A WEDDING STORY

Everyone loves a romantic story, where the bridegroom gives up all for his beloved, marries her, and takes her to his beautiful castle to live forevermore.... a story for a true Princess..  I hope you enjoy this one!

A WEDDING STORY

I barely ever watch daytime television, but a program caught my eye one day called “A Wedding Story”.  It was a story of a Jewish couple and the preparation for their marriage, a sharing of their engagement, and the wedding ceremony itself.  As I was watching the program, the Lord began to show me in a vision form a prophetic picture of the endtimes Wedding Feast. How exciting and awesome it is to know that we will be part of this event as the church, the BRIDE of Christ!  The following blessings are available to all believers now, today... however, it was good to be reminded there will be a time in the future when this will all be done in the presence of our KING!  The symbolism is rich in the spiritual depiction of God’s love for His BRIDE.  So here is the vision He showed me…….

The bride comes down the aisle with her father beside her, walking her to the ALTAR (isn’t that what Father God does in our lives.. leads us to the altar.. He leads us to the altar so we can lay down all our burdens and come into a place of  freedom, love, protection, covering, and safety?).  Father lifts her veil, kisses her, and presents her to the bridegroom.. signifying Father God lifting the veil and confirming to us that the veil is forever rent, that He has brought the Bride to a place without spot or wrinkle, holy and acceptable to present to the Bridegroom.. Jesus is the groom and the church (Israel) is His bride.  In Jewish ceremonies, the bridegroom lifts the veil before the ceremony.  After the signing of the marriage contract, the groom goes up to his bride and gazes into her face. Having confirmed that she is the woman he chosen to marry, he lowers her veil over her face (Remember how Leah pretended to be Rachael?).  How awesome it will be when our bridegroom gazes into our eyes and says:  “Yes, you are the one I have chosen, there is NO doubt”.

They then come under the Huppah of clouds to share their vows.  The huppah is a four postered holy covering.  Sometimes the prayer shawl (talit) is used for the covering signifying Gods’ word forever standing over us…the canopy of God’s love and covering forever over his beloved) and sometimes the posts are covered with fragrant blossoms and/or fruit.. representing the fruit of the Spirit.  According to many authorities the huppah was at the groom's house which is interesting to note in view of the scripture where our Lord says He goes to prepare a place for us!  There is a stipulation that a marriage does not take legal effect until the bride has entered the "huppah."  Metaphorically, the couple is standing in its own “Holy of Holies” together as one. 

After the vows are taken, an eternal marriage contract, to which the heavens and earth are called to serve as witnesses, rings are exchanged.  Rings are a suitable way of expressing Gods never-ending circle of love towards us and His eternal covenant with His people. The rings of gold (refinement) without any breaks or engravings show true value and purity.  “Behold  you are betrothed unto me with this ring, according to the law of Moses and Israel."

The bridegroom then lifts the prayer shawl (talit) which is upon his shoulders onto the brides shoulders stating all that He is, has, and ever will be also belongs to her, and that she belongs to Him, that He will shelter her and protect her.. that she is His forever. 

At this point, the couple drink wine (kiddush) together from a cup called the cup of  “JOY”.  If you remember at the Last Supper before Jesus was crucified, He stated that He would not drink with us again until kingdom of God shall come.   

 (Luke 22:18  For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.) 

If you also remember, God told us that He would wipe away every tear. 

(Rev. 7:17  For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. 

As we drink the wedding cup of JOY with our Bridegroom, JESUS.. all tears, sorrow and mourning will flee and He shall feed us from the Wedding Feast banquet table that has been prepared for the wedding day!!

At a Jewish wedding it is traditional for the bridegroom to break a glass with his foot at the end of the ceremony in memory of the temple being destroyed, a reminder of how fragile life is and implies that the marriage should always remain intact.

(God said to Satan in Genesis 3:15 …   And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, (JESUS, our bridegroom will crush the head of satan, and you will strike his heel." 

The shattering ushers in the outbreak of merriment that should immediately follow the pronouncement. The response is "Mazel Tov!" ("Congratulations!")  The glass being broken at the marriage feast by the bridegroom will complete the word that Jesus’ temple was brought to resurrection and life and satan’s temple and kingdom is forever shattered and crushed!  Hallelujah!! 

MAZEL TOV!!

Reverend Donna E. Trexler/Geertz –

Heart To Heart Ministries 2000 ã

Please do not copy without permission

donnatrex@yahoo.com

DANCE OF GRACE

DANCE OF GRACE

When the Holy Spirit revealed Jesus to me as my Savior, it was like being asked to dance by the Lord.  He was leading the dance and I was lost as I gazed at His countenance and looked into His eyes of love and forgiveness.  We moved almost effortlessly - in harmony and the unforced rhythms of grace.  I was totally unaware of my own feet and was consumed with His face. 

