AFRICA

at 03/11/11 2:59PM
I forgot how much I love this place! I am updating pleo for the first time in months from a small sweaty room with a slow internet connection. I am so thankful for all the opportunities that God has blessed me with! I will be getting to work with the church in Minneapolis when I get back and I will be married in August...life is good!
JJ
  • celticgirl1787
    :)

    Stay safe and keep preaching the Word :).
    by celticgirl1787 at 03/13/11 12:58AM

A REQUEST

at 11/29/10 9:44AM
Would anyone happen to know a preacher that would be looking to move north...I mean really north. I am really needing some help with the work and would love it if an older preacher was able to come and give me a hand. And I am not just talking about a Gospel meeting, I am talking about becoming a part of our community. I know that people don't usually think in this direction when thinking of places to move, but the fields are sure white for harvest up here. If anyone wants further information or details please send me an email at jonesjeremy06@gmail.com. God bless.
JJ
  • the_rainy_dog
    Hm, I'm sorry, I can't really think of anyone that's looking for that. But I'll pray that God might send someone your way and help you in your work. May God bless you! :)
    by the_rainy_dog at 11/29/10 10:43AM
  • barbershopboy05
    Utah Jones...UTAH! I give you one 1.5 years then Utah. Summer 2012!
    by barbershopboy05 at 12/08/10 12:13AM
  • thatonegirl
    YES I DO! Brent Forsyth, from Tucson AZ, is an experienced evangelist (15+ years) looking for work in the Lord's kingdom. PLEASE call him and find out if he'd like become a part of the community! His number is (520) 579-5217. Tell him I sent ya ; )
    by thatonegirl at 12/09/10 10:32PM

A QUESTION...

at 11/15/10 12:06PM
At what point do you think a child is ready to be baptized? I heard one interesting point...if a child is old enough to become a part of the church, then they are old enough to be subject to church discipline. Any thoughts on this topic? I am asking because a 10 year old here has been talking to me over and over about wanting to be baptized.
JJ
  • dominic
    If someone wants to become a Christian, young or old, I want to ask them key things about sin, the death of Jesus, and faith. But I want to make sure I ask them in a non-standard way. In other words, I don't want them to just be able to mindlessly say, "I want to be baptized into Jesus for the forgiveness of my sins." I want them to be able to say that, but I want them to be able to say it in their own words in a way that shows they really do understand their sin, God's wrath against them for their sin, and the propitiatory nature of Christ's death.
    by dominic at 11/15/10 1:11PM
  • smallgreenbug
    I think Christopher was 9 or 10 when he was baptized. And his father told him no. That tells me that he was ready. When the child is wanting to do it even though they are told not to. Or if the child goes ahead and does it even when he believes that there is no support from those he respects the most.
    by smallgreenbug at 11/15/10 1:25PM
  • dominic
    I think that is a necessary element, but I don't think it's a sufficient one. There are plenty of self-righteous 10 year olds who want to get baptized because it's a good thing to do, who don't have any meaningful concept of their own sinfulness, or of God's wrath being against them for their sin, and who do not really grasp the atoning nature of Christ's death. All they think is that they are goodie-two shoes who have one more good thing that they are supposed to do, no matter who says they can't.

    So, as I said, I agree Sarah that that is a necessary condition, but not a sufficient one.
    by dominic at 11/15/10 1:46PM
  • dominic
    In other words, I think the accurate statement is if someone won't get baptized because they are told not to, then they aren't ready.

