Oldest Daughter’s wedding speech

So many wonderful memories of my beautiful girl rise to the surface it's going to be hard to keep this short... but there are other speakers so I'll have to try and keep it together and be concise.

I'll start by saying that, just like all children, you, Elissa, are a miracle walking. You were, in fact, promised by God which is why we named you Elissa, the definition of which is 'Promised by God'.

You have always been and continue to be an inquisitive, smart, and social person.., and a little sassy too. One of my favourite things about you is that you're always willing to share your own personal space with others in a way that puts people at ease and is really infectious, you draw people into your heart. 

One of my favourite memories of you, and this memory just sums up what I just said, is when we were flying internationally one time in late 90's so you would have been 4 or 5 or maybe 6. Mum and I would be dealing with Rosie in the bassinet so you would often sit by yourself which didn't bother you because you'd simply reach up and ring the bell for the stewardess to come your seat. They'd get to you, look down into those  big, beautiful, brown eyes and you'd simply say" How you going?" & you'd instantly make a friend of them and you guys would chat chat chat and then you'd go back to watching a movie or playing games or sleeping. We used to fly over to the USA and see my family often so by the time Elissa was 10 she'd been on a bunch of planes and was an expert traveller. You've actually been our helper sweet girl and I can remember a bunch of times when you, my gorgeous, were the most calm and collected person in the airport. 

Calm and collected is actually your resting position. No surprise that you're able to work in an emergency department as you're naturally calm and collected. 

I'll always be your dad and I'll always love and cherish you and all of our memories together. 

I'll now turn my attention to the new memories that you're starting with this new guy in your life, Brad. 

Now you all know I'm from Texas and we Texans still have a Wild West attitude and,well, you'll never find me backing up or backing down. We're naturally cautious and a tad suspicious I guess due to having to sleep in the desert with rattlesnakes around. You never know when one tries to crawl in your sleeping bag with you to get your warmth. Probably why we're known to pack a gun as well.

Well, I can honestly say to you Brad that, as suspicious and downright mean as I am about my gorgeous daughter, I have a feeling you're no rattlesnake 😀. Julia and I have come to love you and we are so happy that you are now part of our family. We welcome you and all y'all right in to our family. 

If all yall will bear with me a minute, I'd like to finish by praying a blessing over the newlyweds. It's a blessing these girls will know well because I've prayed the same blessing over them for their entire lives... it's this: Dear Lord, please bless this couple with Joy, Peace, Safety, Health, Wealth, & Thankfulness. Amen.

Julia, our whole family, and I bless you both as you start this new chapter of your lives and can I finish by saying it's not just the two of you in this marriage. You see, the wisest man to ever live, Solomon, said in Ecclesiastes 4:12" A cord of three strands is not easily broken" and my unending prayer for you two is that you'll continually invite the third strand of your cord, a person, into your marriage. That person is Jesus.

Death throes

 Here’s today’s poem. It’s called:

Death throes 

I  remember what the throes are like 

I know how slavery felt 

My old self still sits on the shelf 

Curious if his card'll be dealt 

I have the choice, I can deal him in 

I can ply him with food and drink 

If I make him stronger he can live longer 

Why would I is what I think 

My one desire is to starve my old self 

Live in the present, today 

Do away with the member, 'cause I can remember 

Words that the slave would say.

Romans 6:6

For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin —

Astonishing angel

 Here’s today’s song. It’s called:

Astonishing angel

Even the first century church was astonished, still astonishing today 

Bold behaviour, Peter's saviour

Freedom still His way 

Emancipation, liberation 

Our Lord's a freedom fighter 

When we open the door to Him 

Our futures always brighter 

We can't imagine what His Light looks like 

We can't start to know His Glory

All we do is open the door 

Astonished in His story 

Emancipation, liberation 

Our Lord's a freedom fighter 

When we open the door to Him 

Our futures always brighter 

Emancipation, liberation 

Our Lord's a freedom fighter 

When we open the door to Him 

Our futures always brighter.

Acts 12:15-16

“You’re out of your mind,” they told her. When she kept insisting that it was so, they said, “It must be his angel.”

But Peter kept on knocking, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished.

I’m Ananias

 Here’s today’s song. It’s called:

I’m Ananias

I care about optics, though I say I don't 

Weirdly, I love people's praise 

Generous, I'm pretending, my mammons unending 

Fearfully, I see His banner raise

Why, oh why, do I lie 

Why hold back part of the price 

I know the Truth, I've known from youth 

Won't make the same choice twice 

Ananias died, fell right there 

God's a gracious Host 

He leads me to repeatedly repent 

I too will give up The Ghost 

Why, oh why, do I lie 

Why hold back part of the price 

I know the Truth, I've known from youth 

Won't make the same choice twice 

Why, oh why, do I lie 

Why hold back part of the price 

I know the Truth, I've known from youth 

Won't make the same choice twice. 

