In days gone by, when I used to do weddings, I used to invest a great deal of time in the

premarital counseling because I figured it is a vital importance to invest this time and to make

sure that the couple understand what they're doing. And if there's one thing I sought to do,

is to bring the couple to reality. The most important issues that I would emphasize

over and over and over again is that each of them are bringing into the marriage

some old baggage from their childhood all the way up to that point. But in all relationships,

we bring our old baggage with us. It doesn't matter whether it be in marriage, a family, and church, whatever we are.

Oh, but I know some of us travel light and like to carry on baggage.

Some like to bring suitcases.

Now, I used to tell the couple that I wish... some like to bring suitcases.

Now, I used to tell the couple that I wish that there is a button that you press and all of the past baggages can be erased.

I wish, but that was wishful thinking, but reminded him again, that is not

possible. Scientists tell us that what children learn growing up is like a metal needle engraving

on a steel plate. It stays there forever. It can never be erased. Now, some of these

engravings are wonderful. They are positive. That's the godly moms and dads that I know in this church

and what they're doing. They are engraving wonderful things about loving God and loving the

word of God and memorizing the scripture. And I'm just so thankful for that. But some of these

engravings, particularly in older generation, is negative and not positive. And therefore, it takes

an absolute commitment and surrender to the Holy Spirit of God to slowly

but surely blunt these negative and destructive programmings.

It takes an absolute commitment and faith in the power of God to let go of these negative

build-ups. It takes a total surrender to the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives

...