15 Years Ago

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15 years ago today I was baptized and became a Christian. Have I grown spiritually since then? I hope so. But who’s to say?
I remember it well…just as if it happened yesterday. When I was baptized it was on a Thursday night in the middle of summer in 1987 in a dark empty church building with my immediate family and another close family present. If I had it to do over again, I would have chosen to be baptized in a full church building or at a camp where friends are there to dish out an overwhelming neverending supply of hugs and support. At that time my whole mentality was screwed up. It was more of “I’m embarrassed because I am a sinner,” rather than “let’s rejoice over a new Christian.” So when people would congratulate me, I would turn away from them, not wanting to talk about it much. The only other regret I have was that I was not counseled at all before getting dunked. So at one point there were questions in my mind as to why I made that decision. But all of that has been worked out in the end.
Seemingly right after I was baptized I attempted to do stuff and make promises to God which would be a sure bet to get me into heaven. Again, my whole mentality was messed up. I couldn’t pray enough prayers, nor read enough Bible verses to get into heaven. By being baptized I was already on my way there. I guess at that time I didn’t understand the concept of grace.
To be honest I don’t think I was as spiritually mature as some of the kids in my cabin last week at camp when I was 12. Growing up during my junior high years I think I was more concerned with annoying people than actually having a spiritual discussion with someone. My old youth minister, Bill Speight Jr., didn’t have much to work with when he got me in the youth group. It is a wonder I even made it through high school at all. But then again, I came from a stable religious family…which I’m sure would have found a way for me to make it through life with a little persuasion.
Whenever a woman or girl gets baptized during services at church, there is usually a whole flock of women who go with her to the dressing room. I guess it takes 2 people to cry, 2 people to hand them each article of clothing…and so on…. However lately I’ve noticed it is happening with boys who get baptized also. Last time there seemingly was at least 5 boys who went with another one to the dressing room as he was getting baptized. These boys tend to stick together in situations like this. It is very refreshing to see public support for someone over their decision. I joked around with one of them calling them “towell boy” who seemingly always went to the dressing room during a baptism.
I must give credit to preachers who can seemingly provide ultraquick counseling to someone who comes forward at church during the brief 2 minutes in the chorus of the invitation song. Seems like decisions like this would take a long time to counsel with.
Whew! That was quite an entry. Not sure if I should have posted all that. Normally I would not have told all that to just anyone. But seemingly it seems as if it is so passive to do it this way. I am not even sure who is reading this. Nor if anyone cares about these topics.
In other news…
Heaven or Hell Argument Ends in Slaying
My high school history book had this map in it. Too bad it’s been proven a fake (the map that is; my history book is still genuine).
My car is still in the shop due to that broken automatic window. I gave them a list of other things which was wrong with it…among them…the radio won’t pick up my favorite radio station when right outside of Nashville. Since the list is so long, they told me not to expect it back until before Wednesday. I’d imagine I won’t get my car back until late this week.

0 thoughts on “15 Years Ago”

  1. And yes…that is my real name. I think today I got a little too bored. Some little obscure search for the name “Jeff” transports me to this obscure litttle place called jeffwhittle.com. Although, obscure in a good way…not a bad way. All of the sudden I am transported to this litttle place called Mt. Juliet TN. And a very entertaining place it is. My dearest Jeffery, I find your upkeep and honesty on this page very brave indeed. Let me point out my favorites…the ever so honest and innocent journal entries. Secondly, the wonderful “Growing Up Church Of CHrist”. THirdly, the very funny quotes and year book page. I was practically rolling on the floor. But on to the more important things. Ah yes…growing up church of christ…conservative, traditional, unenthusiastic…sounds all too familiar. Jeff if you are not spiritually growing, then why haven’t you went looking yet? Is a little family ties on this Earth binding you to eternity. If you feel there is more out there, then there is…young grasshopper (HAHAHA!!!) Now seriously, I grew up in a very conservative town in the heart of the Bible Belt. I am a first generation Italian immigrant, I came to this country at the ripe old age of 16, and was adopted by the Smiths in Canton Mississippi. A far cry form the rolling hills and ripe vineyards of the old country. But a home nonetheless…and fried chicken was a welcome new menu. But listen…catholocism…I knew there was more out there. So I went looking. My parents took me to church as soon as they got me. And I felt so relieved to have met this “relisious” group of people. But it was just as traditional and un-enthusiastic as Catholicism. When it came time to go to college I decided to go to a small Christian college in the beautiful hills of TN. So there I went…and soon founf a huge turn-off…forced religion…I couldn’t escape it. So one day I decided to go on a hike in the woods all by myself. Along the way I stumbled (literally) across a man who was just sitting in the middle of a trail with a camera taking a picture of this small teeny tiny as you would say ant. Yes…a hell of a macro lens he had…an ant! So of course I had to stop an dtalk to him. We started talking about religion and I was astounded at how educated this man was. He was a hindu, born and raised in Nebraska somewhere. But he thought there was something else out there…more religiously to speak of. So he decided to practice hinduism. To make a long story short at the age of 18 I was converted to hinduism…and i was alive for the first time…inside and out…peacefull, content, joyful. So I decided to drop out of college and spend some time with nature. Big mistake… Anyways one day I found myself sitting in a Greyhound bus stop in Nashville TN. Hundreds of miles away from my family…lost, confused, scared, not at all happy. And I said this isn’t real, these gods aren’t real. I want Jesus back. So I took a walk to the Church of Christ just a few blocks away. There I sat in the entrance on my knees praying, sobbing, being re-born again. And this tap on my shoulder…a man in a dirty denim jacket…with a beautiful painting of an angel on the back, and it said “Samuel”…he said “Madonna…I am Samuel, I am here to tell you that your parents want you to come home.” NO JOKE I AM NOT LYING…THIS REALLY HAPPENED!!!! Amazing, wonderful…AWAKENING… I am sure you are not concerned with my life. But to make a long story short, I decided to go home and instead of attending the Church of CHrist where my parents had insisted I go all those years, I decided to go to a Christian Church…a place where God is alive and moving, a place where people come to truly praise and worship, and a place where I belonged. It was like church camp all the time… Jeff, try breaking the mold. Your eternity is more important than the expectations that people have for you. Try a Christian Church with music and fellowship. And don’t be afraid of what the people in Mt.Juliet will think. You seem like a very wise young man, you know what it is to be spiritually alive, why not have that feeling everyday of your life. Oh well, no more from me. Think about it…..

  2. Who is this person??? I think it’s funny in all of that ranting, she never mentions that she reads or has ever read the Bible. Religion is not what is on the outside of the building where you worship. It comes from God’s Word and that is the ONLY way to get to heaven. Bottom line, end of story, finished… If you want to be saved, you HAVE to read, study, believe, and obey the Bible. You can’t go on what some Hindu man tells you or what instrumental music you enjoy at worship services.