Play Time - Reflecting Godly Character

We've long believed our children's play time, like every other area of life, should employ godly character building, that they ought not be encouraged to play in any way which we wouldn't want them to behave in adulthood.  For example, even when play-acting, they should speak kindly to one another, discouraged from using bossy or petulant tones, even if just "pretending".  We've also tried to carefully monitor what kind of toys come into our home. 

One of the toys we've been particularly mindful of are the types of dolls we allow the girls to play with.  Baby dolls, yes.  Barbie dolls, no, though I do recall one rather comical instance when a dear and kindhearted relative bought our eldest daughter a Barbie doll with removable breasts.  Yes, you read that right, her entire chest came off, revealing a little chamber containing a lip gloss container and a miniature photo of Ken.    

I came across an excellent blog post over at Raising Homemakers I thought I'd quickly share with you.  Take a gander over and see what Jacinda has to say about Barbie dolls, she expresses our sentiments exactly!

Caleb & Jordan's Wedding

On March 10th, 2012, our son, Caleb, married his beloved, Jordan. We rejoice in all the Lord has done in the lives of these two precious young people, establishing a new family for His purpose and glory!

"Caleb, today you are the bridegroom, about to embark upon your high calling as the head of your own family.  You are standing right now, this very moment, on the threshold.  Your purpose in this calling is to emulate our Saviour, to represent the Lord, Jesus Christ.  This is the standard you must strive for.

Ephesians 5:25-33 reads:

“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it;  that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of the word, that He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy, without blemish. 

So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies.  He that loveth his wife, loveth himself.  For no man ever yet hated his own flesh, but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the Church:  For we are members of His body, of His flesh, and of His bones.

For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.

This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the Church. 

Nevertheless, let everyone of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.” "

"Caleb, your name embodies your character – bold one – mighty warrior of the Lord.  Your Mom and I have endeavoured to build you up in the faith, we have encouraged you to put on the whole armour of God, having your loins girt about with truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation; and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.

I’ve prepared you as an arrow, with a head sharpened by the Word of God, a shaft straight and true by God’s Laws and Statutes, and fleshing smoothed by prayer and biblical counsel.  I now place you into the Lord’s bow and release you, trusting and praying that He will use you for His honour and glory.

Trust not in your own strength, but put your faith in the Lord.  God, in His sovereignty, has provided you with a bride, a helpmeet to assist you in your mission.  Go forth and establish the Lord’s Dominion! "

Caleb's Vows

"I, Caleb James Yuck, in the presence of Almighty God, and in the witness of the congregation of the church of Jesus Christ; do now, on this Tenth Day of March in the Year of our Lord, Two Thousand Twelve,  leave my father and mother and covenant to cleave in Holy Matrimony to you, Jordan Rae Hammond. 

In so doing, and with God’s help, I vow to give myself for you, even unto death, just as Christ loved His bride, the church, and gave Himself for her.

I vow to lead you in family worship, that you may be sanctified and cleansed with the washing of the water by the Word.

 

I vow to protect and provide for you, both in spirit and in body, with all the strength, power, resources, and ability that our great Creator bestows upon me.

I vow to love you as my own body, to dwell with you in knowledge, giving honour to you as the weaker vessel.

I vow to delight in you alone as the wife of my youth, and to remember that I have no authority over my body, but you do.

I take you, Jordan Rae Hammond, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness or in health.

What God has joined together, let no man tear asunder.  The Lord do so to me, and more also, if anything but death parts you and me. 


 So help me God.  Amen. "

Jordan's Vows

"I, Jordan Rae Hammond, in the presence of Almighty God and in the witness of the congregation of the church of Jesus Christ; do now, on this Tenth Day of March, in the year of our Lord, Two Thousand Twelve, leave the headship of my father and covenant to cleave in Holy Matrimony to you, Caleb James Yuck.

In so doing, I vow, in God’s strength, to submit to you as my head in everything, even as the church is subject unto Christ.  I promise to love, reverence, obey, and honour you.  I will always strive to be pleasing to you.

I vow to work alongside you as you strive to further God’s kingdom.  If the Lord so chooses to bless us with children, I will, together with you, raise them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.

I vow to dwell with you and care for you no matter what the circumstances may be, for where you go, I will go, where you lodge, I will lodge.  Your people will be my people, and your God my God.

I take you, Caleb James Yuck, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health.

What God has joined together, let no man tear asunder.  The Lord do to me, and more also, if anything but death parts you and me. 


 So help me God.  Amen."