sexuality redeemed

Click here for Mike's advice for men (AND women) who struggle with the temptations of pornography.

I would like to add to his list by saying that I find it beneficial to develop a redeemed perspective of sexuality.

1. Begin by viewing men and women as individuals who bear God's image, thus deserving respect for their person, body and soul.

2. Put away the guilt-invoking fear of sex that you harbor because the church's efforts to keep you sexually pure have also caused you to equate sex with sin.

3. Understand God's purpose in the gift of sex as being wonderful and pure, knowing that you can share yourself fully with your spouse in love.

4. Sexual intimacy is not meant to gratify self ... nor is it more holy to put aside one's own pleasure to only please the spouse. Intimacy is meant to be enjoyed by both husband and wife as they serve each other in love and become one flesh.

5. Sex is not a flippant joke. It's solemn importance lies in that it is a creation of God. However, this does not mean that to discuss sex is taboo. Single women ought to feel free to discuss questions and seek the advice of married women in regards to the joys of sex and/or temptations. Pray together and rejoice together.

6. There is no shame in sex between a man and his wife. Instead, one would do well to give thanks to God after enjoying each other's bodies.

7. God, the Creator, enables man and woman to experience the joy of creation through the act of sex to bring about new generations. There is not fullproof contraception. With sex comes the possibility of new life. May husbands and wives always find delight in the news of a new life brought about by their act of love.

8. The human body is wonderful as God created it, to be enjoyed by one's spouse. Solomon's Song of love, romance, and sexuality reveals God's condoning of sexual pleasure.

9. Selfishness, unfaithfulness, and lack of control seek to destroy the wonder of this "one flesh". 1 Corinthians 7 urges those with sexual desire to be honorable and marry. In addition, husbands and wives are exhorted not to deny each other the pleasure of sex. Hebrews 13:4 demands that marriage be honored and kept pure, devoting one's self exclusively to one's spouse, placing all sexual desire in him/her excluding all others, real or imaginary.

Proverbs 5:15-23
15Drink water from your own cistern,
flowing water from your own well.
16Should your springs be scattered abroad,
streams of water in the streets?
17Let them be for yourself alone,
and not for strangers with you.
18Let your fountain be blessed,
and rejoice in the wife of your youth,
19a lovely deer, a graceful doe.
Let her breasts fill you at all times with delight;
be intoxicated always in her love.
20Why should you be intoxicated, my son, with a forbidden woman
and embrace the bosom of an adulteress?
21For a man's ways are before the eyes of the LORD,
and he ponders all his paths.
22The iniquities of the wicked ensnare him,
and he is held fast in the cords of his sin.
23He dies for lack of discipline,
and because of his great folly he is led astray.

10. God created the body in such a way to give amazing sensations.

11. "We have come together in [God], called by him, creating a family, serving him, he living in both of us, we are now expressing, physically the spiritual truth that he has created--we are no longer two, but one." (Otto Piper)

12. The physical body as well as the soul is good. God does not turn his eyes when a married couple enjoys his gift of sex. "He wants us to run into sex, but to do so with his presence, priorities, and virtues marking our pursuit." (Gary Thomas)

13. Sex is "knowing" someone intimately ... not for lovers, but for companions who wish to share their soul, mind, and body with another for a lifetime. When God created a companion for Adam, he chose to add sex to that relationship. How wonderful! The generosity of God is overwhelming.

Useful books on the subject:

One Flesh by Amerlia and Greg Clarke
and
Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas

calvinists, postmodernism, and beer ... oh my!

The title of this post sums up three of the greatest fears SBC leadership are facing. The Baptist Press recently published an article laced with ignorant fear, revealing the efforts to which the leadership are struggling to grasp to their traditions irrelevant to cultures not their own. No wonder the word emerging makes them squirm.

In response, Tom Ascol addresses these concerns here in a helpful post at Founders Ministries Blog.

If you're interested in differing views of the theology of the movement, I recommend reading this (excerpts from the book Listening to the Beliefs of Emerging Churches).

(note: Do not confuse emergent with emerging. Emergent refers to a small group within the Emerging Church Movement that is noted for not embracing orthodox theology.)

daughters of Jerusalem ... this is my beloved, my friend

His mouth is most sweet,
and he is altogether desirable.
This is my beloved and this is my friend,
O daughters of Jerusalem.

