THE WEDDING PARTY

If you remember John 2, Jesus was the Life of the wedding feast at Cana in Galilee.  When the wine ran out, He created an abundance of the best wine any of them had ever tasted. 

Jesus went to another wedding party yesterday!  It was in celebration of Troy Haire and Melissa Noel's marriage!  Two hundred of us marvelled as we watched God tie a tight knot between their lives as we worshipped!

Then it was time to PARTY!

Church friends practiced line-dancing for two weeks to prepare for this celebration!  Plans were made by both the Noel and Haire families!  Four thousand cookies were baked and carefully prepared!  Toasts were thought through by Leah (Missy's sister) and Travis (Troy's brother). 

The Best Man (Travis) delivered their luggage to the hotel room earlier in the day.  He also arranged for a cheese tray, chocolate-covered strawberries, and other treats!  He set up candles to create the right ambiance!

Then came the celebration!  The beautiful bride and her handsome groom personally greeted every guest (along with their parents).  We feasted at luxurious tables of food!  And then there were THE COOKIES!  Then cake!

Then the dancing began!  It didn't end till 10:00 PM when the DJ played, "I've Had The Time Of My Life!" 

Two family systems joyfully celebrated!

Family friends came from near and far to participate in the party!

A church family joined the joy!

Why so much hoopla?  Why so much joy?

1. Because these two families have gained the respect of others - largely through their faith!
2. Because Troy and Missy have been open and clear about their commitment to establishing a Christian home!
3. Because we all have seen evidence of God's redeeming grace in Troy's and Missy's lives!
4. Because Troy and Missy deliberately chose to honor God and reserve their physical love for last night - after the wedding!

LET'S TALK ABOUT SEX

I just read reports from a Gallup poll indicating that premarital sex and abortion rates are higher among young, unmarried Christians than the rest of the population.

I'm going to spare you my shock and dismay about that.

However, I also learned something new.  Scientific researchers into the hormone oxytocin are discovering that this hormone functions as a bonding agent, and is released in the brain during intimate moments - and in especially high levels during sexual intercourse.  Both men and women release oxytocin. 

The article states:  "In the right context, this chemical is going to help create a strong bond between two people, to cause them to want each other more than anyone else.  If you're married, that's definitely a good thing!  But this chemical doesn't distinguish if the sex is within marriage or a one-night-stand, so if you're having sex outside of marriage, you're still forming that bond." 

"Studies have shown if you have multiple physical relationships that then break up, you damage your ability to form a long-term commitment.  You train your brain to only do short term.  People who are having sex outside of marriage, but still want to have a solid, successful marriage someday, are making it that much harder for themselves."

It seems obvious that this helps to explain the high divorce rate in our culture.

Again, I'm going to refrain from moralizing here.  The research is in.  The facts are indisputable.

It seems that God knew what He was talking about when He prohibited His children from having sexual relations outside of marriage!    Imagine that...it was for our own good!

[Information from "almost everyone's doing it",  RELEVANT, Sept/Oct, 2011, p.67]