The Wedding Preacher

I've been asked to do more weddings in the past few months than in the last several years. My favorite thing about people getting married is that it is an easy line to draw from how we feel about each other to how much God loves us.

The dilemma I've faced a few times now is when I am approached by people who are not part of our church community (or any church community, for that matter). They are not asking my permission to be married, but they do want a pastor to officiate. Usually, during our conversation they communicate to me that, even though they don't have a vital or consistent relationship with God, they still want his blessing and want him to be part of their union.

This brings up an interesting spiritual dilemma. In Romans 1, Paul talks about the fact that no one is without excuse when it comest to knowing God, because there is enough evidence of him out there that everyone has the opportunity to seek him...and if we seek him, he will reveal himself to us. I believe that a wedding can be one of those moments where someone who is mostly irreligious will suddenly be seeking God--and I believe God is not only pleased by this, but will reveal himself to them.

The conversations I've had with people wanting to get married have been the most grace-filled, God-centered, and peace-delivering conversations I could hope for. Couples seem to leave with a sense that God loves them, even if they haven't been going to church or being "religious".

I could be wrong about this, but I've come to the conclusion that I would rather build a bridge between two people and God and establish a relationship with them myself than play the role of one more religious person who invalidates their love and commitment by denying them God's presence in their wedding.

Camping with the Boy.

Yesterday afternoon, Oscar and I decided to go camping. We live about eight miles from our pick of over 20 campgrounds in the La Plata Mountains. We had a great time except that the raccoons got in the Jeep and ate our breakfast during the night. We hiked around and threw rocks in the creek. I am really enjoying the time I get to spend with Oscar these days. He is about to turn six and I am realizing that five and six were when I began to do things I can still remember. I remember my first A's game with my dad and grandpa, and pretending to be asleep at my desk in kindergarten so I wouldn't have to dance around the classroom.

We decided to leave the tent and stuff in the back of the Jeep so we can go back the next time we have a free evening! I hope these will be things he remembers for the rest of his life.

Hooray for Baptisms!

Yesterday we had our first baptism! Peggy (Jenn's mom) got baptized in the river yesterday afternoon. It turned out really well. I was a little apprehensive about the freezing cold water, but it wasn't that bad. It was a great moment and a big milestone for our church.

Catching Up

It's been a while since I posted here...mostly because Hummer tour season is in full swing, so office time is scarce. Here are a few random thoughts to catch you up on what's going on in DGO:

-Sunday we have our first baptisms (in the freezing cold river).

-Last weekend I performed the first-ever Hummer tour wedding in the La Plata Mountains.

-Oscar has to be one of the only 5 year olds in the country who spends two to three days a week wheeling in a Hummer and isn't sure he wants to play t-ball.

-Tubing season in the river has begun! The last time I sat on this thing was to slide down the hill in the snow onto my parent's pond that was frozen solid!

Well, that'll have to do for now...I'll be back shortly with a report from the baptisms!