still at it

Romans 6:1-4 from memory
What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin how can we live in it any longer? Or don't you know that those of us who were baptized with Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried with Him through baptism and into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead for the glory of God we to may live a new life.

Romans 6: 1-4 Actual NIV
What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

Almost there.

I have been thinking about baptism lately. When Genesis begins creation is dark and formless. It is what other religions would call Chaos. God is hovering over the waters and calls for light. Our soul is dark we are baptized and then our life has God's light.
It is popular to say that our God is not one of rituals. He judges people for their heart, but when I read the Word, baptism certainly seems more than just an outward announcement.

How important is baptism by water for our salvation?

Romans 6: 1-4

Me trying to type what I've memorized
What shall we say then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin, how can we live in it any longer? Or don't you know, that those of us who were baptized in Christ Jesus were baptized in his death. We were therefor buried through baptism and into his death so that ...

Actual NIV text
1What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? 3Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

Fail!

To help myself memorize what I am reading I am going to start writing on it.

Wind

John 3:8
The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit."

So true.
Where does God want me? What am I here for? What are His plans for me?
"He knows and that's all that matters," I have told myself and others dozens of times.
Sometimes I feel the Spirit throws me into a turbulent storm and other times a calm breeze. I never know where I am going, but that would be like knowing what God's destination for a wind is. It needs to get there. It will get there, and me knowing God's plan for it makes no difference.

I just finished The Shack and am about to start reading Water For Elephants. The Shack was very good. It allowed me to look at creation and its creator from a different perspective. Many criticize it. I can see where they are coming from but I think the point is for people to open their eyes. Water For Elephants is just a fiction not a Christian fiction. I bought it because The Shack was on a "buy one get the second half off" rack and I felt like spending money.

From the Chapter I'm memorizing

I have been in a spiritual slump since oh let's say all of '08. I have been trying to figure out the problem and Romans 6 has answered it. The problem is I'm not dead.
To be given new life by Jesus means you were resurrected with Jesus. To be resurrected with him you must have died with him.
I focus too much on trying to worship God and "being in love with God." That's actually not what we're meant to do. We are meant to live and die and be resurrected with Christ. We are to exist in Him. That is how I fail as a Christian.
I want to have a quiet time with God. I put some time from my day and worship Him. I set parts of my week away for church. That is living an earthly life of a Christian not living in Christ. Oops. Something to work on, I guess.

Hood Rat

Young Goldie

Look at that little brat. You can just tell she was a pain in the butt. She's lucky she's cute.

True Art

Memorization

Question: As far as memorizing the Bible which one should I do?
memorize 50 different verses
memorize 12 chapters
or memorize a book

I was memorizing Bible verses last year and liked it. I guess I stopped because I got lazy. I want to get back to into it. I could try a verse a week or attempt at remembering a whole book. I don't know.