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Wedding of Meredith Meyer/Jamie Workman / HLC-N 9/9/95         Texts: Eph 3:14-21 Matt 19:4-6

Nothing is as simple as it seems.

even simple wedding ceremony involves some very complicated planning, especially when both working full time, and the Vikings football season has just started for Jamie

Yes, Nothing is as simple as it seems.

If anything would be simple, you would think it would be love

What can be simpler than falling in love? What can be any easier than the romance of two young people falling in love.

Sure, the simple pleasures of love and romance are wonderful... until a few years down the line when it seems that you are seeing a lot more of other peoples’ teeth than you are seeing his smile, when someone will ask you about love in marriage and you’ll think they’re simply asking for the title of some book, the flowers stop coming and the cute things she does just seem like old habits and you think: romance is gone

No, not even love is as simple as it seems

At least, true LOVE is anything but simple

That’s the kind of love you want, of course, not that easy thing that world wants us to buy, a simple little thing called LUV - uc

I like to distinguish between true LOVE and LUV, because I think that realizing the difference makes a difference in your marriage: explain

- you fall in LUV at first glance, but you must grow in LOVE

- LUV is an impulse, but LOVE involves decisions / commitment,

- LUV is glamorous and sexy, LOVE is patient and kind

- LUV can be selfish and suspicious and jealous, but LOVE is not envious or boastful or arrogant

- LUV comes quickly, easily, and just as quickly/easily disap’ears

            - LOVE takes time and energy, but also... LOVE never ends

-LUV is simple but shallow, LOVE is hard but deep and solid, the kind of thing in which you want your marriage to be rooted and grounded

-LUV is easy, but LOVE is not as simple as it seems

Now, I'm sure I'm not telling you anything new, something you've not thought about, I am certain that you will both do your very best to live out your good intentions,

I certain of your sincere desire to be faithful to promises of love.

but in few moments, you two are solemnly going to promise your lifelong love for each other even under the most complex and difficult of situations.

and as we all know:   Nothing is as simple as it seems.

So, how is it that you dare to make to such awesome promises?

How can we be so confident of LOVE when we see so many instances around us of how LUV can be put asunder?

Nothing is as simple as it seems,

Not even that simple message given in the Eph lesson

Let’s look at that again: Paul prays that, according the riches of GOD’s glory, GOD may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through GOD’s Spriti, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love.

And later he also prays that you may know the LOVE of Christ that surpasses knowledge so that you may be filled with all the fulness of God.

you see, what I am getting at?

Paul is talking about God's love FOR YOU! It is God’s love that will keep you rooted and grounded in love.

it is the love of God which will keep you together because God's love is far stronger and more powerful and more wonderful than LUV can ever dream of being

and let me simply remind you once again of what J said in the Mt lesson: What GOD has joined together, let no one put asunder.    uc

- we are here beca of conviction that since God loves you so much, you will indeed be able to love one another

we are here bec God has joined you together; has been at work in your reltnship

so, God is the simple reason why can promise your love each other.

God is the simple reason why this day, this ceremony, this gathering of witnesses is taking place.

God is the simple reason your love, your marriage, your future life together are all possible.

it is not simply your promises to each other that are making this marriage happen.

It is God's promise to you that is the important bond

It is God who promises to grant you to live in harmony with each other even in the most difficult times of our complex lives.

It is as simple as that.  Thanks be to God. Amen.

AMEN.