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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Christian Baptism (10/18/07)
“Dream a Little Dream For Me”

Skydiving has always been a fascination for me. I made myself a promise by saying, “When I turn 50 I’m going to jump before my knees give out.” I am now 57, and both feet are still planted firmly on the ground.

I have four beautiful children, a lovely wife, three dogs, two cats, one dove, and a bright red Beta fish. (All the more reason to jump you may say?) Well, actually it was for my children sake, and for the sake of all who were freaking out, and having nightmares of a father being picked up via spatula… that made me sacrifice an old mans dream.

One of the main reasons for wanting to experiencing the adrenalin rush of flying off into the air without the aid of wings, was not to tempt God, but simply to say, “I did it!”

I have used the analogy of skydiving to speak a truth about knowledge. I could know everything there is to know about the art of skydiving by speaking to those who have done it before, and by the aid of the internet, textbooks, and the like, but that knowledge pales in comparison to the actual freefall exhilaration felt by one who has conquered the death-defying feat.

Likewise, it has been my experience to note a remarkable difference between a born again believer, and a “baptized” born again believer.

Why?

Because a person can truly be born again, and not have the power of the Holy Spirit described in John 20:21-22… So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.

The power to be sent by God is truly experienced by those who are baptized in this “second” baptism. (Water being the first.)

Some people can go through there entire new-life knowing God, and being completely saved by grace, but missing out in His grace of service… (Not by works.)

It is a labor of love by the power of this, “God breathed,” liberty. He simply baptizes you in His Spirit. For these people of God can tell you the difference of working to please God, or work that is pleasing God. I think it is from my understanding of Matthew 11:30. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Ever felt like God’s yoke was hard, and His burden weighty?

When He empowers me it is much more enjoyable than when I work hard to try and please Him.

So I guess I may never know the fullness of jumping out of an airplane, being completely baptized into the true wild blue. I do know that when we are willing to “make the plunge” into all that God has for us, we are in fact much better equipped for His service.

Oh well, I’ll have to live for now in the shadow of one of my daughters who just told me SHE was going skydiving this weekend.

I guess it’s my turn for nightmares.
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This article has been read 683 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Joanne Sher 
10/25/07
Much to ponder here - I love the skydiving analogy and how you worked it throughout (love your last line especially, by the way!). I caught a few grammar issues (mostly missing apostrophes), but this is a good piece. Keep writing.
Jan Ackerson
10/26/07
I like the framework of the skydiving analogy at the beginning and end. Toward the middle, I felt that you dirfted a bit, perhaps lacking in focus. Nice entry, though.
Laury Hubrich 
10/28/07
Loved your skydiving analogy, just can't believe anyone would want to do it! Really liked the end --
"So I guess I may never know the fullness of jumping out of an airplane, being completely baptized into the true wild blue. I do know that when we are willing to “make the plunge” into all that God has for us, we are in fact much better equipped for His service."
Very nice...
Laury
c clemons
10/28/07
I really liked this entry. I liked the way you used humor to get your point across without sounding "preachy." There are scores of believers who don't know what you are talking about. By the way there is one more baptism that the scriptures speak of, do you know what it is?