Adam's Rib

Dennis and I met last October through an online Christian dating service. He wrote in his profile, "I want a wife that I can cherish as Christ loved the church". Those words hit me hard.  Christ loved the church so much that He gave His very life for it. If Dennis desired to love his wife that way, then he was a man I wanted to know.

It didn't take long for me to realize that Dennis is an honest man and that every word he wrote is true. In this joyful altitude where we live he delivers on that promise every day. I've never felt more loved or cherished in my life.  

This Matthew Henry quote came across my laptop screen today:

"The woman was made of a rib out of the side of Adam; not made out of his head to rule over him, nor out of his feet to be trampled on by him; but out of his side to be equal to him, under his arm to be protected, and near his heart to be loved."

I am equal with my husband and he treats me as such. But he also protects and loves me. A wonderful combination.

--NR

Joy 7,522 Feet Above Sea Level

Watercolor by Dennis Reinke

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Romans 15:13

When Dennis and I married on Valentine's Day in Allenspark, Colorado, the theme of our wedding was "Joy".  Our vows, the music we chose and the toasts we made were all about choosing joy in all things.  Both of us had come through hard times and through those experiences God had taught each of us that joy truly is a choice.  The Bible tells us to "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." (James 1:2-4)


Is it easy to choose joy when you've lost a spouse to death and you're all alone?  Or your marriage has ended through no choice of your own and you find yourself in the depths of despair?  No, it isn't easy.  But that's where the Holy Spirit comes in. By depending upon His power we can live the joyful life that comes through persevering in our faith, and matures us, conforming us more to the image of Christ.


The Reinkes want to have an attitude of joy no matter what the circumstances.  Dennis is an established artist (http://dennisreinke.com/) and I am an aspiring writer.  I started this blog in an effort to hone my writing skills, as well as journal my life in Estes Park, Colorado...a high altitude location.  Maintaining a joyful attitude in high (or low) altitude is one of my goals.  By the power of the Holy Spirit I will achieve it.