marriage advice

Father of the groom – advice on success in marriage and blessings:

Advice:

 Ecc. 4:9-12 – your wedding verse(s), believe it because it’s true and it works!
9 Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their work:
10 If one falls down,
his friend can help him up.
But pity the man who falls
and has no one to help him up!
11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?
12 Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
And, remember the third “strand” is Christ Jesus, who will strengthen you.

 Give 100% to one another, because marriage as God created it is not a 50/50 relationship.

Love one another in marriage as Christ loves His church . . . a self-sacrificial love. [Eph. 5:22]

 Exercise the heart of the five love languages. Find out what each other’s is/are and do it, whether acts of service, gentle touch, whatever.

Grab that little book, The Heart of Five Love Languages, and use it, practice it.

 Pray together . . . out loud so you can hear each other’s hearts, and silently so you can hear God.

Begin each day with the Lord, and one another in prayer, let it be your “food”.

 Always, always . . . keep God first in your heart, and He will keep you next in each others’ hearts!

Reminders:

 This life you live is a journey, and now you continue that journey together. You have been well prepared to this point, and together you will continue in God’s love and grace.
This is what the LORD says:
"Stand at the crossroads and look;
ask for the ancient paths,
ask where the good way is, and walk in it,
and you will find rest for your souls. [Jeremiah 6:16]

Our Lakota/Celtic heritage in the Lord teaches us to seek the Narrow Road, the Good Red Road of Jesus Christ . . . it is the Way we should go.

 Along this Way, remember to use God’s armor to protect you, and use His Sword of the Spirit, His Word to keep you from all evil and temptation, and strengthen you in your journey. [Eph. 6]


“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” [Phil. 4:4-7]

“Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” [Col. 3:12-15]

Blessings:
 Celtic Blessings

“May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rains fall soft upon your fields and,
Until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand”

“As you slide down the banisters of life may the splinters never point the wrong way.”
[Love this one as I once slid down a “wrong way” splintered banister and landed on my head two floors below . . . yes, that explains a lot, I know!]


 Lakota Wedding Prayer:

“It is the time for your children to find happiness with each other. It is the time to build nests. It is the time for pairing. It is the time for flying and the time for the Eagle.

In the early morning we see this, and we hear it under the warm moon. Wakantanka, there is no bird without a song. No creature without a call. No man without a skill. And into the bird you put the song, and into the creature you put the call, and into the man you put the skill.

You are good. Wakantanka, all your creatures need a partner. You made us that way. Each wing needs a mate. You made it that way. Each feather needs its likeness, it’s that way.

In secret we carry a feather. It is close to our heart. In secret there is its likeness. It is close to another heart.

On a spring day your promise will be kept. The two will meet, and your life will start in them. Your song will be in them. Your happiness will come to them. They will praise you.

He hechetu.” (That is all. or Amen.)

 From Celtic Daily Prayer:

A MARRYING PRAYER:

All we have came only from You.
Everything we hope for
will only come from Your love.
All that we enjoy You gave us freely.
Everything we ask for
is only Yours to give.
Give us the light to understand.
Put fire behind our will.
Be at the beginning of all we begin.
Excite our love,
strengthen our weakness,
encompass our desire.
Shield our thoughts, and cradle our bodies, and as we breathe this prayer, in our hearts may we feel Your presence.


 For Bride & Groom to each other (Lakota):

“Here I set my face unto you. Here I speak my heart's true vow. Here I choose to walk beside you, loving only you, my heart speaks true, for evermore from now.
I will love you in the dawning
and in the bright noon-day.
I will love you in the even.
Every day I live,
my heart I'll give.”

“I have heard God in your laughter. I have seen Him on your face. And it's clear now what He's after, for He wrote your name on my heart in flame; it's a wound I'll not erase.
We will mount the wings of morning. We will fly before the wind. We will dwell within the mystery of the glories of Jehovah's love: a circle with no end.
We will pitch our tents towards Zion
in the shadow of His love.
We will covenant between us.
We will covenant with the earth below
and with heaven up above.
We will covenant with the dust below
and the Spirit up above.”


 More marriage blessings (Celtic):

May God and your marriage bring you joy. God give you joy of one another!
Be ever
in the embrace of the Father,
Be ever
in the embrace of the Son.
Be ever
in the embrace of the Spirit.
Be ever
in the embrace of one another.
May the Lord
tie a bond of your love between you forever without loosening.

O God, make clear to us each road.
O God, make safe to us each steep;
when we stumble, hold us;
when we fall, lift us up.
When we are hard pressed with evil,
deliver us;
and bring us at last to Your glory.