We The Bride

When Jesus referred to Himself as the bridegroom, and His disciples as the bride, He established a pattern for us to follow. Paul describes it this way:

"Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish." - Ephesians 5:25-27

What does that mean for us in today's world? Well, there are a few ideas right there in Paul's words. Jesus wants us sanctified, cleansed, spotless and holy.

Jesus already took care of the "spotless" part through His death on the cross for our sins, but we need to do the rest. We need to become sanctified. How? By the washing of water with God's Word. That means we not only need to read the Bible, but we also need to apply it to our lives. That process will make us holy and without blemish.

Have you placed your faith in Jesus? Do you read the Bible daily? As often as you wash yourself? Are you learning and growing in your faith? It's a constant process.

So many "Christians" believe that if they go to church and do good things, that's all they need, according to Ephesians 5:22

"Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord." - Ephesians 5:22

The key word there is "submit." That means we are to follow all of God's commands. All that Jesus said and did is our guidebook for navigating our way through this crazy world and making it to the wedding feast when Jesus returns for us, His bride.

"Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready." - Revelation 19:7

We need to be ready and waiting for Jesus to return, washing white by the reading and application of His Words. We also need to be undefiled by this world we live in. Satan runs this world and we are in it but we are not to become part of it.

We are to be holy (set apart).

"But while they (the unprepared virgins) were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut." - Matthew 25:10

Don't get locked out of the wedding feast. The location of your eternity depends on it.

Waiting Impatiently

My bride was in Colorado this past week. While she was away I learned a few things about myself.

First, it was a lot quieter. Lol! The television didn't get used to much. No football games, no home fix-it shows.  Silence. That was a good thing.

There was also no one to talk to. That can be both good and bad. It was a whole lot quieter but there was also no one to talk to when I really wanted to talk. That was sad. Thank God for friends!

The next thing I noticed was I slept really well. I'm not complained or anything. Just making an observation. I slept like a rock!

But the main thing I noticed was just how much I missed my bride and how much I really didn't like living in an empty house. And the yearning increased the closer it got to the actual time of her arrival.

That's when I thought about Jesus. He's the bride groom you know. I wonder if He misses us.

When it's time for him to come get us, will He be waiting outside the airport like I was yesterday? I don't think so. When it's time, our meeting Him will happen in the twinkling of an eye.

"It will happen in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed." - 1 Corinthians 15:52

I also heard He was going to meet us in the air. Do we have to check our bag first or do we just jump up into His arms?

"After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever." - 1 Thessalonians 4:17

One thing I know for certain, as I sit here waiting at the airport, I can't wait to see my bride. And quite honestly, I can't wait to see Jesus either.

RSVP

Have you been invited to anything lately? A wedding? A party? Most hosts want to know whether you are coming or not so they ask you to RSVP.

RSVP is an abbreviation for some French words - répondez s'il vous plaît, which means "Respond, if you please." The host is expecting a reply. Are you coming? Or are you not?

Ignoring the RSVP in an invitation is rude. Someone was nice enough to invite you to their event. The least we can do is respond to the invitation.

Some people never respond to invitations. No response IS actually a response they think. And they are right. Not to decided IS to decide. Not responding however is not very nice to the person who thought enough to invite you in the first place.

Jesus has invited everyone to join Him in heaven. Most people don't respond. They let their actions do the answering. Sadly, their lack of RSVP'ing will ultimately lead to their death. But they're too busy not RSVP'ing to care about that.

“The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who arranged a marriage for his son, 3 and sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding; and they were not willing to come. 4 Again, he sent out other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, “See, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and fatted cattle are killed, and all things are ready. Come to the wedding.” ’ 5 But they made light of it and went their ways, one to his own farm, another to his business. 6 And the rest seized his servants, treated them spitefully, and killed them. 7 But when the king heard about it, he was furious. And he sent out his armies, destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. 8 Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy. 9 Therefore go into the highways, and as many as you find, invite to the wedding.’ 10 So those servants went out into the highways and gathered together all whom they found, both bad and good. And the wedding hall was filled with guests." - Matthew 22:2-10

Jesus ends this parable in verse 14 with a dramatic statement.

“For many are called, but few are chosen.” = Matthew 22:14

We all have been called (invited), but have you been chosen? Did you RSVP? Are you excited to attend the wedding feast? You should be. You are the bride! If truly will be a glorious day!

