Good morning. I was reading the discussion on baptism this morning. Interesting. I realize we all have different backgrounds, so of course differing opinions.
Infant baptism originated with Roman Catholicism. I was sprinkled at one week of age. Later, I was told that I was saved because of it. I now do not believe in infant baptism for that reason, because even in Protestant circles, many believe they are saved because they were baptized as infants.
At 16 I was saved and baptized by immersion. That was my true baptism.
If parents want to commit to raising children in the faith, there is the practice in many churches of infant dedication. Why not go that route so as not to confuse the child later in life?
Morning! That is a beautiful balloon! Someone having an event? The one in the Springs happens every Labor Day weekend. I’ve never attended not liking crowds and all but I have seen them fly overhead while living in town.
It is clear and crisp in this forest! The air is so fresh. Now that it is trash day, the tote is on the curb and not stinking up the garage!
Oh, and to add to the discussion: We never see the apostles ask a whole lot of questions of people who want to be saved before they are baptized. Now omission does not mean something didn’t happen, of course. Does anyone think it happened? People can give the ‘correct’ answers and still have hearts far from God. In fact, the OT is full of times when those who seemed to be God’s people fully participated in worship, and yet, whose hearts were far from God himself.
Good morning! I needed to shop this morning, but will wait another day. I will pretend to be a kitchen magician and pull something out of the chef’s hat for dinner!
Thanks to all who commented on baptism. It is of particular interest to me because son and I discuss it. It is not an issue to him so I was trying to better understand why and now I do. Thanks!
That balloon is fabulous!!!
I am glad I mowed yesterday. It appears to be hotter today.
Two county school systems in the metro Atlanta area have decided to lock up student’s phones during the daily class time for this next school year. It is a controversial move. Are other areas doing this? I see both sides. Wondering if some pardnts might homeschool over this. For students at risk of bullying it could be frightening to not have the phpne as backup support. Then again, it can prevent some bullying on social media.
Good morning, all. A beautiful day, here. Sunshine expected, nineties. Daughter sent notice of their forecast in Boise: over one hundred every day for the foreseeable week or so.
Phones in schools: I have never thought students should have phones, or computers, in schools. Maybe computers in junior and senior years but definitely not before. Phones are not helping our young people, they are a constant distraction in school and are aiding in cutting down the use of brains. (Where are you, friend? I will meet you after at the bleachers. Did you see what Susie is wearing? I can’t believe Johnny looked at me that way!) etc. all of that could have been said in person or on a passed note. Then face to face interactions or spelling and penmanship could at least be used!
Meanwhile, the actual doing of math on paper, reading a book, writing on paper, thinking, interacting with students and teacher in the classroom would be beneficial in many ways.
Baptism. Janice, I am fine with others considering their own situations and whether or not they were believers at the time of first or second or third baptism. In my own case, I was a believer, uneducated. I knew the Bible said to get baptized but did not have a checklist as to what that meant. In obedience I went to the church and asked. I did not attend classes or answer many questions, but I did go about two billion miles out of my comfort zone to stand before a large congregation and profess my faith. I believe God accepted my obedience and is pleased, so am I.
But it does not satisfy the membership requirements in many churches. That is fine with me. I am dubious of the whole church membership thing anyway. It does not add to our salvation which is in Christ. It does add a social aspect which is probably good. I am willing to listen to any church correction offered and don’t think being a real member would change that. I can’t vote but I am not that informed. I know that I have the pastor’s ear on things spiritual. And I know the church body knows I will be attempting to turn their eyes to Christ. We are good.
I do remember a time in the Methodist church when the church directory had an indication mark beside a name to show if the person was a member in good standing or just a friend of the church. Then the pastor choose to drop that designation. I thought perhaps it was to make it appear that the church was bigger than it really was. I felt a bit bothered by that because some of us were more committed in support of the church financially and with time. I can see I was prideful in my attitude. I think now the pastor was trying to equalize people and do what is mentioned in the book of James about not showing partiality. Pride made me want to be thought more highly of than others.
The guys who clean the gutters came today with their blowers. Two work and the owner supervises. It seemed they were done in ten minutes. I pay $105 which is well worth it on this partly steep roof split level home. This was the 7th house for them today. They must do at least ten each day when weather permits. So thankful my friend found this service on Nextdoor.
Alberta (the whole province) has banned cell phones in school for next year. I believe Saskatchewan is planning that as well. I love the idea.
At camp we allow cell phones, but control when they can be used. If we say no cell phones, they will smuggle them in and use them inappropriately. One issue is that some kids will call/text their mom to come pick them up but we don’t know they’re having any issues and mom just shows up!
We had one parent call and ask us to take his daughter’s phone away because she was being bullied after she posted a fun camp picture on her FB. He just wanted her to have a fun week and not worry about what others would taunt her with.
