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The Harvest USA Podcast

The Harvest USA Podcast

by Harvest USA

How Can the Church Love People with Intersex Conditions? by Ellen Mary Dykas

How can the church help people with intersex conditions? The sexuality conversation in the church often revolves around topics that are more mainstream than intersex conditions. Battling the pornography pandemic, holding fast to a biblical view of marriage and relationships, and raising kids in a tech- and AI-saturated society provide much to keep us busy. But we must study, learn how to walk alongside, and teach and disciple our people to think biblically and minister compassionately to people with intersex conditions too. Today’s episode from Ellen Mary Dykas helps churches care for and understand those with intersex conditions using the word of God as her guide. She defines why intersex conditions are different from cultural gender categories, shares why those with intersex conditions often experience suffering, and shares four steps to help churches expand their application of the gospel into the lives of families and individuals who need care. Understanding the medical condition is one thing; loving the person is another. If your church wants to grow in understanding and caring for those with intersex conditions, listen to this edition of The Harvest USA Podcast! Resources mentioned in today’s episode: Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s Klinefelter and Other X and Y Chromosome Variations Program → https://www.chop.edu/centers-programs/klinefelter-and-other-x-and-y-chromosome-variations-program The Gospel Coalition’s review of Intersex in Christ: Ambiguous Biology and the Gospel by Jennifer Anne Cox → https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/themelios/review/intersex-in-christ-ambiguous-biology-and-the-gospel/?queryID=d1e387c4ccb1e8eb2619f80dd67f3967 The Gospel Coalition’s review of Beyond Male and Female? A Theological Account of Intersex Embodiment by Sam Aston: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/themelios/review/beyond-male-and-female-a-theological-account-of-intersex-embodiment/?queryID=d1e387c4ccb1e8eb2619f80dd67f3967 You can read along here: https://harvestusa.org/how-can-the-church-love-people-with-intersex-conditions/

Your Dating Relationship and Your Sexual Past by Ellen Mary Dykas

How do I share about my sexual past with my boyfriend or girlfriend? If you’re dating relationship is moving towards engagement and marriage, it’s critical that you have honest conversations about your sexual past with your significant other before it reaches that point. Marriage is a wonderful but serious commitment, one couple’s should make with true knowledge of one another’s character, strengths, weaknesses, walk with Christ, temptations, shortcomings and more. In today’s episode, Ellen Mary Dykas shares wisdom to help couples navigate these conversations. She affirms the difficulty of these conversations, why it’s important to have the conversation before engagement and formal pre-marital counseling, and the comforts available in Christ for couples courageously pursuing this path of honesty and vunerability. If you’re anxious about the how, what, when, and the how much of sharing the parts of your story that include sexual struggle and sin, this episode provides the Christ-centered comfort and wisdom you need to take this step. PurchaseYour Dating Relationship and Your Sexual Past by Ellen Mary Dykas → https://shop.harvestusa.org/products/your-dating-relationship-and-your-sexual-past-how-much-to-share-minibook

Parents, Watch Out for Bad Advice by Joan McConnell

When it comes to sexuality and gender, advice for parents is plentiful. There is no shortage of voices telling parents how they should raise their kids or support their adult children regarding these topics. How can Christian parents discern whether such advice is good or bad. Today’s episode from Joan McConnell explores the following five diagnostic questions parents can apply to the advice they receive… Does the advice prioritize the child’s happiness as a goal? Does the advice regard the child’s feelings or choices as primary or directive? Does the advice minimize human fallenness? Doe the advice dilute the authority of Scripture? Does the advice minimize God? If you’re trying to raise kids who honor God with their sexuality or need help interacting with an adult child who embraces worldly categories for sex and gender, this episode will give you the tools you need to discern through the mountains of advice the culture and Christians are offering. Read along here: https://harvestusa.org/parents-watch-out-for-bad-advice/

My Husband Sinned Against Me—Why Do I Carry the Shame? by Ellen Mary Dykas

If your husband has sinned sexually, you might be surprised at how deeply you feel ashamed. Why does this happen? Ellen Mary Dykas shares why the intimacy of the marriage covenant, and the oneness of life between spouses, contributes to the powerful shame wives can feel in the aftermath of foundation shattering sin entering their marriage. She seeks to help wives understand shame, why they’re experiencing it, and why Jesus brings freedom from both shame and betrayal truama as a our compassionate Savior. Jesus knows what it’s like to experience the “dirtiness” of someone else’s sin. He can set you free from the shame your feeling. Read along with today’s episode here: https://harvestusa.org/my-husband-sinned-against-me-why-do-i-carry-the-shame/