The Wedding Invitation

There are few prophesies in the Bible that stand out more than Isaiah 53. I was written 700 years before it came to pass, but as we read it today, it clearly depicts our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

But today I'd like to write about the opening verse, which isn't really about Jesus. It's about us.

"Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?" - Isaiah 53:1

First, "Who has believed our message?" Good question. It seems fewer and fewer people in this country have received God's message these days. The evidence is all around us, the testimony of people's actions and words speaks volumes. Few receive God's message of salvation. It is rejected before it is even heard.

"Who has believed our message?"

When Jesus was relating the Parable of The Wedding Feast to His disciples in Mathew 22 he ended the parable by saying this:

“For many are invited, but few are chosen.” - Matthew 22:14

Think about that for a minute. Are you a believer in Jesus? How did you come to believe? Were you offered an invitation? Did God's Holy Spirit tap you on the shoulder and say, "Follow?" Here's another verse to consider:

"No one can come to me (Jesus) unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day." - John 6:44

God sends out specific invitations through His Holy Spirit. If you have received God's invitation you may enter in to the wedding feast. That's huge!!

The "wedding feast" is the marriage between Jesus and His church. It is the gathering of God's people to Himself.

Do you have an invitation? It is stored in your heart. When the feast begins you won't even have to offer it as proof. It is already known. You will simply enter in. And won't that be glorious?

The Parable of The Wedding Feast

The Betrothal

Your best decisions have gotten you to the place where you are right now. So, how have you done? Satisfied? Happy?

We all make decisions in life. Some good. Some bad. But we make them. And then we have to live with the results.

In the Galilean wedding ceremony of old the groom poured a cup of wine for his would-be bride. The bride had to make a simple choice. She could hand the cup back, thereby rejecting the groom's proposal, or she could drink the cup agreeing to the covenant of marriage. Does that sound familiar? Communion maybe?

"Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. 28This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” - Matthew 26:27-29

Do you see any similarities between the Galilean weeding ceremony and Jesus offering a "new covenant" to His disciples? Did you know that 11 of the 12 disciples were all Galileans? They were. They would have all recognized what Jesus said and did as a Galilean betrothal ceremony. It is not surprising then that Jesus referred to Himself in scripture as "the bridegroom" and The Church as His bride?

Each of us has a decision to make in this life. Are we going to choose to be "married" to Jesus by accepting His free offering of salvation? Or will we refuse and reject the bridegroom's proposal? The choice is ours. It's yours.

What will you do? The choice is yours. Choose wisely.

Before The Wrath Preview

What's In A Name?

Each of us has a name. What does YOUR name mean? My name is Robert and I was named after Robert the Bruce, a Scottish king. Cool!

Robert means "fame, bright, glory, honor, renown, shining." None of those descriptions describe who I am except maybe 'shining' - as in my forehead, where my hair used to be.

Have you ever heard of the name Eliezer? Not likely, unless you have read the 15th chapter of Genesis recently. Eliezer was the trusted servant of Abraham. Do you know what the name Eliezer means? El means 'God' and azar means 'to help.' God's helper.

Fast forward to the New Testament. when Jesus was talking with His disciples. He's telling them about the Holy Spirit who will come from The Father. 

“When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, namely, the Spirit of truth who comes from the Father, He will testify about Me," - John 15:26

Now read Genesis 24. I hope you are ready for what I am about to tell you. I wasn't when our pastor delivered his message in church last Sunday. Ready? The Old Testament story of Abraham sending his helper to get a bride for his son Isaac is a foreshadowing about the rapture of the church.

Think about it. Who is the bride of Christ? It's the church. Abraham represents God, Isaac represents Jesus, Eliezer represents The Holy Spirit, and Rebekah, Isaac's bride-to-be, represents The Church.

The Holy Spirit was sent to find God's church just like Eliezer was sent to find Rebekah, the bride. The Holy Spirit is with us now. When it is time for us (the church) to meet our bride, Jesus will come to meet us. He will meet us in the air. Isaac also came to meet his bride, Rebekah.

"Now Isaac had come from Beer Lahai Roi, for he was living in the Negev. 63 He went out to the field one evening to meditate, and as he looked up, he saw camels approaching. 64 Rebekah also looked up and saw Isaac. She got down from her camel 65 and asked the servant, “Who is that man in the field coming to meet us?”

