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.
........................ but at least its not a site where you PAY the woman for a "date"....
You’re not going to see me any time soon and no I have no problem with Christian Mingle.
"Gods match for you" works TWO ways, Farhi. Many people FAIL to hook up with anyone on Christian Mingle. As to the second question (or mock)Why NOT use ons Faith as a basis for meeting? How is this somehow presumptuous?
I met the perfect love of my life through online dating (Match.com). That was in August 2010. We had a blissful, loving and spectacularly fulfilling relationship.
Unfortunately, she died 2-1/2 weeks ago after an eight-month battle with cancer.
But I am very grateful for online dating.
Color me ignorant of what goes on at ChristianMingle but wouldn’t a dating site of explicitly Christian singles be in the same spirit as a singles mixer at church?
Oh and to answer one of Mr. Fahri’s snyde questions, I would think anyone trying to use a Christian dating site to “hook up” would find himself disappointed.
So sorry for your loss sir
LOL
Condolences on your loss.....God bless
God be with you, Christian friend.
I'm actually not Christian, but I sincerely thank you for your condolences.
Valentine’s Day = A purely made up retail holiday with no basis in tradition whatsoever, supposedly celebrating a virtually unknown 4th century saint who’s identity is uncertain, and possibly a pagan holiday. But no one is really sure.
So go out and buy a heart shaped box of chocolates and some flowers, or maybe some jewelry if you know what’s good for you.
No problem with the site. I do wish, however, that people were still able to create long-lasting relationships without the internet. It’s becoming a lost art.
I an so sorry to hear of your wife’s passing. At least with the online matchup, you both found a Christian mate in time to have known and loved each other. I will pray for you and both extended families.
I am so sorry you lost the love of your life. How painful for you and sometimes it’s so hard to remember that God says he will never give you anything you can’t handle. May you have pleasant sleep and feel her and God both near.
What's next, Christian Bathhouse?
My uncle, about three years after the death of his wife, started on-line dating. He met a widowed lady two states away, they chatted, they met, they dated, he proposed, they got married. It’s been six years now and they are still happy together. Might they have met some other way? Possible but not likely.
christianmingle was not the site I got booted from.
So I don’t know if the people there are anti-Catholic, support gay marriage and are pro birth control. Now they said they were anti abortion but if they are pro birth control then they already have their foot in the abortion clinic if you all know what I mean.
Oh and did I also fail to say that over half I’d never be able to marry in this life time because they are DIVORCED? Yep they kinda found Jesus after their divorce it would seem. So with the protestants on that site marriage is for better, for worse but not for life.
Then because over half are divorced they all have children to which they say “my child comes first”. Have no problem with this, glad to see you take care of your responsibility. However that kinda makes me feel like an outsider coming into that family unit. 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.
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