Today was a very special day. I went to church with my daughter and family. My oldest grandsons, Seth and Everett, were going to be baptized. They had been working hard on the baptism booklet the Pastor had given them as well as writing out their own testimonies. They were nervous but so were my son-in-law, daughter and I. The nerves also held a lot of excitement as we were all anticipating this event.
There were going to be 10 people baptized today at Evident Church. The Pastor said that there would be worship and baptism today only. This was the baptism celebration Sunday. After the first group of worship songs, Seth was to be first of the group with Everett following him. Since Evident meets in a school, a portable round tub was brought in with the chairs in a semi-circle all around it.
As Seth stepped into the tub he dropped his testimony into the water which brought laughter as the Pastor pulled it carefully apart so that he could read it. Seth gave a clear indication of his belief in Christ alone for his salvation. He spoke of Christ dying for him and the blood shed paying for his sins. He made it clear that he wanted to please God in his life. Just before the Pastor put him under the water, I looked over to see Everett giving Seth a thumbs up (both thumbs). I was trying to hold them back but the tears came by the time Seth came out of the water. When he was coming out of the tub and down the steps, there was Everett patting him on the back and smiling as people clapped and cheered.
Then it was Everett's turn. He has never been know as a subtle child. He went up the steps and jumped into the tub splashing water everywhere. The Pastor likened it to a cannonball! Everett read his testimony which was full of language about his sin and his need of Jesus. He talked about what God did for him through Jesus and made it clear that he wanted to live for the Lord. Before the Pastor baptized Everett, he shared that he had a conversation with both boys through Skype. During that conversation they had talked about the testimonies but then talked a bit about the superbowl. He said that Everett said, "Can we get back to talking about the Lord now?". What a joy to know Everett's priorities! When he came up out of the water, he raised both hands in excitement and praise.
These two boys have committed themselves to follow Christ. I know they will not be perfect but they know the conviction of the Spirit and can repent. What does the Lord have for them in the future? I don't know but I do know He has called them to Himself to be younger brothers of Jesus, co-heirs with Jesus, sealed with the Holy Spirit and set apart to be Holy. What a joy for me to have been witness to this. Praise be to our God and Father who continues to call people to Himself!! May these two boys be the instruments He uses for His purposes in the future!
Showing posts with label church. Show all posts
Showing posts with label church. Show all posts
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Thursday, November 13, 2008
The Eyes Have It!
Have you ever looked into some one's eyes? I mean really looked. If you have, you know how much is said by our eyes. Our eyes give away what we are thinking or what is in our heart. I remember one time when I was being corrected by a Mormon on a biblical passage. I was looking directly at him in what I thought to be just a listening manner. But my husband told me that my eyes were saying, "you do NOT know what you are talking about". I thought I was hiding my feelings but my eyes were giving me away.
There are many different messages given by people we pass each day. Some messages of sadness, others of anger, others of pain and then a few laughter. The problem is we really don't pay attention. It is probably not realistic for us to think we can pay attention to everyone. So what is our responsibility as followers of Christ to the eye messages around us?
In a crowd, a smile, a nod, a spoken hello goes a long way to connect with people we don't even know. With that connection may come encouragement for the one who is struggling.
In the church, a smile, a nod, a spoken hello and stopping to talk will make a difference in the life of those pair of eyes in need of a touch from family. We walk too fast and tend to be task focused. We don't stop and take time with our fellow believers. We are part of the same body, the body of Christ. We need to care for one another. If we did, what a difference for the cause of Christ would be made. Answer the eyes you meet in the hallways with love, compassion and empathy as you stop.
In our immediate family, a smile, a nod, a spoken hello, stopping to talk and being eye proactive. What I mean by eye proactive takes involvement. We should be so involved with our family members that we can foresee the thoughts coming before they are ever behind the eyes. This takes a lot of time and attention but cannot be overlooked as we seek to serve our families.
Those eyes say a lot. What do your eyes say? What do mine say? Do our eyes reflect who we are in Christ? Or do we have work to do? Christ's eyes were full of compassion as he looked at the crowds. He saw sheep without a shepherd. (Matthew 9:36) I thank God He looked and saw me and then saved me. I now have THE GOOD SHEPHERD. My desire is to follow my shepherd with all my heart, all my mind, all my soul and to reflect him with my eyes.
