Deanna Doss Shrodes

If you're a Christian single man or woman with a desire to find a Godly spouse, what do you need to know? Above anything else, you must pursue someone who has their priorities straight now. Ask yourself these questions when meeting someone who may be a person of interest: What do they chase now? Who has top priority in their life now? What are their personal standards? Can I see this person being the Godly father or mother of my future son or daughter? Is there evidence of a true walk with God? Have I actually seen/heard them pray/communicate with God? (Big key to intimacy!) And I love this question that Lucretia Noble, wife of Pastor Perry Noble, came up with. A Christian mother who was worried sick about her young adult daughter kept telling me, "I just wish a great Christian guy would come along for "K". Please just join with me in believing for this, for her..." Well, only one problem. K dropped into church occasionally on Sundays but s...

This post is for three groups of people: 1) Christian teens who are dating. 2) Parents of Christian teens who are dating. 3) Single Christian adults who are dating. Disclaimer: If you are not a Christian, this post is not for you. If you have no desire to meet and marry a Christian mate, this post is not for you. Don't get your panties all in a bunch about it. This post is exclusively for people who hold strong Christian values and desire a life partner who shares the same. If you fit categories 1, 2 and 3 above, I'm imploring you to watch out for fakers. In this post I'm going to show you five ways to discern them and avoid them. Let's talk about something I know for sure, aside from dating.  I've learned that when someone wants something they can put on a good act in order to get what they want.  I've observed that some individuals do a really good job of it even for several years.  People can't fake it forever, but they can persevere for ...

I begin this post by giving a disclaimer that it's not about anyone specific at the church where I serve as a pastor.  If you're among the many people at Celebration Church who have recently experienced a breakup, this isn't about you personally.  I could have waited to write this post until no one at Celebration is breaking up but the truth is, if that was the case I'd never write the post. Breakups happen in our church body all the time. I'm sure it happens at your church too. So let's unpack this issue that all of us who are Christians and a part of a local church, face. Dating stinks for the church. It's only a win if the people actually get married, and well...let me ask you...did you marry the one and only person you ever dated? A few of you will be able to say yes to this question. For most, the answer will be no. And in some cases, it's not a win for them or the church if they get married but aren't really right for each other but ge...

Last night we saw the movie, "He's Just Not That Into You". I was already familiar with the book that came out years ago. Although I don't agree with some of the principles discussed in the book and movie because they are not in line with scripture, I do definitely think the authors have one great point that bears examining closer. I wish many women could get it through their heads, because at the heart of this book is actually a message of self worth . I really wish that a Christian author would come up with a similar book, pointed at Christian singles, devoid of the unbiblical parts of the book. Because this is a message desperately needed especially for young women. Things I am convinced of: It never behooves you to chase a man who is giving you any vibes that he is not interested. This is really cheapening yourself and has nothing to do with love, but a devauling of oneself on behalf of another. When you get down to it, continuing to pursue a man who has sa...

Recently I was at the district breakaway conference where Judy Jacobs preached. (It was OFF THE CHARTS! INCREDIBLE!) There are many things I took away from the conference some of which I've already shared. However, it would take days to explain, and for that reason I'll have to keep sharing in bits and pieces as the weeks unfold. Today I will continue by sharing one thing she said that sticks out in my mind ... She said, "Girls, you need to marry a man who will drink your bath water!!!" (What she means by this is don't settle for anything else than a man who adores you, respects you, serves you.) The truth is, many men won't even draw a woman's bath water much less drink it! Obviously, Judy already knows that, thus the reason she feels the need to include it in her preaching. She's a fantastic example as she waited until she was 39 to get married, when she said she "finally found a man who would drink her bathwater!" (SMILE) It really was a...