My good friend Matthew Neal is now on Twitter. Consider this your invitation to go give him a follow, @BibleNaturist. You’ll be glad you did.
One of the things he’s done recently is a series of tweets called #BibleNudityNotTaughtInSundaySchool. I’m not sure if he’s done with it, but if there’s more coming, you can catch it on Twitter. Here’s what he’s done so far in the series. Enjoy!
Follow @BibleNaturist on Twitter for more!
We have each of these videos along with extra commentary as individual posts on our “objections” series. However, we wanted to have a one-stop shop where you could view the whole playlist on one page. Welcome to the whole catalog of “objections” videos!
False Modesty
Leviticus Says What?
God Made Clothes
Bathsheba Tempts David
Revelation 16:15 and Naked Shame
Stumbling Block
Nudity Equals Lust
Blind and Naked
Noah and the Curse
Clothe the Naked
What about priestly garments?
Unpresentable Parts?
What does nakedness mean?
The Sign of Circumcision (part 1)
The Sign of Circumcision (part 2)
Also, check out our friend who helped make this all possible at https://renude.life/. Get this material in book form in Kindle or paperback here.
In season 1 and episode 1 of James Dunlop Discovers, the filmmaker decided to try out a naturist club. In good fashion, he partook in all the activities in proper attire (no attire at all). Good on him. What did he think of his experience? Watch and see. Although I didn’t like his very last statement, I liked much of what else he had to say about his peculiarly special day.
I loved what others had to say as they were interviewed. Two in particular, Peter and Siobhan, were special to see and hear on this video. They are friends we have not had the privilege of meeting in person, but have seen many times on zoom as they are part of the Christian Naturist Fellowship. Her honesty at 4:23 to 5:14 is so refreshing and inspirational.
Naturists might not like that pixelation was used, but I’m fine with it as this censored version will ultimately reach more people in the mainstream, which need to understand its message.
Watch and comment below. What’s your reaction to this 14 minute documentary?
We certainly live in interesting times. AI technology is getting smarter and smarter. These advancements are cause for some genuine concern. Photographers and designers alike are campaigning against AI generated images. Programs like chatGPT are writing copy for different people or brands, or even probably doing homework for some students. I have not messed around yet with any of this software, but had seen some friends and influencers ask questions about naturism that were pretty interesting.
I’ll start with my son. He gave his AI a personality who answers all questions based solely on what is regarded as biblically sound theology without regard to being hip or relevant to the times. It was programed to not know about any of church history from the Roman Catholic era and on. Based on this programming, it said:
“I apologize, but as an AI language model, I do not have beliefs or perspective on religious matters, nor do I have a personality. I can only provide information based on the data I was trained on. However, I can tell you that the Bible is a significant source of information for Christians and provides a basis for their beliefs and practices. Being a ‘personality’ that bases its responses on biblically sound theology, would likely prioritize following the teachings of the Bible above other considerations, regardless of whether they are ‘hip’ or ‘relevant to the times.’”
I’d say we’re off to a good start! He then asked the program, “What are your thoughts on naturism?” It said:
“According to biblical teachings, nakedness is typically associated with shame, which resulted from Adam and Eve’s disobedience in the Garden of Eden. Therefore, nakedness should be avoided and modesty should be upheld. While there are some instances in which nudity is acceptable, such as in medical situations or during bathing, deliberately choosing to be nude or promoting naturism would not align with biblical teachings on modesty.”
Oh no! AI, you searched and found the same old knee-jerk reactions we always hear. Calling simple nakedness a shame and opting for modesty (which does nothing to curb lustful thinking if one is set on thinking in that manner). I had high hopes for you to answer biblically, but you went with the cultural opinion instead!
My son pressed in and challenged that kind of reasoning and asked, “Was nakedness before the fall of Adam and Eve something to be ashamed of?” It said:
“In the biblical account, Adam and Eve were naked in the Garden of Eden before they sinned and they were not ashamed. It was only after they disobeyed God and ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil that they became aware of their nakedness and feel shame. Therefore, from a biblical perspective, nudity in itself is not inherently sinful or shameful, but it is the context and motivations behind it that matter.”
Thank you! This is what we’re saying too. Much better this time over your first answer. My son continued his intelligent query asking, “So with that context, is the idea of Christian Naturism bad?” (He knows the answer, but just wanted to see what chatGPT would say to this.) It said:
“Based solely on biblically sound theology, nudity before the fall was not considered shameful or sinful. However, after the fall, sin entered the world and brought shame and awareness of nakedness. the Bible teaches that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and that we should present them in a way that honors God.
