If you missed Parts 1, 2, & 3 click on the links to read.
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
When we left off in Part 3, I had just given my life to Christ. Immediately after that I asked God to explain baptism to me. It went something like this:
"Ok Lord, about this baptism stuff, is this something You really want me to do? Is it just symbolic? Am I supposed to get dunked in water or is that not necessary after the Holy Spirit came? And if You do want me to do this, what is the right way? Do I do this in a lake? Should I go to a church? If I'm supposed to do this then I need you to take me to the right place or bring the right person to me. One thing though, I do not want to be baptized into a religion, I only want to be baptized into Jesus Christ."
I'm a pretty straight forward person and I've never really seen any reason not to be with God. He knows it all anyway so why waste time. I had issues with religions. I did not ever want to be viewed as a religion, but only as a Christian. Please don't take offense to that, it was because of my past experiences and my desire to be sure it was for God and God alone. I know many people now that are affiliated with a denomination and are true Christians.
That very week, my daughter made a new friend at school. This was in the middle of the school year, an unlikely time to make a new friend. She was not like anyone my daughter had ever chosen as a friend, either before that time or after. Not that there was anything more positive or negative about this girl than Nik's other friends, she just didn't "match" my daughter's personality and it struck me as unusual.
The girls wanted to get together so her mom called me and asked if Nikki and I wanted to do something with her and her daughter. This too was unusual. So we did get together several times over the next couple of weeks. This girl's mom was very nice but again was not a "match" to my personality either but we still kept getting together for the girls.
She never mentioned God or church but I began sensing that this was how God was going to answer my prayer about baptism. I didn't say anything to her but decided to just watch and wait for God to show me. It was kind of exciting to me because it felt like God and I had a secret that no one else knew about.
Sure enough this lady invited me to come to church and I accepted. It was a non-denominational church. The first pamphlets that crossed my hands explained baptism exactly answering every question as I had asked God, and in the way that I asked. This was also a church that baptized as soon as you made a public profession of faith. I didn't know at the time that some churches have classes you must take before being baptized. That would not have gone over with me at all, but God knew that. He brought me to the exact place that I needed to be and I had no doubt that He was telling me to be baptized. So on my third visit there I was baptized.
Shortly after that my daughter and her friend drifted apart and my friendship with this lady also came to a close. It was clear that this was the whole purpose for that friendship.
Lord thank you for going ahead of me and orchestrating my circumstances. Thank you for placing the right questions in my heart. Thank you that I can bring all of my questions to you no matter how silly and ignorant they may sound, and that you delight in answering. Thank you for allowing me to watch you work in my life and I pray that you will give me eyes to see you at work in my life daily. In Jesus Name ~ Amen
"Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God." Corrie ten Boom
18 comments:
Edie,
I really enjoy visiting your blog, you are very good at what you do. I just feel real peaceful and refreshed when I leave.
Keep up the good God work, your labor of love does not go un-noticed.
DeAntwan
You just don't know how God will use you or others for His purposes. What fulfillment for you--not only to have your questions about baptism answered but to have really recognized God's working in such a tangible, unforgettable way!
It's been very convicting for me to read your story, as it just confirms more and more that NOTHING is by accident, and God has very definite reasons for everything we experience.
Thank you for your testimony!
I'm with you Edie! I know exactly what you mean about wanting to be careful that your act of obedience and worship was unto God, not a "religion". We could have some good talks, you and I. Well, we are, so isn't that awesome.
Your faith in your asking, and then waiting on God's answer is inspirational to me..... Honestly I have a hard time with the waiting. I am learning from you the rewards of patience. Thank you for sharing your testimony with us!
Wow, Edie, what a graet story. I love how God always meets us right where we are. He knows our hearts better than we do, sometimes. This is the same reason that the book of John is my favorite one. Throughout the book, I love to look at the many different ways that Jesus presents salvation to different people. never the same way twice!
What a good God.
Hey, I want to start doing Thankful Thursdays as a regulara thing over at my blog. Can you make a "button" to put in my sidebar and that others can copy if they want to join in?
My e-mail is: razn6@netzero.net
Thanks!
Sonya
Edie - I loved that story! God is just so ALIVE. I know you know that, but so many people without the relationship she God as some "universe" thing far away. I know I felt that way until my faith got deeper in my 20's.
I too have stepped away from denominational traditions. It's funny, I came from teh Lutheran church, then went to the presbyterian church, and upon becoming so fed up with the "issues" I finally said "I am just a Christian."
My new church...non-demonational - And just called XYZ Christian Church. (Not really XYZ, you get the idea though). I love it.
Reading all this makes me want to go out to coffee with you, and just sit and talk together. In lieu of that, I'm so thankful that we are bloggy friends sharing and growning via our posts.
This entire seeking him series has been incredible proof that God listens and answers our prayers.
I got goosebumps reading it.
Thank you for sharing it.
Edie,
I loved your conversation with God.
It always surprises me how people come in and out of our lives to be part of His plan.
Blessings,
Tammy
Edie
I said it already in your guest book,but must say it again..I can't get enough...
I know it isn't by change i came on your blog through the blog from Debrah "little ripples in the stream"
God wanted me to read your story about seeking Him......
To put now one and one together in my story........
When you talk about how God speak to your heart like your heart has ears.......and the asking and waiting.....
