Saturday, February 10, 2007

Submission Notes


As promised, here are a few of my points given to The Pentecostals of Orange County at their marriage seminar. Last Wednesday's topic was submission. Ouch! The very word tends to make us cringe. Even so, we must be in submission just as Christ was to his parents and the cross. If submission in general is objectionable, so is Christianity. Included in this lesson were points made about authority, responsibility, task, beneficiary, motivation, and judgment. One great thing about submission is the benefits. Children are submitted to their teachers, but it is the child who benefits through the received education. Saints are submitted to their pastor, but the saints benefit from the ministry of the pastor. Likewise, a submitted wife will receive benefits. Now to the men, authority comes with responsibility. If you accept the authority, then you must accept with it the responsibility. Note that authority and submission do not match. Usually, submission has a much greater theoretical range than authority. Remember, submission is much harder to abuse. Because authority has been abused so much in the world, it often falls into marriage. If you are in authority, you are commanded to love those you are in authority over. I don't have time to give you all my outline, but the statement that I believe rings most true is this: Submission in marriage is a dance in which the husband always leads. Now before you crucify me by thinking I don't believe in women's rights, let me explain my statement. If the husband is in submission to God, his example of submission will lead his wife to submission towards him. Today, many couples use a unity candle as part of their marriage ceremony. When they take the two individual candles and join them to make one flame, they are symbolically stating, "We are one." In marriage, the couple must never forget they became "one." Marriage is team work. Bring out the best in each other, reach for the stars, and your blended best qualities will assure your team wins.
P.S. The picture is of my son, Bryce, and his cousin Cami. They were "hamming" for the camera at their grandparents 50th anniversary. Cami was wearing her grandmother's wedding dress.

6 comments:

  1. Sis Jana,
    I was so bummed that Donald and I where not there on Wensday night but I do want to get the cd. I want to thank you for coming to our church and blessing us with your teachings. I have to let you know that I have taken alot of your teachings and dealing with my 17 year old. God is doing amazing things in our life and I know he will continue to do so.
    I hope we see you soon.
    Sis Beka

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  2. Hi, Sis. Beka! I did miss seeing you on Wednesday, but I felt sure you must have had a good reason to miss. It is so great to hear of the wonderful things happening in your life. Keep up the good work! XO

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  3. Veronica is so beautiful. What is the story behind the picture?

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  4. Ronda - thank you.

    Tena - if you are referring to the picture with the girl in the wedding dress, that is not Veronica. Veronica is in the pictures on the blog "Pets Are Family." The "wedding" picture is Bryce and his cousin Cami acting silly at their grandparents 50th anniversary. Cami was wearing her Grandmother's wedding dress.
    Thanks for dropping by, Tena. Come again!

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  5. Wow! With that veil on she looks like Veronica. Sorry 'bout the mix-up.

    Well, I must say, both girls are very beautiful! :)

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  6. Yes, Tena, both girls are beautiful. I might add - inside and out. They are both so very sweet, have great sense of humor, love God, and just brilliant.

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