Author Archive

Preparing for the Bridegroom
Author: Rena
• Thursday, February 25th, 2010

Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him! -Matthew 25:6b

Jeni,

As your wedding day quickly approaches, I’ve been thinking about what advice to share with you.  The truth is, marriage is an ongoing  journey.  You will learn and grow along the way.  Glean from the wisdom of those who have walked this road.  Hold fast to the Scriptures.  And expect that much of what you will learn will come from your own experiences.

Before the journey begins, the bride-to-be must prepare herself for the bridegroom.

Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear; forget also thine own people, and thy father’s house; so shall the king greatly desire thy beauty: for he is thy Lord. -Psalm 45:10-11

There are two main things that a bride does in preparing for her wedding.

Just as a man is to leave his father and mother and cleave to his wife (Genesis 2:24, Matthew 19:5, Mark 10:7, Ephesians 5:31), the bride also prepares to leave home and become one with her bridegroom.  (forget also thine own people, and thy father’s house)

Photos and blog posts tell the stories of your preparation as you plan this life-long commitment to Jeremy.  You will start a new family as his bride.  Not forsaking your loved ones, but, rather, embracing your new families as extended support.

The bride also adorns herself with a wedding gown.  (so shall the king greatly desire thy beauty) The details of which, I am certain you have completely covered.  No doubt these details have come together slowly over time much like the fruit of the Spirit which we are to adorn as the Bride of Christ.

With your final weeks approaching for your big day, I am reminded of the Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25).  You know the story.  Five virgins were wise and carried oil in their vessels; five were foolish and did not.  The wise were received and the foolish turned away.  Most will not argue that the oil represents the Holy Spirit.  The wise virgins were prepared.  They were ready.  Their desire for the bridegroom would not burn out.

As you prepare these final weeks for that upcoming day, it is my prayer for you that first, your fire for the Savior would burn brightly. And also as the blushing bride, you will glow with your love for Jeremy.  That your joy would be full, strengthening you for your journey. And with gladness and rejoicing you would enter into your marriage. (Psalm 45:15)

Much love to you,

If you would like to  join us this month in sharing your advice for the bride-to-be, please add your link in the comment section.

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Through My Eyes
Author: Rena
• Tuesday, September 23rd, 2008

This post has been stirring in my spirit for quite a while now.  With the rapid growth of Ginger’s blog—especially after becoming CWO’s August Blog of the Month—I’ve watched as the Lord has used my sister in ways she probably never imagined.  I’ve decided to take advantage of being an author on her blog to share more about Ginger…through my eyes.

Until our sister, Katie, had her firstborn, Ginger was considered the baby of the family.  Many times while growing up we heard, “I’m always the last one baby!”  Oh, but don’t let that fool you.  She likes it! ;)

What you may have seen through this blog, is attention to detail (notice the tabbed categories at the top of the blog), a servant’s heart, LOVE FOR COFFEE (HELLO…..I KNOW you’ve got that by now!) and most important—love for Jesus—the Word made flesh.

What you may not see, is the heart of a woman who longs to reach out to others—namely other women—to share her own testimony in hopes that one may learn from where she has walked, and in so doing, avoid much of the heartache she has known.

If I could convey just one thing that I believe she hopes others will see in her and through this blog, it would be that in spite of where we have been, choices we have made, in spite of anything we have done, He loves us.  He wants to use each one of us.  We are uniquely His Princesses.

If I could paint a picture of what I see in Ginger, it would be His dainty Princess (5′2”), feminine in all her ways, seemingly fragile, yet a strong teacher—not only as home school teacher to her two boys—but teacher and exhorter of the Word to many.  I see a woman stripped of self in many ways, broken and poured out that she may be a vessel of honor unto her Lord.  I see a beautiful woman with a passionate love for her Savior.  A woman who is allowing the Lover of her soul to captivate her as well as be captivated by her.  I see a woman who longs to share the simplicity of life through her ability to organize and her love to cook.  A woman who appears to be soft-spoken, yet echoes loudly as the voice of Almighty God speaks through her.  That, is precisely her calling.  If we are “the body of Christ”, she is indeed “the mouth”.

After many years of being dubbed “the mouth of the south” by your family, may you rise up boldly as His mouthpiece, Ginger, as He speaks through you.

And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of My Spirit upon all flesh:  and your sons and your daughters shall Prophesy, and  your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:  And on My servants and on My handmaidens I will pour out in those days of My Spirit; and they shall Prophesy.  Acts 2:17-18

As you pass by this blog, grab a cup of coffee (or Diet Coke if you must), and be blessed.  Whether it’s through a strong word of exhortation, a light humorous note, or random glimpses of her life, may you find liberty in Ginger’s blog as we lift up our cups together unto our Lord.

Many thanks,

P.S.  …get out of the boat, Ginger!

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