Alive in Christ

"Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sins are put out of sight. Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of sin." Rom. 4:7-8

The above Scripture is what Ashlyn chose on her own to have read at her baptism. I told her we needed to find a Scripture that was special to her and passed her her bright pink Bible. I turned around to do something real quick in the kitchen and figured I would come back and help her begin in Psalms to find something that stood out to her as special. Within 1 minute she called to me and said that she really liked this verse in Romans. Romans isn't the easiest book to understand but as I read the verses my heart was filled with joy. What a perfect verse to describe the priceless gift of eternal life we are given when we accept Christ as our Savior. There isn't a thing any of us can do to deserve this lavish love and gift. Yet, he makes His gift available to anyone who wants it.

Our Ashlyn Jean is young. However, God has revealed Himself to her in a very real way. She actually accepted Christ as her Savior over two years ago now. She was full of questions and we would talk about how Jesus made a way for us to have a relationship with God the Creator. How out of love for us, He chose to come and die on the cross in order to wipe our sins away, and rose again 3 days later so that we can be made alive in Christ! She got it. We had the discussion many times over and I never suggested that she pray to accept Christ. I just presented her the Truth and the Lord gave her a childlike faith to trust in Him. She asked me if she could pray and so I helped her along.

She has asked quite a few times over the last few months when she could get baptized. We wanted to make sure she understood what it meant first and on Sunday night, October 4th she took the plunge (literally). We don't believe baptism is a necessity to salvation but rather an obedient step to show the world afterwards that you have chosen Jesus and aren't ashamed. I heard an analogy once that baptism is to salvation, like a wedding ring is to marriage. Wearing a wedding ring doesn't make you married, but it does show those around you that you belong to someone. In the same way, baptism doesn't make you a Christian, but it does show those around you that you belong to Him!

Ashlyn chose to get baptized with our high school students which was special for me. The youth were so supportive and encouraging and cheered loudly for her as she followed through in baptism. My friend and the senior high pastor, Dylan, baptized her. Jason and I were given the privilege of being in the water with her as people who help her in her spiritual growth. The baptismal pool is in the center of our church lobby area. She couldn't touch the ground with her feet so we brought in a little stool for her to stand on. After we were done and changing clothes I asked if she heard everyone cheer so loud to her. She looked at me a tad confused and said "no" but grinned when I told her they did. Poor girl was just nervous with everyone looking at her(you can tell by her serious expression in all the pics)...a trait she got from her Daddy who also was nervous about being in front of everyone.

I can't describe the joy you experience when you see one of your children fall more in love with Jesus.

Oh Lord Jesus, thank you for the life and hope you have given us. Thank you for allowing Ashlyn to choose you. May she always walk closely with you and may others around her come to know you too because of her life. Praise You, my Savior and my God!