my own way, and let things happen as they will. Faith is not dictation. It implies trust in the outcome—that it will be something useful, even wise, in the long run. That there will be twists and turns bigger than the self.

Faith is a belief in something shaped in dreams, something out of the ordinary, and unexpected. Faith is something yet to be.

Phyllis BarberPHYLLIS BARBER has published eight books, including the prize-winning memoir, HOW I GOT CULTURED. A ninth book, a historical novel titled THE DESERT BETWEEN US, was released by the University of Nevada Press in April 2020. Barber has been inducted into the Nevada Writers Hall of Fame, has received many awards for her fiction, memoirs, and essays, and has an affection for long-necked animals.

This is a small representation of the high-quality writings you’ll find in every issue of TIFERET.

We receive no outside funding and rely on digital issues, workshop fees, and donations to publish. If you enjoy our journal’s verbal and visual offerings, we hope you’ll consider supporting us in one of these ways.

Click Here to Purchase Digital Issues
Previous articleExcerpt from The Spiritual Aspect of Memoir by Camilla Sanderson
Next articleExcerpt from Boulevard Saint-Laurent by Julia Y. Knobloch