“He is my master,” the servant answered." - Genesis 24:62-65

Foretold in the Old Testament and promised in the New Testament . . . but when will it happen? Soon my friends. Soon. God ALWAYS keeps His promises. ALL of His promises. And for that we should be grateful.

[Special thanks to Pastor Dave for providing an amazing sermon on Sunday, the inspiration for this story]

Wedding Day - Casting Crowns

How Great Thou Art

I photographed a wedding on Saturday. This is one of my favorite shots from that day. You might look at this photograph and think, "Gee, Bob, that's not very good. The groom has his eyes closed." True, but wait until you hear the story behind the picture.

These two young friends of mine had a wonderful wedding. Family and friends were all around them. Scripture readings and a message was given. At the end of the ceremony the bride and groom were introduced. Then, something interesting happened - a worship song began to play - How Great Thou Art. The couple left the stage and began to exit the sanctuary, but then they stopped half way down the aisle and began to dance, slowly. Then both of them closed their eyes and began to sing.

They were worshipping The Lord.

Now, what do you think of the picture?

How often do we close our eyes and sing when we worship God? Most of us don't do that because we have to read the words in a hymnal or on a screen. When was the last time we closed our eyes and worshipped our Creator? Ever?

Look at the groom in this picture. Not only is he worshipping God but he is also cherishing every moment with his bride. My guess is he'd like this moment to continue far longer than the duration of the song. How often do we want church to end on time or even sooner because the Packers are on at noon?

I was blessed to have witnessed the wedding of my young friends. May we too, as they did, worship in a manner worthy of our King.

An interesting side note just entered my mind. The last story I wrote (Posted before the wedding) was entitled "Oh Lord, My God!" That is the first line of How Great Thou Art. Coincidence? I don't think so. There are do coincidences with God. Only divine appointments.

“Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm, for love is strong as death, jealousy is fierce as the grave. Its flashes are flashes of fire, the very flame of the LORD. Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it. If a man offered for love all the wealth of his house, he would be utterly despised." - Song of Solomon 8:6-7

How Great Thou Art - Carrie Underwood & Vince Gill

Christmas Letter 2018

For those who didn't get my 2018 Christmas letter, here it is!

The stereotypical Christmas letter is filled with pictures and descriptions of summer vacations, family reunions, weddings and sporting events. These are all wonderful things that happen in our lives but they are not really about Christmas. So, I am not going to write about any of those. I dislike the “typical” or “expected” things in life. Why? Because Jesus is seldom found in places like that. Jesus is atypical and a Messiah’s birth to human parents is hardly what was expected. So, instead I will offer you an atypical Christmas story for your consideration. This story is true and it happened this past summer.

This past July I officiated at a wedding. I tell you that only for you to visualize the wedding from the point of view I had. It was literally the best seat in the house. After the guests were seated I walked up front along with the groom and we waited for the bride to present herself. And when she did all heads turned and watched as this bride came forward and joined hands with her bridegroom. She was absolutely beautiful.

Previously I had only seen the bride wearing blue jeans and a sweatshirt. What a change I saw that day, standing up front of everything. This bride had changed from the typical to the atypical. From the norm to something set apart and beautiful.

In the Bible Jesus is referred to as “the Bridegroom” and the church, those who believe in Him, are called “the bride”. It is written that one day the bride will join the bridegroom. There will be an amazing wedding feast in heaven on that day.

"6 Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. 7 Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; 8 it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure” - for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. 9 And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.” - Revelation 19:6-9

What a beautiful picture of a wedding! But consider this. Read verse eight again. “It was granted to her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure.” It goes on to say that the fine linen is actually “the righteous deeds of the saints.” That’s you and me, the bride! How can our deeds be made righteous? Isaiah 64:6 says “all our righteous deeds are like filthy rags.” How can we be made bright and pure?

Enter Jesus, the Lamb, the Bridegroom. Jesus was born into the world, fully God and fully man, to live a sinless life and to be sacrificed for OUR sins. His righteousness imputed to us, thereby making us bright and pure in God’s eyes. People who place their faith, hope and trust in Jesus are “the bride”  – made bright and pure by Jesus. It is nothing we have done.

