Monday, August 7, 2017, I came home from work, trekked upstairs and stretched out on my bed. It was about 4:30 and I was getting ready to watch the evening news. As I'm laying there, Isaac (my 12yr old son) walks into the room. He places his arms across his chest, Wakanda style, and says "Isaac, do you accept the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal savior?" I quizzically repeated the question and he responded "Yes!" I then asked him if he wanted to be baptized, to which he replied, "Yes!" I said 'ok', not realizing that the upcoming Sunday would be the day.
We went through the week and he continued repeating the question. He never wavered. I sure did. I wasn't sure if he'd go through with it. I mean, he could very well get to church and completely change his mind. We hadn't discussed his expression or desire with anyone, so there was the whole 'protocol' of baptism ANNNND, we hadn't had the talk, with him, to explain what baptism meant. I mean after all, Isaac has autism....how could he possibly know what it meant to be baptized.
Sunday, August 13, 2017 and we're at church. It's a normal Sunday for us and we're going along with our normal routine. Isaac doesn't seem anxious or different, so I wonder if he's going to follow through with his plan. Little did I know, that it was His plan.
As the morning goes on, I ask Isaac if he's ready to be baptized and he replies in the affirmative. I honestly thought that he would change his mind at any given minute. I shared with one of Isaac's "aunties" that he was being baptized today and she asked me if I was sure, baptism was still happening? I was confused. She then shared that she thought the baptismal pool had been drained and there wouldn't be any candidates baptized. I was horrified! After we've come this far. Oh, God...please don't let this happen. After a few inquiries, we were assured that everything was a go.
I took Isaac to the dressing room area. He was completely normal...walking around smiling and hugging me. He said 'hi' to a few of the Deaconesses. He was calm. I, on the other hand, was totally freaking out! As the moment of truth drew nigh, I was still not sure he was going to go through with it. Honestly, I thought he would put one foot in that water and say, 'no baptism'! BUT GOD!!!
I decided to go out to the sanctuary and make myself visible to Isaac. I'd stand in the chapel where we sit, so he could see me and hopefully that would help him overcome any 'fear' he may have. Isaac was looking for me when he finally stepped into the water...but Isaac had no fear. BUT GOD!!!
You've probably figured out that Isaac was baptized on Sunday, August 13, 2017. What you need to know, is that he was able to answer the minister when he asked "Isaac Jones, do you accept the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal savior?" He was able to answer with a resounding "YES!", when the doctor said that he may never speak a work. BUT GOD!!!
Pastor Troy was supposed to be out of town, but he shared that something wouldn't let him leave town. He shared that he began feeling this 'tug' early in the week...Monday to be exact. It was Monday when Isaac initially said that he wanted to be baptized. BUT GOD!!!
I sat and watched, over and over, boys, young men and men, being baptized. I wondered when the day would come that Isaac would be in that place. God assured me that I would see it. I kept envisioning Isaac in the pool, when each young man went in...I imagined seeing him...I imagined him saying 'YES'...and on that day, it happened.
The ultimate beauty of this promise kept, is that I remembered when I had gone through a trying time in my life and I wanted to recommit my life. I was baptized...wait for it...on Sunday, August 13, 2006. BUT GOD!!!
HE IS A PROMISE KEEPER!!!
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Monday, August 13, 2018
Friday, June 28, 2013
June 28 - Take me to the King!
People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” (Mark 10:13-15 NIV)
Receiving the kingdom of God like a child means accepting it in a simple, humble, trustful and wholehearted manner so as to turn from sin and receive Christ as your Lord and Savior, and God as your heavenly father. Christ is deeply concerned about the salvation and the spiritual upbringing of children. Christian parents should use every means of grace available to bring their children to Christ, for he longs to receive them, love them and bless them. (Full Life Study Bible Study Notes)
What an awesome vision to take our children to Jesus for Him to touch them! That's exactly what we do when we pray for our children. We would do ourselves and our children good if we would heed what Jesus said, "do not hinder them". Sometimes we hinder our children because even though we pray for them; even though we take them to the King...we don't leave them there!!! We have not released them and therefore, we are hindering them from receiving the touch from Jesus. Truth be told, we do the same thing with a lot of stuff we pray about...we take it to the altar in prayer, but before we leave the altar we reach back down and pick that thing up again basically saying, "SIKE, that's alright Jesus I think I can handle this one".
