If I ever asked you to describe my husband, Jeremy, you probably would not put "a bible thumper" as one of the top descriptors. I would think you would label "christian" as one of them, but "one who knows his bible well" is probably not one of the top things you would say. I'll be honest- I wouldn't either. After 13 years of being together, 5 of those being married, I finally have learned something about my husband. That man---KNOWS his bible. 6 weeks ago, I randomly saw a friend post on Facebook that this new mini-series was going to be showing that evening starting at 7. Well, as many of you know, I'm not one has a very long attention span- and watching something for 2 hours, for the next 6 weeks, once a week, just wasn't very "appealing" to me. I actually had not even "planned" on watching it when it started.
However, that Sunday evening- Jeremy had just finished watching something on the history channel- and we were just finishing supper. I had the girls bathed and they were playing and looked at the clock. It was straight up 7- and I sat down with the remote and said "Why not? Let's try it!"

Here I am 6 weeks later, to tell you that I nor my husband NEVER missed one minute of any episode. That's how good this mini-series was. Our couples weekend--on Sunday- it was the center of our day to make it back by 7 to watch. Our Easter weekend, was focused on leaving by 4 to return home by 7. I will even share that my husband was probably more into it than I was. After the very first episode, I was left with many questions, and of course left in awe. I then started to take notice at how much my husband "knew". As the 2nd and 3rd episode showed, I became more and more in awe. My husband was telling me names and details of these events before they even happened. I was the one sitting there in dumbness. I even had to call my mom after most episodes to reconfirm and try to comprehend the details.

Last night was the final episode, and how gut-wrenching and promising it was. I bawled like a baby, and I rejoiced in the end. I have learned so much about my faith and the background of how it all happened.

Growing up- I was never shoved a bible. My church had it "all laid out" with something called a missalette and I never had to learn my "books" and recite bible stories. My CCD consisted of prayers, rituals, and goofing off. I had some horrible teachers- and I had some good ones too. From about 8th grade through confirmation---a total waste of time. What saddens me, looking back, is that I wasted all that time. On the other hand- my husband grew up in Sunday School every Sunday morning- learning his bible from front to back- and reciting those stories- to what Baptist call "bible drills". I probably can't tell you 5 times that I was handed a true "bible" in CCD and was told to flip to a book, read, and recite the story. Nope- that never happened. Now, I am not joking off my catholic religion, by any means. I admire the Catholic church and miss all the symbolism that the church entails.

However- what I don't miss is the sense of "forcefulness" and the "laziness" that comes from that. I don't want to seem as if I'm "blaming" the church for my not knowing my bible- any true christian knows that if you want to know the bible- get it out and read it yourself. Yet, I also know as a teacher, that children are at such prime ages to learn such valuable information- and I don't feel as if bible reading/reciting stories was encouraged.

Coming into the Easter Season, it always saddens me a little that I'm not catholic. I miss Easter Season in the catholic church. It's such a special time. However- I don't miss that feeling of "guilt" when you miss because your extremely ill, was up until 3 AM with a baby the night before, or whatever else. From my personal experience- I learned that it was more of an attendance factor more than anything. Yet, after converting to the Baptist faith- I've learned the EXACT opposite. I go to church because I WANT to go and I want to worship my savior. I'm not going to get a tally beside my name, or because I want the preacher to notice, or because I want someone in the congregation to notice.

Back to my topic- this mini series of The Bible. Upon watching John the Baptist baptizing many, and then watching Peter baptize last night, NOT ONCE did I ever see one infant baptized. I am very well aware of taking original sin away and that Catholics/Methodist do believe in infant baptism. However, no where in the bible does it ever state that infants have to be baptized. NOW- do not misunderstand. I am not AGAINST, IN ANY WAY, ANYONE baptizing their infants. If you want to get technical- I was baptized as an infant and believe to this day that I am a saved Christian on my way to heaven. I also can testify to say that there is nothing more angelic than seeing a pure, innocent infant being baptized. However- after seeing this series and diving into scripture- I have learned and solidified my decision all the more. The day that my girls get to testify and make their OWN decision to follow God- to get to REMEMBER their baptism-- How awesome is that? I am excited that in my new "religion" that everything is a"choice" for them to make. Nothing is forced by age, previous rituals, etc. Let me state this again- I am not FOR or AGAINST infant baptism, I don't feel that either way is the "right" way. I honestly feel that they are BOTH 100% true and meaningful and that God will accept both religions into his kingdom. As Paul ended his life last night saying "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful" To me- that's what life is all about. Not WHEN you get baptized, but how you fought your fight, how you remained faithful, and that determines your destiny.

Ok- so that's my sermon for today! If you haven't watched this- then I urge anyone to grab a copy of the DVD that comes out tomorrow- my family gives it 2 thumbs up, 5 stars, and SO MUCH MORE! You will not be disappointed- you will be REJOICING that you are promised an everlasting life in heaven!