I've been asked what makes being a Lutheran any different than one who practices any other religion. In the spirit of one of my favorite professors I always pause to pose the question, "Why do you ask?" What I'm trying to ascertain is what the querying soul means by "religion" - what's their definition of a word we throw around like an old softball. Religion, as I understand it, is that which helps us make sense of who we are, where we've come from and what our purpose is in life. This oversimplified definition serves as the springboard to my belief that Christianity is not religion - in the proper sense. With this definition swirling in my brain my answer to the initial question is equally vague- Being Lutheran is all about simple water and a simple word. In other words, it's about faith. Faith is different than religion. Faith trusts what God has done in and through Christ Jesus. The gift of the cross that is sealed in the gift of Baptism is the foundation of faith. Faith never looks to what can be done to make sense of who we are or we we've come from or even what is our life's purpose. Faith clings to being made a child of God in Christ through water and the Word. Faith sees that we have come from the darkness of sin into the light of forgiveness, again through water and the Word. Faith gives us the purpose to go and to BAPTIZE in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching others to follow all that Jesus has commanded. This faith has the result of the presence of our Creator, Redeemer and Sanctifier in our lives every day - even to the end of the age! What 's the difference? Well, it's eternal - the seal of water and the Word says everything about who God is and what He has done for you! Celebrate and live in FAITH every day!
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During these last several weeks have been negative news to shake the United States.
The material that caused the disaster Hurricane "Ike" in Texas, the collision of two trains occurred in Los Angeles where 10 people died, the financial crisis that is leading to bankruptcy for large companies like Leman Brothers and others, the crisis that still inmobibliaria endures, high inflation and mismanagement of course that President Bush has given the nation, all these things could be classed as "shock" the pride of the American people used to live in waste and wantonness.
And if they join the thousands who died from the attack on the twin towers, or more than a thousand people died from Hurricane Katrina, or the moral degradation that is coming to American society. All this evidence lugubre the scenario that today the United States.
The next president to be elected may not change much this negative reality.
But the Evangelical Church in the United States can not do something to change this, but even when these churches seem more concerned about their property and political alliances that change the poor spiritual reality in the United States.
This nation for many years has shown hostility to Latino immigrants who enter the country, and warfare with other Arab countries especially.
The administration of President Bush is leading the U.S. confrontation with the world, and probably also look to do with God.
The methods used by the anti-American government and also its people's traditional generosity desdicen previously demonstrated the United States, but now seems to show much pride and arrogance.
Of course one can not generalize to all people.
However, the beating that this nation is experiencing both economic and climatic are a clear warning from God that the United States correcting their wrong policies that have for the world.
Otherwise it is likely that in a short time will get from the trial of God over this nation as it sobrevinieron to other countries such as China or Burma.
The true Christian churches in this country should check the distance in a very clear and with more strength to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ to avoid being influenced by the prevailing darkness in this nation. A dark and that is affecting many countries.
It is time we hear the voice from heaven speaks to our conscience by saying: "Come out of her, my people, so do not be partakers of her sins, and receive of her plagues, for her sins have reached to the sky, and God has remembered her iniquities. "(Revelation 18,4-5)
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