2 Things I Learned From My Breakup

After next week, I will be a college sophomore. I have experienced more, felt more, and learned more in these months than I have in any period of my life thus far. Attending a university has made me look at the world in a completely new way -- and I'm hoping that as these changes occur, I am learning to look at things in a more godly, objective, and compassionate way. It's been a long time since we last spoke -- I know I'm terrible, forgive me -- so here are two life-changing discoveries I made this school year. Share your own in the comments!

10 Cute Date Ideas

 

As cute and sweet as dates can be, sometimes they’re downright awkward. Here are some low-pressure ideas for your next outing that will give both of you a chance to relax and have fun.

Is it Ok to Ask a Guy Out?

 

Tired of waiting on your crush to step up to his rightful position as the man of your dreams? It's tempting to want to kick off the relationship by asking him out on a date, but is that the best way to get a guy?

Is It OK to Date a Non-Christian?

Dear Melissa,

Is it ok to date a non-Christian?

Dealing with a Racist Friend

Dear Melissa,

My friend is very racist and makes fun of people's nationality and their body. What should I do?

Guy Advice: Why Is He Avoiding Me?

This guy I like texts me stuff like "u looked beautiful at church today" or "u r so pretty" but when we see each other at church, he avoids me. Does he like me? If he does, why does he avoid me? Should i tell him i like him? - girls for god fan

Q&A: Guy Advice for Tweens

Dear Melissa,

I'm 12 and have a crush on this boy who i have known for 6 years. Do you have any advice?

A Guy's View: What Guys Want in a Girl

Zachary, 21, reveals what guys really want in a future wife.

           

 I was asked recently what a Godly man finds attractive, or rather what he looks for as he seeks a wife. This is obviously a loaded question because we are all so very different; both men and women. There are, however, a few things that hold true for everyone who professes faith in Jesus Christ. Here is what the Bible has given us, as men, to qualify “an excellent wife.” This list is pretty crazy but it is so true.

A Message for YOU

This is a message for all you girls who want to be beautiful.
This is a message to all of you young women who want to be accepted. Loved. Cherished.
I write this to the girl who hopes to find her worth in the wrong places -- in her boyfriend, in her peers, in her job, in her money, in the way she dresses. Your worth is not found in these. No matter how hard you search, if you look to worldly things, you'll never find what you're looking for.
Your worth is found in Jesus Christ and Him alone.
JESUS defines you.
JESUS loves you.
JESUS values you.
JESUS gives you value.
JESUS is what you've been looking for.
It's all Jesus. It's not you. It's not any guy. It's not anything the media will tell you. It's all Jesus.
Only Jesus can add to your worth.
And only Jesus can help you discover it.

Lauren's Story

"Some of the most important things I've learned in life didn't actually come through my personal experiences, but through someone else's -- my big sister's. We're like best friends, so when she went through dark times, I went through them with her. And when she learned God's wisom, I also learned.
When I was 14, my sister was in her early 20s and had been dating the same guy for a couple years. It wasn't a healthy relationship, but they got married anyway. The marriage was filled with verbal, emotional, and physical abuse. I watched my confident, fun, outgoing sister slowly transform into a timid, broken, insecure person. For a while, she managed to hide the physical abuse from our family. But eventually the truth came out.
They ended up getting divorced, and in my sister's pain, she was questioning everything -- herself, her faith, even God. I stayed by her side through every step. She and I took long walks through the woods and talked about the decisions she'd made and the consequences she faced as a result. I just wanted to support my sister, but I ended up being changed more than I would've ever imagined. God's power to deliver people from even the darkest situations became so real to me. I was totally impacted by seeing how God carefully protected her, loved her, and taught her His truth. I'll never forget how much joy she experienced as God showed her how to forgive her ex-husband, healed her heart, and filled her life with His perfect, unchanging love.
When I started high school, my sister reminded me of everything she'd gone through when she was my age, especially the unhealthy relationship that led to the abusive marriage. She'd always say, 'Remember when I did such-and-such, and what the consequences were?' There were lots of times I faced tough situations, and the only reason I knew the right thing to do was because I'd learned God's truth together with my sister.
God has delivered me from so many close calls, just by bringing to mind the example of my sister or other people He's put in my life. I'm so thankful, and I never want to miss a chance to learn His truth. As it says in Proverbs 18:15, 'The mind of a person with understanding gets knowledge; the wise person listens to learn more.'" Lauren, a girl changed by God