The Grace of Heaven's Gate

Leon Smith and Vickie Kolesnikov were united in holy matrimony, Saturday, January 15, 2011 at Immanuel Baptist Church. On the morning of their wedding, the following was written in honor of their union. Dianna artistically designed, framed, and matted it. We decided to give it to them as a gift.

United As One!
Written for Leon & Vickie By: Michael E. Wood


On January fifteenth, two thousand and eleven,
God joined you as one, ‘til with Him in Heaven.
For now, O Rejoice; by His pleasure delight
In your union reflecting His glorious might!

‘Tis Christ who redeemed and made us His bride—
Shown by the wounds in His hands and His side.
What glorious blessing and comfort of soul,
That through Him we’re justified; by Him made whole.

And now as you journey as Husband and Wife—
O seek Him together and show forth His life.
And never give in to just “go through the motions”;
But, love Him together with pure soul devotions—

That Christ in the end will gain all the glory,
As He, by His Spirit, will lead in your story.
As you live by His faithfulness; in Him abide—
‘Til like Him in Heaven, we stand satisfied!


"As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness." Psalm 17:15

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During the wedding, of which Pastor Robert Briggs officiated, the gospel was clearly presented and interpreted in Russian for the occasion. A primary text preached upon was Galatians 3:27-29 “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ Jesus have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to the promise.”

Dianna took a number of pictures, developed the collage above and the following poem came to my mind:

Do you see a picture of the gospel of our God?
How beautiful the feet of those with shoes of peace are shod.
All other walls are broken by His Spirit’s Mighty Sword,
For only those made one in Christ will know His full reward.

Rejoice with them that do rejoice, as all of One shall speak
The glories of our God and King; His kingdom first we seek.
The righteousness of Christ transcends the lines of Jew, Gentile.
Both male and female here on earth are we for just a while.

As heirs according to the promise; Abraham’s offspring,
Made one in Christ, His bride elect; His praise we’ll ever sing.
Forever and forever our Bridegroom then adore,
As we behold the face of God, as pure forevermore.

Beyond all comprehension here or words now to express,
We’ll know the beauty of our God in His Sweet Holiness.
His matchless glory then displayed; our privilege so great,
As all the angels wonder at the grace of heaven’s Gate.

Michael E. Wood
January 17, 2011