Recently, I was posed some different questions from an acquaintance that is on the spiritual journey. They had some great questions that were asked. Instead of just replying with a quick response I thought it might be good to throw the questions out for some good dialogue. So over the next few weeks I will regularly throw out a question with the hope you will take the time to interact with the questions. After a few days of dialogue I will write a response as well. So now that everyone understands…here is the first question of the week.

If God created the world why are there so many religions?

- Long morning yesterday. Finally got home around 2 pm and fell asleep quite fast only to be awaken by the neighbors dogs.
- Loved the “True Love” song the band did at the end of the service. Great way to wrap up the service! Awesome job.
- Fantastic time at the Lunch with the Pastors. Paradise Bakery did a great job catering and the conversations were fun and insightful. Can’t wait until next months.
- I am really excited for Sunday night’s baptism. So far, we have a great showing of people who are interested.
- Aaron did a great job throughout the day. What a star!
- I still laugh when I see the guys setting up the giant portable billboard sign in the parking lot.
- Setup/Tear down team is still killing each week. Great job guys!!! Tearing down in 25 minutes still amazes me.
- Praying for Micah and Bethany as they take off Wednesday for Ethiopia.
- Excited for another week in our series “Art of Love.” This week we will be talking about practical implications to love.

This Sunday evening we will be having our first baptism celebration! We already have a good number of people who are showing interest in getting baptized. If you would like some information about joining those who are getting baptized let us know. Call the church office or drop me an email and we will get you all the info you need. If you have some questions about baptism, maybe the info below will help. Hope to hear from you!

A quick look at Baptism

It is NOT:
1. A requirement you must meet in order to go to heaven.
2. Something which will wash away your sins.
3. An event which will make you a new person.

It IS:
1. A tradition God established for his people.
2. Something God wants you to do. It shows others three things
about you.
a. That you believe the message of the “Gospel” or the good
news of Jesus Christ: that Jesus died for your sins, was buried,
and rose again.
b. That you belong to the family of all those who have come to
believe the Gospel story of Jesus.
c. That you intend to live an obedient life to following Jesus.

Who Should NOT be Baptized:

1. Someone who thinks it will wash their sins away.
2. Someone who does not believe the truth about Jesus.
3. Someone who wants to do it because they think it will help them
go to heaven.
4. Someone who does it because their parents want them to, or
because their friends are doing it.

Who SHOULD be Baptized:

1. Anyone who has believed the truth about Jesus.
2. Anyone who understands what Baptism is and isn’t.

This Saturday our Mother Church, Red Mountain Community Church, will be hosting a health and fitness day from 8:00am to Noon. If your looking for something to do, drop on in. Here are some more details of what you can expect.

Bike Clinic ― basic maintenance
Bike Licensing for kids
Running Clinic
Proper Stretching
Marathon Club ― how to train; join a coaching group
Run or Bike ― short family friendly run or bike thru the neighborhood
Health Checks: Body Fat, Blood Pressure, Cholesterol, Diabetes/Blood sugar
Nutrition: metabolic typing; lifestyle eating

What is love? I can’t ask that question without thinking of the Roxberry skit on SNL. Seriously though, how do you define love? How does our culture define love? How does God see love? Please consider joining me over the next three weeks as we explore what it means to love and how we can live as unselfish and generous people. I am excited for the journey that starts this Sunday and I hope you are as well. In preparation for Sunday read 1 John 4:7-21. See you Sunday!!!