An Amazing (and Exausting) Weekend!

One of my best friends, Riley, got married Saturday, and I was honored to have been a member of his wedding party. Friends came in from all over the country and it was a blessed several days where we were able to fellowship together again as a group. I kidnapped Riley on Wednesday to begin the weekend festivities, and brought him out to Backbone State Park, for his very last bachelor trip. We spent the entire day in the woods, playing chess, reading and writing, and in prayer. It was perfect. (View the rest of the photos here) Thursday and Friday found us all in many times of prayer, laughter, and Mario Kart. I think I got an average of 4 hours of sleep every night that weekend. The wedding itself was beautiful - it's the first time I'm teared up at one. The vows were sacred.

All the guys also contributed VERY generously to Riley's wedding gift, and we were able to buy him some really great books! Thank you all for all your help getting everything organized last weekend!! I miss you all. Come back and visit again soon. Please?



Per Request of several people I've decided to post the speech I gave at Riley's Reception. Though I'm hesitant to do so for a number of reasons. Pride being the first one. It's hard to keep a clear head when a dozen or so people talk about how great something was that you did. I attribute any insight or eloquence the address may have had unto God and his grace upon me and the things HE has taught me in the past couple years. Second, the speech was meant for there and then, that specific moment to that specific person and his bride. So there is a difficulty for me in almost "resurrecting" something, or at least, taking it out of it's element. It also seems kind of pretentious - though I hope it doesn't come across that way - posting something that has already has been done. I hope this doesn't come across as looking for more praise for myself. I'm only posting it because of the insistence of those who have asked me for it, and I hope it brings edification and challenge to everyone who reads it. Thanks!

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March 3rd, 2008

Riley,

We’ve sojourned together these past five years as fellow heirs in this grace of life; from the first time we met all the way through early morning singing, late night heart-bearing, MY BAPTISM, countless trips and countless prayers. And even through times of pain and battle - I count it as nothing but JOY to have had you as my friend. You’ve never ceased giving to me – physically, emotionally, spiritually. Thank you.

G.K. Chesterton once called St. Francis of Assisi a “living poem” and I can’t help but echo his sentiments today in regards to you. You ARE a poem Riley. The meter of your life is an eclectic one - ever changing but always guided by the hand of God. And the words that make and come out of your mouth bear such a cadence that only a fool could miss their beauty. And your content...impacts people. It changes them. This room full of people - especially this girl by your side is a testament to that. Your life is so radiant because you strive, and I know you strive hard, after reflecting that perfect Poem. That perfect man and that fully God combined in that mystical union. And although your poem sometimes contains a faulty rhyme or a dissident note, it still outshines ANY I have ever encountered. And now your poem is changing again - and it must for you have found a ‘very good thing’.

I have a charge for the both of you.

We believe in a sovereign God. A God of order and a God of detail. A God who doesn’t allow anything to happen that is beyond his control. ‘For we know that God causes ALL things to work together for GOOD to those who love God, and are called according to His purpose.’ If you can just believe that as a FACT - not just a vague doctrine that we give a mental assent to - but if you can hold it as a REALITY, it will prosper your marriage more than anything I have encountered. Jacquie is going to be a wonderful wife to you - a helper who can listen to you and empathize with you and give you joys upon joys as you grow in life together…but she has her weaknesses as well. Just as you, Riley, have SUCH strengths that will help empower Jacquie – your weaknesses will still be there, and, in fact, as I have discovered, your weaknesses will only become magnified in a marriage. But when, Riley, you come to the realization that your wife’s weaknesses have been divinely orchestrated for a purpose...and a good purpose at that - it lifts you from despair into worship. HER weaknesses and YOURS too Riley - for you certainly have your fair share of those - are there to do the same thing as everything else in this world to those whom God loves…to conform you to the image of Christ. When we think of the great qualities of our Lord that we glory in most and want to emulate we see that they are usually threefold - we praise in His mercy, His grace, and His unconditional love. YOU BOTH DO NOT MEET ALL OF EACH OTHERS CONDITIONS BECAUSE YOU CANNOT LOVE SOMEONE UNCONDITIONALLY WHO DOES. I’m sure there are things in you Riley, left over from your old nature that Jacquie would give anything to change in you, but those things are there for a reason - to teach you how to love each other fully and to conform you to Christ’s image while being used as tools in God’s perfect plan to sanctify each other. Grasp this, and hold it to your heart and you’ll do well. Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger and you’ll do well. Fulfill your new biblical roles…not as a burden, but as a privilege and you’ll do well. Serve one another.

Thank you both for your friendship. I truly feel lucky beyond dessert to be in your company. I love you.