Charis (Grace)
Charis is Greek for Grace (I pronounce it Carrie) - She’s about 6 months old here.
Hello, and welcome to the very first blog on Fingerprints of God. My name is Neil White, and today, I want to share a story that intertwines my lifelong journey as an electrical engineer at The Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP) at the University of Colorado with my deepest passion—that of a relationship with Jesus as the living God—and his grace for all of mankind, exemplified through a special companion in my life.
My 45-year career at LASP since 1978
For over 45 years, I have enjoyed the extraordinary privilege of working on and designing instruments for missions that have visited every planet in our solar system, from the fiery heat of the Sun to the distant and icy realms of Pluto (now affectionately known as the "planet emeritus" by some), and beyond. NASA and other esteemed organizations have spearheaded these missions, allowing me to contribute, whether through a sliver of effort or years of hard work, to the exploration and unraveling of the mysteries of our cosmic neighborhood. Moreover, my work has extended to instruments that study distant stars and planetary systems, pushing our exploration horizons beyond the boundaries of our solar system.
But, you see, as wondrous as the cosmos is, my true passion lies right here on Earth, in a story that spans more than four millennia—a story focusing on a humble carpenter born in Bethlehem. His name is Jesus, and people have celebrated His life's narrative as the greatest story ever told.
The photo I shared with you above captures my beloved Golden Retriever, Charis (which I pronounce as "Carrie" for simplicity). "Charis" is a Greek word meaning grace, and her presence beautifully mirrors the story of Jesus and the unending grace that God has bestowed upon humanity throughout history.
In the New Testament book of Ephesians, the Apostle Paul reminds us, "For it is by grace (charis) you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God…" This fundamental concept of grace, which God freely gives, lies at the heart of the Christian faith.
Now, let's take a moment to focus on Charis. In the picture above, she nestles within a thicket of bushes, her golden fur and bright eye barely visible inside the foliage. At first glance, she might seem to be hiding (indeed, she is, but that’s another story), almost invisible. In many ways, this initial image of Charis mirrors how some people respond to the invitation of grace that Jesus offers.
Just like Charis hiding in those bushes, some individuals initially feel hesitant, skeptical, or even fearful about fully embracing the concept of grace and faith in Jesus. They might feel that the truth and grace the Bible teaches are elusive, something they can't quite grasp or accept.
Charis slowly coming out of hiding.
Charis typical of Golden Retrievers, in a submissive posture.
But as we move forward, I want to share two more pictures of Charis with you, each representing a different stage in her journey. These images serve as a poignant analogy for how people respond to God's grace in their lives—some shy and hiding, others drawn closer, beginning to investigate more about Jesus and Christianity. And eventually, there are those who fully embrace the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ and submit to God's will in their lives (note that Golden Retrievers are known for this, as even the third photo of Charis shows her humbly choosing a posture of submission).
In the next part of our journey together, we'll explore these stages, drawing parallels between Charis's transformation and the transformative power of grace in our lives. We'll delve deeper into the story of faith and how, just like Charis, we all have the potential to emerge from hiding and step into the light of God's love and grace, ultimately submitting our lives to Him.
But there's more to it. Beyond Charis's journey and the story of grace, we encounter another facet of God's presence daily—a concept known as 'general revelation.' It's the beauty of the world around us, the intricate tapestry of creation that points us toward Christ as the creator and the cross. This theme is deeply intertwined with the mission of Fingerprints of God—a mission that leverages the beauty captured in photos to draw us closer to God and inspire us to worship Him as the Creator.
And now, as Fingerprints of God begins to grow and fulfill my vision, we are transitioning from the singular "I" to the collective "we." This vision involves Christian photographers using their creativity and artistry in photography to capture the unique beauty of God's creation for this ministry. But it doesn't stop there. We are also inviting Christian scientists, technical experts, engineers, and mathematicians—STEM professionals—to join us in this endeavor. Together, we aim to add the "A" for Arts to STEM, transforming it into STEAM.
In the coming months, you will find links to websites featuring Christians from various organizations, each contributing their talents and insights to fulfill this vision of uniting these communities. Our goal is to create a harmonious blend of faith, art, and science, capturing the beauty of God's creation not only in photographs but also through the lens of science and reason. We believe that by bringing together these diverse talents, we can all draw closer to Jesus, become more like Him, and inspire others to embrace His free gift of salvation.
In the unity of the body of Christ, we eagerly anticipate welcoming guest authors who bring diverse opinions within their specialties. Echoing the wisdom of St. Augustine, 'In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, diversity; and in all things, charity,' we aim to encourage Christians with a diversity of science and thought to contribute, even in the absence of final answers. A fundamental strength of Christianity is its capacity to accommodate differences in opinion on various issues while still offering the most comprehensive worldview that addresses the fundamental questions we all have about the universe around us. This includes not only the beauty, harmony, and design evident in nature but also the challenges we face, such as sickness, disasters, and war, which stem from ‘the fall’. The Christian worldview provides insights into why we are here, our ultimate purpose in life, how we find dignity, what brings joy, where hope originates, and how our actions can have lasting value.
We aim to photograph and unveil the profound beauty of God’s creation. And we believe that people, being the pinnacle of God’s creation, enrich our journey.
In our upcoming journey through future blog posts, we will delve into a broad spectrum of transformative concepts designed to fortify the faith of believers and draw those yet to embrace Christianity closer to the cross of Christ. These concepts span the realms of the biblical worldview and apologetics—and include stories from our journeys conversing with others—each providing unique insights and wisdom. They serve as beacons of clarity and courage for Christians navigating today's world. Through these teachings, some individuals will find the path to living faithfully in accordance with revealed truth, while others will discover their way to the one source of all truth.
As we journey together, we invite you to explore the profound concept of the Fingerprints of God—visible in the intricate details of creation and the timeless wisdom found in His word. Just as each fingerprint is unique, so are God's Fingerprints in our lives, distinctive and purposeful. Our mission is to harness the beauty captured in wildlife and nature photos, along with the insights from science, technology, engineering, and math, to draw closer to God, inspiring us to worship Him as the Creator.
Join us on this enriching journey to deepen our understanding of the Fingerprints of God in our lives, discovering the profound grace and beauty that surround us, and worshiping the mind of God through the designs of His creation. Together, we will draw closer to Jesus and become more like Him, embracing the transformative power of faith, art, and science.
Welcome to the collective journey of all of us contributing at Fingerprints of God!