IMPACTING LIVES

W hen it comes to sex, most married Christians just do what works for them. If they have been blessed enough to have discovered something that brings satisfaction, pleasure, closeness, and climax, they most likely will continue that practice. However, some are plagued with guilt because they wonder if what they're doing is sinful. TCW receives many, many questions from Christian couples who want to know what is and what is not okay to do sexually. Unfortunately, churches tend to ignore this issue, small groups usually don't talk about sex, and most Christian books deal with more "spiritual" ideas. Wouldn't it be nice to have a list of sexual practices categorized by "sinful" or "okay"? Is there such a list? Would everyone agree with the list? Is there a solution to this dilemma? We think the answers to those questions are: yes, no, no, and probably not—in that order. We'd really like to create such a list that could settle once and

To figure out what to do about a sexless marriage, start by seeking the causes. As Sam Louie points out in his PT blogpost  I’m in a Sexless  Marriage , a  sexless marriage is a vulnerable marriage.   Sex promotes the flow of  oxytocin , the chemical that promotes feelings of bonding. Sex also is a free way of having fun together. Lastly, when sex is a special activity that married couples share only with each other, sexual sharing enhances the partnership, keeping it monogomous, loving and strong. So what can a couple, or even just one partner, do when sex has disappeared and a sexless marriage has become their new normal? A good place to start is by checking out what has caused the decrease in sharing this generally pleasurable activity. Here's some of the most common factors that inhibit sexual sharing: 1. No private time together. If spouses prioritize other activities over sharing sexual time, there may be trouble ahead. Sometimes there is little choice, as

1. Eagles Have Vision If you ever happen to see an eagle sitting high above the tree or cliff of a stiff mountain, watch closely and see how attentive the bird is. The body sits still and the head will be tilted side to side to observed what is happening below, around and above it. Even if its flying close by, you can observe how keen its eyes are looking for its prey. Eagles have a keen vision. Their eyes are specially designed for long distance focus and clarity. They can spot another eagle soaring from 50 miles away. Does this characteristic ring a bell in your mind? I am sure it does. Look at great leaders of this world who have come and gone. There are many great leaders that came and went but one characteristic that is common in all is "Vision". Vision is a successful leadership characteristic Take Abraham Lincoln for example. Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States, guided his country through the most devastating experience in its national h

In Johannesburg, a young boy walks in front of a tribute mural to Nelson Mandela. Mandela embodied all of the characteristics of a servant leader. From greedy executives to despotic rulers, we’ve all seen examples of poor leadership. But we’ve also seen the examples of Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King Jr. — servant leaders who were able to accomplish great things by putting people first. To help YALI Network members on their paths toward servant leadership, we’ve curated a list of characteristics that define servant leaders based on Robert K. Greenleaf’s seminal essay. It’s not exhaustive, but it’s a start! 1. Listens actively:  A servant leader’s first response to any problem is to listen. She seeks to identify the will of the group and helps clarify that will by listening. When she listens, she does so intently. She does not multitask or interrupt, but truly strives to understand the speaker. 2. Prioritizes:  Can you separate the important from the unimportant? What