My testimony is the same in my growth as a Christian and my prayers for my marriage and saving of my dh's. i only never gave a testimoney
And your question in your today post i asked.........but i start seeing clearly today that i got stuck in denominational thinking
But God .......His spirit is at work To give me now a dh's with a big vision for a de-nominational church.....The way he gave his life make me wonder..........about my life....but your story combined with his and his vision for esp christians in denominational churches and also un-believers made things more clear to me...
And what is best your post about "Your seeking journey" brought back to the front of my mind mine and urged me to go deeper and more closer to Christ and my relationship with Him......
Thanks Edie
It is always a joy to visit you. I too try to pay close attention to where God is leading me. I use to get really sad when I felt a relationship coming to a close but I've come to realize these decisions are part of God's plan so I simply accept them and follow through as He would expect me to do. The most difficult ones are relatives but none the less, part of the ultimate plan in the end. Thank you so much for visiting my blog on Monday. Your kind words are very encouraging and your prayers are appreciated.
God Bless,
Sharon
Hey Girl,
THis story ws captivating and beautiful.
God can so take our insecurities and even our anger.
There is no question out of line or unwelcome with Him.
It is all about knowing and spending time with Him.
I serve God through a denomination but I serve God not the denomination.
You are a treasured friend and I am looking for the day when we can sit together and trade stories about our Lord!
Thanks so much for being my friend!
Pamela
Edie,
I love your descriptive way of "putting" things. Thanks for sharing who you are. God is using your gift of communication to reveal Himself and His truth to others!
Love you,
Kathie
Hey Edie:
Just read 1-4 of your journey. God is Real! How amazing is that? The one consistent thought I had while reading these four post is GOD IS ALIVE! God Bless You Edie!
In His Love,
Debrah
I so enjoyed reading this and plan on going back to read part 1-3. This was such a beautiful post Edie! I love how you said that you wanted to be baptized into Jesus Christ and not into a religion. Loved this statement. It's now my bed time, but I can't wait to go back and read from the beginning.
Blessings to you friend!
This has been a great series, Edie. God knows exactly what we need, and when we need it. And you have testified to that fact beautifully here!
Thank you for your faithfulness.
Love you,
Karen
Oh, Edie, isn't the Lord amazing? He daily astounds me with not only His love for us but also with His uniquely personalized attention to detail in each of His children's lives.
And, I know that He uses you in the lives of so many, too, ... many that you may never know about this side of heaven. Won't it be fun in heaven to meet, greet, and enjoy the company of those with whom He intersected us on earth? I think there will be many surprises in store for all of us as we are able to see how the Lord used the faithfulness and obedience of His children on earth.
By the way, I had a similar baptism story! I have been a Christian most all of my life was not baptized by immersion until about four years ago. I, too, did not want to be a "denomination" but purely a Christian. I grew up Methodist (where baptism is not by immersion), have been a member of the Lutheran church (ditto), and am now a member of a wonderful Baptist church ... but I was baptized by immersion in a non-denominational church where the Lord led us for a season.
This spring, we're planning to go to Israel, and my husband, daughter, and I would love to be "re-baptized" in the Jordan River!
Anyway, I'll sign off for now. Sorry this is so long! Thanks for sharing your story. Is there a Part 5?! :-)
Edie, You are so real and honest.
I grew up in a denomination church which had rules of do's and dont's. I was baptized in that church when I was a teenager but I remember the feeling of floating as I came out of the water and went up the steps of the bapistry. My husband was not a Christian with we got married but he was raised in the same kind of church. However, he gave his heart to Jesus about 2 years after we were married. We have 2 daughters about 5 years apart. After my husband got saved I discovered he could sing and he started a quartet at the church we were attending. His desire was to sing and travel with a gospel quartet and God opened the door for him to do that. We traveled almost every weekend for four years when the children were still young. We were in a lot of different churches but there was one particular one that drew my husband's attention. I don't like change so I had to really pray about this. It was a denomination similar to the one we were attending, but when we went in I could see the love of God on their faces and they were wearing things I was taught not to do. I did some Bible search and found the answers I needed so we made the change. We've been members there for about 30 years. Five years ago there was a pastoral change, and during that time and before I had several surgeries on my neck and in 2007 surgery on my back. The services have changed and we just don't feel at home anymore. When I read that you asked God to put someone in your life to explain baptism, I stopped and asked God to put someone in our lives that will help us make a decision about where we are supposed to be. We have not been in church a lot during the past 2 years, but I know we need to be. Would you put us on your prayer list.
Sorry, I didn't mean for this to be so long but felt you would understand. Thanks for your comments on my blog. I look forward to reading more of your posts.
Blessing,
AliceE.
Edie, I'm glad you shared the link for this story. I'm unsure if I knew you when you wrote this.
What a testimony. God always knows what we need and when we need it. Often He will use A PERSON to lead us to what He has for us.
I had to learn that some people are for a season or a specific reason and others are truly to be with me for a lifetime. At times it's hard to accept but it's what's necessary. I recall someone whom I loved very much. Her husband led my husband to the Lord. PRAISE THE LORD! Approximately four months later she betrayed me after our families had been so close. We worked together and went to church together and while God used her husband to bless us FOREVER AND EVER, sadly the relationship had to end.
I am forever grateful for the years we were all friends and especially that the Lord used her husband to bless my husband and my household. A blessing that has continued GIVING for YEARS AND YEARS since.
Blessings and peace!
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