Grace and Peace

To anyone who reads my thoughts here at the Grace and Peace blog on the World Wide Web it is easily discernable that I come to the plate with a Christian world view.  I am a believer and follower of Jesus.  That being said, I realize that not everyone sees life from the same point of view.  There are those who even scoff at anyone who commits their self to follow the One whom they believe to be a non-existent myth.

One such individual is Roy Hattersley, a British journalist and politician who is a socialist and atheist.  Baron Hattersley’s satirical humor is often employed in mocking all things Christian and pointing out the failures and foibles of the followers of Jesus.  That is why I found this recent article by Hattersley so intriguing.  (Follow this link to read the article: Hattersley )

You may think it odd that a Christian would recommend that you read an article by an atheist, but I hope that reading the piece has opened your eyes to the importance of living a life of sacrificial love, even as Jesus did.  Sometimes the only thing that will grab the attention of this world and those held in bondage to unbelief is the power of Christ’s love in action.

Chuck Swindoll has long been one of my favorite speakers and authors.  I love his ability to make the Word of God so available to his audience.  He speaks and writes with passion and clarity.  He also takes God’s timeless Word and applies it to life in the Twenty-first Century.

This book, written in 2004, is wonderful in its practical advice and comfort given to those who are experiencing tough times.  I heartily recommend it.  I am sure you can get it at your local bookseller, but it is also available at www.cdb.com for under $15.00.  Even with shipping you still beat the $22.95 price tag at retail outlets.

Just to further entice you to get this book, listen to these words from the publisher:

Your spouse's job was recently downsized, your children are struggling at school and your elderly parents require almost constant attention. Due to tough stuff such as this many of us are dealing with high anxiety and might even be tempted to despair. As a parent and a Pastor, Charles Swindoll is well acquainted with the struggles of life. Thus, in Getting Through the Tough Stuff of Life he doesn't provide simplistic answers to our struggles, but invites us to meet Christ in the midst of them. Respond to this invitation to meet Christ at the crossroads and you will find the strength to move beyond these tough times.

Since the first weekend in August, I have had the privilege of being involved in the wedding ceremonies of three sets of young people from our church.  These are kids that I watched grow up…going through the joys and pains of transitioning from infants to toddlers to children to teens to young adults.  I know them well and their parents and siblings, too.

It was strange standing in our worship center with them while they pledged their love one to the other in front of a crowd of friends and family.  After all the years of familiarity, I almost felt like an intruder, an eavesdropper standing there while they recited the familiar words:  “For better, for worse…for richer, for poorer…in sickness and in health…to love and to cherish till death do us part… and thereto, I pledge you my faithfulness.” 

Each time as I stood and heard their vows and saw the crowd I thought of a greater presence that was there…though unnoticed.  God came near to hear their vows.  He was the unseen guest who knows the hearts of all those who make such promises.  

In a world where promises are a dime a dozen…flippantly made and even more carelessly broken…we need men and women of faith to take a stand and find His strength to keep their word.  So each time, I thought of the power of a promise kept and prayed that God would give strength to the young man and woman to be true to their vows.

God used Solomon to record these words:

Do not be rash with your mouth,

And let not your heart utter anything hastily before God.

For God is in heaven, and you on earth;

Therefore let your words be few.

For a dream comes through much activity,

And a fool’s voice is known by his many words.

When you make a vow to God, do not delay to pay it;

For He has no pleasure in fools.

Pay what you have vowed. 

Better not to vow than to vow and not pay.

Ecclesiastes 5:2-5

Never are those words more applicable than to your marriage vows, because you are not just making a promise to a human partner, but also to the Lord.  God chose marriage to be a symbol of His relationship with us.  The Lord Jesus is the heavenly Bridegroom and the redeemed are His bride…the church.  Our Groom is never unfaithful to His bride.  He perfectly loves us and continually cares and provides for us.

So too, believers who are joined together in marriage should reflect that love…His love.  Paul unfolds this truth in the fifth chapter of Ephesians starting at the twenty-second verse.  We are to be examples to the world and live to glorify Him.  So congratulations and best wishes to the Smiths, the Gants and the Taylors…shine for Jesus, my young friends!