The old Bible stories are interesting, and sometimes terrifying! Some people make a distinction between the God of the Old Testament and the God of the New Testament, tempered by the teachings of Jesus.

I'm a skeptic like you and I also wish God would show Himself and say this part is true and this part is BS and what I really want from you is thus and so!

As to whether any of the Bible stories are true - well a lot of people think so but I'm not one of them, at least not literally true. I like to read them though. I brought up Gideon's story because to me it says it's okay to question God and ask to be convinced. At least someone who put it in the Bible thought it was an acceptable message to hand down over the thousands of years since!

But like I say, having a personal experience is the way to go. And if God can't muster up enough evidence to convince you, then I say stay skeptical!