Wedding question

[Sam]

Originally Posted by Scott Hutchinson

Well some guys just marry folks for a buck, but I don't try to make a business out of it.
Sometimes folks don't have a Pastor so they call me.

In Alabama, what are the legal requirements for you to be authorized to perform a wedding? In Ohio a license bearing the signature of the Secretary of State is required and that license is only valid as long as the minister remains in the organization listed on the license. In order to obtain a license from the state you must furnish a copy of your ordination or license. After the wedding the person performing the ceremony must file a certificate to a probate judge in the county where the marriage license was obtained.

I've never solemnized a marriage but I have a certificate signed by the Secretary of State of Ohio saying I can.

[Sister Alvear]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

Who said "let them sin"? If a person repents of their sin, then I don't believe we should try to punish them for it.

Now, if you're speaking of saints who are living in fornication, or who refuse to repent, that's a different story altogether.

My personal opinion: It is in bad taste for the bride to wear the big white wedding gown which signifies virginity on her wedding day if she has already slept with her groom-to-be. However, I don't think its the place of the church to make folks declare their sins to others with symbols or traditions. That's just my opinion. And consider this: How many young women converted to the church these days are virgins? Not many, that's how many. So how is that going to be handled? You may as well just resign yourself to having no white dresses, except for the girls who grew up in church, and not all of them will make it either.

I really just don't think it ought to be a church rule. Marriage legitimizes what was immoral the night before. So should we be placing obstacles in that path? There are heart issues to be resolved, true, and they should be. But at the same time, I don't see what enforcing a dress color will do other than simply cause embarrassment.

It doesn't seem to be helpful for the bride and groom, so is it just to make an example of them (her) for others to see?

My dear friend, The church usually can figure out who is sinning... I have noticed those who confess and repent of their sins are forgiven those that cover sin lose the confidence of others...
To fail is human...we all fail in many ways...we are all flesh and all human at this point.
I think not only along these lines but in other areas of life it is fine and pleasing to God to ask forgiveness ...Yes, forgivness must come from God but if the church knows that someone has sinned and that person asks forgivness I think the church thinks sees that person as a mature christian.

I see nothing wrong with confessing...people usually know it anyway...

[Hoovie]

FUNNY! Twelve people are staring at this thread and refreshing it every 10 seconds to see who will post what next!

[MissBrattified]

Originally Posted by Sister Alvear

God is a forgiving God and a caring God. He loves the sinner but hates sin. One thing I do know we must hate what God hates and love what He loves. As a SS teacher I must do my best to guide our young people in purity and I am asking for your help and things that help keep them pure in this age we are living in.

I think that making commitments and keeping some kind of tangible symbol of that commitment close by (whether a necklace or bracelet, or maybe a card that can go in their wallet) is helpful.

Memorizing scriptures about temptation is helpful. When you teach on I Cor. 10:13, it can become a reminder that God doesn't leave us helpless in the face of temptation, because He always makes a way of escape, so then we are faced with our own guilt being placed squarely on our shoulders, because it becomes obvious that we made a choice.

Personally, I think dating is overrated. Going out in groups is a good way for young people to hang out and flirt "safely" without getting into trouble. However, at some point kids have to learn how to keep themselves from sin, without anyone supervising them and making them do it with a watchful eye. They need to learn that its okay to "FLEE" youthful lusts...sometimes quite literally, as Joseph fled from Potiphar's wife.

Our Pastor's wife taught an object lesson on purity once that I thought was very effective. At the beginning of the class, she handed to each student a Hershey's Kiss. The kids didn't know ahead of time what the lesson would be about. She then told them they could eat them if they wanted to, but that it would be nice if they would save them till the end of the lesson. Well, of course some ate theirs right away, others held out for awhile, then ate their candy, and still others sat their candy on the table and left it untouched. Toward the end of the lesson, she handed out another piece of candy to those who hadn't opened their HK, and made the point that for those who save themselves for marriage, it is doubly sweet. (I'll check with her tomorrow to get the object lesson straight...I think I've left some things out.)

[Sam]

Originally Posted by myhaloisintheshop

When I got married I was asked to not wear white....

Was you husband told what he could or could not wear for the wedding?

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

Prevention is worth a pound of cure...but when there is a problem...I think Jesus' response to the adulteress woman is a good example that we should follow. He did NOT proceed with any public humiliation, even though the law called for it, and far more.

Good post, Abigail.

I was married before I even heard about the Holy Ghost. It only lasted 6 or 8 months. I can't remember.

When I did get married, after getting in church, I didn't wear white out of respect for the older saints in the church. I felt like my past was behind me, but I still respected them.

My only regret was letting the ladies of the church take over. I hated the decorations and flowers, but I didn't want to be rude. lol

[freeatlast]

Originally Posted by Thumper

What difference does it make!!

Let em marry in white, purple, green or plaid. What difference does it make. All they really need to do is wipe their feet on that little door mat that you call grace and its all good.

God forbid that there should be any shame for fonicating while in church. God forbid that those who have been virtuous and morally pure have any honour. God forbid that the church ever take a stand against immorality and sin, you might scare off a visitor. You should probably hand out cigarettes on the way down the altar just in case they get a little nervous along the way.

No wonder some come on these forums and spout statistics how there is no difference between what happens in the world vs the church. Whether it divorce, fornicaiton or abortion.

Not sure how you voted Thumper. So you'd let a bride wear a white wedding gown in your church, even if she had once strayed but had come back and thouroghly repented?

Also, you don't really view the grace of God as something we wipe our feet on, do you?

[MissBrattified]

Originally Posted by Sister Alvear

My dear friend, The church usually can figure out who is sinning... I have noticed those who confess and repent of their sins are forgiven those that cover sin lose the confidence of others...
To fail is human...we all fail in many ways...we are all flesh and all human at this point.
I think not only along these lines but in other areas of life it is fine and pleasing to God to ask forgiveness ...Yes, forgivness must come from God but if the church knows that someone has sinned and that person asks forgivness I think the church thinks sees that person as a mature christian.

I see nothing wrong with confessing...people usually know it anyway...

I agree with confession. Someone said once that its good for the soul.

I do think there is a difference between the way a person is handled if they are a saint who has fornicated, and a sinner who fornicated, and then was converted.

I just think that the color of the dress is the least of the matter. However, I suppose it could be a selling point to young girls...getting to wear the beautiful white dress, if they keep themselves pure.

I suppose I just think a better motivation would be that they will please God if they keep themselves pure.

[Steve Epley]

Originally Posted by Thumper

What difference does it make!!

Let em marry in white, purple, green or plaid. What difference does it make. All they really need to do is wipe their feet on that little door mat that you call grace and its all good.

God forbid that there should be any shame for fonicating while in church. God forbid that those who have been virtuous and morally pure have any honour. God forbid that the church ever take a stand against immorality and sin, you might scare off a visitor. You should probably hand out cigarettes on the way down the altar just in case they get a little nervous along the way.

No wonder some come on these forums and spout statistics how there is no difference between what happens in the world vs the church. Whether it divorce, fornicaiton or abortion.

I guess they still wear white in their 2nd-3rd-4th marriages. Always stiff the kids that do right and never make those who threw caution to the wind ever feel the least bad. Good grief. Our grooms wear white also.

[freeatlast]

Originally Posted by freeatlast

So what do you and Epley force the bridegroom that is not a virgin to wear on his wedding day.

Do you make him wear a scarlet tux Do you strip of of his bow tie?

how do you two distingish the virgin bridegroom from the bridegroom that has given up his virginity.

BUMP FOR ELDER EPLEY: Inquiring minds wantt o know.