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Tag: dating

  • 17 Fun & Flirty Games For Couples To Play Together, From Experts

    17 Fun & Flirty Games For Couples To Play Together, From Experts

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    Looking to try something new for your next date night? How about a round of “Sexy Jenga” or “Strip Twister”? We rounded up 17 expert-approved games, from romantic to raunchy, that couples can try to have some fun, explore each other’s minds (and bodies), and get to know each other better.

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  • 5 Things Never to Say to Your Grandchildren

    5 Things Never to Say to Your Grandchildren

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    Grandparents are supposed to be kid experts. We’ve raised our own children and by now should be seasoned and mellowed-out enough to roll with the ups and downs of our grandkids’ lives. Those of us with new grandbabies harbor visions of becoming the perfect, loved-more-than-anybody-else Mimi, or Lolli, or Pops, or whatever cute name we’ve decided to be called.

    Then the pre-teen and teen years come along and our bubble bursts. Oh, our grandchildren still love us bunches—and we still can’t believe the overwhelming love we hold for them—but their struggling hormones make them difficult to live with at home and even at our house.

    We want to carry on rational, adult conversations with them, yet sometimes struggle with what to say. And sometimes we fail to say the right things and we know it.

    To help identify quagmires, what types of conversations should we definitely avoid?

    1. Insulting words about their parents

    Lighthearted stories about the antics and pranks of your own children can be entertaining for your grandchildren. These are fine, and even lend a sense of pride at being old enough to hear them along with learning family lore. But if you still feel unhappy or sad about the behavior of one of your grandchild’s parents, she doesn’t need to know—unless she expresses the same emotion first in a conversation.

    Even then, she needs your guidance to navigate toward an effective and positive way of dealing with her feelings. It’s not your place to confide in your grandchildren about the failures of their parents.

    Another sticky area is when our grandchild’s parents are divorced. No matter how the custody is arranged, and no matter how dysfunctional we might think our kid’s ex-spouse is, the child does not need to hear it from us. They love Mom and Dad and are trying to work out their own thoughts.

    We don’t have to praise that parent, but it’s important to speak carefully when the subject comes up. In our case, we simply choose to keep busy with other topics—there is plenty of activity in our grandson’s life to talk about. When he mentions the other parent, we listen, comment in a way that lets him know we heard and value his words, and then move on to another subject.

    2. Stories about how much worse you had it as a kid

    You know how these stories go. “I had to walk two miles in the snow to school every day—uphill both ways!” Or, “We never got to wear pants to school, even though I walked three blocks to the bus stop in sub-freezing weather.” And then there is this one, “We only had one family car, and everybody shared it. I never had my own car.” Actually, the last two examples were from my personal experience.

    While it might be okay to tell these stories, they should never be used to make a child feel as if she is taking things for granted or like her feelings aren’t valid. Maybe she is being ungrateful but helping her identify her blessings might be a better way to approach the subject.

    While you may think you had a really tough life as a young person, your difficulties didn’t seem any worse to you than your grandkids’ do to them. Yes, they have different problems, but that doesn’t make theirs less painful.

    The grandparent who constantly tells stories to “one-up” their grandchild runs the risk of never being taken seriously, or worse, being viewed as an old, out-of-touch person who doesn’t understand modern life—and is therefore irrelevant.

    3. Negative bias about the younger generation

    I used to hear this from an elderly aunt every time our family visited her. She was convinced the reason for the increased crime rate in her city—and the unemployment rate, and every other social ill—was teenagers and their bad behavior.

    Admittedly, teen gangs were becoming a problem at that time, but the reasons for the rise in gang activity were, and still are, complex. All her problems were not due to teenagers!

    A doomsday view of society is not only unhelpful but can frighten our grandchildren. Placing blame on a particular generation merely perpetuates stereotypes. It doesn’t solve any problems. Do we have issues facing us today that were unheard of in our youth? Certainly. This is always going to be true, regardless of the decade.

    Unfortunately, a downward spiral of society is the natural trend of mankind apart from the intervention of God. So, if there is any blame, maybe we should look at ourselves to see how often we pray for a spiritual awakening, and how open we are to the Holy Spirit working in our lives.

    A great conversation to have with our grandchildren might be about finding ways to make a difference in their world. Do you know of any kids who are doing something special? Can you brainstorm with your grandkids possible options for them?

    Maybe offer to take the oldest on a mission trip with you to work with children in a third-world country. Such an experience can change a teenager’s life and possibly their career choice. And it can make the problems at home seem less daunting for both of you.

    I know of one family whose son became interested in local politics. He began writing letters to the editor of the newspaper, and eventually wrote articles they printed. He’s in college now preparing for a future in policy making. He was encouraged by his parents and grandparents to help change what he saw as problems.

    I would have benefitted from my aunt’s concerns if she had encouraged me to volunteer serving meals at a homeless ministry instead of listening to her berate those homeless people for daring to sleep on her street.

    4. Condemning all electronics and social media as evil

    Different families allow differing amounts and types of screen time for their children. It’s important that as grandparents, we don’t criticize the rules our grandkids have at home. We might think they spend too much time on their phones at home, and they might bring them to our house. But we can set our own rules.

    Banning cell phones from the dinner table and limiting other screen time is reasonable, and can be discussed without condemning the devices.

    Refusing to acknowledge the reality a child lives in, and limiting conversation about it to negative comments, only serves to drive him away. He won’t want to go to Nanny and Papa’s house if all they do is nag him about putting away his phone.

    There are plenty of activities in which to engage with your grandchildren that keep them moving and thinking and talking. Be creative in discovering things you can do together. This will naturally lead to less screen time.

    But if a child wants to talk about a video game she plays, make an effort to educate yourself about that game so you can talk intelligently about it. And when a rainy day comes along, enjoy a movie or play a video game together. You can even text silly memes across the room to each other.

    Relax, Grandma. The world won’t end if you join Snapchat with your grandchildren. It might even help you keep up with their lives.

    5. Any comment that degrades their worth 

    Sometimes, the birth of a grandchild doesn’t happen in happy circumstances. Many different issues might be the reason, but the result is a child who bears no responsibility for any of them. And any associated drama can spill over onto this precious one. So let’s be conscious of our words so we don’t add to it.

    The child might act out his frustrations in behavior that grabs our attention. This does make our lives more difficult. But we need to remember that bad behavior does not equal a bad child.  Separating the behavior from our emotions helps us deal with it appropriately. Then we can express our love more easily—because unconditional love is what we as grandparents need to offer.

    Many grandparents even gain custody of their grandkids in order to give them the best chance at a hopeful future. If this is you, please know you are my heroes. But your stress level may be extremely high. That’s when it’s easy to let it slip just how hard life is because of the child.

    And we all know that pre-teen and teenage kids are simply a pain sometimes because of their tumultuous hormones and chaotic social lives. Life is more challenging with these kids than with younger ones.

    However, these years also present opportunities for fun along with meaningful experiences. Attending any event your grandchild participates in means more to them than they may ever express. And some of the best conversations that build lasting relationships and trust can happen late at night when your grandchild sleeps over.

    These categories are all negative in tone, and that’s why we should avoid them. While we shouldn’t shy away from difficult subjects, we need to keep our tone positive.

    Every topic can have an upside, and we need to help our grandkids find it. They are bombarded daily with negativity, but we can point them toward the bright view.

    After all, Philippians 4:8 tells us to think pure, noble, lovely, and virtuous thoughts. Surely that means to talk in the same manner—to everyone, not just our grandchildren.


    Kathryn Graves, author of the book Fashioned by God, is a style expert, fashion coach, and Premier Designs jewelry consultant. She is also a pastor’s wife and Bible teacher. Kathryn helps women discover the source of real beauty in Jesus, freeing them to gain confidence in their personal styles. She is Mimi to three grandsons, and loves to play with color, both in fashion and interior design, and painting with pastels.

    Photo courtesy: ©GettyImages/PeopleImages

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  • New Platform Positioned to Revolutionize Human Connection

    New Platform Positioned to Revolutionize Human Connection

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    Pairus Unveils Groundbreaking Platform to Combat Loneliness and Foster Meaningful Relationships

    Pairus, the brainchild of visionary serial entrepreneurs Emily Lyons and Anthony Lacavera, emerges as a beacon of hope in the fight against loneliness. Lacavera, renowned for his groundbreaking ventures including the iconic WIND Mobile, and Lyons, an esteemed figure in elite matchmaking and a serial entrepreneur with a track record of over a decade of success, bring their unparalleled expertise to the forefront of the human connection revolution.

    Recent studies have underscored the profound impact of loneliness on both individual well-being and societal health. The World Health Organization has labeled loneliness as a pending epidemic, while the U.S. Surgeon General warns that it poses significant risks to our health, comparable to smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day. Recognizing the importance of relationships for longevity and overall well-being, Pairus is on a mission to combat loneliness and foster genuine connections.

    At the heart of Pairus lies its groundbreaking AI technology, expertly trained by a proven best-in-class matchmaking and software development team. This sophisticated AI empowers Pairus to craft each connection with unparalleled precision, ensuring that every interaction is meaningful and authentic. With real-time access to matchmakers, exclusive in-app coaching content, a vetting process, curated meditation series, extensive verification, courses by relationship experts, and AI-based prompts for profile improvement and conversation starters, Pairus offers a comprehensive suite of features designed to enhance the user experience.

    “We are thrilled to introduce Pairus to the world—a platform that goes beyond mere digital interactions to foster genuine human connections,” says Anthony Lacavera, Co-Founder of Pairus. “With loneliness reaching alarming levels globally, there has never been a more pressing need for a solution like Pairus.”

    Emily Lyons, Co-Founder of Pairus and founder of the award-winning Lyons Elite Matchmaking with over a decade of experience and a dozen accolades to its name, adds, “Our mission is to redefine the essence of human interaction and bring people together in meaningful ways. With Pairus, we aim to address the profound societal issue of loneliness while fostering authentic connections that have the power to transform lives.”

    Source: Pairus

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  • 4 Skills Monogamous Couples Can Learn From Poly Relationships

    4 Skills Monogamous Couples Can Learn From Poly Relationships

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    “I believe close relationships outside of a primary partnership, even in a monogamous relationship, are good,” Lundquist says. “It’s nice to be close to people other than your spouse, and in fact, I think it’s healthier. People’s marriages tend to be healthier when we have other people we’re close to.”

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  • What Is Sleep Divorce and Is it Biblical?

    What Is Sleep Divorce and Is it Biblical?

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    Many married American couples envision their marriage bed as a sacred space. It is a place where you can dependably reconnect at the end of the day.

    If it’s not with some conversation, it is just by being snuggled up in the same cozy space as you both drift off to sleep. It’s a place you commit to returning to together no matter how the day went.

    For many, leaving the bed to sleep elsewhere can be a sign of anger, separation, and can undermine your feeling of connectivity in your relationship. Sleeping apart from one another can be seen as the first step taken away from one another when your marriage is facing tension.

    But sometimes, couples just have to because of their life situations.

    Why do we see a growing number of couples opting to sleep in separate beds and sometimes also opting to sleep in separate rooms? According to a 2017 survey from the National Sleep Foundation, almost one in four married couples sleep in separate beds.

    Is sleeping in separate spaces a sign of a relational break or just a pragmatic decision for more individual comfort? Let’s explore the potential consequences of this growing trend.

    What Is Sleep Divorce?

    While the term sleep divorce sounds a little dramatic, the reality is that the term is just referring to a decision some couples make to sleep in separate spaces for the sake of better rest.

    While the trend is growing in popularity now, it is not a new idea. As recent as the 1960’s couples sleeping in separate beds or places was fairly common.

    Over the past 50 plus years sleeping in the same bed became the norm for married couples but researchers are finding that up to 25% of married couples are choosing different arrangements.

    Why Do Couples Choose to Sleep Divorce?

    Sleep divorce may be prompted due to a couple’s differering schedule or inability to rest well in the same bed with your spouse.

    I know firsthand that there are seasons where separated sleep is necessary due to circumstances outside potential marital conflict.