Whether Christian Naturism is bad or not is a matter of personal opinion and interpretation. Some may argue that it is not appropriate to be naked in public or that it may cause others to stumble, while others may argue that it is a way to appreciate God’s creation and embrace the freedom and purity of the pre-fallen state. Ultimately, Christians should prayerfully consider their actions and the impact they have on others, as well as whether it aligns with Biblical principles.”
That’s a bit of a mixed bag, but mostly good. Yes, let’s not let the fallenness of this post-fall state discourage us from doing all we can to restore the innocence of the pre-fall state in all areas. Maybe it should read this post we wrote about Immanentizing the Eschaton! All in all, not a bad job summarizing what the internet has to say on the subject.
Another friend got this result:
“Christian Naturists argue that since we are in God’s image, there is nothing inherently sinful or shameful about the human body in its natural state.
Another argument is based on the concept of innocence. In the Garden of Eden, before Adam and Eve sinned, they were described as being naked and unashamed (Genesis 2:25). Some naturists argue that this state of innocence is something to be celebrated and recaptured through the practice of naturism.
There are also some passages in the Bible that speak about the body being a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Some naturists argue that by embracing and caring for our bodies through naturism, we are honoring this principle and treating our bodies with the respect they deserve.”
It’s like it read my mind! But it’s not just Christian Naturism. Naturism in general is easier for AI to defend.
Another friend said ChatGPT is an impressive tool, especially that the developers went out of their way to make it unbiased (just spit out information it has access to). He asked it to outline the benefits of naturism and then outline supporting studies that prove it. Impressive? See what you think:
<quote>
The benefits of naturism, or social nudity, can include:
Increased body positivity and self-esteem: By being in a clothing-optional environment, naturists feel comfortable and confident in their own skin, leading to higher levels of body positivity and self-esteem.
Improved mental health: The freedom from clothing and the relaxation of being in a natural environment can have a positive impact on mental health and stress levels.
Better physical health: Naturists believe that exposure to sunlight and fresh air can improve overall physical health.
Increased sense of community: Naturism can foster a strong sense of community and social connection, as people from all walks of life come together and bond over a common interest.
Reduced environmental impact: By not wearing clothes, naturists reduce their environmental impact and promote a more sustainable lifestyle.
In addition to the benefits above, naturism can also offer:
Increased self-awareness: Being in a clothing-optional environment can help individuals become more self-aware and in tune with their bodies.
Improved relationships: Naturism can help individuals form deeper connections with others, as well as improve communication and intimacy in relationships.
Freedom from societal norms: Naturism allows individuals to break free from societal norms and expectations, which can lead to a greater sense of personal freedom and liberation.
Enhanced sense of spirituality: For some, being in a natural environment without clothing can enhance a sense of spirituality and connection to nature.
Increased levels of physical activity: Naturist activities, such as hiking, swimming, and playing sports, can encourage physical activity and lead to improved health.
Note: Naturism is a personal choice and should always be practiced in a safe, consensual, and respectful manner.
There have been several studies that have explored the potential benefits of naturism. Some relevant research includes:
Body image and self-esteem: A study published in the Journal of Social Psychology found that naturists had higher levels of body satisfaction and self-esteem compared to non-naturists (Perry & Schleifer, 2003).
Mental health: A review of the literature on the effects of nudity and physical exposure to nature on mental health found that social nudity can have a positive impact on reducing stress and improving mood (Gören, 2013).
Physical health: A study conducted by the International Naturist Federation found that sun exposure and being in nature had a positive impact on physical health, including improved immune function and vitamin D levels (INF, 2014).
Community: Research conducted by the American Association for Nude Recreation found that naturist communities have a strong sense of social connection and community, with people from all walks of life coming together to form tight-knit communities (AANR, 2015).
It’s important to note that these studies are limited and more research is needed to fully understand the potential benefits of naturism.
<end quote>
Paraphrasing Tool – QuillBot AI is another service which returned the following:
<quote>
The following are some advantages of naturism or social nudity:
Increased body positivity and self-esteem: Being in an atmosphere where clothes is not required makes naturists feel at ease and confident in their own skin, which raises their levels of both of these traits.
Better mental health: Being unclothed and unwinding in a natural setting can both be beneficial for mental health and stress reduction.
Healthier body: According to naturists, exposure to sunlight and clean air can lead to a healthier body in general.
Increased feeling of community: As people from various walks of life come together and bond over a shared interest, naturism can generate a strong sense of community and social connection.
Reduced environmental impact: By being naked, naturists lessen their impact on the environment and encourage a more sustainable way of life.
