Baby Dedications

One of the privileges of being a part of God's family is seeing parents dedicate their children back to the Lord. We had one such opportunity this past Friday. One of our families dedicated two of their children to the Lord. It is awesome to see parents desiring with their whole hearts to raise their children to love and serve God from infancy.

"Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one!
"You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.
"These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart.
"You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up.
"You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead.
"You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates."

Deutoronomy 6:4-9

I pray that more Christian parents will take their God given command to raise their children for Him, seriously. We are seeing so many children who were "raised" in Christian homes leaving the church (about 70% by the end of their first year of college). If parents will take back their responsibility, instead of throwing their children to the influence of the public school or peers or relying on the church to teach them about God, then more young people would remain faithful into their adulthood and beyond.

(Here is a poem that our daughters read during the dedication ceremony.)
Welcome, Baby
by Alice Joyce Davidson

Welcome, baby, welcome,
It's so nice to have you here--
Your innocence and sweetness
Bring a bit of heaven near...
Welcome, baby, welcome,
May life be good to you,
May your days be bright and sunny,
May your skies above be blue,
May you grow in love and learn to love
Everyone around you,
And always, may God bless you
And may happiness surround you!

"Behold, children are a gift of the Lord; the fruit of the womb is a reward." Psalm 127:3