12 Apr, 2007
Mixed marriage?
World's tallest man gets hitched
The wedding must have been something to behold, with the 7ft 9in groom towering over his 5ft 6in bride.
Bao Xishun, the world's tallest man, is back in the news for his wedding to Xia Shujuan, a 29-year-old saleswoman, after seeking a bride through the personal ads.
"After sending out marriage advertisements across the world and going through a long selection process, the efforts have finally paid off," the Beijing News newspaper reported.
The 56-year-old Mr Bao ended up marrying a woman from his home town Chifeng in Inner Mongolia, who is nearly half his age and more than two feet shorter.
Confirmed last year by the Guinness Book of World Records as the world's tallest person, Mr Bao was of normal height until 16 but then put on a spurt that doctors were unable to explain, reaching his full height in seven years.
After a stint in the army, where he was recruited for a basketball team, Mr Bao returned to Inner Mongolia. He now herds livestock and performs publicity stunts.
photo & story courtesy guardian.co.uk, 03/28/07
Ezra 9:1-2 (NLT)
Ezra Prays About Intermarriage
1 After these things had been done, the leaders came to me and said, "The people of Israel, including the priests and the Levites, have not kept themselves separate from the neighboring peoples with their detestable practices, like those of the Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Jebusites, Ammonites, Moabites, Egyptians and Amorites. 2 They have taken some of their daughters as wives for themselves and their sons, and have mingled the holy race with the peoples around them. And the leaders and officials have led the way in this unfaithfulness."
2 Corinthians 6:14 (NLT)
14 Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness?
What does today's God's Story scripture teach us about applying Biblical faith to marriage?
Tyndale's LIFE APPLICATION STUDY BIBLE notes provide this insight:
9:2 Some Israelites had married pagan spouses and lost track of God's purpose for them. The New Testament says that believers should not "team up with those who are unbelievers" (2 Corinthians 6:14). Such marriages cannot have unity in the most important issue in life - commitment and obedience to God. Because marriage involves two people becoming one, faith may become an issue, and one spouse may have to compromise beliefs for the sake of unity. Many people discount this problem only to regret it later. Don't allow emotion or passion to blind you to the importance of marrying someone with whom you can be united spiritually.
This scriptural instruction is not just about a Christian marrying a person who believes in a false God. It also means that a person who is following Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord should not marry someone who is "religious" and just believes in God's existence.
I remember being on a flight when I sat next to a very cool lady who loves and follows Jesus Christ. Her story included a husband who had an affair and left her and their three kids. She talked about God's faithfulness getting her through this difficult time. He is restoring her and has given her a wonderful hope for the future.
Wanting to understand more of her story, I asked her if her "ex" was a follower of Jesus?
She replied, "I don't know. When we got married, I knew he believed in God, but I've never seen him live out a personal commitment to Jesus Christ on a daily basis."
Whether you're a teenager or just young at heart, I have a question for you: Will you commit to viewing marriage God's way? It's the only way.
Being tall or short does not matter in marriage, but growing together in Christ does.
- Thank God that His Holy Word is clear, practical, and has your best in mind when it teaches us about marriage. If you have been practicing a secular view about relationships in dating and marriage, confess this to God right now. He will forgive you and empower you to see it and do it His way. Ask Him to prepare you for a Christ-centered marriage or to trust His plan for you, if you never marry. Praise Him for His perfect love for you!
- Memorize 2nd Corinthians 6:14 as a reminder to only consider marriage - God's way!
- In your journal, make a weekly note of evaluation of your perspective and actions regarding dating and marriage. Are you living God's way in this part of life?
How can we connect today's story, God's Story scripture and our story to others?
- Talk about today's DAILYBIDE with other followers of Christ. Encourage each other and hold each other accountable to apply God's Story on the subject of marriage.
- Use today's story about the world's tallest man getting married to a regular sized woman as a conversation starter with someone in your storysphere who needs Jesus. Have some fun talking about the differences you see in couples. Look for the right moment to share part of your story, which includes a commitment to marry someone else who is a follower of Christ. Listen for their response without feeling like you have to give a mini-seminar on Biblical marriage.
- Pray for your friends and family members who are not viewing relationships from a Biblical perspective. Ask Jesus to reveal truth to them and for them to see a Christ-centered relationship lived out as an example for them to see a little more of God's Story.
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