I have the honor of officiating a wedding in a couple of weeks. My wife is gone for a few days so I thought I would take this opportunity, while the house is quiet, to write notes for the ceremony.
Dear friends, family and loved ones. We are gathered here to witness the marriage commitment of _________ and___________ which they will pledge to each other. It is significant that all who witness this marriage covenant are people who love and including the One who loves them most of all--God, our Father, the author of marriage.
Who gives this woman to be married to this man?
I. Marriage is a mutual commitment--an unreserved commitment that cuts the ties of childhood. The Bible says that a man is to leave his father and mother and cleave to his wife. One of the characteristics of emotional maturity is leaving home. Leaving home is not moving a thousand miles away, it is the ability to live responsibly without reference to mom, dad, brothers and sisters. In marriage that means the spouse comes first. The Bible says, 'When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things ( I Cor. 13: 11).
The seeds of destruction are found in every relationship. Even though a couple seems to be compatible in every way, compatibility is not a guarantee of a successful marriage. The seeds of destruction must be weeded out when they begin to sprout and grow. Weeds are recognized by how they contrast with the crop. Love is the crop, the atmosphere, of marriage. What is inconsistent with love is weeds. In the Bible love is defined this way: "Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in the wrong, but rejoices in the right. Love bears all things, believes all things, endures all things. Love never ends . . . (I Cor. 13:4-8). Having a loving heart is essential to a successful marriage. Loves greatest example is Christ Jesus, who died for our sins. "Husbands, love your wives as Christ loved the Church and gave Himself for it" (Eph. 5:25).
II. Marriage is to be companionship. Companionship is to be present with. Companionship is shared interests, values and attitudes. It is meeting the joys and struggles of life together!
III. Marriage is coalescence (welding together) The two becoming one flesh. As children come, your love for each other is more important to them than anything else--it is their greatest security.
If the vows which you are about to make be kept faithfully then the sunset days of your life together will be even more radiant and lovely than these dawning days. Please join your right hands if you will accept these ties and vows.
Will you, , have this woman, , whose hand you hold, to be your wife, and promise her that you will loyally fulfill your obligations as her husband to protect her, honor her, love her, and cherish her in adversity as well as prosperity, and so you promise to keep yourself unto her alone so long as you both shall live?
Will you, , have this man, , whose hand you hold, to be your husband and solemnly promise that you will be unto him a tender, loving and true wife, through sunshine and shadow alike, and do you promise to be faithful to him alone so long as you both shall live?
_________will you repeat after me your promises for ________? I ________ from this day forward, take you to be my lawfully wedded (wife/husband)/ to have and to hold, / for better or for worse/ for richer or for poorer/ in sickness, and in health/ till death shall part us.
Rings:
______________What token do you wish to give each other which will be symbolic of your sacred promise? These symbols are good because they will remind you of the promises you have made to each other when you are apart. Gold, a precious metal, represents the preciousness of your relationship. That it is a ring reminds that this relationship is to be endless unless broken by death.
Man: you may take this ring and put it on the wedding finger of and say to her these words: I, , give this ring to you, , and by this act declare/ that I take you to be my beloved wife/ that I will be to you a faithful husband/ until death shall part us.
Woman: you may take this ring and put it on the wedding finger of and say to him these words: I, , give this ring to you, ,/ and thus declare that you are the husband of my choice/ that I will be faithful to you until death shall part us.
BENEDICTION AND FINAL STATEMENT:
As much as you, _______ and _________ have openly declared your wishes to be united in marriage, and in the presence of God and these witnesses have pledged love and fidelity to each other, I pronounce that you are husband and wife. Ladies and gentleman, may I introduce to you for the first time Mr. and Mrs. __________________.
Saturday, October 01, 2016
Tuesday, December 08, 2015
POTUS AND BATTERED WOMAN'S SYNDROME
The democrats, and other liberals in this country, are dealing with domestic terrorism like they have battered-woman's syndrome. Like a woman who continues to stay in an abusive relationship, so the President and other democrat leaders continue on in denial, believing only that this new reality is only minor and that the real problem is guns and/or climate change. Denial is the salient characteristic of battered-woman's syndrome; what is obvious to everyone is denied by the victim.
If the victim is enlightened and finally does admit the abuse is occurring, the next symptom is to blame herself and feel shame. She thinks, "I'm responsible, I'm doing something to bring about this abuse." Even though she is innocent, she believes she deserves it. Isn't that the message that the liberal left attempts to lay on us? "It's America's fault, we are greedy exploiters and thieves of the world's resources. That is why this terrorism is happening."
