Come On in Boys the Water is fine....

Today was an awesome service. This is the week that we have been worked up for. 15 people dedicated themselves to the Lord through baptism. Here is the cool thing: Over half of those people were our teens. Each week we get together and talk about different things, wondering if it ever sinks in with the teens. Right now we are doing a series on Sex and Dating. The response that we has came from the teens has just been great. These are things that they really deal with, struggle with, and need to talk about.

As I sat there today watching these teens show their dedication through baptism, I realized a few things.
1.) That I was baptised twice in my lifetime, both times feeling like I had shed 100's of pounds.
2.) These teens really want to dedicate themselves for the Jesus
3.) Not every person here has had the best life and childhood.
4.) We were repeating this oath of accepting someone into priesthood, that they would understand the Crucifixion.
Here is the number one thing that I saw. I watched as one person stepped up to the baptismal, I saw their life as I have seen flash through my mind. It is a miracle that I was able to witness such an awesome thing.

The awesome thing? Is that God was always there, that he knows what we are thinking and doing, not only that but never leaves us even though we might leave him.

I heard one person say this today in their testimony and thought how true: I know that I will still struggle, but the great thing is that Jesus will be there with me, I will not be alone. Take that statement in.

My baptism: I was first baptised when I was in Kindergarten, I remember leaving and then catching Pneumonia.
I remember the 2nd one very well. I had a hard few years, making poor choices, thinking how could God love me, Didn't feel worthy of his presence, had lost all hope in church. I then gave my life to Christ in my pastors living room. A few months later, I was baptised by the Blood of Jesus Christ. Just like in the movie Oh Brother Where Art Thou, one guy says All my sins are washed away.

I stand here to say that I am going to fail in my life, I am not always going to make the right choices, but as I sat there today watching the 15 people, I remembered the hope that I felt that day. Today I have the Joy of Jesus in my heart.

Here is the song that was sung afterwards, sing it with me:

Everyone needs compassion,Love that's never failing;Let mercy fall on me.Everyone needs forgiveness,The kindness of a Saviour;The Hope of nations.Saviour, He can move the mountains,My God is Mighty to save,He is Mighty to save.Forever, Author of salvation,He rose and conquered the grave,Jesus conquered the grave.So take me as You find me,All my fears and failures,Fill my life again.I give my life to follow Everything I believe in,Now I surrender.My Saviour, He can move the mountains,My God is Mighty to save,He is Mighty to save.Forever, Author of salvation,He rose and conquered the grave,Jesus conquered the grave. Shine your light and let the whole world see,We're singing for the glory of the risen King...Jesus