All of you who were baptized into Christ

See, here is water, what hinders me from being baptized?

Philip said, If you believe with all your heart, it is lawful. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. - Acts 8:37

This past Sunday, Aug. 26th 2007, is now one of the happiest memories of my life. Let me explain why. Sunday, I got baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ. As I went under the water, the following scripture came to mind.:

Or do YOU not know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Therefore we were buried with him through our baptism into his death, in order that, just as Christ was raised up from the dead through the glory of the Father, we also should likewise walk in a newness of life. - Romans 6:3,4

It was the above scripture that prodded me to want to be rebaptized. You see, I had been baptized before. I grew up as one of Jehovah's Witnesses. And at the age of 13 I wanted to be baptized. I understood at that time, that is was a dedication to God, and that I promised to serve him the rest of my life. That I was repentant of sins, and promised to try and sin no more. Now at 13 I was told that I was too young to be baptized, and there was a process of steps I had to take to "qualify" to be baptized. So I waited. Then at 16 I finally had "passed" their tests of knowledge, and was allowed to be baptized. I really did not fully understand the symbolism of being baptized, and I definately did not understand what being Baptized into Christ meant. At that time Jesus was not someone I understood or appreciated fully.

So I got baptized in front of friends and Family and a crowd of about 600. It was in a cold metal horse trough that I had to sit down in first and then be submerged by lying down. The man who baptized me was very cold, old and distant in the way he baptized me, assembly line like. I am glad it meant alot to me at the time, because it surely did not affect him, even though he had known me since I was a child, not even a smile passed his lips.

So WHY get baptized again? Well alot has happened since then. First I am no longer a part of the Jehovah's Witness organization. They "expelled" me for taking my stand with Jesus instead of them. And although in my heart I knew I loved God when I was orginally baptized in that religion, That is what it was, being baptized into a religion. Still I didn't necessarily feel compelled to be rebaptized. Mainly because I had been baptized once and had since recieved a spirit baptism, that completely changed my life. I felt that since I had recieve my spirit baptism that was all I needed.

Still though in my heart I wanted to do it right. And what was right you may ask? Romans 6. Understanding that I was being baptized into his death. And being raised up into life. A newness, a promise to my Lord that I want to be baptized into death, just as he was.

But Jesus said to them: "YOU do not know what YOU are asking for. Are YOU able to drink the cup which I am drinking, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am being baptized?" - Mark 10:38

I wanted to be baptized, fully understanding what it meant to be baptized in the name of Jesus. I wanted it to be all about my love and belief in him. I got my wish. This past weekend, my husband and I and friends, whom are now dearest family to me, went and found a secluded spot in a creek. It was in the middle of beautiful woods and the afternoon sun shined through the trees. The water was cold and invigorating, as minnows brushed against my legs. And I couldn't help thinking. "Now this is more like it!" No horse tank this time! I could almost see Jesus standing on the banks, smiling and saying, 'This time it will be right, for you are with me now, and here in the midst of my Father's creation." And so it was, perfect. We were all so happy, so at peace, and full of love. And this time, it wasn't a cold, uninterested man baptizing me, but the best of friend. After we had all been baptized, I walked back on the bank. I glanced down to see a white pebble. I had to smile for I love the following scripture:

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it. - Rev 2:17

Bending down to pick up my white pebble I noticed there were others right near it, actually one for each of us whom had undergone baptism that day. Gathering up the pebbles, I prayed thanks to the Father and my Lord, for such blessings... and my heart filled with song.





Read my about my Friend's and Husband's Baptisms

www.anthonymathenia.com
http://propmin.blogspot.com

a woman of Virture

Who shall be a lily among thorns
but the daughter of virtue

She works good and not evil all her days
her mouth she opens in wisdom of the Gospel of her Lord

She Works willingly with her hands to cloth her sheep
Laboring to bring food from afar
shepherding the lambs

She aquires a field and plants a vinyard
she is strenthen by her Beloved sword
girded with his power
to cultivate her fruit

Her hand is outstretched to the poor and needy
binding the wounds
applying salve

Her lamp does not go out
her oil she replenishes
drawing her children to her

She is clothed in strength and honor
in wisdom she speaks her Lords words
for he is the honor of the gate
and she praises his very name

Her children will praise her, her beloved bless her

A women, and yet not weak
she carries a sword
to cut through darkness
to shine forth his light

Who will stop her?
He has empowered her with his spirit
Her ministry to complete
Is he ashamed of her?
No, for she is his helper
to carry out his will

so he strengtens her hand
and imparts power to her call

Amen in much faith
may the bride be strong
a women, powerful in his name
inciting praise for her beloved.

Pinky toe

Coals of Fire

Looking a Romans chapter twelve I found the following verses of interest.

Before I looked closer at this scripture, I always felt that it was saying that by doing nice things to your enemies, that it would heap coals on their head. As in the sense of it bothering (torturing) them by our good treatment of them, in essence, getting back at them through being nice.

But of course it has a deeper meaning I have missed all along. That our purpose in heaping coals on their heads is in hope of saving them, not condemning them, through fire.


Rom 12:17 Repay no one evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
Rom 12:18 If it is possible, as far as is in you, being in peace with all men.
Rom 12:19 not avenging yourselves, beloved, but giving place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, says the Lord."

Rom 12:20 Therefore if your enemy hungers, feed him. If he thirsts, give him drink. For in so doing you shall heap coals of fire on his head.
Rom 12:21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

We feed and give water to our enemies. That food and water is Jesus, and the good works of the fruitage of the Holy Spirit. By doing this we preach the gospel of Jesus. Jesus not only baptizes in Spirit, but also with fire. By heaping coals upon their heads we are in hope of them being cleansed by fire.


1Co 3:15 If anyone's work shall be burned up, he shall suffer loss. But he shall be saved, yet so as by fire.

So our hopes is that they will be saved by fire. And the more we reflect Jesus in how we treat them, not returning evil for evil, and being peacable, the more coals we heap upon their heads in hopes of the good overcoming the evil.