...for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." -Romans 10:13
We don't celebrate Easter. We don't dye eggs and do the whole Easter bunny thing.
We do, however, celebrate Passover using our "Messianic Haggadah." The kids love this so much more than anything we ever did for Easter. It definitely helps them to understand why Jesus is the sacrificed Lamb.
So it happened that this past week we celebrated Passover and then spent the next few evenings watching the Bible television series - just the episodes about Jesus. Saturday night we ended with the episode of Jesus' betrayal, trial, crucifixion and resurrection. It's not quite as graphic as the Passion movie but it was still very intense. Sammy was engrossed the whole time.
Sunday morning we went to fellowship with our brothers & sisters at Bounty Land. Scott taught about Judas -his pride and unrepentant heart. Regret isn't the same as repentance. While Scott was talking I started praying that the Lord would open Sam's ears to hear His Word and help his little heart to understand. I did not think it would happen within thirty minutes!
When we stood up to sing and let people respond - Sam just came and stood beside me. After we finished singing, Scott stood and said he wanted to sing through the song just one more time. We had just started singing when Sammy turned to me and said, "Can I go up and talk to Scott? I want to get baptized."
So we went up and he talked with Scott for a minute. Then my sweet little Sammy prayed, calling on the name of the Lord. He confessed that he's a sinner and asked the Lord to forgive him and save him. My heart was full to overflowing, and I still cry when I think about that moment! His next question was, "When can I get baptized?" There really is "no greater joy" than to hear that my children walk in Truth.
I don't care if you get saved at a concert, at an institutional church, in a house church or in your back yard. When you call on the Lord and give your life to Him - it's so wonderful and beautiful. Sammy told me he felt different. And he is different. He listens better, offers to help without being asked, is kinder to his sister. He's just all around different. And it's not because we nagged or disciplined him to do these things. It's from a life that has been changed by his Heavenly Father. He knows that becoming a Christian doesn't make your perfect - he said himself that even Christians still sin. But he knows now that he has a Savior that will help him when those temptations come along.
So, dear friends, next week Samuel will be getting baptized. And he's counting down the days!!
--Sammy running his first 5K--
--My two cuties in their matching suits.--
--And to end the day, he lost his second tooth! He declared it to be a perfect day.--
(forgive the gross bloody picture...he was too excited to stay still for a decent picture.)
