For the Good of the Other

“Giving what your other needs most instead of taking what you want now.”

(Caleb Breakey)

Selflessness. It’s the opposite of what the world is pushing us to pursue. When you put your significant other’s needs above your own, you may not get what you want. But in doing what is best for them, you not only show that you honor and respect them, you are glorifying God.

The Road Less Traveled

As a Christian, God calls us to take the road less traveled. It doesn’t matter if this is your first relationship, or you’ve lost count. Physical, emotional, and spiritual purity are vital in having a Christ-centered relationship. Is it hard? Certainly. But with Christ, it is possible. And God will bless you because of it.

Romans 8:28
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

“The world is blind and deaf to the wondrous design of our King. So fight for purity. Pray for success. Protect each other as though you were guarding a lifelong investment.

Because that’s exactly what you’re guarding.” (Caleb Breakey)

Just think…

The person you are dating right now is most likely going to get married someday. And you may not be their spouse! A wise man told me that he would be jealous if he saw another man hugging his (the wise man’s) future wife. He treats his girlfriend with utmost respect, and she knows she is blessed because of it.

This post was inspired by the book,

“Dating Like Airplanes” by Caleb Breakey.

Be the Confident One

You better believe it...

My guy friend and I were having a great conversation. I was asking him what kinds of girls are attractive to him. He told me that he wants a girl that looks pretty wearing sweats, without makeup. 

Wait... what?! Are you telling me all that work women put into making themselves look beautiful is wasted? And, how can a girl look pretty in sweats?

Ladies... it's about your self-confidence. You have to believe you are a beautiful woman, regardless of what you are wearing, or if you took extra time to curl your hair. This is not about vanity. A woman who knows she is beautiful, especially one who knows God made her that way, is attractive. A guy wants a woman who knows her worth, and does not look to him to give her value. You have so much more value than your appearance alone, so don't be so caught up in how you look. Be real. You will exude confidence, and believe me, people will notice.

Don't forget

A great man will encourage you, and in turn you may feel more beautiful. Just don't forget that God created you with an amazing unique beauty all your own, and only He can appreciate it to its full extent. Don't give God the back burner when your relationship starts getting exciting... because He is going to be with you through thick and thin.

Courtesy of pinterest.com

Potato, Potatoe

Communicating.

It's one word that packs a lot of meaning. Effective communication is critical in all friendships... and it can also make or break a dating relationship.

Did she just say what I think she said?

We all tend to assume we understand what people are saying to us. Unfortunately, there are many ways in which we can miscommunicate. Expression, tone, and words are not always clear. How do we solve this dilemma? If you are unsure of what the other person means, just ask for clarification. It is much easier to ask sooner rather than later. If they aren't willing to explain... that's a red flag.

Words that build

Guys, it is so important to let the girl you are dating know that you care about her. Encourage her in her hobbies and talents. Compliment her. Don't let the sun go down without letting her know you think she's something special. If she is worth your time, she will build you up and support your dreams too.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."

Let's Get Real...

I'm going to be honest... this post was inspired by a blog I read on www.artofmanliness.com. It was too good to let it go unnoticed.

Dating vs. Hanging Out

Here's a topic that is hot right now: dating vs. hanging out. They are very different! We settle for just hanging out with groups of people; watching movies, going to a restaurant, or playing video games. This creates a relaxed atmosphere, where there is never an expectation of going beyond friendship.
Hear me...it's not a replacement for dating!

Dating is when you pair off with someone in a temporary commitment, with the hope of getting to know them better, and maybe start a long-term relationship. Women love going on dates. It makes us feel special, and hopefully the attention she gives you will be worth the effort you put in.

Once you know you like her...

After you have decided you are attracted to this woman, it's still fine to hang out in groups so that you can get to know her better. Please don't let it stop there. Once you see she is attracted to you, ask her on a date.

Dates don't have to be expensive. Renting a DVD and eating popcorn while you watch it together is nice. Taking her out to coffee is great too! Be creative... don't let laziness keep you from having fun with a great person. Find out each other's hobbies, and do them together. Cooking, video games, and ping pong are better with the person you enjoy being with.

Giving credit where it's due!
Check out my inspiration for writing today: http://www.artofmanliness.com/2008/01/16/stop-hanging-out-with-women-and-start-dating-them/

"Shoot for the moon and if you miss you will still be among the stars."
Les Brown

Life to the Fullest

Get Out There

How do you know you won't like something unless you try it? I know fear of failure used to hold me back. Over the past year God has helped me realize that He has created many things for us to enjoy, and He gives us our own personalities for a reason. Everyone is unique, so it takes time to get to know them... but it's worth it! The most important thing in life, besides God, are people. So why not get out and meet them?

Meeting New People

There are so many places to meet people. There are cool websites that connect people with common interests, like hiking or biking, or you can meet people online. Personally, I like to go out and meet people in person. I recently started country dancing! I never knew I could have so much fun. I'm getting to know some great people, and am glad that I summoned the courage to go to the free dance lessons... am I a great dancer? Not yet, but I hope to be! Who knows? Try something new and exciting, and you might just meet someone who shares the same passion.

Learn to Laugh at Yourself

Still afraid to try something new and different? Learn to be light-hearted. I've learned to laugh at myself when I make a silly mistake. I enjoy it when people laugh with me! It's also good to not take things too personally, because life is too short to worry about it.

Life is a Journey

New Relationships

There is always uncertainty in a new relationship. Most new experiences have an element of risk or anxiety... whether it is your first day at a new job, going away to college, or starting a new relationship. Looking back, the most exciting and worthwhile experiences in my life happened when I took a risk.

Leap of Faith

In my opinion, things that are worthwhile require taking a leap of faith. You cannot possibly know all the possible outcomes. If you did, you would actually become bored. Life is an unpredictable journey, and building new relationships with friends and people you are attracted to is an important part of it.

Learning from it...

Even if the relationship does not last, there is much to be learned from it. You learn about someone else's perspective. This opens up your eyes to things you never would have noticed before... such as taking a moment to smell the roses, or that they see taking a wrong turn as an adventure. Maybe your significant other has different hobbies than you, such as cooking or working out. You can do these things together, and learn why they enjoy doing these activities.

I hope you learn from the relationships in your life. The lasting one's take time and effort to flourish. I have seen the marriage of my parents and that of mentors in my life that have flourished, and they continue to love each other. They have faced trials and joys together, and Christ is the center of their relationship.

Learning from Life

Encouragement for Relationships

There is so much to be learned from every relationship you are in, whether it be with family, friends, or more than friends. The question is, what will you learn? How will this change the way you act in the future?

See it through their eyes...

One thing that is very important is to be on the same page. It is good to be honest with each other,  concerning actions, conversations that bothered you, or just things you want each other to know. This way you can learn about the other person's perspective.

Forgive

I'm also a believer in second chances. People make mistakes, they say things they don't really mean... or find out too late that their words came across in a hurtful way. Give each other a chance to make things right. You can't change the past, but you can change what you do in the future.

Understanding different perspectives and giving people second chances will help friendships grow and blossom. The best things in life take time and effort to flourish.