Baptism

I've tried for several days to upload the video of Hannah's baptism, and have been unable to. It is a large file, even though it is only a minute and a half.

Sunday was a good day for the Diggs family. Hannah was baptized and became a member of Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church. At one point, she got really excited and said,"now I get to eat that bread you have sometimes at church." Bro. Donis mentioned her name several times during the sermon. She hated having all that attention. When she told me she wanted to be baptized, her only concern was that everyone would think she was too young. She was afraid that the church would not allow her to be baptized. I know I never mentioned baptism. She told me back in November, when she was saved, that she didn't want to be baptized right now. I never mentioned it again. So I know that this was something that was trully between her and God.

Noah's Ark; Picture of the End of Time

This Sunday morning, Miss Hannah Diggs came forward and asked to be baptized. She was saved on November 4, 2007, and has decided to follow God's direction and be baptized. This little church mouse is very happy and delighted, as you might expect.

Bro. Donis preached "Pictures in the Ark", Part II. One thing I was intrigued by was that the Ark was not this pretty boat that we normally see in pictures; it was just a box. I also got to thinking, everyone must have thought Noah was the strangest man in 1o counties. He built this huge box, then he and his family got in the box with a whole slew of animals. But, I just wonder how they felt when they saw the door close on its own. Then when the rain started to fall, I'm sure Noah didn't seem quite so crazy or strange anymore. It will be much the same way at the end time. Many people will wish they had listened or even bothered to ask a question, when suddenly all those "Christians" dissappear.

Where will you be on that day?

My Motivation and My thoughts on T.V.

It's been a long time since I blogged. I just haven't been motivated lately. Having a wreck at Christmas sort of knocked the wind out of my sails, and I've not really recovered. Thanks to Sis. Shelley for keeping up the teaching on Wednesday nights and the children's sermons and skits on Sundays. She really has an impressive drive to teach our children.

Speaking of our young people, all those that are 12 years and over are planning to attend Uth Celebration on February 2, which is a purity conference. It is at UCA in Conway, Arkansas. It's the goal this year to point out how the media is influencing our kids in a negative way, and hopefully point them in a more God-centered direction.

I was raised without a television, and when I got married and had a television, I became a T.V. Hog. I have to say that the television really does have a lot of influence in our homes. Everyone wants to have one of their own so they can watch what they want, we prioritize our lives around our television schedules. I also know that there are toys Hannah would never have the desire for if she didn't see the commercials on T.V. It can also influence you to eat, by flashing pictures of food which triggers you to go search for food. I have broke myself from my intense addiction to the television. I used to have "my" shows and if I couldn't be there to watch them, I taped them. Sometimes there were two shows on at the same time, and I had to tape one and watch it after I watched the other. I had at least one or two shows every night.

When I started Bible Study Fellowship and began an in-depth study of the Bible, I started seeing the evil of the box. That doesn't mean I never watch television anymore or that I have removed them from my home, but I am no longer addicted to it. There are some shows that I like, but if I can't watch it--then I just skip it. I also try to keep myself from watching something that Hannah can't watch also. The problem with the black box is that it pumps opinions and views into my head that I really don't agree with. Over time I become desensitized to these views and opinions and think that maybe they aren't so bad after all.

I started this blog, and didn't intend to bash television, but you might stop and think next time you go to watch T.V. Do I really need to watch this? Is there something else I could do that would be more productive? Do I want my children watching this? Would I watch this show with Jesus?

Unfortunately, I don't always follow this advice myself, but I am trying to do better.

Donating Food to the Jackson House

Christmas is Coming!

Christmas is right around the corner. The young people are preparing to perform our annual Christmas nativity next Sunday night. (I will try to record the program and put it on the blog.) It seems that every year I feel like we have to do something new for our Christmas program, but I've realized that when it comes to Christmas, people like the old traditions. I have also learned that you can't improve on the story of the birth of Christ. I had 2 little boys in the office last week and the youngest was interested in my nativity scene. I asked him if he knew who the baby was and he didn't and his older brother named some secular figure. I was immediately taken with this and realized that no matter how many times we protray the story of Jesus' birth, there will still be people who do not know of him. The kids so enjoy doing this every year, and they in turn can tell their friends just who baby Jesus became and who He is today.

In other news, during preaching this morning, a lady came by and spoke with Bro. Charlie. She wanted to know if we would start picking up her four children for church. She wants them to grow up knowing Jesus. From the name, I would say they are oriental or possibly Korean. They live on my road, and I'm hoping to vist them this week. I pray that they can come to the Christmas program and hear just what Christmas is all about!

Carolling For The Glory of God

We had a great weekend at church. On Saturday, we met about 3:00 p.m. and decorated. Thanks to Sis. Sharon, we have some beautiful decorations. After decorating, we had a snack, and then we went carolling to the people in the area. All together, we had about 16 people.

Today, after a wonderful service, twenty-five of us, met at Ci's Ci's Pizza and then moved on to the Quapaw Nursing Home where we carolled to the older people there. I really enjoyed carolling at the nursing home, and would like to go back and sing hymns. We walked up and down the aisles of the nursing home singing, and it felt very spiritual. We may not have had the most beautiful voices, but we were singing for the glory of God. I hope we brought some joy to the older generation.

Catching You Up

I've been remiss in blogging lately. I did attend church Sunday and Bro. Donis preached on the Creation Explanation. Creation by work of God, Creation by the word of God, and Creation by the wisdom of God.

Last night, Sis. Shelley spoke to us again about giving. We were challenged to serve others, and not just talk about it, but actually do it. We had to come up with practical ways we could serve someone else this week.

We are also planning to go carolling this Saturday after we decorate the church and then meet back for refreshments. We will start decorating about 3:00 and will carol after we are finished. We will also be going to town on Sunday after church and visiting the nursing home and carolling there. We invite all to come and join us.