{"id":2750,"date":"2015-06-08T15:35:03","date_gmt":"2015-06-08T19:35:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.inthineheart.com\/staging\/8143\/?p=2750"},"modified":"2015-06-08T15:36:01","modified_gmt":"2015-06-08T19:36:01","slug":"fifty-years-and-counting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.inthineheart.com\/staging\/8143\/2015\/06\/08\/fifty-years-and-counting\/","title":{"rendered":"Fifty Years And Counting!"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><em>(Last week, my husband received the following via email and we have received permission to share it on the blog. It was written by Br. Paul Mershon who, this month,\u00a0is celebrating 50 years of marriage to his wife, Linda. Whether you are already married or are contemplating marriage, please read carefully. There is much\u00a0Godly wisdom and marital advice in what Br. Mershon has to say.)\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">*****************************************************************************<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>FIFTY YEARS AND COUNTING!<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><em>Dear Friends,<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Fifty years ago this month, Linda and I began our journey in life together as one flesh. It has been a wonderful and blessed 50 years!\u00a0 All along the way we have shared many experiences in life from which we have both learned so much. I could surely write a multi-chapter book chronicling all of our adventures.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Neither of us were saved when we became husband and wife on June 12, 1965. Linda came to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ one year later, and then I was saved in 1974. It was then that we began our service to the Lord together as husband and wife, service that, by His grace, continues to this day.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>It is not my purpose to go into much detail here in this email recounting all that has taken place throughout these many years together, but suffice it to say that God has been so good to us and He gets all of the glory in our union.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Someone recently asked me what I have learned over the past 50 years of marriage. My reply was simple in that I have learned there is always something new to be learned about the marriage relationship and, by God\u2019s grace and with His guidance, make it richer, more fruitful, and more glorifying to Him.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>A young lady about to be married asked me if I would be willing to share the key to our enduring marriage. I told her that when Linda and I got married we determined to stay married. It would be better to remain single than to enter into marriage without recognizing the importance of staying married no matter what befalls the relationship. Divorce is never an option, and it has never been an option with us. When we took our wedding vows, even as an unsaved couple, we meant them and purposed in our hearts to keep them. It is better to not vow at all than to vow and not be faithful to those vows. God does not take our vows lightly, nor must we. He will hold us accountable for them.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The institution of marriage is a sacred institution ordained of God, and the marriage vows are inviolable and life-long as man and woman become one flesh. Linda and I took those vows seriously, and by God\u2019s grace have stood by them in the good times and the bad, in the bright days and through the difficult times. God\u2019s plan is one man, for one woman, for one entire lifetime. Only death can end that sacred bond. <strong><em>\u201c . . . a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, <u>let not man put asunder<\/u>\u201d (Matthew 19:5-6). <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><em>\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>It takes work and total commitment and submission to one another if the marriage is to be steady and stable. It takes the hand of God upon the union and the guidance of His Word and the ministry and work of the Holy Spirit.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>We are partners in life and ministry, serving the Master together, pulling together in the same yoke and not in opposite directions or in opposition to one another.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>We have learned that we, as a man and a woman, are different from one another in many ways, and yet we perfectly compliment one another. Thank God for those differences! Woman is man\u2019s completer. God has given her husband headship over her (Genesis 3:16 \u2013 I Corinthians 11:3), and yet she is his queen as she walks by his side through life in all that he does, and in all that they do together as one flesh.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>It is imperative as well that husband and wife never let a day go by without expressing their love and appreciation for one another, not in deed alone, but in word as well.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Deep respect for one another, and great kindness in all that is said and done must be foremost. Sarcasm, cutting remarks, hurtful words and actions are unacceptable in the marriage relationship.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Transparency is a must in a healthy marriage, and no secret-keeping. Honesty is key to a healthy relationship.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Trust must never be betrayed.