this is it

[R. Smith]

in 3 more days, I'll be 36. Now, I feel old. I'm so close to 40, and I'm single. *sigh*

-Rog.

[The Unknown Gomer]

Gee, I'd like to say that in three days I'D be turning 36.

But I can't. My birthday isn't until July, and well, I'll be turning 43. :eek:

Kinda makes 36 not seem TOO bad, huh? ;)

And so far as still being single, I wouldn't worry too much about that. If it makes you feel any better, I was perpetually single and unattached (and pretty much just assumed I'd always be that way) until I was 39. Then I met D. by sheer happenstance - just imagine going to a concert by yourself, and in that crowd of 40,000 people, you just happen to hit it off with the guy sitting next to you, who wouldn't have even been sitting next to you had the person he was supposed to have gone with not dropped out at the last minute - and we've been seeing each other ever since.

If it can happen to me, who pretty much wasn't even looking at that point, it can happen to ANYONE! :D

[R. Smith]

for sharing your story. I do hit it off with the Ladies, but they are usually dating someone or married.

[The Unknown Gomer]

"Been there, done that" too. Too many times. I finally just said the heck with it, I'll find someone when I find someone.

I heard somewhere that when you stop looking, that's when you tend to find someone. I'll vouch for that. :cool:

[kiwisongbird]

Yup, I agree, give up... release your singleness to God... rest in the reality that He may have chosen for you to be single... cease striving and know that He is God... when I gave up... He came up with the goods! :)... my friend Christine has finally given up (at age 55) and she is so sweet and content with her singleness... works different ways for different people... let go... :) blessing to ya....

[R. Smith]

God gives us the disires of our heart, and don't feel I'm ment to be single the rest of my life. I've always wanted to get married, even before I got saved. I do know this is something I have to give to God, I have for 13 years. When I got saved 13 years ago, I decided to stay single for a year. That year has now been 13 years.

Being single didn't bother me much last year, until New Years Eve. Then it hit me real hard, I'm turning 36...and I'm still single.

How long??? How much more do I have to give??? I've been single, don't drink don't smoke, I didn't even go out for a coffee with a Lady till this year. What more do I have to give, I even layed down my life for the sake of the call.

[Pouye]

for sharing your story. I do hit it off with the Ladies, but they are usually dating someone or married.

The moment you quit worrying about being single and start really taking life by the throat (that means really going after your dreams and spreading your wings to do that) women will find you irresistible -- especially if you really excel and succeed.

Do this for me:

Ask yourself what you would like to be doing in the next 5 years. Dream about it, and write it down. First be global -- think about where you would like to be in 5 years and what you would like to be doing. Later, get detailed -- and remember, the sky is the limit. Don't hold back. Don't consider limits (like how much things cost, how much effort would be involved or how much time it would take). When you have dreamed your head off, write it all down and then begin narrowing it down to things you can pursue right now to make those dreams happen. Take the risks necessary (even moving to another place or country if necessary!). Shoot for the moon, and don't let anyone tell you that you "can't". I know you aren't from the USA, but the Texas proverb, "Can't never did nothin'!" (said with a southern drawl) should become your best friend in life. Say it to yourself whenever you feel like you can't do something.

I will make you a bet -- mark my words -- that if you pursue your dreams in this way and really aim high, God will provide someone to help you fulfill those dreams. If you don't, God is quite happy with you being single. Women are designed to help a man move further than they can go by themselves -- and they are attracted to a man going somewhere in life because they see where he is going and they want to be a part of the adventure.

Rock

[kiwisongbird]

Yup, what he said... :)

I like that Can't never did nothing.. thing... I might use that one! :) :)

[sandie]

Can I add onto Rock's 'dreaming'?

Like you, I have been single for many years. Nineteen years ago I had cancer, my Christian husband left and I had some very tough years raising my young son. I went out with quite a few men, once only - nice blokes not for me. So, I concentrated on raising Michael. Now he's a man with a partner and lives 2 1/2 hours away.

