Baptists don't exactly bless each other very much.

When I started going to a Lutheran church with my darling wife, all of the formality felt a bit odd.

But it has grown on me. I like saying "The Apostle's Creed" and "The Lord's Prayer" every week -- they remind me, respectively, what is the core of my church's beliefs and how to pray.

I most appreciate the pastors' blessings each Sunday. Usually, it's something like this: "The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."

After taking communion, the blessing is more like this: "The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace."

I've learned to receive these blessings in a very serious, spiritual way. I know that I'm being sent out of a wholesome God-focused worship-laden atmosphere into the world, which can sometimes be a nasty, icky place, as God's ambassador, just like all other Christians. Behind me stands Jesus Christ, a rock who will grant me the peace of mind to do the task at hand -- spreading his truth to everyone I meet.

Being blessed helps me renew my strife for a God whose done so much for me already. I'm looking forward to tomorrow's church service.