Hey. It's really late, but I updated my website, The Between Friends Newzletter, for January. There is some neat stuff on there. I added music, and some new links stuff. Go ahead and check it out :):)
Enjoy!
PS:I have a page for Christian reading/articles, and another for more reading, recipes, Bible verses, and sometimes jokes. The other pages are for my statement of beliefs, the monthly columns of Ray Comfort and Kirk Cameron, and an "Extra" page for my article of the month.
A lot of people are intimidated by the extensive reading I have, and the different pages. Don't sweat it! Copy the articles and paste it into a text file to print and read later.
Also, feel free to save my web pages to your computer to read at your leisure. Just go to "File" then "Save As" in your web browser. The best way to save it is as an archive (.mht) format. This way you don't have the separate corresponding folder for the pictures and other files that can get lost or changed if rename or move the file.
Saturday, January 28, 2006
Friday, January 27, 2006
Romance Rooted in Purity
~Steve and Stephanie’s Story~
Stephanie lived more of a quiet life. Being home-schooled in a Christian home she hadn’t ever had very many friends her own age. But because she was always taught that having close friends that weren’t true Christians was against God’s will, she was content to just learn more about God through her mother who home-churched, so to speak, as well as teaching her two other children.
Then, through one of her favorite Bible teachers, Stephanie’s mother finally found a church that taught the truth from the Bible. Stephanie started making friends and at the age of 15 was part of the “Collage” group, mainly for college-age and young adults. A man named Steve, 22 at the time, was also part of that group.
Steve hadn’t always been a Christian. In fact, some of his younger exploits were not something he was proud of. He had two relationships before that ended up in transgression, hurting them both. But, because of this evident sin, he was more easily convinced he was heading towards destruction. He cut off the second relationship right away, and removed himself from temptation. He turned his life around by acknowledging his sin, asking Jesus Christ to forgive and save him, and to lead his life. Since then he had found the church Stephanie was also attending, and was really seeking God and praying for whoever it was that God wanted him to end up being with.
Steve and Stephanie went to many of the Collage outings, saw each other at church, and they liked to hang out together. This was the start of a friendship that would last. Steve started to go to Stephanie’s house, more and more. Her family had accepted him as a friend. Stephanie would later say that Steve was her best friend.
One day, after knowing Stephanie for about 2 years, and after much prayer and thought, Steve asked to talk to Stephanie’s parents alone. They knew what was coming. So, they decided to go to a restaurant and talk. They sat down, and Steve then proceeded to nervously take out a long list from his wallet. On it were listed all the reasons why he wanted – and should be allowed – to start courting (not dating, they had both independently read the book “I Kissed Dating Goodbye” by Josh Harris, and agreed that courtship was the way to go with whoever they ended up with) Stephanie, and see if it would lead to marriage. He was so nervous, and Stephanie’s parents watched somewhat amused as he talked to them and looked at his long list. Finally, he was finished and they agreed to his proposals, no pun intended J.
Stephanie’s mother had discussed with her this possibility before, and expressed concern with the fact that she and Steve had been spending so much time together. She felt that, if they did not end up being together, Stephanie would compare everyone she met afterward with Steve. He was such a big part of her life that it would be difficult not to think about him. Her mother and father already decided that, if Steve did not make a move soon, they would have to talk to him about either taking the next step, or seriously cutting down the time they spent together.
So, anxiously Steve went to Stephanie’s house. Her brother and sister excitedly listened through the door as Steve and Stephanie talked in the carport. Steve told her that he wanted to court her, and eventually marry her. Stephanie agreed, she literally said, “I agree.” She already knew what was coming, and had had time to pray and prepare for her answer. She and Steve hugged for several minutes. They agreed to take things slowly and work in God’s timing.
Another thing they agreed on was not to kiss yet. They wanted to keep their relationship 100% pure at all costs. This included dragging Stephanie’s brother and/or sister around with them everywhere they went because they required a chaperone. Although, they did have one day a month that they could be alone together.
That was in January. So, in May, four months later, on their “alone day” Steve took Stephanie to the beach. As they were standing at the shoreline, he asked her to marry him. Well, what he said wasn’t all that romantic. What he said was, “I think it’s time to take our relationship to the next level.”