I’m so glad my kids are too old to have had cell phones in school.
Hey Peter, you wrote, “Infant baptism originated with Roman Catholicism.” This is historically false. The idea of “Roman Catholicism” as one branch of the church is tied to the Reformation (the thirteenth century is one date connected to its beginning). Second-century Christians weren’t “Roman Catholics”; they were just Christians. (Yes, Roman Catholics and Orthodox believers both claim they were the “originals” and the rest of us are pretenders, but this is historical revisionism.)
The fact that Roman Catholics do something is not a legitimate argument against it.
Later you wrote, “If parents want to commit to raising children in the faith, there is the practice in many churches of infant dedication. Why not go that route so as not to confuse the child later in life?” How is it less confusing to do a rite with no theological meaning than one that has deep theological and biblical history? In my understanding, the whole idea of infant dedication came about to appease parents whose babies weren’t going to be baptized as a bit of a substitute, but there is no biblical warrant for it. (It’s not wrong, just not an authorized tradition of the church for those of us who believe in sola Scriptura. It’s not wrong for pastors to pray for the church’s new babies; there just is no special religious significance in singling out babies for such prayers.) Hannah dedicating her son, Samuel, to service in the temple is not a legitimate parallel; parents today aren’t doing that when they “dedicate” their children.
The fact that some children might later be “confused” or that some religious ceremony might be done incorrectly is also no argument against it. Plenty of children are also confused by the Lord’s Supper, for instance. That’s why we teach our children.
I have spoken to many people who say they are Christians because they were baptized as a baby. I guess they missed the teaching part. I met many Greeks who claimed they were Christians because they were born in Greece, so the government checked the box. It does not seem to have much impact on their moral behavior. But there I go, judging.
Wandering Views 
Good morning. I was reading the discussion on baptism this morning. Interesting. I realize we all have different backgrounds, so of course differing opinions.
Infant baptism originated with Roman Catholicism. I was sprinkled at one week of age. Later, I was told that I was saved because of it. I now do not believe in infant baptism for that reason, because even in Protestant circles, many believe they are saved because they were baptized as infants.
At 16 I was saved and baptized by immersion. That was my true baptism.
If parents want to commit to raising children in the faith, there is the practice in many churches of infant dedication. Why not go that route so as not to confuse the child later in life?
LikeLiked by 3 people
Morning! That is a beautiful balloon! Someone having an event? The one in the Springs happens every Labor Day weekend. I’ve never attended not liking crowds and all but I have seen them fly overhead while living in town.
It is clear and crisp in this forest! The air is so fresh. Now that it is trash day, the tote is on the curb and not stinking up the garage!
And amen Peter.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Some believe they are saved because they are baptized as adults, too. Or they are holier somehow. It is, indeed, a big discussion.
Fun picture. I do believe it would be exhilarating to go up in a balloon.
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Oh, and to add to the discussion: We never see the apostles ask a whole lot of questions of people who want to be saved before they are baptized. Now omission does not mean something didn’t happen, of course. Does anyone think it happened? People can give the ‘correct’ answers and still have hearts far from God. In fact, the OT is full of times when those who seemed to be God’s people fully participated in worship, and yet, whose hearts were far from God himself.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Good morning! I needed to shop this morning, but will wait another day. I will pretend to be a kitchen magician and pull something out of the chef’s hat for dinner!
Thanks to all who commented on baptism. It is of particular interest to me because son and I discuss it. It is not an issue to him so I was trying to better understand why and now I do. Thanks!
That balloon is fabulous!!!
I am glad I mowed yesterday. It appears to be hotter today.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Two county school systems in the metro Atlanta area have decided to lock up student’s phones during the daily class time for this next school year. It is a controversial move. Are other areas doing this? I see both sides. Wondering if some pardnts might homeschool over this. For students at risk of bullying it could be frightening to not have the phpne as backup support. Then again, it can prevent some bullying on social media.
LikeLike
Good morning, all. A beautiful day, here. Sunshine expected, nineties. Daughter sent notice of their forecast in Boise: over one hundred every day for the foreseeable week or so.
mumsee
LikeLiked by 2 people
Phones in schools: I have never thought students should have phones, or computers, in schools. Maybe computers in junior and senior years but definitely not before. Phones are not helping our young people, they are a constant distraction in school and are aiding in cutting down the use of brains. (Where are you, friend? I will meet you after at the bleachers. Did you see what Susie is wearing? I can’t believe Johnny looked at me that way!) etc. all of that could have been said in person or on a passed note. Then face to face interactions or spelling and penmanship could at least be used!