God gave us Jesus. We celebrate His birth because it is only through Him and His sacrifice, that we have been made ready for that wedding day with Jesus. This Christmas, when you look at a nativity scene, look at the baby Jesus in an atypical way. See Him as the first gift given for OUR wedding day with Jesus. Jesus Himself - born in manger – as a wedding gift. It was His sacrifice that made us bright and pure. And THAT is why we celebrate. We celebrate The Gift.

Heavenly Father, thank you so much for the gift of Jesus. You knew exactly what we needed and you provided that for us. Although Jesus was born in a lowly manger, He is now seated at Your right hand – King of Kings and Lord of Lords. May everyone who reads this letter be blessed and give You thanks for the most perfect Christmas gift, and wedding gift, ever given. It is in the beautiful name of Jesus that I pray. Amen.

And now, the family news:

Probably the most significant thing that happened in our family this year was the death of my mom back in June. I retired back in March and officiated at a wedding in July (see pictures above). In August Bev and I attended the annual Johnson family reunion in Michigan. Then we took a two-week trip at the end of September and visited St. Louis, Pawhuska Oklahoma, Dallas, Waco, South Padre Island and Hot Springs, Arkansas. Thank you, Susan, for your amazing southern hospitality.

Tiny house construction continues, slower now with the colder temperatures. I continue to minister to young adults in Central Wisconsin and volunteer at the local food pantry. Bev still works at Waupaca County WIC (two more years), coordinates the layette ministry at church and also volunteers at the Waupaca Community Garden.

Our two children are healthy, employed, married and in love with their kids, our grandchildren. We enjoy spoiling all of them as often as we can.

May this Christmas bring you love, peace and joy as we remember our most prefect Christmas gift – Jesus.

That Wedding Day

There are many things in life we never get to see. This past Sunday our pastor spoke about his getting to do and see things that most of us never get to see. Like stopping in to pray for the bride as her bride's maids readied her for her wedding day. Most people don't get to experience moments like that. But I did.

Our pastor talking about the beauty of a bride getting ready for her wedding in Revelation 21. Here's the text.

"Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband." - Revelation 21:1-2

This past summer I had the privilege of officiating at a wedding ceremony. Before the service I visited the small house where the bride was getting ready for her special day. I walked in, knocking, eyes to the floor, not wanting to see anything I shouldn't.

When I was told it was okay to enter I looked up and saw one of the most amazing sights I'd ever seen. A beautiful bride and her bridesmaids. They were making sure her dress fit just perfectly, they were arranging her hair just so and tended to her bouquet.

Previously I had only seen this particular bride wearing a sweatshirt and blue jeans. What a transformation!

When God sent His son to die for our sins, He was preparing us for OUR wedding day. The time we come together at the wedding feast with Jesus. God previously only saw us in our "blue jeans and sweatshirt" but now, thanks to the sacrifice of Jesus, we were adorned in our wedding dress. ready to get married.

We have not seen heaven either. Somehow I don't think we'll notice it at all. Because we'll be staring into the eyes of Jesus.

Wedding Day - Casting Crowns

Marriage

This past Saturday I had the honor and privilege of officiating at a wedding. As I did the research for my sermon I discovered something about my own relationship with God and with my wife as well. And just who I am in my role as a bridegroom. AND a bride.

As a man I am the bridegroom to my wife. It is our anniversary today. My bride and I have been married for 41 years. Maybe that sounds like a lot of years to you but it really doesn't seem that long to me. That's probably because I love my wife and I enjoy spending time with her.

As a Christian I also play the role of the bride in my relationship with Jesus. HE is the bridegroom, I am the bride. Kind of confusing but not really if you read the Bible and understand the role we were created to play.

In my marriage to my wife I am supposed to be like Jesus. I am to be the shepherd of my family. I am to love my wife. Even lay down my life for her if God requires it. I am to be obedient to God in all things.

I look at the example of Jesus. Everything He did was according to the will of His Father. That's exactly what I should do in life. The way I live my life, the way I treat my wife, my family and my relationships - everything should reflect my Heavenly Father. His desires, His love, His compassion, mercy and grace. Obedience is a good word to live in our faith.

In the message I delivered at the wedding I spoke about the role of the bride and the bridegroom. But really, we don't have to look any farther than Jesus for examples of both.