Another characteristic of the battered-woman's syndrome victim is the false belief that the abuse will diminish over time. It doesn't. Radical Islamic terrorism will not either. Doing nothing is not neutral, it is harmful. The situation becomes worse, not better.
When the victim is truly enlightened, she understands that she has done nothing to deserve her abuse. Attempts by the abuser to shame her and make her the cause of abuse are overcome. She understands that she has a responsibility to herself and her family to end this abuse. Using every legal means she takes positive action to bring it to an end. What ever these means are, it is not a matter of hating, but it is a matter of not being stupid and of doing the right thing.
In the battle against radical Islamic terrorism, however hard it may be, it is not about hating Muslims, but it is about not being stupid and doing the right thing. The first responsibility of the POTUS is to protect the citizens of the US. Obama needs to get over his "battered woman's syndrome" and do the right thing.
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
If the victim is enlightened and finally does admit the abuse is occurring, the next symptom is to blame herself and feel shame. She thinks, "I'm responsible, I'm doing something to bring about this abuse." Even though she is innocent, she believes she deserves it. Isn't that the message that the liberal left attempts to lay on us? "It's America's fault, we are greedy exploiters and thieves of the world's resources. That is why this terrorism is happening."
Another characteristic of the battered-woman's syndrome victim is the false belief that the abuse will diminish over time. It doesn't. Radical Islamic terrorism will not either. Doing nothing is not neutral, it is harmful. The situation becomes worse, not better.
When the victim is truly enlightened, she understands that she has done nothing to deserve her abuse. Attempts by the abuser to shame her and make her the cause of abuse are overcome. She understands that she has a responsibility to herself and her family to end this abuse. Using every legal means she takes positive action to bring it to an end. What ever these means are, it is not a matter of hating, but it is a matter of not being stupid and of doing the right thing.
In the battle against radical Islamic terrorism, however hard it may be, it is not about hating Muslims, but it is about not being stupid and doing the right thing. The first responsibility of the POTUS is to protect the citizens of the US. Obama needs to get over his "battered woman's syndrome" and do the right thing.
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
CHURCH SURVEY: Alta Church of Christ
It has been 2 full months since I last posted. I gave myself some time off after closing the Akron ministry, but now it is time to get going again. One of the projects I have already begun is church surveys. This is important to me because it is important to have some understanding of the relative health of the churches in Northwest Iowa, particularly the independent Christian churches and Churches of Christ.
November 29 I visited the Alta Church of Christ. In the past I filled the pulpit there several times, but it has been close to 10 years since I had been there. I went on line to check for service times. There is no practical on-line presence. One can get their name and address, but no activities, services or times. The church is without a pastor at this time, but a blog or web site with basic information would not be hard to do. Without service time information, I proceeded on the assumption that worship was at 9 and Sunday school was at 10 a.m. because that was their former service times. I was wrong. The times were reversed. There was no adult Sunday school that day.
It was good to worship with old friends. There were about 50 in attendance that day. Music was exactly split between contemporary and traditional--4 of each. Matt Wentz was the guest speaker.
CONCLUSIONS: There appeared to be enough youth in the congregation to have an effective ministry in the community, but they need good leadership. While I received a warm greeting that Sunday, I am not sure that the average visitor would want to come back. I was remembered, new people need the same kind of greeting. There are some simple things that could be done immediately. I'm wondering if this church might be a candidate to be a satellite campus of a larger church?
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
November 29 I visited the Alta Church of Christ. In the past I filled the pulpit there several times, but it has been close to 10 years since I had been there. I went on line to check for service times. There is no practical on-line presence. One can get their name and address, but no activities, services or times. The church is without a pastor at this time, but a blog or web site with basic information would not be hard to do. Without service time information, I proceeded on the assumption that worship was at 9 and Sunday school was at 10 a.m. because that was their former service times. I was wrong. The times were reversed. There was no adult Sunday school that day.
It was good to worship with old friends. There were about 50 in attendance that day. Music was exactly split between contemporary and traditional--4 of each. Matt Wentz was the guest speaker.
