DISQUS

I can't imagine more beautiful words for what you are saying.
Just, (and) Beautiful.

You just can't know exactly how much someone like me needed this word today. Thank you. And Amen.

Praying for you today. Much love for all of you today.

Giddy and prayer-filled for you and yours. And could you be any more beautiful? Wow.

Words are failing, but my heart, it hears and brother, wow. What an amazing reflection and honest, raw, beautiful thing.

*crack*
That is the sound of my heart breaking open. WOW.

"Tom"/Mark,

What an amazing question, and although I have my own convictions about Baptism, I want to leave them aside, and answer your added questions.
You ask "Tom":

1. to what extent do i involve myself in the matter? i have made it clear to “liz” that i am not in favor, do i take it further?

2. to what extent do i involve myself in the ceremony itself? do i attend? do i attend without participation? do i participate fully?

One - good for you and your relationship with "Liz" that you two can share honest dialog. Some co-parents do not have such a gift.

Two - Small people, children, are such a gift. An amazing bundle of love waiting to be shaped, and you "Tom", along with a whole host of family now - and "family" to come, will share in that opportunity.

What seems to be important today is not actually about you per se. It is about this wonderful girl gift you have shared in bringing into this world. As you say you have both already done what holds up each of your values, dedications in your own communities.

I think it would be a shame if you self excluded from any and all of the participations. In my denomination, we say the Nicene Creed or Baptismal Covenant in worship each Sunday. Do I buy all of it, every week? No. But I show up. I still have questions, but I am unwilling to miss out on the ride of my life.

This is about your little girl, and EVERYONE who loves her. If it were me, I would set aside my theology, my pride (again if I was you, I am not assuming that you are full of pride - I can only tell you that I struggle with it in my life), my cerebral understanding of right and wrong, and allow my heart to be open to what God might be up to in all of this. My heart and prayers are with you. And with "Liz" and your beautiful joy - "Lucy"

"Tom"/Mark,

What an amazing question, and although I have my own convictions about Baptism, I want to leave them aside, and answer your added questions.
You ask "Tom":

1. to what extent do i involve myself in the matter? i have made it clear to “liz” that i am not in favor, do i take it further?

2. to what extent do i involve myself in the ceremony itself? do i attend? do i attend without participation? do i participate fully?

One - good for you and your relationship with "Liz" that you two can share honest dialog. Some co-parents do not have such a gift.

Two - Small people, children, are such a gift. An amazing bundle of love waiting to be shaped, and you "Tom", along with a whole host of family now - and "family" to come, will share in that opportunity.

What seems to be important today is not actually about you per se. It is about this wonderful girl gift you have shared in bringing into this world. As you say you have both already done what holds up each of your values, dedications in your own communities.

I think it would be a shame if you self excluded from any and all of the participations. In my denomination, we say the Nicene Creed or Baptismal Covenant in worship each Sunday. Do I buy all of it, every week? No. But I show up. I still have questions, but I am unwilling to miss out on the ride of my life.

This is about your little girl, and EVERYONE who loves her. If it were me, I would set aside my theology, my pride (again if I was you, I am not assuming that you are full of pride - I can only tell you that I struggle with it in my life), my cerebral understanding of right and wrong, and allow my heart to be open to what God might be up to in all of this. My heart and prayers are with you. And with "Liz" and your beautiful joy - "Lucy"

"Tom"/Mark,


What an amazing question, and although I have my own convictions about Baptism, I want to leave them aside, and answer your added questions.

You ask "Tom":

1. to what extent do i involve myself in the matter? i have made it clear to “liz” that i am not in favor, do i take it further?

2. to what extent do i involve myself in the ceremony itself? do i attend? do i attend without participation? do i participate fully?

One - good for you and your relationship with "Liz" that you two can share honest dialog. Some co-parents do not have such a gift.



Two - Small people, children, are such a gift. An amazing bundle of love waiting to be shaped, and you "Tom", along with a whole host of family now - and "family" to come, will share in that opportunity.



What seems to be important today is not actually about you per se. It is about this wonderful girl gift you have shared in bringing into this world. As you say you have both already done what holds up each of your values, dedications in your own communities.



I think it would be a shame if you self excluded from any and all of the participations. In my denomination, we say the Nicene Creed or Baptismal Covenant in worship each Sunday. Do I buy all of it, every week? No. But I show up. I still have questions, but I am unwilling to miss out on the ride of my life.