It is currently two o'clock in the morning as I am typing this. Why am I up at this hour? It's because I can't sleep. Something was bothering me so I was praying in bed and then I felt the need to get up and write some of this down. So I did.

Why are we so afraid of letting people know we are Christians? What are we afraid of? Persecution? People distancing themselves from us? That's exactly what we are supposed to do! We are to be set apart, not blend in.

In our relationships with God we are to be the bride. Our role is to submit to the will of the husband - the bridegroom. That's Jesus. What did Jesus do when He was confronted by the Pharisees? Did he keep quiet? Was He afraid? No! He laid down His life!

It's now 2:30 in the morning. I think I have answered my question. I think I can go back to sleep now. I am not afraid. There should be no fear in our relationships with others. We should have the confidence to stand up for who we are, no matter what happens. We are the children of God!

The following passage of scripture was used in my message on Saturday. And now I find myself using it again today. Thank you Lord.. There is no fear in love.

"God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. 17This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. 18There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love." - 1 John 4:16-18

No Fear In Love - Steffany Gretzinger

Where Joy and Sorrow Meet

There is a wonderful thing that happens when a family member dies. It's actually the same thing that happens when two people get married. Can you figure out what it is? Think about the similarities. Both events are usually officiated by ministers, they usually take place in churches. Both events often feature meals afterwards. But none of those are what I am going to be writing about today.

My sister and her husband came to visit this past weekend. Well, their visiting was only a byproduct of why they were here. My brother-in-law's father had passed away and they were coming back to Wisconsin for the funeral.

It seems like the only times family gets together in a major way is for weddings or funerals. Other times of the year we are simply too busy, we have something else to do or we simply don't want to invest the time to make a long trip.

Weddings and funerals are different though. We DO make plans, we DO make an effort to attend.

After the funeral and the meal that followed this past weekend my wife and I returned home. My sister, her husband and one of their sons stayed behind to visit with family. That was early afternoon. Later that night I received a phone call from my sister. My brother-in-laws family was having such a good time talking with one another they wanted to spend MORE time doing so! Joy amongst the sorrow.

I have been blessed to be a part of such a loving family. We always enjoy our time together. Weddings are amazing events for family and, if you really think about it, so are funerals. Why is that?

As I watched the people at the funeral the other day I couldn't help but noticed the love present in the room. Conversations, hugs, kisses on cheeks - much the same as at a wedding. What an odd combination. Gathered together in grief . . . and celebration.

There is another place where joy and sorrow meet besides funerals . . .

"There's a place of thirst and hunger where the roots of faith grow deep

And there is rain and rolling thunder when the road is rough and steep

There is hope in desperation there is victory in defeat

At the cross of restoration where joy and sorrow meet."

Where Joy and Sorrow Meet - The Zoe Group

Cinderella

The house is quiet now. The sun setting on an amazing weekend that saw our one and only daughter get married and begin a new life with her new husband. It was an amazing weekend, filled with family and friends, several long-overdue conversations and renewed relationships.

As I reflect back on the past 48 hours, there were so many special moments, so many gifts from God, as I like to call them. We as a family have been incredibly blessed. Many family members traveled long distances, simply to spend time with us and our daughter on her special day. That in itself was a very special gift!

It's not like there weren't hurdles to get over or storms to weather along the way. My brother and his wife flew in from San Francisco under less than ideal circumstances. A relative of the groom traveled from Philadelphia. Great personal expense to exhibit their love for the bride and the groom. Amazing.

There were selfless acts of love as spouses sacrificed their own personal enjoyment to stay behind in hotel rooms with sick kids. That is a special kind of love. Awesome! But despite the hard times, we still got through it all . . . because we are a family.

There were a few moments that stuck out in my mind though as I look back on things from the relative quiet of a Sunday night. These moments touched me deeply so I thought I would share all these examples with you, in hopes that you might see God's love from a human view point.

I woke up Saturday morning. REAL early. My dad is an early riser and needs to be supervised because of his Alzheimer's. He has been known to get into a little trouble if left on his own. But Saturday morning was different. He was just sitting there in our living room, crying.

My dad is a proud man. He's the guy who provided for us and took care of us. This is a guy who graduated from college with an engineering degree and designed vehicle seating for trucks, vans, trains and planes. Yet, now, he cannot remember the names of his children. Incredibly frustrating for him. Yet it is an opportunity for others to love him and care for him, sacrificing themselves for someone else. Does that sound like anyone you know? Does that sound like something Jesus did for us on a cross? That is love.

