The Great Mate Debate

So what do Greg Behrendt (former writer for "Sex in the City" and author of "He's Just Not That into You") and Ed Young (Christian pastor in Dallas, TX) have in common? They both blog for chemistry.com... check it out.

The site was spawned by match.com and features 5 "experts" on relationships in America. It should be interesting to see how a Christian voice fares on the hot topics of choice. Here are two of their current topics: Great chemistry—except in bed. Should you give up? and What's with all these celebrity couples having kids out of wedlock?

Each writer (like us all) writes from some basic presuppositions about men, women, God and the purpose of relationships. I'm thinking no matter how similar an answer might be that Ed is writing from the left-field bleachers. Don't get lonely out in left, Ed.

Sexual Failure and Guilt

My last post was a reference to some Biblical tips on how to fight the temptation to sin sexually. Today is hope and help for us when we fail. Again I'm refering to John Piper and his recent challenge at Passion '07 entitled: How to Deal with the Guilt of Sexual Failure for the Glory of Christ and His Global Cause.

While it is necessary to prevent against and avoid sexual sin. We must also be prepared to return to God for forgiveness and strength after we stumble. And we must not let our struggle "guilt us out of" investing our lives in the cause of making Christ known.

Here are some notes I jotted down while listening to this talk. I bought my copy on iTunes in the Passion Bundle #2, which included a Charlie Hall song and a Chris Tomlin song.

Sex and Singleness

Let's talk sex. Many of young men and women which I am surrounded by are single. And these young adults need to talk sex because God has wired us all to desire it... mentally, physically and emotionally.

I did not not get married until I was 29 and thanks to God was able to remain a virgin until then. But in my 20's when my sex drive was kicking into overdrive my desire to for physical intimacy seemed to war against my desire to draw near to God. My 20's were a cycle of purity, sin, guilt and repentance in this area of sexual purity. But as one of my favorite pastor's has said Purity paves the way to intimacy. So out of service to my single friends here are some great tips from John Piper on how to fight for sexual purity.

10 Tips for Sexual Purity:

1. Do not seek regular sexual gratification through masturbation.
2. Do not seek sexual satisfaction through touching or being touched by another person.
3. Avoid unnecessary sexual stimulation.
4. When the stimulation comes and the desire starts to rise, perform a very conscious act of transfer onto Christ.
5. Pray that God would give you, in ever-increasing strength, a longing to know and love and obey him above all else.
6. Bathe your mind in God's Word.
7. Keep yourself busy.
8. Don't spend too much time alone.
9. Strive to think of all people, especially people of the opposite sex, in relation to eternity.
10. Resolve to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and he will add to you everything you need sexually.

For more of Piper's help, read the entire article.