Editor’s Note: The following was written by Karl Smithson on Nov. 9, 1982 and was submitted to The News by Smithson for re-publication.

I believe in a Creator. I believe my Creator has a purpose and plan for my life and I believe my Creator will provide for and take care of me if I sincerely try to listen to and follow my Creator’s will and spirit.

I also believe the Bible reflects the Word of God. I daily search the Scriptures as one way to listen to my Creator.

I also believe the Spirit of God works through people. I believe you get close to God when you get close to people. I believe that a true friend is a glimpse of God.

Because of my beliefs, my whole purpose in life is to listen and seek my Creator’s spirit, and then allow the Spirit of God within me to guide me in doing the will of God as was planned and intended for me.

I believe I am a sinner. I believe anything that keeps me from listening to and acting on the Spirit within me is a sin.

I believe Jesus of Capernaum is my example and pattern of the life I should live. He came to this world not to be served but to serve others. And he came to give His life to set others free. He suffered for me and gave me a personal example. It is my goal to follow in His steps regardless of the consequences. I believe that Jesus came to this earth to bring new life and new hope. He showed me that the highest form of love is forgiveness. And that such love results in new beginnings and new life. I believe such a transformation and change can happen in anyone who accepts and believes in the Spirit of God within them. I believe that Jesus came to bring about healing and reconciliation and wholeness and liberation and regeneration and justice. I believe that if I can keep that Spirit of Jesus within my heart, I will be empowered to also bring new life and new hope and new beginnings to others.

I believe that God is the love within us and that God is my friend in Spirit. And that Jesus showed me that true love and true friendship happens when we lay down friends. our lives for our friends. And that we get rid of our enemies by making them our I believe that it is only by having the Spirit of God within us that we are given the strength and the power to bring about the inner transformation of our character that makes a new life possible.

It was for this reason that Jesus came to this earth. To set people free from our past life and to give us the opportunity for a new beginning with new hope for a more abundant life.