A little later that month, they picked out an engagement ring, and it was official. Time to start kissing? No. Once again, they agreed not to kiss until their wedding day! They knew that once they went past the physical boundaries they had already set, it would be even harder for them to stay completely pure. But, they would no longer have chaperones (a relief to all of them, I’m sure) so they were on their own as far as staying pure. They had God’s help, but they needed to keep seeking His will. Either way it would require a lot of discipline not to have that kind of physical contact with the person you are in love with!
So, what do you think? Did they succeed in staying pure until their wedding day? Did they abstain from even kissing until their wedding? Well, they were engaged May of 2001. They were married September of 2002. That’s almost a year and a half.
With strength from God, and encouragement from family, friends and the church, they did succeed. With her family looking on, the blessing of the church, a beautiful wedding dress, her sister as her maid of honor, best friend as her bridesmaid, and God’s blessing because of her total purity, she came down the aisle to Canon in D. It was almost magical.
The pastor talked about how important it is to be pure, and have a pure relationship and the example Steve and Stephanie had set. Then, the time came to take the vows. The pastor said, “Repeat after me. I, Steve, take thee Stephanie....” Steve’s voice was broken with emotion, he had to clear his voice to speak. Tears streamed down his face. He loved Stephanie so much, and he was about to be her husband. It was all new. It was all pure. It was wonderful and beautiful!
Stephanie was crying, too. This was the apex of their whole relationship. Everything that was building up to this point was about to burst. They had made it through the past year and a half, and now it was about to pay off.... hopefully. She had never kissed a man before. She was anxious, and excited, but she trusted God and Steve. The rings were placed on their fingers, and the pastor said, “And now, for the first time, and certainly not the last, you may kiss your bride!” Steve took Stephanie’s face in his hands, whispered, “Yes?” Stephanie nodded back, “Yes!” and he kissed her for the very first time! It was done. They had accomplished what few have even thought of doing. They had their first husband-and-wife dance to Steven Curtis Chapman’s “I Will be There.” Stephanie looked into Steve’s eyes the whole time, so in love!
Now, they have their own home remodeling business, are expecting their first child, a boy, in November (2005), and are working hard for God and their future together.
Also, since their marriage they have spoken at a courtship presentation. Steve said there that even though he had had relationships before, and had kissed someone else before, when he kissed Stephanie, it was undoubtedly the best he had ever had. Of course, Stephanie had never kissed anyone else, but she definitely knew it was good, and it was all in God’s will.
So, what this true story has set and example for is this: staying pure in all ways before you are married is not only staying in God’s will, but you will enjoy it much, much more when you get married, because you are doing things the way God intended, and there is no risk of disapproval from the church. You have protection from the church because of staying pure. Steve had experienced impure relationships before, he knew what it was like to give into temptations outside the will of God. And he agrees that it is so much better to simply stay within the boundaries of marriage.
Read the Bible daily. You can’t go more than a few chapters without reading about how God expects us to abstain from sexual immorality. It urges us to keep ourselves pure. Read the Song of Solomon. See how he tells in detail of different women he was infatuated with. But, then read Ecclesiastes. Solomon says it’s all for nothing! He was the richest man in the world, he had thousands of women, but he knew it was all for nothing if you weren’t in God’s will. It was all worthless. Paul says of the GOOD things he did that he counts it as filth. So, how much worse are the wrong things we do? Let us consider the Word of God, and see how He speaks to us. It is our decision to make whether or not we believe the truth, but it is God’s decision what truth is.
“Foods for the stomach and the stomach for foods, but God will destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.”
“Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body.”
“Nevertheless, because of sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband.”
1 Corinthians 6:13; 6:18; 7:2
“For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality.”
1 Thessalonians 4:3
“Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”
1 Timothy 4:12
~By Kristina Y. (Stephanie’s sister)
Stephanie lived more of a quiet life. Being home-schooled in a Christian home she hadn’t ever had very many friends her own age. But because she was always taught that having close friends that weren’t true Christians was against God’s will, she was content to just learn more about God through her mother who home-churched, so to speak, as well as teaching her two other children.
Then, through one of her favorite Bible teachers, Stephanie’s mother finally found a church that taught the truth from the Bible. Stephanie started making friends and at the age of 15 was part of the “Collage” group, mainly for college-age and young adults. A man named Steve, 22 at the time, was also part of that group.
