The Gaslight Effect: How to Spot and Survive the Hidden Manipulation Others Use to Control Your Life
Trauma and Recovery: The Aftermath of Violence–from Domestic Abuse to Political Terror
The Supper of the Lamb: A Culinary Reflection (Modern Library Paperbacks)
Things I Have Learned: Chapel Talks
Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day: The Discovery That Revolutionizes Home Baking
May 24th, 2009
Baptized into Christ!
Entering into this fullness is not something you figure out or achieve. It’s not a matter of being circumcised or keeping a long list of laws. No, you’re already in—insiders—not through some secretive initiation rite but rather through what Christ has already gone through for you, destroying the power of sin. If it’s an initiation ritual you’re after, you’ve already been through it by submitting to baptism. Going under the water was a burial of your old life; coming up out of it was a resurrection, God raising you from the dead as he did Christ. When you were stuck in your old sin-dead life, you were incapable of responding to God. God brought you alive—right along with Christ! Think of it! All sins forgiven, the slate wiped clean, that old arrest warrant canceled and nailed to Christ’s cross.
Today our precious boys were baptized into God’s Family. While I would probably say that Isaac’s baptism was a credo-baptism (he tells me often that the Holy Spirit is prompting him to do the right thing), it’s no matter. It is God Who baptizes us into His Family.
After it was all over, Gavin said, “That fun, Daddy!!” 
May 24th, 2009
A Singer, A Song » Our Sons’ Baptisms Says :
[...] This is a beautiful thing. [...]
May 24th, 2009
TulipGirl Says :
Rejoicing with you!
May 24th, 2009
MP Says :
So glad to be there for it. God bless our dear friends and the little gentleboys!
May 24th, 2009
Meghan Says :
Amen!
May 24th, 2009
Dan Keller Says :
Gavin’s “that was fun” comment reminded me of some people who joined our church a few years ago. We have 2 developmentally disabled group homes that come to our church. Three of the men wanted to join the church, but they had to be baptized. Right before one of them baptized, he said, “I love my Jesus.” All I could think of was all the people with earned doctorates writing Baptism liturgy and it boils down to “I love my Jesus.” May God be with your boys as they discover life in Christ.
May 25th, 2009
Carole Says :
Our three sons were baptized last fall. They were 6, 4, and 2. The eldest went first. Then the middle. Then our youngest patted himself on the head and stood on tippie toe, saying, “Do me!” The younger ones might not be credo baptisms in an adult sense, but their hearts are right there in the “me too!” sense.
June 8th, 2009
Aubrey Says :
I gotta say – I LOVE that orange/teal green combination. I have never been a huge fan of orange (maybe overload from growing up in Clemson?) but they both look dashing.
I’m also excited about their baptism. I grew up arminian, but came to the PCA in college through RUF and have really come to love and appreciate infant baptism.
I’ve enjoyed poking around your blog. You write about many topics thoughtfully. I also am currently in the midst of a struggle (is that the right word?) with infertility and had my first miscarriage 3 months ago. I was especially encouraged to read that post about prayer and how you specifically prayed that you would bring home a baby before Christmas, and how God answered that prayer that you didn’t even want to admit to yourself.
Part of me is still to scared to pray a specific prayer like that for fear I’ll just be disappointed. There has been too much disappointment around here lately.
Keep up the good work!