CIU Today Fall 2016

“So, it’s a matter of integrity, of

commitment – commitment to

God and to one another.”

What Muriel Taught Robertson

About Love

In an era of broken promises, McQuilkin’s simple

commitment to his wife led to dozens of media interviews

over the years, his authorship of the book, “A Promise

Kept,” a widely circulated Christianity Today article,

“Living by Vows,” and a popular message “Love in the

Midst of Alzheimer’s,” heard nationwide on the “Focus

on the Family” radio program:

… Muriel taught … (me) that (love) is enduring.

(The psalmist) David asked the question about who

is God’s companion, who is acceptable to Him? And

His answer, “Those who keep their promises, even

when it hurts,” Psalm 15; or another translation, “Those

who keep their promises no matter how much it may

cost.” So, it’s a matter of integrity, of commitment –

commitment to God and to one another. Love feelings

may blaze up and die down, but commitment is the

bond that holds. Commitment without the warm

feelings however, isn’t much fun. The biblical model

Muriel taught me is that true love endures.

And after Muriel was abed, she had lost all her abilities

to speak, hadn’t spoken in a year and she couldn’t feed

herself; she couldn’t stand; she couldn’t walk. And it was

Valentine’s Eve and I was on my Exercycle at the foot

of her bed. And I said, “Honey, I just read that you and

I are victims. We don’t feel like victims, do we?” Now

she didn’t talk, but I talked to her. … And … I told her I

loved her and I said, “You love me, don’t you?” And all

God Opened A New Chapter

In 2005, God opened a new joyful chapter in McQuilkin’s life with the gift of Deborah

Jones, his second wife, a nursing professor at the University of South Carolina.

”What Do We Do Now?”

I was privileged to be the pianist for the wedding of Robertson McQuilkin to his

second wife Deb held in CIU’s Shortess Chapel. I had a great view of the bride,

groom, and pastor from behind them on the stage.

The vows were coming to an end. Dr. Bill Barton said, “I now pronounce you man and wife.” I knew from the rehearsal

that he was supposed to add, as usual, “you may kiss the bride,” but for whatever reason, Dr. Barton said nothing. There

was this strange silence while Robertson and Deb stared at each other. As if to fill the awkwardness, Robertson stuck

out his right hand to Deb, as if to shake hands with her. The audience roared in laughter, and Dr. Barton quickly said,

“Oh yeah, you can kiss the bride.” Robertson embraced his beloved, beautiful wife and planted a good one on her, until

the pastor pretended to pull them apart and said, “OK, that’s enough!” More delighted laughter rang out in this joy-

saturated ceremony that united two wonderful saints in marriage.

—CIU Professor Dr. Shirl Schiffman

Robertson and Deb McQuilkin

Robertson and

Muriel McQuilkin

of a sudden, she opened her eyes and smiled and for

the first time in a year, she spoke. And she said, “Love,

love, love.” I jumped off the cycle and ran around and

embraced her and I said, “You really do love me, don’t

you?” Well, she didn’t know what to do to answer that,

but she wanted to respond so she said, “I’m nice.” Last

words that she spoke.

CIU Today