But I'm Just Too Busy

Spending time with God every day is so important. Bible class at school or chapel or church isn't enough. We need to be cultivating our personal relationship with Jesus Christ. How can we expect to grow spiritually if we never even talk to the One who saved us?
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He Put Skin on His Love

If you're not feelin' God's love, the answer isn't to make Him prove it apart from His sacrifice on the cross, but to pour over those moments when He "put skin" to His love and bled and suffered for you in your place.

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Unstoppable, Inexorable

I don't know the exact reason why God knits hard times into our lives. Sometimes the reason becomes apparent after the season has passed. Sometimes it never does. But I do know this: God loves us. And if His love is anything, it's inexorable.
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Why I Won't Pursue a Guy (Part 3)

Probably my favorite question ever to ask married people is, "How did you get together?" I would be content to just sit and listen to their stories for days, months, even years! Someday, you and I will have a story, too. Really! It will either be a story of regret ("Here's how I took control in order to secure what I thought I wanted"), or a story of awe, joy, and triumph ("Look at what God did . . . all on His own, without my help!")

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Is it okay to date just for fun?

One of you recently asked, “Is it okay to date just for fun?” In a word—yes.The Bible doesn’t specifically condemn dating. That being said, I think there is a more important question we should be asking. Is it wise to date just for fun? In two words—maybe not.
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Ask Erin: "How do I interact with guys just as a friend?"

At the beginning of this month, I asked you to tell me your most burning questions when it comes to guys and romance. One question that popped up often was, "How do I interact with guys just as a friend/Christian sister?" We also saw a lot of a similar question: "Is it okay to become friends with a guy to see if they'd make a good husband?"

I am so glad you're asking these questions! I want you to understand the difference between standing firm in your commitment to purity (a very, very good thing) and being standoffish toward the guys in your life (not such a good thing).

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Why I Won't Pursue a Guy (Part 2)

Last week I decided to sit down and write out the reasons why I don't pursue guys and why I don't think other young women should, either. I loved reading your comments and want to give you more reasons to wait for a guy to pursue you. So, here goes.
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Freedom From the Need for a Boyfriend

Let me introduce you to my friend, Brita. For years she struggled with the ramifications of believing the lie "I need a boyfriend." The good news is Lies Young Women Believe played an important role in exposing this lie in Brita's life and pointing her toward truth. Since I know a few of you are wrestling with this lie as well, I invited Brita to share her story.
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I Need a Boyfriend

When you look to a relationship with a guy to make you happy, you are setting yourself up for disappointment. If you are using dating (and marriage in the future) as a means to validate your worth, the consequences will be even more severe.
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When You Don't Have a Valentine

If you're struggling with feelings of loss, anxiety, loneliness, or frustration this Valentine's Day, this post is for you. I want to encourage you not to dwell on your negative feelings about romance. (And don't even think about eating an entire box of Valentine's chocolate all by yourself!) Instead, turn your heart toward these specific truths straight out of God's Word.
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Ask Erin: "How can I stay emotionally pure?"

God asks us to be in complete control of our thought life. We don't get a permission slip to keep our actions pure but to allow our thoughts to dwell on love and romance and intimacy outside of God's timing.

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Why I Won't Pursue a Guy (Part 1)

Recently, I was encouraging a friend not to initiate Facebook chats with a guy who is interested in getting to know her, but to wait to respond to his lead. My advice sounded so strange, even to my own ears. So I decided to sit down and actually write out the reasons why I don't pursue men and why I don't think any other woman should. Are you ready for them?

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Man Whisperer vs. True Woman

"NEW DATING BOOK Says Feminism Ruins Relationships, Women Can Stop Men from Cheating," read the headline of the December 8th Fox News article. "First there was the dog whisperer. Then there was the ghost whisperer. Now comes the controversial new dating and relationship guide: The Man Whisperer." I was hooked.

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Are crushes okay?

There is one question that has been asked on this blog more than any other—are crushes okay? It seems that many of you are serious about your commitment to remain physically pure until your wedding day, but that hasn't stopped your heart from racing when a certain fella walks into the room. And you're wondering, Are these feelings okay?
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Sexual Purity Means Using Protection

When we found this post by Diane Montgomery on unlockingfemininity.com, we knew we wanted to pass it on to you. It's longer than our usual posts, but stick with it. It's chock full of great insight into the issue of purity.

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What's the Difference Between Courtship and Dating?

week, I asked you to give me your most burning love questions. You did! More than 100 of you left us a comment with a question about love and romance. 

 

Here’s one that caught my eye. Mars asked, “I hear the word 'courting' a lot in opposition to 'dating.' What are the differences between the two and which relationship is the better of the two?"

 

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Friends with Benefits Scientifically Impossible

Whether you like it or not or believe it or not, you get "addicted" and "bonded" to the people you have sex with.

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Is it okay to date non-Christians?

I understand the temptation to believe that dating non-Christians is okay. In fact, I get why so many young women have been deceived into thinking that it is a potentially wonderful missions opportunity. But since I now understand how important it is that we understand God's truth on this subject, I decided to recruit a friend of mine to be a voice of reason. Here's what he had to say . . .

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To Date or Not to Date?

The blog has been buzzing on the topic of dating. Some of you have come to the site seeking advice on the subject and several of you have weighed in with some great thoughts! It is obvious you are wondering, does God care if you date? Does He care who you date? Is dating even okay? If you’re among the young women asking these questions, you are not alone.
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