IRREVERENCE? NO QUESTION

Recently I came across an announcement by a pastor of a very large church stating, "Everybody come out to the service Sunday night, we're going to be dunking people." As I read it, I thought perhaps the church was having some sort of carnival or harvest celebration and they were going to have the tank where a person throws balls to hit the target and the person is dropped into the tank of water. To my utter shock, this pastor was referring to a baptism service. There was a note to this pastor from a lady in his church which said, "Hey pastor, thanks for dunking XXXXX Sunday night."

Some might say that I'm being old fashioned, not staying with the times, or making a big deal out of nothing. However, I will openly admit that I was offended by this flippant reference to a holy sacrement that warrants total respect and the utmost of humility and reverence. Furthermore, this church has an attendence of several thousand people who are being influenced by this kind of irreverence.

I understand that the words "dunk" and "immerse" are quite similar in meaning.

DUNK: (slang)
–verb (used with object)



1. to dip (a doughnut, cake, etc.) into coffee, milk, or the like, before eating.


2. to submerge in a liquid: She dunked the curtains in the dye.


3. Basketball . to attempt to thrust (a ball) through the basket using a dunk shot.

Synonyms:



saturate


submerge


immerse


duck


soak




IMMERSE:
–verb (used with object), -mersed, -mers·ing.



1. to plunge into or place under a liquid; dip; sink.


2. to involve deeply; absorb: She is totally immersed in her law practice.


3. to baptize by immersion.


4. to embed; bury.

Synonyms:



saturate


interest


engross


involve


plunge


absorb


engage


"Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the gloryof the Father, we too may live a new life." Romans 6:3,4 (NIV)
 
I don't believe I am being rigid here. I believe that the world changes and people change and attitudes change, but the things of God, His Word and His commands to us remain the same and as Christians our attitude and approach to the things of God also remain the same as the Lord Jesus Christ's attitude and approach.
 

AM I BEING OLD FASHIONED OR WAS THIS PASTOR BEING IRREVERENT? I'd really like to hear from you all and how you see this issue. God bless, Dr. Bobbi

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THE SHRINK'S HEART

I sit here on a beautiful, autumm, Sunday morning. I should have been just getting home from church, but I didn't go this morning. I did take Indivi for a short walk down the street and I worshipped the Lord and put my burden into His hands. I know He will take care of it. There is no thing in this world that can take care of it. Only Him. And He is able. Now I can go on with the day in joy and peace. But there is still a lingering sadness, a bit of depression, the urge to cry. I'm not sure if it is for myself or if it is for the one who is bound in miserable hatred and bitterness. It is hard to watch someone slowly dying inside from such a horrible bondage. It is hard to live with someone with this horrible bondage. So maybe it's a bit for both of us that I feel this sadness. I will place this sadness in His hands as well. He will take of that too. I will put all of these things that try to rob me my joy into His hands. And I will have a God filled day, a day of peace and praise, because the Lord is working on my behalf and is taking care of everything.

"Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God that transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6,7

SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS

CREATION

I took a 6 minute trip this afternoon. It was the most inspiring trip I've ever taken. I want to share it with you if you will take 6 minutes of your time to spend on a truly amazing and inspirational journey. God is awesome.

http://www.andiesisle.com/creation/magnificent.html


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