Rating:  Summary: A wonderful Christian perspective Review: I reccomend this for any wife, any time in her marriage. It's also a great gift for a Christian woman to read before she marries. It starts things out in the right context. The authors are wonderfully honest about issues concerning sex in marriage, everything from rekindling the flame or overcoming past guilt or pain. A very useful tool for understanding and improving this aspect of your marriage.
Rating:  Summary: This book gives great permission and freedom to enjoy sex. Review: I reluctantly went to a bible study on sex. I was pleasantly surprised to find out how "Normal" I am. I would strongly encourage every married woman to bless their community, (yes I did say community) by reading this book. The truth about sex is that is was God's idea, design, and a wedding gift to the married couple. To think of sex as dirty, or anything less than a wedding gift that keeps on giving is an unopened gift of comfort, and pleasure. This book gives great permission and freedom from a biblically based view to women to ENJOY sex FULLY. It is a safe way to study about sex with other women without having to reveal anything "personally" in a group setting.
Rating:  Summary: A real bullseye! Review: I take my hat off to Linda and Lorraine for thier candor, compassion, & leadership as unabashed, sensuous, and Godly lovers of thier husbands. It is absolutely awesome to find a truly Godly perspective on a subject that, throughout history, has often been just as convaluded in religious circles as secular. Even if you think you have it all together in this area, give this study a try. You will be pleasantly suprised at the growth it will stimulate in this important and beautiful aspect of your marraige. As a side note if you are looking for a book on sexual purity/questions before or outside of marraige I highly recommend "And the Bride wore white; seven secrets to sexual purity" by Dahannah Gresh.
Rating:  Summary: Worth your time Review: If any of you were like me who struggled with being a godly AND sensuous wife, then read this book! This book has set me free!! Intimacy with my husband has grown deeper as a result. This book also gives biblical insight on God's wonderful gift of sex. The authors do a wonderful job of explaining Song of Solomons in the way it was intended. It's true that you can go to the Bible for information on anything!!
Rating:  Summary: WORTH THE INVESTMENT! Review: If your wife has a negative attitude toward sex due to bad past experiences or conservative religious constraints because she has been taught to see sex as "sinful," "dirty," a "burden," or something that "only men enjoy," then I recommend this book. My wife had religeous/upbringing constraints that gave her the idea that sex was dirty, a burden for women, and something that only men enjoyed. She read the first three chapters and to my dismay changed her attitude about the topic by helping her to dispell years of toxic attitudes toward sex. Can't wait to see what will happen when she reads the entire book! Although the book is based on a Christian point of view toward sex (sometimes giving the impression of being boring and preachy simply on the basis of writing it in a Christian-point-of view), it is not patronizing or preachy. Its aim is to break down negative views about sex and to replace them with more positive attitudes toward sex, in the view of God, in an effort to promote a healthy sexual relationship among [married] couples. The author treats sex as a gift from God when it is used responsibly. It uses scripture to support healthy sexual relations; it does it in a manner that does not condemn sex but encourages sex among married couples. I would agree with another person who commented that this book would be a great gift to married couples and to those who are about to marry.
Rating:  Summary: A must have! Review: More than a "how-to" or self-help. Dillow and Pintus write very clear and straight forward yet retain a woman to woman chat feeling. The book is well organized and put together. And the bonus pull out section was a hit.
Rating:  Summary: My wife and I like this book Review: Okay, I'm not woman; but my wife is, and we both read and liked this book. Here's our combined review:
Pros:
1. Easy to read - Conversational style of writing and clear points. We each read it in one sitting.
2. Adults only - Sometimes a grown-up discussion is required. This is a book for married women (and men). It is explicit and direct (without being crude) about physical sexual information. It is definitely not appropriate for girls (or boys).
3. Scriptural approach - Instead of just giving motherly advice, the authors take the Bible seriously and frequently use it as a home base to direct their thoughts. Mind you, this is not a Bible study per se'. There is plenty of 21st century, frank counseling advice, but it is blended and based upon Biblical principles. Provides a scriptural index to locate where specific passages are mentioned - useful to Bible teachers.
4. Practical - Lots of ideas for rekindling relationship, romance, plain sex and other aspects of adult relationship. These are ideas you can start this week.
5. Both authors relate from personal experience - Both have personally wrestled with sexual questions and counseled many women. These personal accounts add a human dimension to the principles discussed. This isn't just another "name it and claim it" woman's book. Many personal stories are provided including tough ones where women are still struggling/praying through difficulties. This book explains their stories.