Father, there is great peace and tremendous rest in your presence. Help us to appreciate that place of solace and embrace it. Help us to release our children in that place knowing that there is no better place for them to dwell. We will not hinder healing by holding on; we will not hinder deliverance by doubting; we will not hinder maturity by monitoring results; we will not hinder faith by failing to completely trust the process. In Jesus name, Amen!
Receiving the kingdom of God like a child means accepting it in a simple, humble, trustful and wholehearted manner so as to turn from sin and receive Christ as your Lord and Savior, and God as your heavenly father. Christ is deeply concerned about the salvation and the spiritual upbringing of children. Christian parents should use every means of grace available to bring their children to Christ, for he longs to receive them, love them and bless them. (Full Life Study Bible Study Notes)
What an awesome vision to take our children to Jesus for Him to touch them! That's exactly what we do when we pray for our children. We would do ourselves and our children good if we would heed what Jesus said, "do not hinder them". Sometimes we hinder our children because even though we pray for them; even though we take them to the King...we don't leave them there!!! We have not released them and therefore, we are hindering them from receiving the touch from Jesus. Truth be told, we do the same thing with a lot of stuff we pray about...we take it to the altar in prayer, but before we leave the altar we reach back down and pick that thing up again basically saying, "SIKE, that's alright Jesus I think I can handle this one".
Father, there is great peace and tremendous rest in your presence. Help us to appreciate that place of solace and embrace it. Help us to release our children in that place knowing that there is no better place for them to dwell. We will not hinder healing by holding on; we will not hinder deliverance by doubting; we will not hinder maturity by monitoring results; we will not hinder faith by failing to completely trust the process. In Jesus name, Amen!
Thursday, June 13, 2013
June 13 - Nothing like family...gotta love them!
It's been said that the only relative you get to pick is your spouse. Everyone else is either born to you, you're born to or they're part of the family because of someone else...you didn't get a say-so in the matter. It's probably for the best because if you're like me, you would probably not be related to some of your kinfolk.
The people closest to us are always the ones that hurt us most and it's because we give them so much of our love, time and space. We trust them, we sow into them, we help them, but is it out of love or obligation? If it's out of love; it should be unconditional, without strings or record. If it's out of obligation, we're only setting ourselves up for drama and pain. The best thing to do is to pray that God give you the capacity to love as He loves. Think about the fact that God knew how the world would treat His son and yet He still sent His son to die for us while we were yet sinners.
Heavenly Father, forgive us for not loving one another as true brothers and sisters. Help us to realize that our children learn how to treat one another by what they see us doing. Thank you for reminding us that we are to serve You and strive to do your will, especially to the family You've given us. Your words says that we will be "betrayed even by parents, brothers and sisters, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. Everyone will hate you because of me. But not a hair of your head will perish. Stand firm, and you will win life (Luke 21:16-19). We declare that we will do better and our children will not witness or be sucked into dysfunction. In Jesus name, Amen!
The people closest to us are always the ones that hurt us most and it's because we give them so much of our love, time and space. We trust them, we sow into them, we help them, but is it out of love or obligation? If it's out of love; it should be unconditional, without strings or record. If it's out of obligation, we're only setting ourselves up for drama and pain. The best thing to do is to pray that God give you the capacity to love as He loves. Think about the fact that God knew how the world would treat His son and yet He still sent His son to die for us while we were yet sinners.
Heavenly Father, forgive us for not loving one another as true brothers and sisters. Help us to realize that our children learn how to treat one another by what they see us doing. Thank you for reminding us that we are to serve You and strive to do your will, especially to the family You've given us. Your words says that we will be "betrayed even by parents, brothers and sisters, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. Everyone will hate you because of me. But not a hair of your head will perish. Stand firm, and you will win life (Luke 21:16-19). We declare that we will do better and our children will not witness or be sucked into dysfunction. In Jesus name, Amen!
Monday, April 22, 2013
April 22
"Our business ain't every body's business"! The problem with that, is oftentimes our business is discussed/argued among young, impressionable ears who remember everything. By the time most children are ten years old, they can tell you everything about everybody in the family and more than likely have an opinion about them (albeit, the opinion is based on bias).
