You know, as I grow older I find I have more opportunities to share my faith in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes." (Romans 1:16) Being of German ancestry, I have been a born-and-raised Missouri Synod Lutheran (LCMS) all my life, but more importantly I was born again by the grace of God through my baptism.
Being a Christian doesn't mean I'm perfect, but I know I can rely on my Heavenly Father to forgive me when I fail, and to empower me with His Holy Spirit to live my life as a blessing to others. It is not by my virtue or basic goodness that I am acceptable in God's sight - "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith -- and this not from yourselves, it is a gift of God -- not by works, so that no one can boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9) No, I am inherently an enemy of God because of my sinfulness, "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23)
Santa Fe is quite a hotbed for an interesting blend of New Age and Native American spiritualism. Being a tri-cultural state (Native American, Hispanic, and "other"), there is tremendous diversity of beliefs and religious practices. However, I firmly believe that "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12) I attend Immanuel Lutheran Church (LCMS) in Santa Fe.
I am blessed with the opportunity to serve in several capacities at
our
church. I'm chair of the fellowship committee (it's all about food!),
teach Sunday school to 3rd
and
4th graders, and a couple of years ago I was appointed to fill a
vacancy on our board of elders (which I'm still doing). I also get to
drag my
guitar around
with me and lead kids in songs of praise, worship, and fun for Sunday
School during the school year and Vacation Bible School for a week
during the summer! I believe I
relate
better with people who don't consider themselves adults yet...
notwithstanding being an elder.
As an earth scientist, I believe that God created (and continues to create) all things, but that His methods and time scale for creating cannot be confined to a literal reading of Genesis 1. The bottom line is this - "The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it." (Psalm 24:1)
Page modified 11/23/2013