    When we brought each of our babies home there were times when we had to sleep separately in order to facilitate better sleep for each other. I would take the first part of the night with the baby and then sometime in the early hours, my husband would come back upstairs to our room to take the baby downstairs to rest so I had at least 4 hours of uninterrupted sleep.

    That was a gracious gift as my Momma body could not fully rest with our loud grunting little nuggets right beside me.

    Some couples may be in a situation where they work opposite schedules. This can make sleeping at the same time in the same bed impossible.

    Many others report factors such as loud snoring, disagreements about lighting, temperature preferences, and other disagreements about comfortable sleeping preferences have led them to opt for separate beds and/or separate rooms.

    Couples select to separate at night for a variety of reasons ranging from practical concerns such as opposite schedules; to those who separate because they cannot agree to be in the same space together any longer.

    Is Sleep Divorce Biblical?

    Sleeping arrangements are mostly a cultural construct and the ways we have chosen to sleep in our homes have changed tremendously over the years due to a necessity or cultural norms of the time.

    The Bible doesn’t offer specific instructions on things like where we should sleep when we are married but it does give us a lot of other advice for our marriages that we can draw on to help us navigate these sorts of decisions.

    Ephesians 5 outlines many principles that can guide us in our marriages. It advises that we keep away from any sexual immorality, that we show each other love and respect, that we cherish one another, and that we serve each other. Let these be the standards that you judge your decisions by.

    All of our decisions should be born of a desire to love one another as Christ would.

    That means if sleeping together, even if it means less than stellar sleep, can be important to showing one another love. On the other hand, giving each other the freedom to rest without interruption can be an amazing gift of service and love to your spouse (particularly if you have a newborn).

    Let love and open communication guide you and you can’t go wrong.

    Before You Decide, Check Your Motives

    Is choosing to opt for a so-called “sleep divorce” bad for your marriage?

    Honestly, this is a hard question to answer because relationship and family circumstances vary so greatly!

    Many couples are making these kinds of choices for purely practical reasons such as taking turns tending to a newborn or working opposite shifts, while for others the decision to separate at night may be a worrisome signal that things are decaying in your relationship. 

    Determining the line between “I need to sleep alone for the sake of getting better rest” and “I don’t want to be in the same space as you” can get fuzzy.

    When dealing with circumstances that lead to the need to rest separately, clear communication and intentional times of connection have to be even more of a priority because you are missing out on a built-in time of shared space that a common bed allows for. 

    Sophie Jacobi-Parisi, a New York attorney at Warshaw Burstein, who practices matrimonial and family law, said that “couples that choose to sleep separately but don’t have a conversation around why they are making the change, it can be another step in the path toward divorce.”

    She makes the point that there can be many practical reasons as to why separate sleeping arrangements may be beneficial but if we are not clear in our communication with one another as to why we are making these types of decisions this can be one step closer to separation or divorce.

    The bottom line is that the decision to sleep separately is one that should not be taken lightly.

    If there is a real need for this arrangement, communication with one another surrounding this decision is very important to make sure that it is not a choice to step away from your commitment to your marriage.

    Every step we take away from our spouses, be it physically or emotionally, has the potential for negative long-term consequences. Wisdom invites us to weigh these types of decisions carefully.

    How to Keep a Healthy Marriage While Sleeping Separately

    If you are in a season of life where it feels impossible or disruptive to each other’s rest to sleep in the same bed there are a few ways to make sure you get through this season well.

    1. Identify the sleep issue and determine the best way to remedy it.

    For example, if opposite schedules mean you can’t go to bed together, then identify ways you are going to take time to rest together. There is something special about spending time resting together.

    While many think best sleep comes alone, there is research that shows that sharing a bed actually leads to better sleep. Potential benefits include falling to sleep faster, lowered blood pressure, a boosted immune system, helps curb anxiety, and even can slow down aging!

    If you are trading off dealing with children, one suggestion would be to do this switch during the week but reserve the weekends to still sleep in the same bed together. Another idea is to spend time together in bed catching up and snuggling before separating to your posts to get some rest.

    If separating is due to snoring, a health concern, or another issue, make sure you are thorough in discussing how to make sure you both know that the decision to sleep separately is not a decision to live separately.

    While it is easy to see the practical need for rest it is important to care and nurture each other’s feelings.

    Find ways to express your desire to remain near one another in life even if your circumstances prohibit being together in the night hours.

    2. Revisit your sleep arrangements frequently.

    No decision like this should be permanent. Just because something works well or is necessary for one season does not mean it is good for all seasons.

    Choosing to come back together to the same bed, even if it means lost sleep, is 100% worth it if it is going to bring your marriage closer together again.

    We sacrifice sleep for so many other causes: our children, video games, binge-watching TV, and even work. It is reasonable to expect to have to sacrifice some sleep for the sake of your marriage.

    Be wary of a temporary season of sleep separation becoming permanent. This could be a sign of a growing disconnect in your relationship.

    Once that baby is sleeping then you should return to sleeping in your same bed or at least should be talking about what new arrangement would work best for both of you.

    When your situation changes, it is important not to ignore the conversation around sleep arrangements. This can lead to resentment and false assumptions being made by each of you.

    3. Be mindful of how your sex life is affected by your sleep arrangements.

    One very practical reason to sleep in the same bed is that you are in the same place at the same time alone, giving you the chance to be intimate with one another.

    If I just fall asleep on the couch before going to bed, there is a much lower chance I am going to be up for getting intimate with my husband. If you are parents, practically you need the late hours of the night to be able to have the privacy required to have intercourse.

    Separate beds or separate rooms can become barriers to having access to one another sexually.

    This of course does not have to be the case. If you are mindful of each other’s needs and make it a point to be available to one another at other times of the day or are willing to travel across beds or even rooms to be intimate, then it is possible to keep a thriving sex life under this arrangement.

    Nonetheless, we know that a sexless marriage can be one factor that leads to divorce. Keep tabs on if your sleeping arrangement is affecting your sex life is a good way to determine if something is amiss in your relationship.

    Loving your spouse well often means sacrifice.

    Depending on your circumstances that sacrifice may look like buying ear plugs so you can remain close in the night to your chainsaw snoring spouse. It can also look like giving up your side of the bed so your baby and Momma have a safe space to rest together during those harrowing early months of life.

    If we want our marriages to thrive we have to be careful to be taking steps closer to one another, showing each other love and consideration in our every decision.

    Let that be your guide on how you navigate rest as you share your lives with one another.

    Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/Prostock-Studio


    Amanda Idleman is a writer whose passion is to encourage others to live joyfully. She writes devotions for My Daily Bible Verse Devotional and Podcast, Crosswalk Couples Devotional, the Daily Devotional App, she has work published with Her View from Home, on the MOPS Blog, and is a regular contributor for Crosswalk.com. She has most recently published a devotional, Comfort: A 30 Day Devotional Exploring God’s Heart of Love for Mommas. You can find out more about Amanda on her Facebook Page or follow her on Instagram.

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  • Mean Girls Have Been Around for a Long Time

    Mean Girls Have Been Around for a Long Time

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    I saw the trailer for Mean Girls being promoted. Twenty years after its original release, it is now a musical adaptation promising to be a production extravaganza with easy-to-remember tunes and spectacular choreography. It got me thinking that we do have a fascination with mean girls, the popular bullies who make life miserable for others.

    People have contradicting feelings toward mean girls. Just think of the Mean Girls movie set on a campus. The stereotypical mean girls are the cheerleaders, walking around in their cute uniforms. They are the high school’s team spirit generators. Many admire them, but many hate them too. They are admired because they usually are good-looking. They have the power to get what they want and even influence some administrators. But they also make life difficult for the underdogs.  

    In a 2018 article she wrote in Psychology Today, Katie Hurley said, “The ‘mean girl’ narrative is so ingrained in our culture that many consider it a ‘rite of passage’ of sorts when it comes to surviving girlhood.” That means one must grin and bear the existence of and maltreatment by these power-tripping girls and pray they get out alive! And if you suffer from poor mental health from constant bullying, well, you can seek treatment to “get over it.”

    Kirsten was the guest speaker at a women’s event. She admitted to exhibiting mean girl behavior in the past. She said, “I created pain in others!” This aggression resulted from losing her mom when she was only 12. Unable to properly process her grief from her loss, and without a mother to guide her to womanhood, she started watching how other young girls and women behaved. Her young mind was impressed by the beautiful, popular, mean girls at school. They got the best of everything and everyone. She decided that becoming one of them was her key to happiness. No one needed to know that she was in pain. She would cause the pain!

    “There’s a complex web of insecurity, anxiety, and conditioned attitudes that underlies the mean girl stereotype,” a Newport Academy article said. This means the power-tripping mean girl is basically like any other teenager—an immature individual going through self-esteem issues. There’s a lot of growing up and navigation happening within this person’s body, physically, emotionally, mentally, and socially. And left to her own whims and fantasies, she can choose to be part of the “queen bee” group and make life a living nightmare for someone else to mask her own difficulties. 

    The Mean Girls of the Bible

    As Solomon says, “There is nothing new under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9). Mean girls have been in existence for thousands of years. Some of them have grown into women, yet never learned to shed their ugly behavior to do the right thing. Let’s look at some of them.

    “Ahab the son of Omri reigned over Israel in Samaria twenty-two years. And Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the Lord, more than all who were before him. And as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, he took for his wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and went and served Baal and worshiped him. He erected an altar for Baal in the house of Baal, which he built in Samaria. And Ahab made an Asherah. Ahab did more to provoke the Lord, the God of Israel, to anger than all the kings of Israel before him” (1 Kings 16:29-33). 

    Here’s Ahab, who was influenced by his wife, Jezebel, to turn away from the One True God of Israel to become an idolater. Knowing how much God hated graven images and their worship, Ahab provoked his own King.

    Enter Elijah, God’s prophet, who came to Ahab to let him know that God spoke of a drought. During the dry years and while Elijah was away, Jezebel had killed most of God’s prophets except for the 100 hidden away by Obadiah (a man who feared the Lord and oversaw Ahab’s household) in caves.

    In the third year of the drought, there was an “accidental” meeting between Obadiah and Elijah. Elijah, again, was bringing the Word of God to Ahab. This was the message: “You have abandoned the commandments of the Lord and followed the Baals. Now therefore send and gather all Israel to me at Mount Carmel, and the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel’s table” (1 Kings 18:18-19). 

    God made it known who He was and that Elijah was His mouthpiece through a miraculous battle. And all the prophets of Baal were slaughtered by Elijah:

    “Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, ‘So may the gods do to me and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by this time tomorrow.’ Then [Elijah] was afraid, and he arose and ran for his life…” (1 Kings 19:1-3). 

    Perhaps cowering in fear of Jezebel’s wrath, Ahab decided that it was best to break the bad news of the slaying of Baal’s prophets to his mean-spirited wife to stir up her anger. Then, there’s Elijah who allowed a bully’s message to extinguish the fire of God’s victory. He succumbed to becoming a mean girl’s emotional and mental hostage.

    Then there’s Herodias and her daughter’s story. They used their influence to send someone to die.

    “For Herod had seized John and bound him and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, because John had been saying to him, ‘It is not lawful for you to have her.’ And though he wanted to put him to death, he feared the people, because they held him to be a prophet. But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before the company and pleased Herod, so that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask. Prompted by her mother, she said, ‘Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a platter.’ And the king was sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests he commanded it to be given. He sent had John beheaded in prison, and his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother.” Matthew 14:3-11

    An adulterous relationship was confronted by John and the involved parties didn’t like the message. The mean girls’ team of mother and daughter worked together to execute a perfect death plan. “Off with John’s head!” was the special request to the king. And then there was no more voice of righteousness to convict Herod and Herodias of their affair.

    Evil Begets Evil!

    Why is it so important to be the top dog? Kirsten, the guest speaker, said she used to scope out the room to find the current reigning “queen” and strategically planned her fall. Kirsten needed to be the alpha female and did everything in her power to make it happen!

