The Bride of Christ thread

[JohannAT]

Mystical Marriage​

"All I have dreamed of and longed for...you are. I give to you all that I Am and all that I have. My heart is yours. My soul is yours. My love, My life, is yours." Then He laughed and His voice ​

rang with joy. "My Kingdom is yours! All My authority I give to you."​

Dear sister Amy,

I really like this picture of Jesus and His Bride kissing at their wedding! It looks like we were both touched by the same portion from dear sister Amylisa's story. That Jesus longs to give to us all that He is and all that He has is so marvelous and utterly beyond comprehension! His heart, His soul, His love, His life - all are for us!

How I long for His heart of love to be fully reproduced in me, that I would love others with His love. His love is so pure, so unselfish, and so unlimited! O dear Beloved Jesus, You know how I long to express Your heart of infinite love to all those around me. May so many be attracted by Your beauty and fall so deeply in love with You!

 

[JohannAT]

Hello dear sister Robin,

Greetings in Christ! I really enjoyed reading both of your recent posts on this thread. The description of the ceremonies that you and dear sister Amy participated in are really beautiful. It sounds like our dear Lord Jesus did a wonderfully liberating work in your heart during your marriage ceremony!

 

[kisstheson]

Glad the picture blessed you Charlie! Amy's story certainly blessed me as you can see!

Robin I was blessed by your sharing about your wedding day. I know I will never forget mine! In November it will be three years although I have been bridal since I was fourteen. May Jesus be praised. Hurrah!

 

[Amylisa]

Mystical Marriage​

"All I have dreamed of and longed for...you are. I give to you all that I Am and all that I have. My heart is yours. My soul is yours. My love, My life, is yours." Then He laughed and His voice ​

rang with joy. "My Kingdom is yours! All My authority I give to you."​

What a blessing to see your beautiful painting (worth a thousand words)with the story! Thank you Amy! I love this painting. It's one of my most favorite ones. How tender and beautiful.

Charlie,
Thank you so much for your encouragement. I am so glad you were moved by the story. As Amy has also told you, I really appreciate your taking the time.
I was also blessed Robin and Amy by your sharing of your wedding ceremonies to Jesus. Wow! I was in a hurry when I was last here and so couldn't comment, but what you both wrote didn't go unnoticed or unappreciated.
I understand what you said also Robin, about being single....I think the attitude you expressed is just right. I've been married here on this earth for over 20 years. So I have 2 husbands!

You know what, when I first thought of writing the part of the story where Jesus and His Bride actually marry, I wasn't sure if I should do it...then when I felt the "go ahead", I had NO idea what I'd write. But God gave me the beginning, and when I got to their vows, it just flowed. I would have been afraid to put words in His mouth, you know? But it came so easily, I felt like it was Him kinda writing it out. So if you're blessed, it's Him!

Anyway...got to go for now. Thanks again to all of you. God bless you. You're all a blessing to me, I can tell you!
There is one other part I will try and post too. It is called In The Garden, and it is about Jesus and His new Wife simply spending time together. I realized only this week that, once we are with Him in His fullness, it will be like the garden all over again!!

 

[Amylisa]

In The Garden

Jesus and His wife walked hand in hand together, enjoying the warmth of the sun. He in His
simple, white robe, she in a lovely garment made by her Beloved’s hand. It floated around her as
did the fragrance of her love for Him. The sacred fragrance of Jesus’ heart still lingered upon
her from their shared time together that morning. They walked with their arms around each
other, Jesus resting His cheek on her hair, breathing her love for Him along with the scent of the
flowers that surrounded them. They strolled along silently, content and at peace, sharing each
other’s company.

It was a beautiful day in His Kingdom. Gratitude to His Father swelled in His heart as Jesus
tilted His head back, admiring the azure hue of the Jerusalem sky. Then walking on He smiled
at His Bride as they turned a corner that led into one of the palace gardens.
"This is my favorite one," He said as they entered. "So much beauty here." Then looking into
Bride’s eyes He smiled ,"Even more so this morning."

She smiled back at Him and reached up to touch His face. He took her palm and kissed it,
pressing her hand to His cheek. "Thank You Father. Thank You," He sighed as He gazed
lovingly at His wife. Closing His eyes He began singing praises to His God. The beautiful,
ancient language of His people Israel flowed from His lips. He drew Bride into His arms and
held her against Him as He prayed. She leaned on Him and rested, listening, feeling His chest
rise and fall with the breath of His song to Adonai. After a few wonderful moments, she heard
His voice grow fainter and then He fell silent, swaying gently with her in the morning breeze.

