Today was an exhausting but exhilarating day. I arrived at the church at about 7:45, and began to get everything ready for a morning of RockiTown children's church hours. By 9:20 I hustled over to the main worship center to prepare to baptize a mom and her son who had recently come to Christ. It was an exciting moment, baptizing them together. I got back in time for the rest of our RockiTown worship times, and spoke both hours on "Be still, and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10).
By 12:15pm, I was jumping in the car and racing around 285 to arrive at First Baptist Atlanta for the afternoon baptism celebration for an old high school friend of mine. I have known Aaron since the 9th grade, and though the miles, the years, and the circumstances of life have caused us to pass in and out of each other's lives over the years, over the past couple of years we've begun talking more, and of course riding motorcycles together. Then, back in the fall, Aaron called me one Sunday afternoon, telling me he had trusted Christ at FBC Atlanta! I was thrilled, to say the least. So when he asked me if I'd baptize him, I was honored. His mom was there, as well as Pat & Karen Davis, who have been friends with Aaron since high school as well, and several other family friends. It was a real privilege to help Aaron take this step in his new walk with Christ. I told Him, "We've been friends for many years, and now I'm thrilled to call you my brother as well."
After returning for a brief rest, I prepared for the evening worship service, that I was to preach in. I was excited for the opportunity, as in the 10+ years I've been at Hebron, I've only been given the chance to preach, outside of the children's ministry, on 2 occasions. I spoke on Courage- in our personal lives, our homes, in the world, for our children. My opening text was from 2 Timothy 1:7- "God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind." Several told me afterward that it was a message they needed to hear, and were encouraged by it.
In all, it was an exhausting, exhilarating day. I can't think of a better way to spend myself.