Song of Solomon 5:16

Today marks day 100 in the I'll Be Mike's and Mike Will Be Mine countdown. In addition, today is also the conclusion to 30 days in which I have been striving to be a godly encouragement to Mike per Nancy Leigh DeMoss' challenge (under printable downloads).

In honor of this special day, I would like to describe for you my lover, my friend.

1. Mike is a man that others may look to for inspiration. I would be proud to have my sons emulate him.

2. Mike is strong and masculine. When he holds me, I am enveloped in his confident tenderness. What originally impressed me about him was his determination to do what it took to accomplish his desires.

3. Mike eagerly communicates the gospel impartial to persons rich or poor, young or old, educated or not.

4. Mike is determined to lovingly provide for, lead, and organize our family without tyranny. He listens to my advice with openness and humility. When I wrong him, he is quick to forgive.

5. Mike is not a lover of money or earthly possessions.

6. Mike is hospitable, welcoming both believers and non-believers into his home. His home, car, computer, and other belongings are often offered to others should they have need of them.

7. Mike loves the church and ministering to and with God's people.

8. Mike is a lover of truth, desiring to teach God's Word faithfully, holding to sound doctrine rather than popular thought or gimmick.

9. Mike is a hard worker, devoting his body and time to serving God in whatever He is led to do.

10. Mike is a very focussed and organized thinker. When he comes to you with a concept, you know that he has put much time and thought into his plan.

11. Mike is very warm and genuine when talking with others, often putting them at ease (despite his wonderful height).

Word

Al Mohler's recent commentary that got homosexual activists and conservative evangelicals alike up in arms was responsible for Stephen Colbert's word "Supernatural" tonight!

Read Mohler's response to the outrage here.

Madahooha?

Me - "My name will be Christine (sly smile, slight snigger, holding in a laugh) Jolly."

Jim - "Is that how it's pronounced in Madagascar?"

Me - (blank look)

Jim - "(makes snigger noise) Is that how Jolly is pronounced? ... (looks to girlfriend) She is the one marrying a guy from Madagascar, right?"

Everyone - (BWAHAHAHA!!!)

you are the blessed God

You are the blessed God,
happy in yourself
and the source of happiness in your creatures,
my Maker, Benefactor, Proprietor, Upholder.

You have produced and sustained me,
supported and indulged me
saved and kept me;

You are able in every situation to meet
my needs and deficiencies.

May I live by you,
live for you
and never be satisfied with my Christian progress
except as I resemble Christ;

And may conformity to his principles, temper,
and conduct grow hourly in my life.

Let your unexampled love constrain me to
holy obedience,
and render my duty my delight.

If others deem my faith folly
my meekness infirmity,
my zeal madness,
my hope delusion,
my actions hypocrisy,
may I rejoice to suffer for your name.

Keep me walking steadfastly toward
the country of everlasting delights,
that paradise-land which is my true
inheritance.

Support me by the strength of heaven
that I may never turn back
or desire false pleasures
that wilt and disappear into nothing.

As I pursue my heavenly journey by your grace
let me be known as a man with no aim
except that of a burning desire for you,
and the good and salvation
of my fellow men.


- adaptation of a Puritan prayer from "Valley of Vision"

question

Does God "call" women to a ministry position 1) apart from their husbands and/or 2) apart from the family/children developmental roles?

if yes/no, does Scripture back up your claim?

gold

Something this evening caused me to remember an old post of Bobby's. I did a bit of rummaging through old archives but finally emerged victorious with the desired post.

This is gold ... when old-school Christine was frequently posting on the how-tos of relationships.

Oh Tangled Web of Relationships (Or, Why Can't Martians and Venusians Speak The Same Language)

I think Mike did a pretty good job, considering ...

p.s. - Carmen is visiting me this week.

questions for a godly wife

click here

h/t Craigs

discussion

Is it a double standard to appreciate the form and beauty of a nude woman's body in art and yet believe that Christian women ought to clothe themselves in modesty?

Are the two reconcilable?

What is a proper pastoral response to nudity in the fine arts? How does this compare with one's treatment and understanding of Song of Solomon and Ezekiel?

new linkage

I did some cleaning up on my blog today. I tidied up the link column and in the process came across some thought-provoking/amusing articles.

Enjoy.

Do I want to be married? or do I want to be a wife? What's the difference?
Carolyn McCulley explains.

Modesty revisited. Check out this survey.

Pictures of a world run by women.