People can’t believe it. It made headlines. A couple decided to have their first kiss on their wedding day. Is that still possible? Who would still create such high and crazy standards?
Meet Joe Bonifacio – pastor and youth leader. Married to an actress – Carla Peralejo.
I attended their wedding last Friday. It was one of the most beautiful weddings I’ve ever attended – not just because of the scenery and the beach – it was because both Joe and Carla made a decision to love and honor each other.
When Pastor Steve said, ” You may now kiss the bride” – it was their first kiss. It should be or else the pastor should have uttered the words ” You may now kiss AGAIN.”
Joe, for other people is a legend. The love story was too good to be true. A pastor and an actress. Two different worlds.And the crazy rule they made when Joe courted Carla 18 months ago: NO KISS and NO SEX before marriage.
Is it still possible to live a pure and holy life in an age where sex and lust is celebrated?
YES! it is possible!!!! How? What would be the secret?
1. Fear of the Lord – Bible says the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. If you have a healthy fear of God you would treat the opposite sex as God’s daughter. SACRED. To be handled with care – not sex objects to gratify the flesh but to show God’s unconditional love.
2. Crazy Standards – Joe and Carla decided t have a higher standard not just because they serve a God who is holy but also because Joe knows his weakness just like every other man. I remember when I was courting Thammie how the temptation would be so strong to be physical. I know I could not trust myself so we created standards to help us so that when the heat is on we know the boundaries.
3. Mentors – couples who we are accountable to. Men who I could spill my guts out and be real honest. Men who would understand the temptation and would really challenge you to remain pure.
4. Grace – as much as I have crazy high standards and mentors and the fear of God in me – I believe that it is only by the grace of God that Joe and other men were able to hurdle the challenge to remain sexually pure. It is tough but it is possible.
Titus 2:11 ¶ For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.
Titus 2:12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self–controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,
Titus 2:13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,
Titus 2:14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.
Joe and Carla congratulations!
Congratulations P. Joe & Carla. God Bless your marriage.
Love this Blog P. Dennis, this will help with my two boys.
Very inspiring
Reposting on Facebook!
=] hooray for joe & carla.
my sister & brother in law made the same decision on their wedding day.
people here in america thought they were crazy…when the pastor announced that it was going to be their 1st kiss. but they wanted their story to be a tetimony of God’s love & purity.
the most beautiful thing about it was even their 1st kiss was celebrated by everyone there! everyone was shouting and cheering for them.
im sure it was the same with joe & carla.
Yes , it can be done ptr. dennis.. we can have our first kiss on the wedding day. Had the same experience almost 20 years ago when Yolly and I got married. Our first kiss was when the pastor said, “You may now Kiss the Bride”. It was very exciting .. Yolly was my first girlfriend . My prayer to God then was that my first girlfriend be my wife to save myself from any pain. God honored it.
I realized that this is one of the best legacies, testimonies I can leave to my kids and the next generation to come. You can live a pure and holy life before God. The grace of God will help you do it. Accountability will put the Fear of God.
Few tips ;
Better to stay single than marry the wrong person.
Don’t get into relationship when you are not ready to get married.
And when you are in a serious relationship, make a verbal commitment to one another to stay pure and holy , commitment not to be ‘physical” until the pastor says you may now do it !! Enjoy later on. That’s love, it can wait..
Truly touching!
Worthy to be emulated by all young people.
I hope it is ok to borrow this so i can email it to others
i love their story.. im gonna have my own love story as well..Godbless u all!! ^_^
Wow! May God oversee their marriage. What glory they’ve brought to our Lord by their union!
nice post. Re=post ko lang po. Will definitely inspire a lot of singles to do the same!