Symbol of Love

Looks like both the guys have found wedding bands! Anton decided awhile ago that he wanted to wear Great Uncle Louie Zimanek's ruby ring (the one Daddy wore for our 15th anniversary vow renewal). And Rob has just decided on a burnished tungsten carbide band - durable and 10 times harder than gold, good for folks who work with their hands a lot, say like a chef. Both are classy and gorgeous. I think if Anton could pull it off, he'd want The Lord of the Rings "One Ring To Rule Them All." Personally, we think Uncle Louie's is better.

Back in Egyptian times, reeds were twisted together and wrapped around fingers in a perfect circle. No end to the circle, it meant a lifetime together. An eternity. Of course, these reed rings didn't last quite that long and were replaced with bone or even ivory rings, then later more precious metals like gold and silver. While throughout the years, the ring has been worn on different fingers (even the thumb), it's settled on the fourth finger for reasons we explained in a previous blog ... it was thought a vein went straight to the heart from this finger. The Vena Amoris or vein of love. Actually there are veins from every finger to the heart, so medically the now-called "ring finger" does have a vena amoris. They all do.

The point of this ring is to remind the wearer and all those in viewing, that this person is off the market. He/she is married. And the ring seals the deal. Some of the vows said when the ring is placed on the left hand include:

• "As this ring has no end, neither shall my love for you."
• "With this ring, I thee wed."
• "I place this ring upon your hand as a sign of my love and fidelity."
• "With this ring I pledge my love and life to you."
• "I offer this ring as a token of our love."
• "I give you this ring as a pledge of my love and commitment."
• "I offer this ring to you as a symbol of my love and of the vows I have just spoken."

 It's a symbol of the covenant made before the Creator of marriage. Except for a good cleaning, the ring doesn't come off. By God's grace, your Daddy's doesn't ever come off. While the ring fits perfectly, it can't make it over the knuckle, so it's on there snug, the way it should be. While there is no mention of wedding rings in the Bible, there are plenty of symbols used by God and man to symbolize a covenant (rainbow, circumcision, pillars), so to do likewise with a wedding ring is appropriate.

You want it to be comfortable. You want it to be durable. You want it to be something you love. You want it to mean something special to you. We think what both of you men have chosen fulfills all that and is classic and classy. Well done.

Discussion: What was the process you went through to decide on your wedding ring? What symbolism is important for you in wearing a wedding band? 

Prayer: Father, a symbol of a covenant made before you is a wonderful reminder of the value of it. We pray, Lord God, that we remember every time we look at our rings of the promise we made and the love we share. In Christ, Amen.

Exceedingly Beautiful

Bracelet, check. Headband, check. Earrings, check. All that's left to find is a necklace and you'll be all blinged out, girlfriend! A sparkly princess bride for sure! I read on a wedding jewelry website that the jewelry can set the mood of the wedding. If that's the case, then we're going to have a sparkling good time! This same site says a wedding is a good place to wear heirloom jewelry or to purchase a piece that can be utilized as such for future generations. They recommend adding sparkling pieces to the bouquet, shoes, your dress, your veil and on and on. That's a lot of sparkle.

While the Bible is thin on jewelry descriptions, the only engagement piece we are aware of is the nose ring Isaac's servant gave to Rebekah (Genesis 24). However, God talks about bejeweling his bride, Jerusalem, in Ezekiel 16:11-12 which says, "I adorned you with ornaments: I put bracelets on your arms, a chain on your neck, a ring on your nose, earrings in your ears, and a beautiful crown upon your head." (Again with the nose ring ... don't get any ideas.) He continues in verses 13-14 "You grew exceedingly beautiful, fit to be a queen. Your fame spread among the nations on account of your beauty, for it was perfect because of my splendor that I had bestowed on you, says the Lord God."

That's pretty much how we anticipate a bride to look. Dripping in jewels, sparkling like a queen, beautiful in splendor. It is in this same Ezekiel passage that God talks of His unending covenant with the city, similar to the unending covenant in marriage. As God says to the city of Jerusalem, "I pledged myself to you and entered into a covenant with you, says the Lord God, and you became mine." (Ezek. 16:8)

There is no doubt that both Ayla and Kayla will be lovely brides. And here's the thing, I think no matter what they wear - in clothing or jewelry - both Rob and Anton are going to be blown away by what they see ... "exceedingly beautiful" brides.

Discussion: What is the significance of any jewelry you will wear? Why do you think brides want to look their most beautiful on their wedding day? What does the groom expect appearance wise on your wedding day? 

Prayer: Father, just as You made Your eternal covenant with your holy city Jerusalem, both couples will be likewise making an everlasting bond with their fiances. Father, we pray for Your blessings on them both and pray Your fame is spread throughout the nations. In Jesus, Amen.