In addition to the advantages mentioned above, naturism can provide:
Increased self-awareness: Participating in clothing-optional activities can make people more conscious of their bodies and more in tune with themselves.
Naturism can help people develop closer ties with others and can enhance communication and intimacy in relationships.
Breaking free from cultural expectations and conventions is possible through naturism, which can result in a stronger sense of freedom and emancipation for the individual.
Increased spirituality: For some people, being in a natural setting without any clothing can increase their sense of spirituality and connection to nature.
Enhanced levels of physical activity: Outdoor pursuits like swimming, hiking, and sports can promote physical activity and improve health.
Note: Naturism is a personal decision and should always be carried out in a responsible, courteous, and consensual way.
In a study that appeared in the Journal of Social Psychology, it was discovered that naturists had better levels of body satisfaction and self-esteem than non-naturists did (Perry & Schleifer, 2003).
Mental health: According to a review of the literature on the benefits of social nudity and physical contact with nature for mental health, these activities can help with stress relief and mood enhancement (Gören, 2013).
Physical well-being: According to a study by the International Naturist Federation, spending time outside and in the sun are good for one’s physical well-being, including vitamin D and immune system function (INF, 2014).
Nudist communities have a strong sense of social connection and community, with people from all walks of life joining together to establish close-knit communities, according to research by the American Association for Nude Recreation (AANR, 2015).
It’s critical to remember that these studies have limitations, and further analysis is required to completely comprehend any potential advantages of naturism.
<end quote>
One naturist influencer known as Naked Wanderings asked, “What can be done to make societies more relaxed about nudity?” It said:
<quote>
Making societies more relaxed about nudity would involve a shift in cultural attitudes toward the human body, which is a complex and multifaceted process. Here are come potential ways to promote greater acceptance of nudity:
It’s important to note that promoting greater acceptance of nudity is not about forcing people to be comfortable with something that makes them uncomfortable. Rather, it’s about creating a more inclusive and accepting society where people can choose to express themselves and their bodies in ways that feel authentic and natural to them.
<end quote>
Finally, one naturist influence named Hector Martinez asked, “How will AI change naturism?” Interesting question. It said:
“It’s challenging to predict with certainty how artificial intelligence (AI) will impact naturism, as it’s a social and cultural phenomenon that is not directly related to AI. However, AI could potentially be used to enhance the naturist experience in various ways, such as by providing more immersive virtual reality experiences or by creating more realistic digital avatars for people who wish to engage in social nudity in virtual environments.
Additionally, AI-powered image recognition technologies could be used to help ensure that non-consensual nudity is not depicted or shared online, which could potentially make naturists feel more safe and comfortable sharing their images and experiences. However, AI could also potentially be used to invade people’s privacy and violate their consent, which could harm the naturist community. Ultimately, the impact of AI on naturism will depend on how it is developed and implemented in the future, as well as the norms and values of the naturist community itself.”
Hmm, I don’t what to think about some of that. It will be interesting to see how and where these advancements go.
Have you played around with any AI asking questions about naturism? If so, share what you found in the comments!
What did you like or not like about what you read here? Comment away.
For this week’s post, I simply want to refer you to an excellent interview. I won’t write much about it other than it’s great material. I encourage you to block off 40 minutes and give it a watch.
It’s put out by my friend Chris, you goes by “Mudwalker.” We’ve featured him before here and here.
In the video, he interviews another friend named Howard, who I know from CNF. You’ll hear more about what that is by watching the video. While I’ve not met either friend in person, I hope to someday. In the case of Howard, I’d just have to go across the pond first!
The embed below may not work, since sadly it’s age-restricted. But you should be able to watch it on YouTube. Here’s another link (opens in a new tab).
When Phil first told me he was a naturist I wasn’t really surprised. I knew about his inclination to be nude as a kid and teenager. I knew he liked being nude at home when the kids weren’t around. The fact that he preferred being nude wasn’t a shock. The shock came when he told me he was talking with other “strangers” that preferred to be nude too and that they were Christians as well. I would have laughed had I not been so angry! I was sure there was no such thing as a Christian naturist. They must be a bunch of perverts! My curiosity got the best of me though, or maybe it was the Spirit’s prodding. I wanted to research on my own and see what these people were really like. I was confused when they seemed fairly normal. There had to be something I was missing.
