Author: commoner

I believe the link between sexuality and spirituality is pictoral  of  an intimate bonding of two beings.  Let me explain.  Sexuality between two humans is an intimate boding, physically, emotionally, and human spirit to human spirit.  God uses this pictoral of the physical  to explain the spiritual bonding we have with Him.  In the physical sense we are bonded to God because He(His Spirit) physically lives within our being when we recieve Him  as Lord and Savior.  Secondly, He relates to us in the emotional arena because He became man and experienced all the emotions as we do today. He  expressed His emotions to the Father when he walked among us and He continues to express his emotions to us via His word on a very intimate level , still, today.  And lastly, He relates to our spirit with His Spirit and we are bonded  intimately  in that way as well.  I hope that this helps in explaining things on a very basic level as I rely on His word and Spirit to teach me and to share with all of you what I have learned.

Julie,

I greatly appreciate your response to this topic. My thoughts in response parallel those in your post paticularly with reference to the word 'know' but I have not fully come out on the other side of them as yet. I'm new to the forum so I've missed the momentum that was here when the words were posted but I have a heart for this subject that will not end until I see/experience God's full provision and transformation in this area. I'm disappointed that no one seems to have taken you up on your great suggestion to expound on the word "know"...  I identify with and respect 'In His Grip's" experience becuase it is as you mentioned a common dynamic experienced by many in our Christian history and this forum is certainly a great opportunity to confidently put on display (apprporiately of course) the glory of God in this area. It seems to be a two sided coin that can be spiritually life giving affecting soul and body or spiritually life degrading affecting soul and body. A definite 'rubber meets the road" reality affecting our entire being either way. Unfortunately I"ve expereinced the 'dark side' enough to know how real and all consuming it is. All though I am in full agreement with you, I would love to hear more (appropriately of course) about the spiritual expereinces you've alluded to and/or the reasons why you believe they can be among the most powerful in a person's life. I think it would also be edifying to hear a Christan woman's take on the issue as women are not w/o desire in this arena despite the often secular (although Christian women have stated this too) view that they do not. Because of its intrinsic connection to our spiritual and physical being, for men and women desire in this area certainly impacts how we are formed spiritually. It dramatically affects our freedom and it dramtically affect how we think about things. On one hand I can see why no one or very few have come out on the other side of this with God but on the other hand I've seen enough via the Lord to know the powerful experiences you allude to are real and thus there is impetus to pursue the Lord over this life giving and transforming frontier. In addition to the seminars (including Patrick Carnes' material), 12 step groups, and other various programs I've been seeing a counselor/director for discernment , as you've mentioned, in this and other areas and it has proven very helpful especially since the Spirit of God is there helping and guiding us both. One of the persisting issues that I face is the need to deliberately and intentionally pressing past the "tendency" to intellectualize so that I can squarely and decisively face the reality of Grace in my life vs. the reality of sin in my life. There should probably be a thread emphasizing (appropriately of course) the experiences people are having with their directors and how much or how little they are actually experiencing transformation at the gut level vs. just in their heads and what the hinderances are from both perspectives i.e., the director's and the participant's.  Anyway, I wanted to tackle the arena of the word "know" as I think transformation on these lines does touch on the relationship between Adam and Eve and God before the fall but it will have to wait until next time.  I've read some of your other posts and your words are very thoughtful and  encouraging. Thank you again & God bless you!

Thanks for the book suggestion FourthAmiga! Freedom is one of my highest priorites! I'll check it out!  Would love to hear what the Lord is teaching lately on the subject.