Celibacy can be a choice in life, or a condition imposed by environmental encounters.  While attending a Marriage Encounter Weekend, Walter and his wife Peg, listened to the instructor declare, " It is essential that husbands and wives know the things that are important to each other."  He addressed the men, "Can you name and describe your wife's favorite flower?" Walter leaned over, touched Peg's arm gently and whispered, "Pillsbury All-purpose, isn't it? And thus began Walter's life of celibacy.

This is exactly why we all need help in relationships!  God designed us to experience the incredible gift of love and passion in marriage.  We learned last Sunday in the 4 week series titled S.O.S. (Song of Songs) that God wants us to love our spouse in three different ways as we looked at the Hebrew words for love in Song of Songs: Raya (deep friendship kind of love that shares life together), Ahava (the kind of love that your so committed to them, that you would die for them without thinking about it, having a heart that serves them always.  This is the kind of love God has for us), and Dode (to be passionate for another).  When we love with all three types of love, and approach it God’s way, we experience marriage relationships the way they were meant to be…and we are fulfilled!  Last week we also looked at dating, and how important it is for us to follow God’s lead and have a good name, have strong character, and look for a person who is the same. 

Over the next three weeks, we will grow with the couple in Song of Songs and see what the wedding looks like, what a deep intimate marriage full of passion looks like and how to have it, and how to make your marriage last a life time. This is one of the most exciting and important relational series we’ve done to date.  If you missed last week, check our website to watch last week’s message.  Come join us over the next several weeks, bring your friends and bring your relationship questions.  We’ll be asking you to write down the relationship questions you have on the Real Life card in your weekly.  Then we’ll be addressing them over the next several weeks in the Reality Blog and in the last week of this series. 

Let’s really seek our incredible Heavenly Father on this and learn how to experience the gift of love in a new fresh way!

In His grip,

Vince