Blessings [Link Up]

 

Hey everyone! Well, it's been a busy, but blessed weekend.

I hope you've had a blessed weekend as well!

 

So I'm linking up with my fellow blogger, Kaity at (Bee)autiful Blessings blog, to talk about my blessings from the weekend.

 

Friday marked the 3rd birthday of my youngest niece. I can't believe it's been 3 years since she was born. They grow so fast, making me feel so, so old (I know I'm not really old, but I feel like it haha). So Friday night I was blessed to join my sister and her sweet family for dinner and then off to their town's football game to listen to my oldest niece play in the band and my 5 year old niece dance with the high school dance team. The weather was great, the band sounded awesome, and the dance was precious. Unfortunately, I didn't take any pictures...I fail.

 

Saturday was the big, Barney, pizza birthday party. The kids wore chef hats, aprons, and made their own personal pizza with their own personally picked topping, while I rested on the couch after setting up for the party with my sister. It's always an extravagant task planning birthday parties, but it's always worth it.

Definitely a blessing, to celebrate a birthday.

 

 

 

 

After the party, my parents and I went home (with no time to nap) and got prettified for my friend's wedding. I always love a wedding. Plus, it forces me to fix myself up (it's amazing what make-up can do), which also makes me feel somewhat better. It's a win-win situation, get pretty and feel better. Weird how that works. However, it takes a lot out of me to get ready. Thank you, Lyme Disease. Anyway, it was a blessing to watch another couple be united together, fellowship with close friends and talk about future weddings to come. Oh, how I love weddings!

 

 

Anywho, I've done a little too much the past few days which means I'm laid up in bed with heavy, aching legs, headache and stiffness all over so I'm unable to get to church today. Once again, I'm thankful for the creation of live webcasts so I can watch church from my comfy bed with the company of my heating pad. Another Sunday with 2 baptisms led me to tears because of the testimonies they shared. Lives that were surrounded with sin, but turned around because of God's grace. Once again, I'm reminded that God is not only moving in my life, but He is moving all around.

 Praise God!

 A quick summary of my sermon notes from Pastor Gregg Matte:

~Acts 2:42-46: unity and generosity of the church

~"Awe of God leads to unity and generosity between men."

~"Generosity is a balance to be managed, not a problem to be solved."

~What you have is from God...they are tools to be used for His glory, not for you (my words).

~"Awe of God brings praise, favor, and impact."

 

Well that's all for today! I hope you all have a blessed, restful Sunday!

If you are reading the Bible in a year with me, today is a catch up day. So far we've read the book of Matthew and Mark 1-11.

 

Have you been blessed today? I'd love to hear...leave me a comment or link up!

 

 

 

 

Taking the dunk

So I've been praying about what I should blog about today and I finally figured it out (obviously haha). I only blog when I feel really led to write about something. Earlier I wasn't feeling tugged so I started reading other blogs and it hit me...the past 3 days there have been a lot of baptisms!

 

Baptism comes from the Greek word, baptisma which means washing. To Christians, it's more than just washing, it's a public display of how Jesus has washed your sins away and you are turning away from sin (repentance). Baptism doesn't save you, faith does, but it is important in our walk with God. You are giving your life to Jesus. You are trusting in Him. Because of His crucifixion and resurrection, you are saved from death and given eternal life! Romans 6:3-6 explains the importance of baptism very well..."Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin—"

In fact, it's more than just a public display or symbol of repentance...it is a command. Matthew 28:19 (aka The Great Commission) says, "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit." Notice those are red words in the Bible which means that's what Jesus said! He told his disciples this after He was raised from the dead. He wasn't just telling the disciples, but it's meant for every believer!

 

Saturday night at the worship service I went to, the pastor invited anyone who wanted to get baptized that night to come on down to the front. Let me tell you, I'm thinking there were at least 30 young adults...maybe closer to 50. I just know it was a lot for such a short amount of time! It was amazing!!  Yesterday at church, there were people getting baptized as well! Then today I was reading blogs and read about a mother who has 2 young daughters who got baptized yesterday too!

 

Getting baptized may seem intimidating, especially if you are getting dunked in front of hundreds of people, but it is such an awesome and rewarding thing to do, especially since Jesus calls us to do it! I'll never forget when my nieces and Goddaughter were baptized...it's such an amazing thing to experience. I even cry when I see strangers get baptized! There is so much power in it.

 

What is even cooler, is that Jesus not only calls us to do it, but He did it TOO! Luke 3:21-22 says, "When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” Isn't that awesome?! I think so.

 

“We may never be martyrs but we can die to self, to sin, to the world, to our plans and ambitions. That is the significance of baptism; we died with Christ and rose to new life” ~ Vance Haver

 

Have you been baptized? If so, tell me about it...I'd love to hear!

 

If you believe in what Jesus has done for you and have not been baptized, I encourage you to really think about it...talk to your pastor or a mentor or even me! Remember Jesus, himself, said to get baptized...so just do it! :)

 

Today's scripture for the year long Bible plan is Matthew chapters 27 & 28.