www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Parish Life & Evangelization ByzanTEEN I kissed Dating goodbye

i am right now listing to i kissed dating goodbye and so far its really funny

have any of u read or listined to this book

Is it on the internet anywhere? My kids might be interested in it. Pani Rose

Dear Friends,

I was so naive when I started dating (in third year university) that the girl I went out with (who had been engaged three times prior to going out with me) asked me if I knew how the French kissed?

I smiled and said, "But, of course!"

I then kissed her hand and bowed as I led her to the door . . .

Listen, all this education didn't go for nought, you know!

Alex

I think "kissing dating goodbye" is a good idea especially given some of the expectations some have of dating.

Alex,

I was almost as naive.

Dan L

no its not online u either have to buy it or rent it at the libary but its really good so far ill keep ya updated

I've never read the book, although I've heard good things about it, and the author is a pastor of a church down the street from me.

When I was in 10th grade, I went on my first date. It was with a girl who had "been around". My friends expected me to "score" very quickly, maybe even that night. At the end of the date, I walked her to the door. She stood and waited...and waited...and waited. I was so nervous and didn't know what to do. So finally I said "bye!" and quickly got back in my car and went home. Then I was too embarrassed to ever call her again.

The Lord was very merciful to me that night - I still thank Him for the gift of shyness I had as a teenager; it saved me from many troubles.

Someone gave me a copy of this book several years back. The author seems to have SAS (St. Augustine Syndrome): he had all his fun and now tells everybody else they can't have any.

He did raise some good points, though.

Dave

Leaplink,

Here is the link to the book on Amazon.com:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/A...2-2/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_2/104-9391460-1480765

You are right, buddy! It is a great book.

One of my friends is a soon-to-retire priest from Ireland. He loves to quote St. Thomas Aquinas.

I always wondered why I confused St. Thomas Aquinas with St. Augustine.

One day, Father, was telling a group of us about his call to the priesthood when he lived in Ireland. He said words to the effect that "a roar of laughter went up 'round the glen" when neighbors learned from his joyous mother that he was going to seminary. He had been, as he said, "quite the naughty boy." His mom was overjoyed, but the neighbors kept asking "Surely she means [insert name]..." this son or that? (Big family.) I do believe he has one or two sisters who are nuns, too.

I wonder, do all those with "SAS" have a patient, holy mom with "SMS" (St. Monica Syndrome)?

I have read the book and had the same thought-Josh Harris did in fact have a pretty typical dating life before he decided to try a different approach and now he's telling young people to "do as I say, not as I did". But you can also look at it this way- he had his fun, and he found it pretty unsatisfying, like so much that the world has to offer. Then he tried to find a way that was more pleasing to God. I don't think having a series of semi-serious relationships really helps anyone become a better marriage partner and I don't think it does a lot to help you find the right person. Prayer and right living, and seeking God for every decision, will certainly produce better results. My husband of 26 years had exactly two dates before we met, which I think is a blessing to our marriage.
Just my thoughts....
Michele

We have prayed since our children were very young that their hearts would sent on the one God sent for them alone. So they have not really worried about dating, which I find interesting.

Our oldest is married six years now. Our daughter who is 22, has a guy she likes but it is not a steady every night, got to be out with him type of thing. Actually he is the first on she has met that is a strong Christian and into health measures the way she is. Our youngest, who is 20, would like to date, but it doesn't seem to be a life or death struggle. I guess one day he will just bring home someone he likes.

So I believe God is going to just lead them to the right person, in his time.

Pani Rose

I dated....three times. And the last time was two years ago. This book helped me stop (thankfully).

At this point I'm not married (being 17 makes inherent problems about marriage right now) although someday I would like to be. I'm just sitting around, waiting for God to do whe He wills. Let's hope it stays that way (me sitting around) for not too long.

Nathan, you are wise beyond your years.

I have avoided commenting on this thread, because maybe I felt it was not my place. Well, in a way I can identify with the above statement. It was my life into the mid-twenties, maybe not as bad as Saint Augustine . But in reality, I worked at a career and dated. It was more of an effort in futility, because I was not happy. None that I went out with, or even at one point was engaged to, shared my vision and heartfelt calling within to be a servant of God. Like Saint Augustine, I had a conversion, and mine lead me to seminary and then to a monastic house. It was there I discovered the joy of my vocation, my true calling.

Dating is not always what is cracked-up to to be. A lot of times people settle for something, because they can not find what they are truly called to be. By prayer and faithfulness, God will lead us to the right person who will share our joys and pains. Sometimes that might be in His service exclusively. Remember, not all are called to the life of marriage.

In IC XC,
Father (Priestmonk) Anthony+

Dear Father Anthony,

Thank you for sharing that for our young people. It was beautifully stated.

God has a plan for each of us, and it is not always the same plan. We just need to be able to hear it.

As for those who do want to meet someone, I always found dating akward. In Europe, groups of young people hang out and go out, and in this loose and casual environment, it is easy to meet and to get to know someone well enough to decide if you really want to spend a whole evening along with him/her on a date! I always found this a much more inviting way of getting to meet and acqaint oneself with a member of the opposite gender. Ofcourse this is also the way young people often meet during the college years here in the U.S.

In Christ,
Alice