    A mean girl’s desire to control everything begins when her life is in chaos! Jezebel’s prophets of Baal were dead, and she needed to punish Elijah for this. Herodias didn’t want to be reminded of her sin, so she needed to remove John from the picture. James said, “Sin when it is fully grown brings forth death” (1:15).

    Let’s wake up and see the truth! Mean girls are not worth emulating, even if they are portrayed as the popular people in society and are sometimes celebrated on TV, film, and social media! Mean girl motivations are wrong, and they need to be corrected before they destroy others. Just think of the influence of Jezebel to her husband and Herodias to her daughter. Not good at all! 

    The Apostle Paul said, “Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful to even speak of the things that they do in secret. But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, ‘Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you’” (Ephesians 5:11-14).

    In the end, mean girls will also destroy themselves. Just watch the ending of the Mean Girls movie, if you get the chance. The Apostle Paul encourages us to “look carefully then how [we] walk, not as unwise but as wise!” while there is still time (Ephesians 5:15).

    Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/MangoStar_Studio

    Luisa Collopy is an author, speaker and a women’s Bible study teacher. She also produces Mula sa Puso (From the Heart) in Tagalog (her heart language), released on FEBC Philippines stations. Luisa loves spending time with her family over meals and karaoke!

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  • Looking For The Perfect Headline For Dating Site? 200+ Ideas %

    Looking For The Perfect Headline For Dating Site? 200+ Ideas %

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    Your dating profile headline says a lot about you, your personality and by inference, the type of person you are looking for on the dating site. The perfect headline for dating site will get people hooked and draw them in to read your complete profile. And getting them curious about your dating bio is half the battle won.

    Do you remember some of the headlines for profiles that you immediately liked, and maybe even shared with a friend? If you want to create a great first impression like that and get people to connect with you, check out our list of introduction headlines for dating sites.

    Dating Profile Headlines To Attract Guys

    The dating headlines for women need to be eye-catching if they are trying to get the attention of the guys they truly like. There are many ways to create an attractive headline that will do just that and in this article, we take a closer look at your many options — from personal headlines that describe you well to funny ones that act as a magnet for those with a similar sense of humor, and much more.

    Mega personal headlines

    A good headline for dating sites should say something about you, either directly or indirectly, and can attract the kind of guys you like. A mega personal headline does just that, saying something bold about your personality. It makes your dating profile bio stand out in the crowd, which is the best way to get that coveted swipe. Check out these headlines for profiles that wish to lead with honesty:

    Related Reading: 43 Funny Tinder Questions Your Matches Will Love

    1. Looking for the right companion to travel with every weekend
    2. Travel, food, and good company are great turn-ons
    3. Always on the lookout for a new investment idea. Are you one?
    4. Super political with a quirky sense of humor. Do we match?
    5. Ping me if you think a good playlist solves any problem
    6. Outgoing and easygoing type. And always ready to organize a protest
    7. An exotic pet owner looking for an animal lover
    8. I am a disco queen looking to party, and then coming back home with you
    9. Waiting for the guy who understands romance to sweep me off my feet
    10. Looking for the kind of guy who understands Stephen Hawking
    11. An ambitious, driven personality who enjoys a good laugh
    12. My prince charming must be a dog lover and emotionally available
    13. A cutie who makes the most delicious paella would like to have you over for dinner
    14. Over a decade spent mastering the rat race and now I’m ready to party
    15. I would make an attractive headline to any guy’s life story, as long as he is polyamorous too
    16. Three things about me that I haven’t ever told anyone …
    17. A smart connection with a guy would be a welcome change
    18. Want to know how to make a million dollars quickly? Let’s find out together
    19. Starting life from scratch. I am an open book waiting to be written
    20. I solemnly swear to make your life infinitely more interesting!

    Related Reading: 65 Best Instagram Pickup Lines To Start A Conversation

    Funny headlines for dating sites

    Many successful dating headlines use humor as a hook. Funny headlines for dating sites can attract people with a similar sense of humor. Witty, cheesy, or just cracked up, it doesn’t matter. People enjoy reading funny headlines on dating bios anyway. So, in pursuit of the perfect date, here are a few top dating headlines for you to choose from:

    1. History is full of important first dates. Would you like to go on one?
    2. Trying too hard not to be funny
    3. I operate on a 15-day free trial basis with no refunds for bores
    4. Scan the QR code to see if we are on the same wavelength
    5. The movie of my life needs a good co-director
    6. I’m self-employed because I am unemployable
    7. I consider chess an appropriate game for a first date
    8. I’d be an astronomer if it weren’t for my myopia
    9. Good girls go to heaven. I go everywhere
    10. I am the 167,318,972th most interesting person on the planet
    11. I’m not crazy, my mother had me tested
    12. Strong with you the force is, contact me you must
    13. What’s better than good food, good wine, and good company?
    14. As bad girls go, I’m bad at everything
    15. Normal is boring. I’m here to overshare
    16. The last time I was somebody’s type was at the blood bank
    17. I’m a foodie looking for a like-stomached partner
    18. Looking for a guy to match wits with
    19. Guys, this one is not for the faint-hearted!
    20. Humor loves company. So do I — This one’s a great introduction headline for dating sites
    Great headlines to catch a guy’s attention

    Clever headlines to attract attention

    Now you know. Writing an introduction title for a dating site with a clever play on words can be very effective for online dating sites. Luckily, a clever headline to attract attention can be created with just a few words. So let’s give something to your potential dates to engage with and increase the number of matches you get on dating apps through these top dating headlines:

    1. I’m just a cupcake looking for a stud muffin
    2. Fitness instructor by day, karaoke singer by night
    3. For our first date, let’s ‘weed out’ my garden
    4. I will either bore you to death or radicalize you completely
    5. Our pheromones have to match if this is going to work
    6. You have competition. I love nothing more than my kids and pets
    7. Eat, Pray, Love, and Travel
    8. I do believe that laughter is the best medicine. The other meds I’m on don’t taste as good
    9. My software is written in love language 3.0
    10. I’m the type of gal who not only wants her cake, but will eat it too
    11. If you can acknowledge that I am always right, then we will get along just fine
    12. A terrific Italian cook looking for the right meat to add to the pasta
    13. My Prince Charming should believe in fairy tales and BDSM
    14. Looking for a Harry Potter reference in your title for dating profile
    15. The perfect woman doesn’t exist, but I come pretty darned close!
    16. I need a co-star who can share the limelight equally
    17. I’m a bad girl looking to spoil a good boy
    18. My life’s rear-view mirror has fogged up so I’m watching the road ahead
    19. I’m the kind of gal your mommy warned you about
    20. I bake therefore I am — Perfect headlines for profiles can be as simple and short as this

    Related Reading: 200+ Ideas For A Username For Dating Site — Set Yourself Apart

    Catchy singles headlines

    A friend once said to me that all she wants are examples of cool dating profile headlines. She said, “I’ve figured out the rest. The photos, the answers to the questions, the song choice. But are there any dating headlines for women that are fun yet honest?” I get it. If you, too, want to grab someone’s eye but haven’t found a good match in any of the catchy singles headlines above, don’t worry. To date online successfully, we have some more interesting dating profile headlines, curated just for you:

    1. Be nice to me and enjoy the ride of a lifetime!
    2. That Long Island Iced Tea is my favorite drink should tell you a lot about me
    3. If you can think of an Alice Walker quote without having to Google, we might just get along
    4. Looking for a true love story minus the heartbreak
    5. Would love to be your gaming buddy
    6. A partner that tells me like it is, that’s what I want
    7. DM only if you are a member of the Bad Boy’s Club
    8. Long drives and soulful conversations are what make my world go round
    9. Dating experts would probably warn you to stay away from me
    10. Watching basketball games and trying escape rooms are two of my favorite things
    11. I could teach you all the naughty things they didn’t teach you in school
    12. If you love anime characters more than your friends sometimes, we are meant to be together
    13. Looking for a guy who doesn’t smell like teen spirit
    14. Chemistry nerd looking for her perfect love equation
    15. You’ll never believe why I moved to Denver
    16. I would love to go on a fishing trip on our first date
    17. Chivalry without sexism, where art thou?
    18. A real-life love story with a difference, just waiting to happen
    19. Full-time traveler, part-time dreamer
    20. I prefer men who enjoy challenges rather than mind games

    Related Reading: 33 Matching Bios For Couples – Cute Instagram Bios

    Hilarious dating headlines

    Did you find any interesting dating profile headlines yet? Are you looking to attract someone who gets your humor? Hilarious dating headlines do get a lot of responses, so we have a bunch of options for you. The style could be over the top or understated as per your preference. Here are the best titles for dating profiles:

    1. Let’s start with one of the cheesiest headline examples for dating profiles: This pizza enthusiast is looking for a cheesy partner
    2. Wine lover with a dry wit
    3. I’m a sushi lover missing my soy mate
    4. Tech geek seeking a connection stronger than my Wi-Fi
    5. Cat person in a world full of dog videos
    6. Yoga enthusiast looking for a downward dog partner
    7. I put the fun in dysfunctional
    8. This girl is fluent in three languages — Spanish, English, and awkward emojis
    9. Short, sweet, and full of bad puns
    10. Swipe right if you can handle my daily mix of caffeine and sarcasm
    11. Not looking for a one-night stand, but I am looking for someone to stand next to my fridge with the door open
    12. Currently starring in my own romantic comedy. Plot twist — Haven’t found a date yet!
    13. Swipe right and together we can conquer the world, one bad joke at a time
    14. Looking for a badass. You bring the bad, I have the ass
    15. If you don’t like my kissing, I’m open for refunds
    16. President of the People Who Hate Online Dating Club
    17. Feel free to add me to your to-do list
    18. I’m looking for someone to reach the top shelf
    19. Let’s get fries and judge people together
    20. I give great messages

    Headlines For Dating Site For Guys

    If you’re a guy trying to impress women on a dating site, your headline needs to be punchy enough to make you stand out in the crowd. You can use personalized humor and catchy language to get your potential partner’s attention. We have a collection of cool dating profile headlines that will set you apart from the rest.

    good headlines for dating sites
    Great headlines to impress a girl on a dating site

    Mega personal headlines

    Guys, here’s a list of mega-personal headlines that you can customize according to your personality. Any of these will work very well as an introduction title for dating site. It will tell interested women more about you and the type of partner you are looking for.

    1. I can recite the entire script of my favorite movie, but still figuring out the plot of my own life
    2. One-liner champion seeking a worthy opponent in the battle of wordplay
    3. Working toward a life filled with laughter, love, and the perfect cup of Joe
    4. Minimalist and zen in everything except my vinyl collection
    5. Wild nights for me involve a _____
    6. If you think my dog is as adorable as I do, let’s talk
    7. I’m the sort of person who embraces imperfections — both in myself and my mismatched socks
    8. 9/10 if you can make me laugh. 10/10 if you can appreciate my cooking
    9. Even though I may not have it all figured out, I’m enjoying every moment of the journey
    10. I was social distancing long before the pandemic
    11. My life motto remains — More authenticity, less drama
    12. If laughter is the best medicine, may I interest you in some well-timed one-liners?
    13. We could work well together as long as I am the boss … sometimes!
    14. Firm believer in random acts of kindness and second chances
    15. Come celebrate life’s small victories with me
    16. If you enjoy karaoke and conversations, let’s talk
    17. I can quote Seinfeld episodes and Shakespeare plays. Can you keep up?
    18. Quality over quantity in everything — from friendships to chocolates
    19. Join me for the next chapter as I write the autobiography of my life
    20. Lover of the little things. If popping bubble wrap and catching the perfect sunset makes you happy, you may be the perfect match for me — Ah, this is one of the best headlines for dating sites!

    Related Reading: 50 Incredible Responses To The “Dating Me Is Like” Hinge Prompt

    Funny headlines for dating sites

    Ever read a news article purely because of a funny headline? In the case of virtual dating, an introduction title for a dating site works in a similar manner, drawing the reader in. The humor has an added benefit since it acts as a filter — only those who get your quirky side will be interested enough to read the complete bio.

