Water Baptized-

Last summer, 

around this time of year,

our boys were water baptized at our church up here,

In our beloved Lake Huron.

It was something they all chose to do,

 and it could not have been more memorable.

A few things I will remember about that day:

Our dear Tennessee friends came to join us for the occasion,

And some of our local friends joined us too.

It was just a few days after Tin Man's father's funeral,

which we attended downstate.

We weren't sure if we could make it back North in time to join our church for the annual Lake baptism,

Even though the boys had signed up, and completed their requirements for baptism.

Yet, we made it back-

Our 'downstate' church is quite large,

And we do love it,

But water baptism usually has fifty (or more!) people at a time being baptized inside the church,

one by one.

It has just seemed to be a little impersonal for our tastes.

Up here,

at our cottage,

New Hope is a smaller church-

A little more personal,

And feels more like family.

The day of the baptism,

We went to the annual summer picnic at the beach.

We ate,

The kids played with friends on the playscape,

which overlooks Lake Huron.

Our whole church family was in the water, surrounding those choosing to be baptized,

and Tin Man was able to baptize each of our boys personally with our pastor, Coach John,

While I was right there too.

It was a sunny day, 

but as the baptism got under way, 

dark clouds rolled in, 

and you could hear thunder,

and see lightening in the distance.

However, it did not rain until everyone was finally done,

and out of the lake.

(Then it POURED, with massive lightning strikes as everyone drove away!)

A few days following the baptism, 

We received a letter from our pastor, 

which I want to put here, on our blog,

in case I miss place it one day...

(And there is always a good chance of that!)

Dear (Our Real Names Here),

I want to congratulate you as parents, and your children on taking this step to be baptized!  Baptism is a first and extremely important step of obedience as your children walk with Christ.   In Rom. 6:4 Paul describes baptism like this: 

“For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.”

 

When your children face times of difficulty and doubt in the future, reflect back with them to the day of their baptism.  Remember that on July 15, 2012 your children publically proclaimed that they were going to follow Jesus for the rest of their lives  I will pray for them as they continue to take steps each day to trust in Christ and live this new life in the power of His resurrection. Some of the very important steps you can help your children take are:

 

1) Daily prayer and Bible reading.

 

2) Share their faith with their friends. Invite  friends to come to church.”

Please let me know if there is anything I can do for you or if you need resources to help. God bless...

Coach Brock

New Hope Church

Love God, Love One Another, Serve One Another

Happy Summer!

(...who is thankful that her boys chose to get water baptized in East Tawas!)