Psalms 60:4 (KJV)

4 Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth. 

Acts 5:1-5 (KJV)

1 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, 2 And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet. 3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? 4 Whilst it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. 5 And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.

Be who you are

 Firstly, a bit of context on the literary structure for this poem: an ancient royal treaty . Decalogue = 10 Commandments and a treaty was:

1/ Identify yourself 

2/ Historical prologue

3/ Stipulations

Most people are two:

Pre-Christian then Christian.

I’m three in a way:

Pre-Christian, Christian, then injured Christian (post-stroke)

Here’s today’s poem. It’s called:

Be who you are

Like the decalogue, I'm part of old 

Instead of two, I'm three 

Born male I breathed, my sword sheathed 

Redeemed, my soul set free 

 I'm then hurt, heart hurts brain 

Usually hand in hand

Then that day, come what may 

Changed, three will stand 

Three has rules, three looks up 

Three, at times, seems odd

Three refuses, three says no 

Three only fights for God.

1 Samuel 12:2-3

Now you have a king as your leader. As for me, I am old and gray, and my sons are here with you. I have been your leader from my youth until this day. Here I stand. Testify against me in the presence of the LORD and his anointed. Whose ox have I taken? Whose donkey have I taken? Whom have I cheated? Whom have I oppressed? From whose hand have I accepted a bribe to make me shut my eyes? If I have done any of these things, I will make it right.”

Acts 5:34-39

But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. Then he addressed the Sanhedrin: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”

sed, and it all came to nothing. After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”

Covered and adorned

 Here’s today’s song. It’s called:

Covered and adorned 

God creates the appetite as well as the food 

He's been feeding all for years 

His Name never ends, His only Son He sends 

The Lord's our righteous Saviour, saved in tears

There has been but won't be again 

A deluge, yes, a flood 

Our refuge through deluge

Our hope in Jesus' blood

Covered and adorned by Him 

Our consolations not ceased 

Jesus entered for us all 

Maketh Him High Priest

There has been but won't be again 

A deluge, yes, a flood 

Our refuge through deluge

Our hope in Jesus' blood

There has been but won't be again 

A deluge, yes, a flood 

Our refuge through deluge

Our hope in Jesus' blood.

Jeremiah 23:6

In his days Judah will be saved

and Israel will live in safety.

This is the name by which he will be called:

The LORD Our Righteous Savior.

Psalms 46:11

11 The LORD of hosts is with us;

the God of Jacob is our refuge. 

Hebrews 6:17-20

17 Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: 18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: 19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; 20 Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

Groupthink

 My late father, Dr. Carl M. ‘Cheesie’ Nelson, a mathematician who became a University President, a Texas state lobbyist for Universities, and a master cartoonist, taught me a valuable lesson about groupthink when I was a kid…. Dad said, “Clay, most people are wrong about most things most of the time”.

Sin grows

 Here’s today’s poem. It’s called:

Sin grows 

Oh the irony, it's just sad

Most folks followed the crowd 

Lazarus lives, Life Jesus gives

Power made priests proud 

Suddenly standing, oh no now what 

We need a better plan 

Kill Lazarus too, our options are few

We're losing to Son of Man 

Who's leading who, look at this crowd 

They think they know more than us 

Defeat, deceive, we'll make 'em believe 

We'll tell 'em it's Jesus plus.

John 12:9-11

Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in him.

Scattered

 Here’s today’s poem. It’s called:

Scattered 

God is above nation, He rules over all 

His plan coming to fruition 

He's the One who scattered, same One was battered

Draw us all, make us one His mission 

He was lifted up, already drawing 

He's been drawing from the start

Making us all one, while still under sun 

Proving to be the hardest part 

He still has His plan, He still uses man 

We're His kings, He's the King of kings 

Unity His goal, He's helping us be whole 

Seek to see the blessings that brings.

John 11:52

and not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God, to bring them together and make them one.

