Wedding as Worship Paper

Here is a paper that I wrote just after the wedding:  It’s a wonderful taste of the atmosphere of the wedding… 

          My brother’s look, as the applause from the cedar pews announced the arrival of his bride, captured for me the sense of awe I was experiencing in my inmost being.  It was said over and over again as people commented on the wedding, just how much this wedding ceremony lifted up Jesus Christ.  Adam and Linda are two individuals that have truly put Christ first in their lives, and it was made quite clear of their intent to put Christ first in their life together.  Uniting the two in holy matrimony was an experience of worship unlike any I have experienced before on a number of levels. 

            From the time I landed in Alabama to even now, as I remember the experiences that took place, one emotion rules over all others as what continues to stir in my heart… Joy.  The entire weekend was filled with people coming together to celebrate the lives that the two lived separately and the life that they will have together.  Because of the choices each one had made, their life together is one that is now focused on Christ, and that was continuously made evident throughout the ceremony. 

            As the rehearsal dinner was the first setting for an organized time of sharing, it ultimately became a time of thanksgiving and testimony for the group of friends and family which gathered.  Mixed through all the funny stories was a unified theme of how God was working in and through these two generous people.  It was a time where those gathered could voice their hearts on how God had worked, creating a time of testimony that was emotional and edifying.

            Another practice that was utilized throughout the weekend was prayer.  It was another verbal expression as a unified front, the body of friends and family, lifted this couple to our Father in Heaven.  How powerful it was that the bride and groom requested the pastors in the sanctuary to surround them, anointing their marriage.  Throughout the prayers a continual theme of God’s anointing was present which lifted thanksgiving, while also requesting a continued guidance. 

            The praise and worship music used in the ceremony all reflected the couple’s focus on Christ and how He would ultimately guide their relationship.  Even though the entire gathering was not asked to sing along, the words and heart of the songs unified those in the room in one heart of worship. 

            There was a blending of liturgical words and scripted words which evoked the heart of the ceremony and the sacredness of the act.  Lighting the unity candle and exchanging rings and vows are acts which stem from the 12^th century Catholic Church proclamation defining marriage as a sacrament.  Truly there was an understanding within the group as sacred words were spoken over this couple, joining the two into one.  Some of the wording was very intentional about recognizing Christ as Authority, and even the language that did not refer to Christ directly reflected His Lordship and ultimate reign. 

            I have not experienced very many weddings in my lifetime, but it was patently obvious to me that careful planning and preparation is imperative as this experience not only involves a commitment between two individuals, but also their commitment to the community and most importantly, Christ.  Throughout the event there was a unique closeness to God, understanding of Christ’s centrality, and an atmosphere of intimacy among all who were gathered. 

            Ever since the wedding took place I have been searching for some way in which to critique this worship experience.  The fact of the matter is that I would not have really changed one thing that went on before, during, or after the experience, even the “mess-ups”.  One act that may have added to the sacredness of this experience would have been to incorporate the sacrament of the bread and the cup.  There is a special union between these two acts of “consummation”.  I can think of no better way of committing one’s self to a life of service to Christ and the Church than for the bride and groom to serve communion to the body of believers. 

            Overall this experience was one in which I was able to experience the joy of my brother’s wedding as well as the intimacy of Christ with His body.  This worship experience joined two lives into one, while allowing the church to take part in their commitment.  Christ was exalted and the community was edified. 

Bachelor Party

It was a night to of payback! (not really)  Actually it was a night when Adam would face some of the most interesting challenges he has ever faced.  As 13 of us gathered, Adam started getting nervous as the title of the night came forward… “Challenge by Choice- Shave, Sing, Sell” 

We announced the first challenge as Adam’s glance dropped to the ground.  “You can either shave your head (which obviously he wouldn’t do the night before his wedding) or you can shave one of your legs and the legs of one other person in the room.”  So after regaining composure Adam glanced around the room and selected the guy who had helped me plan the night, John Larson.  The two went to work and the hair began to fall.  Laughter echoed throughout the house as the duo became silky smooth.

Next on the agenda for the night was clothing…  We made him put on a yellow sun dress and green bay packers cheesehead.  If you can imagine my brother in a dress is funny enough, even though this was not the first time I’ve witnessed it… then add the cheesehead and you have true comedy. 

Then we were off on our journey.  Walmart was our first destination where we bought two dozen doughnuts and a padlock.  It was absolutely hilarious to watch how others reacted to the giant cross-dressed cheese who walked past them.  Most found themselves frozen in astonishment wondering what was taking place before their eyes.  At the check out Adam was given a credit card to purchase the doughnuts while singing “I’m a Little Teapot” twice.  The cashier didn’t know what to do as the crowd gathered and he looked on helplessly.  I think the best way to describe this innocent man was stone-faced. 

Our next location was five points in downtown Birmingham where Adam was supposed to sell his two dozen doughnuts to “make money for his honeymoon.”  The night was a success with no lasting injury and $20.50 in his pocket, well… actually… the dress didn’t have any pockets.  Adam ran on a head of us at that point as we made our way back to the car. 