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Never stay angry with one another when disagreements come, but be quick to reconcile and resolve conflict.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Serve one another.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Honor one another.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Esteem one another.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Put the needs of your spouse ahead of your own.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The children that God blesses a couple with are a precious gift from Him, but they must not come first in the marriage relationship and cannot be allowed to come between a husband and his wife.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>And, <strong><em><u>above all else<\/u><\/em><\/strong>, Christ <strong><em><u>must<\/u><\/em><\/strong> always be exalted in the marriage that in <strong><em><u>all<\/u><\/em><\/strong> things He might have preeminence.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Well, there is much more I could say but I am sure you get the general picture.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>On his radio program, the late Paul Harvey once spoke of a couple who had been married for 78 years. They were both well into their 90s. As I thought of them today, I feel like a kid just getting started in my married life! Perhaps God will be gracious to give us many more years together with which to serve Him as he did the folks Mr. Harvey told us about.<\/p>\n<p>We are in Alaska with our daughter, son-in-law, four of our five adult grandchildren and their spouses (only the oldest granddaughter is not here \u2013 she is single and living in New Jersey), and our 6 great-grandchildren. We will have a small and intimate gathering of family and a few friends to celebrate this momentous occasion. Linda and I will repeat our wedding vows before them, our pastor son-in-law officiating. I officiated at his wedding when he married our daughter 30 years ago. What a blessing!<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Last of all, I want to share with you the opening statement I employ when I perform a wedding ceremony. I share this with the bride and the groom before the actual vows and the ring ceremony take place. As I read them today I have been reminded afresh how sacred and holy they are. Please do take time to read them now as they serve as a reminder of just how serious and sober a matter our marriage vows really are as a man and woman enter into the joyous bonds of matrimony.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong><em><u>To The Bride and Groom<\/u><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong><em>\u201cAnd the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof. And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him. And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed\u201d (Genesis 2:18-25).<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><em>God Himself instituted and ordained the marriage relationship as a sacred and inviolable and indissolvable union.\u00a0 The marriage relationship was the first institution established by God, and from it come all other institutions.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Marriage, above all other things, has been established for God\u2019s glory.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Second, marriage has been established for the comfort and blessing of mankind as a covenant relationship providing blessed companionship.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Third, marriage was designed of God for the purpose or procreation.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Because the marriage vows and the marriage relationship is holy and sacred, it is better to not marry at all than to marry without the intention of staying together all the days of your life, until death do you part.\u00a0 When you marry, you make a covenant with God and man to stay married no matter what.\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Because God hates divorce \u2013 putting away \u2013 then we should hate it also.\u00a0 Jesus said that He would never leave us not forsake us. When we are saved He does not divorce us if and when we backslide and get off into that which is sinful in His sight.\u00a0 He seeks to reconcile with us \u2013 restore us to fellowship as we repent and seek His forgiveness.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Consider how terrible a testimony we would be to a lost and dying world if we did not take our marriage vows seriously and keep them at all costs.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Marriage is sacred in the sight of God in that it is a picture of the relationship between Christ and the Church \u2013 between Christ and His Bride.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Love is a choice not a feeling.\u00a0 One may fall in love, and just as easily fall out of love if a marriage is based upon mere feelings and emotions.\u00a0 We must love our spouse and cleave to them as a matter of sacred responsibility.\u00a0 To honor our vows is to honor Christ.\u00a0 When we enter into a marriage relationship as God\u2019s children, our union must be to the glory of the Father and for His blessing and benefit as well as ours.\u00a0 We will stand one day before Christ and give an answer for how we treated this holy institution that is precious and sacred in the eyes of Almighty God, the Creator and Author of marriage.\u00a0 To honor our wedding vows is to honor Him.\u00a0 To dishonor our wedding vows is to dishonor Him.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Marriage was ordained of God for the benefit and blessing of man as a scared institution.