When you are out there in the dating world, one of the hardest things to do is strike up a conversation with a date. What do you talk about? Is there anything you have in common? If you are a Christian single, you know that you have your love for the Lord and a yearning to find someone to share your walk of life and faith.
One topic you might want to talk about is books that you have read and one that may touch you as a Christian single is a graphic novel called Blankets.
If you even know what a graphic novel is, you might associate them with comic books containing the adventures of Spider-Man, Batman, The Fantastic Four, Superman and the like. (And all of those heroes have had graphic novels so you are on the right track). However, they can also be a way for talented writers and artists to tell very personal and sometimes autobiographical stories in an oversized format.
Blankets was written and drawn by Craig Thompson and was a multiple award winner in 2004 of both the Harvey and Eisner Awards. It tells Mr. Thompson’s story of growing up in a devoutly religious home, trying to reconcile his faith in a world that seems to denigrate such beliefs, and how he finds love for the first time. Blankets is called just that because of the way you might share a blanket with a sibling when you are younger and with a significant other when you are older. It’s meant to evoke comfort and security.
Do you remember that feeling of being in love for the first time? There can be such peace and heartache and comfort and turmoil when you feel the initial stirrings of love in your heart. You can even find it hard to breathe when the other person is not around because they become the very oxygen you need to survive. Mr. Thompson captures that feeling beautifully and poetically. His experience is unique, but the themes of wanting to find love and acceptance are universal.
Be warned that this is not a book for children. While there is a lot of beauty in Blankets, there is some ugliness as well - the ugliness of the human condition. Human beings can say ugly hurtful things, do ugly hurtful things, and sometimes have ugly hurtful things done to them. Mr. Thompson does not whitewash his tale and package it with a “happily ever after” type ending. It is real and it is sometimes raw.
After you read it, when you find someone having listed Blankets in their on-line profile as one of their favorite books, you will know that you might have stumbled upon a special person. At the very least, it will give you that conversational kick-off that any budding relationship needs!
Mike Johnson, the author of this review, is a writer, actor and mediator in Family Court.
Editor’s Note: Views expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect that of Christian Dating Service PLUS!
Posted: Christian Singles Soapbox, All Recent Singles Posts Tags: good book
Well, Match.com 
has made a huge comeback, not only increasing sales over 25% in 2006 in the UK and US, but also buying up some of the largest dating sites in China and Europe.
Although Match.com advertises to Christian singles in the UK, it is not a Christian dating site, per se. However, we decided to review Match.com on this site simply because there are tens of thousands of beleivers who use this site. Also, it has the largest online international dating database in the world, with numerous search variables. If you don’t believe me, check out the Guiness Book of World Records. Yup, Match.com is right in there!
I know some believers have issues with Match.com because it’s a non-Christian site and has Dr Phil as it’s poster child. But as one Christian single gal put it, “People who judge me for looking for a Christian date on Match.com should also think about their own logic next time they step into a public library, a Walmart or click onto Amazon.com.” Now there’s a woman with some spunk!
Finding Single Christians on Match.com
Right now Match.com has has more than 1.4 million active subscribers and 13.7 million nonpaying members who can search the databases for singles in their own particular area.
What I really like about Match.com search features is that you can search by keywords (Match.com refers to it as “match words”) for your Christian date. In a free membership one can search, create a profile with photo gallery and even send winks” to someone your find appealing. However, in order to receive and send email you need to upgrade to a paid membership.
Match.com Prices
Our advice to any amateur using Match.com is to simply remain as a non paying member or “voyeur” as they call it, until you have made a list of several Christian dating match possibilities. Here are the US Match.com prices. You can check out the UK Match.com prices by simply clicking this Match.com link :
- 6 month plan-$19.99 (per month)
- 3 month plan-$22.99 (per month)
- 1 month plan ($39.99 per month)
If you want to throw in Dr. Phil’s “Mind-Find-Bind” video and audio relationship advice, which I think is a waste, you would have to throw in an extra $9 dollars per month.
Match.com Crowns
- Without a doubt, the huge search engine filled with over 1.4 million members.
