Category Archives: Sexual Purity

CG-STAT, Sexual Purity

Is Masturbation a Sin?

First, let me define the word masturbation. From all the “colorful” dictionary definitions given to the word masturbation, I chose one word, i.e. self-gratification, which helps me make my point easy and clear.

In most study results, from Christian and secular research works, it’s known that closer to 95 to 97% of young boys go through a stage where they touch and explore their private part and in the process find a good sensation.

This experience, which is one of the developmental stages called “puberty”, may occur between 9 and 12 years of age. I don’t think that this innocent act of exploring and finding good sensation deserves a punishment. Locking a nine year old boy in his bedroom for the whole day because he was found exploring and playing with his body won’t result in anything except putting the boy in a dangerous emotional distress that may encourage (or even force) him to explore more to find what his parents are afraid of. Continue reading Is Masturbation a Sin? →

CG-STAT, Sexual Purity, Truth

This morning, I was in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

I’m telling you, I love technology. There is no way for me to travel to Ethiopia right now but guess what? Technology allowed me to take part in one amazing graduation party in Addis Ababa and I will tell you all about this party.

So, one church in Addis Ababa, known as the Unique 7000 Church, bought my book, “Beyond the Fairy Tale” a few months ago and launched the CG-STAT program (Chosen Girls for Such a Time As This). The leaders decided to include more teaching materials other than my book so that they would be able to add the young men of their church into the program. Continue reading This morning, I was in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia →

Sexual Purity, Truth

An Ethiopian Swimmer

Did you hear that Almaze Ayana just set the world record in the women’s 10,000 meters at Rio 2016 Olympics, winning gold and beating the 23 year old record by 14 seconds? Fantastic news!

Congratulations to her, her family and friends and to all of us Ethiopians! It feels really good.

Why does this news feel good to me? Duh! I’m from Ethiopia! And I don’t only feel good when I hear good news like this one, but I feel really down when I hear not so good news about Ethiopians, too.

Continue reading An Ethiopian Swimmer →

Sexual Purity

When is the last time you found yourself alone with God?

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When is the last time you sat down at the feet of the Cross, not to go through your prayer list but to just sit there and listen what God has to say to you?
 
The inner man that is created in you in Christ Jesus is holy but for that inner man to take over the outer man, one of the things you need to train yourself to do is to be alone with the Holy God. ///
CG-STAT, Sexual Purity, Singles, Truth

“I Thought Showing Off My Bellybutton”

Summer is my favorite season of the year mainly because I get a chance to spend more time with my kids. Truth be told, these days I am spending less and less time with them as they are growing very fast and are very busy with their own lives. My older son, Abel, leaves home around 8:30am for his summer internship, which he’s doing at the University of Maryland and he doesn’t get back home until late in the afternoon. I’m not responsible to drop and pick him up anymore since he drives himself; and letting my kids go, JUST LIKE THAT, has been the most challenging and emotional part of parenting for me. Very tough!

For my husband, forget it! He is waiting for the day that he is going to say “Goodbye” to our little one, Biruk, who is very much ready to be on his own. I, on the other hand, dread the passing of each day knowing that my kids are not going to be with me for much longer.

Oh, how I love each one of my kids! You have no idea. I’m sure you are not surprised by that since I’m a mother. I mean, duh, what else can a mother say about her kids other than saying that she loves them to death? Nothing! Continue reading “I Thought Showing Off My Bellybutton” →

Sexual Purity, Singles, Truth

“What does “God forgives us” mean?”

A4P Guest: I want to ask you about something that is bothering and confusing me these days. I am a 25-year old Christian girl. I grew up in a Christian family and I learned early on that sex before marriage is a grievous sin before God. I’ve been holding on to that truth since childhood. Nowadays, though, my faith is being shaken because many Christians are having sex before marriage and they seem okay with it. They are still coming to church and their relationship with God seems unshaken and unaffected by their sinful lifestyle; they seem to be happy and enjoying life to the fullest while I struggle and wage war against my flesh to keep my body, soul, and spirit pure; they seem to get married quickly, throwing their wedding parties in churches, and having kids too. Comparing my life with theirs, I began to doubt the importance or relevance of my stand against sexual immorality. If I get into that kind of life, God will forgive me and I should be able to move on with life just like them. It is hard for me now to see sexual sin as different from any other sin such as lying. And I feel like God won’t do anything special for me because I keep myself from sexual sin. Please tell me if I’m wrong in my thinking. I don’t know if the devil is deceiving me in this. What does “God forgives us” mean? Does it mean that when God forgives, He takes away the consequences of our sins and our life will be bliss?

A4P: What a precious topic for me to deal with on this gorgeous Sunday afternoon! Praise God!

Thank you for asking these questions and thank you for giving us permission to address your questions on this page. Continue reading “What does “God forgives us” mean?” →