Monday, September 10, 2007
Baptizin thoughts on a rainy, no-brainy day
I must admit....and not to inflate my Pastor's ego or anything....but it really was a seemingly well thought out and timely sermon this past Sunday as I get back to my adventures with God here in Southeastern Minnesota. It has been a strange and surreal time...more so than I had expected...both before I got back...and even NOW....at this time in my walk....it HAS seemed tough without having the opportunities to meet/greet people of similar beliefs(In essence, because of my nutty profession, places of residence...wether they were hundreds of miles, or just 35 miles away and a busy daily schedule), and at least being back at church in Rochester, I can now reach out in a more comfortable way every Sunday... knowing I won't be alone in the battle....knowing I've got a great group of believers that I have come to know and trust to back me up.....This point about baptism rang out loud and clear from Rich, and nearly brought me to tears as I realized too many choose to take the easy, dissasociative path in today's world. To those who have not heard me say it...I am amazingly shy to meet and strike up a meaningful conversation...especially for a radio guy...and I am battling on a daily basis with the problem. Just know this, people!!!....Wether you are shy or not, It really does need to be a "go and have a cup of coffee" time after you start to get to know other believers AWAY from the Sunday/group get togethers...despite any crazy, nutty schedules you are keeping. In ways, I too, continue to choose this lonely road....but yet I know I am so willing to completely burst this crazy bubble...and to get an answer to that long sought question I think most everyone of faith probably runs into once in awhile..."Why Am I Here?"....I have known for a long, long time that I am here to listen...and to pray...for the REAL people and their very real problems/walks. But I am coming to realize more, and as I wrote the following on my welcome card at church this week for just the Pastor and prayer team....I would now like it repeated for everyone to see/hear(talk about living dangerous Jesus!)...and am kind of bummed out I am stuck at work and can't be there to bring it out in person at LIFE group this week....
You see, I was very close to not coming to church this week because of the many expectations I have had of myself, how easy just going around and serving had become in the past, and of how easy I had expected to transistion back into life at Journey...
But I ran into roadblocks I did not forsee....namely...the "REAL" people that are served by the body of Journey church, and the realization that it IS someone who must be (figuratively speaking of course) naked to not only declare their willingness to show current believers....but to welcome in the new people and their hopes and dreams of Christ's kingdom....in otherwords...it really does have to be someone who has been baptized into the flock...who has been willing to put it all on the line publicly...not just privately for the few selected individuals they have chosen as their "friends." I have always struggled with this about baptism....It seemed like it was simply a "seeing is believing" type thing...with a bunch of water over the head...blah blah blah....but it is so much more(how much more, I am hoping to learn)...This is going to become my new mission being back with Journey Church....figuring out how I am going to draw up a "battle plan" and as Rich put it..."Declare War." as I continue to shape towards the ultimate goal...Baptism! By the way....can't wait to get back up on Sunday, but am nervous as can be going into Little Starz area at church....but at least with no grandiose expectations!
By the way...to the person that shall remain nameless at this time because I have come to trust them and their amazing secret heart, and is hopefully in this room when this is read...and I hope someday will be able to have the trust and a baptism to let me or another help them...thanks ALWAYS for listening and sharing...there are truly great friends I have made here at Journey, and I AM so glad I left Grinnell, Iowa to be back and continue this faith walk!
You see, I was very close to not coming to church this week because of the many expectations I have had of myself, how easy just going around and serving had become in the past, and of how easy I had expected to transistion back into life at Journey...
But I ran into roadblocks I did not forsee....namely...the "REAL" people that are served by the body of Journey church, and the realization that it IS someone who must be (figuratively speaking of course) naked to not only declare their willingness to show current believers....but to welcome in the new people and their hopes and dreams of Christ's kingdom....in otherwords...it really does have to be someone who has been baptized into the flock...who has been willing to put it all on the line publicly...not just privately for the few selected individuals they have chosen as their "friends." I have always struggled with this about baptism....It seemed like it was simply a "seeing is believing" type thing...with a bunch of water over the head...blah blah blah....but it is so much more(how much more, I am hoping to learn)...This is going to become my new mission being back with Journey Church....figuring out how I am going to draw up a "battle plan" and as Rich put it..."Declare War." as I continue to shape towards the ultimate goal...Baptism! By the way....can't wait to get back up on Sunday, but am nervous as can be going into Little Starz area at church....but at least with no grandiose expectations!
By the way...to the person that shall remain nameless at this time because I have come to trust them and their amazing secret heart, and is hopefully in this room when this is read...and I hope someday will be able to have the trust and a baptism to let me or another help them...thanks ALWAYS for listening and sharing...there are truly great friends I have made here at Journey, and I AM so glad I left Grinnell, Iowa to be back and continue this faith walk!
