It has been almost a month since I last posted and, as you can imagine, much has taken place. Karlyn and I are taking gradual steps toward preparing for the wedding. Yesterday we registered at our first store. It has been quite the experience. We took about three scouting trips to Bed, Bath and Beyond before we actually registered. I have to admit that I was both excited and apprehensive. I was excited because it truly was invigorating thinking of all the cool new toys that we might get for our new home. However, I was a bit apprehensive for the same reason. It is our desire to not live pursuing the things in this world, so creating a wish list of things that we want stretches that tension a little more. By God’s grace, we will enjoy the things that He gives us but not cling to them.
In addition to registering, we are making steady headway toward completing the rigorous but necessary checklist of wedding preparations. However, we are steadily making marriage preparations as well.
About four weeks ago Karlyn and I attended an all day premarital boot camp held by Jim and Sandra Binney. God has given the Binneys the opportunity to counsel hundreds of couples throughout the many years that they have been serving. The information that we received in this boot camp was compiled from the years of Biblical counseling and practical applications of Biblical truths. We talked about personalities and spiritual gifts, the theology of marriage and sex, and financial budgeting and investments. It truly was a benefit to us to receive this kind of Biblically practical and experiential wisdom for our marriage.
Another thing that God has been using to encourage and prepare me for marriage are the words of Godly saints. One book that has been highly recommended to me by a number of people regarding marriage and love is D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones’ commentary on Ephesians 5. Although it is merely a compilations of Jones’ sermons, he communicates clearly the Biblical truth concerning the role and the responsibilities of both the husband and wife in a Godly marriage. But, perhaps the most effective truths that Lloyd-Jones communicates are those which marriage is designed to illustrate – primarily Christ relationship to the church. I have been so encouraged by this book that I would like to post some excerpts from these chapters that have been an encouragement to me. I would also like to post some other quotes from other men in church history that have meant a lot to me.
I praise God for His constant care and provision for my life. He does all things well for and for His own glory. Thankfully, I get to be a part of it.
this is truly “grace at work”
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