There are many different messages given by people we pass each day. Some messages of sadness, others of anger, others of pain and then a few laughter. The problem is we really don't pay attention. It is probably not realistic for us to think we can pay attention to everyone. So what is our responsibility as followers of Christ to the eye messages around us?
In a crowd, a smile, a nod, a spoken hello goes a long way to connect with people we don't even know. With that connection may come encouragement for the one who is struggling.
In the church, a smile, a nod, a spoken hello and stopping to talk will make a difference in the life of those pair of eyes in need of a touch from family. We walk too fast and tend to be task focused. We don't stop and take time with our fellow believers. We are part of the same body, the body of Christ. We need to care for one another. If we did, what a difference for the cause of Christ would be made. Answer the eyes you meet in the hallways with love, compassion and empathy as you stop.
In our immediate family, a smile, a nod, a spoken hello, stopping to talk and being eye proactive. What I mean by eye proactive takes involvement. We should be so involved with our family members that we can foresee the thoughts coming before they are ever behind the eyes. This takes a lot of time and attention but cannot be overlooked as we seek to serve our families.
Those eyes say a lot. What do your eyes say? What do mine say? Do our eyes reflect who we are in Christ? Or do we have work to do? Christ's eyes were full of compassion as he looked at the crowds. He saw sheep without a shepherd. (Matthew 9:36) I thank God He looked and saw me and then saved me. I now have THE GOOD SHEPHERD. My desire is to follow my shepherd with all my heart, all my mind, all my soul and to reflect him with my eyes.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
The Body of Christ
This weekend was a wonderful opportunity for me to connect with Arabic women in the body of Christ. They were gracious and very kind to me as I spoke to them about their spiritual gifts. I learned from them this weekend as we embraced and gave each other greetings with a holy kiss. This is not the tradition in my church more of a handshake will do but their culture is more acceptable of the holy kiss. The intimacy of this embrace breaks down barriers that we ourselves put up. I was at total ease to speak to them after having been embraced by each woman in expression of the love of Christ.
We do not have these kind of opportunities often but when we do, we need to take advantage of them. The body of Christ extends way beyond the four walls of our own church. It is universal with Christ as the head. We can learn from each other as we worship together. It bothers me that so often we end of talking about others in the body. There will be disagreements among us but these disagreements are not opportunities to gossip and slander other believers. We are told to "...encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness." (Hebrews 3:13) Doesn't that ring true? Of course, all of the scripture does. When we fall into the habit of being critical of others and their techniques, we are on our way to being deceived by sin. We begin to think that we are the right ones and if others are not walking the way we walk in the body, then they are wrong. This will result in pride. A critical spirit does not have a place within the body.
Yes we are to be discerning but isn't that different? Even though we disagree with another brother or sister, we are still part of the body and can work through issues together. One day we will stand shoulder to shoulder singing praises to God in His eternal kingdom.
This weekend was good for me. I was taught love and acceptance through the embraces of these women who are connected to me by our Savior, Jesus Christ. So the next time I feel that critical spirit coming on, I need to remember what Paul wrote to the Romans, "Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ send greetings." (Romans 16:16) Paul writes that "all" of the churches of Christ care enough to acknowledge the church in Rome. Where's the competition? There is not competition with the body of Christ. We are all one. It is time to live like it!
We do not have these kind of opportunities often but when we do, we need to take advantage of them. The body of Christ extends way beyond the four walls of our own church. It is universal with Christ as the head. We can learn from each other as we worship together. It bothers me that so often we end of talking about others in the body. There will be disagreements among us but these disagreements are not opportunities to gossip and slander other believers. We are told to "...encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness." (Hebrews 3:13) Doesn't that ring true? Of course, all of the scripture does. When we fall into the habit of being critical of others and their techniques, we are on our way to being deceived by sin. We begin to think that we are the right ones and if others are not walking the way we walk in the body, then they are wrong. This will result in pride. A critical spirit does not have a place within the body.
Yes we are to be discerning but isn't that different? Even though we disagree with another brother or sister, we are still part of the body and can work through issues together. One day we will stand shoulder to shoulder singing praises to God in His eternal kingdom.
This weekend was good for me. I was taught love and acceptance through the embraces of these women who are connected to me by our Savior, Jesus Christ. So the next time I feel that critical spirit coming on, I need to remember what Paul wrote to the Romans, "Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ send greetings." (Romans 16:16) Paul writes that "all" of the churches of Christ care enough to acknowledge the church in Rome. Where's the competition? There is not competition with the body of Christ. We are all one. It is time to live like it!
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