Well this is wedding season. B is off to another wedding tomorrow that I cannot go to because I am on the stag do of another friend who is to marry in a couple of weeks time. I must confess I can be a bit overwhelmed when this season comes around, but on reflection it is fantastic. These are young men and women bucking the trend and marrying before they have moved in together. They are those saying we want to do it God's way.
One of the ways that Jesus is described in the bible is as the bride groom of the church. The one who is in anticipation of his beautiful bride. The one who has sacrificed himself for her. The one who nurtures and cares for her; the one who provides for her and releases her to be all that she was intended to be. He doesn't stifle or hold her back; he does not heap condemnation on her or put her in her place. He is gentle and loving and sets the pace at which the relationship is to go.
A marriage is so much more than a man and a woman saying some stuff and then working it out. It was instituted by God to show us the relationship Christ has with his church. The wife being loved by the husband as Christ loves his church and the woman loving the husband back in gracious and thoughtful submission as the church submits to Christ.
I pray for these couples who are marrying and those who have married recently that their marriages will reflect this mytsterious but wonderful relationship, and that our marriage will be an example to follow.
One day Christ will be united with his bride, on that day there will be a banquet and all those who have followed Christ will be invited, and he, like so many of the bridegrooms I have seen recently, will look on in extreme joy, love and adoration as he receives his prize.
Showing posts with label Weddings. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Weddings. Show all posts
Friday, 8 August 2008
Tuesday, 29 July 2008
A long, fun packed, God lead weekend
What a great weekend just gone. Every one of the last three days has been packed with plenty to thank God for, not least the beautiful weather.
Saturday: Dan and Becki Chard's wedding day was fabulous. The antici
pation was huge, B and I had done their marriage prep and so for us it was really exciting to see them walk down that aisle as man and wife. The reception was lovely at Cantley House Hotel in Wokingham. I would highly recommend this as a venue. There was giant Jenga, horse shoe throwing, boules and croquet. This was the first taste I have ever had of this seemingly upper class past time, but I can say that I would love to play it again. I wasn't particularly good, but it was fun. In all it will be a day to remember for the food the friends and the fun that was had!
Sunday: We had our first meeting in South Reading Youth and Community Centre. It was fantastic. From 8am when the equipment was picked up, until the meeting started at 10am, there was a real buzz. Many of the church lended their hands to setting things up, working through new chair layouts, having the projector screen central, working out which way round the tables should be for tea and coffees. The car parking and welcoming team were superb, teas and coffees were served as diligently as ever, the worship team did an excellent job of leading us into our sung worship AFTER the preach. There were visitors there for the first time including Steve Smith who is pioneering a work with his family in Cambodia. The Holy Spirit came and met with people as they came forward to encounter Him. In all the morning was a resounding success. I would like to think it was because of careful and diligent planning, but it was actually because God is in control. I look forward to seeing what he does with us over the next few weeks that we are there.
Monday: From church on Sunday B and I went to Brighton to spend time with her her sister Cathy and her husband Steve. We had a very relaxing afternoon/evening sitting on Hove lawns, chatting, swimming, laughing and enjoying much BBQ food. We then returned to their flat which overlooks the lawns and enjoyed several games o table football - which I won - how cool! B and I then spent the day in Brighton yesterday, in the town, on the beach, eating at Donatello's and Harry's and generally spending time with just the two of us - utter bliss.
After that weekend I now look forward to this week. There is much to do, but I know that God is in control and I know that he equips us and prepares us for all we need to do. Speaking on Sunday from Gen 37:1-11 on Joseph and how he faced rejection, just makes me more determined to be someone who stand in the face of rejections, disappointments and fears and trusts that God knows what he is doing. I know that I am clothed in a robe of righteousness and I for one want to wear it publicly!
