Are Christian Dating Sites Playing God?

There use to be Blackplanet and Myspace. Now there is Match.com, Zoosk and Facebook for online hookups. These sites are definite no nos for the Christian single. If you sign on these cyber meat markets looking for love you're in for a
deep serious headache!

Christian singles no longer have to waste their time on worldly matchmaking sites now they have E- Harmony and Christian Cafe among many others to cipher through to find their soul mate. A single Christian gal can discuss scripture and produce small talk in her pajamas without feeling a man's eyes on her every move. She can check out her suitor's profile without feeling forward, she can send him a wink without appearing overly flirtatious. Online dating is fun and super comfortable!

But my question is...are we playing God when we take matters into our own hands (women) and click and choose whoever strikes our eye? Are we impatient or are we practical? You tell me.

Skeptics of online dating,
Believe or not

In the last year 17% of couples who married met on a dating site.

1 in 5 singles have dated someone they met on a dating site.

1 in 5 singles are currently in a committed relationship with someone they met on a dating site.

More then 120,000 marriages that occur a year are thanks to online dating.

Whether we like it or not it's here to stay!
Dating online is growing more and more popular, it might even take the place of standard dating. Imagine primping for a blind date via Skype.
hey it could happen!

But then there is the factor that there are always more women than men, in church, on retreats, attending conferences, on dating sites...In the WORLD!

Registering on a dating site can become addicting and time consuming.

Online dating can raise your hopes of finding  a mate then burst them like a hot air balloon when potential sweethearts are dishonest.

Online dating is nontraditional and computer operated.
You are waiting for an icebreaker to pop into your mailbox instead of allowing the natural biochemical attraction to take place.

In biblical days a woman was betrothed (pledged to marry) her husband before she was able to meet him over a cup of coffee. Sarah (Sarai) was
betrothed to Abram (Abraham) before she knew his name and look at what God blessed them with, descendants more numerous than the grains of sand!

But in 2010 soon to be 2011 are we taking courtship into our own hands or are Christian dating sites a futuristic act of God?

If you know any online dating success stories/ horror stories please share.

Your opinion is very valuable :)

Christian Sites I Recommend

• eharmony.com
• christian cafe.com
• christian singles.com

While riding on the train heading to New Brunswick yesterday I had time to read some very heart wrenching letters. I said to myself if only I knew the pain was this deep I would have...what? What could I have done? I don't know maybe Love More.

Yes. I would have showed more love. Riding on the train to my audition tears stained my cheeks as I thought, How many women are suffering? How many are in pain? How many are out there hurting from the sting of a poisonous relationship? We have to do better.

When you say to yourself, "I can do better." Mean it.

When you say, "I deserve more!" Believe it.

When you proclaim, "I'm not going to dwell on the past. I'm going to live my life to the fullest." Do it.

On the journey don't forget to
Cherish every moment, every smiling face is a gift from God, a stranger's compliment may be an angel' s visitation, your family, your friends are tokens of God's love, love them generously, you never know when they have to say Goodbye. Live an enormous life, whatever you have been aching to do, instead of taking a "sick day", take a "adventure day" off work and experience it.

Women live the life you're afraid to live. Step out on faith and live. Life is too short to sit down and hold back.

And Ant Tash you were always Superwoman to me.

As November Leaves Fall

As November Leaves Fall...

Autumn has always been my favorite time of year, in New York especially. All of the trees lined up sporting a vast selection of harvest colors, purple, orange, cranberry red, golden yellow and coco brown.

When I think of fall many things come to mind. Fall is a time of promotion, children are promoted to the next grade, students enhance their knowledge at a higher level. Fall is a time of gathering, we gather pumpkins and pick apples. Fall is a time of thanksgiving, fall is a time to acknowledge our loved ones and cherish hearty moments spent preparing an abundant fest.

For my family fall is watching Charlie Brown hunt for the Great Pumpkin, baking sweet potato pie and banana pudding and deciding who would lick the spoon. Fall is writing vacation lists for the next year. Fall is twisting to Sam Cooke and sipping cinnamon sprinkled eggnog. Fall is picking partners for Taboo and screaming at the television during a game of Scene It. Fall is random car trips to Central avenue and shopping at Cross County near Yonkers Raceway. For me fall was curling up with a good book on Aunt Tash's red sofa and the nostalgic sounds of the Metro North zipping by in autumn dusk. Fall was sitting around chatting past midnight with my favorite people in the world, the girls, my mom and my aunts.