John 12:32

And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”

That ain’t what a mashup is

 Here’s today’s song. It’s called:

That ain’t what a mashup is 

 

Willie stole from Waylon

Ole Waylon stole from Kris

Willie stole from Waylon

Ole  Waylon stole from Kris

Kris refused to steal from Johnny 

That  ain’t what a mashup is

Kris refused to steal from Johnny 

That  ain’t what a mashup is

That  ain’t what a mashup is

Back in the day Kris swept the floor 

Back in the day Kris swept the floor 

Then Johnny came down , came in through that door 

Kris, my friend, I’m gonna set you free

He said “Kris I’m setting your hand free”

Next day boy walked in with Bobby McGhee 

Next day boy walked in with Bobby McGhee

Ole Waylon stole from Kris

Willie stole from Waylon

Ole  Waylon stole from Kris

Kris refused to steal from Johnny 

That  ain’t what a mashup is

Kris refused to steal from Johnny 

That  ain’t what a mashup is

That  ain’t what a mashup is.

Person to love not problem to solve

 Here’s today’s song. It’s called:

Person to love not problem to solve

We know and love 'em, they bring pain 

We're still called to love 'em

They're our lot, won't hear 'em plot 

Can't just push and shove 'em 

I'm the problem, I'm the dreamer 

Hurts 'cause they're my kin

Love, it seems, covers dreams 

Love still covers sin 

Be prepared, serve The Lord

Invest yourself in Him

Under steeple love all people 

Love risks life and limb 

I'm the problem, I'm the dreamer 

Hurts 'cause they're my kin

Love, it seems, covers dreams 

Love still covers sin 

I'm the problem, I'm the dreamer 

Hurts 'cause they're my kin

Love, it seems, covers dreams 

Love still covers sin.

Genesis 37:17-20

17 “They have moved on from here,” the man answered. “I heard them say, ‘Let’s go to Dothan. ’”

So Joseph went after his brothers and found them near Dothan. 18 But they saw him in the distance, and before he reached them, they plotted to kill him.

19 “Here comes that dreamer! ” they said to each other. 20 “Come now, let’s kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns and say that a ferocious animal devoured him. Then we’ll see what comes of his dreams.”

Matthew 25:29

29 For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.

Flawed servant

 Here’s today’s song. It’s called:

Flawed servant 

Samson was strong but he was flawed 

Delilah demonstrates 

His strength returns, his passion burns

He fell from hurts to hates 

I'm no better, I want revenge 

Hard to forgive and serve

I too am flawed, I  hear God 

He holds my heart and nerve 

Jesus showed He had no flaws 

He's over all creation 

He wants a coin, fits fish to join 

Sends it to its station 

I'm no better, I want revenge 

Hard to forgive and serve

I too am flawed, I  hear God 

He holds my heart and nerve 

I'm no better, I want revenge 

Hard to forgive and serve

I too am flawed, I  hear God 

He holds my heart and nerve.

Judges 16:22

But the hair on his head began to grow again after it had been shaved.

Matthew 17:24-27

The Temple Tax

24 After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma temple tax came to Peter and asked, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax?”

25 “Yes, he does,” he replied.

When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. “What do you think, Simon?” he asked. “From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes —from their own children or from others?”

26 “From others,” Peter answered.

“Then the children are exempt,” Jesus said to him. 27 “But so that we may not cause offense, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.”

Certified

 Here’s today’s poem. It’s called:

Certified

Abraham 100 when Isaac was born 

Sarah too old as well 

God creates us, He predates us 

His total time'll tell 

Already angels certified 

Saints are there of old

John the least, His bride's the feast 

Accept and see unfold 

You accept you're in the new 

Bride is new and great 

John and Groom made more room 

Join before too late.

Genesis 21:5

5 Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him.

Matthew 11:11

11 Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

John 3:31-34

31 The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all. 32 He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. 33 Whoever has accepted it has certified that God is truthful. 34 For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit.

Be the one

 Here’s today’s song. It’s called :

Be the one 

Help me be the one bows down in thanks 

My goal: be the one who returns 

Jesus heals ten, one born again 

Go back, bow down, no burns 

We can be the one, don't have to be the nine 

We can bow at Jesus' feet 

We can finish strong, live a good life long 

Our return meets His mercy seat

Jesus speaks, says "Rise and go", 

At His Word we're well 

The other nine He cannot find 

There's a real place, hell 

We can be the one, don't have to be the nine 

We can bow at Jesus' feet 

We can finish strong, live a good life long 

Our return meets His mercy seat

We can be the one, don't have to be the nine 

We can bow at Jesus' feet 

We can finish strong, live a good life long 

Our return meets His mercy seat.

Luke 17:11-19

Jesus Heals Ten Men With Leprosy

Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!”

When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed.

One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.

Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”