Singles https://www.crosswalk.com/family/singles/ Singles Features Copyright https://www.crosswalk.com 2024, Crosswalk.com Tue, 19 Mar 2024 00:27:51 -0400 https://i.swncdn.com/media/450w/crosswalk/resource/areas/crosswalk/resources/images/logo_icon.png Singles https://www.crosswalk.com/family/singles/ https://www.crosswalk.com/family/singles/5-scriptures-to-memorize-and-meditate-on-when-your-future-is-uncertain.html https://www.crosswalk.com/family/singles/5-scriptures-to-memorize-and-meditate-on-when-your-future-is-uncertain.html 5 Scriptures to Memorize and Meditate on When Your Future Is Uncertain Sometimes, in life, we feel like we are venturing into the dark—a job loss, a diagnosis, a new chapter in life, or the death of a loved one. The path ahead is cloaked and unseen. We do not know what lies ahead or if the next step will be on solid ground. Fear and worry choke us, forcing us to halt. How can we move forward? During times like these, we must be reminded of the truth, of what remains the same even when everything else seems uncertain. We need encouragement from the unchanging Word of God.  To gain strength and stability from Scripture, we must memorize and meditate on biblical truth. People in the Bible did this, drawing strength from the Lord’s promises. For example, Joshua regularly meditated on God’s commands and decrees in the Law, which helped him have the courage to serve as a leader of Israel (Joshua 1:8). David also mentioned how a person would be blessed for delighting in God’s Law and meditating on it day and night (Psalm 1:2). In addition to meditating on the Bible, memorization is important. Think of Jesus in the desert during His temptation. He drew sustaining strength from memorized Scripture, which enabled Him to combat the lies of Satan (see Matthew 4:1-11). As our Lord said, “‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4, NIV). We are wise to memorize verses because we, too, can find sustaining strength in them during times of temptation and difficulty.  When we store Scripture in our hearts and regularly reflect on verses, we change our perspective of events. Instead of focusing on the future or what we perceive lies ahead, we fill our hearts and minds with what God says. His words will strengthen and sustain us, reminding us that we will not walk alone on the path ahead. If you feel like you are walking in darkness, uncertain about the future that awaits you, do not fear. You can find encouragement and strength from the Bible.  Read on for five Scripture passages to memorize and meditate on when your future is uncertain. They can be comforting and guiding light on the road ahead (Psalm 119:105).  Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/Rawpixel Mon, 18 Mar 2024 08:00:00 -0400 https://www.crosswalk.com/slideshows/9-christian-responses-to-religious-trauma.html https://www.crosswalk.com/slideshows/9-christian-responses-to-religious-trauma.html 9 Christian Responses to Religious Trauma Some people walk away from religions because of bad experiences, emotional pain, or even severe abuse. This occurs in every faith on earth, including cults, polytheistic religions, and the Abrahamic religions. The Christian Church is certainly not immune from inflicting negative experience on people.While some bad encounters with faith can be shaken off, some are so severe it creates a trauma that can have lasting impacts that are disturbing to a person’s life. While people who know the healing power of the love of Jesus want someone to just accept Him, people who experienced religious trauma – both in and out of the church – may be reluctant to see the appeal.Christians, and the church at large, should be cautious in how they approach someone coming from religious trauma. We must respect their experience. Jesus is the great Healer, and His example provides guidance for how to respond to religious trauma.Photo credit: ©Getty Images/max-kegfire Wed, 13 Mar 2024 08:00:00 -0400 https://www.crosswalk.com/slideshows/3-things-god-really-is-in-control-of.html https://www.crosswalk.com/slideshows/3-things-god-really-is-in-control-of.html 3 Things God Really Is in Control Of One of the unique aspects of being human is that we can exert more control over our lives and the world around us than any other living being. Despite the unparalleled control anyone can exert over their body, their context, and their personal slice of life, it seems the more control people exert, the more anxiety they experience. Some fears are considered irrational, while others are very much rooted in the practical realities of life in a fallen world.While God is outside of space and time, He sees our problems as we experience them, and He wants people to rest in Him, not to be driven by anxiety or fear. He gave humanity His written word – the Bible – to instruct and communicate His will, but also to provide comforting truth. It is full of repeated assurances that He is in control, and that there is no need to fear if our trust and faith is in Him.For the believer, there are wonderful guarantees of material and spiritual provision, of justice, of mercy, and so much more. God is in control of