    But there are other things we need to find out before we baptize someone who will get baptized when they are told not to, because they might still be doing it for the wrong reasons.
    by dominic at 11/15/10 4:14PM
  • dominic
    Ok, so I typed an answer to your question about discipline a few times, but decided I have to think about it more before I give an opinion.
    by dominic at 11/15/10 4:53PM
  • engelishgentleman
    I really like the point Dominic made in his first comment that the issue the same whether the person is young or old. It's not like there's one standard for people over X age and another for people under that age.
    by engelishgentleman at 11/15/10 6:47PM
  • engelishgentleman
    As far as the "church discipline" issue goes...how can the group discipline one who is a not a member of the group?
    by engelishgentleman at 11/16/10 12:00AM
  • jjorangeswirl
    Yep Jonathan, that is the point I think...if we are going to say that a 10 year old if old enough to become a Christian and then join a local church that they would be subject to all of the same treatment as any other part of the group...I guess I just don't know a lot of 10 year olds that would be ready for that true level of commitment, and I don't know of many churches that would take that responsibility towards a 10 year old to collectively reprimand, discipline, or even disfellowship.
    by jjorangeswirl at 11/16/10 2:15AM
  • thatonegirl
    Please understand that there is no "set" age at which a person is "ready for" or "able to comprehend" baptism. Therefore its not as much of an age question as it is a maturity question. Some kids understand fully at age 8 and others at age 28 - it depends on the individual. If you're worried the child may not fully understand the meaning behind it talk with their parents, because the parents will have a greater insight into the maturity level the child is at. I asked a similar question a few months ago and my mother-in-law gave a relatively easy way to understand what level the child is at: ask the child, "If you were to die RIGHT NOW would you go to heaven?" A child who does not understand that when they do wrong they have sinned will answer, "Yes!" But a child who DOES get the concept will stop and think... and maybe even have a little fear for their own soul.

    Only a slightly different but somewhat similiar note, I'd also like to take into consideration just about all the baptisims recorded in the NT. Most of those who were baptized had just learned of the gospel on the same day they were baptized. I would dare to guess that most of them didn't not FULLY understand what they were doing nor did they completely comprehend the depravity of their soul prior to salvation. Therefore I would guess that its fair to say that one does not have to have a complete understanding to be baptized. I mean, really, who are we to judge one's heart and tell them, "no, you can't be baptized yet"????

    And if by chance a child decides to be baptized before they are "ready" they will probably realize when they are truly "ready" that they weren't previously. And then comes in the discussion of "re-baptisim" ;)
    by thatonegirl at 11/17/10 3:36PM
  • dorothy129
    I was baptized at age 12 and then again at 15. I have seen several Christians that were baptized young, being baptized again when they are older. I think it varies with each individual. Maturity level has a lot to do with whether or not one is ready. I have seen some very responsible young people, who were beyond their years in maturity. If the young person is coming to you repeatedly, I would talk with the parents and see what they think. I have heard if a child requests to be baptized, even after being told no, they are more than likely ready.
    by dorothy129 at 11/20/10 10:00AM
  • ghostlady
    A christian I greatly respect asked his children when they showed interest in being baptized, "Do you think you are a pre-christian or are you a sinner?" I think that is an insightful question. I first heard it when I was younger and thinking about being baptized and I wondered what the difference was--I'm pretty confident that shows that at the time I didn't understand baptism and sinfulness.
    by ghostlady at 11/20/10 11:00AM

LOTS OF HAPPENINGS

at 10/09/10 6:46PM
Bible studies are going well, Life with a roomate is actually turning out to be a good thing, and I don't have to mow the yard again until next May! Also some big news, in March 2011 I'll be headed to Ghana to do some preaching and teaching for a few weeks. Please pray for that! God bless.
JJ
  • teelduo
    God Bless you Jeremy!
    by teelduo at 10/10/10 8:33AM
  • forest_elf
    hi Jeremy, just letting u know i have a new blog as "thecasualcat" this is amanda allen btw. hope all is well
    by forest_elf at 10/28/10 11:51PM

COLD WEATHER!

at 09/27/10 11:15PM
So I bought apple cider, made chili, and have been watch football every weekend. That means that it is finally fall! The bad thing is that my gigantic seemingly never-ending supply of tomatoes has stopped producing now that the Northern Michigan weather has been in the upper 30's every night. If you want to come visit me, the season is growing shorter because statistically we could have LOTS of snow any time now. We'll see!
JJ
  • teelduo
    HAPPY FALL!
    by teelduo at 10/08/10 12:09PM