Leave Dating Alone

We all have an opinion on dating, but what is the godly thing to do when it comes to guy/girl relationships? I believe that even though some people have had some success with dating, a majority have regretted most of it. So why date when you can court? Isn’t the ultimate goal of dating to find a wife? Then why do so many people start dating or having girlfriends or boyfriends when they are 14? This is crazy! They don’t even know who they really are at that age.

Dating is what our culture does, but not what we should do. Society tries to push us toward sex as young as possible, when we are most vulnerable. I think the best approach is not to get a girlfriend, period. Having girls as friends is excellent, but it’s really a burden to have a girlfriend when you’re not ready for a serious relationship. Having female friends is good, but dating puts unnecessary stress on a relationship.

I know that some of you will be offended, but I think that it’s time to not settle for anything less than the best. We are chosen of God, the ones who follow the only King. Let’s be examples of godly men. God bless you, guys.

—Justin Simandle, Santa Barbara, Calif.

Get Educated on Creation Versus Evolution

As someone who is passionate about creation, I am encouraged by the number of famous scientists who believed in intelligent design. The impressive list includes: Newton, Faraday, Maxwell, Kelvin (physics), Boyle, Dalton, Ramsay (chemistry), Ray, Linnaeus, Mendel, Pasteur, Virchow, Agassiz (Biology), Steno, Woodward, Brewster, Buckland, Cuvier (Geology), Copernicus, Galileo, Kepler, Herschel, Maunder (Astronomy), Leibnitz, Euler, Pascal (Mathematics).

Blaise Pascal, from 1658 to his death, worked on a defense of Christian faith. Fragments of his uncompleted work were found after his death and published as Pensees. This work expresses Pascal's belief that there are limits to the truths reason can know, and that faith from the heart in Christian revelation is the primary guide to truths.

When questioned by my non-Christian friends about my beliefs, listing a few names from the list above usually satisfies (although they don't always believe me until they read a biography).

I also reason against the Big Bang theory with this: If there are two large masses in infinite space, the probability of those moving masses (if they are moving) to cross paths, let alone be the exact portion through their paths to collide is nearly infinitely mathematically impossible.

—Andrew Miller, Tannum Sands, Australia

Tobacco Tug-of-War

I'd like to ask all of you to pray for me. I've been doing chewing tobacco for about five years now. Quitting really isn't easy, but I'm trying. I need your prayers, bros, because I know I can't do this without God.

—J.D. Frank, Ardmore, Okla.

Department of Defense

All my friends say that George W. Bush is a terrible President of the United States, but I disagree. He makes some mistakes, but all in all he's the best leader in the world. He has a firm grasp on Christianity, and seems always to try to do what's right. So all you critics of the guy, find me one example of someone who could do a better job.

—Adam Dyck, Rosemary, Alberta

Thumpin’

Breakaway and Monday Morning challenged readers to write a third verse for the band’s song “Breakaway.” After Breakaway narrowed down the finalists, the band members chose their favorite. Congratulations to grand prize winner Stephen Magbanua of Bacolod, Philippines who won the Oakley Thump.

Here’s his winning verse:

For so long I've been waiting
It seems my time is wasting
Life's hopeless desperation
Trapped in this situation
My heart was full of hatred
Your love turned it sacred
And nothing's complicated
Just You and me and love