Today in my Third World Studies class, I had the opportunity to talk to three Muslims from the mosque here in Santa Barbara for about 2 and a half hours. We talked about everything from the basic beliefs of Islam to what they believe to be true about Jesus. It was honestly really hard sitting there and listening to them call my Lord a simple prophet, who was not crucified, was not God, was not resurrected. Basically just want to say thanks be to God for this study. I got to end my day on a study about who Jesus really is, bringing me back to reality.

Some thoughts on this weeks discussion of John brought me back to my own baptism two summers ago on the delta. It was my first week as a barney, and I hadn't felt such a strong pull from the Holy Spirit to get baptized as I had on that day. I didn't even think twice about it. I'm so glad I made that decision, because I get to look back on that moment as the moment that my old self and all my sins were nailed to the cross. Sometimes it sinks in deeper than others, but this study about Jesus' baptism of us, daily, relentlessly, lovingly, and completely definitely reminded me of the wonderful consequences of being His sons and daughters. I was baptized two summers ago, but I was also baptized when I woke up this morning, given a new day and new mercies. All this talk about water and dunking reminds me of my favorite worship song right now. Oceans by Hillsong United. I've been mediating on this song for the past week, just soaking up and drowning in His love, listening to His call to trust and submit. Here's the link. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dy9nwe9_xzw