~I Kissed Dating Goodbye~

Just by looking at the title solely, you would never understand its true meaning. “I Kissed Dating Goodbye” is a challenging and encouraging book written by Joshua Harris. This book shows what it means to entrust your lovelife to God. It isn’t really about dating at all. It’s a book about following Christ and what that means for all of our relationships with others- whether romantic or not.

I am so thankful to one of my colleagues who gave me the chance to read this very interesting book. I just wanted to share some of Josh’s encouraging write up.

Jeremiah 17:9 “The heart is deceitful above all things..” though the advice of many well-meaning people today is to “follow your heart”, the Bible warns that your heart can lead you in wrong, even deadly directions. Our hearts lie. Something can feel right and be completely wrong….

• Any season of singleness is a gift from God.

• Intimacy costs commitment

• One is not better than another; each season yields its own unique treasures.

• The right thing at the wrong time is the wrong thing.

• The joy of intimacy is the reward of commitment

• Building well sometimes means first tearing down.

• The path you take with your feet should never contradict the conviction of your heart.

• Living a pure life before God requires the teamwork of your heart and your feet.

• Romantic passion is sweetest when its growing out of a relationship that’s deepening in devotion.

• Intimacy without commitment, like icing without cake, can be sweet, but it ends up making us sick.

• The best relationships are between two people who care more about each other‘s good than their own momentary pleasure.

• A relationship based solely on physical attraction and romantic feelings will last only as long as the feelings last.

• True love expresses in obedience to God and service to others – not reckless or selfish behavior.

• Just because something is good doesn’t mean we should pursue it right now. We have to remember that the right thing at the wrong time is the wrong thing.

• Just because lips have met doesn’t mean hearts have joined. And just because two bodies are drawn to each other doesn’t mean two people are right for each other. A physical relationship doesn’t equal love.

• True love isn’t just expressed in passionately whispered words or intimate kiss or an embrace; before two people are married, love is expressed in self-control, patience even words left unsaid.

• True love waits, but not just for sex. It waits for the right time to commit to God’s brand  of love- unwavering, unflagging and totally committed.

• Too often, people want they want (or hat they think they want, which is usually “happiness” in one form or another) right now. The irony of their impatience of their impatience is that the only learning to wait and by willingness to accept the bad with the good, do we usually attain those things that are truly worthwhile¸

• Just because something is good doesn’t mean we should gorge on it. Like healthy eating, healthy friendships require self-control and moderation.

• We need to concentrate not only on finding the right person but more important on becoming the right person.

• Love should not be stirred up before its proper time, because the love relationship, unless carefully guarded may cause grief instead of the great joy it should bring to the human heart.

• A wedding is an event, but marriage is a state of being. It’s not a one time act; it’s a lifelong commitment to be developed and maintained.

• When God knows you’re ready for the responsibility of commitment, He’ll reveal the right the right person under the right circumstances.

• We all have our own camels to water – current relationships and responsibilities we can too easily take for granted. If were wise, we’ll see our duties not as unimportant ways to bide our time, but as springboards, launching us into God’s plan and purpose for our future.

• Times will come in life when you realize you made a mistake. At the moment you have two choices:  You can swallow your pride and pull a few nails, or you can foolishly continue your coarse, hoping the problem will go away.  Most of the time the problem will only get worse. When you realize you’ve made a mistake, the best thing you can do is tear down the wall and start over.

You’ll never be perfect of find a perfect mate- we’re all sinners- but only people with an attitude of willing obedience to God’s word will continue to grow in godliness and maturity throughout their lives.

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