This is the last time I saw my baby bird last weekend. He was nestled under the hedge and under his father's breast and trusting him to take care of him. In a similar way, I am trusting my Heavenly Father to take care of me. The father bird continues to stay in our yard, so I think the baby is hidden someplace safe.
At the beach on Sunday, I watched our pastors baptize some new believers. I love these beach baptisms. It's just a breezy, relaxing and refreshing way to worship God in one of the most beautiful places He created.
I especially like it with an assortment of people on the beach and body surfers all around watching the show. I think a beach baptism gives spectators pause to think about their own souls, and that's a meaningful thing for any of us.
Here's our little church, gathered on the sand and watching as Joe plays his guitar.
The question is, "Why would anyone in our modern world bother to get baptized?" Some view it as an outdated and irrelevant ritual, meaningless in our high-tech, but troubled world. With all the suffering around us, it's hard to believe in a God who cares, anyway.
But this girl's arm says it all.
God is Love.
It fills me with hope just to see it.
That simple phrase, God's declaration about His own character, lifts me from despair and allows me to bear the loss of my son, and all the other losses of this life.
(and even the sadness about the bird's nest.)
Despite what we see around us, we have a God who says He loves us. He tells us that no matter how things look, nothing can ever really separate us from His love. It's that irrepressible love, whispering quietly in my heart, that helps me patiently endure.
Romans 8:38-39
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
8 comments:
He loves us so much.
We don't have beaches in AR, but we do have creeks to baptize in. :)
I treasure my baptism, and that of my children. We did it together, and it was intentional. Thank you for reminding me of that gift. XOXO
I was taught that so well, God's love. I cling to that truth above all truths. It is the first and only road in healing.
Gary
I so love the baptism, we have a lake is all! I think the birds were a joy and yet another reason for us all to think about the projection we all have and the trust we need from God. Love seeing Joe playing and singing. Fall is on it's way.xoxo Sharoon
I needed to read/hear these words this morning. Thanks for the encouragement.
I gave you an AWARD on my blog today. xoxo
Washed by the blood of Jesus....awesome. He will rise again. He will rise to take us home to be with loved ones. Nothing in this world gets better than that. Obedience to God is so pleasing to Him and all of heaven must sing at such a beautiful moment there on your beach.
You are participating and causing lots of folks to witness such a thing. It's all a process to reach the world and bring Jesus one step closer to that sweet reunion. Every man shall hear and have the chance to enter the kingdom.
Churches have baptisms so often in the building. It's part of our testimony and so it should be public. Jesus baptized in public didn't he?
I like that girlirl I added to my name. I've never done that and think it's hysterical.
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