I am soo adoring not only this song, but the meaning behind it. Brayden and Talitha wanted their marriage to be an example to all of how the Savior feels about His people: Us.
This is just beautiful and precious!

Such a wonderful reminder that we need to be constantly ready for our bridegroom to come get us! The time will be soon and unknown to us!

Matthew 25:6
It was the middle of the night when the cry rang out, `The bridegroom is here! Go out to meet him!’

I’m so looking forward to the day when my bridegroom comes! I’m in love with this song!

©AmandaDixon2009

Tags: betrothal, Brayden Waller, bride, bridegroom, HaYovel, husband, In Love, love, marriage, Matthew 25:6, music, Savior, Scriptures, song, Talitha Waller, video, wedding

Ever since I can remember, I’ve wanted to be married. I’ve always wanted to be a wife. I’ve always known that when I fell in love, it would be forever! I’ve always known that when I get married, it will be forever.
I found out a couple weeks ago that yet another friend I grew up with that was married last year, is now not married anymore. The same thing happened to another friend 2 years ago. When I heard what had happened all I could think was, “why is leaving/divorcing an option?” It is hard for me to comprehend that people think there is another option to leave their marriages. No, I don’t know the details of why, but I do know that marriage is a lifelong commitment. Maybe that is just me… but the Scriptures say do that

1 Corinthians 7:10-11
“To those who are married I have a command, and it is not from me but from the Lord: a woman is not to separate herself from her husband but if she does separate herself, she is to remain single or be reconciled with her husband. Also, a husband is not to leave his wife.“

Maybe its not me… Right there in the Scritptures it commands us to not separate from our spouse. It doesn’t say “don’t separate unless…”. It just says do not separate. That Scripture goes along with:

Matthew 19:5b-6
“and the two are to become one flesh’? Thus they are no longer two, but one.“

When you get married, you are no longer your own person, you are one with your spouse. When you pull something apart, it is not as strong as it was and it is not whole anymore. Marriage is like the example of the two strand cord. Two separate strands come together as one and is strong. It is whole. That is really profound because God created each of us as a strand that there is another strand to which He made to become whole with. I believe that God created a specific spouse for each of us: Someone who is a perfect match for us. God has someone out there for every one of us, and the trick is to rely completely and wholly on Him to bring that Perfect One to us. No, it is not easy… I know!

I think we need to get in the mindset, and train our children to be of the mindset that marriage is a “no out” commitment. I know that marriage is not a walk in the park, but it is something you’re gonna have to work at. My parents haven’t always had the best marriage or one that is what it should be, but if I learn nothing else about marriage from them, the one thing I’ve learned is you stick it out! My parents have stayed together through the thick and thin and have prevailed! So I know its not gonna be easy all the time.
In the movie, Fireproof, Caleb and Michael make a very good point when they have this conversation:

Caleb:”Marriages aren’t fireproof. Sometimes, you get burned.”
Michael: “Fireproof doesn’t mean that a fire will never come, but that when it comes you’ll be able to withstand it.”

I know that it is possible to withstand fires through your marriage. You just have to want to do. It commands you in black and white that you are not leave your marriage even when its tough and you don’t think you can go anymore. You can do it tho because marriage is a forever covenant. Remember: Never leave your partner behind!

©AmandaDixon2009

Tags: "Marriages aren't fireproof", "no out", 1 Corinthians 7:10-11, a husband is not to leave his wife, a woman is not to separate herself from her husband, Bible, Caleb Holt, command, covenant, divorce, editor, editorial, Fireproof, forever, God, lifelong commitment, love, marriage, married, marry, Matthew 19:5b-6, Movie, Never Leave Your Partner Behind, perfect match, perfect one, quotes, Scriptures, staying married, Thus they are no longer two but one., two strand cord, writing

