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Brooksyne Weber
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Tuesday,
February 14, 2023
Valentine's Day
Fifty
years ago in
the fall of
1973 our
romance began
on the campus
of Central
Bible College
in
Springfield,
MO. (I had
just turned 19
&
Brooksyne
celebrated her
18th on our
first date,
which didn't
quite happen
but that's a
whole
different
story.) This
photo was
taken a couple
months before
we got married
in May 1976.
Today,
following
several
chaplain
visits, we
will dine at
Red Robin for
our
Valentine's
Day meal and
then we're
heading over
to the America's
Transportation
Experience
in Hershey,
one of our
favorite
museums. (For
those looking
closely
Brooksyne
wants to
report that
the teen acne
break-out on
her face has
all cleared up
by now.)
"Vows
That Endure"
Message
summary: Today
we consider a
rapidly
diminishing
virtue in our
society:
marital vows
that endure.
Listen
to our message
on your audio
player.
“A
man will leave
his father and
mother and be
united to his
wife, and they
will become
one flesh”
(Genesis
2:24). “Husbands,
love your
wives, just as
Christ loved
the church and
gave Himself
up for her”
(Ephesians
5:25).
Dale is a man that Brooksyne and I regularly visited within the course of our chaplain work at a local nursing home. He was raised in a God-fearing home but rebelled as a teenager and became addicted to alcohol. While in the military he was in training in Memphis and passed a rescue mission where he surrendered his life to Christ. While reflecting on the goodness of the Lord his eyes welled up in tears several times as we talked. For many years he was a public school teacher as well as a preacher and an excellent singer.
Dale is a man that Brooksyne and I regularly visited within the course of our chaplain work at a local nursing home. He was raised in a God-fearing home but rebelled as a teenager and became addicted to alcohol. While in the military he was in training in Memphis and passed a rescue mission where he surrendered his life to Christ. While reflecting on the goodness of the Lord his eyes welled up in tears several times as we talked. For many years he was a public school teacher as well as a preacher and an excellent singer.
His
first wife had
died 15 years
earlier from
cancer. He
remarried
several years
later and now
his second
wife had
Alzheimer’s.
She lived in a
memory care
unit while he
still lived in
their own
apartment. But
he faithfully
drove over to
the memory
care unit of
the Maytown
personal care
facility to
visit her
practically
every day
where I often
saw him. He
seemed to look
forward to our
visits, I
suppose in
part due to
the inability
to converse
with his wife.
She just
watched us
talk with a
pleasant
smile.
Dale
demonstrated a
rapidly
diminishing
virtue in our
society:
marital vows
that endure.
Enduring
love is a
tested,
proven, and
unending
commitment
that should be
at the heart
of all marital
vows. It
starts out as
a romantic
relationship
where
appearance,
talent,
personality
and
intelligence
are usually
the qualifying
factors in
solidifying a
long-term
commitment.
Enduring
love is a
tested,
proven, and
unending
commitment
that should be
at the heart
of all marital
vows. It
starts out as
a romantic
relationship
where
appearance,
talent,
personality
and
intelligence
are usually
the qualifying
factors in
solidifying a
long-term
commitment.But
enduring love
comes over
time and is
strengthened
by the way
partners
handle the
expected and
unexpected,
account to one
another,
communicate
effectively,
and fulfill
each other’s
needs. Much
like gold is
tested in a
furnace
capable of
reaching 2,000
degrees;
enduring love
is tested
repeatedly in
the blazing
furnace of
trials,
failures,
disappointments,
losses and
aging.
Couples
make a
commitment in
their marriage
vows that in
part states,
“for better or
for worse.”
Hopefully we
all experience
the “better”
side for the
majority of
our adult
years, but we
will certainly
be put to the
test for the
“worse” side –
the side we
can hardly
envision when
placing a
wedding ring
on our
spouse’s
finger. In
fact, the
reason we
marry our
partner is to
better our
lives, so when
we repeat the
vow “for
better...”
it’s a given.
Yesterday
I received a
brief note
from a friend
informing me
his wife's
cancer has
spread. They
are
experiencing
the "worse"
part.
Repeating the vow, “or for worse” can be a little unsettling. At the time of early romance it seems nothing could make the partnership “worse”. But it’s a vow that calls for both husband and wife to lovingly endure the challenges the other brings into the marriage and that may include the children that result from the marriage union or blended family.
Couples
make a
commitment in
their marriage
vows that in
part states,
“for better or
for worse.”
Hopefully we
all experience
the “better”
side for the
majority of
our adult
years, but we
will certainly
be put to the
test for the
“worse” side –
the side we
can hardly
envision when
placing a
wedding ring
on our
spouse’s
finger. In
fact, the
reason we
marry our
partner is to
better our
lives, so when
we repeat the
vow “for
better...”
it’s a given.