But this fall winter intruded without warning and it knocked me off my feet. I wasn't prepared for winter to overlap fall. It is not a good feeling.
As the leaves blow past my window I ask God, 'where did autumn go? Why can't she return to me?'
As December makes his entry, twenty ten is drawing to close and I can't remember the beginning. As the leaves slip out of the grasp of their woody owners, life has slipped away from me. A dear life that watched me grow. A life that encouraged me. My number one cheerleader. A life that always saw the best in me. A life that had the ability to make me laugh till my stomach ached. A life that was apart of my biggest dreams was carried away by the November wind. This bright spirit is present with the Lord but away from me. Fall is gone. Winter has arrived and the weather is brutal, bitter and cold.
                                                                    

But winter is not triumphant.

Although there will always be silence where her voice should be, winter is brief and life will renew itself.

Until then I wrap myself in God's warmth, his word is my daily furnace, his promises are my hearth. Never will the righteous be forsaken.

Even though, the winter storm blows inside me I can't crumble, my mind doesn't scatter, my bones will not rattle. My heart still pumps. My blood still flows warm... And although the leaves have fallen I AM ALIVE!

I am alive and I am grateful.

Yet I don't understand I will still trust him.

Though the days are short and the December nights are long, March will come forth and I will see the sun in all it's glory shine on me

Then I will understand why winter had to come.

The Bible says, Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part, then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

That day will come when the mysteries of life will be revealed. I am looking forward to that glorious day!

I don't understand why winter had to come and take my colorful aunt away. The world is not as vibrant without her splash of vivacity. She was a gust of fresh air, a scent of amber and honeydew, a breathtaking orchard, a hummingbird in flight leaving this finite world behind.

Dear aunt, I don't understand why you had to depart so sudden or so soon but I latch on to the hope that in a moment I will "Get It".

For now... I bundle up in the comfort of my best friend, Jesus, who soothes my shivering and blankets me with gentle peace during this bare season. I am thankful to have shared twenty four autumns with Aunt Tash.

 

                                                                                        

The Naked Crown

10/21/10

                                             NAKED CROWN


My crown is naked just like me. Don’t get me wrong I’m courageously pressing towards the goal God has set for me. I know I’m more than a conqueror, I know I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I know my purpose and why I’m still breathing on God’s magnificent green earth. God has designed me to be influential; he has created me to be a great ambassador for his kingdom to come and a discerning leader of the present one (And the wisdom is beginning to show. I already have one gray hair. Yikes!) I speak truth and I am a fair friend to all who are in my company. I have the confidence of a lion, the poise and grace of a queen and the energy of a toddler.

But yet I’m still naked.

I have a long way to perfection.

As I walk down the bustling affluent streets of Manhattan no one knows my name. I look to the left of me and see Wall Street credentials, I look to the left of me and I spot an Ivy League influence. I can not compare. I’m just an insignificant twenty something year old who shops in stores she can not afford. I am woman who has not taken off in her career, who is not an owner of a business, not a shareholder in stock or even a homeowner and over a year has past since I celebrated the momentous day I passed my road test and every week I swipe my ATM to purchase a metro card. Huh? I don’t get it? When will I be SUCCESSFUL?


In this world I am unknown, inexperienced and unaccepted.


I am not acknowledged- Yet.

I feel naked, exposed, unaccomplished and gray in amidst of color. But-Wait a minute-

How could I forget?? I remember the crown that rest upon my head, I remember the possessions I had to take off to wear it, and I remember the sacrifices I had to lay down to continue wearing it. I touch the spikes and feel the soft smooth gold and remember the crown of promise. I am a naked woman in a sea of mink coats and Italian suede jackets. But I am not intimidated. I don’t want what they have. I’ve been stripped of airs and pompous adornments. I am naked with humility. Although I am an unknown my crown shines through my flaws and illuminates my gifts but the people that surround me are blind to its ravishing beauty. My body resists the crowd as they push past me and almost knock me down with belittling impatience. Even though it’s dangerous I turn and walk against traffic and not with it. My confidence in Christ rises with every step. I follow the invisible force that leads me to peace and prosperity.
Passersby call me all types of names: weirdo, ranting radical, vigilant daydreamer.

They all laugh at my nakedness.

They call my crown a figment of my imagination.

"Just who does she think she is? She is not royalty. She thinks she is being called to lead a generation, how delusional! How pathetic!"

But I still walk on.

