Christian Dating & Celibacy

According to statistics put out by Focus on the Family a few years ago, 75% of Christian girls that are dating think that if a guy spends money on them, taking them on a date, they have a responsibility to repay him by having sex with him. That's among Christian girls.

Herein lies the true problem of Christian dating. Most of the time, dating isn't about finding a spouse, it's about sex. Women not only sleep with men out of fear, but many also participate out of selfishness in an attempt to control. Sex is powerful. However, power in the wrong hands is dangerous.

Women must understand that men do not associate sex with love. It is quite easy and convenient for a man to have sex with you without loving you. Women often give in to the pressure of fornication out of fear of not being able to hold on to a man. Ironically, an enormous amount of women can testify that giving in does not guarantee that you will keep a man. If a man wants to leave you because you won't have sex with him, trust God and let him go. Chances are he was only an obstacle that Satan sent to block you from getting to the “Godly” man that He has in store for you. If he is the “Godly” man that God intended for you, he will be patient if he really loves you without compromise (1 Cor 13:4).

Relationships

One day when I was flipping channels on the television, I saw a documentary on prostitutes. One of the prostitutes being interviewed gave her perspective on dating. According to her, all women are prostitutes (to paraphrase what she said). She said that the only differences between her and other women is that she doesn’t know who her “John” is, and that she sleeps with men to pay her rent, while other women are doing it for a dinner. This woman may not have been saved, but she did have revelation.

A man that doesn’t honor God will not honor a woman. By the way, why have we as women given so much credence to the notion that if we are rejected by a man that it is our fault? Isn't it possible that he can be stupid and doesn't realize your value? Better yet, perhaps the reason he is rejecting you is simply the fact that he is not the one for you!

Marriage Advice

According to Divorce Magazine, 2002 statistics; fatherless homes account for 63% of youth suicides; 90% of homeless/runaway children; 85% of children with behavior problems; 71% of high school dropouts; 85% of youths in prison; and well over 50% of teen mothers. God is still asking men the same question he asked Adam thousands of years ago – “Where art thou?” (Gen 3:9).

In marriage, you have two individuals with different strengths and weaknesses, different points of view, and probably different personalities. Couples should use their differences to complement one another and not compete against one another. Besides, God's plan is for the two to become one (Gen 2:24). In coming together, couples should also pool their resources in marriage, and yes, this does include money. The two should work together to manage the money and create a budget plan for short-term and long-term goals. I know in today's culture, it's not popular to trust anyone with your money, not even your spouse. My question would be, “Why would you marry someone you cannot trust?”

Return to Your First Love - Book

Teresa grew up on the South Side of Chicago in a one bedroom apartment with her parents and four siblings. Not only were their living arrangements challenging, but her family’s lifestyle was dysfunctional. Love was understood, but seldom expressed. Her father often neglected his family responsibilities for gambling, alcohol and other women. Her troubles intensify with a tumultuous relationship with mother for most of her childhood. In spite of the difficulties, her parents instilled in her at an early age, an expectation of excellence. Growing up in the midst of pain and strife, Teresa becomes aware that God is extending His loving hand towards her, and offers comforts through the ordeal. She finds peace as she draws nigh unto Him. Teresa confessed Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at age 12, and committed to living a life pleasing to Him.

As a product of the Chicago Public School system, Teresa excelled academically in elementary school, but by the time she enters high school, her passion for learning gradually diminishes as she becomes more distracted and discouraged by her impoverished living conditions, peer pressure and overwhelming struggles of growing up in an unstable home environment.

As a young adult entering college, Teresa is liberated from her parents’ strict rules, only to find herself bound by the freedom, she is unprepared for. Her lack of restraint gives birth to lack of initiative causing her performance to fluctuate, and she goes from one college to another. Lacking discretion, she not only suffers academically, but professionally, financially, socially, emotionally and spiritually, ultimately leaving her in a state of depression.

There are many people that question whether or not God is real. Return to Your First Love is an inspirational story about one woman’s life that will give an atheist second thought. Author, Teresa R. Jones is a woman that has believed in God her entire life. She was a zealous for God has a child. However, as she embarks upon adulthood, she commences a part-time relationship with God to indulge in the lures of the world. As a result, she suffers the consequences of carnality. By the time Teresa reaches her late twenties, she is weary and battered by the struggles of the world and the instability of living a double life. At this defining moment in her life, she repents and embraces the close walk with God, she relished as a child. As a result, she experiences a vicissitude of blessings. Teresa’s life is not absent from trials in struggles, but as she continues to seek Jesus Christ, she grows and evolves and discovers that life is much sweeter.

This inspiring true story will compel readers to be honest and transparent before Him, because He knows our frame. Return To Your First Love exhorts readers to pursue the truth in self and in every life circumstance. Your heart will laugh and cry as her words encourages you to love God with childlike abandon again.

You can purchase a copy Amazon or Barnes & Noble and bookstores nationwide. “Return to Your First Love” is a hardcover book published by Waverly Media Group; Hardcover: $27.95, Paperback: $19.95; 479 pages.

Download chapter 1 - Click on link

ISBN (Hardcover) 978-0984097401 ISBN (Paperback) 978-0984097418

E-mail Teresa for more information
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