My Baptism

The Bible tells us that at the age of twelve (Luke 2:41-50) Jesus taught in the temple. The Baptist church my family attended believed that not until the age of twelve would a child be mature enough to understand the meaning of the Bible scriptures, Baptism and to attend church services instead of Sunday School after Baptism. Therefore, Baptisms were performed by the minister for the 6th grade Sunday class each year. Everyone in my 6th grade Sunday school class was twelve years old that spring, except for me. I was only eleven years old.

My mother had to fight the minister and the deacons of the church in order for me to be allowed to be Baptized at the age of eleven with the rest of my class. I was questioned separately by the minister behind huge, closed, mahogany doors. Yet I was not afraid. I knew I was ready for Baptism, I understood the scriptures that had been taught to me thus far and I wanted very much to start attending Church services with my parents. I certainly did not want to repeat the 6th grade Sunday school class. I answered the minister’s questions from my heart. I guess I passed the test and/or my mother won her case, because I was indeed Baptized with my 6th grade class at the age of eleven.

On Baptism day I was menstruating and worrying about leakage. But when I walked down the steps of the Baptismal into the pool of water, suddenly all my worries disappeared. I prayed my sins would be washed away and I would live the life of a good Christian, that my faith would stand strong and I would be worthy of eternal life.

I heard the ministers words clearly as I was lowered into the Baptismal pool, but as I rose, I did not.

Matthew 3:1
And when Jesus was baptized, he went up immediately from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and alighting on him; and lo, a voice from heaven, saying, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.
Although I did not actually see a dove or hear God's voice as Jesus did when he was Baptized by John the Baptist, I felt the overwhelming warmth of God's and Christ’s love fill my heart and entire soul so fully, nothing else existed at that moment.

After I left the Baptismal pool my mother was waiting for me with tears of joy in her eyes and open arms which I quickly filled. Words were not necessary as we hugged. We both knew in our hearts that now we were both Christian women in the eyes of one another, God and Jesus Christ.

Why not share your story of when the love of God and Jesus Christ entered your heart and soul? I’d love to hear it!

My First Bible

My First Bible

My first Bible shined new on Baptism Day.
But now greatly worn
On a shelf it lays.

The binding is torn
And the pages are rumpled,
But the words of our Lord,
Keep me unforlorn.

Within my first Bible
Special bookmarks lay.
One of pressed flowers
And a birchbark cross
That I made.

My Mother's passing,
My sister's wedding,
Bookmarks in my first Bible
Their memories everlasting.

I will keep my first Bible
For all of my days,
For no other will do,
No matter how shiny and new.

The scriptures and memories
My first Bible contains,
Will guide me and comfort me
The rest of my days.

As a teen I read my first Bible from cover to cover. It went to Pioneer girl camp with me where I made the birchbark cross. It went to youth retreats with me and it sat on a shelf in my bedroom when not in use.

As a young adult I strayed from the good Christian life I led and my first Bible was packed away in a box.

As a more mature adult, I found my way back to God and Jesus Christ and my first Bible was unpacked. Forgiveness from God is the gift Jesus Christ brought us. It truly is awesome isn't it?

Recently I read the entire New Testament of my first Bible from beginning to end.

Every day I thank Jesus Christ and God for every blessing and ask for their guidance in all I do.

My first Bible will always be my favorite Bible.

Would you like to share the story of your first Bible? I'd love to hear it!

What's in a name?

When I was growing up, I knew no one with the name Elaine. I thought my parents made up the odd name. Of course they did not. I was named after my father's Aunt Elaine. A woman I never met. I wished my middle name, Karen, a much more common name, was my first name. It wasn't until my young adult years that I started running into other women with the name Elaine.

According to author of The Adventures of the Merry Treasure Shopper Blog, who is also named Elaine, yet another Elaine told her our name stands for:
Every
Little
Angel
Is
Named
Elaine

This whole name thing got me thinking, just what is in a name? More importantly, what is in the name of Jesus?

Here is what I came up with:

Just - Acting upright, impartial, fair. Jesus turned away no man, woman or child no matter what their sins or illnesses were.
Educator - One who educates. Jesus taught us through parables how to live on earth according to the desire of God.
Sacrificed - An offering to God to gain something else. Jesus sacrificed Himself to God on the cross so that our sins would be forgiven.
Unabraded - Not worn down in spirit. Luke 23:46 And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, “Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit.’" Having said this, He breathed His last.
Savior - One who brings salvation. John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

If you have your own version of what's in Jesus' name, please share it!

Live, Laugh, Love, Hope, Trust, Dream, Believe

To a child suffering from cancer, these are the most important inspirational words in their vocabulary.

Live life to it's fullest. To enjoy each day that God made, the beauty of the earth, their family, a game, toy or book. During a struggle with cancer, the simplest of life's task become major accomplishments.

Laugh with a cheerful heart by the grace of God. When enduring pain and sickness, the smallest of joys is a blessing.

Love themselves, their families and all of mankind for exactly who they are gives them the strength to carry on.

Hope that someday their may be a cure for their illness to end their suffering and the suffering of others.

Trust in the Lord with all their heart that He hears their prayers and that a guardian angel will guide them and their families through their illness.

Dream the impossible will become possible again.

Believe in Christ and His promise that through Him there is life after death.

Please give what you can to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Win Live, Laugh, Love Bracelet!

Win This Live, Laugh, Love, Hope, Trust, Dream, Believe

Inspirational Bracelet!

Gold tone inspirational words and dangling heart charms, each accented with a sparkling Aurora Borealis Rhinestone, 7 1/2"long stretch bracelet with magnetic clasp closure.

It's easy to enter. Just submit a comment that shares a true life situation where the inspirational words on this bracelet have helped you through. Contest starts 4/1/08 and the last day to enter is 4/30/08. One entry will be selected randomly from all entries to win the inspirational Live, Laugh, Love Bracelet.

Blog Contest Rules: Limited to one entry per person from USA residents 18 years of age and older. All posts are submitted for approval and will not be posted if they do not contain the required information, are not family friendly or contain an advertisement.

Good Luck!