\u00a0 Marriage is a picture of the relationship between Christ and His Bride, the church, and a picture of the relationship between Christ and the believer.\u00a0 It is a precious institution which honors and glorifies Him, and is not to be entered into lightly.\u00a0 The marriage relationship and the home were the very first institutions ordained of God and are particularly precious in His sight. <\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong><em><u>To the Church<\/u><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>We come to this house of worship to celebrate together the marriage of ________.\u00a0 It is fitting and proper that this marriage ceremony be celebrated in the house of God because _________ are servants of God.\u00a0 Not only do they acknowledge His claim on them, they also seek His will in their marriage.\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Since God Himself sanctified marriage when He brought together the first man and the first woman, and since the Word of God speaks often of the honor and correctness of marriage, and because God promises blessings on those who are faithful to Him and to each other \u2013 this then is a high and holy time for these children of God and for all who love them and share their hopes, prayers, and aspirations for a Christ-centered home.\u00a0 The opposite is also true.\u00a0 The nearest place to hell on earth is a house where hatred, bitterness, and strife are prominent.\u00a0 More scars are put upon a person\u2019s character and heart in an unhappy home than in any other place.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong><em><u>To the Bride and Groom<\/u><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Someone said that a home ruled by God\u2019s Word is a place where angels may be asked to stay with us, and they would not find themselves out of place!\u00a0 I know that is the kind of home you both desire.\u00a0 You want heaven in your home.\u00a0 There are three ingredients needed in every marriage in order to put heaven in your home.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>The first ingredient is a <strong><u>present<\/u>, <\/strong>a gift.\u00a0 Presents are always important to commemorate special occasions.\u00a0 Don\u2019t neglect the giving of presents to each other.\u00a0 But don\u2019t forget that some presents are nonmaterial.\u00a0 The giving of yourself, your personhood, your time, your words like <strong>\u201cI love you,\u201d <\/strong>and <strong>\u201cI\u2019m sorry.\u201d\u00a0 <\/strong>The gift of total commitment.\u00a0 The gift of praying for each other, the gift of unselfishness, the gift of desiring that the other mate becomes all he or she is capable of becoming in Christ Jesus.\u00a0 Our Lord taught us this principle and precept of giving when He said, <strong>\u201cIt is more blessed to give than to receive\u201d (Acts 20:35).\u00a0 <\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>The second ingredient is <strong><u>purpose<\/u>.\u00a0 <\/strong>Everyone needs a purpose.\u00a0 Every couple needs a purpose.\u00a0 Marriage is not two people standing eye to eye but shoulder to shoulder, looking to similar goals.\u00a0 Praying together and having the mind of Christ as you serve Him in your marriage is so important.\u00a0 By meaningful worship, prayer, and a lot of loving communication you will discover God\u2019s purpose for your life and your home.\u00a0 I enjoin you to obey the Lord Jesus Christ who said, <strong>\u201cSeek ye first the kingdom of God . . . .\u201d\u00a0 <\/strong>In seeking Him, and in seeking His will in your union as one flesh, your steps shall surely be ordered of the Lord, and your marriage will always have holy purpose and bring honor and glory to His Name, a Name that is above all names.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>The third ingredient is <strong><u>power<\/u>.\u00a0 <\/strong>The power is in a Person.\u00a0 His Name is the Lord Jesus Christ Who is King of kings and Lord of lords.\u00a0 The word <strong>home<\/strong> in one pagan nation means <strong>\u201ca shrine of the gods.\u201d\u00a0 <\/strong>But in the Christian life it means the place where Jesus Christ is Lord.\u00a0 There cannot be a successful home that glorifies God if money, prestige, activity, or even people are more important than Jesus Christ.\u00a0 With Christ as the Power in your heart and home, your marriage cannot fail.\u00a0 Jesus promised that, <strong>\u201c . . . lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the world\u201d (Matthew 28:20).\u00a0 <\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong><em>\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em>As you enter into the sacred and holy bonds of matrimony, I encourage and admonish you to remember the importance of the inviolable vows you are about to make before God and this congregation assembled.\u00a0 It is not only a commitment to one another, but a matter of holy consecration and sanctification unto the Lord.\u00a0 May your union as husband and wife always and ever glorify the One Who died for your on Calvary\u2019s tree, and shed His blood for you that you might have eternal life.\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n<p>(by Paul Mershon)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>(Last week, my husband received the following via email and we have received permission to share it on the blog. It was written by Br. Paul Mershon who, this month,\u00a0is celebrating 50 years of marriage to his wife, Linda. Whether you are already married or are contemplating marriage, please read carefully. There is much\u00a0Godly wisdom and marital advice in what Br. Mershon has to say.)