Baptism and baseball--Day 57

Sunday was an interesting experience. Scott wasn't at church to head the praise team, so that got things started on a different foot. After communion, which Colton and Gabrielle enjoyed for the first time, there was a new preacher. Instead of Pastor Don was a man who had graduated from a seminary last year. His name was Todd and his sermon was on patience. For a while, the sermon seemed excessively humorous and disjointed. After many of his points he would refer back to his notes while ending his last point with a couple nonchalant words while we waited for him to start again.

It ended up being informative and interesting as well as powerful at points. Whether I can follow his lead and God's command on patience, I am unsure, but he makes me want to try. As we were leaving, I saw him talking to a man while halfway into his truck, so I walked his way to thank him and commend him on his well done sermon. He saw me just as he was about to close his door. He got out, shook my hand and I told him how much I liked his sermon. He thanked me for the compliment and asked me our names. I told him, and we parted ways.

He was one of the last out of the parking lot because his sermon had been over for at least a half hour. We had spoken to Pastor Don about getting baptized. He asked us to come into his office and told us a few others would be joining us. Interestingly, I didn't recognize either of the other two guys getting baptized. I recognized the fiance of one of them who sang in the praise team once in a while, but not them. Pastor Don asked us why we wanted to get baptized. He started with one of the men, I believe he was named Mark, and he spoke for a while and I could tell he had probably read a lot of scripture and, as I do, was looking forward to the baptism. The second man didn't speak nearly as long, but mentioned that he had gone to a Catholic church in the past, felt very comfortable at Oakwood and felt it was God's will for him to be baptized.

Then it was my turn. I pretty much went over the "Shout to the Lord" post. I told them I was a new Christian, had just very recently seen the light, and I felt the need to dive head first in whatever I felt was God's will for me. Next was Kim. She feels this is an important step in her walk of faith and felt moved to do it as well. Colton went next and he pretty much repeated what I said without mentioning a prayer vigil. He also mentioned he thought it would be "really cool". Gabrielle was last and she could only answer "I don't know" to his question on why she wanted to get baptized. I had told her what it was and what happened and she had been very reluctant to do it because she didn't want to get dunked. I made her feel a bit more comfortable about it and again explained that she should only do it if she believes that Jesus died for all of us, including her, and was her Savior. I didn't mention it again for a couple days and on Sunday morning she said she wanted to get baptized. That was a pleasant surprise. Maybe she doesn't want to feel left out, but as long as she believes, it's fine with me. I hope the kids get the sense on how special Wednesday night will be for all of us.

Later that day, I got a call from Jason, a good friend of mine, and he asked if I wanted to play some baseball. I don't play much but it sounded like fun, so I headed out to Imlay City to play. It took about 20 minutes to get there and they were still waiting for some people to show up. Once we had 7 per side, we played. I struck out swinging the first time, looking the next time, but managed to get the bat on the ball a couple times. The third time up, I got a double. The next time up, I walked. The next guy up was a pretty good hitter so the other team told their guys to back up. Although we were already up 9-3, that was my cue to steal second. Just before he let go of the ball, I took off as fast as my plodding feet would take me. The throw went high and I was in safely. The guy from third went home on the overthrow and the catcher proceeded to yell at the second basemen, which happened to be Jason. It wouldn't have mattered who was playing second. As high as he was throwing the ball, no one was getting me out. He had been complaining at the top of his lungs all afternoon, so I don't think Jason took it too personally. Once people starting getting ready to go, we were up 10-8, with that last out happening when that catcher tried stealing home(????). He didn't make it and people started getting ready to go. I'm not sure I would've had as much fun if I had been on the losing side, but it was a good time.