I heard such exciting news last week! A sweet friend found out they were expecting their first baby! I. AM. THRILLED!
If you know me, you know how much I LOVE children! Seriously. I have always had a baby in my arms whether real or a doll. I have always loved babysitting, working in the nursey, just doing anything that has to do with babies. I am so excited and so looking forward to having my own children… it almost too exciting to wait for.
Loving children as much as I do and wanting my own so much, it breaks my heart to see babies and children who cry and are not wanted. I found out a friend who I used to attend church with is pregnant and the little green monster popped his head in my heart. She is unmarried and not following a Biblical lifestyle, yet she has been given this amazing gift of bringing a life into the world. Not fair.
Then I was at the library last week and I saw a young mother in the rocking chair with about a 3month old baby. The mother looked about my age, maybe younger and unmarried. She laid the precious babe in her carseat after feeding her her bottle and the baby started to cry. I then heard the mother say, “G-D would you shut up!” It broke my heart hearing and brings tears to my eyes typing it out. that poor baby! I wanted to go pick it up and hold it and love it, but instead I said a prayer of protection for it and continued my business.
Driving home I kept thinking how unfair it was that these unmarried girls would get the honor and privilege of caring for and raising this precious child when there are so many who want babies yet do not have them.
Children are such a precious thing and it is such a privilege to be given a child to rear and bring up in the Lord.

Psalm 127:3
Children too are a gift from ADONAI; the fruit of the womb is a reward. The children born when one is young are like arrows in the hand of a warrior. How blessed is the man who has filled his quiver with them; he will not have to be embarrassed when contending with foes at the city gate.

It is so sad that people don’t view children as a gift and blessing. So many times people say they wish they could do something to change the future… what more could you do for the future than raise children to have the same views as you? Children are the future. Unfortunately, the Muslims have this concept down. They have loads of children that they are raising up to follow in jihad and Islam, thus their population is skyrocketing. While the Christians are having their 2.5 children, and not training them in the way of the Lord and well our numbers are few. This may seem harsh to some, but we need to wake up and realize it. It’s time for us to realize that children are a reward and who doesn’t want a reward? If children are a blessing, don’t you want to be blessed? I know I do.

©AmandaDixon2009

Tags: babies, baby, blessing, Caleb, child, children, children are a blessing, Children too are a gift from ADONAI, Christians, editorials, expecting, first child, gifts, God, How blessed is the man who has filled his quiver with them, Islam, jihad, Lord, LucyLillie, Muslims, photography, photos, pictures, pregnant, Psalm 127:3, reward, The children born when one is young are like arrows in the hand of a warrior

Hope. It’s hard to describe what hope is, I think. I really love the description of what hope is… it gives me hope just to read it

Hope
A desire of some good, accompanied with at least a slight expectation of obtaining it, or a belief that it is obtainable. Hope differs from wish and desire in this, that it implies some expectation of obtaining the good desired, or the possibility of possessing it. Hope therefore always gives pleasure or joy; whereas wish and desire may produce or be accompanied with pain and anxiety.

I think that is just a beautiful way to put it! I’ve been learning that we must keep hope even when it seems that whatever we are hoping for is all but lost. The Bible even says:

Proverbs 13:12
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but desire fulfilled is a tree of life.

When it seems all hope is lost, our hearts are heavy and down and it is hard to be hopefully for things we have waited or are waiting so long for. It seems like there is no hope left is when the Lord will show us to keep holding onto hope.

Ecclesiastes 9:4
For as long as a person is linked with the living, there is hope.

As long as you’re living you will hope and as long as you’re living there will be hope for those hopes to happen.
Hope goes hand in hand with trust. You can’t have trust without hope.

Hebrews 11:1
Trusting is being confident of what we hope for, convinced about things we do not see.

We need to continue trusting in our hopes. It’s much easier to believe something when we see it then when we don’t.

Romans 8:24
But if we see what we hope for, it isn’t hope – after all, who hopes for what he already sees?

It takes more to believe and hope for something when you can’t see it, it also makes you trust and hope in God more.  So… where do you put that hope though? Do you put it in material, yourself, or God?

Psalm 27:14
Put your hope in ADONAI, be strong, and let your heart take courage! Yes, put your hope in ADONAI!

