just sharing

[V I Archer]

Not a concern, not an ailment, just wanting to share if that's alright.

On Easter Sunday, the day which He was risen, I was blessed enough to be baptized.  I was the lone individual to be re-born that day and I was asked to deliver a testimony before the act to my congregation.

I began writing my testimony on a plane while travelling south for some training courses for work.  I had to stop halfway.  I began to feel tears forming and a lump building in my throat.  I had to put away my book and pen and pull out the latest issue of traditional bowhunter.

On Sunday, I again felt a lump building and tears forming as I stepped down into the tank, before a word was spoken.  My Pastor had asked a friend and colleague whom I have leaned heavily on in discussions of faith over the last year or so to deliver a blessing before I spoke.  Before Ken was halfway through his speech I was in tears.  

I struggled through my testimony.  While eloquently written, it was delivered with far less grace and composure.  I spoke of my earliest memories of Christ, sunday school and what I believe to be the most vivid display of absolute faith (Issac and Abraham).  I weaved in a few favourite verses (Rom. 6:23, Gen. 9:2) and my favourite parable (the three soils).  I even got a quote by Johnny Cash worked in there;

"I have learned there is no fence to sit upon between heaven and hell.  There is only a gulf, a deep chasm, and that chasm is no place for any man"

I had a hard enough time getting through the first half.  When I spoke about my wife and son I lost it entirely.  I regained it enough to tell of the moment when I surrended my life to Jesus, but broke again when I recalled the birth of my son and how hard the doctors had to work to encourage him to breath on his own.

I closed with a line from a Garth Brooks song;

"I know there'll be rough waters and I'm bound to take some falls.  But with the Good Lord as my Captain, I can make it through them all".

I turned to my Pastor, answered his questions about following Christ in the affirmative and was plunged and reborn to a life knowing Jesus.

One of my friends that does not regualarly attend church commented that he did not know you had to fill the tank with your own tears before a baptisim.  A good natured rib, but not entirely inaccurate.

I generally have no problem addressing the public, but that was by far the most emotional moment of my life.  It struck me so hard, it's difficult to even explain.  A completly new set of emotions unlike any I have ever experienced before, not during my wedding, not during the birth of my son, completly unique.  At least I wasn't the only one crying by the end.  I saw more than a few men and women in the pews wiping their eyes.

[GRAYBEARD]

Thank you.

[BenBow]

Praise God! Prayers for His grace to strengthen and guide you

[4dogs]

CONGRATULATIONS!!!   I'm very happy for you

[Keefer]

Glad to see ya made it "Brother"..I will someday get to meet ya...Congratulations ...
                  Keefers <><

[Doc Nock]

No explanation needed.  To ponder the magnitude of a supreme being , who sent a babe to save us all, is pretty powerful stuff right there...for Christ, who could have waved his hand and dismissed it all to submit to such pain, anguish, humiliation and suffering is beyond human comprehension.

Making a commitment of one's life to such a power SHOULD be one that creates tears of joy, anguish and humility!

I for one, say "Kudos" and welcome to the fold!

I pray there will be many more such moments of utter emotional overwhelming in the presence of Christ!

[Keefer]

Amen Doc and I couldn't say it any better...Doc you sure have a way with words and you sure could make a good pastor brother....Glad to be a soldier standing beside ya in these daily battles we are faced with...I for one find comfort when you're around the campfire and helping us all when kneeling beside us as we pray to God daily...
                       Keefers <><

[Doc Nock]

Keef,

Only God knows the depth of my depravity and sin.  Whatever words I share of any value, are from Him, thru me, proving again that He uses even the worst of rusty, empty vessels to carry His word to others.

Thank you for the warm thoughts, but they are truly misdirected for the Moat in my eye is too large to ever remove a splinter from another's eye

[Keefer]

Doc,
I know that rusty vessel has been around for years and full of dents,holes and a little junky residue still on the inside But it's been washed clean and serviceable to use to fetch a drink from a river that always flows and that rusty vessel can lead many a souls to He that holds that rusty can..  

[Phrogdrvr]

Thanks be to God.

[BDann]

Incredible!    

[Ricker]

Murray,
This is by far the best post I have ever read on Trad Gang.  Thank you for sharing such a great event with us.

[bear1336]

Praise the LORD and congats on your decision.

[bihunter]

Thank You for sharing!

May God Bless You and Your family!

[Ebisu]

POWERFUL testimony!  Thank you so much for sharing and many blessings to you.