wedding vows

Posted on October 21, 2010 by Dana

The wedding was beautiful Sunday evening. (I wore a suit, by the way.) There is nothing as joyful as two families and a host of friends coming together to celebrate a man and woman pledging their lives to one another.

Jadon and Amanda wrote their own vows. She had to pause at one point as emotion made it impossible to talk. But with tears in her eyes, Amanda told her new husband how much she loved him and how she would remain faithful to him until death. Then with a strong voice, Jadon told Amanda how much she meant to him. He promised to protect her, provide for her, and love her all the days of his life. Then I asked that Jadon take a ring, put it on his bride’s finger, and complete the vow. Amanda did the same and the marriage was sealed. (Of course, for some reason, the guy always wants to kiss the girl before they walk down the aisle.)

Jesus calls us the bride and He is the Bridegroom. “The bride belongs to the Bridegroom,” John the Baptist told his listeners. Sometimes we get choked up when we think of how much Jesus loves us. We know we only love him because He first loved us. What kind of love motivates One to lay down his life for a selfish sinner? At the foot of the Cross, we look up to our Savior and vow we will never leave him. But even our ‘pledge of a good conscience’ does not keep us as faithful as we want to be. We’ve all been guilty of walking out on the Lover of our souls. Do our hearts stray like the ancient children of Israel who seemed to always forget their God? What pride needs to be broken in our stubborn hearts to keep us in a faithful place? “Lead us, Lord, into your strong arms. May we find our joy and fulfillment in your unfailing love.”

His love is unfailing and his vows will never be broken. His arms are strong and no villain can snatch his bride away. He invites us to walk in humility as He did on this earth. He tells us to watch for him and to pray constantly. He wants us to guard our hearts from the harmful advances of an enemy who despises the Son of God. He lives to intercede for those who have given themselves to him. He has given us something far greater than a ring to put on our fingers. “Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession – to the praise of his glory.” He knows what we need and He speaks to our hearts. “Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” He wants us to remember this promise and look forward to his appearing. What a day that will be!

“The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’ Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.” Revelation 22:17

Posted in love | Comments Off

wedding clothes

Posted on October 14, 2010 by Dana

In three days I’ll have the honor of helping a couple recite their vows to one another at an elegant outdoor wedding. Amanda and Jadon love one another and are so excited to finally reach this long awaited day. I’ve not told anyone, but I’m going to look a little different at this wedding. Though it is indeed a dress-up affair with tuxedos and fancy dresses, I’ve decided to just wear casual clothes. You see, what really counts is what’s in the heart. In my later years I’ve realized this more and more. Besides, I’ve worn so many ties in my lifetime that, to tell you the truth, I am sick of them. So I’m going to be foot-loose and fancy-free at this wedding and feel totally comfortable as I carry out my duties.

The father of the bride is a good friend of mine. If I show up Sunday evening wearing tennis shoes, shorts, and a t-shirt, I know exactly what he’ll say: “Dana, what’s the deal? You’re not participating in this wedding looking like that. Give me your notes, I’ll get someone else to take your spot. I’m sorry, but you need to leave.”

“But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. ‘Friend,’ he asked, ‘how did you get in here without wedding clothes?’ The man was speechless. Then the king told the attendants, ‘Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’” Matthew 22:11-13

Don’t be shocked at this passage. There is a definite dress code at the great wedding feast. It is an incredible outfit we’ve been given, but we’ve got to wear it. In fact, these clothes, though perhaps not well recognized on earth, are to be our every day attire. Read the Scriptures below and remember why we are so beautiful in the eyes of our Father.

“You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.” Galatians 3:27

“Clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.” Romans 13:14

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with one another and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” Colossians 3:12-14

Posted in judgment | Comments Off

wedding dance

Posted on October 7, 2010 by Dana

Solomon wrote, “There is a time to mourn and a time to dance…” Jesus said, “To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others: ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’”

A spirit of religion can make us miss the moment. What if God wants me to hear a convicting message, but He chooses a messenger that does not fit my standards? “He’s too young; she’s too old; his hair is too long; her dress is too casual; his tattoo is too visible”… and while I examine all things exterior, I miss God’s message. Jesus was judged for hanging out with those many categorized as unworthy. “This guy can’t be from God… look at his friends!” But Jesus plainly told his critics that they were missing everything his Father was offering.

“God invited you to join in the proper activity at the proper time, but you refused to participate. John came saying, ‘Repent the Kingdom of God is near! Mourn for your sins, turn from what is wrong, prepare your hearts and be baptized,’ but you called him crazy and rejected his message. Then the Son of Man came saying, ‘The Kingdom of God is upon you! Hear the Good News! If you invite Me in, I’ll come eat with you. I offer everyone true Life!!’ but you called him a drunkard, a glutton, and the friend of sinners. You’re going to miss the wedding if you don’t wake up and recognize God’s wisdom. If you want to judge something, look at the fruit!” (see Matthew 11:16-19)

The Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin. “Come Holy Spirit… do your work and prepare all hearts to hear the invitation.” Jesus says, “Come dance with Me! I will take you to my Father! We’re preparing a wedding feast and the celebration is about to begin. The world’s dance sucks the life out of you. What lasting good news does the world offer? But I am a breath of fresh air! I am the Author of true Life and you have a purpose… a purpose that is eternal. The people that misrepresent Me don’t know Me… but I will teach you who I am. I am humble and gentle; my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Come as you are, believe in Me, and I will clothe you in righteousness and make you part of my Bride.”