CONCLUSIONS: There appeared to be enough youth in the congregation to have an effective ministry in the community, but they need good leadership. While I received a warm greeting that Sunday, I am not sure that the average visitor would want to come back. I was remembered, new people need the same kind of greeting. There are some simple things that could be done immediately. I'm wondering if this church might be a candidate to be a satellite campus of a larger church?
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
Monday, October 05, 2015
AKRON'S LAST SERVICE
Lord, I believe. Help me overcome my unbelief, (Mark 9:24).
For the record: My last service at the First Church of Christ, Akron, IA was October 4th, 2015. My last sermon was The Distinct Differences Between Faith and Unbelief. Hebrews 11:6 and Mark 9:24 were my texts.
I do feel sorrow at the closing of the church. Looking back, there is one thing I didn't do that I should have done and that is to ask negative people not to serve in leadership positions or even to cease coming to church. Leaders who lack faith are infectious--it is contagious to the whole congregation. A post-mortem of the Akron Church of Christ is indicative of this.
Our Father's Love,
Tom
For the record: My last service at the First Church of Christ, Akron, IA was October 4th, 2015. My last sermon was The Distinct Differences Between Faith and Unbelief. Hebrews 11:6 and Mark 9:24 were my texts.
I do feel sorrow at the closing of the church. Looking back, there is one thing I didn't do that I should have done and that is to ask negative people not to serve in leadership positions or even to cease coming to church. Leaders who lack faith are infectious--it is contagious to the whole congregation. A post-mortem of the Akron Church of Christ is indicative of this.
Our Father's Love,
Tom
Monday, September 21, 2015
THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, AKRON, IOWA
I (Jesus) do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; that they may all be one; even as You , Father, are in me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me (John 17: 20-21).
The lovely and gracious Helen and I have had to deal with the estates of relatives and loved ones. In sorting through the possessions of those who have passed on, one is confronted with the task of deciding what to keep and what to throw away. The legal matters are obvious, but the legacy and family history issues are not. Helen is a good archivist, so she sees value in things I do not. I tell you this so that as I share with you the Last Will and Testament of the Akron Church of Christ, I will be "painting with a broad brush." It is not my purpose to go into detail.
The history of the First Church of Christ in Akron, Iowa spans some 120 years. In its history there have been many victories. Every person that came to know Jesus Christ and surrender to Him is a victory to be savored and remembered! However, there have been many failures and mistakes too. It serves no constructive purpose to recount those except to admit them, understanding that the church is a hospital for sinners and bringing healing can be a messy business. The memory of those failures can be "flushed" because we have a gracious God and Savior (1 John 1:9).
The legacy the Akron Church of Christ can leave the community is this, "what it means to be simply a Christian." "We do not claim to be the only Christians, but we do claim to be Christians only." Unity is an extremely important topic these days ! The Church at large is facing challenges like it has not seen since the first century when there was no Christian consensus. We simply do not have the luxury maintaining our little denominational kingdoms!
Another legacy slogan of the fellowship of Christian Church and Church's of Christ that is a recipe for unity is this, "No creed but Christ, no book but the Bible, no name but the Divine, no law but love."
1. Christianity is about Christ, who he is and what he has done. He is the one in whom we believe, he is the one in whom we trust, he is the one we follow. Creeds tend to perpetuate division. It is upon Christ that the Church is to be built! (Matthew 16:15-17).
2. Our teaching comes from the Bible, Our people need to be taught the Bible so that they, too, can "accurately handle the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15).
3. We wear no name other than the name of the one we serve. Human names tend to perpetuate division too. Throughout history slaves customarily wore the names of their masters. Not only are we slaves of Christ, we are children in the family of God, we wear his name! (Acts 11:26). We have a new name. We are brothers and sisters in Christ, not cousins! Our adversary, the devil, wins when he can keep us confused as to our identity!
4. We are bound by no law but love. Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. For this, YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY, YOU SHALL NOT MURDER, YOU SHALL NOT STEAL, YOU SHALL NOT COVET, and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF. Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law (Romans 13:8-10). Love is to be the motivator of Christian living. Jesus said if you love me you will keep my commandments. Without love, meticulous law-keeping gains nothing (I Corinthians 13:1-7).
These principles are the matters the Akron Church of Christ leaves to the Akron Christian community at large. As churches find the need to unite their efforts in an increasingly secular and pagan culture, may they serve as guiding principles for that effort.
