Very short one here, borrowed from Jon Wise at http://www.jonwise.org. Use this sentence to help you with all the busyness that gets in the way of prayer. God Bless.
Friday, July 15, 2011
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Weddings!
I've been thinking a lot about weddings recently. You see, my godson Terry, and his fiance' LaRae, are having a wedding on the beach in Mexico Beach, Florida in less than two weeks, so I'm having to study up to be ready. Of course I'm prejudiced, but I see in them a real devotion to each other, and to God, that will see them through quite a few troubles in life.
You've got to wonder, with divorce rates as high as they are, why two people would even want a relationship, much less get married. Why does God put such a high emphasis on marriage, when it is so difficult to sustain? It is so important, that God even uses a marriage to represent the relationship between Christ and the church!
I think it goes to the verse in Genesis 2:24 "Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and clings to his wife, and they become one flesh." We human types are made in the image of God (in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them Gen 1:27). So do we all have a physical characteristic that is like God's? Nose perhaps, eyes set just so? No, because God is a spirit, it is in our spirits that we resemble Him. But if men and women are so different (and they are) how is THAT possible?
I think the man resembles God in His strength, in His vengeance and justice (The LORD is a warrior, the LORD is His name - Exodus 15:3). Most boys, as they play, find ways to fight battles. I remember picking up a long stick from a tree and being Robin Hood, or some other sword carrying crusader. As we grow older, we turn the fighting to competition, sports, girls, pretty much any way we can. But the need to fight for a worthy cause never really leaves us, even as we suppress it in the corporate world around.
The women, on the other hand, resembles God in His beauty. In the love and compassion that is in the female make-up. Where most boys fight, wrestle, and so on, most girls play is involved in some type of relationship. Tea parties, dress up, even sleep overs, their play involves nurturing the relationship.
God, in all His glory, is both of these at the same time. So the couple "becoming as one" is how the marriage represents God Himself. And this is something the evil one cannot stand. This is why he tried to bust up Adam and Eve from the beginning. Because the two together were the image of God on earth. And trust me, he still tries to destroy marriage anytime he can, unfortunately, divorce rates seem to prove him very successful.
But the two becoming one goes even deeper than this. In the beginning, God and Adam (and we presume Eve, too) walked and talked together. They shared everything between them. They had...wait for it....a RELATIONSHIP! There was nothing hidden between them, no secrets, no fears, only love. But after the serpent incident, all that was shattered, there was a barrier that blocked us out, kept us from that intimacy. And God would not stop until that intimacy was restored! He called, He scolded, He begged, He wooed, He came through time and time again, and finally, He came to earth and paid the ultimate price, His own life, to restore all that had been. All for love.
The marriage shows just that love. That the man would leave everything he has known, father and mother and home, just to bring the woman to be with him, to love intimately, no secrets, no fears, only love. And that she would give her love, totally, completely, vulnerable, yet trusting in her husband's strength. God wants us that intimately, that desperately, and continues to draw in the church as his bride.
When I asked Terry how he saw the relationship between himself and LaRae, he said with no hesitation "We are like one, soul mates, each part of the other." So at the end of the ceremony on June 25th, I plan on saying "I now pronounce that these two have become one, intricately woven by God Himself, Husband and Wife together. Whom therefore God has joined together, let No Man break asunder!"
May it be so between Christ and us, His church.
You've got to wonder, with divorce rates as high as they are, why two people would even want a relationship, much less get married. Why does God put such a high emphasis on marriage, when it is so difficult to sustain? It is so important, that God even uses a marriage to represent the relationship between Christ and the church!
I think it goes to the verse in Genesis 2:24 "Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and clings to his wife, and they become one flesh." We human types are made in the image of God (in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them Gen 1:27). So do we all have a physical characteristic that is like God's? Nose perhaps, eyes set just so? No, because God is a spirit, it is in our spirits that we resemble Him. But if men and women are so different (and they are) how is THAT possible?
I think the man resembles God in His strength, in His vengeance and justice (The LORD is a warrior, the LORD is His name - Exodus 15:3). Most boys, as they play, find ways to fight battles. I remember picking up a long stick from a tree and being Robin Hood, or some other sword carrying crusader. As we grow older, we turn the fighting to competition, sports, girls, pretty much any way we can. But the need to fight for a worthy cause never really leaves us, even as we suppress it in the corporate world around.
The women, on the other hand, resembles God in His beauty. In the love and compassion that is in the female make-up. Where most boys fight, wrestle, and so on, most girls play is involved in some type of relationship. Tea parties, dress up, even sleep overs, their play involves nurturing the relationship.