Church Discipline: The Heart of Discipleship for Lost Sheep by Yohan Huh Prudente

Church discipline is a painful subject. Yet it’s vital to the health of the church and the practice of discipleship. For the men and women who come to Harvest USA with sexual sin struggles, their experience with church discipline, or the lack of it, can be painful and complicated. In today’s episode, Yohan Huh Prudente appeals to church leaders to embrace the value and necessity of church discipline as part of their discipleship. He presents the historical reasons why church discipline should be regarded as an essential mark of the church and appeals to pastors and elders to know their sheep and practice church discipline in a spirit of love that reflects God the Father and Christ, the great Shepherd of His sheep. Read along: https://harvestusa.org/church-discipline-the-heart-of-discipleship-for-lost-sheep/

Christ Offers Life – Techniques Don’t by Mark Sanders

What is the most important thing for me to do to overcome sexual sin? While techniques that reduce sexually sinful behaviors such internet filters, getting rid of your smartphone, or meticulously planning your day to avoid temptation are essential, if you’re a Christian, the answer is clear: abide in Jesus Christ. Today’s episode from Mark Sanders shows Christians struggling with sexual sin why the life Christ offers through the means of grace are essential to our growth in sexual integrity. Read along here: https://harvestusa.org/techniques-dont-offer-life-christ-does/

Are Women Happier Without Men? The Bible’s Solution to Heteropessimism by Caitlin McCaffrey

Are women happier without men? For the modern woman, there are increasingly novel ways to describe attractions, but a relatively new one is the term “heteropessimism.” As the name suggests, heteropessimists have a pessimistic outlook on what they would call the unfortunate state of their heterosexual attractions. Attractions which condemn these women, in their view, to a destiny of disappointment and harm at the hands of the men with whom they must have romantic and sexual relationships. In today’s episode, Caitlin McCaffrey takes a look at the ways heteropessimism might be making it’s way into the church. She explores the roots of these ideas in the gender wars while pointing to the Bible’s solution to pessimism about members of the opposite gender. You can read along here: https://harvestusa.org/are-women-happier-without-men-the-bibles-solution-to-heteropessimism/

Understanding Asexuality Biblically: How to Help by Caitlin McCaffrey

Asexuality, sometimes referred to as “ace”, is an increasingly popular identity marker that describes people who experience little or no sexual attraction to others. Within the context of a Christian worldview, where self-control over one’s sexual desire is a right aim, could it be a good thing for single men and women to identify as asexual? In today’s episode Caitlin McCaffrey helps pastors and church leaders think biblically about this question. She examines what the Bible has to say about identity and then offers a practical approach for church leaders to help men and women wrestling with whether or not to identify as asexual. You can read along here: https://harvestusa.org/understanding-asexuality-biblically-how-to-help/ If you’re grappling with asexuality yourself, you can read Caitlin’s article on this topic titled “Am I Asexual?”: https://harvestusa.org/am-i-asexual-harvest-usa/

How to Resist Lust at the Beach: Pursue a Greater Pleasure by Keith Seary

Have you ever fought to resist lust at the beach? The beach sounds like the perfect place to let our shoulders down and enjoy needed rest, but for Christians battling lust, the beach looks more like a war zone than a vacation. It requires discernment, alertness, self-control, and ruthless intentionality with our eyes and hearts to honor Christ at the beach. Today’s episode from Keith Seary helps you plan for a Christ-honoring beach trip. He offers heart searching reflections and practical exercises you can implement to prepare well. If you follow these instructions, your next trip could be marked by gratitude, holiness, and joy rather than sin, lust, and envy. You can read along with today’s episode here: https://harvestusa.org/how-to-resist-lust-at-the-beach-pursue-a-greater-pleasure/

Your Body Is Not for Sale: Helping Young Men Resist Self-Objectification by Stephen Moss

Men are racing to objectify themselves. Whether they’re looking for affirmation, clout, sexual gratification, or an extra buck, young men see the opportunity to objectify themselves on social media or platforms like OnlyFans as too good to pass up. Today’s episode from Stephen Moss calls young men to understand the purpose and dignity of their bodies. After exploring the temptations of our cultural moment and the spiritual roots that drive it, Stephen calls young men to consider Christ’s purpose for their bodies and the wonder that Christ’s shed his precious blood to redeem their whole person, soul and body. You can read along as you listen here: https://harvestusa.org/your-body-is-not-for-sale-helping-young-men-resist-self-objectification/

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