It is our responsibility to make sure our child(ren) always respect their elders...especially family members. If we see a crack or know of any unresolved issues; we cannot allow it to fester, we must address it immediately. There is a wealth of knowledge, history and pride within our families and we do our children a terrible disservice when we don't nurture relationships with extended family members. We never know when they'll need us or when we'll need them. What ever happened to "am I my brother's keeper?" Carrying a grudge or harboring unresolved issues could be blocking your blessing.
Lord, I pray for my child and his/her relationship with all family members. Protect and preserve them from any unresolved or permanent breach. Fill his/her heart with Your love and give him/her an abundance of compassion and forgiveness that will overflow to each member of the family. (Power of a Praying Parent, Stormie Omartian) In Jesus name, Amen!
It is our responsibility to make sure our child(ren) always respect their elders...especially family members. If we see a crack or know of any unresolved issues; we cannot allow it to fester, we must address it immediately. There is a wealth of knowledge, history and pride within our families and we do our children a terrible disservice when we don't nurture relationships with extended family members. We never know when they'll need us or when we'll need them. What ever happened to "am I my brother's keeper?" Carrying a grudge or harboring unresolved issues could be blocking your blessing.
Lord, I pray for my child and his/her relationship with all family members. Protect and preserve them from any unresolved or permanent breach. Fill his/her heart with Your love and give him/her an abundance of compassion and forgiveness that will overflow to each member of the family. (Power of a Praying Parent, Stormie Omartian) In Jesus name, Amen!
Saturday, April 20, 2013
April 20
When you cover your family relationships in prayer, whether it be with children, parents, stepparents, brothers, sisters, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, husband or wife, there will be far fewer instances of strained or severed relationships. (Power of a Praying Parent, Stormie Omartian)
A few years back we studied a book at church titled "The 11th Commandment: Experiencing the One Anothers of Scripture" by Don McMinn. The book delves into what the author penned as the eleventh commandment, along with some additional 'one anothers'. Jesus said, "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another" (John 13:34-35). The Full Life Study Bible, Study Notes says:
Lord, help us to love one another as You have commanded. Let us seek the good in others, even when we're not necessarily afforded the same. Teach us how to pray for those that despitefully use us and forgive so that we are forgiven. If there are any strained or severed relationships in our lives, we pray that You open the door for reconciliation and healing and help us to walk through it! Help us be obedient to Your command that we love one another, not just in word but also in deed. In Jesus name, Amen!
A few years back we studied a book at church titled "The 11th Commandment: Experiencing the One Anothers of Scripture" by Don McMinn. The book delves into what the author penned as the eleventh commandment, along with some additional 'one anothers'. Jesus said, "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another" (John 13:34-35). The Full Life Study Bible, Study Notes says:
The Christian is commanded to love, in a greater and special way, all true Christians, whether or not they are members of one's own church or followers of one's particular theological persuasion. (1) Believers must distinguish true Christians from those whose profession is false by examining their love for and obedience to Jesus Christ and their loyalty to God's holy word. (2) Any person who possesses a living faith in Jesus Christ and remains loyal to God's inspired and inerrant Word as he or she sincerely understands it, while standing against the prevailing popular spirit of our day is my brother or sister in Christ and one who deserves my special love and support.Loving true Christians, in theory, is not hard because we should all be on one accord. And even if we're not, we have prayer, forgiveness, grace and mercy to get us back on track. The true challenge comes, as Ms. Omartian mentioned, in those familial relationships. Oftentimes, those closest to us are the ones that hurt us the most. The very people that know us intricately, are the same ones that can betray us intensely. Those that have known us all our lives are quick to remind us of our past, but Paul reminds us to forget those things which are behind us and press toward the prize that is in Christ Jesus. When we cover our family relationships in prayer, loving those closest to us may be a little easier.
Lord, help us to love one another as You have commanded. Let us seek the good in others, even when we're not necessarily afforded the same. Teach us how to pray for those that despitefully use us and forgive so that we are forgiven. If there are any strained or severed relationships in our lives, we pray that You open the door for reconciliation and healing and help us to walk through it! Help us be obedient to Your command that we love one another, not just in word but also in deed. In Jesus name, Amen!
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