The second story is about my daughter. I had it all together pretty much. All smiles. Not a care in the world. Then, as I was walking our daughter down the aisle, I did something I shouldn't have done. I looked at her. I quickly looked away as the tears of joy began to come. What a beautiful bride!! But the moment that really got to me at the reception was the father-daughter dance. My daughter had selected Cinderella by Steven Curtis Chapman. Oh my.

As we danced we just talked and we laughed. But in the moments of silence, thoughts our her and our lives together flooded in and it was hard fighting back the tears.

There were several other wonderful moments during the evening. Seeing my father dancing with my mother, dancing with my mom, but I will always remember dancing with my Cinderella.

I think that's how God looks at each of us . . . how he longs to dance with each of us. He has invited us all to the wedding yet some of us refuse to attend. Only those who accept God's offer of grace and forgiveness through His son Jesus will be allowed into the banquet. If you haven't done so already, won't you please consider RSVP'ing today? You will be glad you did.

"And again Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying, 2 “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son, 3 and sent his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding feast, but they would not come. 4 Again he sent other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, “See, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding feast.”’ 5 But they paid no attention and went off, one to his farm, another to his business, 6 while the rest seized his servants, treated them shamefully, and killed them. 7 The king was angry, and he sent his troops and destroyed those murderers and burned their city. 8 Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding feast is ready, but those invited were not worthy. 9 Go therefore to the main roads and invite to the wedding feast as many as you find.’ 10 And those servants went out into the roads and gathered all whom they found, both bad and good. So the wedding hall was filled with guests." - Luke 22:1-10

Cinderella by Steven Curtis Chapman



Speech!

[The following is the speech I am planning to give at my daughter's wedding reception later today. May God's Holy Spirit lead me to do so.]

May I have your attention please? This is the part of the evening where "the dad" stands up here and offers words of encouragement to the newly married couple. Words of advice to help them have a long and healthy relationship.

Over the years I have noticed a few things about relationships and marriage. In my 36 years of marriage to my wife Bev I have gathered some much-needed wisdom about marriage relationships, and just what it takes to have a successful one. Still, just to make sure I had all the bases covered before offering any advise here tonight, I thought I would check with the one source that everyone seems to turn to these days for their wisdom and truth . . . the Internet.

Most of the advice I found out there was pretty lame but I did find some insightful quotes. Here are a few.

“The best way to remember your wife's birthday is to forget it once.”

“I have learned that only two things are necessary to keep one's wife happy. First, let her think she's having her own way. And second, let her have it.” -Lyndon B. Johnson

“My wife and I were happy for twenty years. Then we met.” - Rodney Dangerfield. That's not really a tip. I just thought it was funny.

Humorous quotes are one thing but good, real life advice is like gold!

Here's a really short list of tips to consider. Let's start out right where most married couples wind up eventually anyway . . . the toilet.

1. Toilet paper - Toilet paper was designed to be dispensed over the top not under the bottom. Actually, it IS designed to be USED under the bottom, just not dispensed that way.

2. Leave the toilet seat down. If the toilet seat was designed to be left UP then what is it's purpose? Why even have a lid? If everyone closed the toilet seat after they were done in the bathroom we would never have to text someone our name because they "dropped their phone in the toilet." We would never have to get a new toothbrush because Jerry Seinfeld dropped ours in the toilet. We would never have our dog drinking his fill from places he shouldn't.

Behind the wheel. Asking directions when we don't want to, stomping on imaginary brakes, listening to Aunt Edna from the back seat. We've all been there. I don't need to repeat things we already know to be true.

Those tips are somewhat humorous, and minimally helpful, they don't really have the ability to change a marriage like the tip that I am about to give you.

Earlier today I had the privilege of reading a few verses during Krystle and Travis's wedding ceremony.

Ephesians 5:22-33 spoke about submission . . . and sacrifice . . . and love . . . all essential for a successful marriage. But the verse that speaks loudest and contains the most the wisdom for building a successful relationship together is the last verse from Ecclesiastes 4:9-12. Listen to it again.

