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At some point, the myth of God having “one person in store for me”, whom I had to find or life would never work out right faded. Which may sound like an odd way to begin a blog, just after spending a week rekindling my relationship with my spouse, but allow me to explain.

Because of letting go of such a “romantic” notion that my wife was the one and only person in the universe God intended for me to spend life with, I think there was an aspect of our relationship I’ve never quite appreciated. The aspect that once my wife and I chose each other, and took the vows of marriage – we chose to become “the one” to each other. Which connects us to Adam and Eve in some pretty important ways.

The fact that God saw Adam, and thought “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper as his partner.” Genesis 2:18

To be as thankful for my wife, as Adam was for Eve. To view her as a gift from God. To receive her as the divine gift that she is. To relate to her as God’s completion to what he began in me. I think these are aspects of our relationship I’ve not really spent much time dwelling on.

In the midst of counseling/praying with countless young men who are trying to find “the one” God has for them, I’ve focused on how much of this process is a CHOICE. It’s not a Disney fairy tale. The world emphasizes to “Marry the one you Love”, but the Bible directs us to “love the one you marry”. (quote from Weekend to Remember)

But in the midst of focusing on reason, and choice, and the atmosphere of it being less something we “fall into”, and more something we consciously move toward on purpose – I’ve moved away from Adam receiving Eve. I don’t think I’m alone.

In a world that is fast learning that the real world is a far cry from Cinderella’s neck of the woods (i.e. “Enchanted“), we have many who view marriage as an economic partnership. This happens even among those of us who believe God has created and blessed this human endeavor with echoes of the Divine.

It’s something that will and has taken humility to admit. But I thank God for my wife, and my prayer is that I will continue to receive her the way Adam received Eve, “..this at last is bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh;” – Genesis 2:23

I love it.

My wife and I were able to spend this weekend at “Weekend to Remember” by FamilyLife. I have to say, it was well worth the time. Thanks to great family offering free babysitting, and getting our tax return in time to pay for the hotel/food, and free registration scholarship for being in ministry – it worked out well.
I was a bit skeptical, at first. I envisioned lots of “men lead the family, hunt, grunt, and still need to cry in front of their wives”. Or even “marriages need lots more Jesus, and that’s about it”.

Thankfully, it was neither.

What it ends up being is some pretty good reminders about being purposefully in love with your spouse. About putting effort into not only maintaining that purpose, but growing in the experience of it as well. And all of it offered up as an act of worship to the God who made such a relationship possible.

Sure, there were cheesy jokes. There were times I’d make fun of myself for being there. There was even a movie clip from “Fireproof” used. But even with these things, the time spent and discussion prompts provided, and atmosphere of sending couples away with “projects” together….was very good for our marriage.

Not so incredible would be the “Poms” competition that seems to be taking place in the room directly next to ours. Seriously, I think the entire team is staying in one room, and as I type they’re playing the music and stomping like teenage female elephants. It’s great for a quiet, relaxing, final night at the Pere Marquette. 🙂

But all in all, I’d definitely recommend this to any married, engaged, or remarried couple. The seminars are good, the resources are inexpensive, the discussion prompts are great. But most of all, to spend a weekend communicating with your spouse on purpose, toward a future of receiving each other.And if you’re ever doing a “date night” in Peoria, IL – I recommend Water Street Wines Cafe & Coffees. Call ahead for reservations, and give yourselves at least 2 hours for your dining experience. They don’t have meat fondue, but it’s more than a complete meal to enjoy the cheese fondue with an Aztec chocolate fondue for dessert. We also added the creme brulee (3 flavors!) as a dessert companion…..holy cow. 🙂 All the food & coffee was ridiculously good. Add to that it’s small size, brick walls, and pillows on the bench atmosphere….and you got yourself a relaxing date night.

So there you have it. Definitely a “Weekend to Remember”, as advertised.

In listening to the lectures by Dr.Mulholland lately, he’s reminded the class over and over again about the importance of the word “name” throughout scriptures and ancient theology. That we can gain much in our reading of God’s word, if when we see the word “name”, we think of the concept of “nature”. Not nature like taking a walk down the Appalachian trail, but nature as in “it’s God’s nature to be Loving” kinda thing.

Obviously there are verses that this is obviously not meant. Genesis 10:25, “..and his brothers name was Joktan.” Crazy name too, by the way, eh? Good luck naming your son Joktan today. (it means “small”)

But how about in Genesis 12:2, “..I will make your name great…” Makes a lot more of a connection if this is a promise from God to transform the very nature of His people into His own.

Or in 1 Peter 4:16, “If any of you suffers as a Christian, do not consider it a disgrace, but glorify God because you bear this (nature).” One of the natures of Christ we do not consider very often, is to suffer. This verse is more than offering the name of Jesus Christ as a badge to be proud of. It’s declaring that in our suffering, we are connecting with the very nature of Jesus Christ.

And finally, in Revelation 3:12, “If you conquer…I will write on you the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the New Jerusalem that comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name.” The words actually begin with a term “if you are conquering”, which meant/means to be living as New Jerusalem citizens in a fallen Babylon world. If we are living toward Jesus and His Kingdom, God promises to transform our very nature toward His own, and toward a resurrected nature. 🙂

It’s tempting to provide more examples like this, but I believe it’s beneficial to whet your appetite, and tell you to go look for more uses of the word “name”. Obviously, again…not every time…but many times it can mean SOOOO much more than what someone calls out to get our attention. May God bless you as you read His Word….and take on His name.