I believe that God wants me to find someone, and He has given two specific Words through others who have no idea of my situation, to 'not be afraid', but to step out in faith. I have a list of qualities which will make a man suitable for me stuck on the fridge, and I am praying for a man with those qualities. I've never met a single Christian man in church who may be suitable. I am on three internet dating sites, where my profile clearly shows that I am a Christian. I must admit that decision making is hard. However, there are three at present I am communicating with. One, a widower in London with a young son, is extremely keen, despite the fact that I have said that I won't move to another country, away from Michael. I am speaking with him, trying to find out if he matches most of my criteria. He certainly matches some.

So my advice is to dream and plan, make a list, pray through the list so that you are seeking the person of God's choice, perhaps find ways to meet women that you haven't tried, and see what the Lord will do, Roger.

[John H]

Hi Sandie,

I just thought of you as I looked through my favorites and saw Third Day message board........... (Long time no 'see').

We have quite a few 'girls' in the same position as you at our church, as our pastor used to say when it was mostly all girls going to bible school: "where are all the Christian men?"
Some of the girls are on the Christian dateing sites like you are, some are visiting other churches every now and then and some have so much to do that they don't have time to think about the subject....... I don't have much advice for you except to stick close to Jesus and ask for his advice!

We have had temperatures down to -14C here as I walked to work on monday, when I came to work I told the teachers about my brother liveing at Kinglake, he and his family are o/k, they fought a fire to within 30 meters from their house and had to get inside because of the heat, smoke and ash.

His mudbrick house stood up well, he only lost his garage, fences and some equipment outside. Of course other in the area were not so lucky.

Woops, it's late here and I have to go, I'll try to keep in contact more often,

God bless,

-John
P.S.
Great advice Pouye!
R.Smith, I just finished watching 'Faceing The Giants' (my son loves it, Third Day music), watch the movie and pray about doing your best at everything you do! Don't give up, I was 43 years old when I was married, now I have a lovely wife and two great kids, who'dathunkit!?

[sandie]

Hi John. Long time no speak. :) Love your map of Oz.

If your brother lives in Kinglake and still has a house, he is very fortunate! It must have been such a frightening experience.

It's strange that you should reappear. Or not. :P The British man I referred to above had one British and one Norwegian parent, and was brought up for 12 years by his father in Norway. He has a Norwegian accent, even though he says he listens to, rather than speaks Norwegian. I'll ask him where he lived.

[mcgreen311]

I have nothing important to add except that I love John's avatar.

You may now continue your regularly scheduled thread.

[R. Smith]

Yes, John H., I own the DVD of 'Facing the Giants', great great movie. I do pray about the things I do...

What do I see myself doing in 5 years??? Working with kids, and recording my 2nd CD. I actually help out with the Youth Group @ my Church...good times.

I watch a Louie Giglio video last night, that really encouraged me. It was about how God created us, and how God holds us together. It was a Google video...it really blessed me.

Also, Brooke Fraser wrote a song about her feelings of love called - Love is waiting. It really spoke to me, is like...I'm not the only one who feels like that. And yes, I kinda knew that already.

[rossid]

43 in one month and six days.

I've been thinking about single folk, and praying for them, ever since the prior thread about Valentine's day.

[John H]

Hi Sandie,

yes I have been thinking about what Peter, Annie & young Tim went through, I can't imagine it (or how I'd cope in the same situation)!
Peter & annie have has lost some friends and I guess Tim has also lost friends.

I talked on the phone with a friend in Whittlesea who's little church family has lost seven houses and a young family of four.
My friend's son is married to Brian Naylor's grandaughter.
My neice lost a close friend and that girl's sister & parents.
My brother-in-law's sister lost her mother-in-law.

The pastor of our church asked me to come up and lead the prayers for those effected by the fires this morning........

Bed time again and work in the morning,

see ya later,

-John

[R. Smith]

the fires down-under have made the news here in Canada, it looks pretty rough there. Its like summer there right now isn't it??? I'll be praying for y'all...

[sandie]

Yes it is. Thank you for the prayers. John H's brother lives in a town called Kinglake, which is now known thoughout Australia for the ferocity of the fire there, for the death count, and for the loss of Brian Naylor, a well known retired TV newsman in Victoria.

Sorry for the diversion. Back to the topic at hand, Roger.