Yes, I believe that there is one person for everyone. That one person that is meant to be your soulmate forever, and I beleive that the reason there are so many divorces is because people choose to follow other desires and not listen to their hearts or God's plan for them, therefore, they choose wrong paths and have to pay for wrong decisions. However, there is still that one person out there and whether we choose to connect is up to us when we finally do meet at that right time.

Oh, and yeah, YOU JUST KNOW!! Believe me. There are no doubts in your heart and mind, and everything in your life/world will revolve around this wonderful revelation.

Not to poop on anyone's idea, but thats about the biggest load of crap I've ever heard and those kind of ideas are what I think is the major cause of divorce--couples go through hard times and one says, I guess he/she wasn't the one. Exactly what verses in the Bible cause people to think this? I think it's an example of trying to make our own romantic ideas into what we see as God's will.

God's will is that we love Him and serve our fellow man. The Bible does say that.

If we are lucky/blessed enough to find someone we like to be around, can stand to spend a LOT of time with, and who enhances your closeness to God, hold on to them. For some people there may just be one, for others there may be several thousand compatible mates out there, for others there may be no one. But the idea that there is one special person out there for everyone that you should be seeking is not Biblical and I think not very realistic for keeping a marriage together.

I'll throw my opinion somewhere between Amanda and Chris. How could it possibly be true that there's someone right for everybody. Paul says it's better not to marry. A woman can re-marry if her husband is caught in adultery. What's that mean? Who's the perfect husband? The new one or the old one?

Then again, God can certainly guide you and I'm sure his has his plans. That doesn't necessarily mean one perfect person, but it does mean that you should keep in touch with Him and seek His will in that sort of decision.

I truly feel that there is that one person out there that fully completes us, and it is only the fortunate/blessed few that seek God's plan and actually experience this. It may sound like a load of crap :) but that is what I believe. And yes, couples go through tough times, there is no such thing as a perfect husband or perfect wife, and we all make mistakes, but when you are with "that right one" you get through them together and move on together. The Bible gives examples and guidelines for those people that might actually give up on a marriage and feel it necessary to move(I believe). God knows us better than we do, which I think we tend to forget at times, and that is why he has laid out such diverse/detailed/symbolic scenarios in his teachings. He says in Gen. 2:24 "Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and shall be one flesh." The leaving of the parents is symbolic in "publicly" committing himself to his wife, then joining together taking on responsiblity of each others welfare and loving each other above all others, and becoming one flesh in the intimacy and commitment of sexual union. Phillipians 2:3 says "Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others beter than themselves". How many people, not even couples, do you know that even strive to do this? Song Of Solomon tells his bride that she is a "fountain of gardens, a well of living waters, and streams from lebanon." We are to continue throughout marriage to be a haven of refreshment to our mates and to express these feelings often because the rest of the world usually isn't. Overall, I feel the blessed that find and connect with the one that completes them, these feelings and things come naturally and build upon an already strong union......but that's just me. I feel that some people settle too quickly and give up to easily.

Ok, Biblical examples of what makes a good marriage are all well and good...but i think i might side with Chris a little bit on this one. For one thing, re-marriage of widows makes it seem like they must have screwed up at least one marriage. Does that mean that the dead husband is not the one? Even if they sought God's will and had a sacred union, does that mean that it was all for not in death. Or maybe the re-marriage is wrong. Since she has remarried this guy who obviously isnt the ONE that second marriage is doomed to fail. I cant get behind that kind of logic.
In addition to say that there is someone out there who completes you is unbiblical as well. There are many people whom i love very much, but their relationship does not complete me. The only kind of completion we can strive for is completeness as a new creation in Christ. That, really, is the only relationship that can complete us. My wife (when i get one) is gonna let me down. She may do things that will not work toward my ultimate betterment. If i look to her to complete me, im gonna be disappointed. i know that noone here is going to say that we count on someone else to fulfill us. But to say that one person will complete us is claiming just that. i cant even say that i can complete myself. But if i find my completion in the Lord, then all the other things (namely a loving relationship) will be easier to recognize.

Ok, after being guilted/asked by megs to drop in my .02, here it is. In keeping with tradition, my belief is, as always, very unique. I believe that yes, God does have one perfect person out there for me... however, there is God's perfect will and His permissive will. If I don't find that one person or marry before I wait on God, can I still have a successful marriage? Sure I can, if I live it according to God's ways. However, will my wife, if she is the perfect one God has for me, still be perfect in the relationship? NO! Just because we are a perfect match does not mean we are perfect or that our relationship is. We will fight. We will hurt each other. We will act inappropriatly. That's life. Just because we do that doesn't mean she isn't God's perfect match for me... just means we live in a fallen world. As to just "knowing", eh, jury's still out. I believe that you'll always have some doubts or what if's down the road, I'd be worried about the person that doesn't, I think that's more a matter of faith that you made the right decision and waiting out the hard times. Anyway,thanks for listening, should you have any questions or comments feel free to email me and I'll be more than happy to disscuss this further! Merry Christmas!

What a great entry and discussion. I wish my blog got as much traffic.. Maybe cute pics of my son just aren't enough.

God's "permissive will," hmm...?

Chris, maybe if your blog entries left me with something besides sheer, geeky jealousy I'd leave you a thoughtful comment or two. We know, we know. The computer hooked up to the television while lounging on the comfy sofa is fantastic! I'll go leave you a comment right now ... there. I hope that's what you're looking for.

Dale, do you ever check your email. If so reply to me or send me email... or I am telling Lisa...

Something I haven't been able to talk about until now, but ... the Chinese government only allows me to respond to one e-mail each day. I've had a lot and you're coming up pretty soon. Don't blame me, though. Anyhoo, I'll be home soon.