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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Christian Baptism (10/18/07)
"The devil must be working overtime tonight," I mused to myself as Spell-Check and I had our third confrontation in less than five minutes over one single, solitary word that Common Sense didn't seem to come into play at all during its initial spelling process... BEFORE being inducted into the dictionary as a Word.

But Word Creators and Dictionary Authors have been known to try and prove their superior intellect by swapping an "S" for a "Z" here and there or placing a silent "P" in front of an "H" occasionally, just to complicate and confuse the regular writer in order to earn themselves the title of 'genius'.

As to how the devil got involved with the genius, Spell-Check...well, I happen to be a Christian writer trying to write an essay on baptism, so he was ready, willing and able to jump right in and aid and abet any interruptions or devices to dissuade or discourage my progress.

"So here I am, a mature, grown up child of God, sitting in front of my notepad on the computer doing mind to mind combat with a Check-speller and my mortal satanic enemy, fretting over why 'baptize' is spelled with a 'Z' and 'baptism' spelled with an "S"... musing away on complications instead of writing helpful and inspiring truths about the importance of baptism.

"Ah, me!" I sigh aloud, "if baptizing (with a "Z") is so important to eternal life and being saved - why is it never mentioned in the Old Testament - only the New?
Does that also mean that Adam, Noah and David were never baptized...and if not, why not? We know they will be saved, because the Bible tells us so.

"And what about the thief on the cross? The one that Jesus told on Friday that he would be with Him in paradise? But because we know that Jesus didn't return to Heaven until at least two days later, (sometime after His resurrection Sunday morning), as He told Mary at the grave site "not to touch Him as He had not yet returned to His Father." So we know that the thief will be raised on Resurrection Day and then, just as Jesus promised him on that Friday - he will be with Him in Paradise. (It's just a case of a human error of placing a comma before "today" instead of after.)

"Oh, to be a child again, singing 'Jesus loves me this I know,' with simple and uncomplicated faith and trust of a child who's unencumbered with questions and ponderings, and just believes... 'because the Bible tells me so'.

"But we can become childlike again, un-furrow our worried brow and take three simple childlike steps:

1) "Study to show thyself approved unto God..."; 2) "All scripture is given by inspiration of God...for instruction...", and 3) Fear God and keep His commandments, for THIS IS THE WHOLE DUTY OF MAN."

"Now isn't that less complicated? Just study the scriptures, (first pray for the Holy Spirit to guide you to understanding),and fear God and keep His commandments.

I can now smooth my wrinkled brow, calm my puzzled brain and start singing like a child again..."Jesus loves me, this I know - for the Bible tells me so". Complication-Free.

PS: As for the strange and perplexing quandary of an "S" in baptism but a "Z" in baptize; I just chalk it up as idiosyncracies used to complicate and befuddle the life of writers...especially Christian writers.

However, I say unto you today, the devil walked away Defeated...trumped by a Christian faithwriter.

________________________________________________________
References: All (KJV)
Matt 18:3 Become as little children
2Tim 2:15 Study
2Tim 3:16 All Scripture is given
Eccl 12:13 The Whole Duty of Man (Solomon the Wise)
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This article has been read 2202 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Alisa Wagner
10/26/07
Good voice in this article. I've never had problems with the "S" and the "Z," but I've had other problems encouraging me to throw my computer monitor out the window. It's interesting to see a writer's frustration expressed in an article about baptism. It makes one wonder what the minds of the theologians of old strayed to . . . the confounded length of the papyrus scroll that will not stay flat or the flicker of the candle going out right when the mind is on the brink of inspiration.
Jan Ackerson
10/26/07
Very witty--don't we have a frustrating language?
c clemons
10/31/07
This was excellent, BRAVO! I loved it, can you tell? I love your humor in this piece and still you got the point in. I too, am mystified by the "s" "z" thing. I thought if I read more story about down at the river I would... any I hope this not only places but wins!