THE MARBLE

''There were cotton curtains, white and blue, tied with linen and purple cords to silver rings and alabaster pillars. The frame of the beds was of gold and silver, on a floor of porphyry, marble, alabaster, and precious stones. ' Esther 1:6

This quote above from the book of Esther shows us how valuable marble was to the point of being used in the palaces of kings and pharaohs, as you will see below in the history of marble. Join me in this reading!

History

Marble is found in regions with great tectonic activity and marine environments, where events occurred that acted on the rocks at high temperatures and pressures ranging from low to very high. So we have the two main ingredients for marble formation: temperature and pressure.

Read more at Marble History - (click to see the whole text)

some interesting points that I want to highlight:

The use of marble in Antiquity

The first records in History of the use of marble are from almost 5 thousand years and it is believed that it started in ancient Egypt, using the material in the construction of tombs of pharaohs and pyramids, only in the pyramid of Keops (147 meters high) were used 2.3 million limestone blocks.

After the Egyptians, the Greeks adopted marble in their brilliant constructions: the Parthenon, the Temple of Zeus, and the Temple of Artemis. These buildings are examples of the use of marble to this day, with the Temple of Artemis boasting 127 columns of stone, all 18 meters high and 2 meters in diameter. It is a pity that these spectacular works have been damaged or even destroyed, with the action of time and various territorial battles in history.

The rock was also extracted and used during the Roman Empire, responsible for using marble in private constructions, thus stimulating the luxury and wealth of those who owned it.

The arrival in the Middle Ages

In the Middle Ages, marble began to be used inside houses and churches, becoming an indispensable material in civil construction and widely used until today.

Marble Wedding - 39 years

Just as marble is created from temperature and pressure, our marriage (Gilson and I) at 39 years was getting stronger and becoming this stone very much used in external places, as the Pathernon and the temples of the gods were... but we are one, and a temple of the Holy Spirit.

For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become two in one flesh. EPH.5.31.ARC

Many victories, but also struggles, sufferings, joys and sorrows, but in the end we are strengthened, because we are being forged day by day by the Author and Finisher of our faith!

If it were not for the Lord in our lives, we would not be here to tell this story.

To the younger ones, a word of advice,

1 - Forget and put aside the popular saying that if advice were good, it wouldn't be given, it would be sold, because the Word of God, which is our guide, is full of them. And if it weren't for them, I said, we wouldn't be here.

Advice from King Lemuel - 'Words of King Lemuel of Massah, which his mother taught him. ' Proverbs 31:1

Hear, my son, and accept my words, and the years of life shall be multiplied unto thee. Proverbs 4:10 ARA

2 - Surrender all your problems and your lives and the lives of your children into the Lord's hands. Let Him guide you.

Surrender all your worries to God, for he cares for you. - 1Peter 5:7

3. Open your ears to hear what He is telling you. Ask God to sharpen your ears to hear His Word.

But if any of you has need of wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all liberally and spares nothing, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, doubting nothing, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. James 1:5-6

4 - Be partners, husband and wife, and never put your children above this relationship. Your children are blessings, but they should never be above you. Note that in the Bible the wife is submissive to her husband, the husband should love and treat her good.

Husbands, love your wife, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her. So husbands should also love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. ' Ephesians 5:22,25,28

Children, in all things obey your parents; for to do so is thankful in the sight of the Lord. Fathers, do not anger your children, lest they become discouraged. ' Colossians 3:20-21

5 - If you fail each other, apologize and continue on the path together. Failures may arise, but never let them stop the two of you.

'Bear with one another, forgive one another, if anyone has a grievance against another. As the Lord has forgiven you, so also forgive each other;' Colossians 3:13

6 - Never sleep fighting. Get right before you sleep, and pray thanking God for your marriage.

Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, Ephesians 4:26 ARA

For the rest, love each other and try to take care of your spouse. It is not because the years have passed that you have stopped enjoying being hugged and kissed. These caresses are as much a part of the relationship as the spark is to the fire.

Follow the advice of this apostle of God who has given us several guidelines for us to have a happy marriage and family:

'Wives, be submissive to your own husband, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wife and do not treat her bitterly. Children, obey your parents in everything; for to do so is thankful in the sight of the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, lest they be discouraged. Servants, obey in all things your master according to the flesh, not serving under surveillance, aiming only to please men, but in singleness of heart, fearing the Lord. Whatever you do, do it with all your heart, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that you will receive from the Lord the reward of the inheritance. It is Christ the Lord you are serving, for he who does wrong will receive in return the wrong done; and in this there is no respect of persons. Colossians 3:18-25

May this text strengthen the hearts of those couples who need a word of encouragement for their marriages today and to continue steadfastly all the days of their lives.

Oh, before I forget, I love you Gilson Loubach!

Marilza Loubach

39 Anos de Casados