I received an email a few weeks ago from Chris. Now, I came to know Chris and his family from an old church I used to attend. What a family! The David family loves Jesus, and they love Jesus enough to tell the lost all about Him! They love sharing their faith. They love soul winning. And the parents have trained up their three boys to live their lives that way.
Chris was ordering more tracts because they tend to run out of them in that household! (By the way, shouldn’t we all be living our lives in a way where we find ourselves needing to order more tracts because we are emptying our pockets of the tracts we put in them?) He included a note on the order that said he was getting married in a couple of weeks. Well, I expressed how excited I was for him, and he ended up giving me the details for attending the wedding, if I wanted to come.
When his wedding day rolled around, I was feeling pretty good, so I decided to venture on over to the church. None of the family knew I was coming. I arrived a little early, so I decided to walk behind the pulpit area. I discovered there were some rooms back there. As I was walking down the hall, Chris and one of his brothers saw me. Big smiles spread across their faces! About ten minutes later, I saw Mom and Dad. They were just so pumped that I came. Do you know how wonderful that made me feel? I wanted to be there to bless them and Chris, but I was the one who walked out of there with the blessing. They were just so kind and gracious.
They told me afterward that one of the highlights of the wedding was having me there. It taught me a really good lesson. We should be making people feel very special when they are around us. We should be taking the time to compliment and encourage them as they live this life. And, trust me, those are the kinds of people who are always the most fun to hang out with.
Here are a few of the pictures from the wedding:
And yes, I wanted to ride the horse!
As you can tell, I sometimes overdress for weddings! Oh, well. One day I will figure out how to dress for fancy occasions.
At the reception that night, Mr. David said he wanted me to present the gospel to everyone there. What that typically means is, “Hey, Mark. No one here is going to talk about Jesus, so would you do that for us?” Well, I can promise you that was not what happened there! It was the most Christ-honoring wedding I have ever been to in my life. Ever! Literally, almost every person who spoke talked about Jesus.
Both families are solid Christian families. The bride’s father is a pastor. I can’t even begin to describe what a blessing it was for me to be there. It gave me hope. Lots of hope. Even as we see our world seemingly crumble around us, here were two families that are currently making, and will continue to make, a huge impact for the Lord Jesus Christ. They set a wonderful example to all of those in attendance for how to have a wedding that glorifies almighty God.
Genesis 1:27,28
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
Ephesians 5:25
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
Proverbs 18:22
Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.
During my turn at the mic, I exhorted them to have a very long marriage. I told the story of speaking in Alabama a few weeks earlier for a local Hall of Fame ceremony. One of the inductees was a 101-year-old WWII pilot. He and his wife have been married for 73 years!! I encouraged Chris and Ami to break their record!
I also reminded the bride and groom that if the Lord blesses them with children, what we don’t need are any more “Christian” kids running around this place. We have tons of those. What we need are some warriors for Jesus Christ! That is who their parents raised, and they can do the same!
It’s such a crazy time to be alive. A lot of young people are worrying about their future and who they might marry one day. Remember, marriage is a life-long covenant, not only with your spouse but before the Lord. It’s a “death-do-us-part” vow in the presence of God and witnesses.
So, take your time. Find the right godly mate. Let God do the leading. Then have a wonderful Christ-honoring marriage kicked off by a God-glorifying wedding celebration. It can be done. Not only do it for yourself, but encourage those around you to do the same. Set the standard very high. And go enjoy a life-long marriage with no regrets!
Until the nets are full,