\u00a0 ***************************************************************************** FIFTY YEARS AND COUNTING! Dear Friends, &nbsp; Fifty years ago this month, Linda and I began our journey in life together as one flesh. It has been a wonderful and blessed 50 years!\u00a0 All along the way we have shared many experiences in life from which we have both learned so much. I could surely write a multi-chapter book chronicling all of our adventures. &nbsp; Neither of us were saved when we became husband and wife on June 12, 1965. Linda came to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ one year later, and then I was saved in 1974. It was then that we began our service to the Lord together as husband and wife, service that, by His grace, continues to this day. &nbsp; It is not my purpose to go into much detail here in this email recounting all that has taken place throughout these many years together, but suffice it to say that God has been so good to us and He gets all of the glory in our union. &nbsp; Someone recently asked me what I have learned over the past 50 years of marriage. My reply was simple in that I have learned there is always something new to be learned about the marriage relationship and, by God\u2019s grace and with His guidance, make it richer, more fruitful, and more glorifying to Him. &nbsp; A young lady about to be married asked me if I would be willing to share the key to our enduring marriage. I told her that when Linda and I got married we determined to stay married. It would be better to remain single than to enter into marriage without recognizing the importance of staying married no matter what befalls the relationship. Divorce is never an option, and it has never been an option with us. When we took our wedding vows, even as an unsaved couple, we meant them and purposed in our hearts to keep them. It is better to not vow at all than to vow and not be faithful to those vows. God does not take our vows lightly, nor must we. He will hold us accountable for them. &nbsp; The institution of marriage is a sacred institution ordained of God, and the marriage vows are inviolable and life-long as man and woman become one flesh. Linda and I took those vows seriously, and by God\u2019s grace have stood by them in the good times and the bad, in the bright days and through the difficult times. God\u2019s plan is one man, for one woman, for one entire lifetime. Only death can end that sacred bond. \u201c . . . a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder\u201d (Matthew 19:5-6). \u00a0 It takes work and total commitment and submission to one another if the marriage is to be steady and stable. It takes the hand of God upon the union and the guidance of His Word and the ministry and work of the Holy Spirit. &nbsp; We are partners in life and ministry, serving the Master together, pulling together in the same yoke and not in opposite directions or in opposition to one another. &nbsp; We have learned that we, as a man and a woman, are different from one another in many ways, and yet we perfectly compliment one another. Thank God for those differences! Woman is man\u2019s completer. God has given her husband headship over her (Genesis 3:16 \u2013 I Corinthians 11:3), and yet she is his queen as she walks by his side through life in all that he does, and in all that they do together as one flesh. &nbsp; It is imperative as well that husband and wife never let a day go by without expressing their love and appreciation for one another, not in deed alone, but in word as well. &nbsp; Deep respect for one another, and great kindness in all that is said and done must be foremost. Sarcasm, cutting remarks, hurtful words and actions are unacceptable in the marriage relationship. &nbsp; Transparency is a must in a healthy marriage, and no secret-keeping. Honesty is key to a healthy relationship. &nbsp; Trust must never be betrayed. &nbsp; Never stay angry with one another when disagreements come, but be quick to reconcile and resolve conflict. &nbsp; Serve one another. &nbsp; Honor one another. &nbsp; Esteem one another. &nbsp; Put the needs of your spouse ahead of your own. &nbsp; The children that God blesses a couple with are a precious gift from Him, but they must not come first in the marriage relationship and cannot be allowed to come between a husband and his wife. &nbsp; And, above all else, Christ must always be exalted in the marriage that in all things He might have preeminence. &nbsp; Well, there is much more I could say but I am sure you get the general picture. &nbsp; On his radio program, the late Paul Harvey once spoke of a couple who had been married for 78 years. They were both well into their 90s. As I thought of them today, I feel like a kid just getting started in my married life! Perhaps God will be gracious to give us many more years together with which to serve Him as he did the folks Mr. Harvey told us about. We are in Alaska with our daughter, son-in-law, four of our five adult grandchildren and their spouses (only the oldest granddaughter is not here \u2013 she is single and living in New Jersey), and our 6 great-grandchildren. We will have a small and intimate gathering of family and a few friends to celebrate this momentous occasion. Linda and I will repeat our wedding vows before them, our pastor son-in-law officiating. I officiated at his wedding when he married our daughter 30 years ago. What a blessing! &nbsp; Last of all, I want to share with you the opening statement I employ when I perform a wedding ceremony. I share this with the bride and the groom before the actual vows and the ring ceremony take place. As I read them today I have been reminded afresh how sacred and holy they are. Please do take time to read them now as they serve as a reminder of just how serious and sober a matter our marriage vows really are as a man and woman enter into the joyous bonds of matrimony. &nbsp; To The Bride and Groom &nbsp; \u201cAnd the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof. And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him. And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed\u201d (Genesis 2:18-25). &nbsp; God Himself instituted and ordained the marriage relationship as a sacred and inviolable and indissolvable union.