JUS THINKIN

I heard a story of a young man wanting to be baptized, so he called a preacher who agreed to meet him at a tank (pond) on a ranchers land in Texas. The young man and some friends arrived there first, and while they waited on the preacher they all went swimming. Tragically, before the preacher arrived something went awry and the young man drowned. This being a steadfast “baptism doeth now also save us” congregation, great discussion went on through out that brotherhood about the status of his salvation.

There is a similar story about a young man who went to a summer church camp and was encouraged to be baptized. He and a number of his friends decided they wanted to be baptized together, however when the camp counselor called his father, he was disallowed doing so because of his fathers concern if it would be a baptism of regeneration, or peer pressure. This young man rebelled in his heart against his dad by deciding he would not in the future be baptized either.

I am not discussing the guilt of the father or son on this occasion although their may have been better ways for both to react. I’m just wondering, If circumcision could be of the heart and not of the flesh, then could it be so for baptism. Could a drowned boy and a boy who was not allowed immersion be baptized of heart? Hmmmm…

One more thing. Why do you think that when virtually every new believer in the New Testament was baptized, it is so hard to be grasp in this day and age. Sure, I admit it’s a mystery, but more of a mystery is that something so simple is so hard to swallow when it doesn’t fit these reformation- restoration doctrines? I dunno?!… I’m sure it has something to do with my upbringing. That gets em off the hook in their minds anyway.

Some folks may assume I ask leading questions to get into a quarrel. I ask questions because I have questions that are unresolved in my mind. I hold to a particular idea because it is all I have for now (feeble as it may be). Maybe someday you’ll be the one who shows me the answers I’ve been searching for.

Thanks for dropping by, Bubba

DOT DOT DOT - or- I DON'T PRAY THE ROSARY

Sometimes when I talk to God, I go beyond a request for some person, family or event. I begin to think into the pain or grief, possibly the joy, maybe the road ahead for a newly married couple. That’s my dot dot dot times. This could go on for quite some time while I empathize with a family in turmoil, think of the joy my wife or children (whom I have just prayed for) have brought me, or dwell on the ways I can improve my service to God. What happens is… I forget where all this started and where it might have ended.

I don’t pray the rosary, so sometimes I don’t know where the prayer left off, and the musing began. This led me to wonder if my musings have become part of my prayer, or have violently interrupted it. Should I have said amen before my musings? Should I say amen after my musings? Once I have mused, should I find a place in my prayer to go back to and resume from that point to an amen? Do I gotta say amen at all?

This is really about “amen”. What is it? What does it mean? What is it used for? When should it be used? Is it a word that magically rockets our prayers to God?

I have long ago studied the word, its origin, and uses, but just recently I did again just because I was wonderin how I felt about it now. I could tell you what I think about amen, but that would take all the mystery out of it for you wouldn’t it.

Let all things be done to the Glory of God … AMEN.

WHADAYATHINK THEY'RE FOR

Whadaythink they’re for? Well. they’re for diggin post holes, stringin wires, mowin grass and building fires. For cutting wood and splittin too, washing dishes, scoopin poo. Kids don’t have much else to do so you should make them work for you.

I grow a garden, my poor back and I could have a heart attack, So when sowin reapin, all sept eaten for my ol bod would be a beatin. I choose instead to train my kid, course then I say how good he did.

Course I’m always willin when I can, to help a needy friend. I tell him “Take my kid with you and keep him to the end.” But if they carry on too long I think they might abuse him, I tell them he must come on home I really need to use him.

THIS IS DEDICATED TO MY FANTASTIC SON LUKE WHO IS ALWAYS WILLING AND ABLE TO HELP, OR IN FACT DO THE WHOLE JOB BY HIMSELF. I KNOW HE WOULD RATHER BE DOING SOME FUN KID STUFF MOST OF THE TIME, BUT HE SELFLESSLY HELPS ANY WHO ASK.

THANKS LUKE FOR YOUR SELFLESS EXAMPLE.

FIREPROOF

I haven’t been to a movie theater in over 30 years. That is until I read about and heard reviews on FIREPROOF the movie. This movie was produced by a large church and it starred Kirk Cameron. Now I don’t know anything about any star really so Kirk didn’t influence me at all to see the movie.

What did influence me is the subject. It deals with a couple having marital problems, and ends with their marriage being made secure because of commitment to give all to make it work.

I was so impressed by the reviews that I bought both my girl and my sons in law tickets along with my wife and I and our young son, We all went to the theater together to watch FIREPROOF. When I saw the price of popcorn and drinks I almost backed out, but I sucked it up and placed my order like a veteran movie-goer… “giant popcorn and drinks please“.

Anyway, the movie was great. My emotions ran full circle as my heart pounded in fear, I laughed when I saw myself or others through the acting. I got big lumps in my throat from time to time and dared my tear filled eyes to overflow. Then again my heart pounded at the greatness of God and His goodness to us all.

The movie was timely for my two daughters and their families who are not too far into their relationships… It was good for me… been married 34 years.

I highly recommend this movie to everyone, even those of you who have it all together… but I think it might be wise to waite and pop corn after you get back home.