Bride stood holding Him, content to hear His breathing. Reveling in the simple wonder of
feeling her Husband’s arms around her, she rested with her eyes closed, listening to His
heartbeat. She lifted her face to His. "Would You teach me?" she asked Him. "Teach me to pray
in Your language?" He smiled and sitting down on a gilded bench He drew her down to sit
beside Him.

"Every language is Mine," He smiled. "But yes, I will teach you the tongue of My People. I am
so glad you want to learn it! And I will teach you to pray. But first I want to teach you our song."
"Which song?" she asked Him. He took her hands.
"Ani le dodi ve dodi li haroe ba shoshanim," Jesus sang to her. He plucked a flower at His feet
and tucked it behind her ear. He waited, smiling at her.
"What does it mean?"
"It is the Song of Songs. ‘I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine, that feedeth among the
lilies,’ " He answered.
"Oh....it sounds so beautiful!" Bride sighed, "especially in Your voice, my Jesus. Sing more,
sing more. Please." She leaned into His embrace and closed her eyes.

"I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine," He sang again. His wife’s heart rejoiced in
hearing the deep tone of His words echoing inside His chest. "Sing with Me, beloved...ani le dodi...."
"A-nee le.....do di," she sang back.
"....ve dodi...."
"Ve.....dodi...."
"Good," He smiled, hugging her. Then slowly He finished, "Li haroe....ba- sho- sha- nim."
She repeated the words and they sang them together. He harmonized with her voice in a tranquil
Hebrew melody.
" Beautiful! Oh, beautiful My love. I will teach you much more. But for now just remember
this. Ani o-Hayv o-Takh."

Bride sat up and Jesus read the question in her eyes as she looked at Him. He smiled and kissed
her cheek.
"It means, ‘I love you.’ "

 

[kisstheson]

Amy Lisa,

Such sweetness and beauty exists in the unbroken fellowship between the Bride and Christ within His secret garden. I loved your story and the lovely portrayal of Jesus singing to His love. Thanks!

Here's some of my favorite art to illustrate your story. The second picture has two knights. I wish there was only one knight since Jesus is our one Beloved but I think that both these knights so well represent the humilty and posture of Christ. I hope to use the pictures as models for my own art some day.

"He drew Bride into His arms and held her against Him as He prayed. She leaned on Him and rested, listening, feeling His chest rise and fall with the breath of His song to Adonai."

 

[kisstheson]

Study for the Garden of Jesus, the Bride and the humility of Christ as the Lover-Knight...

 

[Amylisa]

Amy,
those paintings are breathtaking! Especially the second one.
Thank you for your kind words about the story. You know how blessed I am by your writing!!!

 

[JohannAT]

In The Garden

Jesus and His wife walked hand in hand together, enjoying the warmth of the sun. He in His
simple, white robe, she in a lovely garment made by her Beloved’s hand. It floated around her as
did the fragrance of her love for Him. The sacred fragrance of Jesus’ heart still lingered upon
her from their shared time together that morning. They walked with their arms around each
other, Jesus resting His cheek on her hair, breathing her love for Him along with the scent of the
flowers that surrounded them. They strolled along silently, content and at peace, sharing each
other’s company.

It was a beautiful day in His Kingdom. Gratitude to His Father swelled in His heart as Jesus
tilted His head back, admiring the azure hue of the Jerusalem sky. Then walking on He smiled
at His Bride as they turned a corner that led into one of the palace gardens.
"This is my favorite one," He said as they entered. "So much beauty here." Then looking into
Bride’s eyes He smiled ,"Even more so this morning."

She smiled back at Him and reached up to touch His face. He took her palm and kissed it,
pressing her hand to His cheek. "Thank You Father. Thank You," He sighed as He gazed
lovingly at His wife. Closing His eyes He began singing praises to His God. The beautiful,
ancient language of His people Israel flowed from His lips. He drew Bride into His arms and
held her against Him as He prayed. She leaned on Him and rested, listening, feeling His chest
rise and fall with the breath of His song to Adonai. After a few wonderful moments, she heard
His voice grow fainter and then He fell silent, swaying gently with her in the morning breeze.

Bride stood holding Him, content to hear His breathing. Reveling in the simple wonder of
feeling her Husband’s arms around her, she rested with her eyes closed, listening to His
heartbeat. She lifted her face to His. "Would You teach me?" she asked Him. "Teach me to pray
in Your language?" He smiled and sitting down on a gilded bench He drew her down to sit
beside Him.