    1. Attention and affection are two things I am really good at dishing out
    2. I’m a guy who understands romance from a non-movie perspective too
    3. Math nerd looking for someone to add to the equation
    4. It is true that blondes have more fun … I should know
    5. Tall, dark, and handsome with a big budget
    6. Drama queens, please move along
    7. I have the patience to wait while you shop
    8. I prefer watching sunsets to Netflix
    9. I’m the fun-loving and interesting guy your mom never warned you about
    10. I’m kinda like Spiderman — a nerdy guy with a secret life
    11. An intrepid adventurer: Join me in the quest for love if that’s what you are looking for in a relationship too
    12. If six packs are your thing, then I’m your guy
    13. To text or to call, that is the question
    14. Willing to work for cuddles
    15. I’m willing to lie about how we met
    16. My potential partner has to be on my wavelength
    17. Looking for my partner in crime, laughter, and love
    18. If I drove an Aston Martin, why would I be here?
    19. Calling all movie buffs. Send me your favorite movie quote
    20. I run on sarcasm
    Infographic on what not to put into your dating profile headline
    Do not put these into your dating profile headline

    Clever headlines to attract attention

    Looking for a really clever title for a dating profile? It’s true that successful dating headlines will attract potential matches to your profile, but the rest is up to you. All we can help you get is a head start, so let’s pick a clever headline to attract attention … and some love? If that doesn’t get them, then they are probably not on your wavelength anyway.

    Related Reading: 55 Best Ice Breaker Questions For Dating

    1. A He-Man, the master of my own universe
    2. Looking to enhance my dating experience, one meaningful connection at a time
    3. Experienced cuddle buddy who can make you laugh
    4. A hopeless romantic looking to write his own fairytale
    5. Expert gamer, but only in cyberspace
    6. A bad boy who would love to spoil you
    7. My apartment smells of teen spirit and books on revolution
    8. Let us leave singledom behind
    9. A cardiologist looking to find his way into your heart
    10. My hobbies include stargazing, binge-watching Netflix, and deep, meaningful conversations
    11. Expert rock climber — Will you join me at the peak?
    12. The perfect woman for me would match me crazy for crazy
    13. If you like K-pop and anime, then take a chance on me
    14. A blues lover would be the perfect match for me
    15. Jazz and blues … these are the beats of my existence
    16. I’m as single as a dollar bill
    17. Will cook breakfast for you in bed
    18. Looking for a queen to oversee my empire
    19. I am in this only for the good times
    20. Wicked but harmless is how I’d describe my sense of humor

    Related Reading: 40 Best Opening Lines For Online Dating

    Catchy singles headlines

    Good headlines for dating sites will usually use humor or fun phrases to stand out. After all, no one ever fell asleep laughing. A catchy singles headline can stick in someone’s mind and will bring a smile to the lips of any potential match. Here are some dating profile headlines to make you smile:

    1. Let’s do nerdy stuff together
    2. What is the craziest thing you’ve done? We both know it’s not me, yet.
    3. My superpower would be _________
    4. Extrovert-seeking introvert
    5. Gently used single dad
    6. “Love is friendship on fire” — Susan Sontag
    7. Truth or dare
    8. I’ll be the beast to your beauty
    9. 6’3″ and brainy too
    10. Swipe right if you accept the terms and conditions
    11. Heaven sounds terribly boring. Let’s go to hell
    12. Seeking a cuddle buddy
    13. I look good in husband material
    14. Will you help me return the ring to Mordor?
    15. For the perfect date, add a dash of me
    16. Humor – check. Money – check. Good looks – check. Your swipe right – TBA
    17. I’m looking for the Pam to my Jim
    18. Are you brave enough to Super Like me?
    19. If you are ready to handle me at my worst (jetlag), then you deserve my best (morning cuddles)
    20. Match me if you can
    Stories about online dating

    Hilarious dating headlines

    A hilarious dating headline is a witty headline that makes someone laugh and is almost always guaranteed to get someone to read your profile. Those without a sense of humor will be left cold, but maybe that’s for the best. We are here with the best headlines for dating sites guaranteed to crack ‘em up:

    Related Reading: Dating Abbreviations You Need To Know! Here’s 25 On Our List

    1. Roses are red. Violets are blue. Yoda I am. Go out with me, will you?
    2. I wouldn’t have come this far in life without Selena. She’s my cat
    3. I’d rather be a Han Solo than a Luke Skywalker
    4. “Try dating sites you must or end up like me you will” — Yoda
    5. As an engineer, I prefer doing it with tools
    6. If the shoe fits, will you be my Tinderella?
    7. I’m the guy who remembers all kinds of anniversaries
    8. Back by popular demand
    9. Optimus Fine
    10. Bingo! You just found your one-in-a-million
    11. I’m single and ready to get awkward with someone I find attractive
    12. Seeking a partner in crime. Must have your own shovel
    13. Looking for my plus one for all the weddings I am invited to
    14. Coffee in the streets. Champagne in the sheets
    15. I’m not a photographer but I can see you and me together
    16. I unashamedly use pics of my dogs to send apologies
    17. Currently working on my dad bod
    18. Caution: My dance moves can cause secondhand embarrassment
    19. Just here till I win the lottery

    Will you be the reason I delete this app? — The perfect profile headline sample to conclude this article
    Always remember, a headline for dating site needs to create an impact. It should catch the user’s attention, making them pause their scrolling to investigate your profile. Also, the best headlines for dating sites are easily readable, making you interesting and approachable enough for a swipe right.

    FAQs

    1. How long are dating profile headlines?

    Good headlines for dating sites should not be longer than one to two short sentences. Anything longer risks your potential match losing interest. There are many examples in this article of profile headline samples that work successfully.

    2. What to include in your headline?

    An attractive headline should leverage the power of words to showcase your personality and dating intention. It should make you stand out in the crowd and entice your potential partner to investigate further. Creating a witty headline which displays your humorous side will go a long way in achieving that.

    10 Online Dating Red Flags That Should Not Be Ignored

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    Ask Our Expert

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  • 6 Principles to Help You Love Other People, Even Difficult Ones

    6 Principles to Help You Love Other People, Even Difficult Ones

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    Jesus said the greatest command is to love God, but the second greatest command is to love people. I will admit that sometimes loving people seems like a much bigger challenge than loving God. Yet we are commanded throughout the Bible to love people. So to help you, I want to share six principles that will help you do this.

    The reason God can command every believer to love is because he loved us first. This truth alone removes every excuse you could possibly give for not loving other people. Any reason you want to bring as evidence why you should not love someone gets overturned by the truth that God loved you first.

    God did not love you when you were good or had everything together. He loved you when you were engaged in your sin, at your worst, when you weren’t even thinking about him. If he can love you when you were at your lowest moments, then surely you can show that same kind of love to other people.

    2. Love Is Not an Emotional Response, It Is a Decision of the Will

    While there are emotional aspects of love, the root of love has nothing to do with emotions. The truth is we don’t feel to love, we will to love. If love was based on our feelings or emotions, then love would be unstable, unsteady, and unpredictable. Your love would change from day to day and moment to moment just as your emotions do.

    Since love is based on your will, that means whether you love someone is a matter of choice. Choosing to love is intentional. That also means choosing not to love is intentional too. We all have people in our lives who are easier to love than others, but the command does not change. When you think of the most difficult person in your life to love, remember that God loved you first. Remembering that truth will help you to choose to love that person.

    3. Choosing Not to Love Is a Form of Self-Righteousness  

    One of the most challenging groups of people to love are those who have hurt you. However, the Bible does not add being hurt by someone as a reason for not loving them. Jesus said it plainly in Matthew:

    “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you’” (Matthew 5:43-44).

    When someone has hurt you, it is possible you will use that hurt as a reason to justify why you won’t love them. Here’s the problem: You don’t understand what you are really saying. When you choose not to love someone, you are saying they are not worthy of your love or they don’t deserve your love.

    Could there be a more self-righteous statement than that?

    Consider all the times we have hurt God by our sin and disobedience. We don’t deserve his love, but he still gives it anyway. He gives it not because we deserve it but because we need it. In the same way, we don’t love people because they deserve it. We love them because we have been recipients of God’s great and underserved love. So, the same manner you have received love should be the same manner in which you give love.

    4. Love Does Not Mean You Like the Person or That You Will Get Along with That Person

    Sometimes we think to love someone means we must maintain a close relationship with them. This is not always true. Sometimes there may be personality clashes or people you don’t get along with very well. These can be friends or even some family members. In these cases, sometimes it only makes sense to not be too close to them. However, that does not mean you cannot love them. It just means you may have to do it from a distance.

    Corinthians tells us love is patient, kind, not jealous or rude. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. You may not like or agree with a person, but you can still be kind, patient, and not rude. You can care about their well-being and not keep a record of their wrong doings. Let’s not forget you can also pray for them. Notice you pray for them not against them.

    There is one person in my life who is more difficult for me to love than others. Something about his personality and the way he has treated me and other people rubs me the wrong way. However, this does not give me license not to love him. I can still be kind, patient, not rude if I ever encounter him. I may keep my distance, but I can still love him. If I choose not to love him, I am saying he is not worthy of my love, which is a form of self-righteousness, and that is sin.

    One caveat: If you are married, then this principle will apply differently. The main difference is you have made a commitment to your spouse to be with them until death do you part. That covenant requires you to work out any potential differences you and your spouse may have.

    5. Love Does Not Mean Blanket Acceptance

    The world has a misguided view of love. It often defines love as acceptance. According to the world, the evidence you love the person is you love their behavior, their lifestyle, and everything about them. That is not true. Love means you love the person. It does not require you to love their behavior. God loved us while we were sinners, but he did not and does not love the sins we commit.

    There may be people in your life who are engaged in sinful lifestyles you don’t approve of. That does not give you permission to be self-righteous and judgmental. But, we must continue to love the person the same way God still loves sinners today. The challenge we have is separating the behavior from the person. We often tie them together and we often see their sin and define them by their sin.

    This is why God’s love is so different. He looks at our sinful condition and sees our need. Sometimes as Christians we can be quick to judge and when that happens, we lose our compassion. All we see is their sin and we don’t see their need to be set free from that sin.

    When Jesus walked the earth, he had this habit of sitting and eating with sinners. Never once did he accept their sinful lifestyle, condone their sin, or engage in it. However, he knew that they were lost without him, so he had to attempt to reach them. After all, that is why he came. 

    Let’s make sure we are loving sinners and recognizing that loving the sinner does not mean we must love and accept their sin. As we love them, the hope is they would experience the love of God and recognize he wants to call them out of their sin and into a new life in Christ.

    6. Loving Like Jesus Requires Courage

    “Later, Levi invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. (There were many people of this kind among Jesus’ followers)” (Mark 2:15, NLT).

    Tax collectors were among the worst sinners at that time, and people hated them. Yet we find Jesus in Levi’s home with other tax collectors and disreputable sinners sitting down and having a meal. Here is how the Pharisees responded.

    “But when the teachers of religious law who were Pharisees saw him eating with tax collectors and other sinners, they asked his disciples, ‘Why does he eat with such scum?’” (Mark 2:16, NLT).

    If there was social media back then, I am sure this image of Jesus eating with sinners would have gone viral. A Pharisee would have posted this with a caption, Jesus eats with scum or Jesus seen with devious tax collectors and other horrible sinners.

    Jesus knew he would get backlash from the religious leaders, yet he did it anyway. That’s because love takes courage. If you are going to love like Jesus, you will need some courage too. Loving people, especially sinners and those we self-righteously deem as unworthy of our love, is about building bridges. When you seek to do this, sometimes the ones who won’t like the bridge you are trying to build are those in the church. But build them anyway because we have a responsibility to reach those who are lost with the gospel and to go after sheep who may have wandered away. This is going to take courage, but remember if we don’t do it, nobody else will.

    Final Thought

    As you go forward and you choose to love people I will leave you with one thought that sums up why we need to be people who love others.

    “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:34-35).

