Always Hope

We are praying that our local crisis-pregnancy center will be able to stay open after it has struggled financially for several months.  Mary has been a volunteer this past year and was able to see first hand the difference it makes in our community.  I was proud in a good sense, of the way God used Mary to connect with some young women who needed compassion and grace along with sound guidance.   The guidance was always centered in the Gospel.   Recently, the lead singer from Kansas wrote a song about a young girl facing the decision to abort her unborn child.  The video is a realistic portrayal and done artistically to present a pro-life and pro adoption message.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdYPjpl5pI0&feature=player_embedded

A Marriage Desired - Suzanne and Daniel Wedded on Saturday

A wedding was celebrated this past weekend where I preached and handed over my daughter to a fine Christian young man.  Families from both sides came from across the country to witness the event, and Mary and I had the great privilege of hosting, and rejoicing with our families.   What a flood of emotions over these days, as a range of feelings mixed with the amazing mystery of marriage drenched with the overwhelming truth of Gospel reality.    It is a near heaven experience, to say the least.

Here's a snippet of my remarks - (and what a joy in sharing the officiating with my brother, Tory -even if he dropped the ring!).  

I read two passages from the Old and New Testament, which is about marriage in this ultimate sense – the fulfilling of a desire that will not be satisfied in this world, because we were made for an infinite love that we never deserve, nor could ever imagine possible.

This is why Jesus described the Kingdom God – the way he rules over human hearts, like a King who held wedding feast (Matt.22)- that was a no expense spared event – not because the King needed to impress anyone, but to show the heart of his love for his son. 

Yet, this parable is full of the unexpected.   The wedding guest wouldn't come.  The greatest bounty of food, wine and provisions are extended.  

Two groups miss out on this glorious celebration.   First, those who were preoccupied with their own lives – self-absorbed in the inflated importance of themselves they reject the grace of their King and kill his servants.  

The other is the guest that shows up without the wedding garment.   The invitation is open to all to come to the wedding banquet -  and it may sound strange that one who is simply without proper attire is thrown out.     Why?   Because this is a picture of God’s grace.    The wedding feast is about receiving what we don’t deserve.  Even the garments are provided.  

The first group insulted the King, by their refusal for his offer to come and enjoy the feast.  The second man, is a picture of those who think all they need to do is come with their best efforts, clothe themselves with best they have.   Yet, the king who gave everything, gave the garments of redemption to all who came.   

There are two ways to reject the gift.    Outright rejection and then just to believe we can add one thing to the gracious offer.  

Truth of the matter – what makes God’s grace so lovely and beyond imagining is that throughout the Bible, grace is about God pursuing a bride that wants nothing else than to run away from this divine love.   People falsely imagine that the electing grace of God, is God saying, “Ok I take this one and that one, and not that one.”  Like getting picked for  a Junior High sports team.  

Grace pursues a world running from God.   It is the undeserved and unilateral rescue of a bride seeking love everywhere except in the One who can really give it.  

Suzanne and Dan, this wonderful marriage that unites your hearts and lives in a sacred covenant is temporary and earthly and by God’s blessing it is a glimpse into the Greatest of all Love Stories –  A Divine Romance –  the Mystery of marriage as the Apostle Paul said, Ephes. 5:31-32 (ESV) 

    "Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh."  [32] This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church.”