How often does this scene play out?  A young Christian man witnesses the beauty of a young Christian lady.  He falls... hard.  He tells her how beautiful she is and that he would like to date her.  Unfortunately for him, while he's desperately seeking a closer relationship with her,  she is desperately seeking a closer relationship with God.  She is flattered, she doesn't what to hurt his feelings but she knows she needs to not be in a relationship right now.  (*Girls - You DO NOT want to miss next Friday's post - "8 Simple Steps to Showing a Guy You Are Not Interested"!!!)

     The boy walks away crushed, of all of God's creation she was created more equal than any other.  Desperately he prays that God will make her fall in love with him, then inspiration hits!  He will use his trump card, he will use the one argument that no girl can resist.  Tomorrow he will sit her down, some quiet serene place, look deep into her eyes and tell her, "God told me that we should date." 

     How can you argue with God?  If God said we should date then there's no other option, we need to date... now... please.  Now guys out there who are thinking, "This is brilliant!", before you go to that girl let me make it clear, NEVER EVER EVER pull out the "God told me we should date" card.  Even if you believe it, if God truly wants you to date He will make it happen, pray that He tells her.  If she doesn't listen when God tells her, do you really want to date her???

     So you're probably asking, "Josh, if I can't use my silver bullet, how do I convince her to go out with me?"  Well I'm not one to leave a brother in a lurch.  So here are 4 Simple Steps to Show a Girl You are Interested:

1. Ok, sincerely, joking aside, a godly woman will be attracted to a godly man.  I once confessed my admiration for a young lady and she told me that she wanted me to fall in love with Jesus before I fell in love with a girl.  Best thing that ever happened to me!  Before you go seeking a relationship, before you go falling for a girl, fall desperately in love with God.  It will be the best thing for you, and if a girl is attracted to a boy sincerely lost in worship, that can't hurt either.

2. Be cool, but not cold.  The girl you want is not attracted to a guy who drools over her.  She wants to be admired but not by a stalker.  Also, she needs some indication that you are interested, don't go gaga every time she comes near, but don't completely ignore her hoping that she'll find you mysterious.

3. Play with kids.  This doesn't mean that you meet her at a local playground and start pushing random children on the swings... that's just creepy.  But we all know that most girls are attracted to men who are comfortable around children, it shows them that you have potential to be a good dad.

4. Group date.  Don't try to corner her.  Don't ask her, as a friend, to coffee and ambush her with your love.  Oh how I wish I could have convinced young men out of this tactic before it was too late... those poor, poor girls.  When friends are getting together, be there.  Spend more time talking with her, but not all your time.  Show her that you have the ability to have other healthy relationships.

5. This isn't a step to showing her you are interested, but an important step.  Talk to your youth pastor/college and career leader.  Youth Pastors know a lot more than you think.  We are not just great for God advice but relationship advice also.  Before you confess your love, bounce it off your pastor.  Give us the chance to talk you down from the ledge before you jump.  We may have some very valuable insight to save you. 

     So those are the do's, but I must give you a short list of DON'TS.  DO NOT...

1. Facebook stalk her.  I know you want to show your interest but it really freaks girls out when you start commenting and liking every post, picture and link that she puts up.  Pretend she is one of your friends and only like/comment as often as you would with any other person.

2. Join a ministry to impress her.  As a youth pastor I've had my share of guys want to be a youth leader to be closer to a girl he likes, who also happens to be a youth leader.  DON'T!  Just because she mentions she likes worship doesn't mean you need to go buy a guitar and join the worship team.  Just because she likes kids doesn't mean you should go sign up to teach Sunday School.  Just don't do it!!!

3. Don't read a book or walk across the city.  For the same girl my roommate read a 640 page book on Normal Schwarzkopt because she said it was interesting and I walked from one end of the city to the other because she thought it would be fun.  Neither of us got the girl.  Just because a girl makes a random comment doesn't make it your mission... she will not be as impressed as you thought.

     So I hope this has been helpful, once again, girls, DO NOT miss next Friday's post.  Guys, you have one week to work these steps before I teach the girls how to deflect them.  It would be cool if you subscribe to my blog!  Give me feed back, have you ever done something to get that guy/girl that didn't work?  That did?