    Photo credit: ©Getty Images/carles miro

    Clarence L. Haynes Jr. is a speaker, Bible teacher, and co-founder of The Bible Study Club.  He is the author of The Pursuit of Purpose which will help you understand how God leads you into his will. His most recent book is The Pursuit of Victory: How To Conquer Your Greatest Challenges and Win In Your Christian Life. This book will teach you how to put the pieces together so you can live a victorious Christian life and finally become the man or woman of God that you truly desire to be. Clarence is also committed to helping 10,000 people learn how to study the Bible and has just released his first Bible study course called Bible Study Basics. To learn more about his ministry please visit clarencehaynes.com

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    Clarence L. Haynes Jr.

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  • Joey talks about how he makes his decisions on ‘The Bachelor’ | Episode 7 preview

    Joey talks about how he makes his decisions on ‘The Bachelor’ | Episode 7 preview

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    NEW YORK — When we last left “The Bachelor”, Joey was in Canada with half a dozen women and still wondering which one would make the ideal mate for him.

    We first met this guy when “The Bachelorette” Charity Lawson sent him home.

    Now, he’s worried his heart might get broken again.

    Hometowns are on the horizon! Fans of the show know that means “The Bachelor” must narrow the field to select four women he likes enough to go on a date in their hometowns and meet their families.

    Joey says this particular week in Jasper, Alberta was particularly challenging because he had six solid connections with each of the remaining women, yet he knew his process of elimination had to continue.

    His biggest fear remains being rejected, and one of his strongest connections with Daisy, said at this point, she isn’t ready to say she loves him, although others are more willing.

    “There were real connections and relationships with each of those women,” Joey said.

    “And, how did you nation it down further? What were you looking for? Eyewitness News Entertainment Reporter Sandy Kenyon asked.

    “It sounds very obvious, but which connections were stronger? They were all different, but each week that’s all it is: is thinking which is the strongest? Which you can see the most future with, what kind of makes the most sense?” Joey said.

    “The Bachelor” airs tonight at 8 p.m. ET right here on ABC and streaming the next day on Hulu.

    Follow and listen to “Playing the Field,” our “Bachelor” podcast!

    Copyright © 2024 OnTheRedCarpet.com. All Rights Reserved.

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  • The Lost Inner Child Test: 12 Questions With Instant Results

    The Lost Inner Child Test: 12 Questions With Instant Results

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    As licensed psychotherapist Babita Spinelli, that can look like difficulty with close relationships, unhealthy coping mechanisms, staying in toxic situations, people-pleasing, dissociation, emotional reactivity, and much more. Essentially, when your inner child is lost, it’s easy to get stuck in a perpetual cycle of neglecting them even more.

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  • 5 Beautiful Reasons God Created Grandparents

    5 Beautiful Reasons God Created Grandparents

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    Have you ever wondered why God created grandparents? For most of us, we couldn’t imagine our lives without them.

    I know I can’t! I was lucky enough to have not just a grandmother, but a great-grandmother too. My grandfathers had passed on before my birth, but we do not forget their lives and legacies.

    God created everything for a purpose, and that didn’t get lost on grandparents. Let’s explore five reasons God created grandparents. 

    1. Grandparents Never Stop Being Parents

    My parents often remind me that I am their little girl. I even tell my own children, they will always be my babies. It does not matter how big they get or what job they have; we are still their parents. This thought overflows from the generation before us. 

    My granny had three children and there were countless times I would hear her correcting them or giving instruction. I used to think it was funny to hear my granny speak to her grown children that way, but it makes perfect sense today. 

    Parenting is not an action you can turn on and off. Grandparents are no longer on the front lines of parenting, but they still have an important role to play. Whenever mom or dad needs advice, support, help, or a shoulder to cry on, they are there. Grandparents also have the unique ability to parent their grandchildren when mom or dad can’t. 

    2. Grandparents Hold the Family Together

    When I became a mother, my views on family became narrower. I often only considered what was happening in my home. My role was to keep my household running, and that often left me in the dark to what was happening in my extended family. Today, I find myself asking my mom or dad about extended family members.

    Grandparents no longer have the responsibility of raising their own children. They have entered a season of life that finds them keeping up with the happenings of the extended family. Often, I would hear my granny or grandma talk about aunts, uncles, and cousins that lived miles from me. They would relay the message when a baby was on the way, someone was graduating from high school, or there was a death in the family. 

    Without my grandparents, I wouldn’t know how my extended family was doing. My grandparents were the glue holding the pieces together. They were the cornerstone of our family. 

    In the Bible, they refer to Jesus as the cornerstone (Ephesians 2:19-20). A cornerstone was the most important part of a structure’s foundation. If the cornerstone failed, the entire building would fall. Without grandparents to keep us together, our families would fall. 

    Grandparents are the ones that keep up with everyone. They plan the family gatherings and check in with family members. As the cornerstone of the family, grandparents make sure that all family members have what they need, and know we love them.

    3. Grandparents Provide a Support System

    Having a support system is so important for any season of life. Personally, I found myself needing a support system when my son, Jackson, turned three. At that time, he was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome and needed speech and occupational therapy. I had no idea what I was going to do with my husband working full time, and we had a two-year-old daughter. 

    While all this was happening, I learned granny would come to the rescue. She would go with me to therapy appointments and babysit our daughter. Granny always listened when I needed to vent and gave me some of the best advice on earth. 

    Grandparents provide their children and grandchildren with an irreplaceable support system. They can help watch children when mom and dad are working. They can help get the homework done before mom gets home to cook dinner. 

    Grandparents can be a sounding board for their grandchildren as well. Often, children will open up to their grandparents when they won’t with their parents. Children feel like grandma and grandpa will understand them and be less judgmental. I always felt like I could say anything to my grandma, and she would keep my secrets. 

    When grandparents are part of your support system, they greatly reduce the level of family stress. Emotional and behavioral issues in children are reduced and parents can rest easy knowing their children are being cared for when they are at work or handling other daily responsibilities.  

    4. Grandparents Deliver Wisdom to their Families

    Our grandparents know how hard life can be. They also know how much easier we have it now than they did as a child. The lessons they have learned in their lifetime can serve us well if we listen. 

    My daughter asked me several years ago where I learned to sew. I was working on a cross-stitch project, and she wanted to help. As I began teaching her how to thread a needle and begin making the cross-stitch, I was reminded of summers with granny. 

    Granny Annie would babysit me during the summer while mom and dad worked. She always brought her sewing projects to work on. One day I asked her the same question my daughter asked me. She handed me a needle and began teaching me to sew.  

    That wisdom from granny taught me how to mend holes in socks, shirts, and pants. Her lessons and stories made me appreciate the luxuries I had. They also taught me that hard work killed no one. 

    Grandparents deliver wisdom not only to their grandchildren, but their adult children. Anytime I have a problem, I go to mine or my husband’s parents. I know they have raised children and most likely dealt with whatever I am dealing with before. 

    Grandparents offer a special place to gain wisdom just as the Lord offers us the Holy Spirit to gain wisdom and knowledge. 

    5. Grandparents Pass on the Family Legacy

    Throughout the Bible, we can find verses that tell us God commanded His people to tell the next generation of His deeds. God knew how easily we forget what He has done for us. We need reminding, so God created grandparents. 

    Passing on a legacy is about helping those who came after you decide how they want to live their lives. Our grandparents pass on a family legacy by living a certain way and sharing the roots of their family. 

    My great-grandma was always telling us about her life as a young bride and new mother. She talked about giving birth at home before the midwife got there. She would tell us how she had to wash clothes, get food for the family, and help on the farm. My great-grandma has left a legacy of hard work and dedication to her family. 

    There is nothing more precious than the legacy grandparents leave with their family. Passing on stories of their childhood and sharing lessons they learned in life strengthens you. My granny Annie was a strong woman. She worked hard and loved everyone.

    What I remember the most about her was her ability to forgive. She never held a grudge and let bitterness affect her life. That is the life I want to live.

    My grandparents wanted us to always remember where we came from, just as God wants His children to remember what He brought them out of. 

    RELATED PODCAST: Check out this free, inspiring bedtime story for your grandkids!

    Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/monkeybusinessimages


    Ashley Hooker is a freelance writer who spends her time homeschooling her two children, ministering alongside her husband as he pastors a rural church in West Virginia, and writing about her faith. Currently, she is a contributing author for Journey Christian magazine. She has taken part in mission trips with the NC Baptist Men during the devastation of Hurricanes Katrina and Harvey in Mississippi and Texas. In her local church, she has served on various committees focusing in the area of evangelism along with traveling to West Virginia and Vermont to share the Gospel. Her dream is to spend her time writing and sharing the love of Christ with all she meets.

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  • How My Husband and I Restored Emotional Trust in Our Marriage

    How My Husband and I Restored Emotional Trust in Our Marriage

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    My husband and I reluctantly entered the room with our new marriage counselor. We were both anxious about the upcoming conversations and hopeful that bringing an outsider into our relationship. The session started with a comprehensive family history, which revealed our parents had remained married, thankfully upping our chances of overcoming the issues that we faced in our union. Yes!

    Next, our counselor asked if we had experienced any major breaks in trust. He asked about sexual promiscuity, pornography, financial trust, affairs, and other lies that may have undermined the foundation of trust between us. We answered these questions honestly, revealing that none of these obvious violations had taken place between us. He cheerfully reported the odds of our success looked good! We left feeling encouraged. 

    We stayed faithful to our counseling sessions and made some progress toward healing. We soon felt we were doing well enough to step back from attending these sessions. Fast forward a few years, and the issues between us had grown. We felt more lost and hopeless in our relationship than ever before. 

    We have since resumed counseling a second time with a new therapist and have found the healing that had eluded us the first go around. In retrospect, I realized that the reason why the first time didn’t “take” for us is that the questions about trust overlooked one major area where trust is vital in marriage. Emotional trust had been lost between us. 

    I’d venture to say that one of the primary marriage killers is when emotional trust is broken. This can be harder to spot, understand, and manage because it’s much more subtle than the traditional big breaks we know bring marriages to an end. 

    It starts when we go to our partner with a need, a want, a failure, a desire, and we are rejected many times over. Eventually, what happens is we start building walls that keep us insulated from our spouse. We no longer trust each other with the important stuff. 

    Our Story 

    In our home, it got so bad that I was nervous to ask my husband to do small tasks, such as passing me a fork. I was worried that any request could be used against me, but I wouldn’t know until I asked for something more taxing, such as emotional support for the stress I was feeling as a mom. Then, the way I asked for a fork the day earlier would be ammunition as to why I was either chronically at fault, I was failing as a wife, and ultimately, as a reason not to show me love and support when I needed it. I would grow more hurt and distraught, confirming my husband’s feelings that I was “crazy,” too emotional, unreasonable, unsafe, and all around not worth it. 

    This kind of cycle of distrust, bitterness, disunity, and unhealthy communication grows unbearable over time. Though we were deeply committed to our marriage, the lack of emotional trust had corroded any goodwill that we were clinging to in our marriage. At the end of our 15th year of marriage, I told my husband with utter honesty that I no longer believed he loved me. He liked the idea of me; he appreciated my ability to run a house well, take care of our kids, and generally support him. Yet, me, as the one he declared to have and to hold until death, the one he nervously got on one knee to propose to, the one that he shared so many firsts with, that me he had lost sight of and only worked to guard himself against in the present moment. 

    Long story short, we were at a crisis point. Our commitment to marriage was about convenience, kids, and expediency. Emotional intimacy was a pipe dream that neither of us understood how to realize. 

    You, like me, are probably starting to feel hopeless. I was without hope. I asked my husband to leave because I honestly believed I was only making him miserable. His refusal to leave felt like more of a punishment than a commitment to love me. I was so burdened by the role of ‘failing wife’ that I wished for separation more than I hoped for change. But God. 

    God is the defining difference in being able to overcome a truly dark cycle of bitterness. Without our mutual, separate, yet unified decisions to give up all our own efforts and instead cry out to God to heal the things we could not change on our own, our marriage would still be on the fast track to destruction. We had done everything we could over the prior 15 years to manage our own broken tendencies, but the one thing we were unable to achieve on our own was true repentance and forgiveness.

    Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/monkeybusinessimages 

    The Steps Towards Repentance 

    This is the part of the story where wonder and mystery intersect with practical work and effort. God does this crazy thing where he changes us completely in ways we can’t quite quantify while also telling us to use wisdom to partner with his life-changing Spirit. We did the thing we knew to do, which was go back to counseling. My husband went a step further and found his own personal counselor and did some extra work on his own to discover where the tension and closed-offness had originated in his life. 

    Not all men are the same, but I know in our case, things had got so tense between us that he honestly could not hear me anymore. The more I worked to explain, the more disdain for me grew in his heart, and I could feel it. He needed someone else to talk to that he could trust, and that would feel safe for him to really explore all that he was struggling with. I believe his individual counseling from a Spirit-filled man helped lead him toward repentance. 

    In the meantime, all I could do was let go. I had to let go of a cloud of ugly words that had been exchanged between us. I had to ask God to allow me to forgive myself. I had been weaker, less able, meaner, more frail of a wife than I ever imagined I would be. The weight of guilt I felt for being anxious, depressed, needy, naggy, or whatever the word was that filled my head that day became crushing. 

    I needed God to help me to forgive my husband. He had not loved me well when I needed support. He had no idea how to let me into his life; he had never learned. From a young age he learned how to build strong emotional walls that kept him safe from sadness and all other unpleasant feelings. Then came a woman filled with empathy, looking for support. As soon as my emotions came out, his walls went up. It was a recipe for hurt that played out many times over fifteen years of marriage. Only Jesus has the power to re-write those kinds of broken stories. 

    I asked God to change the way I saw my husband. I wanted God’s eyes for this man I had committed to love. I still pray that he would help me see the things that sometimes bother me as a blessing. We are different, which sometimes makes being together tricky, but our differences don’t make us wrong; they just require us to be a little more patient sometimes. I had grown quite impatient with my husband. I started being more open with our village. We needed more than ourselves to climb out of this pit. I showed up at counseling again. I asked God to help him hear me and see me because that was the thing that had been lost between us over time.

    We also began praying together each night. 

    The Miracle

    Somewhere over the course of the last year, which happened to also be a very stressful year for us, God started changing us, and the reason I know repentance and forgiveness are covering us is that I can feel the fruits of the spirit at work between us again. I have peace while in the room with my husband again. I can trust that he will do all he can to be self-controlled when it comes to his reactions to my needs. Joy can be shared between us when we are alone together. These are the markers of a trustworthy change. Freedom from a dark cycle of painful interactions is rising up in our marriage! God is gracious. 

    The Takeaway 

    I share this first to let you know that if you and your spouse are in that dark corner of hopelessness for your marriage and you are safe from abuse, desiring to find a path towards repentance, God is able

    You have to be willing to give up your every right and let God give you his eyes of love for your spouse. There is no easy, painless road to repentance when years of discord have resulted in the place you are now. You have to confront the ugly and then patiently hand it over to Jesus. Trusting him to give you a new way of being. 

    Here is a reminder as your journey towards freedom in marriage is that we are not the Savior of our partner. An important step in my going to God was also giving the outcome to him. No part of me was able to change my husband to be the man I needed him to be. I knew if we could not get off our ugly roller coaster, one of us would have to get off alone at some point. I had to trust God if that was the outcome, too. 

    Marriage was not made to be a cage that traps us, but it’s a fireplace that keeps our passion, love, and families safe. Freedom from an unhealthy relationship can look like repentance, and sometimes it looks like separation. God is with us on either journey, and both are hard. Wherever you are I pray that God would do immeasurably more than you could ask or imagine on your behalf (Ephesians 3:20). He is able!

    Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Sam Edwards 


    Amanda Idleman is a writer whose passion is to encourage others to live joyfully. She writes devotions for My Daily Bible Verse Devotional and Podcast, Crosswalk Couples Devotional, the Daily Devotional App, she has work published with Her View from Home, on the MOPS Blog, and is a regular contributor for Crosswalk.com. She has most recently published a devotional, Comfort: A 30 Day Devotional Exploring God’s Heart of Love for Mommas. You can find out more about Amanda on her Facebook Page or follow her on Instagram.

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  • What to Do When You Want to Seek Revenge

    What to Do When You Want to Seek Revenge

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    There are those who daydream of ponies and picnics, and then there is me… dreaming of the ways I can take revenge on my enemies. 

    When we hear ‘revenge,’ we often think of slashing tires and egging houses, or worse. But revenge can be much simpler. Sometimes our success is ‘revenge.’ We dream of the day our enemy scrolls through social media to see our radical weight loss transformation or our beautiful European vacation. We can even “spiritualize” our revenge. We pick “good” goals in our lives to shame our enemies. But this revenge is just as sinister. And just as tempting. There is something about revenge… 

    What Does the Bible Say About Revenge?

    Every time I feel bent on revenge, I read Romans 12. Romans 12 is very anti-revenge, as you can imagine. Although there are plenty of Bible verses condemning our fantasies of revenge, Romans 12 lays it all out for us. Starting in verse 14 it reads, “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.” In verse 17, it continues, “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath.” 

    I could not have said it better myself, “Do not take revenge.” No arguing with that. Short and simple, straight to the point. But did you notice that the Scripture calls us “my dear friends”? In our dark moments when revenge feels so tempting, our pain is recognized in that sentiment. Often, those seeking revenge are seeking retribution for some kind of hurt or injustice. Although we are asked not to take revenge, we are simultaneously seen in our suffering. Do not see God’s command as a dismissal of whatever you may have gone through or experienced. God sees you and cares. In fact, He cares far too much to allow you to take revenge. He would rather handle that part for you. 

    Will They Just ‘Get Away with It’?

    It is difficult to let go of the idea of revenge because it can feel as though we let our enemy off the hook. But right after we are asked not to take revenge, we are reminded to “leave room for God’s wrath” (v 19). 

    Do not forget that we serve a God who cares about justice. He cares about our tears, our suffering, and our wounds. He will not stand idle. When we choose to take revenge into our own hands, we are actually taking from God. God is our avenger; leave space for His working hand. 

    Choosing self-control over revenge does not mean we have let someone get away with something. Rather, it shows our strength to trust in God to fight our battles. The rest of verse 19 says, “’It is mine to avenge; I will repay’, says the Lord.” Leave justice to God. 

    When God asks us to refrain from revenge, He is not excusing bad behavior on behalf of the other party. He is not minimizing your pain or the issue at hand. He is simply saying to leave room for Him. He will handle it, my dear friend. 

    What Do I Do Instead?

    Romans 12 continues to describe the anti-revenge plan to us in verse 20. It reads, “On the contrary: ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” 

    Romans gives us God’s alternative to revenge: kindness. Do not mistake kindness for weakness. Our deepest strength is displayed when we turn an evil situation into something good. We stop the evil that has been perpetrated against us in its tracks. We do not allow ourselves to be overcome by that evil. As Proverbs 25:20 says, when we choose kindness and generosity towards our enemies over revenge, God will reward us. 

    What Will God Do When I Choose Kindness Over Revenge?

    When we choose kindness over revenge, we acknowledge God as our protector. God cares about whatever you are going through, and He wants to defend and protect you. When you feel tempted to take matters into your own hands, remember these Scriptures that describe God as our ultimate shield and protector: 

    “Our soul waits for the LORD; He is our help and our shield.” Psalm 33:20

    “The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me…” Psalm 28:7

    “The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior—from violent people you save me.” 2 Samuel 22:3

    “The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” Psalm 18:2

    “As for God, his way is perfect: The LORD’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him.” Psalm 18:30

    “But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.” 2 Thessalonians 3:3

    “But You, O LORD, are a shield about me. My glory, and the One who lifts my head.” Psalm 3:3

    I love the imagery of God as my shield. He is there to take the arrows for me. He goes before me. He will sacrifice Himself for my protection. He is my Protector. When I desire revenge, I envision God as my shield, and I feel the space to be vulnerable and trust that He will keep me safe. 

    What’s in It for Me?

    Often, the sweet victory we imagine does not quite come. Revenge in our imagination can feel intoxicating. In practice, however, it can feel anticlimactic. Typically, revenge does not feel as good as we think it will feel. In fact, revenge only offers temporary relief at best. At worst, it makes us feel worse. 

    When reading Romans 12, we see that the best ‘revenge’ is kindness. Kindness from someone you have wounded can sting. But this is the type of sting that is transformative. Revenge multiplies wounds. Kindness opens opportunities. When we choose the road of kindness, we free ourselves from the spell of bitterness and we give our enemies the chance at redemption and reconciliation. We open the doors for mutual healing. And ultimately, we glorify God. 

    I believe God asks us to leave Him the role of avenger partly to protect us. He knows that vengeance delays healing. He is a much better dealer of justice than we are, anyway. When we choose God’s way, we no longer are shackled to the injustices committed against us. We get to display great strength of character. We get to see our enemies humbled by our kindness. And we get to build a deeper relationship with God. The deepening of this relationship will demonstrate God’s care for us in ways we have never seen before. 

    Next time you desire to take revenge, remember who is fighting for you. God wants to fight this battle for you. He wants to protect you. He wants to transform you in the process. Do not take away what is rightfully God’s, as He says, “It is mine to avenge, I will repay.” Revenge does not belong to us. God will watch over you. 

    Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/SIphotography

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  • Quote Of The Day! – Perez Hilton

    Quote Of The Day! – Perez Hilton

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    “It’s me sitting with this feeling of understanding that I feel really confused as a 26-year-old… I really felt I was in love with this person. Now I feel kind of lonely and small and weird, but at the same time, I’m an adult and I feel so strong in other areas of my life, but not this one.”

    Camila Cabello telling PussPuss about the inspiration for her new album — which appears to be how she felt after her Shawn Mendes breakup!

    [Image via MEGA/WENN]

    The post Quote Of The Day! appeared first on Perez Hilton.

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  • Am I Asexual? Take This Test To Better Understand Your Sexuality

    Am I Asexual? Take This Test To Better Understand Your Sexuality

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    “Sexuality can be source of pleasure and bonding between people, but it can also drive sexual people a bit mad at times. For example, sexual jealousy can be a powerful undermining force in people’s lives. So, a lack of sexual attraction can make asexual people, at least at times, more stable throughout their relationship with others,” Bogaert says.

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  • 33 Beautiful Morning Date Ideas You’ll Love

    33 Beautiful Morning Date Ideas You’ll Love

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    There’s something magical about the early morning hours of the day — the soft glow of the sunrise, the gentle rustle of leaves, and the promise of a brand new day ahead. As someone who has always been captivated by the beauty of mornings, I’ve discovered a delightful way to make the most of these precious moments: morning date ideas. Far from the typical evening rendezvous, morning dates bring a unique charm and a refreshing energy that sets the tone for the day ahead. So, if you’re looking to add a dash of romance and adventure to your mornings, here’s a collection of 33 beautiful morning date ideas that have won my heart.

    In the hustle and bustle of daily life, mornings often become an underrated canvas for connection and joy. It was during one such early morning escapade that I stumbled upon the sheer magic of morning date ideas. As the first rays of sunlight painted the sky in hues of pink and orange, my partner and I found ourselves sharing a quiet picnic breakfast in a serene park where we could watch the sunrise and enjoy the fresh air. The simple act of sipping coffee and nibbling on pastries amidst nature’s awakening beauty created an intimate and unforgettable experience. It was then that I realized the incredible potential morning time holds for crafting moments of love and connection.

    From leisurely strolls through empty streets to heartwarming breakfasts in bed, morning dates have become a cherished part of my relationship journey. There’s an inexplicable joy in exploring the world when it’s still waking up — the hushed conversations, the shared laughter, and the feeling of having the world to ourselves.

    In this article, I’m excited to share 33 romantic morning date ideas that have brought me immense happiness and strengthened the bond of my relationship. Whether you’re a sunrise enthusiast or just looking for a change from evening dates, these uncommon ideas for morning dates are sure to infuse your relationship with fresh energy and joy.

    What Is A Good Morning Date?

    In the realm of romance, morning dates hold a distinct allure — one that transcends the ordinary and taps into the serenity of dawn. A good morning date isn’t just about sharing a cup of morning coffee. It’s about creating moments of emotional connection and intimacy against the backdrop of a waking world.