Yesterday
I received a
brief note
from a friend
informing me
his wife's
cancer has
spread. They
are
experiencing
the "worse"
part. Repeating the vow, “or for worse” can be a little unsettling. At the time of early romance it seems nothing could make the partnership “worse”. But it’s a vow that calls for both husband and wife to lovingly endure the challenges the other brings into the marriage and that may include the children that result from the marriage union or blended family.
As
we endure the
hardship that
comes from the
“worse” vow
the character
traits we
hopefully will
develop make
us better
people all
around. In a
loving,
enduring
relationship
we can better
ourselves
during the
good and bad
times.
On Valentine’s Day romantic love is celebrated and of course especially so in the marital bonds. There are many who chafe at the Biblical pattern of marriage so simply expressed in the creation mandate, “A man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh” (Genesis 2:24).
The apostle Paul makes the simple statement in the second daily text, "Husbands, love your wives". Men, today and every day let us heed this straightforward command!
On Valentine’s Day romantic love is celebrated and of course especially so in the marital bonds. There are many who chafe at the Biblical pattern of marriage so simply expressed in the creation mandate, “A man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh” (Genesis 2:24).
The apostle Paul makes the simple statement in the second daily text, "Husbands, love your wives". Men, today and every day let us heed this straightforward command!
Be
encouraged
today, (Hebrews
3:13)
Stephen
and Brooksyne
Weber
Daily
prayer:
Father,
we ask You to
bless couples
reading our
message today.
Help them to
grow together
through love
and laughter,
respect and
forgiveness,
through the
good times and
through the
difficult
times.
We pray for
your comfort
to fill those
who no longer
walk alongside
a spouse but
said "good-by"
much earlier
than
anticipated;
bring joy to
their hearts
in the
memories they
made along the
way.
Help us to
remain
committed all
the days of
our life to
our marital
vows that
include “for
better or for
worse”.
May it not be
just for the
spring season
of our
marriage, but
also for the
winter season.
In Jesus’ name
we pray. Amen.As
a young Bible
College
student I made
a call on an
elderly couple
named George
and Elizabeth.
After a brief
visit I
witnessed a
tender, almost
sacred moment
when George
gently planted
a kiss on
Elizabeth’s
forehead. They
had been
married over
50 years and
Alzheimer’s
(called
senility back
then) was now
taking its
toll.
Though it seemed the worst of times for this couple, the love was still there: a love firmly rooted in commitment to God’s design for marriage. George saw her every day even though, to most observers, there was no indication that she even recognized him. They demonstrated what following Christ and keeping promises is all about to a young college student preparing for ministry and for marriage. It left a lifelong impression on me.
Though it seemed the worst of times for this couple, the love was still there: a love firmly rooted in commitment to God’s design for marriage. George saw her every day even though, to most observers, there was no indication that she even recognized him. They demonstrated what following Christ and keeping promises is all about to a young college student preparing for ministry and for marriage. It left a lifelong impression on me.
Today's
Suggested
Music and Supplemental
Resources
"Carry
You Through"
Video
Jade Wales
Message
feedback is so
encouraging:
In response to
yesterday's
message we
heard from a
couple
ministering in
South Sudan
who are
originally
from Uganda:
We
are in
particular
deeply
thrilled by
'Be a plodder'
for it
directly
ministers to
us as we
continue to
preach in the
war ravaged
South Sudan.
The strength
to carry on in
an excessively
hot area (over
35 degrees, 95
F) daily, a
foreign land,
being home
sick where
everything is
strange from
language to
food, culture
to mention a
few...it would
really take
the grace of
God. Sometimes
the zeal
dwindles and
from time to
time we cry to
God...please
Lord give us
the zeal to
carry on...we
plod on and on
and we are
fulfilled when
we win souls
for Christ.
Hebrew
10: 35 NLT "so
do not throw
away this
confident
trust in the
Lord. Remember
the great
reward it
brings to
you!" Dear
Lord we thank
you for the
daily strength
and courage
you give us to
plod on...and
for those that
we share a
common goal of
winning souls
for
Christ...we
pray that no
matter what
happens you
will always
find the
strength to
plod on. We
thank you
Stephen and
Brooksyne for
the daily life
you breathe on
us the
readers.
What
is the
Biblical view
of marriage?
(summary notes from a sermon I preached many years ago)
(summary notes from a sermon I preached many years ago)
In
an age when
family values
are under
severe attack
and the
Biblical
foundation of
the marriage
and family is
crumbling, we
need strong
teaching on
the Biblical
view.
1) Marriage is God-ordained. “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). God’s design for marriage goes back to mankind’s beginning. The family, as God’s means of propagating His creation, grows out of this primary human relationship. Jesus reinforced this teaching: "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’? So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.” (Matthew 19:4-6).
2) The marriage relationship encompasses the deepest unity of man and woman in its spiritual, social and physical expressions. The first woman was declared to be a suitable helper for the man (Genesis 2:18), the perfect complement (Genesis 2:23). God intended them to share both blessings and responsibilities. Mutual esteem and self-giving love strengthen the marriage relationship. God intended this physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual union to be focused on one partner only.