Somewhere during the dance the music changed and someone yelled in my ear, "Look at your feet!  Watch where you are stepping! You can't go there, you'll fall! Don't step on anyone's toes! Be careful of going there, they don't dance right!" I became painfully aware of my "feet," my "walk" instead of the glorious face of Jesus, the joy of my Salvation.  In fact, my feet became so heavy and awkward that it was difficult to move at all.  The voice in my ear was so harsh and controlling - I should have known it wasn't the voice of the gentle Shepherd of my Soul.  Without realizing it I had changed partners. The harsh voice belonged to a taskmaster - the accuser of the brethren.  The music was no longer sweet but pounded on my soul like a drill instructor.  Once in awhile the Shepherd's gentle voice would break through and speak tenderly to my heart, but like a battered woman who returns to her abuser, so would I.

If being abused and accused by that religious spirit wasn't bad enough, I became an abuser and an accuser myself.  Now I was teaching and training others to look at their "feet."  "You don't go there! You don't step on toes! You must not dance with anyone who could deceive you!!  Do it like I'm doing it, because I've learned the right way!"  Judging others by my "feet," by my "walk," in self-righteousness. 

Today, the Lord has revealed and healed me from the abuse that came as a result of changing partners.  Jesus cut in on the "heavy metal" dance to a religious spirit and spoke tenderly to my heart.  "Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with Me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me-watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you.  Keep company with me and you'll learn to live (dance) freely and lightly."  Matthew 11:23-end of chapter  So I am dancing again with the Joy of my Salvation - Jesus.

Turning my eyes upon Jesus, looking full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.  I have officially resigned as assistant drill instructor.  There is only ONE Dance instructor!  I'm fixing my eyes on Jesus!

JoAnn Parrott
12/01/98

© Simply Sonshine

DADDY'S LITTLE GIRL MY FIRST LOVE!

HOW GOD MADE LITTLE GIRLS

A speck of frills with a pinch of pink,
He mixed these in with a love for dance.

And heaps of laughter, some beauty perchance.
He added oodles more of joy and grace.

Then He put some dimples in just the right places.
As a final touch, He included a curl.

And with that He smiled, for He created a girl.
Author Unknown

Dad with me at Peach Lake

                                     
                                 

DADDY SANG TO ME ON THE RADIO!

One of the fondest memories I have of my Father, still touches my heart to a great degree. My Mother and I would listen to the radio quite a bit. One of the songs that would play was “Daddy’s Little Girl”. Although my Father loved to sing, he had a voice like a frog, hahahaha.. so my Mother let me think it was my Father singing to me. It became my favorite song. Dad would come home and I would jump into his arms and tell him I heard him singing to me “today” on the radio!! He of course, did not want to spoil the fun, so he let me think he indeed was the one singing to me. I believed this for years LOL!! Whenever I would hear that song, it made me feel so special and loved.

Daddy and Me at Catskill Game Farm

                                                  

This was the song I picked for the Father/daughter dance on my first wedding to Fred. I could not stop crying and neither could my Father. It was our special song.  The words to this song are further down on this blog.

I loved my Daddy more than words can say.. even though my Father is now with the Lord for many years, I still cannot hear this song without great emotion. I will always in my heart be my “Daddy’s Little Girl”, and so will my sister Gwen.

I am so grateful for the family God placed me. 

With Dad at Santa Land

                                       
                                    

On Daddy's Lap at Christmas

                     

MY TRIBUTE TO MY FATHER:

You have been such a blessing in my life Dad. You were my first love, and you captured my heart the first time you called me "Stinky pants, Chipmunk, skinny balink" and when you sang Daddy's little girl to me (I thought) and so much more.   Thank you for your consistent love and caring. I never remember going without. I saw you go to work each day, never complaining and always leaving whatever problems you experienced at the door before coming home. What an example you have been to me in life. I won’t forget your sacrifices and how you taught me that the greatest things in life are not wealth, or fame, but but walking in integrity, contentment and peace. Your selfless giving to Mom, Gwen and myself, and setting the example of caring and honor is a testimony to me of a man preferring his family in love over himself. I will hold our special times together always in my heart, and I know that you will live on in me and in my children. I look forward to seeing you again someday soon in heaven. I will always and forever be your little “chipmunk”!

Love, Donna

You are the most excellent of men Psalm 45:2

Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny and my Valentine all wrapped up in one person!

I love you card made just for Dad

With Dad and Gwen on way to Peach Lake

Dad in the

Middle of picture.. my Jr. Prom

What a clown he was!

Dad and Me at Gwen's swim club

With Dad and Mom at cousin Christine's wedding

                                               

Dad pinning
on my
United Airline
Stewardess wings
at the ceremony
 in Chicago

Poor Dad, I was always talking on my Princess Phone!

My favorite picture on Daddy's lap at bf Connie's Wedding
Mom in picture too!

Dad with Muffin on his lap..

