Comments on: Dating: Recipe for Disaster

By: Word Warrior

Word Warrior — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 20:02:00 +0000

Anon,

At what age does a young woman no longer need protection and the loving guidance of her parents? And where did you get that information?

BTW, I said the opposite of “courtship is a one-size-fits-all”…I said it is NOT that. It’s different with everyone. It’s an idea, not an activity. It can work for virtually any situation, even a less ideal one with uninvolved parents.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 19:24:00 +0000

Sorry, I don’t see how courtship is a “one-size-fits-all” method, if you don’t live in a tiny town or a tightly constructed church. I don’t, and I don’t believe in hiding behind my house’s walls until the perfect man happens to stroll by. You can only protect your children so far; once they’re adults, they should make these decisions for themselves and it is NO longer your job to deliver them “unscathed”.

Jennifer

By: HC

HC — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 04:14:00 +0000

Hey, Kelly, can you tell me what radio program/stattion you were listening to with Chip Ingram?

Heather

By: The Mangerchine's

The Mangerchine's — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 21:31:00 +0000

It is sad to look at middle school and high school kids dating and trying to act like they are married adults. Trying to mimic the intimacy, closeness, etc., all of these things that they are not emotionally prepared for yet, nor ready to commit to and bare the consequences and responsibility of.

It is sad for the array of hearts that have been given away prematurely, numerous times, and are now wounded and carrying baggage, all of which could have been avoided if relationships had not been pursued until marriage was being pursued.

Shannon

By: Catherine R.

Catherine R. — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 21:03:00 +0000

One more thing. Going around being intimate with people outside of marriage has serious consequences when you do finally get married and try to do things right.

*However*...

when you have Jesus you are NOT comdemned to live a life of tragedy! Healing can and does happen.

By: Catherine R.

Catherine R. — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 20:59:00 +0000

Agreed.

One thing I think needs to happen is that we equip young people for marriage, something that is also sorely lacking. Then you won't have to wait till you're 40 because you're too immature to handle it. The longer a person spends past sexual maturity, the greater the chances of them getting into some seriously bad habits, especially in this world.

Personally the whole "gift of singleness" thing in the Christian culture is driving me nuts. Not everyone can "be like Paul", that's a rare calling. The vast majority of us are "burners"!

I can attest to the damage of dating though. I have lived with guys and had far too many notches in the belt, if you know what I'm saying. I wish someone would have provided guidance to me and told me it's okay to prepare for marriage and not go around "practicing" on every guy I meet.

By: Civilla

Civilla — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 20:16:00 +0000

So, give us “plan B” already!

By: Kelly L

Kelly L — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 20:06:00 +0000

Wonderful Post! My daughter is 8 and we have already begun to talk about this. Although I had never heard anything like it, we went to a Barlow Girl concert 3 years ago. They said they asked the Lord if they could date. His answer? “NO. I didn’t make your hearts to be broken over and over.” I had never heard that! What an impact it made for me and my husband and then 5 yr old girl. A great book to teach our children this concept is “The Princess and the Kiss” by Jennie Bishop. My daughter even uses the names of the unGodly princes to identify the kind of behavior she sees in life. I know there is a similar book for boys, but cannot remember the name. Sorry for the long post, thought someone would want to know about the great book.

By: Jules

Jules — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 19:58:00 +0000

As a parent of a son who is pursuing the courtship route I can say that it has enormous value for the whole family! This beautiful girl that our son is courting and who has been introduced to the family, we feel free to love without any reservation or fear that next week/month/whenever there'll be a new love interest.

Our eldest son followed the modern route, and even though he only seriously dated one girl, we didn't feel the same sense of freedom to love and open up to this girl until the time of their wedding.

Also, as a parent it's a real blessing to see your children making decisions about a marriage partner after much prayer, thought and seeking advice of others rather than letting their hormones dictate their behaviour.

By: Kim M.

Kim M. — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 18:35:00 +0000

Wow, I am so looking forward to ANYTHING you can post on this. I know very little about courtship personally, but I want it for our children. Except what to do? Where to start?