As a male beliver in Jesus Christ, according to the wholy scriptures, what is the best way to go about courting a young woman and then marrying here?
2006-11-06 14:28:49 · 10 answers · asked by modern_day_monk 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Lectio Divina is Latin for “spiritual reading” and represents an early monastic technique of prayer which continues in practice though less widely, intended to achieve communion with God as well as providing special spiritual insights and peace from that experience. It is a way of praying with Scripture that calls one to study, ponder, listen and, finally, pray from God's Word.
History
Lectio Divina was first expressed in the year 220 AD. It was found that to read the Bible profitably it is necessary to do so with attention, consistency and prayer. The systematization of “spiritual reading” into four steps dates back to the 12th century. Around 1150, Guigo II, a Carthusian monk, wrote a book entitled “The Monk’s Ladder” (Scala Claustralium) wherein he set out the theory of the four rungs: reading, meditation, prayer and contemplation. In 2005, Pope Benedict XVI stated, “This is the ladder by which the monks ascend from earth to heaven.”
Method
Lectio is typically practiced daily for one continuous hour. A selection from the Holy Scriptures is chosen ahead of time, often as a daily progression through a particular book of the Bible.
Time
Selecting a time for lectio divina is important. Typical methods are to pray for one hour in the morning, or to divide it into two half-hour periods, one in the morning and one in the evening. The key is to pre-select the time that will be devoted to the prayer, and to keep it. Using the same time every day leads to a daily habit of prayer that becomes highly effective.
Place
The place for prayer is to be free from distractions. This means it should be isolated from other people, telephones, visual distractions, etc. Some find a religious icon to be helpful. The same place should be used for lectio if possible, especially as one first begins to practice it. Familiarity with a location reduces the possibility of distraction away from the prayer. Some practitioners conduct other devotions, such as praying before the Catholic Eucharist, as a preparation for Lectio Divina.
Preparation
Prior to reading, it is important to engage in a transitional activity that takes one from the normal state of mind to a more contemplative and prayerful state. A few moments of deep, regular breathing and a short prayer inviting the Holy Spirit to guide the prayer time helps to set the tone and improve the effectiveness of the lectio.
Once the stage is set it is time to begin the prayer. There are four phases of the prayer, which do not necessarily progress in an ordered fashion. One may move between different phases of the prayer very freely as the Spirit guides.
The Four Moments
Lectio
Read the passage several times.
Meditatio
Reflect on the text of the passage, thinking about how to apply to one's own life. Gravitate to any particular phrase or word that seems to be of particular import. This should not be confused with exegesis, but is a very personal reading of the Scripture and application to one's own life.
Oratio
Respond to the passage by opening the heart to God. This is not primarily an intellectual exercise, but more of the beginning of a conversation with God.
Contemplatio
Listen to God. This is a freeing oneself from one's own thoughts, both mundane and holy. It is about hearing God talk to us. Opening our mind, heart and soul to the influence of God. Any conversation must allow for both sides to communicate, and this most unfamiliar act is allowing oneself to be open to hearing God speak.
2006-11-09 05:51:24 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
First of all she needs to be a believer too. If not, forget about it. If she is then I would say treat her with respect, let her know what your short term and long term intentions are. Don't make any sexual advancements (kissing is okay) wait until you are married. Try and spend as much time with her as possible without being smothering. You need to get to know each other and the best relationships are the ones built around God's love. Make room for Him and your relationship will be richly blessed. The way a true Christian views relationships and the way the world does are two vastly different things. Try not to get caught up with worldy ways of pursuing a relationship but trust that God will lead the way.
2006-11-06 22:35:36 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Well, I would say to pray before every date that you can be safe and learn and have a good time. Stick to the law of chastity, to remember that relations are to be saved for marriage, and it's better to make friends than to jump into a relationship, because it's easier to introduce people to other people if you are friends first. Work on listening skills - remember the prophets in the Bible had to learn how to listen to the Lord. Have a happy day.
2006-11-06 22:54:19 · answer #3 · answered by Cookie777 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
She must also be a christian, and seeks Gods will in the relationship, most pastors will recommend at least six months to a year of courtship to get to know each other and to know that you are on the same level spiritually. Save sex for the wedding nite and grow as a couple in the Lord.
2006-11-07 01:30:24 · answer #4 · answered by judy_derr38565 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well according to the bible, if a woman is widowed, she is
required to leave her home, marry her brother-in-law, live with him, and engage in sexual relations.
On the other hand, iIf you "entice" an "unmarried maid" to "lie" with you, then you must marry her, unless the father refuses to give her to you, in which case you must pay him the going price for virgins. - Exodus 22:16-17
Wives must submit to their husbands "in every thing" as though they were Christ. "For the husband is the head of the wife." Ephesians 5:22-24 Just tell your date that, and Im sure things will go well.
2006-11-06 22:34:19 · answer #5 · answered by Phil S 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Well you're on the right track. I would say just take it step by step, and pray to God first and foremost in everything....let Him be the one who "arranges" things. If you are a Christian, you have the holy spirit living in you. The holy spirit will guide you in all things, including relationships. Just seek first the kingdom of God, and all things will be added to you; He will show you the way, step by step.
And my regards for being such a Godly young man that you would even seek to find the answer in this way!
2006-11-06 22:33:02 · answer #6 · answered by Esther 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
NO SEX ! find a mate at church or by using friends and family. Make sure you are yoked the same. If your mate does not believe in God or want to go to church they will drag you down your hole life. They will be a mill stone round your neck.
2006-11-06 22:34:11 · answer #7 · answered by ldp999000 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Go to the bar, get someone really drunk, take her into the bathroom, and leave Chick Publications on the back of the urinals.
2006-11-06 22:32:31 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
how about telling her stories of the great flood to get her really excited and wet? hehehe...
2006-11-06 22:37:54 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
well she has to be a christian as well
2006-11-06 22:31:23 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