jay & elizabeth

july 20, 2012.
i pray for you two, that your marriage will be a joy to you and to those around you.
may you be better [patient, generous, selfless, gracious] together than separate -
i pray that you will be active in learning each other,
intrigued and excited by your differences.
i pray that your conflicts will lead to unity through God's work in you.
Jesus says that eternal life is knowing the Father  -
i pray that your marriage will grow you both in your knowledge of Him
and that with greater understanding you find greater hope and peace.
may God grow in you an intentionality toward each other, to serve, listen, forgive.
i pray that you will repent to God and to one another and that you will forgive well.
i pray that you will honor one another, in the way that you speak to each other and about each other.
i pray that you will touch, talk, and work together with gentleness and respect.
i pray that you will surround yourselves with godly men and women,
that you will be accountable, transparent, honest, humble
and that you will be willing to be trained by righteousness, and that your lives will bear this fruit,
that you'll look more and more like Jesus
and that together you'll have the influence that Jesus was talking about when He said these things you will do and more...
i pray for the little ones that will come...in time.
i pray that you will be prepared to look not only to your own interests, but that you will recognize God's call to train up new disciples,
that you will take seriously the job of pouring your lives out on their behalf,
that God would be pleased with you, His good and faithful servants.
may you honor Him in all things.
i pray that you laugh together, so much,
and that you love your families, friends, and each other so well. 

i pray also that you two will continue to teach me also.
i love you both so very much...
congratulations again.
and jay, i'm so glad that i can officially call you brother.