Wedding Day

From Kara: We've taken a break from writing these past few weeks as we were privileged to go back home to spend time with friends and family. Among the reasons for the trekking back to the Northwest, was for one of our dearest and "bestest" friend's, Kirsten Palm (now Lalor!), marriage covenant to Brian!

The wedding was beautiful, Kirsten was even more beautiful, but the most beautiful thing was to witness Kirsten and Brian's love for each other and the faithfulness of Jesus in the midst of this union. This couple LOVES the Lord and will undoubtedly be greatly used in the Kingdom for the Lord's purposes.

Talking with Kirsten the last couple weeks before the wedding, I was able to see her longing, excitement, and hope not only for the upcoming ceremony, but for a life built together in unity as one. Before Kirsten and Brian met, we had been praying steadily for a husband that would come to Kirsten who loves that Lord with all his heart, mind, soul and strength. (One with an Irish accent would not be too bad either, Lord.) We knew he was out there, just not sure when or how! Ah, the Lord is faithful!

As we're back in the prayer room, a continued theme for all those who are familiar with IHOP is the Bridal Paradigm, in the sense that we as the church are the Bride of Jesus and he will come again and we will be united, fully One, one day. Jesus loves and pursues us as his beloved. This is something that the Lord has been trying to teach me, that I am fully loved and LIKED by God! This unwinding identity has helped to fuel a greater longing and endurance to pray and to be excited to sit before his feet and seek to listen what he wants to reveal. I know that he is coming and I know that he who began this good work will be faithful to complete it when he comes again. I'm not sure when, I know a little bit about how, and I know fully he will come and he desires to partner with us to let his Kingdom come. I wait for that day with great longing, excitement, and hope!

A prayer I've been seeking to meditate on: "I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power together with all the saints to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." (Eph. 3:16-19). And if we pray this we can be sure he will hear and answer!

(So, Kirsten and Brian, this is my prayer for you as you begin this new and exciting journey as husband and wife (and all you reading as well!). Brian, I am blessed to have you as a brother in the Lord and I am confident that you will love Kirsten as Jesus loves the church. Kirsten, you are a beautiful, amazing, tender, gracious, merciful, faithful, loyal, and graceful woman. I am so blessed to call you friend!)

May we wait with eager longing and great expectation for the day of being united with our Beloved. Let's get ready! We have a wedding to attend.