Oh, what a night!

I don't have any idea what to say. I want to write about what happened this past Saturday, but there aren't any words to describe it. I can't begin to express the power and beauty and joy of that night. Oh, I guess I'll just do my best to explain it as it happened. . .

I stood in a little pool at the front of my church and listened to the story of my life - of my faith - being told to a group of about 100. I listened to my husband share his love for me - a love that is grounded in Jesus - before he lowered me down. . . I felt this warm water cover my face and in that moment remembered the weight of my sin. I acknowledged that there is nothing I can do to make myself worthy of a great and holy God. This is what the Christian life is all about; dying to ourselves; recognizing that we are incapable of living as we should on our own. Oh, but then - then Matt lifted me up out of the water. And in that singular moment I felt the freedom and power and unparalleled joy that comes from living life with Christ. I am forgiven. I am clean.

I once was lost but now am found. It's not that I didn't know these things before. I have been a Christian for a long time now. . . I have felt the power and love of God abounding in my life for at least 10 years. But I understand now why Jesus tells us - no, commands us! - to be baptized. There is something indescribable and unique about physically reenacting the truths that we believe about this man named Jesus.

So, that is my story. Last Saturday night was a night of love lavished. . . It was the most encouraging, awesome thing I have ever experienced.

And as if that wasn't good enough, I then got to stand next to a friend who has been right next to me in this journey for the past 4 years. I have seen God grab hold of her heart and open her eyes to the truth of His word. Oh, to stand next to her as she committed the rest of her days to Him was AMAZING!! What a joy to get to experience this with her. . .

This Thanksgiving I feel more deeply blessed than ever before. My heart is aching and yearning for every one of you to feel this power and love as deeply as I have. God is real. Jesus really came to this earth to make a way for YOU to know and experience God's love and forgiveness. No matter where you've been or what you've done. The blood of Christ can make you clean.

What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.