"Do you see how small she is? She IS INSANE!! Where does she think she’s going? The crowd will trample her- abominate her! No one will follow her."
I hear their taunts and jests and I am not afraid for what they don’t see is that I am clothed and protected by the spiritual family tree…

"The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known." (1John 3: 1-2)
Yes. It all makes sense now. They don’t know that…
I am God’s child.
I am a Co-heir with Christ.
It is in my bloodline to lead.
It is in my genes to stand rooted and firm for what I know is true.
They are not aware that this mighty lineage coats me with intensifying warmth that no high end designer coat can give me. I hear my father’s assuring voice say, "Daughter, I will go with you against the crowd."
And I pick up the pace.
His presence guides me through the fading opulence of the populated streets.
Past time and space he leads me to the promises of tomorrow.
And my faith is maximized.
There before my eyes, I envision it, right before me, my inheritance! He promised me it would come without delay.
And my robes of pure gold become visible in their sight, "fine linen, bright and clean was given her to wear" (Rev. 19:8). The power from the Most High parts a clear path for me; I’m no longer knocked down by the crowd.

My destiny has arrived.
Converters look at me and ask one another, "Who is she? Where did she come from? Who does she know?? Whoever he is we want to know him too!" They strip from their worldly possessions and follow the light that leads me.
Doubters stand back in frowning irremovable masks and shake their heads,
"She was unknown before; now we know her name and who she represents! But we still don’t believe. Impossible!" they say.
My crown grows ablaze with brilliant marvelous colors only the master jeweler can shape. The finest gold is melded with sliver and platinum in his hands as destiny positions me in a higher place to declare the wonderful works of his holy name! How Stupendous!
But…Today-


I lean against the department store glass windows and peer ahead past the swarms of opportunists.

Yes I am hopeful, but as of today my crown is naked, no jewels embody its heated form. But it is ablaze with a fiery love and an emblem of integrity and for now I am humble with my lowly position.


Today, I can enjoy spending time with my king without interference, complications or interruptions from those that try to wipe out my reign.
Tomorrow all eyes will be on me, a regal representative of Christ.


Yes, I am content with the present, I expose my nakedness, adjust my indistinguishable crown straighten my back and walk against the crowd.

"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." (1Peter 2:9)
Amen.

DELIVERY DATE

                                                                DELIVERY DATE



        Expectant moms are given nine months to wait for new life to birth. When shoppers order from their favorite catalogues or retail websites they receive a confirmation number informing them that their package is arriving at a specific date. Newspapers and subscription magazines are delivered on our doorstep or left in our mailboxes at a daily, weekly or monthly basis. If our delivery is not delivered on time we investigate the delay. We expect the delivery to be on time and intact or else there is a problem! We live in a world of expectancy. We want what is anticipated, no exceptions.


    So it was frustrating when I ordered a valuable item online and it was never delivered to my address. I paid extra for overnight shipping so that my highly anticipated package would arrive the next day. I received a confirmation email and was given the expectant date of arrival: September 24, 2010. "Great. My package will arrive tomorrow on my day off", I said to myself. Everything was working out as normal. But to my astonishment tomorrow came and I sat in my house and waited. No package. So I called the shipping company to identify the problem. "Wrong address", they said. "But how could that be?" I asked, "I ordered numerous items from this particular company and they were all delivered to the right address." Strange.

     However, I was relieved the problem was addressed (no pun intended) and my delivery was on the way. Sure I wasn’t off from work but I managed for someone to be available when the courier arrived. The next day came and left, still no package. Now I was growing a little annoyed. I called the home office and discovered they were still attempting to deliver the package to the wrong address. I gave my correct address to the call center and expressed my disappointment with their performance, "If this package wasn’t important I wouldn’t have paid to expedite its delivery, I wouldn’t have ordered it at all." It took several attempts to retrieve the package, with no success. One day I was walking my dog and the delivery truck was parked in my neighborhood. They had my package and it was still stamped with the wrong address. They were going to deliver it to the wrong house again. Can you imagine the owner of the frequently visited apartment opening the door to laid eyes on that cumbersome package! A package they didn’t ask for or want. Poor law abiding citizens.
    

      Once I received my package I could’ve insulted or interrogated the driver. It was what I felt like doing five days ago. But I no longer felt aggravated; I had my package despite all the trials I had to go through to obtain it. Now that I look back it was actually comical, a simple delivery turned into a circus act. I was jumping through hoops to retrieve something not as valuable as I made it seem. But it was something I really wanted at the moment that I didn’t receive and it made me angry. I expected its arrival but it disappointed me.

Once I got over my pouting I was able to set my mind on more Christ centered thoughts… thoughts that had other people in mind.

    Names ran through my brain that I had to pray for, I wrote an encouraging note for a friend and went grocery shopping for my home. All of these errands were fogged by one selfish want I made priority. I wanted that package so badly because I expected it, it was on my mind constantly. I needed it to satisfy a pleasurable pastime (TV). It was routine and it was mine, I bought it!
And when I set my mind on what greater package God has for me on the way all I can do is feel silly at all fuss I made over fluff.


