Dating & Relationship Advice

If you’re single, you probably get advice from different people, including well-meaning family and friends on the single life and what to expect when you get married. But here are five simple but important things I believe every single person should know and bear in mind during this stage of life.

Even when I got to the stage in my dating adventures when I was positively blasé about first dates, there was always one point in the proceedings that was guaranteed to raise my blood pressure. The moment the bill arrived. It wasn’t such a stress if we’d just met for drinks – we might even have taken it in turns to buy rounds. But if we’d gone the whole hog and had dinner, I’d dread the waiter approaching with that ominous piece of folded paper on a silver plate. Should I go with tradition and leave it to the chap to pick up the tab? If I tried to go Dutch, would I offend him? If I didn’t, would I look like some gold-digging prima donna?

‘I’m so excited to meet him at last, HopefulGirl. We’ve been chatting online for a while, and he’s such a lovely Christian man! He’s invited me to his place for dinner.’

My blood ran cold at her words, but this lady couldn’t see the problem. She thought this chap could be the answer to her dreams. I was worried he might turn out to be the stuff of nightmares.

Last month’s blog ‘To pursue or not to pursue’, which argued fear of rejection often stops men from pursuing women generated plenty of discussion.

In the comments a few of you asked if women should pursue men. You’ll be pleased to know you can do whatever you like and don’t need my permission! As for seeking God’s permission, the Bible wasn’t written as a guide to dating, but it’s true Ruth chased Boaz. And God didn’t seem to mind that….or so the argument goes. But lets remember the marriage of Ruth and Boaz was also an arranged one!

“If David isn’t interested in me, then I don’t understand why he’s spending all this time with me,” said Allison, an attractive, smart friend in her twenties. Allison had every reason to be confused. Her “friend” David was hanging out with her, confiding in her, and he often flattered her. But at the same time, he could be aloof, he’d never even held her hand, and he only spent time with her when it was convenient for him – basically, he was doing just enough to lead her on.

It was my first (and only) date with Holly Bond. A smart, attractive, successful woman from my church. The date wasn’t meant to have a romantic overture, and I think we both knew that. Holly and I had been friends for a while, and we got along well, so it only seemed natural to go out to dinner at least once.

It’s been said before that ‘Christian’ is a good noun but a poor adjective. What constitutes as Christian Music? Does Christian Coffee exist? What about Christian Travel?

Christian Connection’s first talk by David Pullinger was a great success, with over 70 people attending. David revealed his first findings from the survey of over 3,000 single Christians. He looked at trends and attitudes towards online dating, with some helpful advice on how to make it work.