Three Words on Their Big Day

Three Words on their Big Day

What a privilege to officiate the wedding of

Stephen and Ouida

(both widowed after more than 30 years of marriage...Tudi and I have known Ouida for more than 15 years)

The Ceremony...

It was a very special start to the wedding ceremony with their

17 young grandchildren
coming down the winding staircases to the music of

'JESUS LOVES ME'

The marriage ceremony started with quotes from Ecclesiastes 3 :

'There is a time for everything...' and ending with

"A TIME FOR JOY'

celebrating the marriage of Stephen and Ouida

This was followed by...

readings about marriage from Genesis, Ephesians,

and a deeply meaningful and personal

exchange of vows and rings ...

I then had 3 words to say to the couple...

The 3 WORDS...

L.E.G.

( Love, Examine, Grow)

I encouraged them to think of these words

every time they hear the word "leg"

LOVE (1 Cor. 13) as depicted in the triangle...I shared when Tudi has drawn closer to Jesus and lived out her giftedness, my love for her (as shown in the triangle) has increased...

I encouraged Stephen and Ouida to serve Christ before each other and as a result their love for each will grow deeper

EXAMINE yourself (2 Cor. 5:16) to see if you are in the faith...Stephen works in ministry with International graduate students at the University of Alabama and Ouida is nearing the completion of her Christian book dedicated to young families...I encouraged both of them to always examine themselves through the Word to make sure they are reaching out with the Gospel, not just enjoying fellowship

GROW in grace throughout their marriage by being in the Word by themselves, in a group and at church...plus because the world is so dark, reach out to people who need a Savior...that's living life to fullest

It was a very special wedding,

never to be forgotten-

Ted and Stephen

Ouida and Tudi

The newlyweds are honeymooning in Arizona and doing a lot of hiking...one of their favorite sports. They will live in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

God bless Stephen and Ouida

Ted Sprague

Ecclesiastes 3

P.S.-Very Important

A WITNESSING INSIGHT FROM OFFICIATING THE MARRIAGE...

Witness Breakthrough encourages the following during witness training and throughout our four books- the latest being "IF WE ARE THE LIGHT, WHY IS AMERICA SO DARK?"

"Learn to ask meaningful questions, listen intently and then be compelled by love not duty to share your faith in Jesus Christ "

HERE'S THE IMPORTANT INSIGHT and COMPARISON...

weddings
and witnessing

If a minister conducts a wedding ceremony by memory or rote with little personality and feeling...to me it would be absolute drudgery

If a believer witnesses of their faith in Jesus without love rather by duty, it would be a grind and uncomfortable for both the hearer and proclaimer

THE GOOD NEWS...

weddings
and witnessing

At the end of the rehearsal, wedding ceremony and dinner that followed, I was exhausted...because I cared deeply for both Stephen and Ouida, and, in a good way, I labored over the entire wedding ceremony for many days making sure the verses used were fitting...

I know and have full confidence that the Word will not return void

In a different way but key to witnessing...becoming a

John 3:16 witness is life changing and essential to being a long term natural witness motivated by love verses a rote driven witness motivated by duty

WHY WOULDN'T EVERY BELIEVER WANT TO BE AN OFTEN "love driven" JOHN 3:16 WITNESS?

A CHALLENGE and ENCOURAGEMENT:

"EXAMINE YOURSELVES...to see if you are in the faith..."

2 Cor. 13:5

Christian, dare to be honest...

*Are you living a love driven life as a witness of your faith in Jesus Christ?

*Do you see fruit in your life from your witness?

*Do you shy away from saying the name of Jesus due to political correctness?

*Do you and your church need revival?

...please consider our latest book:

IF WE ARE THE LIGHT, WHY IS AMERICA SO DARK?

for your small group. In this book we recognize the importance of the body of Christ spurring one another on to learn to love others so much that we give them Jesus. This book offers real life, everyday examples of sharing the gospel in every chapter, as well as unique listening and conversational tools, and exhorts us to give of ourselves by sharing the best news- being lights in darkness. Each chapter is different and has questions for group discussion.

to order your copy, visit www.condeopress.com

visit our "new" website:

www.witnessbreakthrough.org

[email protected]

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