Baptism Hokey-Pokey

Yesterday, in church, over 30 people were baptized. PJ baptized 24 children. The other children and young people were in the service with us. When the children would come out of the water, their cheerleaders in the balcony chanted,"That's what it's all about." Clap. Clap." By the time everyone was finished being baptized, the whole church was on to it. PF said that we are the only church in the world who baptizes that many people and sings the hokey pokey all on the same Sunday morning. That's what it's all about. Clap. Clap.

Freeman's Archives-Take Four

Freeman, age 4 1/2-Freeman went up front to the altar at Hopewell to "pray for the church."

Phil to Philip, 5 months old-"You're a happy little guy." Freeman-"He's happy because the Lord loves him. That's why he raises his hands."

"I'm a doctornarian."

We had a candlelight supper with Phil Driscoll's music playing in the background. "Amazing Grace" came on. Freeman closed his eyes, lifted his hands and said,"What a beautiful song. Bless You , Jesus. Bless You, Jesus. " Turning to us he said," Don't you want to raise your hands? Raise one hand. " ( We did.)" Bless you, Jesus," he worshipped. The song ended.
Freeman said," Put your hands down now."

"Mommy-you gotta change him!" Me-"Why?" " Because he looks like a little lamb with horns comin' out of his head-not like Philip!" ( He was wearing a white nightie sack that Mother had knitted for him.)

"That was horberating! That means gross!" (He did not like the juice I gave him.)

I was reading a story about Isaac and Rebecca to Freeman. The story said that Rebecca was kind. I told Freeman that it is important to choose a wife who is kind. He smiles and says, "Allison's that kind of a girl." (Allison is his cousin.)

"If Daddy gets scared, I'll snuggle up to him."

Freeman wrappedup a favorite Teddy Bear for Grandpa Hertzlers 59th birthday. "Grandpa, make sure you remember to take him to bed with you every night."

"I was in Daddy's room reading the telephone book."

The Supplied Life-Bill Freeman

I love devotional books. I am reading one now called "The Supplied Life" written by Bill Freeman. I got a used copy from Amazon online. I recommend it highly. Here is a writing from April 15th.


"For the death He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:10,11

In these verses we see how to relate to ourselves in our identification with Christ. We are absolutely identified with Him. So we reckon ourselves to be dead to sin. This means we live inwardly not identifying with condemning thoughts or those whispers of the "old man" trying to engage us in conversation. When you and I immediately shift to our real person, we are reckoning ourselves to be dead indeed to sin.

To reckon is to count on reliable facts. Let me give an illustration: 2+2=4. This equation always holds true. It never changes, regardless of when, where, or why you use it. In the same way, your identification with Christ never changes. Do not look at your feelings. Do not think about your history. Just reckon 2+2=4. Your person is Christ. You have been baptized into Him. You are one with Him. So reckon yourself to be dead indeed to sin, but living to God. Inwardly you quickly make a transfer. You do not bargain. You do not reason. You do not get on that level. You identify yourself with Christ in His death and resurrection. You are living to God in Christ Jesus. This is what is true.

So we see how this Christian life works-it is through justification, identification, and the resulting inward transaction of throwing off falsehood, and dealing with God. Now you learn to quickly get to the spirit. You learn to quickly get through all the mire of thoughts and feelings. You go directly to your identification with Christ. You do not solve problems. You do not get answers. You do not stay on that level. You go directly to Jesus.