Psalm 37:34
Put your hope in ADONAI, keep to his way, and he will raise you up to inherit the land. When the wicked are cut off, you will see it.

Psalm 38:15
For it is in you, ADONAI, that I hope. You will answer, Adonai my God.

He knows our hopes and desires and He will answer us in His timing and with His answer. Just remember to continue to hope even when it seems lost!

Romans 12:12
Rejoice in your hope, be patient in your troubles, and continue steadfastly in prayer.

Remaining Hopeful Always,

©AmandaDixon2009

Each Saturday join Jacque (Mama) @ Walking Therein, and many others who are taking their Saturdays and expressing their praise to the Lord. To participate, you can post a Psalm or a praise and tell what impact it has had on you. Make sure to link up your SP&P too! I hope to see you on there!

This Week’s SP&P: Sorrow into Joy, Frustration to Peace

Tags: Adonai, believe, desire, desires, Ecclesiastes 9:4, God, heart, Hebrews 11:1, hope, hope deferred, hopeful, hoping, Jacque Dixon, Lord, Meme, patience, patient, Proverbs 13:12, Psalm 27:14, Psalm 37:34, rejoice in hope, Romans 12:2, Romans 8:24, Saturday Psalm and Praise, Scriptures, trust, Trusting is being confident of what we hope for convinced about things we do not see., wait, waiting

Training Daughters, Teaching Wives holds Sensational Sunday Links so that you can share your fave links of the week. I don’t have as much time for reading sites as I would like and have even less time to comment on the articles I do read, but this week I read some really great articles and I really just wanted everyone else to be able to read them too!

Make sure to stop over at TDTW for even more SSL’s and lots more on the site!

Marshy shares about Mowing and Memories as we near the 1 year anniversary of Christian being called to our Savior’s arms. She has such strength and such encouragement even through this hard time.

Mrs. Leslie posted i believe. Can I get an “amen”?

Mrs. Raine shares about the Rock that is stronger than I. I’m so glad that ADONAI is a strong tower we can go to for refuge!

Holly is taking a look at the whether your life is Full, or Empty? So… which is it?

Mrs. McLean tells about how discipline is Empty Carts Or Empty Promises?

Mrs. Coghlan gives Facebook admonitions so encouragingly and gentle.

Brooke explains how Modesty is Part of Your Ministry and its important that you show the Savior through it all!

And finally some super articles on for the Waiting Gals…
Marian who was recently married (Yay!) shares about how we all have Great Expectations whether we realize them or not before we get married, so take some time to examine your heart!

My “Super” girlfriend, Ally, shares how in In Every Circumstance we need to stay focused and not lose our contentment… especially while we’re Waiting for Superman.

If you have any articles you’ve really loved this week, please share them! I’d love to read them. Be on the lookout this week for a special post that you will “win” just for reading!

©AmandaDixon2009

Tags: admonitions, Adonai, beliefs, believe, Christian Drews, contentment, daughters, discipline, empty, expectations, Facebook, focus, full, Kim Coghlan, life, Life In A Shoe, married, Marsha Drews, memories, ministry, modesty, mothers, one year anniversary, optomist, Penny Raine, pessimist, promises, Ruth McLean, Savior, single, strength, strong tower, super, teaching, Teaching Wives, training, Training Daughters, waiting, Waiting for Superman, Waiting Gals, wives, Young

Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know what plans I have in mind for you,’ says ADONAI, ‘plans for well-being, not for bad things; so that you can have hope and a future.”

Proverbs 23:18
“Then you will have a future; what you hope for will not be cut off.“

No need to fear, God is always here. He has great plans for our lives. Plans for amazing things so our hope and future will not be cut off! What a promise to hold on to!
Waiting on God for my hope and future,

©AmandaDixon2009

Tags: Adonai, For I know what plans I have in mind for you plans for well-being not for bad things so that you can have hope and a future, future, God, hope, Jeremiah 29:11, patiently, photography, photos, picture, plans, Proverbs 23:18, waiting, Wordless Wednesday