"9 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their work. 10 If one falls down, the other can lift him up. But pity the one who falls and has no one to pick him up! 11 Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? 12 And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him . . . . (now here we are at the important part so look right at me now) - a triple-braided cord is not easily broken." - Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Why would King Solomon, the wisest man on the planet, suddenly switch from talking about TWO people in a relationship, to three? Well, the reason is . . . the key to ANY successful relationship . . . is to have God at its center. The key to any relationship "lasting forever" . . . is Jesus. Please allow Him to come into YOUR life and work a miracle in YOUR heart. And experience what it means to have a marriage LITERALLY made in heaven.

Let's pray . . .

Father, 2000 years ago you performed your first miracle. You changed water into wine at a wedding festival just like this one. Tonight, I humbly ask that you work another miracle here. Create in this couple a love that is unconditional, submissive and sacrificial. And, above all, create in this couple a relationship that contains you. For it is through you that our relationships find meaning, far beyond our expectations or what we feel we deserve. For you taught us that faith, hope and love will remain after all else fails. But the greatest of these is love. YOUR love. Amen.

Bride

This past weekend my wife and I traveled to Eau Claire to visit our daughter. Even though Central Wisconsin had just undergone a snowy winter storm, we were determined to make the trip. Our girl was graduating from college and we weren't going to miss it!

It's always good to see our one and only daughter but I wasn't feeling very good by the time we got there. It had been a long day. Up at 4:30 for work, a long car ride home and then to Eau Claire, all while battling a nasty cold - I wasn't feeling much like doing anything else that night other than to plant my face in a pillow. That's when I learned we were about to go wedding dress shopping . . . at 8:30 PM.

I probably looked pretty pitiful - slumped in a chair, clutching my box of Puffs like a football. Yet the two lovely ladies that were helping my daughter and wife pick out accessories, kept smiling at me. I twisted around, thinking perhaps Justin Bieber was standing there behind me but he was not. Then it hit me. These two were doing everything in their power to extort as much money as possible from my wallet. And I DO mean extort.

"This ti era makes your daughter look absolutely radiant. Look at how it sparkles! It matches perfectly the glimmer you have in YOUR eyes, sir, when you look at your precious daughter. What do you think sir?"

(sigh)

I was a dead man.

But they were right. Our daughter looked absolutely wonderful in that snow-white dress. Absolutely beautiful and spotless and pure . . .

That's when my mind began to wander, as it often does, to Jesus.

The day before all this dress shopping happened was 12/21/12 - the last day of the Mayan calendar. The day many were saying that the world would come to an end. I didn't really by it. Jesus had already told us that NO ONE would know the day or the hour. And what did the Mayans know about Jesus anyway? But the date, the calendar and the subsequent discussion accomplished a few good things in my mind. It got us talking . . . and it got us thinking . . . about our relationship with God.

You know, WE, God's children, those who have surrendered our lives to Jesus, are supposed to be Christ's "bride" on the day He returns. We are to present ourselves as innocent & pure. Sadly, I feel we have been "anything but" lately. We have spent too much time in a world governed by the evil one. We have "slept around" with other God's (our work, our addictions, our lusts, ourselves) and I am sure our image as a blushing, innocent bride has been tarnished greatly. Yet Jesus still sees some hope for us. He gave up His life for us to show us how muched He loved us.

I for one have decided that I am going to try living my life for my future husband. That sounds really weird coming from a guy. I'm not one of those "same-sex marriage is ok" kind of guys. I just want to be living a life worthy of Jesus. When he returns, whenever that is, I want to be ready. I want to be worthy.

The beginning of a new year is just over a week away. We are told to keep watch. We are told that Jesus will return like a thief in the night (1 Thes 5:2) - quietly and without warning - for His bride. Will we be ready for Him? Will we be worthy? Sounds like Jesus might have already taken care of that.

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish." - Ephesians 5:25-27 ESV

For you married guys out there, do you remember what the love of your life looked like when she walked down that aisle towards you? Yeah, there were probably things about her that weren't exactly perfect. But on that wedding day, she looked absolutely amazing. She looked beautiful and perfect. And so shall it be with Jesus and us . . . on OUR wedding day. :)

"6 Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting:

“Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. 7 Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. 8 Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.” (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God’s holy people.)" - Revelation 19:6-8

Please listen to this song by Casting Crowns . . . and may God bless.

Wedding Day by Casting Crowns