This is about your little girl, and EVERYONE who loves her. If it were me, I would set aside my theology, my pride (again if I was you, I am not assuming that you are full of pride - I can only tell you that I struggle with it in my life), my cerebral understanding of right and wrong, and allow my heart to be open to what God might be up to in all of this. My heart and prayers are with you. And with "Liz" and your beautiful joy - "Lucy"

Don't know if you have run across this person, but when I saw this photo - I thought of this person/post. http://abbeyofthearts.com/blog/2007/03/21/stori...
Her name is Christine, shes real nice. Blessings and happy spring.

Mark - WOW! Thank you. Maybe this was repeat info for some - but it just makes my heart so full to hear such clear vision and focus that has been laid on your heart, as well as other pilgrims in ministry with you. Thanks for taking the time to explain. Peace.

Mark - WOW! Thank you. Maybe this was repeat info for some - but it just makes my heart so full to hear such clear vision and focus that has been laid on your heart, as well as other pilgrims in ministry with you. Thanks for taking the time to explain. Peace.

Mark - WOW! Thank you. Maybe this was repeat info for some - but it just makes my heart so full to hear such clear vision and focus that has been laid on your heart, as well as other pilgrims in ministry with you. Thanks for taking the time to explain. Peace.

Mark, This is really awesome. The language is expressive, accessible, clear. My question is one that I have wondered for a while. Why the West Bank? What is it about this area that means the whole ministry is focused there. Maybe you have talked about it before, and I just missed it. I'd love to hear more about the need to be specific about the area in which MD is called.

Mark, This is really awesome. The language is expressive, accessible, clear. My question is one that I have wondered for a while. Why the West Bank? What is it about this area that means the whole ministry is focused there. Maybe you have talked about it before, and I just missed it. I'd love to hear more about the need to be specific about the area in which MD is called.

Mark, This is really awesome. The language is expressive, accessible, clear. My question is one that I have wondered for a while. Why the West Bank? What is it about this area that means the whole ministry is focused there. Maybe you have talked about it before, and I just missed it. I'd love to hear more about the need to be specific about the area in which MD is called.

I originally found you surfing, and think I stumbled upon you by a now non-exisitant website that listed emergent communities all over the country. I visited virtually for a long time - then finally attended a Theology Pub. Lurking ever since. I am not super smarty enough to understand your lingo sometimes, so I tend not to comment. But - I try to keep coming back, because I know that every once in a while, I understand what you are saying, and it's good food to chew on. I'm in the cities, and will continue to hold you and yours in prayer. Bless you.

I originally found you surfing, and think I stumbled upon you by a now non-exisitant website that listed emergent communities all over the country. I visited virtually for a long time - then finally attended a Theology Pub. Lurking ever since. I am not super smarty enough to understand your lingo sometimes, so I tend not to comment. But - I try to keep coming back, because I know that every once in a while, I understand what you are saying, and it's good food to chew on. I'm in the cities, and will continue to hold you and yours in prayer. Bless you.

I originally found you surfing, and think I stumbled upon you by a now non-exisitant website that listed emergent communities all over the country. I visited virtually for a long time - then finally attended a Theology Pub. Lurking ever since. I am not super smarty enough to understand your lingo sometimes, so I tend not to comment. But - I try to keep coming back, because I know that every once in a while, I understand what you are saying, and it's good food to chew on. I'm in the cities, and will continue to hold you and yours in prayer. Bless you.

If I were just a passer by, I would think to myself something like "seriously - what the whack are those people thinking?" The sad part about this particular sign to me is that (unless I can't see the details) no one group put their name to it, and I would be super suprised if this was biblegateway.com's new fancy marketing schtick. Great post.

If I were just a passer by, I would think to myself something like "seriously - what the whack are those people thinking?" The sad part about this particular sign to me is that (unless I can't see the details) no one group put their name to it, and I would be super suprised if this was biblegateway.com's new fancy marketing schtick. Great post.

If I were just a passer by, I would think to myself something like "seriously - what the whack are those people thinking?" The sad part about this particular sign to me is that (unless I can't see the details) no one group put their name to it, and I would be super suprised if this was biblegateway.com's new fancy marketing schtick. Great post.

Amen.

Amen.

Amen.