words

now that i'm okay with not having pictures... let me offer this up for your consideration. i spent a lot of time thinking the other night and here's what i came to.

everything that is bad in the world was created by man (those of you who are sensitive to gender please just substitute human in place of man). the thing that sticks out most to me is how much we argue over words, and what things are called. i remember someone saying the other day, "words only have power because we give them power."

when God created, all He called it was "good."

He left what to call it all up to us. and that has served to separate us, because we all want to be right. why do we have to hold so tightly to the names we give things, when the things are the same? infant baptism and baby dedication are both the commitment of the parents and church family to raise the child in a Christian environment. (lutheran) confirmation, also called affirmation of baptism, and adolescent baptism are both a public profession of faith and subsequent ceremonies. if the ceremonies (dunking, etc.) are just a outward expression of an inward movement, WHO CARES HOW THEY ARE DONE? if you understand it one way, fantastic, and i support you in that. please don't tell anyone else that their way is wrong.

main point - let us stop fighting over things that we understand differently and begin loving anyone who doesn't yet understand.