FRIDAY, July 30 (William Wilberforce)

Acts 2:1-21. All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, "What does this mean?" But others sneered and said, "They are filled with new wine."

I do a lot of pre-marriage counseling, and I thoroughly enjoy it. Newly engaged couples are wonderful to be around. They are so totally involved with one another, and they are hopelessly excited about the possibilities of their future together.

The challenge of this counseling is to try to help the couple ask the right questions of themselves and each other to insure they can build a good foundation for a solid marriage. I always approach the task remembering the words of Robert Runcie, the former archbishop of Canterbury, who observed that "...marriage is the only life-long covenant the church asks a couple to make while they are in a state of temporary insanity."

On the Day of Pentecost the disciples, filled with the Holy Spirit, were thought to be either drunk or insane. They were neither, but they were love-struck--filled with the empowering love of God.

People in love sometimes do foolish things. They behave in wonderfully odd ways. Saint Paul bids us to be "fools for Christ"--love-struck for him and his world. (1996)

PRAY for the Diocese of Enugu (Province of The Niger, Nigeria)

Ps 69:1-23(24-30)31-38 * 73; Judges 5:1-18; Matthew 28:1-10.

View the daily Lectionary Readings at Satucket.com.
Or view the Bible passages at Biblegateway.com.

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Jul 30, 2010 at 8:12 am

Written by irma,

In the momemts of early love, we are more close to God than many moments in our prior life: filled with unselfish care and giving, wanting only good for that other, and changing ourselves in whatever ways it seems is necessary to make a peaceful and harmonious future. When we "center" ourselves, that is, make God the center of our lives, we are simultaneously making love the center of our life. Not insane, just full of God's love. When two people do that for one another, it is a vision of what the world should look like...ok, minus the physical thing.

...

Jul 30, 2010 at 8:19 am

Written by John Moody,

Oh, I like this. "Love-struck" makes perfect sense if that state ever does. But one's experience of being in love (a blessed gift) does connect and catches up the incredible reality of Pentecost so that it rings in one's heart afresh. Thank you.

...

Jul 30, 2010 at 9:22 am

Written by Sam Dowding,

Thanks so much, Irma, for a nostalgic look back over so many years since I felt that "first blush". I also remember how I felt each time I first held my two children - love-struck again. Our challenge is to stay in that state of excitement for our partners, children, and also develop it for our neighbors and enemies. The latter will likely be described as "wonderfully odd", per the meditation writer, but I willingly accept the challenge!

So timely!

Jul 30, 2010 at 9:49 am

Written by Barbara Summers,

Thank you for this message, which is so appropriate for me today, as my husband and I celebrate our 38th wedding anniversary.

...

Jul 30, 2010 at 10:22 am

Written by Mary kier,

What a wonderful way to describe what the disciples felt at pentacost!
although I find that feeling is temporary. Once the commitment is made, the insanity dissipates. The true love begins. Living with another person is wonderful but also at times bumpy. Just as a relationship with God while in this world has it's challenges. When we come across those challenges with prayer and thoughtfulness, both the marriage and the relationship to God matures.
I know once the flames disperse, I want slow burniing embers that can withstand the test of time.

...

Jul 30, 2010 at 6:34 pm

Written by Elsie,

I too did a lot of pre-marital counseling in my job as a marriage and family therapist at a church. I wholeheartedly agree with Archbishop Runcie's quote concerning the insanity of the relationship as it first begins. The job of a pre-marital and marriage counselor is to convince the couple that the stru*gle that they are undertaking (and it can be a stru*gle) is worth it, and that the change in the relationship is inevitable. This is the same stru*gle that I think all Christians deal with in their Christian journey and it too is worth the stru*gle.

if there is a voice of God

Jul 31, 2010 at 2:12 am

Written by eric,

if God decided to put his voice into a human being and speak through him...well, this man is as close as it gets:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCqpPj87ekE

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