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For 30 years, Christian leader and spiritual adviser Billy Graham has been offering advice to the thousands of readers who share their problems ...
Read more about By Billy Graham, Tribune Media Services.
For 30 years, Christian leader and spiritual adviser Billy Graham has been offering advice to the thousands of readers who share their problems ...
Read more about By Billy Graham, Tribune Media Services.
Is It Alright for Me to Marry an Older Man?
By Billy Graham, Tribune Media Services
Q: Recently I've been dating a man who takes a class with me at our
local community college. We are talking very seriously about marriage,
but he is much older than I am, and my mother says I shouldn't marry
someone who isn't my age (I am 19). Does the Bible say anything about
this? -- J.K.
A: The Bible doesn't forbid people from marrying each other just because they are different in age. Abraham, for example, was 10 years older than his wife Sarah (see Genesis 17:17), and some Bible scholars have suggested that Joseph was probably several years older than Mary (since he apparently had died by the time Jesus' ministry began).
At the same time, I hope you will listen to your mother with an open mind, because she may have reasons for her concern that you need to consider. I can probably guess some of the questions she is asking: What do you really know about this person? Has he been married before -- and if so, why did the marriage end? What kind of husband and father will he make? Are there other things in his background that ought to cause you concern?
However, the real question you should be asking yourself is this: Is it God's will for me to continue with this relationship? To put it another way, are you honestly seeking God's will for your life -- including your marriage?
If not, the most important step you can take is to turn to Christ and invite Him into your life. Then ask Him to make His will about this relationship clear to you. Let the psalmist's prayer become yours: "Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground" (Psalm 143:10).
========
Send your queries to "My Answer," c/o Billy Graham, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, N.C., 28201; call 1-(877) 2-GRAHAM, or visit the Web site for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association: www.billygraham.org.
(c)2008 BILLY GRAHAM DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.
This news arrived on: 08/26/2008
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Posted Comments:
08-30-2008 22:26
jw wrote:
Seek and Receive Godly counsel and above all TRUST GOD for the RIGHT life-mate.
08-29-2008 10:27
John wrote:
Marrying an older man.
Question ????
My niece has plans of marraige as of:
January 1,2009 to a nice southern baptist man who was reared by a southern baptist minister with well kept manners, soft spoken, loves the Lord with all of his heart. His favorite passage is: John 3:16.
This son of a southern baptist minister knew my niece when she was 15 years old. She is now 27 years old. He is in his 50's. They both love each other, but sometimes they quarrel. They are together 24/7. I told her that love does not run smoothly and there will be bumps in the road or the path may be rough.
As long as there is love between him and you, there has to be God also in their lives. Do you think I gave the correct advice to my niece?
Both my wife and I are overjoyed for our niece to settle down. It has been two months since she moved in with him. They both have to know each others' ways, but they have to have God in their lives and to pray ceasely to have this relationship with each other ,that God will provide for them as long as there is faith, trust,and the most important an the greatest command is love. We are for this marriage to happen. If there is any other scripture to help these two in this ralationship, please e-mail; so perhaps a better understanding will overwhelm both of them.
Prayers for his business an estates of inheritance to flouish abundantly with rewards that are due for him ,so he can provide the needs for our niece to a successful marraige. We ask this in Jesus name. Amen.
John Peters
My niece has plans of marraige as of:
January 1,2009 to a nice southern baptist man who was reared by a southern baptist minister with well kept manners, soft spoken, loves the Lord with all of his heart. His favorite passage is: John 3:16.
This son of a southern baptist minister knew my niece when she was 15 years old. She is now 27 years old. He is in his 50's. They both love each other, but sometimes they quarrel. They are together 24/7. I told her that love does not run smoothly and there will be bumps in the road or the path may be rough.
As long as there is love between him and you, there has to be God also in their lives. Do you think I gave the correct advice to my niece?
Both my wife and I are overjoyed for our niece to settle down. It has been two months since she moved in with him. They both have to know each others' ways, but they have to have God in their lives and to pray ceasely to have this relationship with each other ,that God will provide for them as long as there is faith, trust,and the most important an the greatest command is love. We are for this marriage to happen. If there is any other scripture to help these two in this ralationship, please e-mail; so perhaps a better understanding will overwhelm both of them.
Prayers for his business an estates of inheritance to flouish abundantly with rewards that are due for him ,so he can provide the needs for our niece to a successful marraige. We ask this in Jesus name. Amen.
John Peters
08-27-2008 21:01
Granny Pam wrote:
Marry an older man
The one thing I didn't see was...how long have you been dating this man? I know you feel sure you are in love with him...but depending on how long you have been dating has alot to do with how well you have gotten to know him. It is really necessary to give yourself the time to know him/each other. Age is just a number..but..it still carries a lot time span and differences. Do yourself a favor and really get to know him..you have got nothing to lose and nothing to gain. But most of all, earnestly pray to our Heavenly Father to guide you and show you what His will is for your life. We must always wait upon the Lord...He knows us better than we know ourselves. He has someone picked out for just you. I have been married for 51 years and a good marriage comes with understanding, loving patience, giving and taking in good times and bad, loving each other enough to say "I'm sorry" in times of misunderstanding, and most of that you both know the Lord and pray together. Believe me, my dear, you will be so happy then that you will say "It was worth the wait".
08-26-2008 15:46
normajun wrote:
older man for marriage
Pray for the right man, as your lifetime partner.
Test all you date, if they are God-fearing, and prayerful.marriage is a very serious and sacred relationship, where God dwells, and blesses husband and wife.It is also the toughest vocation of all!Proper and adequate preparation is a MUST!
The parties must be ready and able to procreate, multiply, and contribute well to society.That is possible with GOD in the center of that marriage.Fidelity and unconditional love are a must!
Test all you date, if they are God-fearing, and prayerful.marriage is a very serious and sacred relationship, where God dwells, and blesses husband and wife.It is also the toughest vocation of all!Proper and adequate preparation is a MUST!
The parties must be ready and able to procreate, multiply, and contribute well to society.That is possible with GOD in the center of that marriage.Fidelity and unconditional love are a must!
08-26-2008 11:44
ANDREW OLIVER SATCHELL wrote:
ANDREW OLIVER SATCHELL
I DESIRE SEXUAL INTERCOURSE
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