I asked Fotima (who I'd only known as "Allen's Mom" from preschool) to join me and she was more then happy to accompany me. It was the beginning of a beautiful friendship!
Did I mention that I stopped going to church when the Spring session of 2005 ended? Well, I did. I started going back when I rejoined SMILES in the Fall of 2007.
That's about the time I started feeling the tug on my heart to get baptized. There were so many services with baptisms that had me in tears and at first I couldn't understand why.
This year I vowed not only to get baptized, but also to become a member of HDC... I KNOW... I've attended this church for 6 years (off and on), the past 2 years regularly, and I'm not even a member! I've already taken the first (which I hear is most important) step, this past Sunday, the first Sunday of 2009, I went to the first of 4 "Ozone" classes to become a member and I have on my calendar the day of the baptism class I'd like to attend in March. As a member of the church, I'm looking into joining the worship team (or at the very least, the choir) as well. Can I get a "hallelujah!"?
This year I vowed not only to get baptized, but also to become a member of HDC... I KNOW... I've attended this church for 6 years (off and on), the past 2 years regularly, and I'm not even a member! I've already taken the first (which I hear is most important) step, this past Sunday, the first Sunday of 2009, I went to the first of 4 "Ozone" classes to become a member and I have on my calendar the day of the baptism class I'd like to attend in March. As a member of the church, I'm looking into joining the worship team (or at the very least, the choir) as well. Can I get a "hallelujah!"?
Don't worry, I'll post baptism pictures when the time comes.
5 comments:
Hey! I haven't checked my blog spot in forever. =z That's why it took me so long to respond. It's awesome you are blogging now. Life has been great. I'm about to start my second semester of college, and I got to go to Louisiana for Christmas! How have you been?
Laura Miller.
That's awesome Mandy!
"HALLELUJAH!"
This is awesome news Amanda! You have grown so much over the past few years. I can't begin to tell you how proud I am of you, you are an amazing person.... I love you.
Mom
I had no idea you felt that way. Definitely keep us posted on the date. I have been having a difficult time with faith. I feel like a hypocrite when going to church because no matter the message, I keep finding myself thinking, "Do I really believe that?" For some reason, I just can't seem to get past it. If you have any suggestive reading material for those who have trouble believeing, let me know. I am glad you have been able to find and keep your faith.
April,
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
The New Living Translation Life Application Study Bible I have adds explanatory notes that say the following about these verses:
Vs 16: The Bible is not a collection of stories, fables, myths or merely human ideas about God. It is not a human book. Through the Holy Spirit God revealed his person and plan to certain believers, who wrote down his message for his people (2 Peter 1: 20, 21 – Above all you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. For prophecy never had it’s origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. – NIV) This process is known as inspiration. The writers wrote from their own personal, historical, and cultural contexts. Although they used their own minds, talents, language, and style, they wrote what God wanted them to write. Scripture is completely trustworthy because God was in control of its writing. Its words are entirely authoritative for our faith and life. The Bible is “God-breathed.” Read it and use its teachings to guide your conduct.
Vs 16, 17: The whole Bible is God’s inspired Word. Because it is inspired and trustworthy, we should read it and apply it to our life. The Bible is our standard for testing everything else that claims to be true. It is our safeguard against false teaching and our source of guidance for how we should live. It is our only source of knowledge about how we can be saved. God wants to show you what is true and equip you to live for Him. How much time do you spend in God’s Word? Read it regularly to discover God’s truth and to become confident in your life and faith. Develop a plan for reading the whole Bible, not just the familiar passages.
Vs 17: In our zeal for the truth of Scripture, we must never forget its purpose –to equip us to go good. We should not study God’s Word simply to increase our knowledge or to prepare us to win arguments. We should study the Bible so that we will know how to do Christ’s work in the world. Our knowledge of God’s Word is not useful unless it strengthens our faith and leads us to do good.
I wish you were still here, I’d drag you back to Bible study with me! LOL! I’ve come so far by really getting into learning about the Bible and what certain scriptures mean and breaking it down and applying it to “real life”. It’s amazing, it’s like you know how new parents say they wish the baby came with a manual? Well, the Bible IS a manual; for raising children, for how to be the best wife/husband, for knowing your purpose in this world, it’s all there! It’s just like being in kindergarten and being expected to understand literature and poetry! You have to take baby steps; that’s why I love the classes! I started in Kindergarten, not really understanding but still doing my work, I feel like I might be on a 3rd grade level now, there is still so much more for me to learn! Thanks for giving me the opportunity to look this up for you, I’ll be sharing this with many more people now that I know where to find it in the bible! I’ve heard it preached, but now I see for myself! I LOVE that part! Seeing the truth in black and white for myself, not just hearing it from someone on a stage!
I hope this helps you, it helped me! I love you so much and miss you daily!
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