“In Times of Trouble” featuring Lucy Stimpson- Maynard                                                            with John Hodgkinson on guitar – from Mustard Seed Songs CD “I Look Up To The Heavens”

Many years previously I had been invited by a member of my tutor group- Caroline Berridge I am pretty sure it was- to attend her baptism by full immersion at Holy Rood Church. As she came out of the tank dripping wet in what appeared to be her pyjamas I thought to myself “She is very brave -there is no way you’d catch me doing anything like that – I would be much too embarrassed”  Well as I explained in my  Blog of April 13^th I became a Christian on Feb 22^nd 1997 and not long after I read in the church notice sheet that there was an opportunity for me to be baptised by full immersion.  After a couple of quick enquires I discovered that you can’t be baptised twice. I thought   “That’s a relief I have escaped” – you see I had already been baptised (Christened) as a baby.  The trouble was shortly afterwards I found out that you can still re- affirm your infant baptism vows.

So I got this feeling inside me that made me think that this was something I should do even if I didn’t fancy it.  I thought that as there is safety in numbers I would get others from my Alpha group to be baptised with me- the trouble was none of them wanted to.  So I came up with what I thought was a brilliant plan; I would go to the Holy Land and get baptised in the River Jordan just like Jesus.  With this great plan I went to my mentor, Mr Mill’s dad Mr Milliken expecting him to be overjoyed with my idea. Oh no he was not overjoyed at all – Mr Milliken made it quite clear that I had to make a public testimony of my faith to my friends and family and in my local church.  My mind flashed back to Caroline Berridge’s dunking – this was going to be so embarrassing but I could see no way out. So I went to see the Vicar, Michael Christian- Edwards to tell him that I wished to reaffirm my baptism vows and that I was prepared (prepared but not happy) to give a testimony.

Holy Rood church was packed- I felt the water in the specially brought in tank – it felt less than tepid.  I received encouragement from Mr Mill and his dad, who was going to be my special helper, ready with a towel for me when I emerged; giving what I was sure would be the appearance of a drowned rat.

I remember one of the Christian songs we sang was one written by Brian Doerksen “More than Oxygen” and this became significant a little later re the song writing

Anyway before being “dunked” I had to give a testimony – I thought the best thing would be to tell how my fear of death had been taken away (or pretty much taken away) after I had become a Christian.  Michael Christian- Edwards had pointed out to me that The Book of Hebrews tells us that Jesus has freed all those who were held in slavery by the power of death- so I quoted this. I also talked about how one day I had gone on my own into Holy Rood after dark and a section of the beautiful stained glass window at the far end was illuminated. The illuminated part was that of Jesus portrayed as the Good Shepherd.  I remember staring at this image for some time and feeling really comforted. When I asked how the window had been illuminated no one really had an answer – a timing light was supposed to come on but that was to light the window to the outside – not inside.  There may well be a logical explanation but I prefer to believe it was a blessing from God to reassure me that He would always look after me in the same way as a Shepherd looks after his sheep- even when I got lost or went astray.

After I gave my testimony (which was quite long) someone shouted out “Hallelujah” I remember feeling really chuffed about this – I know I probably should not have felt proud but I did.

So on May 18^th 1997 into the “tub” I went – I was taken backwards into the water by Michael Christian -Edwards.   In the end I wasn’t in the least bit embarrassed  coming out drenched -in fact  I was exhilarated – Mr Milliken was there with a towel and these words for me “So do not fear for I am with you be not dismayed for you are my God I will comfort you and help you I will uphold you with my righteous hand” I later found this to be from the Book of Isaiah Chapter  42:11 These words have remained especially dear to me and when my wife Caroline was baptised in the sea in September 2011  I  said the same  words over her.  They also form part of this week’s featured song “In Times of Trouble” Somehow, and I cannot remember the story exactly, this song was adopted by the son of the Chief of The Karen tribe of Burma – (Myanmar) . These people have long been persecuted.  It also features on the Release International website www.releaseinternational.org.uk

Other people said prayers out loud for me and I particularly remember Paul Knight, who  had first invited me to the Alpha course (see blog April 3^rd) pray that I would become a “Fisher of men”  I felt humbled and joyful – it was a wonderful, unforgettable experience.

Not long after  I heard about a worship seminar being presented by Brian Doerksen – the writer of “More than Oxygen” played at the baptism-  next week I will tell you how that influenced me to start writing Christian songs myself.