Gene and Dianes Renewal

Its an honor to be a small part of this joyous and momentous occassion today.

My words will be brief, as I know reverand sanders has already spoke many beautiful words and have done a great job.

Known

As a pastor Ive had the pleasrue to know Gene, Diane and the family for a number of years now.

I have had the the chance to meet many of their extended family as well.

They have become dear members of our church family here as freedom

and they, alond with allison, are known and loved by many in our church community.

25 Years

Gene, Diane

Today is a special milestone in your marriage.

today we celebrate 25 years of marriage

In a day where the average marriage lasts no more than eight years, 25 is a special celebration.

those of us that are married know that its not an easy accomplishment.

no matter who you are..

its takes a lot to make it to 25 years

its takes comitment, determination, forgiveness and of course love..

Gene and diane

As I was thinking about you guys and this day

I was reminded of a passage of scripture that reminds me of the two of you

a passage where paul wrote specifically about what christ like love is..

The christlike love I have seen in you and believe has helped you to make it to this milestone in your journy.

The christlike love that needed to see and celebrate a 25 year marraige anniversary.

but is also needed to live our daily lives and have relationships at all..

Paul writes in 1 corinthians..

1 Corinthians 13:4–7 ESV

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Through the years that I have know you I have personally seen these aspecs of love on display in your lives.

I have witnessed them..

Diane, We have all seen you be patient with Gene, and his Gene jokes..

Gene, weve seen your humility and through it I cant recall a single times Ive seen you boast, excepts for about your martial arts skills.. But we wont count that one..

i have never witnessed the two of you be rude, or arrogant… especially with each other..

Ive witnessed you put your selves aside to care for aging parants and your own children.. and to help others in many ways..

Ive watched you bear hardships with hope and faith..

and cling to gods word as you have navigated the ups and downs of life..

the way

The way youve found your path to 25 years is partially apparent in your embodiment of these qualities that Paul writes of

and it is a testimant to all of us today on how we can ourselves love each other and love like christ.

I know life has not been easy all the time..

I know, like us all, you have had your share of hurts, difficulties, disappointments and the like..

But through it all you have loved and endured, you have been like christ in you actions and clung to each other as well..

and today, I honor you for that.

I applaud you and celebrate with you as we all do

and we cheer you on to another 25 years.

Blessing

I would like to pray a special blessing over you today.

Not one of wealth, or even health and prosparity

You know the lord and have a relationship with him…

And those blessings come as by products in our relationship with God.

Rather i would like to pray a blessing of legacy over you..

That God would use you, and your example as a god fearing couple

to influence the lives of many others for the kingdom

that they would love like you do as well..

Would you bow your heads with me

Prayer

Father, Today I thank you for gene and Diane. I thank you that you have kept them and walked with them. You have lead them and guided them. You are undoubtably the untimate reason they stand here today. You have given them the strength and wisdom to endure life as they have journeyd together and you have helped them to make it to this point. I pray you would help them to continue on and to see another 25 years of marriage together. Keep them in your hands as they journey. Keep them safe and bless them with health and the means to live this life for you. I especially pray father that you would put a special blessing of legacy on them. That you would use them to speak life and encouragement into those that are behind them and around them. Use them to speak a legacy of christlike love into thier children, into their family members, into their friends and co workers, into those they encounter in this life. Use them as an example of what it means to life your life with love as christ has given us to do. Help us all to love as christ loved the church. As he gave his all, his life, for her. Helps us to love like him. I thank you again for this couple and this day. I thank you for your presence in this place. If christ name we pray. Amen.