Posted on 02/14/2013 3:27:49 PM PST by CHRISTIAN DIARIST
Today is Valentine’s Day. For the happily married among us, it’s probably not that big a deal. Because when you have someone you love, who you’re doing life with, every day is Valentine’s Day.
Things are different for singles looking for love: Those who’ve never experienced holy matrimony. Those who once were married but – for one reason or another – sadly parted ways with their spouse. Those who have lost a beloved husband or wife to illness or other tragedy.
As I reflect upon Valentine’s Day, I am reminded of a sermon I heard a couple years ago while visiting a church in suburban Washington, D.C. The pastor talked about the epidemic of loneliness; about the millions of good men and good women desperate for a Godly relationship who, through no fault of their own, hadn’t found the right person.
The message clearly struck a chord with the singles in the congregation that morning. For I observed many of them gently weeping. And I my heart broke for them.
So what would I suggest today if a lonely heart asked my advice?
I would encourage them to stay in faith; to take comfort in the knowledge that, as the Psalmist wrote, the Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
And I would suggest that they check out ChristianMingle.com, the nation’s leading Christian-based dating site, which boasts more than 8 million registered members.
The Washington Post published an attack piece on ChristianMingle last month. Post staff writer Paul Farhi went off on the web site’s slogan, “Find God’s Match For You.”
“How does it know whom God wants to hook you up with?” Farhi mocked. “And is it kosher to invoke God’s name to selling a dating service?” he added, sneered.
Well how does Farhi know what means the Almighty might employ to bring two people together, including a Christian dating site? And when did God anoint the Post writer to authorize (or not authorize) the use of his name in an advertising slogan?
I have no relationship whatsoever with ChristianMingle. But it seems to me the web site is providing a welcome online service to Christ followers who are single, who are looking for someone who shares their faith, with whom they might ultimately share their lives.
The testimony of couples that met through ChristianMingle speak to the dating site’s fulfillment of the promises it advertises.
California couple Anthony and Jessica met last March on ChristianMingle. Though they lived an hour and a half drive away from each other, said Jessica, “we knew God had a bigger plan for our future and so we decided to date despite the distance.”
Oklahoma couple Ryan and Stephanie connected on ChristianMingle last February. “I had been frustrated for a while,” said Ryan, a pastor, “because in my position it is really hard to meet women. So I thought ChristianMingle could be a place where I might be able to find love. I came across the profile of a very beautiful blonde woman with an amazing light about her that totally intrigued me!
Florida couple Kristen and Josh also made a love connection on ChristianMingle a year ago. “We had both been divorced,” said Kristen, a single mom and a solider, “and had concerns about meeting someone new. After a month of exchanging emails, chatting, and talking on the phone, we finally decided to meet. Our first date was a success and we have been together ever since!”
Anthony and Jessica, Ryan and Stephanie and Kristen and Josh all have wedding dates this year. Their success stories, and thousands more like them for which ChristianMingle was the facilitator, suggest to me that God may very well be using the web site to bless lonely Christians looking for love.
bump
Oh gawd, can you imagine the kind of people who use the hook-up, bootycall kind of sites? yikes....
They are. I met my husband the old fashioned way, through a friend. My Uncle, as I recounted above, met his second wife on-line. My cousin married the girl next door, (ok two blocks down, turn left, third house on the right. Close enough!)
Internet dating is just an extension of the old "dating by mail" that was popular 100 years ago.
You have no idea about their divorce circumstances, but I'm sure they admire your piety.
Plus the first time I correct that child for something he/she does wrong the child will run to the biological parent and call me “the wicked stepmother” Sorry everyone I don’t need this crap. I don’t want some divorced man or his extra baggage. Widowers are okay however. Even ones with children, because there is no biological mother to run to and make me the wicked stepmother.
LOL, looks like you need no help.
So sorry. God bless you in your sorrow.
I know only 1 person who uses ChristianMingle and she is separated from her husband. I think she just uses it for entertainment.
My condolences to you on your loss.
I’m so sorry for your loss! Prayers, to you, for comfort and rest during this period in your life.
“but I’m sure they admire your piety.”
Well I’d rather be an old maid than an old divorcee.
Sorrow?
Hey of all the 100 things I did wrong in my youth, getting in a bad marriage so that I ended up divorced (or worse) was not one of them!!
I don't blanket judge all cases.
I’m with you - it’s the people and their hearts, not the tool. God can take the absolute worst thing and squeeze massive amounts of good from it. Condemning Christian Mingle because some folks will be predators is like condemning guns because some folks will be killers.
“There’s valid reasons - Affairs, drugs, abuse, criminal behavior
There’s no say in the matter. One wants out. The other is religious and doesn’t believe in it.
I don’t blanket judge all cases.”
Don’t blanket judge? Dude come on over 80% of these people were divorced! Some more than once. The idea of Margaret Sanger/Kinsey was to break down the nuclear family and guess what? It has happened in the protestant faith which allowed this evil in their mists. It was shocking to see this to me but to them it is nothing. Then they have the gall to tell me they are “on fire for Jesus”? Oh please, spare me. They then turn around and then say they are for homosexual marriage and agree with using birth control to limit the number of children they will produce in a marriage.
Is it any wonder they are divorced?
Personally, I think the four things I listed are the only valid reasons for a divorce, and in the case of drugs, if the person refuses to get help and/or puts the kids in danger. I've seen many cases where those actions caused the divorce. Drugs and/or adultery were the most common of those four. As far as “on fire for Jesus” goes, actions always speak louder than words. Anyone can say anything. Look at Joe Biden.
I quite agree about the “actions speak louder than words” and yes they can say what they think others want to hear..
But look at Joe Biteme? Only Joe? How about every politician out there. “how do you know when a politician is lying? His/her lips are moving”.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.