My Baptism Wrap-up

I'm not going to go into how sorry I feel that I haven't blogged in a long time, just know that I am sorry for the totally unrighteous... unblogging.

But I was just planning on going over my baptism speech, because when I was up ther in front of the congregation... it was kinda just a blur, so. There are many things that I wanted to share that I forgot two weeks ago, so here it is. (Oh, and keep in mind that during the baptism, I didnt actually read my paper, so it'll sound totally new... most likely.)

I was born into a Christian home, it was a pretty respectful and a very fun house to live in. And I had always pretended that I was saved, mostly up until the 5^th grade, because this is when I left Grace Academy for public school. And about this time, I was NOT pretending to be a Christian, well, at school I wasn’t. I was swearing left and right, up and down, and I don’t think that I once even thought of changing my ways, because it was too much fun to say everything my lips wanted to say and to do everything I wanted to do. I was missing a lot of school, I was faking sicknesses all the time. And this continued like for about a year, until finally my sin was revealed, and I had nothing to hide anymore, and I knew that I couldn’t just keep on going, I had had enough, I was just crying and praying all that night, mainly because I felt heart broken for betraying the God who created me and loves me to this day. God rescued me big time. That’s about the time when I got saved and dedicated my life to Christ and submitted my heart to His will, about the age of 12. I still struggle with those things today though of course, a lot of the time to the point of tears, it’s a battle daily to keep my eyes on things that are pure and of the Lord, but the Lord is faithful to keep me straight and focused. And that never ceases to blow me away! But, so these last couple of years, the years in which I have been in God’s service, I have not been faithful to spread the word, or to keep my brothers and sisters in Christ accountable. And I know that I haven’t set a Christ-like example. But I think that since I have joined my small group, the Wentling-Martin group, I have been a lot more dedicated to spending time in the Word, and I have been challenged to share the gospel more. I have been growing so much under the teaching of Sean, and the leadership of Curtis and Jesse. I just wanted to say that I love you guys, and I don’t think that I can ever thank my God enough for some of things that you have done in my life. And the reason that I'm being baptized tonight is because it IS a commandment of God, that all believers and followers of Christ Jesus be baptized, and so that I can have accountability among the church body, that is something that will most definately keep me in line.

But, before I end this tonight, I would like to go into greater detail of those people that have been crucial in my spiritual growth. First of all, the person that challenges me daily and has been my constant listener and giver of advice, and that is Rebecca Giordano. Becs, God has used me in so many ways, its not even funny. When I have troubles, and I take them to you, you are ready and listening with the Bible in your hand telling me what I should do or how I should act based on scritpure, and that quality is hard to find in a firl (woman) of your age. I love you Becs, you're the best sister I have ever had!!! My brother Tony, the great... keeper in line. (?) He is always there to keep me in check and make sure that I am doing whats right by God's standards. Love ya man!! My mom, That says it all right there! If any of you know my mom, you know that she has the biggest heart for serving, its amazing have her as a mom, she sets such an example, love you mom. and then then there is: Dave Z, Dave G, and Nathaniel Lugg, you guys are the absolute coolest people of all time!!!

Baptism

Hear the thumps,

My heart beats.

It matches the goose bumps,

And the cold nervous feet.

What will they think?

When they hear what I’ve done.

My sins displayed in red,

As bright as the sun.

But I need not fear,

Or tremble or cry.

Because I’m in the arms,

Of my Lord of mercy and light.

My God my God,

Why hast thou accepted me?

This bag of hate and lust.

Weak in heart and faith of frailty.

But who am I to question,

Your perfect will?

In which the love You have shown me,

The love You show me still.

And now Abba tonight,

Just one more prayer!

Give me the words to speak,

And the experiences to share.

And let my brothers,

Learn from my sin.

That they might not

Have the same hate within.

Prepare my heart O’ Lord!

For the coming of Christ.

Because I will not be home,

Until I bathe in Your light.