Saturday: Dan and Becki Chard's wedding day was fabulous. The antici
pation was huge, B and I had done their marriage prep and so for us it was really exciting to see them walk down that aisle as man and wife. The reception was lovely at Cantley House Hotel in Wokingham. I would highly recommend this as a venue. There was giant Jenga, horse shoe throwing, boules and croquet. This was the first taste I have ever had of this seemingly upper class past time, but I can say that I would love to play it again. I wasn't particularly good, but it was fun. In all it will be a day to remember for the food the friends and the fun that was had!Sunday: We had our first meeting in South Reading Youth and Community Centre. It was fantastic. From 8am when the equipment was picked up, until the meeting started at 10am, there was a real buzz. Many of the church lended their hands to setting things up, working through new chair layouts, having the projector screen central, working out which way round the tables should be for tea and coffees. The car parking and welcoming team were superb, teas and coffees were served as diligently as ever, the worship team did an excellent job of leading us into our sung worship AFTER the preach. There were visitors there for the first time including Steve Smith who is pioneering a work with his family in Cambodia. The Holy Spirit came and met with people as they came forward to encounter Him. In all the morning was a resounding success. I would like to think it was because of careful and diligent planning, but it was actually because God is in control. I look forward to seeing what he does with us over the next few weeks that we are there.
Monday: From church on Sunday B and I went to Brighton to spend time with her her sister Cathy and her husband Steve. We had a very relaxing afternoon/evening sitting on Hove lawns, chatting, swimming, laughing and enjoying much BBQ food. We then returned to their flat which overlooks the lawns and enjoyed several games o table football - which I won - how cool! B and I then spent the day in Brighton yesterday, in the town, on the beach, eating at Donatello's and Harry's and generally spending time with just the two of us - utter bliss.After that weekend I now look forward to this week. There is much to do, but I know that God is in control and I know that he equips us and prepares us for all we need to do. Speaking on Sunday from Gen 37:1-11 on Joseph and how he faced rejection, just makes me more determined to be someone who stand in the face of rejections, disappointments and fears and trusts that God knows what he is doing. I know that I am clothed in a robe of righteousness and I for one want to wear it publicly!
Saturday, 5 July 2008
An African Wedding
I had never been to an African wedding until today. As expected the detailed summary of the day that I had received meant little in terms of times, but hey that doesn't actually matter when you are around the vibrancy and God centredness of these two wonderful families.
Connie Makasi, a young lady who has been with us in Reading for over 2 1/2 years married Cassius. Cassius is a gentle but strong godly man. Both are from Zimbabwe and have settled here in the UK. Connie is a young lady that B and I have grown to love as a little sister and to see her marry today was a bit of a tear jerker!
I have heard about African weddings before but I must confess it surpassed all expectation. It was a joyous occasion filled with laughter, very loud music and copious amounts of dancing. I was blown away by their generosity toward the couple with both money and gifts. The food was traditional African fair - other than the trotters and the tripe, I did try everything and very nice it was too.
I had the privilege of officiating over the cake cutting during both the official ceremony and the reception. This was interesting as it is something I had never heard of, but I felt my way through it and got quite into it by the end of the second time around.
It has been a day of new experiences and spending time immersed in another culture. I feel that I have grown through being at the wedding. There is so much us Brits need to learn about enjoying ourselves and celebrating. The bible says rejoice with those who rejoice. There was definitely lots of rejoicing and I am sure the party is still raging on as I now sit at my computer reflecting on a wonderful occasion.
Connie Makasi, a young lady who has been with us in Reading for over 2 1/2 years married Cassius. Cassius is a gentle but strong godly man. Both are from Zimbabwe and have settled here in the UK. Connie is a young lady that B and I have grown to love as a little sister and to see her marry today was a bit of a tear jerker!
I have heard about African weddings before but I must confess it surpassed all expectation. It was a joyous occasion filled with laughter, very loud music and copious amounts of dancing. I was blown away by their generosity toward the couple with both money and gifts. The food was traditional African fair - other than the trotters and the tripe, I did try everything and very nice it was too.
I had the privilege of officiating over the cake cutting during both the official ceremony and the reception. This was interesting as it is something I had never heard of, but I felt my way through it and got quite into it by the end of the second time around.
It has been a day of new experiences and spending time immersed in another culture. I feel that I have grown through being at the wedding. There is so much us Brits need to learn about enjoying ourselves and celebrating. The bible says rejoice with those who rejoice. There was definitely lots of rejoicing and I am sure the party is still raging on as I now sit at my computer reflecting on a wonderful occasion.
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