Meanwhile, the actual doing of math on paper, reading a book, writing on paper, thinking, interacting with students and teacher in the classroom would be beneficial in many ways.
mumsee
LikeLiked by 3 people
Balloons: my memory of balloons is watching them in Kimbal junction (Park City, Utah) and then the abrupt grounding of them on September 11.
mumsee
LikeLiked by 4 people
Baptism. Janice, I am fine with others considering their own situations and whether or not they were believers at the time of first or second or third baptism. In my own case, I was a believer, uneducated. I knew the Bible said to get baptized but did not have a checklist as to what that meant. In obedience I went to the church and asked. I did not attend classes or answer many questions, but I did go about two billion miles out of my comfort zone to stand before a large congregation and profess my faith. I believe God accepted my obedience and is pleased, so am I.
But it does not satisfy the membership requirements in many churches. That is fine with me. I am dubious of the whole church membership thing anyway. It does not add to our salvation which is in Christ. It does add a social aspect which is probably good. I am willing to listen to any church correction offered and don’t think being a real member would change that. I can’t vote but I am not that informed. I know that I have the pastor’s ear on things spiritual. And I know the church body knows I will be attempting to turn their eyes to Christ. We are good.
mumsee
LikeLiked by 4 people
No problem with your stance on that, Mumsee.
I do remember a time in the Methodist church when the church directory had an indication mark beside a name to show if the person was a member in good standing or just a friend of the church. Then the pastor choose to drop that designation. I thought perhaps it was to make it appear that the church was bigger than it really was. I felt a bit bothered by that because some of us were more committed in support of the church financially and with time. I can see I was prideful in my attitude. I think now the pastor was trying to equalize people and do what is mentioned in the book of James about not showing partiality. Pride made me want to be thought more highly of than others.
LikeLiked by 1 person
New book promo from Westminster Bookstore made me chuckle:
“A Practical Theology of Waiting: from Red Lights to Lifelong Struggles”
“How to Fight Your Impatience”
“Urgently Needed.”
LikeLiked by 3 people
The guys who clean the gutters came today with their blowers. Two work and the owner supervises. It seemed they were done in ten minutes. I pay $105 which is well worth it on this partly steep roof split level home. This was the 7th house for them today. They must do at least ten each day when weather permits. So thankful my friend found this service on Nextdoor.
LikeLiked by 2 people
https://x.com/buitengebieden/status/1810751408561606871
Cat calculating the jump …
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Abby needs someone like this:
https://x.com/historyinmemes/status/1810194856385372543
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The dogs were cute. The cat gave me the best belly laugh.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Alberta (the whole province) has banned cell phones in school for next year. I believe Saskatchewan is planning that as well. I love the idea.
At camp we allow cell phones, but control when they can be used. If we say no cell phones, they will smuggle them in and use them inappropriately. One issue is that some kids will call/text their mom to come pick them up but we don’t know they’re having any issues and mom just shows up!
We had one parent call and ask us to take his daughter’s phone away because she was being bullied after she posted a fun camp picture on her FB. He just wanted her to have a fun week and not worry about what others would taunt her with.
I’m so glad my kids are too old to have had cell phones in school.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hey Peter, you wrote, “Infant baptism originated with Roman Catholicism.” This is historically false. The idea of “Roman Catholicism” as one branch of the church is tied to the Reformation (the thirteenth century is one date connected to its beginning). Second-century Christians weren’t “Roman Catholics”; they were just Christians. (Yes, Roman Catholics and Orthodox believers both claim they were the “originals” and the rest of us are pretenders, but this is historical revisionism.)
The fact that Roman Catholics do something is not a legitimate argument against it.
Later you wrote, “If parents want to commit to raising children in the faith, there is the practice in many churches of infant dedication. Why not go that route so as not to confuse the child later in life?” How is it less confusing to do a rite with no theological meaning than one that has deep theological and biblical history? In my understanding, the whole idea of infant dedication came about to appease parents whose babies weren’t going to be baptized as a bit of a substitute, but there is no biblical warrant for it. (It’s not wrong, just not an authorized tradition of the church for those of us who believe in sola Scriptura. It’s not wrong for pastors to pray for the church’s new babies; there just is no special religious significance in singling out babies for such prayers.) Hannah dedicating her son, Samuel, to service in the temple is not a legitimate parallel; parents today aren’t doing that when they “dedicate” their children.
The fact that some children might later be “confused” or that some religious ceremony might be done incorrectly is also no argument against it. Plenty of children are also confused by the Lord’s Supper, for instance. That’s why we teach our children.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I have spoken to many people who say they are Christians because they were baptized as a baby. I guess they missed the teaching part. I met many Greeks who claimed they were Christians because they were born in Greece, so the government checked the box. It does not seem to have much impact on their moral behavior. But there I go, judging.
mumsee
LikeLiked by 3 people