To say “I love you” is a big step in a dating relationship. Love carries with it the weight of potential covenant and future intimacy. But how do you know when to say “I love you”? Like many of the relationship decisions discussed on this blog, the timing of “I love you” will look different for each couple. Even so, this individuality should be guided by biblical principles. God gives us His wisdom for questions like these.
Maybe you’ve spent the month doing a Bible study on giving thanks or posting “30 days of thanks” on your Facebook feed. Giving thanks is an excellent way to defeat discontent and focus on the Lord’s provision, but sometimes we fail to thank God for the things He’s given that we don’t actually like.
Why do some girls get asked out often, and others not at all? It’s a pressing question in Christian dating culture, and one I’ve been watching for a while. In fact I’ve had my thumb on the pulse of the “asked out” problem for quite a while now. And while there’s no easy answer for why some people never get asked out and others do, I think it’s worth discussing..
A man who loves God will know you’re not just a “good girl” who wants to be liked. He’ll know you’re a sinner saved by grace. He won’t just like you for what you can offer him; he’ll love you for what God is doing in your life, and for how well you’ve submitted to His leading. Only a man who knows Christ can see your flawed, failing heart and choose to love you anyway – and do it over and over again for the rest of his life.
Journaling to your future spouse shouldn’t be about your spouse. It shouldn’t be about you. I’m glad I journaled to Josh not because I felt more connected to him, but because it drew me closer to God. These letters helped me navigate my singleness with complete trust in His character and love, and they are living proof that even the hardest years of our singlehood can bring glory to God if we live them well.
College culture is a prime place for sexual strongholds to begin. Secular universities provide ample opportunity for alcoholism and partying, both of which inhibit our ability to walk by God’s Spirit (which is why alcohol is a gospel issue). The additional pressures of exhaustion and stress make use emotionally vulnerable, and many students seek out coping mechanisms for their loneliness or overwhelm. All of this, partnered with a lack of godly discipleship and accountability, is fertile ground for sexual compromise – and Satan knows it.
many churches encourage struggling couples to “just get married”, rather than deal with the spiritual root of their consistent failure. Because the idolatry of sex, affirmation, and desire was not rooted out prior to marriage, it will manifest itself again within marriage.
This week Lisa and I are discussing how to manage the basics of home life and why home management matters for the long term. Good home management cares for those you love, and when done well, also allows time for you to pursue other interests.
This week on my podcast Lisa and I answer a listener question. No, it’s not a mini-episode. This topic couldn’t be contained in ten minutes! Today we’re tackling how to move from singleness to marriage. We discuss five areas that will help you learn to share your life with your man.