"Every language is Mine," He smiled. "But yes, I will teach you the tongue of My People. I am
so glad you want to learn it! And I will teach you to pray. But first I want to teach you our song."
"Which song?" she asked Him. He took her hands.
"Ani le dodi ve dodi li haroe ba shoshanim," Jesus sang to her. He plucked a flower at His feet
and tucked it behind her ear. He waited, smiling at her.
"What does it mean?"
"It is the Song of Songs. ‘I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine, that feedeth among the
lilies,’ " He answered.
"Oh....it sounds so beautiful!" Bride sighed, "especially in Your voice, my Jesus. Sing more,
sing more. Please." She leaned into His embrace and closed her eyes.

"I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine," He sang again. His wife’s heart rejoiced in
hearing the deep tone of His words echoing inside His chest. "Sing with Me, beloved...ani le dodi...."
"A-nee le.....do di," she sang back.
"....ve dodi...."
"Ve.....dodi...."
"Good," He smiled, hugging her. Then slowly He finished, "Li haroe....ba- sho- sha- nim."
She repeated the words and they sang them together. He harmonized with her voice in a tranquil
Hebrew melody.
" Beautiful! Oh, beautiful My love. I will teach you much more. But for now just remember
this. Ani o-Hayv o-Takh."

Bride sat up and Jesus read the question in her eyes as she looked at Him. He smiled and kissed
her cheek.
"It means, ‘I love you.’ "

Dear sister Amylisa,

Thank you once again for such beautiful words! You have once again stirred up my love for Him and increased my desire to draw even closer to Him. Thank you again, dear sister. The relationship you portray here between our Beloved Jesus and His dear Bride is so precious, tender, and intimate!

As I read this portion of the story for the second time, I am really struck by the descriptions of the affectionate intimcay Jesus and His Bride have in their love for one another:

"They walked with their arms around each other, Jesus resting His cheek on her hair, breathing her love for Him "

"He took her palm and kissed it, pressing her hand to His cheek. 'Thank You Father. Thank You,' He sighed as He gazed lovingly at His wife."

"She leaned on Him and rested, listening, feeling His chest rise and fall with the breath of His song to Adonai."

"Bride stood holding Him, content to hear His breathing. Reveling in the simple wonder of feeling her Husband’s arms around her, she rested with her eyes closed, listening to His heartbeat."

"His wife’s heart rejoiced in hearing the deep tone of His words echoing inside His chest."

O, the tenderness, the affection, the intimacy portrayed here! What beautiful images! A husband resting His cheek on His beautiful wife's hair, pressing her hand to His cheek, gazing so lovingly at her . . . a wife resting her head on her Husban's chest, feeeling His chest rise and fall, listening to His heartbeat, hearing His words echoing inside His chest . . . what closeness, what sweet intimacy! And to think, this is how our Beloved Jesus desires us to be with Him, so loving, so personal, so affectionate, so intimate with Him. O, to draw so near to Him in the fulness of love for Him! Such bliss!

 

[Amylisa]

Charlie,
Thank you! Your words give me courage.

For some reason I have felt pretty intimidated lately about posting my writings. I know not everyone sees Christ in an intimate way and some might even be offended.
You and others who are so encouraging give me courage. We each must share with the world whatever He gives us, even if it is not always received or understood.

I often remind myself that many people in the past who shared things that seemed 'radical' at the time, later on are sometimes thought of as saints. So this also helps me not to be such a chicken.
Not saying I think I'm a saint or anything...you know what I mean, right?

Thank you again.!!!!

 

[searchingforpeace]

Your writing is a blessing to all of us who read it.

 

[Amylisa]

Oh, thank you so much!!!!
(hug)
Thank you.

 

[kisstheson]

Charlie,
Thank you! Your words give me courage.

For some reason I have felt pretty intimidated lately about posting my writings. I know not everyone sees Christ in an intimate way and some might even be offended.
You and others who are so encouraging give me courage. We each must share with the world whatever He gives us, even if it is not always received or understood.

I often remind myself that many people in the past who shared things that seemed 'radical' at the time, later on are sometimes thought of as saints. So this also helps me not to be such a chicken.
Not saying I think I'm a saint or anything...you know what I mean, right?

Thank you again.!!!!

Ames,

I echo what Charlie said. All those things struck me as well. Let me add that I believe it means so much to Jesus when we dwell on, meditate and recognize His humanity remembering He does have all those feelings such as you portrayed in your story. Jesus actually cares about and is touched by the same things that we are. Sometimes we have Him so far removed from us, so etheral that we forget that He didn't leave His humanity in the grave. He is still "the Man Christ Jesus." A glorified God-Man yes...but a Man! Praise Him!

Stories such as yours help us to become more sensitive to Christ and open us up to the fact we can experience Him in the familiar ways that we know when we are with the closest of friends.

So I am glad you found courage to post here. Are the past two stories new? Please keep posting your beautiful stories and poetry!