everything, so this list is not exhaustive, but it is meant to inspire and remind anyone experiencing anxiety that there is someone who wants to carry those burdens with you, and to walk alongside you.Here are three things over which God has control:Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Marjan Apostolovic Tue, 12 Mar 2024 08:00:00 -0400 https://www.crosswalk.com/family/parenting/single-parents/5-things-you-should-always-ask-on-a-first-date.html https://www.crosswalk.com/family/parenting/single-parents/5-things-you-should-always-ask-on-a-first-date.html 5 Things You Should Always Ask on a First Date A first date is the best time to sift the wheat from the chaff. To decide whether or not to move forward before we get too close. Mon, 11 Mar 2024 08:00:00 -0400 https://www.crosswalk.com/slideshows/3-reasons-christians-should-not-endorse-purity-culture.html https://www.crosswalk.com/slideshows/3-reasons-christians-should-not-endorse-purity-culture.html 3 Reasons Christians Should Not Endorse Purity Culture Purity culture, an influential wave rooting a woman’s worth in her sexual history, peaked in the 1990s to the early 2000s and remains prevalent today. Despite purity culture teaching being biblical or rooted in love for the Lord, there are many ulterior motives. Sadly, there are many Christians who endorse purity culture, and it has caused many people to suffer for it.There are many podcasts, social media accounts, and books rooted in purity culture, targeting Christian women. The media has promoted purity culture and its teachings for many years, causing young Christian women, once again, to believe their worth is tied to their virginity or the desire to be “pure.” As one can imagine, this can cause many women, both believers and nonbelievers, to question their worth as individuals.The influence of purity culture leads women further away from Jesus. He offers grace, mercy, and love. Individuals promoting purity culture push judgments on individuals that are not warranted. Unfortunately, many Christians would prefer to extend judgment rather than mercy. As followers of Jesus, this is not acceptable. We are supposed to be the hands and feet of Jesus—not unrighteous judges.Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/Motortion Wed, 06 Mar 2024 08:00:00 -0500 https://www.crosswalk.com/slideshows/ways-sexual-immorality-has-devastating-consequences.html https://www.crosswalk.com/slideshows/ways-sexual-immorality-has-devastating-consequences.html 5 Reasons Sexual Immorality Has Devastating Consequences In a world where sexual immorality is commonplace, it’s important for us to follow the wisdom of the One who created sex so we don’t suffer serious harm in our romantic relationships. God designed sex to be a healthy and enjoyable experience within the sacred unions of loving marriages. Anything less than that can damage us in devastating ways. The Bible gives us clear guidance on the importance of sexual purity and warns of the devastating consequences of sexual immorality. Let’s delve into some of these reasons to understand why maintaining sexual purity is not just a suggestion but a vital aspect of our faith. Photo Credit: © Getty Images/globalmoments  Tue, 05 Mar 2024 14:45:00 -0500 https://www.crosswalk.com/family/singles/6-principles-to-help-you-love-other-people-even-difficult-ones.html https://www.crosswalk.com/family/singles/6-principles-to-help-you-love-other-people-even-difficult-ones.html 6 Principles to Help You Love Other People, Even Difficult Ones The truth is we don’t feel to love, we will to love. If love was based on our feelings or emotions, then love would be unstable, unsteady, and unpredictable. Your love would change from day to day and moment to moment just as your emotions do. Since love is based on your will, that means whether you love someone is a matter of choice.  Tue, 05 Mar 2024 09:30:00 -0500 https://www.crosswalk.com/family/singles/8-signs-you-may-be-dating-a-narcissist.html https://www.crosswalk.com/family/singles/8-signs-you-may-be-dating-a-narcissist.html 8 Signs You May Be Dating a Narcissist They don’t mutually seek God with you. They seek to be God to you. Tue, 05 Mar 2024 08:00:00 -0500 https://www.crosswalk.com/family/singles/what-happens-when-you-fast-4-spiritual-benefits.html https://www.crosswalk.com/family/singles/what-happens-when-you-fast-4-spiritual-benefits.html What Happens When You Fast? 4 Spiritual Benefits of Fasting For those of us who long for spiritual intimacy with the Father, fasting and prayer affords us the opportunity to do so. Here are four spiritual benefits fasting can bring. Mon, 04 Mar 2024 08:00:00 -0500 https://www.crosswalk.com/family/singles/the-trouble-with-the-true-love-waits-narrative.html https://www.crosswalk.com/family/singles/the-trouble-with-the-true-love-waits-narrative.html The Trouble with the ‘True Love Waits’ Narrative I grew up in the ‘true love waits’ era of the church. Now, I have been married for 15 years, and I realize that this narrative set me up for trouble. We have to be careful not to sell our kids a fairy tale when it comes to biblical sexuality. Thu, 29 Feb 2024 13:50:00 -0500