What a Wedding!  I had the extreme privilige to officiate the wedding of one of our fine young men and his betrothed last Saturday.  So wonderful was their journey to the Marriage altar that I literally had to re-write the entire wedding ceremony.  The first time they held hands, kissed, or embraced we were wittness to on Saturday.  Their first date was their honeymoon.  The anticipation was nearly overwhelming as the groom beamed as his beloved made her way to him.  I had the bride and her father stop at the base of the stage.  I was able to declare to the hundreds in attendance that the Church has been in Egypt for too long.  We have ceased being salt and light and are now being influenced by our culture - especially in the area of dating and relationships.  We have drunk deeply from the well of worldly wisdom and we are reaping what we have sowed in the destruction of Christian families.

We then had the giving away of the bride AND the confirmation of the groom.  I asked, "Who has prepared this man for the covenant of marriage and declares him qualified to take a wife?"  The Groom's father, also the best man, replied, "I have".  He then expressed his pride in his son's journey to this point and his joy at his son's character.  Then the father told the groom, "Son, go get your bride."  The groom literally bounded down the stairs!  His father in law then joined their hands together for the first time and said, "We've had her for 19 years.  I now transfer my authority and headship over her to you"  He then prayed a beautiful blessing over them. 

When they finally kissed it was amazing!  Tender & respectful yet full of anticipation and wonder!  The way it should be.  There were two very successful business men in attendance who were associates of the Groom's father.  They sought me out after the ceremony and had one burning question - "If this continues to happen, will it mean that there is a glimmer of hope for our nation?"  These guys were heaven and hell serious.  To look at two seasoned men who wittnessed the power of a multi generational vision of faithfulness being lived out and now reproduced in the life of these families.  With great confidence I assured them that our sons & daughters could be the beginning of hope for this fallen nation.  These sucessful and worldly wise men were wiping away tears of hope as I shared the gospel with them.

How awesome is our God and his righteous plan for his children!  To God be all the glory!

• Post A Comment! • Send to a Friend!

Posted by Buckeyeblog

What a wonderful testimony these famiies - and now this new family - has! How awesome that you got to present the Gospel to those 2 men.

A few years ago my sweet husband and I sang at our niece's wedding. Their pastor did a wonderful presentation of her promise ring - before the wedding ring ceremony - to her groom. You could have heard a pin drop - there was a lot of conviction being felt by the congregation. It was a wonderful part of the ceremony and I look forward to something similar when our daughters are married.

We are in midst of experimenting with the possible beginnings of a courtship with our 19 year old daughter. This is such new ground. I know your kids are younger than ours, but I would be interested in any insight you might have from what you had witnessed in this young couple you just married.

Good to see your and your sweet wife blogging!

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

• Permanent Link