sentimental spirituality
Do you use an email signature? I do. It states who I am, my position at work, and my work email address/phone #. Just the basics. Or let me ask this question...How do you typically finish out a letter/email. Do you write "sincerely" or "thanks" or "in HIM" or "serving the King" or something like that? I recently saw a printed email addressed to someone else who left it in the copier/printer. As I scanned it over, I saw the sign off..."in HIM," and then the dude's name. It never occurred to me that a lot of christians do this. It is a part of their everyday stamp on letters, memos, and emails. A little statement at the end that doesn't really communicate what that portion of a letter, memo, or email is supposed to communicate. Not that I have a problem with it, or the people who do it, I just find it a bit odd. Normally that last word or words should be used to communicate appreciation or sincerity but Christians have decided that it would be a good place to either make a statement about their spirituality or present a shortened personal mission statement. We've taken a sincere moment (used to express genuineness, honest, and earnestness) and turned it into a what??? What is that??? I don't even know! What are we doing by signing off..."in his grace." It totally destroys a good farewell in a letter. Is that how we say good bye to people (which if you didn't know "good bye" is the shortened form of "God be with you.")? "In His arms, so and so...serving Him." People would think you were crazy if you left them with that statement. The worst part is when you read a farewell like that in a letter you think, "oh that is a cool sign off, I should come up with one that is likewise, clever...or perhaps...more clever." "Ah, yes, then my outward spirituality would only boast my devotion to God!" Okay, maybe that's exaggerating a little.

working for Him,

the Holy Reverend Pastor (insert name here)

p.s. - "this is usually where you would put your favorite scripture verse...in italics." 2 Opinions 2:7