What immaturity!
     If I could humble myself to wait for something I paid for, something so superficial, I can definitely wait for something that is so great I almost feel undeserving. Something that is worth waiting for …
This package is so enormous I figure if I knew the date of its delivery, I would stay up all night with hampered anticipation. I wouldn’t be able to sleep or eat. God knows his children more than we know ourselves. I wouldn’t be able to minister to one single woman if I knew my future husband was coming on a Saturday, I would do nothing on Saturdays! If I knew what day he would arrive I would want to know more, like… "How tall is he? Where is his family from? Does he like long walks on the beach or cuddling by candlelight? Does he prefer home cooked meals or take out?


Who cares?!


I trust my father with the selection, the shipping and delivery!

I trust him with the whole process because God is not a man that he should break promises ("it is impossible for God to lie," NIV Heb.6:18) or deliver my package to someone else’s doorstep. What he handcrafted and selected for me is for me. We as women of God each have a delivery date, whether it is a husband, a job, a plot of land or divine health. And we must be patient and trust him with the shipping and handling! God’s word is true and he never delays on his promises. They are delivered at the right place and at the right time.


"And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised." (NIV Hebrews 5:15)
                                                  Happy Ordering!

THE WAIT...

Wow. Blogging.. What a wonderful invention of technology. My diary is sooo 2001.

My name  is Camille and I just made twenty four at the end of July and this is my very 1st BloG!

Let me capture for you a peephole view of my enormous Journey called Life.

It's been two years since I decided to abstain from ungodly relationships and it has been four

months since I accepted the Destiny designed specifically for me. Yes. If you haven't guessed

already I am a born again Christian, I have been for many years but now living for Christ has

taken precedence inside me and reigns supreme over every other fulfillment on my want list.

I don't want to live pure. I NEED to live pure. I must live a chaste life in order to gain the

tremendous inheritance that is waiting for me as I wait...and wait...and wait some more for that

special someone, wherever you are! lol

Trust me, it's not easy waiting alone by the shore when it seems like everyone is out riding the

waves and having fun. 

And the waves disapproves of my choice to stay dry and the force of the aquatic

element's anger attacks me to prove it. The waves come in drenching me with mockery and

splashing me with bitter raw hate.

I feel the effect of the waves ferocity and I am knocked down by it's sting. Sometimes I grow

tired of standing alone and exhausted from multiple wipeouts. Sometimes I just want to give in

and feel the warmth of another or surrender into the shelter of strong protective arms. It's hard to

admit sometimes I am tempted by the glittery bathers with chiseled forms that beckon to me by

the shore. And just when I am weak enough to fall prey to their luring eyes, I am beckoned by

another voice a much louder voice, that knows me by name and knows me too well. And

connected to the voice is a calming presence. And I know I'm not alone.

He calls me to a higher place and I humbly obey. I climb above the noise , above the snapping

and clawing of the crabs that surround me and above the monstrous waves that roll in wait to

take my life. Above the rocks I spot a  hideout where I will be safe from the rising tide. I struggle

to reach my destination and when  I slip on the wet moss he lifts me up, he guides me until I'm \

safe in his haven, I am protected by the warmth of his glow. In depths of the cave, in his secret

place I wait. When all around me is in

turmoil and confusion I wait with assurance, even when everything is still, I wait. I never leave

from under his shadow. I will never forget he is my hiding place when the world is troubled and

ugly. And whenever I feel uncomfortable and unwanted he gives me comfort.

My deliverer. I'm smiling right now as I think of him. I can say with confidence he is my Deliverer

because he has delivered me from evil, he has rescued me from those that sought to harm me.

And someday (I'm smiling again) he will deliver the man designed just for me. He will deliver my

God Chosen husband to me  just like he promised twelve years ago when my ears where

closed and I couldn't hear him.

Now I hear him clearly and I know the truth and I know he never delays on his promises. This is

why he had to get me away from all the distraction near the shore and place me in a high raised

environment. He had to get me out of the muck and seaweed to show me that I do not have to

settle but I deserve someone positioned in a high place! I deserve the best!

And so with this new knowledge I choose to wait patiently without rushing God.

Patience is a virtue. As I wait I have time to focus on loving people and not just one person.

Pure unadulterated love is pumping into my blood and marinating within my heart. And it feels

soft and oh so nourishing!

And with rekindled fervor I can not emphasize to you more passionately, "I'm loving the Wait!"  



Is there anyone with a similar story? I would love to hear your version!

Until next time.....

Peace Hope and Splendid Love