My Baptism!

After 26 + years of "Walking God's Way", I finally was BAPTIZED...in the Long Island Sound!

Yesterday was a lovely day! It started off with my weekly Bible study held in the food court of the local mall. For anyone who lives in the area, the study is held at the Westfield Mall in Trumbull, CT, 10 a.m., every Saturday! The study is hosted by Homeward Bound Ministries and the teacher is my dear friend, John Payne. Anyone is welcome to join us for breakfast (on Homeward Bound) a wonderful study of God's Word and fellowship!

I did a bit of shopping following the Bible study and then headed to beautiful Silver Sands Beach in Milford, CT where my baptism was to be held at 4 p.m. (Stopped on the way to the beach at Wendy's to change my clothes in the restroom; into an outift of 'white', more suitable for baptism!)

Another young man who resides at the Bridgeport Rescue Mission was also baptized in the same service. Twelve people attended the service that was held on the beach and we all shared a picnic supper afterward. I noticed a few onlookers standing on the beach as I was ready to be 'dunked'! I am happy to have shared my public confession of my faith in Jesus as my Savior and Lord with anyone who may have heard!

The day previous to my baptism, my friend John, who performed the baptism, was sharing via a phone call how I would be dipped into the water along with a few other relevant details. I asked John about holding my nose, and he suggested that I fold my arms in front of me (criss-crossed, over my chest) and with one hand hold the opposite elbow and with the other hand, hold my nose. Following the phone conversation, I was thinking about this suggested posture and thought, "I will look like a corpse in a casket"! Immediately, the Holy Spirit checked my thinking and said, "Ah....Lindy, what do you think this is?" WOW....I 'stopped short in my tracks' and profoundly realized that my baptism would be exactly as Jesus taught...a DYING to self and a NEW LIFE in Christ!

While I committed my life to Christ many years ago, yesterday's baptism was not only a public confession of my enduring faith in Christ, but a renewed commitment to the scripture verse in Galations 2:20.

"For I am crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body I live by faith in the Son of God who loves me and gave Himself for me."

I am so thankful for new beginnings and the HOPE I have in Christ! Everyday is new and fresh and I pray I will serve Him well each day!