Uncommon Ground Collective

When I first became a Christian, I thought baptism was just one thing, publicly going under water. Honestly, that terrified me. I don’t like being the center of attention, and I always thought baptism should be intimate, between me and God. But I also wanted to give myself fully to Him, so I wondered, “Do I really have to do this in front of everyone?”

A few days ago, a friend opened my eyes to something I hadn’t realized before: water baptism isn’t the only baptism. She encouraged me to read the Book of Acts, and what I found blew my mind. There are two types of baptisms: the outward, public declaration of faith in water (Acts 8:36–38), and the inward baptism by the Holy Spirit, which empowers you to live boldly in your faith and fully walk in what God has called you to (Acts 1:5, 1:8, 2:4).

This was a revelation for me. I realized why I’ve never felt completely satisfied with just water baptism (I’ve done it twice) and why I’ve been wanting more. God is nudging me toward the Holy Spirit baptism. The fire, the empowerment, the boldness that becomes a part of you, enabling you to truly walk in faith, not just declare it. I don’t know exactly what that will look like for me yet, but understanding that there’s more than one baptism was confirmation that my desire for more is part of God’s plan.

It reminded me of a scene in The Chosen. The leaders confront Jesus, trying to intimidate Him, and He responds fearlessly: “I AM the Law of Moses.” In the show, it’s dramatized, but it perfectly illustrates the kind of bold, unapologetic faith the Holy Spirit baptism empowers. He didn’t stay small, safe, or comfortable, and neither are we called to.

We’re often afraid of standing out, of looking different, because even today, just like in Jesus’ time, people are persecuted for their faith. But I’m learning that God is calling us to step into boldness, to not settle for surface-level faith, and to allow His Spirit to empower us.

God is stretching me, preparing me, and guiding me toward something bigger than I can imagine. Usually, I need to know exactly what’s coming next and have a plan for it, but right now, I have no idea, and yet I feel at peace. That's all Him. ✝️

Somebody flipped me off this morning. 🐦‍⬛

We had just dropped the kids off at school, and as I turned into our apartment complex with my four year old in the backseat, a woman who looked about my age looked right at me and flipped me off. It's been 18 years (👵🏽) since I got my high school diploma, and somehow middle fingers are still flying.

What made it so wild was the contrast. Just last night, I was at a women’s event hearing powerful testimonies about encouragement, community, and waiting on God’s timing. I left with goosebumps and a full heart.

Back in California, I had real community through MomCo and women’s Bible studies. I did not think I needed that before, but once I had it, I realized how much I craved it again after moving here. The church we initially chose met my introverted comfort zone, but it did not give me community. God kept tugging at me, pointing me toward this other church. Last night confirmed why. I talked, connected, laughed, and even exchanged numbers. It felt like answered prayer.

I have also been questioning if I am oversharing my journey. But last night’s message, having the courage to encourage, confirmed that sharing the real parts of life is exactly what Jesus wants me to do.

So this morning’s flip off was such a contrast. The old me would have returned the bird. But God has changed my heart. And with my son watching, I chose grace.

If you are a parent or a teen reading this, remember: moments like these are lessons. We cannot control how others act, but we can control how we respond. Our kids learn more from our reactions than our words. Grace over impulse, every time. 🙏🏼

This past weekend, we had the wonderful opportunity to volunteer at Feeding Phoenix Farms Inc., a nonprofit that does amazing work feeding children and the community. I noticed how much our kids are often consumed with technology, so we’ve been trying different ways to engage them by playing Monopoly together, family Switch time, watching movies, drawing, coloring, and other activities at home. Going out can be tricky with safety concerns in the neighborhood, cold weather, and the ongoing flu season, so finding creative ways to connect has been important.

Volunteering at the farm felt like the perfect way to give them a new perspective. They got to experience what it’s like to work with their hands, appreciate what they have, and see the beauty of a simpler way of life. My oldest daughter, who is 10, even said she’s “not meant for this type of life” because she doesn’t like getting dirty. She’s an Orange County, California girl, so I can see where that comes from 😂, but I thought it was important for her to experience life outside of our microwave society.

The owner graciously gave us a tour of the farm, showing all the different trees they grow, letting the kids taste pomegranates and figs (which they loved!), and sharing their incredible plans to feed children in need.

It was a meaningful experience for our family, and we highly recommend it for anyone looking to give their children a hands-on learning opportunity. We can’t wait to go back next month so the kids can plant seeds and harvest them later. It’s an experience that truly stays with you.