Relationships

Long Distance Love

Whether it is a consequence of work, college or the pursuit of other endeavors, long-distance relationships are becoming more popular. In fact, according to Statistic Brain, it is estimated that 4 to 4.5 million non-married college couples and 3.75 million married couples are in a long-distance relationship. Nevertheless, being in a long-distance relationship is still challenging. Even with the phone, the internet and the ease of flight, it is still very difficult to cultivate and maintain a healthy relationship from afar. Here are some tips that make a long-distance relationship sustainable. Do not put your life on hold Just because […]

-Read More


Dating vs. Courtship

The issue of dating versus courtship is one that the church does not often address. People tend to dismiss courtship as an old-fashioned notion in favor of joining the dating game of today’s society. But what are God’s people, especially teenagers in today’s world, called to when it comes to romance and finding a mate? Dating The problem with dating is not the dictionary definition, but rather the way in which society has defined it: a romantic relationship between a man and a woman for the purpose of personal pleasure and gratification while establishing a strong emotional attachment to one […]

-Read More


The Single’s Valentine’s Survival Guide

Red roses, heart-shaped boxes of chocolates, teddy bears, and candle-lit dinners… it’s that time of year again: time for singles to do a thinking check. The month of romance is upon us, and Valentine’s Day—also known as Singles Awareness Day—is approaching; but, more importantly, it is another opportunity for self-examination. When it comes to Valentine’s Day, what are you thinking? What are you believing? What are you thinking? Christians, including Christian singles, often make the mistake of failing to understand that we are different from those who do not know Jesus, and even worse, actually take on a worldly mentality. […]

-Read More


Engaging Your Teens

“Who is to blame for the inception of slavery, class?” asked my European teacher one day in class. “The Bible!” exclaimed one of the students. Much to my disbelief, the teacher cheerfully agreed: “Of course, it’s always the Bible.” For months now I had been told by both my peers and teachers that Christians were to blame for the world’s environmental problems, delayed scientific achievements, wars, ignorance, and now social injustices. Although all of these negative connotations of Christianity had been implied throughout my years of public schooling, only in the past year did I realize that people were now […]

-Read More


Still Single?

“Why are you still single?” Verbalized or not, the question lingers in social settings, particularly in Christian circles. For those in the Reformed tradition, the correct theological answer to this question lies in the belief that God is sovereign over all things. We finite humans cannot explain the coexistence of God’s will and man’s responsibility this side of heaven—and that’s okay. After all, as Dutch Reformed theologian Herman Bavinck noted, “Mystery is the vital element of dogmatics.” However, when it comes to the role of human responsibility, the new year is as good a time as any to examine ourselves […]

-Read More


It’s a Wonderful Life

In Frank Capra’s 1946 Christmas classic, It’s a Wonderful Life, the main character, George Bailey, has lived his entire life with an underlying discontent that only occasionally rears its ugly head. One Christmas Eve, however, years of frustration are magnified by unfortunate events that occur, and George erupts—despairing of hope. Similarly, the single adult may become accustomed to the normalcy of singleness, to be reminded only now and then of her sad estate—particularly while walking through the frozen foods section at the supermarket to find the “pizza-for-one” staring back at her. These momentary twinges come and go, but the fact […]

-Read More


Unequally Yoked

Commentary Growing up in church, there was always this discussion about the phrase, “Do not be unequally yoked” (2 Corinthians 6:14). Of course, it was wielded as an instruction not to date someone who wasn’t a Christian. And, actually, I’m not here to say anything different. It’s just – for me – I don’t do well with “don’t” statements that aren’t explained. Especially when I think there’s an explanation. Let me start by saying that, of course you and I are called to be in relationships with people who aren’t followers of Jesus – people who don’t agree with the […]

-Read More


Is Pornography Grounds for Divorce?

God’s Perfect Plan  According to the scriptures, and contrary to conflicting opinions in today’s society, God ordained marriage as a covenant between one man and one woman, in which “the two are united into one”(Genesis 2:24). During his earthly ministry, Jesus also taught that, “Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together” (Mark 10:9-10). One man, one woman, united as one flesh, forever — this is God’s desired will, out of his infinite wisdom and because of his great love for His children. Our Broken Reality When sin entered the […]

-Read More


Cracked Pots

What do Abraham, Jacob, Moses, Rahab, King David, the Apostle Matthew, the Apostle Peter, the woman at the well, the woman caught in adultery and the Apostle Paul all have in common? They all made big mistakes in the eyes of the world, but God went on to use them to do extraordinary things for Him – they were all cracked pots that God displayed His power through. Abraham took his wife’s maidservant as a second wife, because he and his wife doubted that God was capable of providing a child by natural means in their old age. He also […]

-Read More


Best Friends Forever?

Lean On Me What comes to mind when you think about friends? Do you quickly run through images of the faces you have welcomed into your life over the years? Does it warm your heart to think about the one friend you can always count on? You know, the one you could spend hours talking to? I have had those people in my life. My best friend from middle school is still a friend of mine to this day. We don’t talk very often, but when we do, we pick up right where we left off. We have shared hopes, […]

-Read More