Episode 128 – Stephanie welcomes Sheila Wray Gregoire to talk about Christian marriage in general, and sex in particular. Sheila brings a fresh, different perspective to intimate relationship and invites us to reconsider some of the things we might have been taught through mainstream Christian marriage books. Have you ever wondered if women need respect, too, and what that looks like when husbands need love? This episode will hopefully trigger conversations between spouses within the context of Christian marriage. So, grab a cup of coffee, cuddle up under a blanket and dare to listen to this conversation together with your spouse; then, talk about what you hear, and share your reaction to Sheila’s message! Stephanie really encourages you to open up in conversation with your spouse. You will be surprised by what they think and believe—what an opportunity to correct some widespread misconceptions!

We’re entering the conversation about sex and pleasure today, and it’s a great way to start 2022 afresh in our Christian marriages! Could it be that some of the things you may have read or been taught, are not actually true in your particular marriage? Might it be that some of these teachings do not foster trust and communication, but a spirit of animosity and ignorance? For example, have you ever heard it said that the Christian wife owes her husband sexual intimacy, regardless of whether she wants to, or not? Have you ever heard it said that a woman should give her husband sex at least every 72 hours? Have you ever heard it said that if, as a wife, you do not satisfy your husband sexually, he will be drawn to porn and unhealthy sex practices? Why do only half the women experience orgasm during sex, against almost 100% of men? Did you know that Christian wives experience more physical pain during sex, overall, than the general population? What if frequency was a symptom, not a root cause to a deeper problem? What is libido, and how is desire triggered? How does mainstream entertainment teach us the wrong definition of desire and libido? Have you ever seen how disrespectful it is to men to state that they always lust? Have you ever wondered how shameful this message is for men? Sheila brings a scientific AND Biblical approach that will help us reassess what “sex” really is: is it merely intercourse, or how can it become “love-making”?

Sheila gives us the secret to a more vibrant sex life... just tune in!

This is a sensitive, and maybe controversial conversation, and that is what makes for a healthy conversation! There is only one way to find out what you believe about a healthy sex life within your Christian marriage... take a listen, and talk with your spouse about this conversation!

GO TO GOSPELSPICE.COM/GIVEAWAY to enter for a chance to win Sheila's book!!

Sheila Wray Gregoire is a popular speaker, marriage blogger, and the author of eight books, including The Good Girl’s Guide to Great Sex. She loves encouraging women in their relationships, both with God and with their husbands, children, and friends. Her passion is for marriage, and she and her husband Keith speak together at marriage outreaches and at FamilyLife Canada marriage conferences. Sheila believes in authenticity, and gives real solutions to the very real and messy problems women, and couples, can face. You can usually find her in Belleville, Ontario, where she’s constantly texting her two young adult daughters and knitting. Preferably simultaneously.

About “The Great Sex Rescue”:

What if it's not your fault that sex is bad in your marriage?

Based on a groundbreaking in-depth survey of 22,000 Christian women, The Great Sex Rescue unlocks the secrets to what makes some marriages red hot while others fizzle out. Generations of women have grown up with messages about sex that make them feel dirty, used, or invisible, while men have been sold such a cheapened version of sex, they don't know what they're missing. The Great Sex Rescue hopes to turn all of that around, developing a truly biblical view of sex where mutuality, intimacy, and passion reign.

The Great Sex Rescue pulls back the curtain on what is happening in Christian bedrooms and exposes the problematic teachings that wreck sex for so many couples-and the good teachings that leave others breathless. In the #MeToo and #ChurchToo era, not only is this book a long overdue corrective to church culture, it is poised to free thousands of couples from repressive and dissatisfying sex lives so that they can experience the kind of intimacy and wholeness God intended.

Connect with Sheila: http://sheilawraygregoire.com/ and on her brand new site as soon as it goes live: https://baremarriage.com/

You are invited to join us on the Gospel Spice Prayer Bible Study, titled "The heart behind prayer" starting September 20, 2025! Details and registration here: https://www.gospelspice.com/prayer 

There are a few things in our Christian life that we know we should do more, or at least better – and prayer just might top the list. Prayer is a mystery. Why would a conversation with a human have any influence on God’s eternal, sovereign plan? It defies logic, and beckons love. How can God, the Almighty Lord of Hosts, be this close, this personal? It defies understanding, and beckons involvement.

But, lack of time, inspiration, and discipline, combined with the ruthless tyranny of our busy lives, push prayer to the periphery, to the “one day I’ll get to it” pile. And yet, we can excel at what we endeavor to undertake. So, why isn’t prayer more of a spiritual priority? Could we develop a mindset around prayer that made it attractive, inspiring, even maybe delightful? What if we attuned our spiritual ears to listen to God, and our spiritual eyes to see His provision?

As an unassuming student, I’m going to humbly offer to share the little I have learned from others about the joy of prayer. I will give us theology, practical tips, and useful resources, sharing what works for me as we, together, learn to pray.

If you find prayer intimidating, or if your lack of prayer makes you feel guilty or “less than,” then this is the place for you! If you have been a student of prayer for many years, this is the place for you too! If you have breath in your lungs, then prayer can become one of the deepest joys of your day. Don’t miss out!

A PERSPECTIVE ABOUT PRAYER

To pray is to believe that God not only hears, but that He responds. It is to stand in the gap for a broken world, wielding the authority of Christ, empowered by the Spirit, and trusting in the goodness of the Father. The question is not whether prayer works, but whether we are willing to pray the kinds of prayers that invite God’s Kingdom into the darkest places of the earth—and of our own hearts.

We may never fully understand the mechanics of prayer, or how it intersects with God's sovereignty, but we are not called to understand everything. We are called to be faithful. And faithfulness means showing up—in prayer, in persistence, in expectation.

So today, let us pray not only for the comfort of our hearts, but for the transformation of the world. Let us take our place as image-bearers, co-laborers, and co-heirs. Let us believe that God is still listening—and still acting. Because He is.

There’s only one way to find out what might happen when we truly pray like this.

Let’s begin.

THE MINDSET BEHIND THIS COURSE

Before we begin, let me tell you the obvious: I don’t really know how to pray. I’m a humble student and absolute beginner at the holy endeavor that is prayer. So, this course isn’t really about what I’ve learned, or any wisdom I might have gathered. But, I’ve sat at the feet of many prayer warriors over the decades, through books and teachings.

So, I’ll share what I learned from them. Humility is going to be our primary heart posture! With each lesson, I will offer a few thoughts, practices, and ideas – with much humility, and not taking myself too seriously. I will also share her favorite books and resources about prayer. FInally, I will introduce you to some of the most influential prayer warriors of our history as the Body of Christ.

Most importantly, I will invite YOU to pray! Learning to pray comes from praying. Our humble ambition is to inspire you to pray, and to give you a few tips on how to do that. Then, it’s up to you! Prayer is a lifelong endeavor. Let’s make it delightful together!

So, let’s get started.

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