Re-grouping at Adam’s house we encircled Adam to pray for him as he embarked on the rest of his life.  What a great gathering of quality guys who participated in such clean fun. 

I have a Sister!

What a joy and privilege I had this past weekend to be best man for my brother during his wedding to Miss Linda Gross.  The two met at the alter on Saturday at about 11:10am and it was beautiful! 

Getting home on Wednesday evening, I didn’t know what to expect… I mean Adam had never gotten married before, and I’m no where close to going through the process.  There was a bit of anxiousness when I stepped off the plane, just because I wanted the wedding to go so well for my brother and his bride to be.  The weekend got off to a great start when the airline lost my luggage in Cincinatti where I got my connecting flight.  I was actually quite pleased with the service as I had my bag later that night, but it just added to the stress that I was already taking on to my self. 

Adam picked me up from the airport and he was just as calm and collected as could be… he didn’t miss a beat the whole weekend as we moved from one thing to another.  Brother time on the four-wheeler, getting the X-terra unstuck from the front yard (I mean tearing up the front yard), late night talks, planning the bachelor party, trip to the mechanic,  2 airport pickups, 2 rounds of golf, picking up tuxes, and spending time with relatives;   somehow I fit all of this into a 48 hr period (with food and sleep) before the Rehearsal Friday night.  It was a lite-hearted event that evening when our two families gathered together in preparation for this glorious occasion.  Already a joyful spirit filled the room as we received careful instruction not to drop the rings down the large vents we would be standing over. 

We proceeded to the dinner where many of our family and friends met for the first time.  It was wonderful to have so many people that I love so dearly under the same roof.   After the wonderful food it came time for me to fulfill my bestman duties, so I rambled on through my speech for a good half hour (just kidding),  it was long for a best man speech , I think.   Anyway we had a wonderful time of sharing about Adam and Linda and how wonderful the two really are for each other.  Their giving spirits were talked about throughout the evening as praises to God were lifted from the place.  Then the fun really began!

It was time for the bachelor party which I will share about soon… for now I must go to bed, long day a head.  Check back soon for the rest of the story…

Thought of the Day

I don’t have much to say, because honestly I can’t explain what I am about to say. There is no way for me to fully define or comprehend this abused term. 

Let me start out by saying that I am a sinner!  I do not deserve the life that I live, nor do I have the strength to continue.  There is no act I could perform to redeem me from the things I have done, the thoughts I have thought, or the complacency I have settled upon.  I deserve death… my life to be taken from me because I am guilty. 

So how do I continue to live?  What is it that fuels my emotions? Drives my passions?  Expands my lungs until they can compress again? What stirs my heart to continue beating?

GRACE

The un-merited bestowal of redemption to me, an un-worthy filthy being, by one who transcends my very understanding. 

Nothing but the Blood  – by Matt Redman 

“Your blood speaks a better word
Than all the empty claims I’ve heard upon this earth
Speaks righteousness for me
And stands in my defense
Jesus it’s Your blood

[Chorus]
What can wash away our sins?
What can make us whole again?
Nothing but the blood
Nothing but the blood of Jesus
What can wash us pure as snow?
Welcomed as the friends of God
Nothing but Your blood
Nothing but Your blood King Jesus

Your cross testifies in grace
Tells of the Father’s heart to make a way for us
Now boldly we approach
Not by earthly confidence
It’s only Your blood

[Chorus]

We thank You for the blood
We thank You for the blood

We praise You for the blood
We praise You for the blood

Nothing but Your blood
Nothing but Your blood King Jesus

Warner Auditorium

 

On Anderson’s campus there is a huge change taking place that has shaken the very foundation of where we stand.  If you can’t already tell by the pictures Warner Auditorium (The big dome) is being torn down… actually by now there is not one brick standing on top of another(notice the pun). 

This grand feat of engineering genius was constructed over 50 years ago and was home of the Church of God (Anderson, IN) campmeeting every summer during its existence.  I remember coming to Anderson every year in great expectation of journeying around its cylindrical frame waiting to see who I could see.  Year after year the journey became longer and longer as the number of people I met grew.  The journey became longer because you could never pass up someone you knew, it didn’t matter how many times you had already spoken to them.  Almost as an unwritten rule you had to at least acknowledge each other’s presence. 

I remember sitting inside this great dome and imagining almost morbidly what would happen if the, what I imagined million ton, cement speaker core happen to loosen its grip to the ceiling.  Today as I walked by the defeated dome I saw that core finally resting peacefully on the ground where earlier in the morning destruction crews had eaten away its support. 

Dream became reality as the dome saw its last sun rise…  I can only imagine as the dome came crashing to the ground what a great burst of air came flowing out.  That rush of air couldn’t have compared to the flow of praise that escaped the doors every time thousands crowded in for campmeeting.  It could have never been as spectacular or breathtaking as observing thousands of believers lifting lighted candles in unity.  There is just no way that the dome’s destruction could have matched the power that was experienced as the Holy Spirit descended upon that place. 

Today a new day was dawned at Anderson University a new day that promises to be filled with even greater encounters with our Maker and Savior!