"Welcome to my blog space. I believe that God has carefully placed gems in our paths to fill our days with joy. The challenge for us is to take the time to notice them. My desire is to share the gems in my life so that, hopefully, you will see the ones He's placed in yours. I hope what you read here will be worth your time and you'll want to return often." - Cathy

Monday, November 19, 2012

Never Too Old to Learn


Baptistry
            Forty-seven years ago I was baptized by sprinkling in a little Lutheran Mission Church. I acted out of obedience to Biblical truth as I understood it. It is a day I will never forget. God did a work in my heart that day that changed me. I have lived out that change every day since then.
            When I met my husband and we married, the subject of baptism was one we had to agree to disagree on. He was raised Baptist and was convinced that baptism by immersion was the only true baptism. I, on the other hand, had the example of Catholicism (baptism by pouring) on my father’s side and Lutheran and Methodist (pouring or sprinkling) on my mother’s side.
            A year and a half ago, my family left the Methodist Church we had been members of for thirty-plus years. Several months earlier my husband’s uncle had passed away. After his service, I remarked that I’d like to go hear the minister preach sometime. That first Sunday after we left the church, we got up not knowing where we would worship that day. Hubby suggested we go hear that pastor, Rev. William Swink at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church.
            From the moment we entered the church, we were made welcome by people with a genuine love of others. I entered the service feeling like a dried up old sponge. As we left the church, I felt as though I had been soaked in a bucket of water, full to overflowing, revived again by being in the living presence of the Holy Spirit.
            Over the year and a half we visited and became a part of the church, I had been praying about joining the church. Years ago I had said I would never join a Baptist church because they wouldn’t recognize my baptism. I struggled with the notion I would have to be re-baptized. I couldn’t discount what God had done in my life that day long, long ago. I talked to people who might give me insight to help in my decision making. Nothing helped. The turmoil was still there in my spirit.
            Then about a month ago I heard a radio sermon on baptism by a well known preacher. I felt a crack in my resolve. How could I have been buried with Him by baptism into death if I was sprinkled? His text, from Romans 6:3-5, spoke to me:
3 “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.” Romans 6:3-5 ESV
            A few mornings later, after He had given me time to ponder and process this information, I felt God ask me, “Could your ideas about baptism be flawed?” When I responded, “Of course they could be,” a peace flooded over me. I knew what I needed to do. The next Sunday, we joined the church and, on Sunday, November 18, 2012, I was baptized by immersion. It was another great, joy-filled day on my journey to eternity.
            In 1960, I was obedient in baptism by the truth that was available to me at that time. In 2012, I was obedient in baptism by the new truth God allowed me to see as I matured in the faith. I am so thankful for a God who doesn’t think I am too old to learn new scriptural truths.
May you experience peace and joy on your journey-
Cathy

14 comments:

  1. I am so glad you finally got a peace about what to do. God is so good about sending us the wisdom we need. Blessings on you as you walk in the truth and blessings as you search for more.

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    1. Thanks for your support along the way. God is a God of order,not chaos. I am so glad to have my spirit free of the e blessed, dear Friend!

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  2. Thank you for sharing your experience. We all need to be willing to follow the Lord's guidance, but sometimes our beliefs get in the way!

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    1. Amen! If we can move ourselves out of the way, God can do amazing things for us. Blessings on you and yours, Brenda!

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  3. So good when God gives us peace about Doctrinal differences, takes us wherever we are and opens our hearts to celebrate Him in new ways.
    God bless!
    Glenda

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    1. Thanks, Glenda! He sees parts of the plan that we can't see. If we wait for His timing and listen close to His directions, everything works out perfectly. Blessings on you and yours!

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  4. We all interpret scripture differently based on our gender, age, race, background, etc… I guess I will have to step in and be the person that agrees to disagree. Ephesians 4:5-6, Paul writes about one baptism. For me, baptism is “me” and my commitment, experiences, and relationship with God regardless of the denomination, location, minister, or amount of water that was used. Baptism is not a change in denomination so that the church can officially welcome me as a member – a type of initiation in order to join the club.
    We can let rituals get in the way of our spiritual walk and I know you have struggled with this one. Our God is so great that He attends to our needs individually. I am so glad that God has granted you a peace with this struggle. He is truly in control. Many events have put you in this place, and for a reason. I am glad He has placed you in my life's journey my beloved friend!

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    1. Thanks, Linc! I love you and respect your thoughts on this subject. Larry and I agreed to disagree for years. God is good and He leads us down the path He has for us, an individual plan for each of us. He speaks to us in ways only we understand and when we are ready. In my case, baptism by immersion was the right thing to do at this stage in my walk. Be blessed, dear One!

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  5. Thanks for your honesty Cathy. Once again you have shown God's truth with candor and humility. All of my family has been "double-dipped". My husband and I as well as our two kids were all sprinkled as babies but then immersed later when we became Christ followers.

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    1. Thank you for your kind words, Deb. As always, you encourage me. Love your "double-dipped" phrase. God's blessings to you and yours.

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  6. I like how Deb Potts wrotethat her family was double dipped. I too was baptized through sprinkling as an older toddler through a methodist church. Again when I was about 7 years old...following the request of my mother who wanted her three children to have the ceremony together.. Iwas baptized through submersion. That WAS my double dip story. On Sept. 11, 2005, I decided that I needed fully refreshed and fully renewed...being my own will to follow where God had lead me. When God speaks and we follow, there is no way to get lost in His direction. I am proud of you Cathy for doing what you felt was right for you..for Him. Congratulations my dear friend. God bless You always.

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    1. Thanks, Mary, for sharing your story with me. I think we all come to the time in our walk when He knows we are ready for more and gives us the opportunity to the next level. I'm glad He didn't give up on me, or you. You are a blessing to me!

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  7. Thanks for sharing your story, Cathy. My in-laws went through a similar journey as yours. I remember their struggle, and I recall the day they finally said yes to God. They were both baptized by immersion in their 70s. What a great memory!

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  8. Thanks so much for sharing their story with me. What a sweet memory.What a testimony they were to others. Be blessed!

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