Some specific suggestions for how a Christian man can put these principles into action in a dating relationship: 1. Commit to take the lead in the godliness of your relationship. Read the Bible’s passages about how men and women and all Christians should treat one another. Especially take the lead in establishing boundaries that will keep you from sexual sin. Assume that this woman is going to be your wife or the wife of some other Christian brother (who might be currently dating your future wife). Treat her as the precious sister in Christ that she is. 2. Decide in advance whether or not you are willing to love a woman in the self-sacrificing, nurturing way the Bible describes. Until you are ready to faithfully hold a woman’s heart in your hand, do not enter into a dating relationship. 3. Realizing that God wants you to learn to put her interest ahead of your own, ask her the kinds of things she likes to do and be eager to spend time doing them. 4. Be willing to talk about the relationship. Initiate honest dialogue about how you feel. Do not resent her desire to have the relationship defined, but protect her heart by making your level of commitment clear and thereby making clear the appropriate kind of intimacy to go along with that commitment. 5. Pay attention to her heart. Ask her about her burdens and cares. Seek ways to minister to her and to make her cares your own. Instead of being critical of her, speak words of encouragement and support. 6. Do not be shy in ministering the Word of God to her. Do not preach, but exhort her and call to mind God’s promises and God’s love for her in Jesus Christ. Make it a primary goal that she will be spiritually stronger by having been in a relationship with you. 7. If something about her bothers you, think about how you can encourage her in that area. Realize that none of us is without flaws. Pray for her weakness and try to strengthen her in that area. If your concerns are enough to deter you from wanting to marry her, let her know in a forthright manner while being as considerate as possible (Richard and Sharon Phillips).

Other Authors

CATEGORY	CUISINE	TAG	YIELD
	Canadian	Desserts, Christmas	6	– 8 serv

INGREDIENTS

1	cn	14 oz. plums
1	cn	14 0z. apricots
1	cn	14 oz. pitted cherries
3		Oranges
1/4	lb	Large purple grapes
1/4	c	Honey
1/4	c	Fresh lemon juice

INSTRUCTIONS

Drain canned fruits.  In glass bowl about 3 to 4 inches high and 6 inches
in diameter, layer plums, then apricots, then cherries.
Peel oranges, then cut into sections; arrange on top of canned fruit. Halve
and seed grapes; arrange on top of oranges. Bring honey and lemon juice to
boil.  Pour over fruit.  Cover and refrigerate.  Makes 6 to 8 servings.
Note:  This is best if prepared the night before so fruit flavors will
blend with the honey and lemon juice.  Typed in MMFormat by
cjhartlin@email.msn.com  Source: Canadian Living Merry Christmas Cookbook.
Posted to MM-Recipes Digest  by "Cindy Hartlin" <cjhartlin@email.msn.com>
on Nov 11, 1999

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“Lust and selfishness do not equal love”