- The number of search variables, including keyword search for mutual Christians
- A true international dating service that reaches the USA, Canada, Asia, the UK and all of Europe, South America and Africa.
Match.com Pitchforks
- Not specifically a Christian dating service, although their are tens of thousands of Christian men and women using the site
If you’re a single Christian who has used Match.com, would you consider sharing your experiences with others?
Meet Christian Men and Women at Match.com Now!
Other International Dating and Free Trial Dating Sites:
AmericanSingles
Christian Cafe
Christian Mingle…Relationships.com
EHarmony
PerfectMatch-PerferctMatch.com
Yahoo Personals
Christian Cupid
Posted: International Dating, Meetic, European Christian Dating, Dating Tips, All Recent Singles Posts Tags: match dating, international dating service
Many singles come to this site in search of romance tips for dating. Many are also surprised to find a Christian dating site giving out romance tips, because to them, the two simply don’t mix. Of course, nothing can be further from the truth.
Romance Tips Dating Podcast
Not only is the Bible chock full of romance tips for single teens and adults, one can also find dozens of christianchurches podcasting messages about dating relationships. Our church podcast of the week comes from Ben Hodges of Four Corners Community Church , near Cinnicinati, Ohio. This new church plant is geared mostly toward the needs of Gen X and Millennial Singles, but all will enjoy Ben’s message about romance tips on dating.
Romance Tips for Dating [26:17m]:
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Posted: Christian Dating Podcasts, All Recent Singles Posts Tags: none
Are you a single man or woman thinking about dating someone older or younger than yourself? Many Christian singles are confused over the issue of dating someone outside of their own age group. It’s no wonder since some Christians actually teach that it is unequally yoked to marry outside of one’s age group. I suppose these are some of the same folks who taught the same about interracial dating.
Although dating older men or women is not unbiblical, there are some things you may want to carefully consider before taking the plunge. We are assuming if you’re a a Christian you are dating with the intention of find a marriage partner. After all, that should be the ultimate goal of dating , right?
Dating Older-Dating Younger Tips
Test Your Compatiblity Level
Although it’s true that opposites attract, it’s those who have a lot of common middle ground who stay together happily ever anger. So discuss your ‘game plan” for life with your older or younger dating partner. Are you seeking fame and fortune? Kids? How compatible are you with your older or young date? It’s so important to know where each other stands on important issues, before diving into a serious relationship.
Expect and Plan for Cultural Resistance
Anna Nicole Smith dated and married an older geezer, and took a lot of heat for it. Okay, maybe her motive (money) encouraged this. But the point is this: Anything outside of the “norm” will be looked at as an oddity. This is especially true in situations where the age difference of the daters is greater than a decade. Of course dating an older or younger person at middle age is less looked down upon by society than if a 30 year old guy were dating an 18 year old girl.
If you are in one of these outside the norm dating relationships, you and your partner should candidly discuss possible reactions you may get from family, friends and church members. Dealing with this potential threat pro-actively may save your relationship from unwanted stress and strain in the future.
Are you a single Christian who is in a relationship with an older or younger person? Do you have a different taske on dating older or younger people? Help others by sharing your thought here.
Posted: Dating Tips, All Recent Singles Posts Tags: dating older, dating younger
Love is patient. Love is kind. Love means never having to say you’re sorry unless you don’t heed the advice you are about to read. My friend David runs this site and I asked him if I could pen (who pens anymore in the age of computers?) an article for his readers.
In my professional life in the court system, I have observed these 10 truisms many times over the years. This advice seems like things everyone should know, but sometimes you need to hear it again. All of the following apply to men as well as women:
- If your relationship began as the result of an affair, you need to ask yourself why would my significant other not then cheat on ME sometime in the future? You should not expect to make a life with someone who did not take their marriage vows or commitment to a relationship seriously. A tiger doesn’t change its stripes people!
- If your significant other has a child from another relationship that they do not see, investigate the situation thoroughly before committing to a relationship with them. If the other parent is withholding the child, it is probably for a good reason that you have not yet experienced.
