Beach Baptism/Why?

Sometimes this ministry thing is a real privilege...

Yesterday I had the opportunity to baptize eight of our students off Wrightsville Beach. These students come from different socio-economic backgrounds; they attend six different schools and run with five or six different crowds. For some this baptism was a long time coming, a life spent seeking God. For a couple it was decision made in the last few days and for one it was a decision made at the beach. Though God has undoubtedly been at work in their lives as well.  

I mentioned the privilege part as it concerns me...it is a privilege. I have been walking along side most of these students for the last four or five years, a few of them have only been a part of our group for a year or two, but our relationships are strong. I always say two things to people asking about being baptized.

1) You do go to heaven when we accept Christ into our hearts.

2) Following God is about more than that, much more.

For me baptism is about showing the world that it is your desire to walk through life with God. It is a public acknowledgement that we will seek out Christian community and look for ways to serve this world with our lives. In a nutshell the Great Commandments... We love God by loving others. 

The people I have baptized have no idea what they are getting themselves into. They don't fully comprehend the breadth or depth of following God. They have no idea the difficult times or the times where they will feel distant from God. They just know they want to follow God. Praise God, because that is enough! I have been do'n this God thing for some time now. I still don't know what I have gotten myself into. :)

I have little doubt these eight young people will struggle in their lives. Some of them might loose their way for a bit, some of them might forget for a time that they wanted only to follow God. My prayer for each of them will be that we as their friends, family and church will walk along side them and disciple them. Jesus showed us the game plan for this! 

Following God isn't about getting into heaven and stay'n out of hell. It is about joining the "Missio Dei" (The Mission of God) and living life in a community (Church/Christian Fellowship) and serving the world (with our lives).

Sold the house

Thanks to everyone for their prayers of support. We sold our house! The close date isn't until May 23, but the inspection is done and it looks pretty good at this point. God really kicked open another door. Now to find a home in Billings, figure out what God is doing and join Him. We can't wait!

Prayer Request:

Pray for us as we choose our home. We know God is at work everywhere, it is our desire to join in and help. We will build this church on deep biblical Acts 2:42-45 community. "Loving God by Living Community and Serving the World" We hope to start with our own neighborhood.

Gas Prices

Today I filled my truck up and the pump cut off before it was filled. There was a $50 limit on the pump. I had heard about people with large SUV's and work trucks experiencing this phenomenon. However, with a 16 gallon tank I had never reached such a limit before. There is a first time for everything and today was that day.

Everyone seems to be sitting around waiting for the government to do something. Are u kidding me? It ain't gonna happen. We have to change ourselves first. Nothing of note in this world ever begins with legislation or for that matter from the top down. True change must be grassroots!

So stop filling up so much! U ask, how? Maybe walk more, carpool, take your bike, minimize your need to go out, use public transportation, etc... 

If you can by a hybrid, if not then buy a vehicle for what you use it for. To many soccer moms have SUV's with 4 wheel drive frames when they could do the same hauling with a Mini Van or Station Wagon for less miles per gallon. Don't forget guys like me! Stop compensating! Our big trucks, V8 engines and mud tires. Give me a break! Your a man already! We get it! All of those things are gasoline guzzlers. A few years back I bought a new truck. I wanted a V8, etc... I was raised in Georgia it might be a birth right to own a large, loud truck. Anyway, I didn't buy one, I bought the smallest truck possible with the smallest engine that has 4 wheel drive for the few times each year I need it for off road hobbies. 

I wanted the big truck, but it was wrong to buy it. Why? Our choices matter. They matter to our community, to our world, both economically and ecologically. THEY MATTER!

Lets stop whining about gas prices and start making decisions which will help us to become a part of the solution.