Our Father's Love,
Tom
The lovely and gracious Helen and I have had to deal with the estates of relatives and loved ones. In sorting through the possessions of those who have passed on, one is confronted with the task of deciding what to keep and what to throw away. The legal matters are obvious, but the legacy and family history issues are not. Helen is a good archivist, so she sees value in things I do not. I tell you this so that as I share with you the Last Will and Testament of the Akron Church of Christ, I will be "painting with a broad brush." It is not my purpose to go into detail.
The history of the First Church of Christ in Akron, Iowa spans some 120 years. In its history there have been many victories. Every person that came to know Jesus Christ and surrender to Him is a victory to be savored and remembered! However, there have been many failures and mistakes too. It serves no constructive purpose to recount those except to admit them, understanding that the church is a hospital for sinners and bringing healing can be a messy business. The memory of those failures can be "flushed" because we have a gracious God and Savior (1 John 1:9).
The legacy the Akron Church of Christ can leave the community is this, "what it means to be simply a Christian." "We do not claim to be the only Christians, but we do claim to be Christians only." Unity is an extremely important topic these days ! The Church at large is facing challenges like it has not seen since the first century when there was no Christian consensus. We simply do not have the luxury maintaining our little denominational kingdoms!
Another legacy slogan of the fellowship of Christian Church and Church's of Christ that is a recipe for unity is this, "No creed but Christ, no book but the Bible, no name but the Divine, no law but love."
1. Christianity is about Christ, who he is and what he has done. He is the one in whom we believe, he is the one in whom we trust, he is the one we follow. Creeds tend to perpetuate division. It is upon Christ that the Church is to be built! (Matthew 16:15-17).
2. Our teaching comes from the Bible, Our people need to be taught the Bible so that they, too, can "accurately handle the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15).
3. We wear no name other than the name of the one we serve. Human names tend to perpetuate division too. Throughout history slaves customarily wore the names of their masters. Not only are we slaves of Christ, we are children in the family of God, we wear his name! (Acts 11:26). We have a new name. We are brothers and sisters in Christ, not cousins! Our adversary, the devil, wins when he can keep us confused as to our identity!
4. We are bound by no law but love. Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. For this, YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY, YOU SHALL NOT MURDER, YOU SHALL NOT STEAL, YOU SHALL NOT COVET, and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF. Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law (Romans 13:8-10). Love is to be the motivator of Christian living. Jesus said if you love me you will keep my commandments. Without love, meticulous law-keeping gains nothing (I Corinthians 13:1-7).
These principles are the matters the Akron Church of Christ leaves to the Akron Christian community at large. As churches find the need to unite their efforts in an increasingly secular and pagan culture, may they serve as guiding principles for that effort.
Our Father's Love,
Tom
Friday, July 24, 2015
WORSE THAN BABARISM
Permit the children to come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these (Luke 18:16).
Barbarism is the thinking and acting of barbarians. The simple, backwards and cruel ways of barbarians are the ways of radical Islam, but there is something worse than the barbarism of radical Islam and that is the cold-blooded sophistication of the Planned-Parenthood doctor. The recently released videos of the Planned Parenthood doctors, sipping wine, eating salad, discussing Lamborghini's all while negotiating the price of baby body parts are absolutely repulsive!!!
The justification of the use of baby body parts is medical research. It must be noted that Dr. Michelle Cretella, of the American College of Pediatricians, has pointed out that like embryonic stem cell research, fetal tissue research has failed to produce a single successful treatment for human disease. Adult stem cell research, however, has yielded treatments for 73 different diseases. Adult stem cells do not require the killing of innocent human life.
Democrats favor abortion at any time, virtually to the time of birth, all in the name of the woman's right to choose. Almost all of these baby body parts come from later-term abortions where baby has a beating heart and can feel pain. How is this different from the Nazi's medical experiments on Jews and gypsies? One can use medical research to justify the most horrible atrocities.
Worse, if the American public accepts this as business as usual, the self-destruction of America accelerates.
Tom
Barbarism is the thinking and acting of barbarians. The simple, backwards and cruel ways of barbarians are the ways of radical Islam, but there is something worse than the barbarism of radical Islam and that is the cold-blooded sophistication of the Planned-Parenthood doctor. The recently released videos of the Planned Parenthood doctors, sipping wine, eating salad, discussing Lamborghini's all while negotiating the price of baby body parts are absolutely repulsive!!!
