How do you teach your kids about sexuality? How do you talk about sex in a God honoring way? In today’s episode, Dave White, author of “God, You & Sex: A Profound Mystery” and former Harvest USA staff, shares five essential truths for parents to consider as they talk to their kids about sex and biblical sexuality. Check out God, You & Sex: A Profound Mystery: https://harvestusa.org/books/god-you-sex-a-profound-mystery/ Visit HarvestUSA.org
“I believe that Jesus took my shame on the cross, but I still feel shame because of my sexual past. Does that mean I don’t really believe the gospel?” “My husband is addicted to pornography, and I feel terrible shame about this even though I know it’s not my fault. How do I get rid of this shame if he doesn’t change?” On today’s episode, Catherine Krasinski explores the reality that Christians, even those who know and believe the gospel, still struggle with shame. She reminds us of the ways Jesus himself experienced shame and offers two biblical principles that give hope to believers burdened by shame’s presence in their lives. Read the original article on our website ➡️ https://harvestusa.org/i-know-the-gospel-why-do-i-still-feel-shame/
The hope of the gospel is glorious, our sins, past, present, and future, are forgiven through Jesus! Yet, even after we’ve been justified, imperfections, weaknesses, and corruption remain. Does this mean that our good works done in faith can’t please God? In today’s episode, Mark Sanders reminds us of this surprisingly freeing truth: even our best works still need the cleansing blood of Jesus. And through that work of Christ, our good works done in faith really are pleasing to the Father. Watch the original video here: https://harvestusa.org/video/can-i-please-god-when-im-not-perfect/
If you want to help your kids walk in biblical sexuality, there are some important theological truths they need to grasp: They need to know that God is the Creator and since we are his creatures, he has the right to direct our lives. They need to know that God created us to be embodied. That human beings are essentially both body and spirit. They need to know that God made us for himself. But how do you practically teach them these truths and how to live them out, especially amidst the many demands of parenting? In today’s episode, Amy Tyson takes each of these truths and offers ways you can creatively teach them to younger and older children. She then offers practical tips for integrating this teaching into your ordinary family routines. Read the original article here: https://harvestusa.org/the-ordinary-means-kids-and-biblical-sexuality/
How do you respond when the life God gives you isn’t the life you would wish for? Can you still see his goodness amidst struggles with sin, suffering, or discontentment? In today’s episode, Amy Tyson offers the following four truths about God’s providence to nourish our belief that he is good and that he’s able and willing to do us good. Truth #1: God works for our good. Truth #2: God gives what is necessary. Truth #3: God gives abundantly. Truth #4: God gives what he requires. Click here to read today’s article: https://harvestusa.org/a-reality-better-than-a-wish-list/
“How can I forgive my husband when I don’t know, and may never know, everything he’s done?” This is a question that comes up with some regularity to our women’s ministry. They’re unsure how to think about forgiving their husband when they don’t know the full scope of his sins. Today’s episode by Women’s Ministry Director Caitlin McCaffrey offers the following practical insights for you to consider as you seek to move toward forgiveness with the limited knowledge you have. God enables you to forgive. God sees and knows what you don’t know. Seek to forgive what you do know. Seek to lament what you don’t know. Meditate on scripture. Entrust your wellbeing to the God who sees. Click to read the original article on our website: https://harvestusa.org/?p=9118&preview=1&_ppp=8120b8b5bf
In the modern age, we are sex saturated. One of the most pervasive lies we face from our culture is that sex is necessary for true fulfillment and that we can’t experience intimacy apart from sexual expression. Buy, if you’re a single Christian, what are you supposed to do? In today’s episode, Caitlin McCaffrey teaches us that intimacy and sex are not the same thing, and that our deepest longings for intimacy can only be satisfied in God. Click to read the original article on our website: https://harvestusa.org/you-can-live-without-sex-but-you-cant-live-without-intimacy/
Can sin ever be casual? What about pornography? While many may not be looking at explicit websites, they may be struggling or even justifying sexual sin that appears casual in their lives. Seeing suggestive images on social media or in public places. Filling their mouths with vulgarity or coarse joking. Taking double takes or lustful glances at others. Flirting to get sexual attention. In today’s episode, Yohan Huh Prudente reminds us that when we sin sexually against God, even in “casual” ways, we exchange his glory for fleeing vanities that lead to shallow appetites taking the throne of our hearts. He then offers three steps to address casual sexual sin in your life as you seek to live in a manner worthy of the calling of Christ. Click to read the original article on our website: https://harvestusa.org/casual-pornography-thou-shalt-not-prevail/
Do you live under the burden of guilt, shame, and fear when you’re struggling with sexual sin? Do you think to yourself… I am a dirty person for doing this–a lost cause. Nobody gets to tell me what I should or should not do. I define my desires. Nobody knows who I truly am. And I’ll take my secrets to the grave. When the heart is callous toward the gospel, a person’s conscience will err by not proclaiming God’s truth and grace in that moment of sin, leading them to fall into more profound despair. In today’s episode, Yohan Huh Prudente shows us what it looks like to proclaim God’s truth to our hearts in a way that counters self-centered guilt and shame. He then holds out the wonderful promises of the gospel, which provides true hope to heavy hearts. Click here to read the original article on our website: https://harvestusa.org/the-prodigals-hope-through-guilt-shame-and-fear/
It’s all too common for children to discover that their dad is addicted to porn. Many can trace their lifelong struggles with broken sexuality to one fateful day…the day they discovered dad’s porn. On today’s episode Caitlin McCaffrey shares the long lasting impact porn addiction leaves on families. She discusses how it fuels deceitful relational dynamics, the harm of early childhood exposure to adult content, and how children witness their mother suffering too. If you’ve experienced pain and disappointment because of your father’s sinful choices, Caitlin invites you to behold your perfect Father in heaven. The One who has always been what your imperfect father could not be: perfectly righteous and exclusively for you in selfless love. Read the original article on our website here: https://harvestusa.org/help-my-dad-is-addicted-to-porn/