    Whether it’s the gentle rays of the sun or the crisp fresh air of a new day, there’s a unique magic to morning dates that elevates them beyond the typical rendezvous. So, what defines a good morning date? What qualifies as good date ideas in the morning? It’s about embracing tranquility, relishing simple pleasures, and basking in the promise of a day filled with shared experiences. Here’s a glimpse of the elements that make a morning date truly special:

    • Invigorating start: A good morning date should leave you feeling refreshed and invigorated, setting a positive tone for the rest of the day. Like a picnic breakfast under the morning sky
    • Casual comfort: It’s an experience that doesn’t demand elaborate preparations, allowing you to enjoy the moment in a relaxed and casual manner, like a bike ride in the early morning hours
    • Energizing, not exhausting: Unlike some evening activities, a morning date should be energizing and not exhausting — like early morning walks or a coffee date — ensuring you have the stamina to tackle the day ahead
    • Natural beauty: A good morning date might involve enjoying the beauty of nature, from sunrise strolls to exploring outdoor spaces, or a visit to the Natural History Museum
    • Simple pleasures: It’s often about relishing simple pleasures, like a cozy breakfast in bed, meaningful conversations, or engaging in activities that bring joy without unnecessary complexity
    • Connection without distractions: A lazy morning date offers a chance to connect without the distractions of a busy day, fostering genuine and focused interaction. It’s all about picking the right date ideas in the morning that will get you and your SO excited to get out of bed and spend some quality time together
    For more expert-backed insights, visit our YouTube channel

    Talking about ideas for morning dates, a Reddit user says, “I like Sunday morning brunch for a first date which is 10/11 am. It’s a little more than coffee but not as much as dinner from a romantic standpoint. Plus who doesn’t love a good brunch date! Plus I always pick the same spot that is around corner from art museum, if we are vibing and want to continue – it’s an easy transition. Just my two cents which are probably worth one cent.”

    The beauty of a good morning date lies in its ability to set the tone for the day, fostering a sense of connection and chemistry that lasts throughout the day. It’s a unique opportunity to revel in the simplicity of shared moments before the world fully wakes up.

    Now, let’s delve into a collection of 33 romantic morning date ideas for couples that encompass the charm and intimacy of those early hours, ensuring that your mornings become a canvas for love and togetherness.

    Related Reading: 51 Non-Cliched Second Date Ideas That Will Lead To A Third

    33 Romantic Morning Date Ideas For Couples

    In the quiet moments, when the world is still waking up, love takes on a special glow. There’s an undeniable charm to dates in the morning — an intimacy that’s heightened by the soft hues of sunrise and the promise of a new day. Now, this may have you wondering, what are good early date ideas?

    Whether you’re a dawn enthusiast or simply seeking to infuse your relationship with fresh energy, these 33 romantic morning activities for couples are sure to kindle love and connection. From leisurely breakfasts in bed to adventurous early-morning escapades, each of these date ideas in the morning invites you to explore the magic of shared moments beneath the canvas of the waking world. Get ready to embark on a journey of love and discovery as we unveil a collection of morning date ideas designed to create lasting memories and deepen the bonds of your relationship.

    1. Enjoy the sunrise on a morning walk

    What are good early date ideas without a beautiful sunrise? Experience the tranquility of dawn with a morning walk — a classic and creative morning date idea that lets you immerse in nature’s beauty. As the world awakens, take a stroll, hand in hand, relishing the serenity and creating lasting memories in the early morning hours.

    2. Explore new flavors at a breakfast bonanza

    Spice up your morning with a breakfast bonanza — a culinary adventure that turns breakfast into a celebration of flavors. Experiment with exotic ingredients, whip up delightful dishes, and savor each bite in a cozy corner of your home for a delightful and romantic morning date idea at home.

    3. Have a morning date over coffee and conversations

    Immerse yourself in the magic of caffeine and connection with coffee and conversations — a romantic morning date idea that invites you to savor your favorite brew while indulging in heart-to-heart talks. Share dreams, laughter, and the warmth of love over a cup of steaming coffee.

    Related Reading: A CCD Coffee Cup! That’s Where Our Marriage Brewed

    4. Explore parts of your city you haven’t seen yet

    Looking for places to go in the morning? Embark on uncharted explorations — a series of uncommon morning date ideas that redefine traditional outings. From exploring hidden gems in your city to trying unique activities together, each date promises surprises and memorable moments that go beyond the ordinary.

    5. Go on an early morning hot air balloon ride

    Soar to new heights with a hot air balloon ride — an exhilarating morning date idea and the ultimate bucket list entry that ranks among the coolest ideas for morning dates. Drift through the sky, witness a sunrise panorama, and create memories that elevate your relationship to extraordinary heights.

    6. Have an all-day movie marathon

    Dive into a cinematic world with an all-day movie marathon — an entertaining and fun morning date idea that transforms your living space into a private theater. Watch classic movies or your favorite blockbusters, accompanied by laughter, popcorn, and shared love.

    7. Take an early morning beach walk

    Connect with nature and each other with a walk on the beach — a romantic morning date idea for people who love the beach that involves a leisurely stroll amid tranquility. Feel the sand between your toes, listen to the soothing waves, and create memories of shared serenity by the water.

    8. Go on an early morning hike

    Lace-up your hiking boots for an early morning hike — an active morning date idea that takes you to the great outdoors. Explore scenic trails, breathe in the fresh air, and embark on a journey of shared discovery and invigorating physical activity.

    9. Have a treasure hunt at local yard sales

    Looking for fun activities to do in the morning? Turn treasure hunting into a date — a unique morning date idea that involves exploring local yard sales. Uncover hidden gems, share excitement over quirky finds, and turn the hunt into a delightful bonding experience.

    10. Explore your local botanical garden

    Immerse yourself in nature at a botanical garden near you— an enchanting morning date idea that offers a refreshing start to the day. Explore vibrant flora, share the beauty of blooming flowers, and cultivate a harmonious connection amidst the serenity of nature.

    11. Take a cooking class with your bae

    Spice up your morning routine with cooking classes — a fun morning date idea that involves learning some new recipes together. From mastering new recipes to indulging in the joy of creating a meal side by side, this date promises laughter and delicious memories.

    Related Reading: 5 Reasons Why Women Are Attracted To Men Who Cook

    12. Explore your local farmers’ market

    Looking for places to go in the morning? Dive into local flavors at a farmers’ market — an immersive morning date idea that involves exploring the fresh produce of your locality. Enjoy artisanal treats and enjoy the vibrant ambience as you create a sensory-filled morning together.

    13. Go horseback riding with bae

    Embrace the outdoors with a romantic ride — an adventurous morning date idea that involves horseback riding. Feel the thrill of adventure, connect with your surroundings, and share the joy of riding together in a charming outdoor setting.

    14. Share a warm bath with your one and only

    One of the most amazing morning date ideas at home is to transform your morning into a haven of relaxation with your significant other — a relaxing date idea that involves sharing a warm bath. Set the mood with soft lighting and aromatic oils, as you enjoy a quiet retreat together for a soothing and intimate experience.

    15. Go for a painting class together

    Unlock your creative potential with paints and brushes — a morning date idea that involves taking a painting class together. Delve into the world of colors, canvas, and self-expression, creating artistic masterpieces side by side.

    Related Reading: 40 Cute Things To Do With Your Girlfriend At Home

    16. Attend a live music event together

    Elevate your morning with some music — a lively date idea that involves attending a live music performance. Whether it’s a local band or an acoustic set, immerse yourselves in the rhythms and melodies, crafting a morning filled with entertainment and joy. You can also try on your best morning date outfit for this activity.

    17. Nature sketching session: A creative morning date

    Embrace the serenity of the early hours by engaging in a nature sketching session as a unique and creative morning date idea. Find a tranquil spot in a park or by a lake, armed with sketch pads and pencils, and let the beauty of your surroundings inspire your artistic expression.

    18. Relax at your favorite coffee shop

    A delightful morning date idea is to embark on a journey of caffeinated delight at your favorite coffee shop. You can also go about exploring different coffee shops. From frothy cappuccinos to robust espressos, savor a variety of flavors and create cherished moments over steaming mugs.

    Related Reading: 50 Things To Talk About With Your Boyfriend And Know Him Better

    19. Go on an elegant brunch date with your beloved

    Elevate your morning mood with classy brunch dates. Enjoy a mid-morning rendezvous in a chic setting, donning your best morning date outfit, and relish delectable flavors amidst the enchanting ambiance of a sophisticated restaurant.

    20. Capture the sunrise on a photography date

    Embark on a visual journey with a sunrise photography expedition — a captivating morning date idea that invites you to capture the ethereal beauty of dawn through your lens. Whether you’re an amateur photographer or a seasoned pro, the soft glow of sunrise provides the perfect backdrop for creating timeless memories and savoring the magic of a shared passion.

    dates in the morning
    Morning dates are perfect for creating timeless memories

    21. Flip the narrative and watch a movie in the morning

    Dive into nostalgia with a morning movie — a nostalgic morning date idea that involves watching classic movies, flipping the usual narrative of a movie date night. Choose a cozy spot at home, revisit timeless films, and let the magic of cinema transport you to another era.

    22. Have breakfast on a river

    Savor tranquility on a boat that meanders through some serpentine river —a tranquil morning date idea that involves breakfast on a boat. Picture a peaceful setting, the soothing sound of water, and shared moments over a delightful breakfast spread.

    Related Reading: 20 Beautiful Summer Date Ideas For Couples

    23. Walk amongst the trees and connect with nature

    Immerse yourself in the beauty of nature with your special someone — a morning date idea that involves cozy tree walks. Explore lush surroundings, connect with each other, and create cherished memories amidst the serenity of nature.

    24. Have a picnic breakfast in the park

    Transform your morning into a scenic escape at your neighborhood park for a picturesque picnic breakfast date. Share a meal surrounded by greenery, breathe in fresh air, and enjoy a peaceful retreat in the heart of the city. And if you can wake up early, catch the sunrise while you have breakfast.

    25. Have a rooftop breakfast with bae

    Elevate your morning experience with a sunrise soiree — an elevated morning date idea involving a rooftop date. Enjoy panoramic views, sip on morning beverages, and create a memorable morning against the backdrop of the slowly awakening city.

    26. Explore scenic routes and create new memories

    Hit the road for a mini road trip — an exhilarating morning date idea that adds a sense of adventure to your day. Choose a nearby destination, pack a picnic box, and let the open road guide you to new discoveries. Whether it’s a coastal drive or a journey through picturesque landscapes, the spontaneity of a mini road trip creates the perfect setting for shared laughter, scenic vistas, and the joy of exploration.

    27. Take a singing class together

    Embark on a musical adventure by taking a singing class together. Whether you’re both aspiring vocalists or simply looking to have fun, this is one of the ideas for morning dates that not only deepens your connection but also turns your morning into a symphony of laughter, learning, and shared melodies.

    28. Go for an exhilarating CrossFit session

    Infuse some energy into your morning with an exhilarating CrossFit session — an active and invigorating morning date idea that sparks both physical and emotional vitality. Sharing the challenge of CrossFit exercises not only promotes fitness but also creates a dynamic atmosphere for mutual encouragement, fostering a sense of achievement and connection in the early morning hours.

    Related Reading: 5 Ways Exercise And Fitness Improve Your Sex Drive

    29. Visit a local nursery with your one and only

    Looking for fun activities to do in the morning? Wondering what date ideas in the morning can help you kickstart the day on a soothing note? Embark on a green adventure with your special someone with this unique morning date idea that involves exploring local nurseries. Surround yourselves with vibrant plants, share the joy of discovery, and cultivate a connection amidst the beauty of nature.

    30. Take a martial arts class with your significant other

    Elevate your morning with a martial arts class — a powerful and invigorating morning date idea that goes beyond physical activity, fostering a unique bond of strength and connection between you and your significant other. Whether it’s the discipline of karate or the fluidity of tai chi, learning martial arts together creates a shared journey of self-discovery and offers the thrill of mastering new skills.

