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  • I'm a Beloved "Son," husband to my best friend, father to two beautiful girls, friend to the orphan and those facing poverty. A wannabe monk who loves the pace of life that accompanies putting around in a '66 VW bus. We live in Santa Cruz, CA.

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    • "Reach out and open the door that no one thought could be opened. Life is behind it."~ Kelly Ann Rothaus
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    April 16, 2008

    The Gift of Baptism

    Last night I had the privilege of baptizing Tanya, a friend and one of our graduating seniors from UCSC this coming June. It was also the day she was physically born 25 years ago. On the same day we had the opportunity to celebrate both aspects of her life, both the gift of her physical birth and the birth of her life in Christ.

    We celebrated her baptism at Twin Lakes Beach. The same location I was baptized by Dan Kimball 16 years ago. The same sun was setting on the horizon last night as it was when I was baptized. It brought back fond memories of my past and my own spiritual journey and my own public proclamation of my allegiance to faith in Christ. I was struck by the memory of going down into the water and its symbolic picture of passing through the judgment I deserve to receive if it weren't for what Christ did for me on the cross, identifying with his death, burial and resurrection on my behalf, coming out of the water, being cleansed, and longing to live in newness of life.

    I know Tanya was thankful and blessed yesterday through the gift of her baptism. I know through her testimony she proclaimed the goodness of Jesus and openly proclaimed the power of the gospel in her life. In the midst of it all I was surprised with a gift of grace. I was blessed to reflect and brought back to my own faith in Christ and how good he has been to me these 16 years. Today I woke up with a smile on my face and a desire to walk in newness of life. Thanks Tanya for the gift of your baptism and for sharing your life with those of us who were present last night.

    April 16, 2008 in Baptism, Spirituality | | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)