Matthew's Baptism
And I see a soul needing care-not only physical care and protection from his parents, but also spiritual care and protection from his Heavenly Father. Often when he cries, we sooth him with lullabies. His mother, Maija, likes to sing "Jesus Loves Me" to Matthew. She will sing the first verse at Matthew's baptism as well. We also play a CD we received from AAL: Jesus Loves Me Fast Asleep. This CD contains Christo-centric lullabies. We play it nightly as it helps Matthew sleep.
I also read and hear God's promises concerning baptism, promises connected with God's Word. It is a means through which God creates and strengthens faith. It is a gift of God, not a sign of our faithfulness. Actually, it is a sign of God's faithfulness. We are only asked to baptize once. God remains active in the lives of his children and in baptism he displays that. We might wander from God, His truth, and His Word. But God continues to call us back to our baptism and our inheritance as His children.
As the father of the family, God also directs me to take steps to keep my family in His grace. He charges me to oversee the Christian education of my family. I am to teach right from wrong, our sins, and God's grace. In doing so, I am charged to use His means of Grace-His Holy Word and His Holy Sacraments, baptism and Lord's Supper. Scripture tells me that the God is active and involved through the means of Grace. The Holy Spirit works through water and the Word in baptism. The Holy Spirit works through the preaching and teaching of the Word. Christ himself guarantees that the bread and wine ARE is body and blood-not representing or changing into body and blood, but the body and blood is "in, with, and under the bread and wine." (1 Corinthians 11:23-33)
And finally, as a parent I need to be aware that my baby boy is subject to the ravages of sin. Videos were given us on what to expect our first year-and the subject of illness seemed a common thread. If untreated, babies die. A friend who was expecting is now grieving the loss of an unborn child. This is death, death which is the wages of sin. Thus, my baby just like every other baby is susceptible to death because he is
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