01/01/2012
Southlawn has had 6 baptisms in the last couple months. On New Years Day 2012 we begin with the baptism of Mike Miller. This was a unique baptism, Richard sat down with Mike in front of the Congregation in a "question and answer session" regarding Mike's decision to be re-baptized, and his faith and study of scripture that lead to his journey in Christ. Mike explained that he believed through further study of the scriptures that his baptism was not obedient to God's word. We see an example of a rebaptism in Act's 18 and 19 when on the Paul’s 3rd missionary journey from Antioch of Syria, he re-baptized 12 men at Ephesus who had received an incorrect baptism. Mike shared with the congregation that his faith began at an early age reading the Bible with his mother, Barb Miller. Although Mike's family briefly attended a different church as a child, most of his faith was based in what he read with his mother at home, and they did not attend church. Barb also briefly attended Southlawn church as a child back in the early 1940's. In 1995 Mike's mom was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer, so advanced that surgery was not an option. Mike was desperate for another opinion, and gave his mother's xrays to a long time friend Dr. Don Schanz, who was doing his medical internship at the UofM. Don gave the xrays to some of the best Thoracic surgeons in the country at the Uof M. The doctors all told Don, there was nothing that could be done, even with treatment, the patient in these xrays would probably be dead in 3-6 months. Barb, never prayed to be cured, or for a miracle, but just for acceptance of God's will. 6 months after the diagnoses and receiving chemotherapy and radiation Barb was found to be completely cancer free in November of 1995. Barb fully believed this was only the work of God, which lead Mike and his mother into even a deeper faith and conviction to God. Mike was baptized in August 1997. In 1998 Barb asked Mike if he would attend church at Southlawn with her. Mike agreed and they began attending, which resulted in even more of her children attending and being baptized. Mike said that his mother and him always felt at home with the people attending Southlawn. Barb lived 9 years after her diagnoses of terminal lung cancer, which Mike believes allowed his mother to come full circle in her faith in God, all praise be to God. Mike continued to study the scriptures and felt it was layed upon his heart to be re-baptized in an more accurate accordance with God's word. Mike explained that although God is a loving and forgiving God, he does required obedience to his word, and as a Christian we are to continually examine and seek the truth in the scriptures. Mike entered the water's of baptism and in accordance with Acts 2:38, (" Peter replied, Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.") making the decision to accept Jesus as his Lord and Savior, like in the Hymn sung before Mike's baptism;
I have decided to follow Jesus,
I have decided to follow Jesus.
I have decided to follow Jesus;
no turning back, no turning back.
Verse 2:
Though none go with me, still I will follow,
though none go with me, still I will follow.
Though none go with me, still I will follow;
no turning back, no turning back.
Verse 3:
The world behind me, the cross before me,
the world behind me, the cross before me.
The world behind me, the cross before me;
no turning back, no turning back.
