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.

Missed the previous showers? Click here.

Jeni,

I wanted to do something special for you to ring in the new year. I couldn’t think of anything better than a simple prayer.

Father,

In Jesus name,

I come before you right now on behalf of Jeni and family.  I thank you for our newly found friendship and all you are going to do there.  I praise you advance for the many blessings to come and worship you as the Prince of Peace.  With that, I give you my prayer, that you would envelope them with your peace and overshadow them with your protection.  Let today mark the day of new beginnings as they embark on this next leg of their journey.  Let their foundation be true, strong, and grounded in your word.  Let their hearts be full of hope and expectancy.  Let their minds be renewed through daily growth in your word, and may their days be filled with laughter in the joy of your presence.

In Jesus name we pray,

Amen

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. Ps. 91:1

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The Blessing of His Word—Don’t Listen to Me; Listen to Him!

“And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Cor. 12:9 NKJV (others KJV)

“He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.” Isaiah 40:29

“Fear not; for I am with you. Be not dismayed; for I am your God. I will strengthen you; yea, I will help you; yea, I will uphold you with the right hand of My righteousness.” Isaiah 41:10

“When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.” Isaiah 59:19

The above verses are from an email sent by my husband to bring encouragement to a family member in the time of need.  I wanted to post them, and in realizing today was Jeni’s shower, I thought they were greater still.  After all, what can be greater than His word?!

What favorite verses would like to impart in celebration of the season?  Share them with us, share them with Jeni, and pour His word into her heart.

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and many blessings to all!

What do they mean, and how do they best represent Jeni?

Sunflowers, because the Son is her center as she turns to follow Him

Lillies, because of the virtue and purity of her heart...

Dogwoods, because she's covered in the blood...

Chrysanthemums, because joy comes with each new morning and she lives for the journey

Check out Teleflora, Proflowers, and the web for pics, flowers, meanings and more...

And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.  Mark 4:39

In the hour of darkness, when you need to hear His voice, He will come and bring perfect peace.  In the still small hour, when you cannot bear each breath, He will come and be your voice.  In the moment, where you cannot find Him, He is there and will bring His light.

Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him: On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him: But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.  My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined.  Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.  But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth.  For he performeth the thing that is appointed for me: and many such things are with him.  Therefore am I troubled at his presence: when I consider, I am afraid of him.  For God maketh my heart soft, and the Almighty troubleth me: Because I was not cut off before the darkness, neither hath he covered the darkness from my face.  Job 23: 8-17

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Jeni,

The above verses, found in Job, are taken from one of my favorite sermons as preached by Bishop George Stephens entitled “I Shall Come Forth”.   It is my hope that these words help bring His peace to cover you through your time of brokenness, and provide healing and strength through His unfailing love.

Peace be still as He works on the left side,

The signature green box...

allows the beauty of Jared to take center stage.

The perfect dress...

The Jimmy Choos... (I so wanted to find a pic with the pink stones on the bottom... ha!)

The bridesmaids, minus the 27 Dresses of course.

And finally, don't forget your luggage.

*Pictures courtesy of Jeni, the web, and some of my favorite wedding movies.

Violet (Power, completion, the finished work of the cross, royalty, peace and prosperity; creativity, (creation), beauty and inspiration).

So take a look at this picture and tell me what you see.  I see beauty, creativity, wonder and inspiration.  I see all of the above through a couple framed as one, outlined by His love.  I see Jeni and all she desires to be as a woman of God, a wife, mother, and friend.  I see a future and hope in what is to come, a trust in who He His, and a knowing that all is made complete through Him alone.  I see her…this sweet little avatar representing Jeni, her blog, her gift—her photography, her ministry and all that is ahead.

“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.  Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.” Phil. 3:13-15

Press on Jeni, and enjoy your avatar Jerry designed especially for you.

Click here for interview and much more!

The July edition of your party is here Jeni, so let’s grab some groceries and put together some great meals. Why not start with a simple dip recipe I found over at Boo Mama’s?

White Rotel Dip

3 packages of pork sausage (mild or spicy is fine – but use at least 1 maple-flavored)
4 packages of cream cheese
2 cans of Rotel tomatoes

Brown sausage and drain. In a large saucepan, combine all ingredients and heat until cheese is melted, being careful to stir often.

Serve with tortilla chips.

And if you’re worried about eating cream cheese AND sausage in the same dish, don’t worry because the tomatoes are TOTALLY healthy, and therefore you’ll be just fine.

Pair this with some to please the crowd. Then we can add some other finger foods to enjoy. Like Pioneer Woman’s Bacon Wrapped Jalepeno Thingies or her Holiday Bacon Appetizers. I know, it’s not the holidays, but see you for yourself. Can you pass these up?

Pioneer Woman's Jalapeno Thingies

Pioneer Woman's Holiday Appetizers

Moving on to your Mac-n-Cheese as a traditional side.

Click pic for recipe.

On to the main dish which, would have to be something with flair, Asian work for you?

We can then add Some Wedding Cookies for desert. How appropriate. Thanks for this recipe Maw-Maw.

We will need more than that to satisfy my sweet tooth, so let’s make some of Annie Ruth’s Snicker Pie. It’s hot and this stuff rocks! If this is not enough ice cream for you, try some Ice Cream Sandwich Cake. (I originally posted my recipe with a holiday variation, but the Butterfingers recipe will be perfect for such a celebration.) Wait, it’s still July, we just have to add my fave Strawberry Jello Cake, right? More Cool Whip, please?

Ok, enough with the cake on my end. I’ll stop eating once I’ve had some of my mom’s choco brownies. Sound good? Stick around and see what the other ladies are bringing to the party. Should Mr. Linky decide to leave early, just post your link in the comments.

Join us here for our monthly celebration: Wednesday, July 14, 2009

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