Steve hadn’t always been a Christian. In fact, some of his younger exploits were not something he was proud of. He had two relationships before that ended up in transgression, hurting them both. But, because of this evident sin, he was more easily convinced he was heading towards destruction. He cut off the second relationship right away, and removed himself from temptation. He turned his life around by acknowledging his sin, asking Jesus Christ to forgive and save him, and to lead his life. Since then he had found the church Stephanie was also attending, and was really seeking God and praying for whoever it was that God wanted him to end up being with.
Steve and Stephanie went to many of the Collage outings, saw each other at church, and they liked to hang out together. This was the start of a friendship that would last. Steve started to go to Stephanie’s house, more and more. Her family had accepted him as a friend. Stephanie would later say that Steve was her best friend.
One day, after knowing Stephanie for about 2 years, and after much prayer and thought, Steve asked to talk to Stephanie’s parents alone. They knew what was coming. So, they decided to go to a restaurant and talk. They sat down, and Steve then proceeded to nervously take out a long list from his wallet. On it were listed all the reasons why he wanted – and should be allowed – to start courting (not dating, they had both independently read the book “I Kissed Dating Goodbye” by Josh Harris, and agreed that courtship was the way to go with whoever they ended up with) Stephanie, and see if it would lead to marriage. He was so nervous, and Stephanie’s parents watched somewhat amused as he talked to them and looked at his long list. Finally, he was finished and they agreed to his proposals, no pun intended J.
Stephanie’s mother had discussed with her this possibility before, and expressed concern with the fact that she and Steve had been spending so much time together. She felt that, if they did not end up being together, Stephanie would compare everyone she met afterward with Steve. He was such a big part of her life that it would be difficult not to think about him. Her mother and father already decided that, if Steve did not make a move soon, they would have to talk to him about either taking the next step, or seriously cutting down the time they spent together.
So, anxiously Steve went to Stephanie’s house. Her brother and sister excitedly listened through the door as Steve and Stephanie talked in the carport. Steve told her that he wanted to court her, and eventually marry her. Stephanie agreed, she literally said, “I agree.” She already knew what was coming, and had had time to pray and prepare for her answer. She and Steve hugged for several minutes. They agreed to take things slowly and work in God’s timing.
Another thing they agreed on was not to kiss yet. They wanted to keep their relationship 100% pure at all costs. This included dragging Stephanie’s brother and/or sister around with them everywhere they went because they required a chaperone. Although, they did have one day a month that they could be alone together.
That was in January. So, in May, four months later, on their “alone day” Steve took Stephanie to the beach. As they were standing at the shoreline, he asked her to marry him. Well, what he said wasn’t all that romantic. What he said was, “I think it’s time to take our relationship to the next level.”
A little later that month, they picked out an engagement ring, and it was official. Time to start kissing? No. Once again, they agreed not to kiss until their wedding day! They knew that once they went past the physical boundaries they had already set, it would be even harder for them to stay completely pure. But, they would no longer have chaperones (a relief to all of them, I’m sure) so they were on their own as far as staying pure. They had God’s help, but they needed to keep seeking His will. Either way it would require a lot of discipline not to have that kind of physical contact with the person you are in love with!
So, what do you think? Did they succeed in staying pure until their wedding day? Did they abstain from even kissing until their wedding? Well, they were engaged May of 2001. They were married September of 2002. That’s almost a year and a half.
With strength from God, and encouragement from family, friends and the church, they did succeed. With her family looking on, the blessing of the church, a beautiful wedding dress, her sister as her maid of honor, best friend as her bridesmaid, and God’s blessing because of her total purity, she came down the aisle to Canon in D. It was almost magical.
The pastor talked about how important it is to be pure, and have a pure relationship and the example Steve and Stephanie had set. Then, the time came to take the vows. The pastor said, “Repeat after me. I, Steve, take thee Stephanie....” Steve’s voice was broken with emotion, he had to clear his voice to speak. Tears streamed down his face. He loved Stephanie so much, and he was about to be her husband. It was all new. It was all pure. It was wonderful and beautiful!
Stephanie was crying, too. This was the apex of their whole relationship. Everything that was building up to this point was about to burst. They had made it through the past year and a half, and now it was about to pay off.... hopefully. She had never kissed a man before. She was anxious, and excited, but she trusted God and Steve. The rings were placed on their fingers, and the pastor said, “And now, for the first time, and certainly not the last, you may kiss your bride!” Steve took Stephanie’s face in his hands, whispered, “Yes?” Stephanie nodded back, “Yes!” and he kissed her for the very first time! It was done. They had accomplished what few have even thought of doing. They had their first husband-and-wife dance to Steven Curtis Chapman’s “I Will be There.” Stephanie looked into Steve’s eyes the whole time, so in love!
