intimacy Archives

Would You Take Friends on Your Honeymoon?

According to a recent article in The New York Times, more and more couples are bringing their friends and even their parents on their honeymoon. In fact, there’s even a newly coined term for the practice:

The Buddymoon.

To borrow Dave Barry’s famous phrase, “No, I’m not making this up.”

Interestingly, though, it’s the newly married couple who are instigating the extended celebration with family and friends.

With cohabitation on the rise, a special romantic getaway for the newlyweds doesn’t quite have the same draw.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: husband, intimacy, marriage, sex, wife August 15, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Don’t Rush Into Marriage For Sex, But …

It was the comedian Jeff Foxworthy who once said that getting married for sex is like buying a 747 for the free peanuts.

He’s making a joke, of course, but he’s pointing to a serious issue.

Do you know many young people who rush into marriage in order to satisfy both a physical urge and a moral obligation?

It would be possible to identify such cases, but given, by some estimates, that over 80% of Christians who marry aren’t virgins, that’s certainly not the norm.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: intimacy, sex July 10, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Trying to Determine When a Date is a Date

It’s not a trick question. When it comes to two single people of the opposite sex sharing a meal or a movie together, when does it become a “date” – as opposed to just two people of the opposite sex sharing a meal or a movie together?

A group of my colleagues and I were talking about this the other day. The consensus seemed to be centered on the matter of money.

If the guy pays, it’s probably a date.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: intimacy, marriage June 25, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Marrying Yourself?

Straight from the files of It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World:

Writing in the American Prospect, Samhita Mukhopadhyay suggests that a growing number of people, especially women, are deciding to marry themselves. Here she quotes an individual named Sasha Cagan about such cases popping up around the country:

The choice to marry yourself takes the coming-of-age ritual to a new level. It’s not just about getting towels or diamond rings or attention. The common theme in most of the stories that I hear is a commitment to take care of oneself as one hopes or imagines that a lover would.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: church, husband, intimacy, sex, wife May 30, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Million Dollar Bounty on Tim Tebow?

A raunchy website that facilitates extramarital affairs has announced it will award one-million dollars to any person who can prove that New York Jets quarterback Tim Tebow has engaged in a sexual relationship.

Since the onset of his success at the University of Florida to his ascent in the NFL, Tim Tebow has endured a litany of personal attacks. He’s been mocked for attempting to live up to the tenets of his Christian faith, including his willingness to publicly evangelize and pledge celibacy prior to getting married.

Topics: Current Events Tags: entertainment, faith, intimacy, pop culture April 25, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Tim Keller: 8 Tips for Marriage Seekers

The following is a condensed excerpt from my friend Tim Keller’s excellent new book, which I strongly endorse, The Meaning of Marriage: Facing the Complexities of Commitment with the Wisdom of God:

Practical Counsel for Marriage Seekers
Recognize that there are seasons for not doing marriage-seeking:

When you are going through a significant transition — starting a new job, starting a new school, death of a parent, or some other fairly absorbing time or event — it might not at all be a good time to begin a relationship.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: intimacy, marriage, relationships March 26, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

The Truth Behind XXX

It’s not what you think. Today is Valentine’s Day and millions of us are affectionately signing a card to our loved one with the symbol, “XOXO” or “XXX” to communicate a triple kiss.

But did you ever wonder where that tradition of the letter “X” representing a kiss comes from?

It would surprise a good many, I think, to discover that it’s rooted in Christianity.

In the early days of the Church, a cross mark, or an “X” was used to reflect a sworn oath.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: intimacy February 14, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Planned Parenthood’s Pleasure Principle

A couple of months ago, the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) began worldwide distribution of a guide for young people entitled “Healthy, Happy and Hot.” The 20-page brochure advocates the sexual and reproductive “rights” for those who are infected with HIV with an emphasis on having “fun, happy and sexually fulfilling lives.”

Before commenting on the troubling aspects of this pamphlet, let me say that my heart goes out to those who are living with HIV or the AIDS virus.

Topics: Current Events Tags: intimacy, kids, sex April 15, 2010 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

I Have No Clue

My friend Mark sent me this email and, frankly, I’m stumped on how to delicately answer his daughter’s question. He writes:

Hey Jim,

My wife and I had a really awkward experience during our vacation last week. Any chance you could give us some advice on how to handle it? Here’s what happened. We were traveling on the stretch of highway from the Orlando, Florida area heading south toward West Palm Beach. The kids were sitting in the back of our minivan, engrossed in their fifth episode of Adventures in Odyssey.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: intimacy, kids, parenting August 7, 2009 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Have We Gone Crazy?

Here’s a headline that stunned me earlier this month: Vermont Considers Legalizing Teen “Sexting.” No, that’s not a typo. Just as “texting”—sending a text message between cell phones—has become a vital part of communication, the practice known as “sexting” is a growing trend among young people. In short, sexting is an exchange of photos, usually sexually explicit, between cell phone users. Sexting sometimes involves sending a pornographic video to the recepient. Upwards of 20% of teens admit sexting.

Topics: Current Events Tags: intimacy, kids, parenting, policy, sex April 29, 2009 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura