Weekend in Suceava
The Marriage Masterpiece
The week-end of December 7th - 9th was another encouraging experience for Ramona and I. One of the interns we have supported in the past year, Catalin Croitor, has invited us in his church in Suceava, for a marriage seminar for their young married couples. We've had twelve couples attending. Being our first time there with such a theme we decided to start with... the beginning: the restoration of God's masterpiece.
Marriage, as God intended it, got covered during centuries with a thick layer of dirt. The original colors of it are almost lost in our society. That's why the relationship called marriage designed by the greatest Artist in history needs serious restoration work..
Fortunately, God understood our need for a role model, so, God didn't just give us instructions about marriage... he provided something far more significant... he infused marriage with meaning, He provided us with a picture of marriage, one that's both motivational and instructional: God, Himself, got married!
So, what we did was to move in a new direction (helped by Al Jenssen with his book, The Marriage Masterpiece) and examine what His marriage is like and how His marriage points us in the right direction for our relationship with our spouse.
God intended for us and lived Himself:
A Covenant marriage
A Passionate marriage
A Fighting marriage
A One-Sided marriage
A Heroic marriage
It was an excellent first meeting, especially for the ladies I would say. There is a lots of needs in the family field so we hope it is just the beginning. The ladies will keep in touch with Ramona and due to the technology we'll be able to encourage and support them. One of the feed backs just sticks with my mind. This lady, thanking Ramona, said: "Finally I understood it. From now on I can live free!"
Thank you Lord!
Purity Covenant
Saturday evening, December 8th, in the same church in Suceava, a little over 100 youth showed up for facing God's truth about sex. I found there an amazing thirsty young people community for living their life under God's will. They were ready to make a pledge in front of God and their youth leaders (as witnesses) that they'll save their sexuality for their future husbands and wives.
About 80 young people made the pledge with lots of enthusiasm. The next day, during the church service, their decision was mentioned publicly and the church prayed specifically for them. It was touching to see the excitement and supportiveness of the adult Christian community for those decisions.
God is good!
"LORD, thou wilt ordain peace for us: for thou also hast wrought all our works in us." Isaia 26: 12.