Now, they have their own home remodeling business, are expecting their first child, a boy, in November (2005), and are working hard for God and their future together.
Also, since their marriage they have spoken at a courtship presentation. Steve said there that even though he had had relationships before, and had kissed someone else before, when he kissed Stephanie, it was undoubtedly the best he had ever had. Of course, Stephanie had never kissed anyone else, but she definitely knew it was good, and it was all in God’s will.
So, what this true story has set and example for is this: staying pure in all ways before you are married is not only staying in God’s will, but you will enjoy it much, much more when you get married, because you are doing things the way God intended, and there is no risk of disapproval from the church. You have protection from the church because of staying pure. Steve had experienced impure relationships before, he knew what it was like to give into temptations outside the will of God. And he agrees that it is so much better to simply stay within the boundaries of marriage.
Read the Bible daily. You can’t go more than a few chapters without reading about how God expects us to abstain from sexual immorality. It urges us to keep ourselves pure. Read the Song of Solomon. See how he tells in detail of different women he was infatuated with. But, then read Ecclesiastes. Solomon says it’s all for nothing! He was the richest man in the world, he had thousands of women, but he knew it was all for nothing if you weren’t in God’s will. It was all worthless. Paul says of the GOOD things he did that he counts it as filth. So, how much worse are the wrong things we do? Let us consider the Word of God, and see how He speaks to us. It is our decision to make whether or not we believe the truth, but it is God’s decision what truth is.
“Foods for the stomach and the stomach for foods, but God will destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.”
“Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body.”
“Nevertheless, because of sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband.”
1 Corinthians 6:13; 6:18; 7:2
“For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality.”
1 Thessalonians 4:3
“Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”
1 Timothy 4:12
~By Kristina Y. (Stephanie’s sister)
Sunday, January 22, 2006
Choosing God's Best - I Finished the Book
(Originally published Thursday, January 19, 2006)
I just finished the book Choosing God's Best, by Dr. Don Raunikar, the other day. There are a few things he says that I don't agree with. He is a psychotherapist and some of his viewpoints have a pop-psychology tilt to them. Mostly it's about "self-esteem," but he points everyone back to Jesus and clarifies that everyone's "self-worth" is only found in Jesus. The other issue is that he suggests reading Christian books about physical intimacy issues between man and wife, I don't agree with this. It's not addressed in the Bible, and I don't believe anyone should be getting advice about this subject from anyone but God and their spouse.
Anyway, other than that, it's an extremely good book. It makes a lot of points that I hadn't thought of before. It even lays our a general timline and guidlines, or principles, for the courtship process. For example, he says that God will not allow you to be any more intimate (not necessarily talking about physical intimacy) with someone else than you are with Him. So, if you feel like you are deprived of intimacy with your mate or future mate, then it's because your relationship with God is deprived.
Another good point he makes in the book is that even if you have been in a relationship with someone where you didn't have an official boyfriend/girlfriend status, if you spend too much time with them, or let your mind go off to imagining things about a future relationship, then if you make known your feelings and they give you the cold shoulder, or just have to let you down, it will be as if you had been in an actual relationship with them. I relayed an instance like this in the real story of James (http://eternal-life-day-by-day.blogspot.com/2005/12/relationships-is-he-ready.html) He put too much of his heart into a girl without making it known, and ended up hurt.
So, the point is that you can stay completely pure physically, and still be hurt if you have too much emotionally invested.
I just finished the book Choosing God's Best, by Dr. Don Raunikar, the other day. There are a few things he says that I don't agree with. He is a psychotherapist and some of his viewpoints have a pop-psychology tilt to them. Mostly it's about "self-esteem," but he points everyone back to Jesus and clarifies that everyone's "self-worth" is only found in Jesus. The other issue is that he suggests reading Christian books about physical intimacy issues between man and wife, I don't agree with this. It's not addressed in the Bible, and I don't believe anyone should be getting advice about this subject from anyone but God and their spouse.
