Today is the final post in our series on on-line Catholic dating. It is written by my friend Matthew Grivich, author of the book Rational Faith…
As I mentioned in the first post, Catholic Match “how we met” stories are not helpful because they are more advertisements than anything and don’t really help single people. For this reason, I will give our “how we met” story and I’ll leave in a lot of the little details (and things that could have derailed the relationship). It gets to be a long story, but I would have valued these types of stories when I felt like I had no idea what I was doing.
Yesterday, we began a guest post series from the author of SystematicChristianity.org, Matthew Grivich, on the subject of on-line Catholic dating…
In yesterday’s post, I outlined the advantages and disadvantages to online dating. Today I would like to give my suggestions as to how to use Catholic dating sites most effectively.
I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I may be cheered by news of you. I have no one like him, who will be genuinely anxious for your welfare.They all look after their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.But Timothy’s worth you know, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel.I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me; and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself shall come also. – Philippians 2:19-24
Here are my thoughts:
For an audio-only version of this video, please click here.
Before he left San Diego, Matt and I had talked about the world of online dating. I had never signed up from sites like CatholicMatch.com, so asked Matthew about his experience.
As we talked, he mentioned that he should write an article about the Catholic on-line dating scene. Several months later, as I heard of more and more of my friends using these websites, I sent him a message on Facebook asking him if he would, in fact, write something for Restless Pilgrim. He graciously agreed. Everybody, please welcome Matthew Grivich…
First off, I really appreciate David for starting the conversation on dating in the Catholic world. This is a topic that is badly (or evilly) covered in the secular media and barely touched in the Catholic media. When Catholics do discuss it, they usually spend more time saying what you are not supposed to do, instead of what you are supposed to do. Alternatively, they skip straight over meeting and dating to people who are already married.
Be it that I am engaged, and I met my fiancée (Jennifer) on-line, I am at least somewhat qualified to discuss this topic. However, your mileage may vary and take with a grain of salt. Clichés are no extra charge.
Today we continue through Chapter 2 of Philippians:
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for God is at work in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. Even if I am to be poured as a libation upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me. – Philippians 2:12-18
Here’s what I had to say:
For an audio-only version of this video, please click here.
So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any incentive of love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfishness or conceit, but in humility count others better than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Have this mind among yourselves, which was in Christ Jesus who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross.Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. – Philippians 2:1-4
Here’s today’s video:
For an audio-only version of this video, please click here.
…as it is my eager expectation and hope that I shall not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If it is to be life in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. Convinced of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.
Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you stand firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear omen to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, engaged in the same conflict which you saw and now hear to be mine. – Philippians 1:20
Here’s what I had to say:
For an audio-only version of this video, please click here.
I’m starting to get used to recording these videos, editing with iMovie and uploading them to Youtube. Now that you’ve seen a few of these videos, I’d like some feedback please! What aspects of these videos do you like and think that I should keep doing? What don’t you like and think I should change?
The next chunk of Chapter 2 of Philippians:
Today we continue through Chapter 2 of Philippians:
Today we begin Chapter 2 of Philippians!
Today we read the final part of Chapter 1: