"THE WEEKLY WORD"

    A person standing alone can be either attacked or defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, because a triple-stranded cord is Not easily broken. -Ecclesiastes 4:12 

     So, I wasn’t overly familiar with this text even at the beginning of this year, 2026. However, as Jill and I were planning our wedding, this scripture, which she chose, just warmed my heart and brought tears to my eyes. And why? Because it is abundantly clear to both of us how beautiful not just ours, but the concept of any marriage truly should be. It’s beauty rests in the binding of a couple not to themselves, but to God. 

I think of the song, bind us together Lord. And those lyrics go. Bind us together Lord, bind us together, with cords that cannot be broken. Bind us together Lord, bind us together Lord, bind us together with love! 

As only God can create the cord of love between people, it should be one that simply cannot be broken. As Jill and I have deepened and strengthened our connection, even in dating and engagement, we’ve faced both disappointments and struggle. Of course, that’ll be nothing like we’ll face when marriage hits. However, considering the stressors of being attracted to someone, being in love with someone, being transported to changing our lives for someone, to now, being constantly intertwined with someone. It’s truly a joy, it’s a blessing! However, it’s a huge change! We’ve both lived on our own for so long, now the time is here when the bond has been declared, it is signed, sealed, delivered not by us, but by our Lord God! 

Thank goodness he binds us together! He binds us together when things go well, and when they will not. He binds us together honestly no matter who else tries to persecute one or the other of us. He binds us together when one or the other feels especially tired of work or life in general. And of course he binds us together every day as we with joy appreciate all the blessings of what it means to not only be in love but be bound by the vows God truly has allowed us to take and make to one another! 

To God be the glory indeed for creating love, a cord with him and others which can never, and should never be broken. I’ve always said, my greatest fear now is hurting Jill in any way, emotionally, physically, spiritually, and I’m so thankful God has that fear in me. It’s because of that strong binding, that relished responsibility marriage brings, the covenant it truly should mean. God reminds Jill and I both, no matter what or how the world views marriage today, to live our marriage as a precious jewel that God has given, and treasure and continue to update it, not just now, but when all the other pressures of life start to set in. It should never become stale, or boring, or just a “nice” thing. It is a true joy to be married. It’s something that should never be taken for granted. We don’t know how long we’ll have together! God could take the earthly bond away in a very brief time, though the heavenly one remains forever!

So, as I close, I pray I’ll always be reminded, even on the days I sadly forget, not only how beautiful in body and soul Jill is, but how beautiful God is for making her. For giving her breast cancer, for forming her into the amazing, Godly, loving, selfless, and ministerial person she truly is. And as we serve wherever we do, I pray that cord of God which constantly binds us in love to him, shows in the love we have for each other, and for everyone who is around us wherever we are, either at church, out of the church, or in our home! Truly blessed be the tie that binds our hearts in Godly love! 

To God be the glory 

Pastor Brandon