Sabb-baptism

Our longtime church from Everett First Baptist came to Post Falls, Idaho for their annual family camp, and we joined. Our two loves: the 'Inland NW' region and Everett. Dietrich had decided after his miraculous change of heart in mid June, that he wanted to be baptized, to express his new life and a fresh start with Jesus and his plans for us. This past Friday night was the time. Our church gathered around a beautiful, shallow lagoon in the Spokane River for baptisms. While sitting around the fire, a young child piped out 'I'm excited for people to be alphaBAPtized.'  Dietrich belly laughed at the kid's mis-use of the word baptism.
 

Dietrich asked his longtime children's ministry leaders/teachers, Alice and Lynne, to baptize him. Alice told his story well, sharing that Dietrich is a future world changing kid, a 'thinker' yet struggled to let go of his anger towards us parents from following God's call for us to move from Everett to Spokane.  Dietrich had finally made peace with God and with us, and baptism was a perfect expression of leaving his former life behind, and coming alive with God and accepting his 'new life' ahead. What a beautiful picture. (Click here to see it!)  His dunk was right up there with Air Jordan's leap from the free throw line and Dee Brown's no look, Reebok Pump slam.
 
As I continue my last 6 weeks of sabbatical, I am looking for ways to leave my former life behind, and receiving the new life he gives me.  Shedding old ways, attitudes, short-sighted leadership styles, little faith, and 'doubts' that lead to instability, as James 1:6 expresses.

Reading 'Leading Change,' studying James 1 and the book 'Habit' this week have been great friends in my own, renewing 'sabb-baptism.' 

I pray I can follow Dietrich as he follows Christ!