3) Marriage is designed to be an exclusive relationship, a lifelong faithful union between a man and woman. “What God has joined together, let man not separate” (Matthew 19:6). The Old Testament recognized the existence of polygamy (marriage to multiple partners), but still declared that monogamy (marriage to one partner) was the ideal (Psalms 128:3, Proverbs 5:18; 31:10-29; Ecclesiastes 9:9). “Lifelong” means monogamy and sexual fidelity until the death of one partner thus the basis of the traditional vow, “till death do us part.” Sexual expression with more than one partner violates the holiness of biblical marriage and thus is sin in God’s sight. Thus the fundamental meaning of the 7th commandment.
4) Marriage is a covenant, a solemn binding agreement made before God and man. The religious ceremony of the wedding before church and community emphasizes that marriage is more than a legal agreement between two individuals. The church has a responsibility to support and nurture the marriage that has been affirmed by public vows.
5) Marriage, ideally, is that the relationship between husband and wife should parallel the relationship between Christ and the Church (Ephesians 5:23-30). The husband should love his wife “as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her” (Ephesians 5:25). The wife should submit to her husband as the Church should submit to the Lord (Ephesians 5:22-24). It is a misreading of Scripture, however, to conclude that the husband can become dictatorial. The entire passage is introduced by the admonition, “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ” (Ephesians 5:21). It is only after each spouse submits one to another from a heart of love that the head/submission relationship will work. The husband has special responsibility for the spiritual leadership and welfare of the wife and family (Psalms 78:5-8, Ephesians 5:23). While the woman has responsibility as a parent, God has called the husband to be the leader in the home. The woman is not inferior to the man. Both have full dignity and equal standing before God. In homes where the father is not a Christian or refuses to provide spiritual leadership, it is right for the mother to assume this responsibility. Strong spiritual training is essential for children to develop spiritually (Proverbs 22:6).
A happy and complete marriage is realized as husband and wife make Christ the center of their marriage relationship. With Christ as the head, the marriage has an excellent chance to succeed.
1) Marriage is God-ordained. “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). God’s design for marriage goes back to mankind’s beginning. The family, as God’s means of propagating His creation, grows out of this primary human relationship. Jesus reinforced this teaching: "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’? So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.” (Matthew 19:4-6).
2) The marriage relationship encompasses the deepest unity of man and woman in its spiritual, social and physical expressions. The first woman was declared to be a suitable helper for the man (Genesis 2:18), the perfect complement (Genesis 2:23). God intended them to share both blessings and responsibilities. Mutual esteem and self-giving love strengthen the marriage relationship. God intended this physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual union to be focused on one partner only.
3) Marriage is designed to be an exclusive relationship, a lifelong faithful union between a man and woman. “What God has joined together, let man not separate” (Matthew 19:6). The Old Testament recognized the existence of polygamy (marriage to multiple partners), but still declared that monogamy (marriage to one partner) was the ideal (Psalms 128:3, Proverbs 5:18; 31:10-29; Ecclesiastes 9:9). “Lifelong” means monogamy and sexual fidelity until the death of one partner thus the basis of the traditional vow, “till death do us part.” Sexual expression with more than one partner violates the holiness of biblical marriage and thus is sin in God’s sight. Thus the fundamental meaning of the 7th commandment.
4) Marriage is a covenant, a solemn binding agreement made before God and man. The religious ceremony of the wedding before church and community emphasizes that marriage is more than a legal agreement between two individuals. The church has a responsibility to support and nurture the marriage that has been affirmed by public vows.
5) Marriage, ideally, is that the relationship between husband and wife should parallel the relationship between Christ and the Church (Ephesians 5:23-30). The husband should love his wife “as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her” (Ephesians 5:25). The wife should submit to her husband as the Church should submit to the Lord (Ephesians 5:22-24). It is a misreading of Scripture, however, to conclude that the husband can become dictatorial. The entire passage is introduced by the admonition, “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ” (Ephesians 5:21). It is only after each spouse submits one to another from a heart of love that the head/submission relationship will work. The husband has special responsibility for the spiritual leadership and welfare of the wife and family (Psalms 78:5-8, Ephesians 5:23). While the woman has responsibility as a parent, God has called the husband to be the leader in the home. The woman is not inferior to the man. Both have full dignity and equal standing before God. In homes where the father is not a Christian or refuses to provide spiritual leadership, it is right for the mother to assume this responsibility. Strong spiritual training is essential for children to develop spiritually (Proverbs 22:6).
A happy and complete marriage is realized as husband and wife make Christ the center of their marriage relationship. With Christ as the head, the marriage has an excellent chance to succeed.
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radioPermissions: Please feel free to pass on, reproduce and distribute any material on Daily Encouragement Net, in part or in whole, in any format, provided that you do not alter the wording in any way or charge a fee beyond the cost of reproduction. It is our desire to spread this material, not protect or restrict it. We do request that you keep the contact, copyright and subscription information intact.
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, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. 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 make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."
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