Dear Emma Elizabeth,

This morning I listened and watched as you were plucked from the kingdom of the evil one and placed firmly into the ark of Christendom. You were baptized in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Already, after less than two weeks outside your Mommy’s womb, your Father in heaven has seen to it that sin and death will not have its way with you. The same Father in heaven who gave you the gift of your body through your Mom and Dad has made you His own child today, because He, too, was conceived and born of the same flesh and blood you have, except He has taken your place as your sin-bearer and Savior.

Your life is not the same any more. As a matter of fact, your life is no longer your own, but it is a life purchased and won for you at great cost. You’ll learn more about that as you grow up.

As you grow older your Mom and Dad, as well as your sponsors, Mr. and Mrs. Rhein, and your pastor(s) will take a keen interest in seeing to it that you are raised within the hearing of God’s Word, in God’s house, so that you never forget where you came from or where you are going, but will live out your days in thanks and praise to the One who has loved you with an everlasting love from the beginning.

As your Grandpa, I have listened and watched for years as your aunts and uncles, parents and grandparents, and many before you have been blessed beyond all we could ask or think through the same Christ Jesus into Whom you were baptized today. He is faithful. He never changes.

At the same time, we and all Christians together have learned that a life worth living is never a life lived for oneself. Rather it is a life abiding in the same Jesus who was crucified as the Son of God, and Who lives to bless all of creation. It will be a life hidden under the Cross for you, just like it is for all of Jesus’ dear Christians, for whom He gladly laid down His life and took it up again.

Of course I will be praying for you, just like all Christians do for one another together as they have been taught. I suppose I will be tickling you and teasing you a little bit, too. That’s just part of the fun in being a Grandpa.

God bless and keep you, Emma, according to His everlasting mercies in Christ Jesus.

- Grandpa Seyboldt

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The Complete Handbook of Christian Decision Making

Joe Christian has a problem. He has a decision to make in his life, but The Bible does not give any specific texts on how he is to decide.

Enter The Complete Handbook of Christian Decision Making. With all the logic of Aristotle and all the precision of a well-trained surgeon, this handbook from the pen of John Calvin, the world's preeminent master of Christian decision making, will help Joe drill down, step-by-step, so that he makes the most God-pleasing decision possible.

Finally, Joe Christian will be able to to console himself in knowing He made the truly God-pleasing decision, and did not have to fumble around like all those other fools out there who do not trust God like he does.

Why live under vague rules like, "Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might," or, "Love your neighbor as yourself" when, with The Complete Handbook of Christian Decision Making, you can get genuine, specific help with any life situation?

Why pray "Make me walk in the path of Your commandments, for I delight in it," when there is this wonderful book to spell it all out in detail?

Wondering whether you should buy a copy of Playboy, Reader's Digest, or a dictionary? Have no fear. You will not have to wonder when you peruse the chapter on Christian Book Buying.

Wondering whether a Lawn Boy to Troy-Bilt mower is better-suited to cutting your grass? Not to worry. The chapter on lawn implements is astonishing in its clarity when it comes to tending anything that grows on God's green Earth.

Don't just buy one copy. Buy several for your friends so they, too, can go through life in the sure and certain knowledge than most, if not all, of their daily decisions are God-pleasing. It's a must for every kingdom where the LORD is to reign sovereign amidst His creation.

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Gathered In His Name

"For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst."

The LORD God is not impressed with numbers as man counts them. He is not into earthly power and popularity contests. Every Christian may rejoice in knowing His mercies extend to the smallest of numbers, thus you may put away notions of greatness as you have come to think of greatness.

The LORD God is not impressed with your personal, individual, singular worship. He does not even refer to it here. Yes, He knows individual hearts and treats of individuals daily and richly, but His Word here pertains to two or three, not one. Self indulgence is inimical to Who God is and what He does. Besides, physical proximity is not the point. The Body of Christ is.

No one is hereby enjoined to make an effort to bring about the presence of Christ Jesus. The gathering of which He speaks is a gathering which only His Holy Spirit induces and effects. You cannot by your own reason or strength be gathered in His Name. He must gather you and His Church, and He does.

To be gathered in His Name does not require a special set of words or thoughts on the part of those who are gathered, but it requires the Word of the Lord to be preached and adminstered when and where it pleases Him. This may happen under circumstances not widely known or published, as it should be and often is.

Agreement, gathering, and confessing the Truth always begins with the One who piecered the darkness of this fallen world and was pierced for our transgressions. It is He Who declares unquivocally that He dwells in the midst of those who fear His Name and call upon Him at all times and in all places.
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