Moments and Memories

Last night we had our Christmas Caroling Campfire. It was a lot of fun. We had 40 people show up. Of those who RSVPed, 20 did not come (those who called and cancelled did so mostly for illness). We, of course, planned for the number that RSVPed, so we had quite a bit of leftover food. Much time, work and money went into our campfire party as it does every year from raking the yard free of acorns, cutting firewood and kindling, stirring gallons of cocoa, hanging lights, purchasing food and paper products, setting up tables, making caroling cards and signage and cleaning the house before and after. But what it comes down to is the comradery. The fellowship with everyone is the best part. The singing, visiting, sharing food and hand prints on the wall. Those are the bits folks will remember. Not the tinsel-and-ornament-covered fig tree or 70 hot dogs, but just having fun.

We want you both to remember that when you are wedding planning. We know you are already on a tight budget, but remember what the event is all about. You are getting married, convenantly joining before the Father and then celebrating with friends. So do what you need to do to make that happen, but don't knock yourself out with excess or worry about the small stuff. It is going to be a blessed celebration no matter what you do and no matter who comes. There will be worship. There will be sweetness. There will be laughter. There will be great memories.

So pray for God's guidance in preparation for everything. Do you need this or that? What will make this day special for you? What will just be unnecessary excess? Remember what the event is all about and just enjoy the process of getting it there. Then there will be true joy before, during and after the wedding. And God will be glorified.

Discussion: Make a list of the needs and wants for your wedding. What are some of the wants that may not be feasible? What kinds of memories do you want to have from your special day? What memories do you want people to leave the wedding with?

Prayer: Lord, getting caught up it wedding preparation and saving financially can be stressful and even take our focus off the true reason for this ceremony, which is to make a promise before you and family and friends. Father, we pray that you will guide us all as we work to meet the needs and perhaps even some wants for this special day. May you be glorified in it all. We love you. In the sweet name of Jesus, Amen.

Poured Out

Did you know that Jesus' first miracle was at a wedding? Recorded by John in the second chapter of the gospel, he tells of his first-hand observance where Jesus turns water into wine at a wedding reception. Everyone is having a grand time drinking wine at the wedding feast, and it runs out. His mom, Mary, sees that there's no more wine and goes to her son, whom she knows is God, to tell Him about it. And Christ's response is classic. He says in verse 4, "What concern is that to you and me? My hour has not yet come." It's like He's saying, "Seriously, you are asking Me to do a miracle for this? I am just starting this ministry, just now gathering disciples and you want Me to get more wine or even make it? That is not why I'm here. It's not my job. It's not my time." (Makes you wonder what she observed Him do prior to this event.) But here's the beautiful part. This story is bathed in symbolism, literally. First, the jars Christ asks the servants to fill with water are stone jars used in ritual washing for the Jews. This ceremonial washing was to cleanse and purify the Jews prior to meals and worship. And these jars were big, holding upwards of 30 gallons of

water. Christ asks for six of these to be filled. Then He just asks the servant to draw some out and take it to the chief steward. Imagine the bravery of the servant carrying a cup of what was originally water to his boss for a taste. Then imagine his surprise that is was the best wine ever. Think about the number of people that day who learned what happened there. You can hear the whispers: "Psst, I heard Mary's son, the carpenter, magically transformed this water into wine. Not even kidding." Christ, in this one act, was announcing to all the people at that wedding (many who were probably drunk with wine at this point), "Hey, look what I can do" with a more poignant "See Who I Am." The fact that He used jars for ritual cleansing and changed it into wine, you can see the symbolism and preview of His saying at the Last Supper (recorded in Luke 22:20), "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for many." They would not need stone jars for ritual cleansing anymore. Christ had it covered.

We know you both love wine (and have the cork collection to prove it). As cuisiniers, you know what wines enhance other foods to make them taste even better. And obviously Christ loved it, too, enough to make it an example and symbol of His great sacrifice for all time. We love that Christ chose (even if his mom nudged Him to do it) a wedding, a sacred event and union symbolic of His marriage to the church, to introduce Himself as Savior. And it was this first miracle that convinced the men who recently decided to follow him (John, Andrew, Peter, Nathaniel and Phillip in John 1) that they were following the right Rabbi. John 2:11 says, "Jesus did this, the first of His signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed His glory; and His disciples believed in Him."

Christ has revealed His glory, and we believe. Pouring His life out for ours and rising from the dead, glory to Him.

Now don't count on Christ changing any water into wine at your wedding reception. But you can count on this: no matter what you do in this life, no matter what mistakes you make in your relationship together, He has it covered.

Discussion: What impresses you most about this first miracle at the wedding in Cana? Just for fun, what kind of wine do you think Christ turned it into? How important is the symbolism of wine to Christ's blood to you? Is communion a possibility at your wedding? What kinds of wine will you have at your reception?

Prayer: Father, we thank you for your Son, for His sacrifice for us and most importantly that He conquered death that we can be brought to you pure and holy. Thank you for Him and the beautiful symbol of the wine at the wedding in Cana. In name of the True Vine (John 15:5), Amen.