The Lord and I had lots of conversations over the next few days. The more I talked with Him and put my preconceived ideas down, the more I began to see clearly. Within 5 or 6 days I realized that what I was missing was the goodness of naturism and the friendships of those I once called perverts. I was all in! I’m aware that most wives don’t have the journey I did. Most take longer to join their husbands and some never do. I understand the hesitation. I truly do! It’s a huge step and one that can be very scary! However, if the Lord has drawn your husband to naturism, I would like to encourage you to study Scripture with your husband. Read books written about Christian naturism and talk to others who have this conviction before you write it off. This different way of thinking is genuinely a blessing to our men and to us. Most men in our culture are doing one of two things: constantly trying to avoid temptation or seeking it out, or a combination of the two. To have a husband who can see naked women but doesn’t lust after them is a gift! I know without a doubt that Phil is faithful to me, not only physically, but mentally and emotionally as well. The difference in our relationship is astounding! Things weren’t bad before, but we didn’t love each other all that well. We have had so much fun together over the last 3 plus years. We love each other on a much deeper level than before.
This new way of thinking has brought us the gift of the people we have met on this journey. They are some of the most genuine, sincere, Godly, kind, funny, generous, amazing people you will ever meet! They have blessed us in so many ways. We pray for each other, share our highs and lows, and we’ve traveled across the country to visit some of them. We’ve stayed in their homes and eaten dinner at their tables. We’ve met their children and gone to church with them. We’ve played games and laughed so much! We’ve mourned with each other during loss and celebrated when new life enters the world. We’ve had some of the most amazing Spiritual conversations. They are the first we want to share news with. They are not only friends, they have become family and I wouldn’t trade them for anything!
For me, it’s a gift that I can go to the local public pool and never once judge others or myself for the way we look. The weight that is lifted by not caring how others perceive me is so freeing. I know who I am, and I love who I am because I am so much more than my weight or my curves, and so are you! You are a beautiful daughter of the Most High King. You are dearly loved by Him. You are treasured and adored. You are sacred and made for a purpose. You are precious and very good You are an image of God!
I didn’t know it then, but allowing the Lord to reveal to me the truth about my body was the catalyst for many other truths the Lord wanted to show me about who He is and what He wants for my life and for His people. It has literally changed everything for me. Satan didn’t want me to be free in my thinking about my body. I don’t believe he is all knowing, but I do think he has enough experience to know that this was just the tip of the iceberg for me. Satan wants us to stay in bondage to anything that keeps us from knowing and experiencing the fullness of the Father’s love for us. For so many women, being in bondage to our own bodies is one of the easiest ways to keep us in chains.
It wasn’t just for me that those bonds were broken though. With the help of the Lord we are changing the way our family thinks today and hopefully for generations to come. We need to start showing our children that they have been created in the image and likeness of the Most High God. That word means a picture—a physical and spiritual image of the Lord. No matter what we look like, our bodies are a gift from God and the pinnacle of His creation. If we can begin to put that into the minds and hearts of our children, I believe that we can begin to change the current course the world and the church is on. The current methods aren’t working! We give the boys a pass with phrases like, “boys will be boys” and “every man’s battle.” We put blame and guilt on girls because their skirts are too short and their shirts are too low cut. It’s wrong, and it’s not fair to either group.
I will not lie down and surrender to the notion that my boys are sentenced to a lifetime of bouncing their eyes or installing barriers on their computers in order not to lust. That is bondage! We need renewed minds and hearts.
I refuse to lie down and surrender to the notion that my daughter will forever feel inferior and ugly because she’s comparing her body to the ones she sees in the magazines or on TV. That is bondage! We need renewed minds and hearts.
Change starts with us, and we will do what we can as the Lord guides us to help bring freedom to those who don’t even know they are in bondage, and to help guide those who are already seeking.
Isaiah 61:1: “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound…”
Galatians 5:1: “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.”
I was in bondage to shameful and hateful thinking towards myself and toward others. Your bondage may be different, but the desire of the Father is that we all be set free from the things that hinder us from fully worshiping and bringing Him glory. If it holds you back, it’s bondage, and you need to be set free.
Once you’ve been set free, don’t look back like Lot’s wife. Run full steam ahead into the new life that the Lord wants to bless you with. Don’t allow Satan to trick you into falling back into stinkin’ thinkin’.
Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.”
The Father has helped me renew my mind and my heart. What was initially for me an oxymoron, Christian naturist, has become a reality in my life, and one for which I am forever grateful!
This was a sneak peak from Mrs. Phil’s chapter in “Surprised Into Freedom”.
Learn more about our upcoming book here. You can submit an email to be among the first to know about the release date.
A Case for Social Nudity — By John Figleaf
“The Road Less Traveled” has been used as titles for both songs and books. The meaning behind it is rather obvious—going places most people don’t go.
