Adventures in Dating

So this post will be touching on 2 things: First of all this is my response to the Dating Panel my young adults/singles group at church had last Sunday night. And Secondly it's a follow-up to a previous post called "Singleness in the Church" which is a post regarding this same church group.

A friend of mine had asked me to write a post about the Dating panel (made up of some of our church elders) I attended on Sunday. I had a lot of thoughts about what was said that night and will be sharing with you some of my feedback on the panel's discussion. I need to state that my thoughts I share are mine alone and I realize that not everyone will agree...which is ok...since this is my blog. ;)

Here are things I learned and my thoughts will be in red:

One of the elders said, "Men don't like long walks on the beach unless the walk has a destination"!
~~ I disagree because I know many men that love these long walks with their significant other...and in my opinion long walks on the beach are a great way to romance the woman who has captured your heart...though that may depend on the woman...not every woman is a hopeless romantic like me. :)

We were informed that there isn't necessarily "ONE" person created specifically just for you...as long as he/she is a christian there could be a few potential candidates that could be that "Infamous ONE" ~~That revelation did burst my romantic bubble...NO - more like crushed it!! - here I thought GOD had woven(tailored) "The ONE" with just me in mind :(...Hmm after 29 yrs that's good to finally know that isn't the case...haha.

Qualities that are a must have in your future spouse:
1) Humble Heart
2) Grateful Heart
3) Generous Heart &
4) Servants Heart
~~ Well put and I whole-heartily agree!!! :)

Dating has benefits and those are:
*To get know yourself & other people
*To sharpen each other (Proverbs 27:17 - as iron sharpens iron)
*To build relationship skills
*To help heal and repair &
*It has valuue
~~ Infact the Elders encouraged us to date...so guys your orders have given by the Elders...they have handed you the torch...so pursue away...hint hint ;)

Regarding Dating & Sex (Galations 6:7 - a man reaps what he sows)
"Sex is pilates with a jolt, it's deep intimacy" ~ Tim Kimmel
Things you don't do:
1)DON''T go over to each others homes
2) DON'T go parking &

3) DON'T make out a lot!!

Hand to body = LAUNCH CODE (for guys)

Even looking at a girl can activate the LAUNCH CODE!

~~LAUNCH CODE = Houston we have a problem!!....Girls we need to do everything we can to protect these guys! After hearing this panel discussion on Dating...I am so glad that I wrote my recent post "To Hug Or Not To Hug"...if you haven't read it, you should! :)

On a final note these 4 books were recommended:

1) Boundaries in Dating by Townsend/Cloud

2) Love for a Lifetime by Dr. James Dobson

3) The Meaning of Marriage by Tim Keller &

4) The Invisible Bond by Barbara Wilson

Overall I thought the discussion was very informative and I learned a lot! :)