God, in all His glory, is both of these at the same time. So the couple "becoming as one" is how the marriage represents God Himself. And this is something the evil one cannot stand. This is why he tried to bust up Adam and Eve from the beginning. Because the two together were the image of God on earth. And trust me, he still tries to destroy marriage anytime he can, unfortunately, divorce rates seem to prove him very successful.
But the two becoming one goes even deeper than this. In the beginning, God and Adam (and we presume Eve, too) walked and talked together. They shared everything between them. They had...wait for it....a RELATIONSHIP! There was nothing hidden between them, no secrets, no fears, only love. But after the serpent incident, all that was shattered, there was a barrier that blocked us out, kept us from that intimacy. And God would not stop until that intimacy was restored! He called, He scolded, He begged, He wooed, He came through time and time again, and finally, He came to earth and paid the ultimate price, His own life, to restore all that had been. All for love.
The marriage shows just that love. That the man would leave everything he has known, father and mother and home, just to bring the woman to be with him, to love intimately, no secrets, no fears, only love. And that she would give her love, totally, completely, vulnerable, yet trusting in her husband's strength. God wants us that intimately, that desperately, and continues to draw in the church as his bride.
When I asked Terry how he saw the relationship between himself and LaRae, he said with no hesitation "We are like one, soul mates, each part of the other." So at the end of the ceremony on June 25th, I plan on saying "I now pronounce that these two have become one, intricately woven by God Himself, Husband and Wife together. Whom therefore God has joined together, let No Man break asunder!"
May it be so between Christ and us, His church.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Sing the Song
Hello, all! I want to post a poem that I wrote a couple of years ago, and had posted on another website. Not being a poet by trade will hopefully excuse any glaring technical faults!
Sing the Song
It's words began a world ago,
When Love was all there was to know
And from His depths all else did flow
Sing the Song.
Then Love reached down with His own hand
And gath'ring up the dust and sand
And mud He shaped the form of man.
Sing the Song.
He then knelt down, and face to face,
Lips to lips, new life did create.
Love's very breath through man did race.
Sing the Song.
So man, with woman as his bride
Was placed by Love to dwell inside
A garden, Eden, Paradise.
Sing the Song.
Then came another, filled with hate
Towards the song of Love so great.
It's melody he must abate
So none could Sing the Song.
A subtle lie, a knowing nod
A wink, a nudge. "You'll be like god!"
And with two bites, man's voice could not
Sing the Song.
In fear, and nakedness of sin
Man lost the song, and empty then
Did Death replace where Love had been
To Sing the Song.
So Love, who once breathed life within
Knew if He would dwell there again
He must, Himself, pay for the sin
And Sing the Song.
If life once came by touching man
Then coming down He would again
Give life, and teach of Love's refrain.
Sing the Song.
Some heard the Song as only noise.
To others just a madman's voice.
Still others felt they had no choice.
They would not Sing the Song.
But some the melody did bring
Their hearts to praise; their voices sing
The Word of Love once more to ring.
And Sing the Song.
The evil one, in mighty rage
That Love would steal his victory stage
With seething hate, he would engage
A plan to kill the Song.
In dark of night, he captured Him
And precious Love took on the sin
That is, will be, and that had been.
And crucified the Song.
Despair came down like darkest night.
The few that sang just ran in fright.
The evil one laughed with delight,
"Now try to sing the Song!".
For three long days, the silence lay
Thick and heavy in dismay
That in a grave our Love did lay.
Silencing the Song.
Then Death itself reversed its course
And rising with a mighty force
The King of Love lifted His voice
And roared out the Song.
The sun and stars now at His feet
At God's right hand He takes His seat
Till His return brings joy complete
And all Sing the Song.
"All hail the true and mighty King!
Salvation to His children bring.
So to the world we all must sing -
SING THE SONG!"
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Dress In Blue day Friday, March 4th, 2011
Hello, all! Just wanted to post a quick note for everyone to remember that ""Dress In Blue" day is coming up. "What is that" you say?? Just the most important, least known days of the year! (Other than "Talk Like A Pirate" Day, but I'm working on that.) "Dress In Blue" day is about raising awareness about Colorectal Cancer, and the importance of getting screened. Colorectal Cancer is a major cause of death in the US alone, with over 50,000 expected to die this year. (More that Breast Cancer and AIDS combined.) Yet this cancer has a 90% survival rate if caught early. I should know. I'm a three year survivor, and early detection, with the grace of God, is the reason I'm still around. Take a look at this recent article from Dr. Oz, and get screened early. Spread the word, spread the cheeks, and Dress In Blue on Friday, March 4th, 2011!
http://pubs.aarp.org/aarptm/20110304_PR?folio=26#article_id=49646
http://pubs.aarp.org/aarptm/20110304_PR?folio=26#article_id=49646
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