The justification of the use of baby body parts is medical research. It must be noted that Dr. Michelle Cretella, of the American College of Pediatricians, has pointed out that like embryonic stem cell research, fetal tissue research has failed to produce a single successful treatment for human disease. Adult stem cell research, however, has yielded treatments for 73 different diseases. Adult stem cells do not require the killing of innocent human life.
Democrats favor abortion at any time, virtually to the time of birth, all in the name of the woman's right to choose. Almost all of these baby body parts come from later-term abortions where baby has a beating heart and can feel pain. How is this different from the Nazi's medical experiments on Jews and gypsies? One can use medical research to justify the most horrible atrocities.
Worse, if the American public accepts this as business as usual, the self-destruction of America accelerates.
Tom
Saturday, July 18, 2015
PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW 2
Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord ( 2Peter 1:2ff).
Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, "I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you," so that we confidently say, "The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What will man do to me?" (Hebrews 13:5-6).
Yesterday I very briefly discussed the spiritual blessings with which a Christian is blessed--they are worthy of much more discussion! I asked the question, "How do these spiritual blessing help us make a living that will satisfy a nagging spouse and complaining children?"
Most likely one can never satisfy a nagging spouse and complaining children. In most households there is never enough money to satisfy every one's wants. This kind of household has a spiritual problem. It reduces life to the material, to the flesh. For Christians God has promised that He would never leave us or forsake us. Money is not the solution, God is. A nagging, complaining family needs a spiritual education.
As long as we live in bodies of flesh we will have material responsibilities. God has promised that He would be our helper. One thing we must remember is to ask God's blessing on the things that we have--food is more nutritious with God's blessing, cars last longer with God's blessing and regular maintenance, clothing is more durable and attractive with God's blessing.
If we ask God's blessing on our labors we know that they will be done better than otherwise, and we will be more productive. Asking God's blessing on our lives and labors assures us of His Grace & Peace. Isn't Grace and Peace the foundation of a more productive life?
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, "I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you," so that we confidently say, "The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What will man do to me?" (Hebrews 13:5-6).
Yesterday I very briefly discussed the spiritual blessings with which a Christian is blessed--they are worthy of much more discussion! I asked the question, "How do these spiritual blessing help us make a living that will satisfy a nagging spouse and complaining children?"
Most likely one can never satisfy a nagging spouse and complaining children. In most households there is never enough money to satisfy every one's wants. This kind of household has a spiritual problem. It reduces life to the material, to the flesh. For Christians God has promised that He would never leave us or forsake us. Money is not the solution, God is. A nagging, complaining family needs a spiritual education.
As long as we live in bodies of flesh we will have material responsibilities. God has promised that He would be our helper. One thing we must remember is to ask God's blessing on the things that we have--food is more nutritious with God's blessing, cars last longer with God's blessing and regular maintenance, clothing is more durable and attractive with God's blessing.
If we ask God's blessing on our labors we know that they will be done better than otherwise, and we will be more productive. Asking God's blessing on our lives and labors assures us of His Grace & Peace. Isn't Grace and Peace the foundation of a more productive life?
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
Monday, July 13, 2015
PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW!
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ (Ephesians 1:3; Read through verse 14).
Praise is due to the One who has blessed us with all good things! First and foremost among those good things are the spiritual blessings we have in Christ. In Christ we are God's chosen to be holy and blameless. In Christ it was predestined that we would be adopted as sons of God. In Christ we are redeemed, our trespasses being paid for, and we are forgiven. We know the mystery of God's will in that all things are summed up in Christ. In Christ we are not like orphans, we have an inheritance of hope and the Holy Spirit, who is the pledge of that inheritance.
You might say, "Yes, we have all these spiritual blessings, but how does that help me to put a roof over my head and buy groceries for my family?" We will discuss that tomorrow.
Grace & Peace,
Tom
Praise is due to the One who has blessed us with all good things! First and foremost among those good things are the spiritual blessings we have in Christ. In Christ we are God's chosen to be holy and blameless. In Christ it was predestined that we would be adopted as sons of God. In Christ we are redeemed, our trespasses being paid for, and we are forgiven. We know the mystery of God's will in that all things are summed up in Christ. In Christ we are not like orphans, we have an inheritance of hope and the Holy Spirit, who is the pledge of that inheritance.
You might say, "Yes, we have all these spiritual blessings, but how does that help me to put a roof over my head and buy groceries for my family?" We will discuss that tomorrow.
Grace & Peace,
Tom
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