 

[RobinLayne]

Oh, Amy!
November! We both have the same anniversary month. I didn't have written down when the spiritual marriage first took place although I know it was sometime in November before Thanksgiving. But I had the ceremony in my home 15 years later on the 20th. One reason I did this was so that I could have an actual anniversary I could remember. Unfortunately, with no outside world to remind me, I have sometimes let this day go by without recognizing it. I haven't established anything in particular to do on that day, but sometimes I think of something. Now that we know each other we can remind one another of our anniversaries and wish one another well.

 

[RobinLayne]

Jesus' human emotions are also God's emotions. Remember, humans were made in the image of God. And Jesus, of course, IS the express image of God. In the world people have come to think that being human is demeaning and that God would not have strong emotions, but it's just the opposite. I believe His feelings are stronger than any human being's. We are just small representatives of what He is like. I don't mean our faults, of course. I mean, as we were originally made and will someday be in Heaven. And with Christ dwelling within us, we reflect that image even now.

 

[JohannAT]

Charlie,
Thank you! Your words give me courage.

For some reason I have felt pretty intimidated lately about posting my writings. I know not everyone sees Christ in an intimate way and some might even be offended.
You and others who are so encouraging give me courage. We each must share with the world whatever He gives us, even if it is not always received or understood.

I often remind myself that many people in the past who shared things that seemed 'radical' at the time, later on are sometimes thought of as saints. So this also helps me not to be such a chicken.
Not saying I think I'm a saint or anything...you know what I mean, right?

Thank you again.!!!!

Hello dear sister Amylisa,

Yes, I definitely know what you mean! We are not trying to be thought of as saints, we are simply loving Him who is worthy of all our love.

I also hear what you are saying about not everyone else seeing Christ in an intimate way and some even being offended. I guess this is something every dear child of God needs to see for themselves. To me, the primary importance of a loving relationship with Him is all over the Scriptures (and Church History): "The essence of all the Law and the Prophets - Love Him and Love one another.", "Whenever you preach the gospel, Mary's love offering poured out upon Me must preached as well.", "You have done many things for Me, but this one thing I have against you, that you have left your First Love.", etc. (paraphrases)

Even though the thought of an intimate relationship with our dear Lord Jesus is often not well received, I really believe it is of the utmost importance to our Beloved Jesus! He treasures the moments when we pour out our love to Him and wait upon Him in love! I really believe that our private, intimate, times with Him will be remembered by both Him and us forever.

I say a strong "AMEN!" to what you said about how we need others to encourage us to go on loving Him in such a way. We especially need this encouragement from our brothers and sisters in Christ whenever we proclaim His lovliness, and our love for Him, publicly! In that spirit, I would encourage you to keep posting all your love stories to Him! He is worthy of all we pour out upon Him and your stories really kindle in us a deeper desire to love Him more and more!

"Let us consider how to incite one another to love and good works" (Hebrews 10:24).

 

[kisstheson]

Robin!

I can't believe that we both celebrate our anniversary in November! Mine was Sunday November 30th, 2003. It easy for me to remember the year especially because it was a few months before the Passion of the Christ came out. I went to the retreat house not only to participate in the ceremony of marrying Jesus but also to display my art and promote the Passion. I had several movie clips of the Gibson film. What excitment was in the air as we all were anticipating the release of Mel's movie.

So yeah! I will certianly remember you now whenever November rolls around! Gee I guess we both have quite a few things in common!

Charlie,

Your thoughts are greatly appreciated. It's wonderful to share praises and adoration of the King of Love!

 

[RobinLayne]

The original marriage took place in 1984. The ceremony before witnesses with all the trappings was in 1999.

 

[kisstheson]

Today I was blessed to find this card and rose while doing an image search. Imagine my excitement when I saw my name written on the card!

Let me tell you why I did this image search. I wanted to post a special picture to illustrate how unique each soul is to Jesus the Beloved. Dear Bride, He has special things He would whisper to you heart. Already in the Song of Solomon the Bridegroom calls the Bride, "Beloved, My dove, My unique one, My undefiled, beautiful, My sister..." Yet He would say much more! Jesus has a special love note for you too with your name written upon it. He also would give you five precious roses and these are His five wounds: His wounded hands and feet and the wound in His heart. Happy are you if you meet with Him in a secret place and open His treasures today. Look to Him expectantly. He has something personal just for you!

 

[RobinLayne]

Thank you, Amy. I love the picture. Red roses for me have long symbolized Christ's romance with his bride. I carried red roses in my wedding. (They were silk, so I should still have them, but they have mysteriously disappeared. Probably packed away in a box somewhere from the last time we moved. I've still got my maid of honor's bouquet of pink and white roses.)