6. Focuses on Song of Solomon - The erotic portions of the Song indicate an expressive, sensuous, even adventurous attitude in romantic sexuality. These authors aren't the first to recognize its racy sections - which has led the church to skate around it in too many cases. It is part of God's word and has a purpose; this book helps illuminate the subject.
7. Good tool for adult couple communication - The frankness and openness from a woman's perspective is valuable to both men and women. This is not just another "men are pigs and need to change" woman's book. Men can learn quite a bit here without being put-off.
8. Emphasizes prayer - Example prayers to help with feelings of sexual inadequacy and temptation.
9. Role of Christian liberty - Scripture sets the boundaries of proper sexuality, don't just rely on Victorian era prudence. There is no compromise if the Scripture forbids certain practices, but there is responsible liberty where Scripture is silent. Provides 3 Biblical questions to ask if you aren't sure whether specific modern sexual practices belong in your marriage, (p203).
10. Men - Accurately describes male sexual needs and psyche - basic, but accurate.
11. Exercise - the physiological benefits for healthy sexuality are briefly explained. Encourages women to take care of, and appreciate, their bodies as they are right now. Don't try to be a supermodel.
Cons/concerns:
1. More insight into males - Needs more insight into male sexuality; men are half the equation. It is a women's book and does mention men have emotion and identity wrapped up in sex, but it does not provide enough examples of how this can affect common male-female relationship problems. The Scriptures showing how David, Joseph (of Genesis) and others handled, and mishandled, sex would be consistent with the books' approach, but are not discussed. Of course there are page limits for writers.
2. Lays a lot at the woman's feet - It's definitely not just another "men are pigs" book - there are already plenty of those. In fact, a feminist would likely critique this book for telling women to see sex with their husband as a pleasant responsibility in marriage. If it's not pleasant this is probably rooted in a spiritual issue. The book does not try to make women sex slaves in marriage, far from it. But, there are times when sex is treated as a ministry to your husband because he has so much emotion and expressive love tied up in sex, more so than women do. This may not sit well with some women; it will probably sit just fine with most men ;->.
3. Forcing modern openness about sex into the Bible? - Some conservatives might criticize the book for reading 20th century women's sexual liberation back into the Scriptures. There are some very explicit interpretations, especially in the Song of Solomon. Of course, the physical acts weren't invented recently; they may just get more attention now than in ancient times, or, maybe not. At the very least, the motive of the authors seems proper to me. Their interpretation is a corrective to the hyper prudence and stifling of healthy marital sexuality, within the Church, for many centuries. There are some risk-taking interpretations - and I think they have merit to at least be seriously considered. You'll have to read the book and decide for yourself.
Rating:  Summary: So, I'm Not the Only One.... Review: Thank goodness :) In my opinion the best part of this book was realizing that I'm not the only Christian woman who is asking some of these questions. Their advice resonates with what I've read in the Bible, and I found their discussion of the Song of Solomon absolutely fascinating. I'll never read that part of the Bible the same again. I have only one request... how about this question being addressed: how do you maintain a healthy sex life while trying to conceive or during infertility?
Rating:  Summary: Fresh air! Review: The perspectives in this book are like stepping out of a musty and smoky 10-hour overseas flight into a wooded glade by a mountain stream, so far from the images and ideas which currently overwhelm each of us regarding sex. It is very refreshing for one's own heart and mind, as well as invigorating to one's marriage. God wants me to thoroughly enjoy His wonderful gift with my husband, and this book puts me on that path.
Rating:  Summary: Portuguese Version Needed Review: This book did a miracle in my life!! It was truly inspired by the Holy Spirit because after having read so many other secular and Christian books about marital issues, nothing compared to the impact "Intimate Issues" had in my life. I was never able to be changed from inside out like I was after I read it. Some books offer quick-fixes and external make-overs that deal with the issue in very broad, superficial, and unrealistic ways. I am very thankful for Linda and Lorraine. By reading their book I was freed to get the best of God's gift in its fullness. Publishers, please get this book translated into Portuguese!!! I had the chance to lead a study group on the first chapter during a visit to a church in Brazil. The Brazilian ladies want more. This book doesn't speak to American ladies only; it will certainly be a blessing to other Brazilians as it has been to me.
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