Linda Dillow

Women have questions about sex. Christian women in particular are often uncertain when determining what God’s parameters for married love are. It is only right and good to examine each and every aspect of our life with the guidance of the Holy Ghost as we ask God to examine our heart and reveal any areas that may be unpleasing to Him. This task can be daunting when we begin to explore the most intimate areas of our lives. Raised in homes and churches where the subject was largely taboo, or show more feeling uncomfortable asking questions, many women find determining God’s will for their sex life a lonely, awkward road.

Delving into both the mundane and the sacred, co-authors Linda Dillow and Lorraine Pintus have stepped up to the call, providing women with a guide to discovering God’s glorious, joy-filled vision for marital sex. The title seems to imply a work filled with dos, don’ts and suggestions; while all these are present Intimate Issues: Twenty-One Questions Christian Women Ask About Sex digs much deeper into underlying thought patterns, forgiveness, sexual healing and much more.

The authors are ever gentle as they encourage women to seek the scriptures for themselves, to repent and get right with God, to seek Him for healing in the places they’ve been so deeply wounded. Their heart is well depicted in the cover art, a cup of coffee that symbolizes a warm conversation between friends as they share openly, honestly and respectfully.

I’ve had the opportunity to read several titles aimed for Christian women on the topic of sex, each seeking to portray the act of love in the positive, life-filled context we find expressed in the word of God. Many of these works provide helpful advice, but never have I read a book that provides such a deep transformation of the mind by drawing upon scripture, prayer and true-life examples. Each chapter is a mini-therapy session in and of itself.

With the section “Change My Heart, O God” additional scripture readings, reflection questions and action points are shared. Chapters exploring sexual pain from the past provide additional spiritual guidance through areas of bondage and limitation. Imagine a beloved and trusted friend praying with you through the pain of past abortions, sexual sin, and memories of abuse; Dillow and Pintus are those friends and their words in print provide much needed loving, grace-filed support. A 12-week Bible study is also included for use singly or in a woman’s small group setting, providing additional journaling, prayer and reading opportunities.

While the book’s entire emphasis is upon the spiritual and calling on God to renew our minds and hearts in this area, if you have questions regarding the mechanics of love-making, you’ll find answers here as well. While not a comprehensive manual, the questions most-asked by women regarding the physical aspects of their intimate relationships are related here as well. A wide variety of common concerns are addressed in clinically accurate language without ever descending into the vulgar and crude. As an aside – I love comprehensive indexes, and Intimate Issues provides both an index of scripture references used throughout the text as well as a topical one, should you need a specific answer immediately.

Sisters, do take note of this work. It delves deeper and provides much more than comparable titles. Though written expressly for women (with the exception of the activities which involve your husband), I found myself sharing new understandings with my husband in joy and delight. I’m adding their work for couples (co-written with their husbands) Intimacy Ignited: Conversations Couple to Couple: Fire Up Your Sex Life with the Song of Solomon to my wish-list. If the quality displayed in Intimate Issues follows through in their work for couples, it too will be a powerful tool for the examination and transformation of marriages and an effective agent of spiritual growth.

Reviewed at quiverfullfamily.com show less

Before I review this title I feel I need to warn you, I am not married. So this book doesn't relate to me... yet. That being said I thought this was a WONDERFUL manual for the married Christian woman! I had expected this to be a dry tome of "please your husband," "missionary style only," or "only have sex once a month," etc. But what I found shocked me... in a good way!

Authors Linda Dillow and Dr. Juli Slatterly put together this wonderful ten week manual to help transform the emotional and show more physical passion of married Christian couples and save marriages in the process. Each week is a different theme focusing on a passage from the Bible and the book is full of written exercises, talking points to share with your husband, prayers, and personal testimonials from other Christian women.

This book is meant to be completed solo or with a group of other women. The authors realize that sex and passion are topics not often focused on in Church or are hard to bring up with a priest which is why they completed this handy guide. This is useful for any stage of marriage, the beginning or when you are in your eighties, it is full of helpful hints and ideas on how to get your romance back on track.

I received this book for free from Moody Publishing in return for my honest, unbiased opinion. show less

A welcome addition to improving marital relationships

I was intrigued by this title. Indeed tackling this topic seems long overdue. The last book I remember reading on this was The Total Woman by Marabel Morgan that encouraged things like the famous scene of greeting your husband at the door in Saran Wrap (plastic food wrap). I was hoping for something less banal and more respecting of partnering in marriage. Passion Pursuit is a far cry from such earlier books. I was actually looking for the show more Christian answer to 50 Shades of Grey. Passion Pursuit is not this. It is something more. A chance for Christian women to ponder passion and sexual intimacy in their marriage. Passion Pursuit opens the door for exploring the gift God has given us.
As the authors say, 'Sexual intimacy is a delicate and discreet subject that must be approached with candour yet sensitivity.' I feel 'intimacy' is a key word. The authors are encouraging a search beyond sexual actions, beyond the 'saran wrap' to sexual intimacy and all that those two words together imply.
One thing I really appreciated before the book began was the word of caution,
'Passion Pursuit is not for every woman. The principles we will be exploring throughout this study apply to relatively healthy marriages...you may need additional support...' And a website is given for additional resources.
This signalled the sense of responsibility and the integrity that proved to be throughout the book.
The authors invite you to partake in a ten week thoughtful and prayerful pursuit and study of intimacy and passion. A journey well worth it.

A NetGalley ARC show less

This book was candid, gentle, sensitive, and absolutely infused with Scripture. I enjoyed the honest responses from the authors, and the practical suggestions that went along with realizing the answers. I think I'd like to put this one away someplace that I'll easily remember where it is, since I think it would be an excellent resource to read again in a few years after I have a bit more perspective (ie. marriage). A little reminder here and there is never a bad thing!