Greetings from Austin St.

After three trips to Mansfield to try and retrieve my car from the stadium parking lot, my car is still in Mansfield at the stadium parking lot. Tomorrow, with the help of someone, Bruce will go down and tow the “Old Girl” home. Fuel is not getting to where it needs to go to make the car move. I think there may be a spiritual lesson in there somewhere. We will see. Anyway, today I had lunch with a friend, Bruce worked in east Texas and Travis and Geni went to the OU vs. Nebraska football game in Norman, Ok, today. They made it to half-time and are currently heading home I think OU was stomping Nebraska and the game was becoming a bit boring and everyone was getting text messages about the Tech vs. UT game anyway. The texting game seemed to be far more fun than the game on the field.

Tomorrow Lutherans celebrate All-Saint’s Day. At the 11 o’clock worship service Bruce and I will bring a baptismal candle to the front of the sanctuary signifying Casey’s passing from this life and into the next. As each name of our departed friends and family is announced a bell will be tolled. Bruce will toll the bell. Our congregation has suffered many losses this year and several within the last month. I ask you to pray for our congregation as we honor those who have gone on to eternal life with Jesus.

Mark 1: 9, says, “At that time Jesus came from the town of Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan River. Immediately, as Jesus was coming up out of the water, He saw heaven open. The Holy Spirit came down on Him like a dove and a voice came from heaven: “You are My Son, whom I love and I am very pleased with You.” I remember when the children were baptized. Casey, Geni and Travis were baptized on Easter Vigil at St. John Lutheran Church in Grand Prairie by Pastor Thomas McCrone. Travis was 4, Geni was 7 and Casey was 10. It was a great evening. We began in the fellowship hall with flame and walked into a darkened sanctuary and the flame from the torch began to light the room. We all had candles and our little niece was holding her candle and accidentally burned a hole in the fabric of the pew. As soon as the actual baptism began Travis ran out of the sanctuary leaving the altar and having to go to the bathroom. Pastor McCrone never became rattled. He just waited for this little guy dressed in his while shirt, slacks and tie to return. I remember Pastor Thomas saying, “It’s the water. It will do it every time.” Everyone laughed. It was a memorable baptism. It still brings a smile to my face and a fit of laughter as I figure God Himself probably laughed at this very funny scene that was supposed to be quite serious.

For John the Baptist and those who were witness to Jesus’ baptism it was also a memorable event. It signified the end of Jesus’ private life and the beginning of His public ministry. After His 40 days in the wilderness being tempted by Satan ended He was ready to begin the mission for which the Father had sent Him. Every mission begins with a single step. We presented Casey at the altar when He was ten with water and flame. Tomorrow we will return to the altar in His memory.

When we present our children for baptism we promise to teach them the creeds, The Lord’s Prayer, bring them to church and present ourselves as models of the godly life for our children. When we present our children we are being obedient to God and following the Godly model enacted by Jesus, Himself. God sat on the throne of heaven and watched His Son act in obedience to His Word just as a proud parent would and then affirmed Jesus. God opened the heavens and told Jesus how proud He was of His faith and obedience to His holy calling. Jesus knew that every step He took from that moment on would lead to the cross. Jesus knew he had three years to tell the world around Him how much they were loved by God and to train others to continue the ministry after He was gone.

We don’t know what our time line is. But our mission is still the same as the one given to Jesus by His Father. We are to tell others how much God loves them. We tell others by our words, our actions and our hearts. Our baptisms are the first step in the mission. Our baptism gives us the authority to act on the name of Jesus. Our private lives are over and our public ministries begin. We cannot keep Jesus to ourselves. So friends, let’s splash a little water on ourselves, say a prayer and put ourselves out there. God promises to be with us. God was with Jesus every step of the way and He will do no less for us.

See you in church. Love you all, Bruce, Gaylene, Geni and Travis.

Gcapplenotes@aol.com

I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am moved only by what I believe and I believe God.

PS The kids area already back in Texas around Gainesville. YEAH!! Pray for their safe return. Travis will drop Geni off in Denton and then make the rest of the trip by himself. Thanks, gc