Saying wedding vows...but to whom?

Karen and I were talking lately about the role of wedding vows. We said our vows to each other 27 years ago...and I'd do it all again!   But, like you, we've seen some friends not fulfill the vows they were so sure they would when they said them.

In the face of regular marriage breakdown maybe we should be thinking more about the role of wedding vows than we used to...especially the until-death-do-us-part part! More specifically, to whom do we make our vows?  

When we make our vows we say them to a person! Seems obvious...but think twice about that.  We make our vows to a person: not to a concept (marriage) nor to a feeling (love) nor to a context (happiness). The vow is "until death do us part" not "until our love fails" or "until happiness leaves" or "until circumstances change." I wonder if many couples said their vows to the wrong thing...to love or happiness or marriage...when they should have been saying them to a person?

What do you think? Do you think some people simply say their vows without meaning it? Or perhaps they meant it but didn't really say their vows to a person?

So...You're Calling Me A Frog?

Have you heard the one about boiling frogs? 

It's an experiment that goes like this:

Part 1:  Bring a pot of water to a boil.  While the water is still boiling drop a live frog into the pot.  What does the frog do?  Most likely the frog will recognize that something is wrong, that he is in danger and he will use all of his energy to get out of the pot.

Part 2: Fill a pot with lukewarm water.  Drop a live frog into the pot.  Then, turn the heat on low and slowly bring it to a boil.  What happens to the frog?  Most likely the frog will swim around and become comfortable with the water temperature.  It will adjust to the rising heat and before he knows it, the water has come to a boil and Kermit is cooked.

So, why am I telling you this?  I'm telling you about this because the frog's experience is quite similar to our experience with sin.

Sometimes we commit a sin that has instant consequences.  Like the frog being dropped into boiling water, we realize we are in big trouble and that we have done something wrong.  We quickly recognize that what we have committed a sin, we learn our lesson, we repent and we walk away from it.

Other times, however, the things we do, the sins we commit, do not bring results in such a quick way.  We don't recognize the sins we are committing because the repercussions are much more gradual.  We become comfortable with those sins because we, like the frog, become adjusted.

The truth is that neither of these are good.  All sin is bad.  I am encouraged by Paul's writing to the Corinthians:

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
                                                                                      (1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV)

God is faithful, and he will not let us be tempted beyond our ability, but we need to be actively aware of our actions, behaviours and surroundings to ensure that we do not succumb to temptation and get boiled!


Grace & Peace,

Dave

Dependency

We're taught from a very early age in the West to be independent; self-actualizing people. This of course translates into every sphere of our lives for better or worse.  And subtlety (or not so subtlety) communicates we are god - masters of our own fate.  It isn't a coincidence then that the Bible teaches us that God wants us to live dependent lives; dependent on Him and that such independence only brings hardship (Jeremiah 17:5-8).

I'm personally thinking through how I'm living dependent on the LORD more these days.  Allowing myself to be in a position of complete dependency on the LORD is definitely the best place to be.  It is there where God shows up.  It is there where miracles happen.  It is there where testimonies are formed.  It is there where faith becomes a reality.  It is there where God ultimately can receive "all the glory."

I'm also seeing that such dependency is intimately connected with witness.  Do you see that?   

LORD I want to be dependent on you today.  I don't want to rely on my own resources to 'get things done.'  I want you to act so that I receive your best and the world sees you; not me.

Can you relate?

Gary

Praying with our families. Praying for our families.

I don't know about you, but watching the darling and trusting little face of Justice during her baby dedication on Sunday brought great delight to my heart!

What a privilege it was for us, the church congregation, to be asked by Pastor Gary to enter into a partnership with Chris and Tara as they raise their precious little family.

The question is: How do we enter into that partnership?

I am sure there are a variety of answers to that question, but I'd like to suggest a way that each and everyone of us can participate in.

Praying.

And not just for Chris and Tara's family, but for all the family units at Calvary Church.

I recently found this sweet little prayer that can guide us to pray daily with/for our own family; and pray over other families at Calvary.


Lord,

WE THANK YOU FOR THE BLESSINGS IN OUR LIVES.

From the fullness of His grace we have all received one blessing after another. John 1:16

WE HUMBLY GIVE THIS DAY TO YOU. This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

WE COMMIT OUR FAMILY TO YOUR KINGDOM.

As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15 

SURROUND OUR HOME AND EACH OF US WITH YOUR PROTECTION.

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1 

GIVE US PEACE EVEN WHEN WE HAVE MUCH TO DO AND MANY PLACES TO GO.

Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. John 14:27

FILL OUR HEARTS WITH LOVE FOR YOU, EACH OTHER, AND THOSE AROUND US. Love one another, for love comes from God. 1 John 4:7 

HELP US TO FULFILL YOUR PLANS AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD.

“For I know the plans I have for you...plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

OUR FAMILY IS YOURS, TODAY AND ALWAYS. AMEN.

-Holley Gerth

Let's join together--resolute in our diligence and courage--to pray with our families...and to be families that pray for our Calvary families!


Enjoyed visiting with you today!

(Kathy Butryn, guest blogger)

http://www.kathybutryn.com
http://www.theheartchangeplace.com
http://www.calvarywomenonline.blogspot.com