Anyway, other than that, it's an extremely good book. It makes a lot of points that I hadn't thought of before. It even lays our a general timline and guidlines, or principles, for the courtship process. For example, he says that God will not allow you to be any more intimate (not necessarily talking about physical intimacy) with someone else than you are with Him. So, if you feel like you are deprived of intimacy with your mate or future mate, then it's because your relationship with God is deprived.
Another good point he makes in the book is that even if you have been in a relationship with someone where you didn't have an official boyfriend/girlfriend status, if you spend too much time with them, or let your mind go off to imagining things about a future relationship, then if you make known your feelings and they give you the cold shoulder, or just have to let you down, it will be as if you had been in an actual relationship with them. I relayed an instance like this in the real story of James (http://eternal-life-day-by-day.blogspot.com/2005/12/relationships-is-he-ready.html) He put too much of his heart into a girl without making it known, and ended up hurt.
So, the point is that you can stay completely pure physically, and still be hurt if you have too much emotionally invested.
The Marriage Factor
(Originally published Sunday, January 01, 2006)
The main difference between dating and courting is marriage: when "mainstream" dating, the goal is not usually to find your future husband/wife. Obviously, there are many people who consider themselves to be "dating" someone else and are also looking for the potential marriage factor. But, this isn't typical dating.
Those who say that the only dating people who are advocates of courtship talk about is secular and centers around pre-marital sex are wrong. There are many other aspects of dating that contrast to what affects your marriage later in life. Even only completely pure relationships can result in comparison problems, meaning that you will be contrasting the pros and cons of every past relationship to your present one.
Aside from the marriage aspect of courting, the other main difference is family. When you date someone, you typically take them out someplace to be alone. However, when you court someone, you typically would spend more time with the entire family. This strengthens your relationship as a whole. This means you aquire acceptance from your future spouse's family. You become part of his/her family. Spending time with your prospective mate in a group setting also virtually eliminates the temptation factor. Not to say that you won't have temptations, you will just not be able to carry them out.
Spending too much time alone with someone you are dating/courting will enivitably lead to some breach of purity, whether it's the rules you have laid out in advance for yourselves, the parent's rules, or God's rules. Think about it; when you are finally married to whoever it is you have chosen, do you want to have a good relationship with the family you will be spending birthdays, holidays, etc. with? Do you want them to be confident that they have let their child marry the right person? What about the relationship between the two families? If both families know that you have been pure and faithful (which can only come by witnessing you interacting and getting to know eachother) there will not be a trust issue. You will have the complete endorsement from your families.
There is a book called, "Choosing God's Best." I haven't read the entire book yet, but it gives som many contrasts from dating and courting.
One other thing: when we get emotionally involved with someone that we end up not marrying, it leaves a scar. On a previous post I talked about a man I know who has been in several relationships, and he never went past kissing, but the scars remain because he didn't know them well enough to see that they either had a past, or were going to create one. He didn't get to know their families, he didn't present his ideals and plans for marriage first. And now, he is virtually incapable of sanely going about finding a relationship. He is spouting hopelessness, because he has saved himself for 30 years for a pure woman, and there are so few out there, and because the ones that are would not accept him because of his mindset. He wants a moral woman, not a godly woman. That is the problem with dating; it leads to moral thinking without God.
Marriage is supposed to be patterned after Christ and the church. How many must we court before we find "Mr. Right?"
I am 17 years old, and it frightens me to think of breaking someone's heart, or having my heart broken, because I dove into a relationship without God's guidance. I don't believe God would have me date or court a dozen men (or even 3) before finding His man for me. Not if I am seeking His will, His plans.
My sister was lucky (no, blessed) to have married the first man she courted at 18 years old. They read the Josh Harris books together before they were engaged. We need to get over the terms "dating" and "courting" and just do what God says.
I really think we need to find a new term for biblical preparation and relating before marriage. Never should a Christian "shop around" for their soul-mate. Never. So many so-called moral people get caught in promiscuity. It's so saddening. But, most of all, think about God's sadness. These are His children being hurt because of their lack of willingness to follow a guideline because of a stupid name, courtship.
Get over it. If there is really an aspect of the kind of courtship that offends you, find out if it's biblical, and decide your own rules based on what God has already told us about it.
Why are we allowed to say that there are different kinds of dating, but not different kinds of courting?
Look and see the double standard. Pray and find out for yourself. What is God's will for you?
