Sisters baptized together in youth…

Heidi and I weren’t baptized as babies, yet were still youth when we "chose" to be baptized.  Thankfully, my parents wanted us to make our own decision about God, faith and baptism.  I attended youth group at the Methodist church for a couple years.  I went to the Congregational church with one of my friends sometimes but the majority of the time was spent within the Catholic church with my Gram and Aunt.  Heidi and I decided to be baptized the same year, another blessing from God. 

I believe I was in 8th grade at the time.  Today's photo shows us on the day of our baptism with our beloved aunts and Unc, our Godparents.  It was a proud day.  Years later as I realized the beauty and gift of a relationship with Jesus, I decided to be baptized again.  This time I was baptized via full immersion, the same day as my daughter.  Each of us making the decision and letting Pastor know.  Double baptism…double blessing, first with my sister and then with my daughter. 

Today’s journal entry was written the day after my baptism as an adult, and accepting Christ as my Savior. Tomorrow is Easter…have you invited Jesus in to your heart? 

June 5th, 2006 Daily Reflection Entry

Thank you God for yesterday…it was a day like no other.  I believe that baptism with submersion is different and more powerful than “an outward sign of an attitude change” as stated in Matthew or by Pastor Rick.  I am not saying either are wrong but the feeling is more than an outward sign, it is a great work within.  Baptism, at least for me was more inward than outward.  The fear of the physical act of being dunked was erased once I plugged my nose and grabbed my right wrist.  Once I closed my eyes, I heard Pastor say “I now baptize you in the name of …” and the next thing I know is that I am standing upright and people are helping me to get out of the water.  In Matthew 28:20, God said He is with me always, Amen.  He was in me in a way in which I have difficulty explaining or may never be able to explain.      

Wow…Amazing…Peace…Godly!  The verse in Acts 1:5 says that John baptized with the water and later God would baptize with the Holy Spirit.  I believe this all occurs at the same time, it is the inner belief and prayerful heart that welcomes both the baptism of water and the baptism of the Holy Spirit into the baptized person’s life.  The Pastor doing the “dunking”, although important, is not as important as the Pastor leading the church…the church family… and myself to the community of Jesus Christ.  It was the words, actions and visuals over the past couple years that have allowed God to enter into the empty spot within myself.  I have never had a faith in anyone or anything as I do in the Lord Jesus Christ!  I have that today…my baptism on June 4, 2006 took away the darkness, the sin, the trouble, the heartache and replaced it with a feeling of peace and understanding.  Knowing that God loves me enough to die for me and knowing my church family was there to join me in this celebration.  Wow!

 Although I know it was only moments, if not seconds under the water, it felt like an eternity of peace and wonder.  I was submerged in the living water of Jesus Christ… He was absorbed into me from the outside while my inward belief and love worked its way out, to share with the world.  As the two met, the inward love escaping to share with the world and God’s living water was soaking into my pores from the outside in, the church saw water thrown from the baptismal tub.  But this was not just water escaping from the tub, it was the sin, doubt, pain and lack of faith that the Lord removed from within me during my baptism.  God is good…all the time and everywhere!  Amen.

Revelations 22:17 says - “The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who heard say, “Come!” Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.”  Wow…I was thirsty and I let Him come.  Thank you Jesus for having so much to offer.  Revelations 22 ends with “The Grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.”  Thank you Lord for loving me so much you died for my sins…thank you for replacing a lost faith with a new found love, yearning and hope for the future….a faith stronger and deeper because of your love and even stronger by my baptism in You, the living water.  You are Good!  Thank you!