The Wedding of the Ages

Join me today on Inspired Prompts where I talk about my favorite book of the Bible.

The Wedding of the Ages by Karen Jurgens

I never met a girl…

who didn’t dream of her future wedding day. And I’ve rarely read a sweet romance that didn’t end with a radiant bride on that special day. What is the source of this inspiration?

The dream begins…

with a handsome groom standing at the church altar, looking toward the back doors. The music swells, and the processional begins. After the bridesmaids have taken their places, his beautiful bride steps down the aisle, adorned in gleaming white on the arm of her father. Her veil and long train compliment her gown styled to accentuate her figure to perfection as she marches in step with the music. He receives her hand from her father’s, and together the couple turns toward the minister to take their vows–to love and to cherish until parted by death. After the exchange of rings, their vows are sealed with a kiss. Their new life begins with a celebration meal—simple or elaborate—followed by cutting the wedding cake.

Today’s traditions

have evolved over time, but two thousand years ago, they were very different. The bride waited at home, dressed and ready because she didn’t know at what hour of the day or night her fiancé would arrive. When he appeared, he carried her off to his home where they would be joined in marriage. Afterward, a huge celebration with a feast might continue for days.

Inspiration for happily-ever-after…

originates from God, who performed the first wedding in the Garden of Eden. However, if you’ve decided my favorite book of the Bible is Genesis, you’re wrong. Here are some more hints:

7 “Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready.” It was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. Then he *said to me, “Write, ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.’” And he *said to me, “These are true words of God.” ~ Revelation 19:7-9, NASB.

The wedding of the ages…

is about to take place in the near-future, and we, the church, are the bride. As we await our groom to take us away to His heavenly kingdom, we are dressed and ready to meet Him in the air. Imagine…bedecked in our righteous acts of dazzling-white linen, we will walk down the aisle on the arm of our Father God. He will give us away to His Son, Jesus Christ, to be His bride. After our vows and exchange of rings, we will receive a new name written on our foreheads, sealed forever as the bride of Christ, followed by the marriage supper of the Lamb. What a feast that will be!

Have you read…

 the book of Revelation? There is a promise of blessing attached.

Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near ~ Revelation 1:3, NASB.

Although this final book is full of God’s judgment on a sinful world, the story ends victoriously for those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.  Jesus is revealed as King of kings and Lord of lords. He is our groom with whom we will live happily-ever-after in God’s kingdom.

Could a love story have a better ending? 

Click to Tweet: The wedding of the ages…Could a #lovestory have a better ending? Fav book of the #Bible

Writing Prompt: The story you’re writing ends with a happily-ever-after wedding. What will be your final line (or paragraph)?

 

Trying Times, Glorious Triumph

 

Trying Times Glorious Triumphs by Karen Jurgen

These are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.[i]

 

Trying Times Glorious Triumphs by Karen Jurgens

Thomas Paine’s words burn hot emotion into our souls as he remarked about this historical day in history. Perhaps no other general led his bedraggled men to victory like George Washington. Without his leadership, defeat would have been certain.

Don’t we all need a General Washington in our lives? When our souls toil through bitter cold and we have no hope of waking alive in the morning, such a leader pushes us forward and on to victory.

An impossible battle is all the sweeter after it’s won.

Are you facing a personal battle in your soul? Every one of us shares that common denominator of life, whether it’s in the past, present, or future.

 If you have run with footmen and they have tired you out, then how can you compete with horses? If you fall down in a land of peace, how will you do in the thicket of the Jordan? ~ Jeremiah 12:5 NASB.

The Lord will lift us up in the battle and will fight for us. We must never stop trying, never give in, no matter how difficult.

How do we go to battle?

When you go out to battle against your enemies and see horses and chariots and people more numerous than you, do not be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, who brought you up from the land of Egypt, is with you.  When you are approaching the battle, the priest shall come near and speak to the people.  He shall say to them, ‘Hear, O Israel, you are approaching the battle against your enemies today. Do not be fainthearted. Do not be afraid, or panic, or tremble before them, for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you’ ~ Deuteronomy 20:1-4 NASB.

Go with God and be more than a conqueror. Remember, the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.

[i] “Washington leads troops on raid at Trenton, New Jersey.” History.com. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/washington-leads-troops-on-raid-at-trenton-new-jersey (accessed September 2, 2016).

Cricket Symphony

 

Cricket Symphony by Karen Jurgens

Have you ever heard the recording of crickets? Their chirping is slowed down, revealing an amazing song. Click on the link below to listen:

LINK TO CRICKET SYMPHONY

Pretty amazing, don’t you think? Now whenever I hear their chirping in the trees, I rejoice with them in praising God.

As the verse says, “Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord” ~ Psalm 150:6, NASB.

Wishing you a day full of the praises of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.