- Having children will never save a marriage or improve a relationship. You should bring children into the world because you want them, have a happy home, and are willing to put their needs ahead of your own. To bring them into a dysfunctional situation so you won’t be lonely is cruel. If you don’t want to be lonely, get a puppy!
- Not everyone is meant to be a parent or has the ability to be a parent. There is no shame in not having children. You may be scarred from a bad childhood yourself, have addiction issues, or may be getting pressured into it. Society should not dictate perhaps the most important decision in your life.
- If you know you are in a bad relationship and already have one child with your significant other, you might want to take steps so that you will not have any more. I have had many women tell me over the years that they knew their marriage was bad right from the beginning, yet continued to make a bad situation worse by having more children.
- If you marry someone with children from another relationship, the best thing to do to make it successful is adopt the attitude that this is your biological child and treat them as such. If you are marrying their parent, you are marrying them! Always be mindful that they have a mother or father and respect their role as much as possible. If the non-custodial parent does not mind you being hands on, embrace that role. If they prefer to take the lead, you support the child from the sidelines; define your role early on.
- The first time that someone strikes you in a dating relationship, walk away. There is NO excuse for it or apology that can be offered to make the pain of that experience go away. If the person does not follow your wishes and leave you alone, seek information about whether you are eligible to obtain a restraining order.
- If your current beau has a restraining order against them from someone else, that should raise a red flag for you and make you seriously consider whether you want to stay involved with them.
- If you find yourselves constantly fighting and you are only dating, what do you suppose will happen after you get married? As hard as it is to be by yourself, it is better to be alone than to continue in a dysfunctional relationship. Every day that goes by that you are miserable in a bad relationship is a day you are never going to get back. Additionally, it keeps you unavailable to find that special someone. Love and relationships shouldn’t have to be constantly difficult and if it is, maybe you are in it for the wrong reasons.
- When you fight with your significant other, fight fairly. Do not curse or degrade them. Make your point and explain how your feel. Do not bring up past mistakes or incidents that the other person might have done wrong that have nothing to do with you or why you are arguing. A thousand compliments after the fact almost never makes up for a cheap shot. You can never lose yourself in taking the high road!
Mike Johnson, the author of this article, is a mediator in family court.
Related Articles:
Single Parents Dating With Kids
Single Parenting Tips for Helping Your Kids
Christian Single Girls Who Date Bad Guys
Good Christian Relationship Signs
Posted: Christian Singles Soapbox, All Recent Singles Posts Tags: fool in love, fool for love
As a single person, have you discovered the key to living alone without being lonely? If loneliness is a daily struggle, know that many others are going thought he same thing. In fact, according to our ongoing singles survey, one of the worst things Christian singles find about single life are the lonely feelings that go with the territory.
Dealing with Loneliness
After scouring the web for a church podcast that addresses the subject of being lonely, we came upon “One is the Loneliest Loneliest number, a message from Pastor Nelson Searcy that was given this past Valentines Day. You’ll definitely be blessed by it. Enjoy!
R elated Articles:
Contentment Living a Christian Single Life
Fear of Being Along as Single Christians
Fears That Keep Men and Women Single
Single Again Tips for the Recently Single Man and Woman
Single Dads Dealing With Loss and Grief
Where Christian Singles Meet Other Singles
Love Shy Singles-How to Overcome Shyness
Sickness and Being Single
Lonely Women Who Are Single
Single Gals and God’s Grace
One is the Lonelist Number [40:21m]:
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Posted: Christian Dating Podcasts, All Recent Singles Posts Tags: living alone, lonely, loneliness, Christian singles, Valentines Day
Everybody can use a little relationship advice now and then. Most of the folks who visit Christian Dating Service PLUS! are looking for some form of relationship advice, whether it be where to find a Christian penpal or a serious dating relationship.
Proverbial Advice About Relationships
This week’s Christian podcast comes from Bell Shoals Southern Baptist Church in Brandon, Florida (FL), where Pastor Forrest Polluck gives us some great advice about how Christians should carry on their relationships. Although not directly about dating relationships, single Christians can certainly apply these principle to their own lives.
Posted: Christian Dating Podcasts, All Recent Singles Posts Tags: realtionship advice