Oh yes, to those who say courting is only for adolescants and young adults: Is it any less a sin to commit adultery at 30 than 18? Do you thnk that the idea that the older you are the more capable of making your own decisions leads to independance from God and family? Is that right? Why did Jesus say that faith like a child's is a good thing? Are there more or less promiscuous adults than teens? Are there many young Christians who are far more mature in their faith than older Christians?
If Jesus is Lord of your life, no matter how old you are, His way is the right way. Search your heart and God's Word to find the answer.
The main difference between dating and courting is marriage: when "mainstream" dating, the goal is not usually to find your future husband/wife. Obviously, there are many people who consider themselves to be "dating" someone else and are also looking for the potential marriage factor. But, this isn't typical dating.
Those who say that the only dating people who are advocates of courtship talk about is secular and centers around pre-marital sex are wrong. There are many other aspects of dating that contrast to what affects your marriage later in life. Even only completely pure relationships can result in comparison problems, meaning that you will be contrasting the pros and cons of every past relationship to your present one.
Aside from the marriage aspect of courting, the other main difference is family. When you date someone, you typically take them out someplace to be alone. However, when you court someone, you typically would spend more time with the entire family. This strengthens your relationship as a whole. This means you aquire acceptance from your future spouse's family. You become part of his/her family. Spending time with your prospective mate in a group setting also virtually eliminates the temptation factor. Not to say that you won't have temptations, you will just not be able to carry them out.
Spending too much time alone with someone you are dating/courting will enivitably lead to some breach of purity, whether it's the rules you have laid out in advance for yourselves, the parent's rules, or God's rules. Think about it; when you are finally married to whoever it is you have chosen, do you want to have a good relationship with the family you will be spending birthdays, holidays, etc. with? Do you want them to be confident that they have let their child marry the right person? What about the relationship between the two families? If both families know that you have been pure and faithful (which can only come by witnessing you interacting and getting to know eachother) there will not be a trust issue. You will have the complete endorsement from your families.
There is a book called, "Choosing God's Best." I haven't read the entire book yet, but it gives som many contrasts from dating and courting.
One other thing: when we get emotionally involved with someone that we end up not marrying, it leaves a scar. On a previous post I talked about a man I know who has been in several relationships, and he never went past kissing, but the scars remain because he didn't know them well enough to see that they either had a past, or were going to create one. He didn't get to know their families, he didn't present his ideals and plans for marriage first. And now, he is virtually incapable of sanely going about finding a relationship. He is spouting hopelessness, because he has saved himself for 30 years for a pure woman, and there are so few out there, and because the ones that are would not accept him because of his mindset. He wants a moral woman, not a godly woman. That is the problem with dating; it leads to moral thinking without God.
Marriage is supposed to be patterned after Christ and the church. How many must we court before we find "Mr. Right?"
I am 17 years old, and it frightens me to think of breaking someone's heart, or having my heart broken, because I dove into a relationship without God's guidance. I don't believe God would have me date or court a dozen men (or even 3) before finding His man for me. Not if I am seeking His will, His plans.
My sister was lucky (no, blessed) to have married the first man she courted at 18 years old. They read the Josh Harris books together before they were engaged. We need to get over the terms "dating" and "courting" and just do what God says.
I really think we need to find a new term for biblical preparation and relating before marriage. Never should a Christian "shop around" for their soul-mate. Never. So many so-called moral people get caught in promiscuity. It's so saddening. But, most of all, think about God's sadness. These are His children being hurt because of their lack of willingness to follow a guideline because of a stupid name, courtship.
Get over it. If there is really an aspect of the kind of courtship that offends you, find out if it's biblical, and decide your own rules based on what God has already told us about it.
Why are we allowed to say that there are different kinds of dating, but not different kinds of courting?
Look and see the double standard. Pray and find out for yourself. What is God's will for you?
Oh yes, to those who say courting is only for adolescants and young adults: Is it any less a sin to commit adultery at 30 than 18? Do you thnk that the idea that the older you are the more capable of making your own decisions leads to independance from God and family? Is that right? Why did Jesus say that faith like a child's is a good thing? Are there more or less promiscuous adults than teens? Are there many young Christians who are far more mature in their faith than older Christians?
If Jesus is Lord of your life, no matter how old you are, His way is the right way. Search your heart and God's Word to find the answer.
Merging Blogs
For anyone who happens to look at any of my blogs, I am merging the two I had created. It was only out of ignorance that I had two in the first place, LOL :) Now I know more about how everything works, so I don't need two.
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