Water Baptism - Should we ever "sprinkle"?

I love that water baptism is becoming a regular part or our worship experience.  It's becoming the norm - the way it should be.  Praise God for this!   This will probably be our last water baptism of the year because of the weather, but if someone wants to be baptized immediately, we will figure out a way to do so.  This Sunday was a little cold.

I did a little research on the history of "sprinkling" instead of "immersion" - which is how we baptized.   From a Biblical stand point, "immersion" is the accurate way to baptize.   However, in the Middle Ages people begin to "sprinkle" for health reasons - especially in the winter.   With this in mind I actually consider doing a version of water baptism in which I just poured warm water on people's head during the winter months.   We may do that someday, but it's one of those "emotional issues" that cold really stir religious people up.  I may want to really think this one through - ha!

Wednesday Reflection / Ray Boltz's Confession

Wedneday Reflection
On Wednesday, Doug Bagwell shared a solid teaching on "How to Avoid Compromise."   I appreciate Doug's friendship to me and his leadership in our church.  He is a very wise man.

Ray Boltz's Confession
If you haven't heard yet, Christian singer Ray Boltz admitted last week that he is a homosexual.  In Lee Grady's recent editorial he informed his readers the following:

The 55-year-old singer, winner of three Dove Awards from the Gospel Music Association, told the world last Friday that he just got tired of fighting his same-sex feelings. He told the Washington Blade, a gay magazine . . . 
Boltz told the Blade that he disclosed his repressed homosexuality to his wife and four grown children in 2004, the year he retired from his music career. He quietly moved to South Florida and began dating. His divorce from his wife of 33 years was finalized this year. - Article "When Christians Come Out of the Closet" found at www.fireinmybones.com)

If trends continue in our culture, stories lke this will continue to come forth.  It's easy for people in the church to make jokes and giggle about homosexuality, but this habit of masking our discomfort will have to change.  The church must provide solid answers and solutions instead of ridicule.  The truth is, there are individuals struggling with either this tendancy or or active sin sitting in our church every Sunday.   It is not God's will for any person to be bound by homosexual behavior.  Still, the church must create an atmosphere in which people with these struggles will have an avenue to get help.  I don't know the answers yet, but I am trying to ask the correct questions.

Sunday Reflection / Quote about Governor Palin

Reflections on Sunday's service . . . 
I got a lot of good comments on Sunday's service.  Most of the good feedback that I recieved didn't focus on one aspect - like the music, preaching, media, movie, ect.    Instead, everyone seemed to leave the service spiritually encouraged, and focused on Jesus.   I look forward to having more services that flow together in unity of purpose and focus - that focus being Christ.


Governor Sarah Palin
On another note, I ran across this quote from an editorial in the New York Times about Governor Sarah Palin.  I'll let you come up with your own conclusions, but I think it is a very interesting comment . . . and quite funny:

Sarah has single-handedly ushered out the “Sex and the City” era, and made the sexy new model for America a retro one — the glamorous Pioneer Woman, packing a gun, a baby and a Bible.
- Article titled "Bering Straight Talk" by Maureen Dowd, New York Times, September 13, 2008

Kim's Message / Study Day

I was so impressed with Kim Driver's message on Wednesday night.  Seriously, it was an excellent message.  It touched me personally.  Like I have mentioned before, I love not only preaching to my church family, but I also love hearing good teaching with my church family.   I think that is an important component of community.

In the last few weeks I have been developing a better personal schedule and rythm.   I am utilizing the excellent staff we have at Indian Lake, and this is allowing me to work smarter.  So, today I had a complete study day at my home office, and I found it to be immensely beneficial.   I think that making Thursday my "study day" will bring great value to my ministry and preaching.

Update . . .

Quote #6 (my favorite quote right now) - "Education is the ability to listen to almost anything without losing your temper."-Robert Frost

You look up one afternoon, and it has been 8 days since you have blogged.  The world has moved on without my blog . . .

Here are some highlights over the last few days:
- Everyone really enjoyed Brent Batson's preaching last Wednesday.  He is very passionate speaker
- It was fun to hang out with my friends from Indian Lake at the Vandy football game last Thursday.  It was great to see Vandy get a SEC win.  
- On Friday, I hear our first planning meeting for the "I Want to Lead" conference (Formerly "Lead Now").  I am gathering a team in hopes that next summer we will conduct an "I Want to Lead" conference for students entering or leaving their HS Senior year. You'll hear a lot more about that as time progresses.
- On Sunday, we started the 4.6 Experience with great success for our 4th - 6th grade.  Also, our parking situation improved as everyone got off the grass, and used the parking spots.
- On Monday, 25,000 post cards started to hit homes in Sumner County.  We are getting good responses so far.

Labor Day Recap

I had a good time at Tailgate Sunday, but pulled my hamstring playing touch football during the afternoon festivities.  On Sunday evening, I treated the injury incorrectly, but after a phone call with Jaroy Carptenter (SWAGU athletic trainer), my recovery is on pace.

I had a nice Labor Day.  I turned down a couple of nice invitations to cook out with friends, in favor or reading and icing my hammy.   I finished True North . . . the second half was as good as expected.  Its always a great feeling to finish a book.

Since the Tennessee Vols just lost their opener, it may increase my counseling cases this week.

Relieved to hear the good reports about Gustav . . . let's pray the positive news continues into Tuesday