Later when Jesus was eating supper at Matthew’s house with his close followers, a lot of disreputable characters came and joined them. When the Pharisees saw him keeping this kind of company, they had a fit and lit into Jesus’ followers. “What kind of example is this from your Teacher, acting cozy with crooks and riffraff?” Jesus, overhearing, shot back, “Who needs a doctor: the healthy or the sick? Go figure out what this Scripture means: ‘I’m after mercy, not religion.’ I’m here to invite outsiders, not coddle insiders.” A little later John’s followers approached, asking, “Why is it that we and the Pharisees rigorously discipline body and spirit by fasting, but your followers don’t?” Jesus told them, “When you’re celebrating a wedding, you don’t skimp on cake and wine. You feast. Later you may need to pull in your belt, but not now. No one throws cold water on a bonfire. This is Kingdom Come!” (Matt 9:10-15 – the Message)

Posted in joy | Comments Off

wedding wine

Posted on September 30, 2010 by Dana

One of my friends wondered why I didn’t write about Jesus turning the water to wine last week as I shared of our family’s upcoming wedding. I asked my students recently, “Why do you think Jesus’ first miracle was turning water into wine at the wedding in Cana of Galilee?” There was an awkward silence. Finally, a hand went up and an unconfident student proposed that maybe the wine represented Jesus’ blood that he would one day shed on the cross.

I wonder sometimes if we’ve painted such a boring portrait of Jesus that we can’t even imagine him laughing or joking or dancing or celebrating at a banquet. Maybe there is symbolism in John’s story of the wedding feast. Water can represent death… so Jesus changed death into life. He sure does this. ‘Six’ is the number for man… so Jesus used the six huge waterpots to reveal God. Jesus is definitely the Son of God and the Son of Man. Marriage signifies the continuance of human life… so Jesus extended his Father’s blessing on holy matrimony that began in the Garden of Eden. We know God honors marriage. Maybe the wine represented the blood Jesus was to shed on the cross??

I offered different answers to my class that were not quite as symbolic. “Maybe Jesus enjoyed a good glass of wine. And maybe he absolutely loved to see two children of Israel commit their lives to each other at a wedding. And maybe, at his mother’s insistence, he realized the host of the wedding would be profoundly embarrassed if he ran out of wine at the banquet. And maybe, after thinking about it a little bit, he knew he could make the celebration even better because his Father could produce the best glass of wine ever made. Maybe Jesus would shock us all at how comfortable he was at a banquet and how free he was to love every person that came into his presence. Maybe Jesus wants us to be just as free.”

So, to answer my friend, I hope Jesus comes to Taylor’s and Emma’s wedding! He is getting the first invitation! I want him to bring the life-giving joy that makes us all happy to be alive. I want him to remind us that the Father in Heaven celebrates when two of his children commit their lives to one another in marriage. I want all our friends and all of Taylor’s friends and all of Emma’s friends to feel welcome and loved. I hope we all recognize Jesus as a loving King who is far from ordinary; One who has the power to give life with a single word! And if Jesus wants to turn a little water into wine, I’m going to get the first glass and propose a toast to the newlyweds and to the Maker of weddings.

“Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.” They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not know where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.” Jn 2:8-10

Posted in family | Comments Off

wedding banquet

Posted on September 24, 2010 by Dana

Life experiences often help us get a better grasp of the things of God. For example, the story of Abraham sacrificing Isaac is powerful, but when you have a child of your own and then think about Abraham’s faith and obedience, true trust in God takes on a deeper meaning.  We know God prevented Abraham from killing Isaac, but He did not stop himself from killing Jesus. What kind of love is this? Who could give up his own child to rescue the undeserving?

A couple of weeks ago, our son Taylor proposed to his girlfriend Emma. She said “Yes” and now wedding plans are being made. I’m going to be a ‘father of the groom!’ I love weddings! But this one is going to be totally different… because my son is getting married. I’m not in charge, of course, but I know how my son thinks. He’ll want everyone there! “Come to my wedding! This is going to be better than a fishing tournament! Come celebrate with us!!”

(I’ve got to be careful with my illustration, because I think the father of the bride gets to foot most of the bill and since Susan and I have two daughters and only one son, I think I should be cautious.) So, for sake of illustration, let’s pretend there is no limit to the number of people that come to Taylor and Emma’s wedding and let’s pretend we rent a huge church building and an even bigger banquet hall for a spectacular reception to follow. Let’s say we have an incredible band lined up to play music and chefs lined up to cook gourmet food and flowers and decorations and bells and whistles… No expense is being spared! (Remember, this is all hypothetical…) But as the day approaches, we get a terrible report. The ‘regrets’ in the mail are outnumbering the ‘accepts’ by a huge margin. The church building is going to be empty! The huge celebration is turning into a tiny party. What are we going to do with all the leftovers? Who is going to dance to the music of the incredible band? What is my son going to think?

I know what I’ll do… I’ll invite others! We’ll not settle for an empty house! We’re going to have a celebration that is unprecedented, even if most of the guests are strangers! “Come to the banquet! My son is getting married and you don’t want to miss it!” (I know those of you who have actually had a wedding in your family are going to point out all the ‘holes’ in my illustration, but Jesus told two parables about a big banquet… below is a mix of the two. Read them for yourself in Matthew 22 and Luke 14 and make sure you say ‘Yes’ when you’re invited.)

“The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come. Then he sent some more servants and said, ‘Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner: My oxen and fattened cattle have been butchered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.’ But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, ‘I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.’ Another said, ‘I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.’ Then the king said to his servants, ‘The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited did not deserve to come. Go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find. Go into the alleys and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame. Go out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in, so that my house will be full. I tell you, not one of those men who were invited will get a taste of my banquet. For many are invited, but few are chosen.’”

Posted in family | Comments Off