\u00a0 The marriage relationship was the first institution established by God, and from it come all other institutions. \u00a0 Marriage, above all other things, has been established for God\u2019s glory. \u00a0 Second, marriage has been established for the comfort and blessing of mankind as a covenant relationship providing blessed companionship. \u00a0 Third, marriage was designed of God for the purpose or procreation. \u00a0 Because the marriage vows and the marriage relationship is holy and sacred, it is better to not marry at all than to marry without the intention of staying together all the days of your life, until death do you part.\u00a0 When you marry, you make a covenant with God and man to stay married no matter what.\u00a0 \u00a0 Because God hates divorce \u2013 putting away \u2013 then we should hate it also.\u00a0 Jesus said that He would never leave us not forsake us. When we are saved He does not divorce us if and when we backslide and get off into that which is sinful in His sight.\u00a0 He seeks to reconcile with us \u2013 restore us to fellowship as we repent and seek His forgiveness. \u00a0 Consider how terrible a testimony we would be to a lost and dying world if we did not take our marriage vows seriously and keep them at all costs. \u00a0 Marriage is sacred in the sight of God in that it is a picture of the relationship between Christ and the Church \u2013 between Christ and His Bride. \u00a0 Love is a choice not a feeling.\u00a0 One may fall in love, and just as easily fall out of love if a marriage is based upon mere feelings and emotions.\u00a0 We must love our spouse and cleave to them as a matter of sacred responsibility.\u00a0 To honor our vows is to honor Christ.\u00a0 When we enter into a marriage relationship as God\u2019s children, our union must be to the glory of the Father and for His blessing and benefit as well as ours.\u00a0 We will stand one day before Christ and give an answer for how we treated this holy institution that is precious and sacred in the eyes of Almighty God, the Creator and Author of marriage.\u00a0 To honor our wedding vows is to honor Him.\u00a0 To dishonor our wedding vows is to dishonor Him. \u00a0 Marriage was ordained of God for the benefit and blessing of man as a scared institution.\u00a0 Marriage is a picture of the relationship between Christ and His Bride, the church, and a picture of the relationship between Christ and the believer.\u00a0 It is a precious institution which honors and glorifies Him, and is not to be entered into lightly.\u00a0 The marriage relationship and the home were the very first institutions ordained of God and are particularly precious in His sight. \u00a0 To the Church \u00a0 We come to this house of worship to celebrate together the marriage of ________.\u00a0 It is fitting and proper that this marriage ceremony be celebrated in the house of God because _________ are servants of God.\u00a0 Not only do they acknowledge His claim on them, they also seek His will in their marriage.\u00a0 \u00a0 Since God Himself sanctified marriage when He brought together the first man and the first woman, and since the Word of God speaks often of the honor and correctness of marriage, and because God promises blessings on those who are faithful to Him and to each other \u2013 this then is a high and holy time for these children of God and for all who love them and share&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[18,65],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2750","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-courtshipmarriage","category-relationships"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p4o6C2-Im","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.inthineheart.com\/staging\/8143\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2750","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.inthineheart.com\/staging\/8143\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.inthineheart.com\/staging\/8143\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.inthineheart.com\/staging\/8143\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.inthineheart.com\/staging\/8143\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2750"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.inthineheart.com\/staging\/8143\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2750\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2752,"href":"https:\/\/www.inthineheart.com\/staging\/8143\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2750\/revisions\/2752"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.inthineheart.com\/staging\/8143\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2750"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.inthineheart.com\/staging\/8143\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2750"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.inthineheart.com\/staging\/8143\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2750"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}