The Eclectic Evangelical-Arlene Bridges Samuels : 2021-08-22

Receiving my DNA results from

Ancestry.com confirmed most of my already-known ancestry; Irish, Scottish, and British. My patriarchal family tree allowed me to become a member of Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). Scientific tools have opened countless mysterious

doors for millions to shine a light on our genetic information. Our spiritual DNA, however, sources our true identity with the treasures of eternal life.

God forged DNA in His infinite imagination when He created physical life.

He wove our spiritual DNA into a redemptive pattern of salvation throughout the Bible’s 66 books culminating in the Incarnation when Jesus donned our human DNA.

Ancestry.com has blessed many. Yet God, the Creator of DNA itself, enshrined His love and sacrifice into an eternal family tree through Jewish scribes who brilliantly captivated us with the “greatest story ever told.” God’s human entrance to our world came through Mary. Her Jewish DNA was blended with the most profound anomaly in human history; the virgin birth.

God used Jewish patriarchs, Jewish scribes, a young Jewish mother, and Jewish disciples to transmit our spiritual DNA, setting the stage to welcome and crown our Jewish Savior. When we encounter Jesus, rich in overwhelming love, it is more than human DNA can grasp!

Our spiritual DNA offers us a colossal family tree. It stretches around the world across cultures, colors, economic status, national boundaries, and backgrounds! My Christian family is a potpourri of believers in many Christian faith traditions. The mix includes believers on every continent along with Muslim and Jewish-background believers. It is a beautiful tapestry of cultures on earth.

Whether we know much about our physical ancestry or not, when we invite Jesus to dwell in our hearts and minds, HE becomes our Spiritual DNA. His Holy Spirit saves, guides, and counsels us. Strengthens and enables us to bless and serve others. He enriches our earthly lives and secures our place in Heaven. Ancestry: Invented by God!

“Know, first, who you are, and then adorn yourself accordingly.” -Epictetus

A Tapestry of Churches

A splendid tapestry of churches has ripened my faith with fruit from many good trees; as a missionary with Mercy Ships in a crew I describe as a "Christian United Nations," and also living in Switzerland and Romania-plus moving around the United States.

Growing up, my Southern Baptist church laid my foundation built with singing the great hymns of the church, where to locate books of the Bible, and scripture memory. Through my youth group, I encountered the Lord in a personal way on July 31, 1963.

Presbyterians fed me at a buffet of Protestant theologians especially my favorite one, Dietrich Bonhoeffer and emphasized God’s sovereignty.

In The Episcopal Church, I waded into two different streams, one liturgical and the other charismatic. In the liturgical "high" Episcopal church, I feasted at the Eucharist each week and navigated the ups and downs of kneeling. In the charismatic Episcopal church, I connected more deeply with the Holy Spirit, finding freedom to raise my hands in joyful worship. As a member of a black church on then-small Hilton Head Island, the pastor and choir fed me with vibrant songs and eloquent sermons.

Living in Switzerland, we enjoyed worshipping with other ex-pats in the Church of Scotland. During our eight years with Mercy Ships, the world's largest private Christian hospital ship, we sailed the seas with a crew from 35 nations-among them South Sea Islanders who introduced us to their lovely, worshipful dances. On the mission field living in Romania, my senses delighted in the Romanian Orthodox Church replete with incense and gilded, intricate altars.

In a non-denominational church with contemporary music, I engaged with believers from varied church backgrounds and joined a small group. At the Church of God, I worshipped in a Pentecostal setting in a distinctly pro-Israel denomination that displayed the American and Israeli flags. Belongling to a small Anglican church I relished liturgy, weekly Eucharist, missions outreach to Rwanda, and acoustic guitars.

Transferring from small Anglican to big Baptist, I have reconnected with my chidlhood biblical roots where I feast on hymns sung by an outstanding choir and orchestra, an excellent Sunday School class, bible-focused sermons, and a prolific domestic and international missions focus. Last but not least, the Jewish community and expert Hebraic roots teachers have opened a door of deeper understanding that Judaism nurtured Christianity in an ancient cradle rich with commandments, festivals, wisdom, poetry, patriarchs, prophets, and Older and New Testaments. Significantly, learning more about Jewish culture and Christianity's Jewish roots has deepened a richer relationship with my Savior, a Jewish Rabbi. I've received an extraordinary gift as a non-Jew grafted into the branches of the ancient Jewish tree connecting me to Israel, my spiritual homeland. .

I invite you to walk with me through a lifetime of adventures reflecting a tapestry of faith that I hope will encourage you in your journey to discover extraordinary beauty and limitless fulfillment of our Christian faith.

In Him we hope, Arlene

Spiritual DNA

Sunrises with Jesus-Look Beyond!