Hot Chicks, Bald Guys, and Cheesecake

On Friday night I was blessed with the opportunity to experience something that I had never experienced before. As a matter of fact, I had never even heard of this being done before. Nine of the eleven men who went on our men's retreat in January reunited to treat our wives to a special evening. We had a meal catered, (thanks to Norval), we had special musical guests, (thanks to Hagg), we had a short chick flick, (thanks to Rob Bell and Jeff Selph), and we wrapped up the evening by professing our love for our wives (thanks to God). One by one, each man stood up in front of the group and expressed his love for his wife in their own special way. Powerful stuff.

Our meal was wonderful. Our dessert was amazing. Go here for the best cheesecake ever! I promise you!

Our musical guests included Jeremy Sharp, who led worship at our retreat, and Amy Banbury, who made the yummy cheesecake. Both are blessed with God given talent and both understand what it means to worship through music and song.

Here is a picture of Jeremy in worship mode and blessing us with one of my favorites "You Said". It is such a blessing to see and hear a young man use his gifts to glorify God and bless others. He is also gifted intellectually as he is a mechanical engineering student at Ohio State. He also brought a special guest of his own. His girlfriend Shelby.

Amy made us all tear up when she sang Hillsong's "Healer". It is so powerful to hear her sing it because she has lived it. She knows it and she believes it. What a special moment for me personally. I don't understand why God chooses to heal some and not all but I believe He uses both the lives saved and the lives lost to draw us to himself. Amy is also gifted in many areas. Did I mention her cheesecake? or lemonbars? Sorry for the horrible picture but a tear might have gotten on the lens.

The video spoke on the female qualities of God that are often ignored or overlooked. It was Rob Bell as Rob Bell. Short, profound and deep if you want to go there. I didn't want to go there because I was already deep in thought about what was to come next.

I love these guys in the top picture. They are real, transparent, vulnerable. They are not afraid to share their weaknesses or failures. Any pride is always left behind when we gather. We share laughs, tears, hugs, and words like I love you. We are secure in our own masculinity even though we know we are broken and weak. God shines through our brokeness and our weaknesses.

One by one we poured our hearts out to our wives. Every man in his own way. Every man with his own style. God was displaying His creativity. No two men used the same words or ideas. I loved it. I believe the way every man expressed himself is the way every wife wanted to hear it. Straight from the heart. Some used songs that rang so true. Some gave flowers. Some got down on their knees. Some shed tears, some made us all laugh. Some even brought their business socks expecting their profession might have it's rewards. Some had a scroll that reached the floor and others only had a few words. Many made promises and I do believe all expressed thankfulness. Some asked for forgiveness, some gave it. Some said they were fearful but expressed themselves powerfully. Some shared about the mountains that were moved and the mountains that had to be climbed. We were all different but yet the same. We all love God and we all love our wives. We all fail miserably at showing and expressing it to them at times. But Friday night I pray we made God and all our brides smile by being the man they both want us to be.

I believe there is 186 years of marriage represented in this picture. Amazing. Take note. Not much hair in the back row but there sure is a bunch of beauty in the front. Click on it for a closer look.

(We put the self-proclaimed eye candy to the far left in the dark to make sure she didn't steal all the attention)