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"Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral" (Hebrews 13:4).
This morning I drove my Amish neighbors to a wedding about 25 miles away. It is the custom among the Amish (at least in this area) to have weddings in November on Tuesdays or Thursdays. They told me the typical Amish wedding has some 350-400 people in attendance. The ceremony itself is at 8:00AM followed by a hymn sing (in German), a huge meal, afternoon fellowship, another hymn sing and another meal. They hang around visiting with one another till about 9:00PM! All this is in the home, generally at the bride's parents.
Here is a photo I took of the
parked buggies this morning. It only shows a small part of them. I
dropped them off at 7:30 A.M. as a steady stream of teams continued to
appear. On our drive over I expressed my interest in their wedding
customs and was told that we would be invited to their infant daughter
Sadie Ruth's wedding!
This Saturday I will be attending a wedding near Baltimore of a young lady who grew up in a previous church I pastored in northern Pennsylvania. We attend to witness this solemn union and bless this young lady and her family. By our presence we hope to "honor marriage."
In this series I have periodically referred to the daily Scripture portion. This simple, straightforward command is so needed today. "Marriage should be honored by all." This command does not seem to be regarding a specific marriage but rather the institution of marriage itself. Today this institution is under severe attack in radical and ungodly efforts to redefine it, contrary to its divine design.
Marriage is the oldest human institution, established by God Himself when He created Eve from Adam. Marriage is ordained by God, "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh" (Genesis 2:24).
Marriage is an ongoing expression of God's wisdom when He stated, "It is not good for the man to be alone." He created a complimentary "helper suitable for him." The Lord Jesus during His earthly ministry powerfully reinforces this view, "Haven't you read," He replied, "that at the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female,' and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh?'" (Matthew 19:4,5). In another Scripture He said, "Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate" (Mark 10:9).
Today let us honor marriage!
Be encouraged today,
Stephen C. Weber
Brooksyne's prayer - Jesus, one of the greatest mysteries in the human experience is how You blend two individuals and make them become as one. The "me" becomes "us" in our shared interests and goals in life. Things are no longer "mine" but "ours." Our times of celebration as well as times of sadness and loss become shared experiences. Thank You, Lord, for this tremendous companionship that I enjoy with my loving spouse. May I be a helper that is suitable and pleasing to him. It is in Your name that I pray. Amen.
PS - It would have been interesting to share a photo today of Jesse and Anna, along with their children, all dressed up for the wedding. However the Amish are opposed to having adult photos taken. But they do allow photos of their children and I have periodically placed them up on this site.
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Thursday, November 10, 2005
"Honored By All"
"Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral" (Hebrews 13:4).
This morning I drove my Amish neighbors to a wedding about 25 miles away. It is the custom among the Amish (at least in this area) to have weddings in November on Tuesdays or Thursdays. They told me the typical Amish wedding has some 350-400 people in attendance. The ceremony itself is at 8:00AM followed by a hymn sing (in German), a huge meal, afternoon fellowship, another hymn sing and another meal. They hang around visiting with one another till about 9:00PM! All this is in the home, generally at the bride's parents.
This Saturday I will be attending a wedding near Baltimore of a young lady who grew up in a previous church I pastored in northern Pennsylvania. We attend to witness this solemn union and bless this young lady and her family. By our presence we hope to "honor marriage."
In this series I have periodically referred to the daily Scripture portion. This simple, straightforward command is so needed today. "Marriage should be honored by all." This command does not seem to be regarding a specific marriage but rather the institution of marriage itself. Today this institution is under severe attack in radical and ungodly efforts to redefine it, contrary to its divine design.
Marriage is the oldest human institution, established by God Himself when He created Eve from Adam. Marriage is ordained by God, "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh" (Genesis 2:24).
Marriage is an ongoing expression of God's wisdom when He stated, "It is not good for the man to be alone." He created a complimentary "helper suitable for him." The Lord Jesus during His earthly ministry powerfully reinforces this view, "Haven't you read," He replied, "that at the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female,' and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh?'" (Matthew 19:4,5). In another Scripture He said, "Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate" (Mark 10:9).
Today let us honor marriage!
Be encouraged today,
Stephen C. Weber
Brooksyne's prayer - Jesus, one of the greatest mysteries in the human experience is how You blend two individuals and make them become as one. The "me" becomes "us" in our shared interests and goals in life. Things are no longer "mine" but "ours." Our times of celebration as well as times of sadness and loss become shared experiences. Thank You, Lord, for this tremendous companionship that I enjoy with my loving spouse. May I be a helper that is suitable and pleasing to him. It is in Your name that I pray. Amen.
PS - It would have been interesting to share a photo today of Jesse and Anna, along with their children, all dressed up for the wedding. However the Amish are opposed to having adult photos taken. But they do allow photos of their children and I have periodically placed them up on this site.
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Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission; and the King James Version.
Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission; and the King James Version.
Personal Mission
Statement: "I am
created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I
have been redeemed and I make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My
mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and to
prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."
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