Friday, July 10th, 2009 at 12:04 AM by Ruth Tynes / Online Editor / InTheTimes.com
Q:
I've been staying with my Grandparents for the Summer and have been spending a lot of time hanging out on the beach by myself. Well, recently I met this guy and we've been spending a lot of time together. He's a Christian too and he seems so perfect for me... I called my friends back home to tell them about it, and they say that I should be careful and take it slow. But, I don't know... I really like him and I'll be going home soon... He seems like he likes me too, I think he's gonna ask me to be his girlfriend before I go... I just wish he'd hurry up ! Any advice?
A:
First, put your 'reality check goggles' on. Now, take away the romantic atmosphere...the cool blue ocean breeze blowing through your hair, the glamorous social setting of the beach, the seemingly endless summer days, where all you have to do is relax and play...
Instead, put yourself in the exact same situation, but change the atmosphere to somewhere less glam... Romance buster, eh? No matter what some of the latest teen flicks may paint it as, summer flings are a no-no.
Your friends are right, you need to slow things down right now. "Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you." (Proverbs 2:11, NIV) The fact is that this guy is a stranger. Remember that true relationships take time to develop, not simply 1 hr and 30 min, like in some of the movies. To jump into a romantic relationship with a stranger is foolish.
Don't become a summer fling statistic ! Stop hanging out one-on-one with this guy. Don't be so predictable and accessible either, have 'something else to do' to give yourself time to recuperate. Don't pour out your life story to strangers, and if you already have, cut the flow now ! "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." (Proverbs 4:23, NIV)
"Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the LORD and He will give you the desires of your heart." (Psalm 37:3-4, NIV) Don't waste your summer trying to conjure up love. Live by God's virtues, and love will find you at the right time ! And it will be more glamorous & romantic than any number one summer blockbuster !
Talk soon, RUTH
* This is an excerpt from the book InTheTimes.com Q&A by Ruth Tynes. Copyright 2008. It may not be reprinted or posted without written permission from the author. Please contact for reprint permission.
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Carolyne Myers Favorite Birthday Memory
Thursday, July 9th, 2009 at 10:00 PM by Ruth Tynes / Online Editor / InTheTimes.com
ITT:Share with the InTheTimes.com girls your favorite birthday memory !
Carolyne: For my 13th birthday the NSB girls came to the lake and we had an old-fashioned birthday party! We played cards, jumped rope, and learned how to knit! Caroline [Williams] made me a cool birthday cake! Then we tubed on the lake!
>>>Let's go shopping! Make sure to click the links below to hear free audio samples of Carolyne's music and to purchase your favs! You can buy hard copies of Carolyne's albums, download individual songs, download the entire album, or buy used copies for a discounted price!
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Caroline Williams on Home School
Wednesday, July 8th, 2009 at 1:22 PM by Ruth Tynes / Online Editor / InTheTimes.com
ITT:You're Home Schooled, any advice you’d like to give the InTheTimes.com girls around getting homework done, studying, etc. ?
Caroline: It is really hard to stay focused and motivated when you are working on your own all the time. I think it is best to just get up, get right to work and get it done. Even stopping for a study break gets me distracted for the rest of the morning, so I try not to stop until I have finished all my work for that day.
>>>Let's go shopping! Make sure to click the links below to hear free audio samples of Caroline's music and to purchase your favs! You can buy hard copies of Caroline's albums, download individual songs, download the entire album, or buy used copies for a discounted price!
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Evie Haskell on Dating & Purity
Tuesday, July 7th, 2009 at 5:30 PM by Ruth Tynes / Online Editor / InTheTimes.com
"Any girl looking for the "guy of her dreams" should begin by cultivating her own genuine, heart-shaping relationship with God.
Before we jump into relationships, it's important that we understand true love and acceptance--the kind that only God can give. If we understand even only a bit of this love, we won't settle for unhealthy or unGodly relationships, we will also be open to His leading in this area of our lives.
I also think that it's important that we don't have unrealistic expectations of relationships. Relationships aren't about chocolates and flowers, they are about sharing your life and true character in a bond of love, trust, and respect.
A true, healthy relationship will share the good and the bad and both participants will grow closer to each other and God because of it."
>>>Let's go shopping! Make sure to click the links below to hear free audio samples of Evie's music and to purchase your favs! You can buy hard copies of Evie's albums, download individual songs, download the entire album, or buy used copies for a discounted price!
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Shannon Kubiak-Primicerio's 'Once Upon a Time' Real Life Love Story
Monday, July 6th, 2009 at 6:28 PM by Ruth Tynes / Online Editor / InTheTimes.com
ITT:How did you
meet your husband? How is he an encouragement to you? What advice would you like to give InTheTimes.com girls
when it comes to finding the Godly 'man of their dreams' ?
Shannon: The short version of how I met my husband is that we met at church. But the longer version is that we grew up in the same small town, went to rival high schools, had some mutual friends, and never crossed paths.
I went off to college, got my degree, and started my writing career. Since writers don’t make much in the beginning, I moved back home with my parents after college graduation and was introduced to Michael at church. It was a very quick introduction, and nothing came of it until a few months later when we bumped into each other again and started talking.
Michael is a huge encouragement to me because he believes in me even when I don’t believe in myself. He can make me laugh when I am stressed out, and he helps me relax when I am frustrated. He is very patient (which balances out my impatience) and he always has a positive outlook on things.
He has always been a huge part of my writing (proofreading, offering ideas, etc.) But I was thrilled when he agreed to join me as a co-author on Life. Now. We had so much fun working together and I am very proud of our finished product.
My advice to InTheTimes.com girls is to stop looking for Mr. Right. Let him look for you. The one God has for you won’t pass you by—even if you’re not looking.
Growing up, I knew a bunch of apathetic guys who never made the first move with girls they liked. I always found it to be such a turnoff. So I told the Lord I would recognize the man He had for me by how he pursued me with boldness. And when Michael came into my life that (among other things) was how I recognized him. He pursued me from day one--and every day he still wins my heart over and over again. Stop looking and make a guy work for your affections--you’re worth it!
>>>Let's go shopping! Make sure to click the links below to browse Shannon's books and purchase your favs! You can buy new or used copies for a discounted price!
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) The fact is that this guy is a stranger. Remember that true relationships take time to develop, not simply 1 hr and 30 min, like in some of the movies. To jump into a romantic relationship with a stranger is foolish.