Age I will repeat myself. I don't believe in psycology. I have myself defied it and so have many others. Also getting to know a woman means getting to know about her, listening to her, being there when she needs you, and understanding how she feels. You have to actually listen to her, no psycology ever said that. Science it's self has disapointed me in a major way. You may rely on science, but I want to rely on what people say, rather who they say they are, not what psycology tells us we are.
Proinsias wrote:I have to add that some of the posts by ageofknowledge are sitting a little uncomfortably with me, it sounds remarkably similar to things I've heard said by those with an interest in evolutionary psychology and dating. More like Sun Tzu than wholesome relationship advice.
I've never had any interest in learning to how interface with people so I can pick friends/spouse from a group of infatuated individuals, cultivating meaningful relationships was always higher on my list and pretending to be, or being, an alpha make who 'got game', from my observations, does not attract the sort of people I would like to have meaningful relationships with.
Gabrielman:
Do you mind if I ask if you have many close female friends? I found it difficult to have close female friends when single and really wanted them, now I'm married with a daughter and a houseful of mainly female animals I've got far more close female friends without really trying. It sort of went from almost no females in my life, aside from my mum and sister, to one female, my wife and just kept going up from there.
I have two close friends who are single and looking for love. One is very obvious in her want for commitment and finds it rather difficult to have meaningful, lasting relationships with men. The other keeps it far more hidden and he has many, very close female friends whom he has meaningful relationships with, I don't mean sex, but finds it very tough to make the jump from great friend to dating. That may not help you in the slightest but as they were talking about it over the past few days I thought I would type it anyway.
Using psychological constructs, like alpha and beta males, to interface with females with the outcome of getting to pick which one you want seems like bad advice to me. Cultivate meaningful relationships with the opposite sex whilst being yourself would be my advice. And to add to what the others have said, close involvement with a church which speaks to your heart isn't going to any harm to that advice.
I like what you said as well, it is how I believed for a while now. To answer your question, I used to have close female friends, they are gone now went their own ways. I actually had intrest in one, she had no intrest in me. I got the "You are more like a brother" thing thrown at me, then she disapeared without saying a word... I always wonder how she is. Anyway, Thanks for your encouragment!
zoegirl wrote:It sounds more of an issue of lack of opportunities with good Christian friends. I agree with nd925, get involved in a good church, have a good support group, get involved with a good young adults ministry where you can talk to the women without the pressure of immediate dating.
That would be the problem as it stands. I have been away from God and am still dealing with some issues, this one being the smallest. (Yet there is so much written about it, which is good for people seeking advice on the same topic.) I am currently looking for a good Church, I want to get involved, make new friends, and move forward. The Lord waited while I was gone, He saved me again. I used to be in Christian groups, did a lot with Churches, I need to get back to that. Thanks, it is meaningful.
zoegirl wrote:In the church groups they usually have monthly activities, some fun, some service. You can get to know them without having to immediately feel like dating.
A good place for me to start!
zoegirl wrote:I meant to reply to this, Gabe....don't ever worry about the physical experience bit. The woman you love won't/shouldn't care about it....in fact we would be quite happy with someone with very little or no experience...of course if you are going after the wrong sort of girl they probably care. In the words of someone I can't remember...physical passion is easy...it's the loving that's hard.
My brother went through his entire undergrad without a date....his first real girlfriend was in grad school....and he had to be hinted at by the singles group leader that his now wife was interested in him....married by 30...
Had to say Thanks for that! It is encourageing.
nd925 wrote:Gab, It sounds to me like you've got a good head on your shoulders. The best advice I have for you is first and foremost, find yourself a good Bible based church that you can get yourself plugged into. Be an active member of the church, don't just sit on the sidelines. Remember church is not a spectator sport.
Second, form solid friendships with some fellow Christians. Don't worry so much about the girl, that will come. Just be yourself, love God, and be encouraged, God will never leave you or forsake you. Sorry don't remember where that verse is.
Here's a couple of books I've read that I think you might like and may be helpful,
Stop Dating the Church by Joshua Harris - This might be helpful in your quest to find a church.
Wild at Heart: Discovering the Secret of a Man's Soul by John Eldredge - This might be helpful in finding out how you are wired and what makes you tick. I think that is really important to know especially as you are coming to the point in your life where you are thinking about marriage, etc.
Thanks for the book ideas, and I like that advice. Like I have said earlier I have been away from the Lord for too long. This is the second time he saved me. The first time didn't hurt like this though... He is picking up the pices and helping me heal, as are some of you, I must thank you again for that. I should write another testamony. nd925, thanks.
ageofknowledge wrote:Your biased misunderstandings guide your judgements. There is nothing wrong with taking the time and energy to understand women. You can pretend that this isn't desirable to your goal of dating Christian women and from them finding a wife as all of these people are telling you though there position is illogical, unscientific, and not even scriptural. Nowhere does scripture command us to remain ignorant of the opposite sex because to understand them better is evil. What it tells us to do is flee sexual immorality but also to gain knowledge and wisdom. This is summarized in the verse to be wise as serpents but innocent as doves. This is all bias and prejudice from posters who want to color me in some bad light for pointing this out and that is wrong.
*sigh* Age I am going to give you a little advice. Your ideas match that of some of the cold, heartless, cruel people I just got away from. I will also note that I never really struggled with sexual immorality, though to me it seems you think I have. I had too much else to worry about in life, things which are getting worked out. Also if you make a refrence to scripture to try to prove a point, then show us the scripture! Then you must also think how many of those men thought back then, in a very sexist manner. Even Paul, Lord forgive me for this, seemed like a maijor sexist, that's why I don't like some of what he has said. He made a point in 1 Timothy Chaptter 2 vs 10-12, and I quote, "10 But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. 11 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. 12 But *I* suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence." Note the *I*, not God, but he didn't want women to teach. He was a sexist! I don't agree with him in the slightest, so if you are pointing out anything in scripture be sure God said it, and not a sexist of the day, as many of them were.
Zoe, again too much to quote
, but I read it all and agree with your analysis. Age... okay let me put it like this. I would rather get to know them by talking to them, say over a cup of tea (coffee is not good with me, but I like it so much!
!), than I would learn it from some psycological mumbo jumbo that some man (no doubt) said. I will repeat myself, I spent years doing independent research (I am self educated in most of what I know) in psycology. I read many books, they all contradicted each other. I came to one obvious conclusion, THEY DON'T KNOW JACK! They told me I was supposed to be a shallow, sex driven, perverted, moron! None of the above (er... to the side) describes me! Please stop insiting that psycology knows anything! I actually once had a psycologist, he was visiting my highschool, try to tell me who I was before he even asked me any questions. Not only was he wrong, but he managed to get the exact opposite of who I really was! He thought by watching me he, and others, he could tell us who we were, he was suprised to know he was wrong. I wasn't surprised, you can't tell anything about anyone without getting to know them first. What they like, what they don't, what their hopes and dreams are, you need to get to know them deeply. Then if you are not the type of person they are interested in you should NOT change yourself to fit it. That is lying! That is hiding behind a mask. Let me share a little secret with you, masks hurt, they cut deep, they lie to you, they are heavy, they destroy you!!!! To hide behind a mask and decive others will slowly kill you! You will suffer, you will be in the worst place in life, you will die on the inside. And once the mask breaks, there is nothing left! Do you understand me!? I will not wear that mask, or any other masks!
God bless you all.