Fearlessly Courageous
From the Desk of Dennis Piller
7 21 2023
Remembering 25 Years of Marriage – Tomorrow We Renew Our Vows.
My wife and I are renewing our vows tomorrow after 25 years. In preparation, we have been revisiting and rereading many of the old cards and love letters to one another in those early days and years. It sparked memories of how excited we were to spend the rest of our lives together.
That spark became a flame that is still blazing.
It reminded me of what Jesus said to his 12 disciples on the night before… He said, do this in remembrance of me. I am not suggesting that the last supper denotes what we can expect after we get married. 😊 But It makes me remember all the books of the Bible… All the instructions on how to live life well…How to not wander off and look for greener pastures in any area of our lives. We have the most read book in the universe to remind us of all the things that God has done for his children and his chosen ones.
We are a holy priesthood, a holy nation because he said so. Deuteronomy 32:7 says,
“Remember the days of old; consider the years of many generations; ask your father, and he will show you, your elders, and they will tell you”.
I think much of the problem in the world today is people getting so caught up in the minutia of details that they lose sight of the things that are most important…God number one… and marriage and family, which is the very foundation of what God created the world to live upon. His divine model. Isaiah 46:9 “Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me.”
I know there are those who did not experience the great relationship and marriage I have enjoyed, and this may strike a heavy cord. But let me encourage you. Until we are fully and completely content in our Love for Christ we will never be able to be ready for another love. Jesus Christ is enough. Romans 8:28
says, “And we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose”. God has a plan for you. Do not be discouraged. Serve Him with all your heart and He will fill it to overflowing. It’s a promise.
Remembering… How much of that do we do, except at birthdays, anniversaries, or someone’s passing? How often are we, remembering the goodness of God? The greatness of God. The faithfulness of God. The overwhelming presence of God. The renewing of our 25th wedding anniversary vows has overwhelmingly taken us back…to memories, enchanted evenings, children, laughter, and so many things we have not thought about for 5 – 10 or 20 years. That’s not right! I know we are so busy…too busy… with what? More important things?…Ouch!
The old testament reminds us. They wandered off. Forgot who they serve. Looked to other Gods and enjoyments for their satisfaction and peace. Isn’t that what we all have a tendency of doing? It’s not malicious. It’s not intentional. But one thing is for sure…we were not intentional about remembering the things that are above. Phil 4:10 is God’s promise, that as we pursue…intentionally, God’s purposes, there will be contentment, joy, and peace even in times of trial. His promise is to give you all the things he wants us to do and that begins and ends with our relationship with Jesus. Not a Sunday visit, or a wedding, or a funeral but that one relationship that is critical for our lives! We have to remember who He is. What He did and what he continues to do to guide us and give us the instruction we need to navigate the life of a child of god. Look at Phil 4:8 “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things”. Again he tells us to remember in Is 4:6 “Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me.”
I have discovered in my walk with my wife Dyan that the more I love God the more I have the capacity to love her more. It is purely the overflow of his love for us, demonstrated back to our love for him. And that overflows to our spouses, our marriages, our children and community, and our nation.
And I think this starts in a real spirit of humility of remembering who he is, and who we are to Him. John 14:26 says
“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”
As I have looked back at these cards, CDs, and pictures of our wedding and honeymoon and those early years, I remember!
I am overwhelmed by the love that rises up inside of me. Overwhelmed with thankfulness for the gifts that God has given me in my spouse that I have dedicated my life to.
So I want to encourage you today.
To remember what he has done for you and the uncompromising love that he has for you.
Revelation 2:5
“Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.” As we remember he walks us along still waters and restores my soul!
Thank you for continuing to pray for my 98-year-old mother Adele.
We truly covet your prayers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAiDJZ4cdfA
I have loved you Matt Henry
