Nathan and I attended our final wedding of the summer. Mandy and Jamie were first on April 24, 2011. Sarah and Thomas were next on June 11, 2011. Yesterday we celebrated with Dan and Morgan. Weddings always make me nostalgic and a little reflective. Each wedding was so unique, beautiful and special. I enjoyed all three of them immensely. I am grateful that God in His wonderfully mysterious and precious way united each of these souls to Him and to each other. It's just a beautiful thing.
Many people though think of weddings as a "fairy tale" ending to a love story. I did too when I was younger and naive. Now I realize they might be a "fairy tale" beginning, but that marriages are FAR FROM fairy tale. They are filled with wonderful moments and blessed times but they are also filled with hurt feelings, unmet expectations, sickness, financial trouble, unkind words, and yes even lonliness. There isn't a perfect marriage on the face of the planet. Marriage is a testing ground. It is an opportunity to draw us to Jesus and to make us more like him. Being married is a moment by moment challenge as well as a joy.
I am praying for the Dunhams, Johnsons and Maxams. I am praying that their lives together will be graced with hardship that brings them closer to Jesus and to each other. I pray that their homes will be filled with noise, busyness and chaos that will cause them to search for that still small voice. I pray that they will know struggle that causes them to depend FULLY on God. Enjoy each other guys. Live, laugh, love and be FREE. However, I pray your lives aren't too easy. That way you'll never appreciate God or each other. So as much as I love you I'm not praying for "Happily Ever After". I'm praying growth, honesty, reality and JOY IN THE JOURNEY!!!
Showing posts with label weddings. Show all posts
Showing posts with label weddings. Show all posts
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Thomas and Sarah JOHNSON
Today I had the privilege of serving alongside a team of godly musicians in blessing the union of Sarah Paquette to Thomas Johnson. Words really cannot express the beauty of Christ's love as displayed in this young couple. It isn't Thomas and Sarah. Although they are fabulously wonderful. It is JESUS pure and simple. What I experienced last night at the rehearsal dinner is merely a glimpse of what heaven will be like. Yes I do think there will be 12 Bones and banana pudding in heaven (hee hee).
Thomas has lovingly, gently yet passionately pursued his bride Sarah while protecting her, loving her, serving her EXACTLY as Christ has pursued us his church. The miracle at Cana was REAL and the miracle that He performed last night amongst His people was every bit as real and tangible. Just as Thomas presented Sarah to the congregation pure and spotless, Christ presents us to God that way. Very rarely do you hear of couples who have remained pure and celebate during a six year courtship. I am so proud of them, happy for them and EXCITED as they experience the mystery of God's union for them and through them. What a glorious celebration today was for us ALL.
I have had the pleasure of serving in AMAZING weddings. Too many to name. Couples whose love caused Nathan and I to pause for a moment and reflect on God's faithfulness to us as a family. Then there are the weddings where the music is just fun and I'm caught up in that also. There are the weddings unfortunately where I do my best to bring Christ into the ceremony through my gifts, but pray for the couple not sure as to their spiritual condition or the certainty of their commitment to each other. Today was so peaceful. There was no fear, no doubt, no wondering.....only joy, peace and the presence of Christ. His Holy Spirit guided them to each other and will continue to guide them into their happily ever after.
The ceremony was wonderful. The reception was FUN!!! I danced with my son Joseph until our feet hurt. Jesse and JoyAnn even got in on the action. The company was wonderful. The food delicious and the joy was contagious. I am grateful to have shared in today.
Here is a song by Brooke Fraser Ligertwood that to me represents Thomas and Sarah's love. I hope you enjoy.
Thomas has lovingly, gently yet passionately pursued his bride Sarah while protecting her, loving her, serving her EXACTLY as Christ has pursued us his church. The miracle at Cana was REAL and the miracle that He performed last night amongst His people was every bit as real and tangible. Just as Thomas presented Sarah to the congregation pure and spotless, Christ presents us to God that way. Very rarely do you hear of couples who have remained pure and celebate during a six year courtship. I am so proud of them, happy for them and EXCITED as they experience the mystery of God's union for them and through them. What a glorious celebration today was for us ALL.
I have had the pleasure of serving in AMAZING weddings. Too many to name. Couples whose love caused Nathan and I to pause for a moment and reflect on God's faithfulness to us as a family. Then there are the weddings where the music is just fun and I'm caught up in that also. There are the weddings unfortunately where I do my best to bring Christ into the ceremony through my gifts, but pray for the couple not sure as to their spiritual condition or the certainty of their commitment to each other. Today was so peaceful. There was no fear, no doubt, no wondering.....only joy, peace and the presence of Christ. His Holy Spirit guided them to each other and will continue to guide them into their happily ever after.
The ceremony was wonderful. The reception was FUN!!! I danced with my son Joseph until our feet hurt. Jesse and JoyAnn even got in on the action. The company was wonderful. The food delicious and the joy was contagious. I am grateful to have shared in today.
Here is a song by Brooke Fraser Ligertwood that to me represents Thomas and Sarah's love. I hope you enjoy.
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