Re: Ah ha, you're a Lutheran... that expalins it.

Wiz,

I am so glad that I believe in a God that is outside of this realm; world; time and space, who is holding it all together and is holy and righteous and trustworthy. A personal God, who created me and knew me even in my mother's womb and loved me so much that He came into this reality as a man in order to save me from self-destruction. I have lived without this understanding and I have been without hope or purpose, because I recognize the sinfulness of my own soul and the futility of trying to be good (how good is good enough?)! And yet, now that I have a relationship (for He is my "Abba" "Father") I can go to Him - a personal God and have a conversation and seek healing, forgiveness and restoration. I believe that we must work while we are here - the bible even says that faith without works is dead! We must be more loving - because the bible says that the world will know that we are Christians by our love! This is a good thing, and the sign of a sinner who has received abundant grace (for where sin abounds...grace abounds all the more). We love, serve, and work out of gratitude and also out of love and compassion for all of humanity. I am glad that I don't have to rely on my good works though, to get to heaven because I know that I would not make it! So...I rely on the grace of God to get me to heaven through the work on the cross, period...but also seek to honor Him in this life by sharing that grace with others through acts of love and service. I am also glad that I don't have to go through this again - it hasn't been all that great so far~!! That when I die...my spirit will go straight into the presence of the most holy and almighty God where He has prepared a place just for me!
Blessings,
E