Muffin was a puppy in picture

DADDY’S LITTLE GIRL

You're the end of the rainbow, my pot of gold,
You're daddy's little girl to have and hold.
A precious gem is what you are,
You're mommy's bright and shining star.
You're the spirit of Christmas, my star on the tree,
You're the Easter bunny to mommy and me.
You're sugar you're spice, you're everything nice,
And you're daddy's little girl.
You're the end of the rainbow, my pot of gold,
You're daddy's little girl to have and hold.
A precious gem is what you are,
You're mommy's bright and shining star.
You're the treasure I cherish so sparkling and bright,
You were touched by the holy and beautiful light.
Like angels that sing a heavenly thing,
And you're daddy's little girl.


~ Daddy's Little Girl ~ another version
You're the end of the rainbow, my pot of gold,
You're daddy's little girl to have and hold.
A precious gem is what you are,
A ray of hope, a shining star.

You're the brightest of the sunshine
Morning's first light
You warm my day, you brighten my night
You're sugar you're spice, you're everything nice,
And you're daddy's little girl.

By Bobby Burke and Horace Gerlach, 1949

to hear this song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7G06tGlm7E

Dad with me at Copa Cabana when I was in Miss Universe Pageant

My Wedding Day to Fred

Spoiled with LOVE!

 

©DADDY’S LITTLE GIRL 6/1/11

MY VALENTINE

(Song 7:10 KJV)  I am my beloved's,

and his desire is toward me.

JESUS our Valentine, soon coming King and Bridegroom

Hi dearest ones! ... 

While preparing for a sermon for last Friday night, the Lord reminded me that we are HIS sweethearts.. he longs for time to tell us just how precious we are to Him.  He is indeed our Valentine and all our praise, honor and glory belong to Him, however.. . did you ever stop to think that not only is He the pearl of great price, but He looks at us as pearls of great price.. He paid a great price for US and we are valuable to HIM!!! 

In this time when our world seems to be so topsy turvy.. it is good to know that there is a place He is calling His bride. ..away from all the clamor and chaos…  into His presence.  The Holy Spirit is calling us into a deeper place of worship and a place of joining with the angels in proclaiming His Majesty and Jesus as our Bridegroom ...

YOU are His sweetheart.. you are His beloved..

Pastor Donna    2/9/02

(Song 8:14 KJV) Make haste, my beloved,

and be thou like to a roe or to a young hart

upon the mountains of spices.

The Bride of Christ waiting for her Beloved

 

(Song 2:14 KJV) 

O my dove, that art in the clefts of the rock,

in the secret places of the stairs,

let me see thy countenance,

let me hear thy voice;

for sweet is thy voice,

and thy countenance is comely.

MY VALENTINE
Be thou my Valentine, for your lips are sweeter than wine. My love for you is all encompassing, encircling and embracing even your very being. How I long to overshadow you with my presence. I want to place you in the cleft, in the shadow of my wings, and protect you.  How I yearn for time with you.

I have placed My blood upon the doorpost of your heart.
You are altogether lovely to me. You are the fairest of ten thousand, the very apple of my eye, and I am jealous for YOU.
Abide in me and allow your heart to soar to new heights, let me take you to a higher place beyond the cares of this world.  I hunger to take you there.  Come, rest upon my bosom for I am full with the richest of milk of my word ... my word will nourish you, and cause your fretting to end. I will nurture you, I will feed you the choicest of meat.  I will erase every fragment of loneliness. For you are a sweet fragrance unto me. Your tears are not overlooked, they are precious. I keep them in a vial, near and dear to my heart. I want to be your closest friend.
Come to me and allow me to erase every trace of the wrong images you have made of yourself.  Let me kiss away all the reproach you have believed to be true,let me cover you, and anoint you with my glory. I want to transform you into MY reflection, the one I have of you; one of beauty and grace, one of wholeness and splendor.  You are my pearl, I have paid a great price for you, no one else would do.
I so desire to comfort and infuse you with new hope and breath. I offer abundant life to you, my spouse, my bride. Come into my chambers, I have a place for you and you alone. A place of safety and comfort, a place away from all the busyness, a place of fulfillment of all your desires, one of rest and res·toration. It is my good pleasure to give unto you my kingdom, for you are my beloved and my desire is towards YOU. 

Ancticipating time with you.

With love from,

YOUR BRIDEGROOM

Reverend Donna Trexler-Geertz   2!2/02

Heart To Heart Ministries
donnatrex@yahoo.com

(Song 1:2 KJV)  Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine.

(Song 1:4 KJV)  Draw me, we will run after thee: the king hath brought me into his chambers: we will be glad and rejoice in thee, we will remember thy love more than wine: the upright love thee.

 

(Song 1:15 KJV)  Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair; thou hast doves' eyes.

(Song 2:4 KJV)  He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love.

(Song 2:6 KJV)  His left hand is under my head, and his right hand doth embrace me.

Song 2:10-13 KJV)  My beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away. For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone; The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land;The fig tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.