    31. Plan a flash mob together

    Ignite the spirit of spontaneity with some uncommon date ideas, such as planning a flash mob together — an unconventional and exciting morning date idea that turns ordinary moments into extraordinary memories. Collaborate on choreography, choose a lively location, and experience the joy of surprising others while creating a unique bond through the thrill of orchestrating a spontaneous dance routine.

    Related Reading: 15 Romantic Valentine’s Day Proposal Ideas That’ll Make Her Say Yes

    32. Indulge yourself with breakfast in the pool

    Transform your morning routine into a luxurious escape with breakfast in the pool — a refreshing and indulgent morning date idea that combines the joy of swimming with a delightful morning meal. Savor delicious treats on a floating tray, as you create a unique and relaxing experience for the two of you.

    breakfast date
    A morning date sets a positive tone for the rest of your day

    33. Go snorkeling or scuba diving for an underwater date

    Explore the wonders beneath the waves with a snorkeling or scuba diving adventure — a thrilling and immersive morning date idea that takes you into the mesmerizing world of the ocean. Share the excitement of discovering vibrant marine life and let the underwater beauty become the backdrop for a morning filled with awe and shared exploration. This is one of the most thrilling hobbies for couples.

    As you explore these 33 diverse and delightful morning date ideas, let the dawn of new experiences bring freshness and connection to your relationship. From the simplicity of breakfast dates to the excitement of scuba diving, each suggestion is a gateway to shared moments and the cultivation of lasting memories. Embrace the beauty of mornings — the time of the day when possibilities are endless, and love has the opportunity to blossom in unique and unexpected ways. Here’s to mornings filled with love, adventure, and the simple joy of being together.

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    Ask Our Expert

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  • 3 Effective Strategies for Finding Love after 50!

    3 Effective Strategies for Finding Love after 50!

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    3 Effective Strategies for Finding Love after 50!

     

    You can read the blog below or watch it on YouTube by clicking here.

    Last night I started working on a 1,000-piece puzzle with a gorgeous view of an Italian coastal community. (Stay with me, this does have to do with finding love in your 50’s, 60’s and 70’s)

    I chose it for two reasons.

    Being a Scorpio, I love anything that has to do with water. (If you’ve ever spoken to me on the phone about your dating life, you may have heard my little water fountain trickling away in the background.)

    The second reason is that going to the coast of Italy is on my bucket list. (By the way, creating a bucket list, whether you are single or in a relationship, makes life far more fun and gives you something to always look forward to.)

    Ok . . . back to the puzzle and what this has to do with finding love after 50.

    I was so excited to get this puzzle started.

    I grabbed my favorite cup of Matcha Latte and began looking for the puzzle edges.

    This turned out to be a lot harder than I originally thought it would be.

    In fact, after an half or so of getting no where, I started feeling frustrated and overwhelmed.

    Doing the puzzle and getting nowhere stopped feeling like fun.

    That’s when an AHA moment happened.

    I realized I needed a plan that would make putting this puzzle together enjoyable and would keep the level of frustration and overwhelm down.

    Dating like a puzzle can become overwhelming and frustrating.

    Starting out, you’re really excited, as you look at some of the more interesting men online.

    You share emails with a couple of them and even meet a few.

    But you quickly get frustrated because the men you want to meet aren’t contacting you.

    Or the men you do meet aren’t who they say they are. Right?

    After this happens a couple of times, you want to quit and give up on your dream of finding love after 50.

    This happened to me too.

    What kept me going was a 3-step plan I created that motivated me to move forward whenever frustration and overwhelm threatened to take over.

    I know it can work for you too.

    Step #1…Take a break

    When you’re feeling either overwhelmed or frustrated, hide your profile and focus on you.

    Nurture yourself.

    Hang out with those male friends you’ve made along the way.

    It’s nice being around male energy especially when there’s no pressure other than having fun.

    Enjoy yourself and don’t go back online until you’ve recharged.

    You’ll know when you’re ready.

    Step #2…. When you’re ready to go back online, try a new dating site

    When you’re seeing the same faces over and over again, its time to try a new dating site.

    When joining a new site, sign up for the least amount of time you can.

    Simply put, if the site doesn’t have enough paid members who can contact you, you’re going to want to move on.

    When your subscription ends, paid sites will try and lure you back by offering you a great deal at a huge discount.

    Good men are on both free and paid sites.

    Try them both and while you’re at it, here are some of my favorites for you to check out… Lisa’s Favorite Dating Sites.

    Step #3…. Make a list of 26 places where you can meet single men

    Men are everywhere, yet most women don’t know where to look for them.

    So here’s a tip for how you can find 26 places to potentially meet your guy.

    Make a list from A-Z, then write down a local spot that starts with each letter.

    Next, commit to visiting at least one of these places weekly.

    Have a strategy in place for flirting and speaking to men everywhere you go.

    Here’s why…

    Lisa taught me how to flirt, something I’d forgotten or maybe never knew how to do. I’m telling you, LADIES, the strategies she suggested really WORK! I now feel confident and safe having casual conversations with men whenever I am. – Yaz, Kansas

    And that’s what dating over 50 in the real world and online is all about.

    It’s your turn now.

    Put this 3-step plan in place and watch how taking breaks gets you excited again about dating.

    Next, try a new dating site.

    Create your list and make sure you’re going to one of the 26 places you discovered in your local area to flirt and meet new men every week.

    Your new 3 step plan is going to give you exposure to more men and the more men you meet, the closer you are to finding the right one for you.

    Big hugs ~

    Lisa

    Love this article? Sign up by clicking here to receive my weekly blog.

    Copyright© 2024 Lisa Copeland. All rights reserved.

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    Lisa

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  • 6 Reasons Why Counseling Is a Saving Grace for a Troubled Marriage

    6 Reasons Why Counseling Is a Saving Grace for a Troubled Marriage

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    Marriage is a beautiful covenant between two people who love each other. It is the best example on earth of the relationship between Jesus and his bride, the church. But humans, as we have seen in Genesis in the garden of Eden, can have difficulty in their relationships. Nothing is truer than difficulties in marriage. Marriage is hard work. Marriages have ups and downs, highs and lows. But sometimes marriages can feel as if they’ve reached their breaking point, with no hope of ever returning to the fruitful relationship God meant it to be. God wants us to put our very best into our marriages. No couple should consider divorce until they have gone through the counseling process. Although counseling still has a stigma among Christians as for being for people who have serious psychological problems or mental illnesses, counseling can be a great tool for even the most difficult marriages. Here are six reasons why counseling is the saving grace for her troublesome marriage:

    1. It helps process pain.

    Each couple brings baggage into their relationship. This includes emotional trauma, childhood wounds, and emotional voids that can only be filled with Christ. However, some people try to fill it with their spouse, believing that if they just love their spouse enough and their spouse loves them, they will fill the hole in their soul that can only be filled with Christ. A counselor can help each couple process their personal pain. They may also be able to draw connections between the issues in their past and their current relationship issues. If the dots between past pain and current marriage issues are connected properly, a counselor can help couples with tools and strategies for better communication and healing past pain so that they can interact with each other in positive, healthy ways.

    2. It gives hope in the future.

    When a marriage is at its worst, it is easy for couples to over-dramatize, believing their marriage is unsalvageable. As long as the marriage is rooted in Christ, anything is possible. Those couples who put their hope in God can also find hope for their future as married couples. If even one spouse remains hopeful that their marriage can be saved, both spouses can work together to take responsibility for their issues, correct their behaviors, and move forward with a positive outlook for their marriage. As long as both spouses vow they will not give up and commit to persevere, there is still hope their marriage can be saved. Even a marriage destroyed by adultery can still have hope for its future. With the power of forgiveness and through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, there is nothing a couple can’t endure with Christ at the center.

    3. You get a third party’s perspective.

    Jesus Christ acted as a mediator toward us in God. In every situation, we were not meant to be alone. It is always good to get another party’s perspective on an issue. When a couple is working through a difficult situation, each sees it through their own lens. A third party who is not invested in the issue can see it and give an unbiased opinion on what to do. The counselor can also help balance the scales when it comes to placing blame and each couple taking responsibility for their part in the issue. It is easy for couples to take the blame on the other and pretend it’s all the other person’s fault. Yet, they both have contributed to the marriage’s failure. Any marriage can be saved if a couple is willing to see the issue for what it is and pursue a resolution with humility and grace.

    4. Help with communication.

    Communication breakdown is one of the main issues in every marriage. When spouses cannot communicate with each other and trust is broken, they can be deceived into thinking it is easier to break up than it is to persevere. A counselor can give practical tips and strategies for each spouse to communicate and ways the other person can understand. A counselor will help each spouse communicate with each other in a way that makes the other feel heard, their feelings validated, and feel less blamed or attacked. When spouses can communicate in ways that communicate needs rather than attack the other’s character, trust and intimacy can be rebuilt.

    For example, a popular tool some counselors use is “I” statements. When couples fight, it is easy to make statements using the word you as the focus. One spouse may say, “you never help around the house,” which makes the other spouse feel like their efforts are not appreciated. The spouse can instead say, “I feel unappreciated when I do the majority of the work around the house,” communicating their need and a specific way without making the other feel like their efforts are not good enough. Further, the counselor can help understand the real need behind the statement. Is the problem just that the spouse one spouse does most of the household chores? Or is there a deeper emotional need that needs to be filled?

    5. Rebuild trust.

    Once trust is broken in a relationship, it is difficult to get back. And it doesn’t mean that it is impossible; a very good counselor can help give you homework and assignments to complete during your sessions. This may include having each person journal their feelings separately and then coming together to discuss them. The counselor may also give specific rules for communication as a way to stop the conversation if the statements become more attack and blame rather than communicating needs and desires.

    Every person wants to feel wanted by the other. But one spouse may keep the other at arm’s length if they feel they cannot trust them. By taking baby steps toward rebuilding trust, intimacy can be achieved in both spouses can achieve their need for connection and intimacy.

    6. Apply the Bible.

    Christian couples’ desires for Christ should be at the center of their marriage. However, both come from different denominational and theological backgrounds. Therefore, their interpretation of Scripture might be very different from each other. A third party, particularly a Christian counselor, can help them apply Scripture in a way that makes both the husband and wife feel needed, valued, and appreciated in their relationship. For example, it is common for couples to misinterpret or misapply the Ephesians 5 passage on marriage. A counselor can help each part of the couple fulfill their biblical duties yet give their input into situations and feel their opinions are valued and appreciated. By allowing someone from a different theological background to help them interpret the Bible in a healthy way for their marriage, a counselor can help clear up any misconceptions and allow them to apply biblical principles yet still feel as though both parties are equal partners in their relationship.

    Counseling is an excellent strategy for spouses on the brink of divorce. However, counseling does not need to be saved for when the marriage is in crisis mode. If you are in constant conflict with your spouse and communicating less, it may be time to see a counselor. You can refrain from allowing small situations to explode into significant conflicts by nipping issues in the bud.

    Photo credit: ©GettyImages/jacoblund

    Michelle S. Lazurek is a multi-genre award-winning author, speaker, pastor’s wife, and mother. She is a literary agent for Wordwise Media Services and a certified writing coach. Her new children’s book Who God Wants Me to Be encourages girls to discover God’s plan for their careers. When not working, she enjoys sipping a Starbucks latte, collecting 80s memorabilia, and spending time with her family and her crazy dog. For more info, please visit her website www.michellelazurek.com.

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    Michelle S. Lazurek

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  • Social Anxiety Hierarchy Worksheet (PDF)

    Social Anxiety Hierarchy Worksheet (PDF)

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    Conquer your social fears one step at a time by climbing up your “Anxiety Hierarchy.” Here’s a simple and powerful worksheet to get you started.


    Download:

    Social Anxiety Hierarchy Worksheet (PDF)

    Additional tools and resources

    This worksheet mentions several mental tools and relaxation techniques that are essential for making the most of your anxiety hierarchy. Here are links to learn more about each one.

    Mental Tools:

    Relaxation Techniques:

    Further Reading:


    Check out more self-improvement worksheets here!

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    Steven Handel

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