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I get a lot of emails asking questions

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like, how do I make my Christian dating

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relationship

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last?

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When you're dating in the Christian single scene

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with marriage as the goal, you're essentially trying

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to find someone who's not just your better

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half, but your better three quarters.

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It's about finding that partner with whom you

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can not only share your favorite bible verses,

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but also your WiFi password.

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So how do you make a relationship last

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in such a setting?

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Let's dive into this not so mystical quest

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with a lighthearted look at love,

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faith, and everything in between.

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One,

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keep the faith and the fun.

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First things first, keep God at the center.

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It's a staple in Christian dating.

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But let's not forget, God also created humor.

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Think of your relationship as a duo at

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a comedy club on open mic night.

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Sometimes you're the audience. Sometimes you're the comedian.

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The key is to laugh together and at

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yourselves

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often.

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This keeps the journey light and the spirit

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uplifted.

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Two, pray together,

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stay together.

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They say a couple that prays together, stays

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together.

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Whether it's morning devotions or evening reflections,

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make this a bonding ritual.

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It's not just about seeking guidance, although that's

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a big part of it, but also about

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building an intimate space where you can share

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your hopes, fears,

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and the occasional, God, why can't he just

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pick up his socks?

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Three,

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communication.

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Divine intervention

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not required.

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While it's great to pray for a sign,

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when it comes to communication,

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divine intervention is usually not on speed dial.

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Be open about your feelings, desires, and expectations.

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Remember, the apostle Paul wasn't shy with his

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letters and neither should you be in expressing

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your thoughts and feelings.

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Just maybe with fewer shipwrecks and snake bites.

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Four, forgiveness.

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More refreshing than Sunday brunch.

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Let's be honest. Forgiving someone can sometimes feel

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tougher than choosing between pancakes and waffles at

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Sunday brunch.

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However, forgiveness is crucial.

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You're both human and mistakes are like bad

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sermons. They happen.

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The beauty is in learning to move past

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them, not in keeping score.

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Five, date night. Holy and wholesome.

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Keep the flame alive with regular date nights.

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These don't always have to be dinner and

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a movie.

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Try volunteering

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together, exploring a biblical museum,

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or participating in a church event.

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It's about making memories in meaningful ways.

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Think of it as building your own little

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ark, just hopefully with fewer animals to clean

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up after.

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Six,

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meet the flock.

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Community engagement.

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In Christian dating, it's often about more than

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just two people.

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Get involved with each other's church communities.

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It's a great way to understand each other's

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spiritual support systems and bonus,

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you get to show off your significant other's

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bake sale skills.

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Seven,

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boundaries.

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Holy lines in the holy sand.

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Set clear boundaries early on. Discuss your comfort

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levels with different aspects of the relationship

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From physical boundaries to how much time you

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spend together.

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Remember, even Moses had to lay down some

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ground rules.

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Eight,

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future planning.

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Noah's ark style.

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Think about the future.

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Where do you see yourselves after the I

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do's?

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Planning ahead can be both practical and exciting.

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It's like building your very own ark. No

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need for flood forecasts,

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planning for a future together can make it

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seem all the more real and attainable.

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Nine, keep learning and growing.

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Just like Sunday school, there's always something new

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to learn about each other. Attend workshops, read

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books,

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and engage in conversations that challenge and grow

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your faith and relationship.

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It's about evolving both spiritually

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and emotionally.

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10.

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Above all, love.

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At the end of the day, let love

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be the guiding principle.

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As first Corinthians 13 beautifully puts it, love

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is patient,

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kind and doesn't envy.

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Not even that couple that always seems to

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have it together at church potlucks.

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Embrace your journey together with all its imperfections

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and grace.

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Navigating Christian dating with the goal of marriage

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can seem daunting, but remember,

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it's about building a foundation that both faith

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and love can stand firmly upon.

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And as you walk this path, keep in

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mind that it's okay to have a little

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fun along the way. After all, even Jesus

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enjoyed a good wedding.