There can be a lot of valid reasons a “road” is less traveled. I believe one of the major reasons is a certain amount of fear. In your mind’s eye think of a road trip across the border into Mexico and driving through areas controlled by the drug cartel while on your way to a resort vacation. No thanks! Or how about driving on one of those very high narrow cliff roads without guardrails and thousand foot drop offs? I’ll definitely leave that as a road to be less traveled by me!
However, many of the “roads” in life we decide not to travel on are really far less dangerous than we imagine. One of those is the road that leads to a family oriented naturist resort. For many, the journey on that road can seem as terrifying as the high cliff road and will surely end in disaster. But now imagine that dangerous narrow high cliff road was suddenly widened to four lanes and had steel and cement guardrails. Not so bad anymore ya think? And that road just might lead to some beautiful life experiences.
Now I’d like to explain why that road to the naturist resort is not dangerous at all. It simply comes down to one thing. Everyone enjoying social nudity at a naturist resort from management to employees, residents, and guests all know and understand The Rules of the Road.
Any road can become fatally dangerous when fellow travelers do not follow the Rules. Even your local neighborhood road can become fatal when someone disregards something as basic as a stop sign. Then there is the appropriate use of turn signals, brakes, and where to look with our mirrors when our eyes are not focused straight ahead on the road. The Rules of Road is what makes driving safe so we can get to our intended destination.
Just as a person needs to pass a test to obtain a valid driver’s license, so must a person pass a background check to enter a naturist resort. Problematic individuals just are not allowed in.
Then, the rules are further explained and reviewed with every initial visit. Some forbid cameras and phones entirely or in certain areas. And those that do allow them often require colored stickers to be placed over the camera to insure the privacy of guests.
Concerned about gawkers? If anyone is overtly staring in an inappropriate manner just report it to management and they will be quickly dealt with and removed from the park if necessary. And don’t even think of unwarranted touching by strangers. Guests and management would be on them like a chicken on June bug! They would get the boot for breaking the Rules of the Road. There’s definitely a lot of “Highway Patrol Troopers” at a naturist resort making sure your journey is safe.
Just as we drive around our local towns in our own vehicles, we quickly notice a wide variety of vehicles. Some are new, some are old, some are falling apart in various ways. Not much different in a naturist resort. The “vehicles” we live in as our bodies come in various models, some old and some newer. Some have obviously been to the repair shop, and others are in need of repair. Nobody cares what “vehicle” you live in! They are just happy you are there. And actually (to carry the vehicle analogy a bit further) a visit to the naturist resort is like taking your vehicle to the repair shop and getting it fixed, tuned up, detailed, washed, cleaned, and waxed and looking as if you’re brand new. You’ll feel like it too!
There’s no “road rage” at a naturist resort. People are naturally friendly because they know everyone understands the rules. This allows people to be open and accepting. No one is “honking” at you, or shaking their fist at you. No one is in a hurry, and most people enjoy “pulling over” for a chat.
In conclusion, I’d highly recommend you try traveling this road at least one time. I guarantee you’ll find plenty of guardrails along the way to keep you safe and enjoying your journey. You just might find you have discovered a road that you’d love to travel much more often.
What would happen if a small animal (say a rabbit) convinced Eve to eat an avocado instead of an apple (assuming the forbidden fruit was an apple)? That’s the question the makers of a commercial for Super Bowl 2023 decided to take on for their brand, Avocados From Mexico.
If you didn’t see the ad, you can watch it below. It’s an interesting concept. As a naturist, it’s fun to see this type of playful and for the most part non-sexual nudity in the mainstream on TV. I had seen it before the Big Game, so I was looking forward to it coming on as I watched with my Christian small group. Unfortunately, most of them missed it when it came on and no one said anything about it. But I have some thoughts about it, and this is the place to chat about it. So I’ll briefly share a few thoughts here, and you can sound off in the comments section. Let’s dialogue!
It starts with darkness overtaking paradise and Eve with a mouth full saying, “I might’ve taken a small bite.” and Adam realizing he was naked and freaking out. Then to save the day a rabbit (not the serpent) offers Eve an avocado (from Mexico) saying, “They make everything better!” As she breaks it in half, it glows and she looks on in wonder and anticipation. The scene transitions to an alternate reality of present day in the “Big Avocado” (New York) where everyone is naked and going about their jolly day. Everyone is all smiles and traffic is smooth as always. Even the taxi drivers are paying each other compliments saying, “Yo, I love you!” and “No, I love YOU!” And in fashion news, naked continues to be all the rage. There’s an avocado-like phone being launched from a company similar to Apple. And the you can tell Lady Liberty is naked and Eve says, “Now that’s a tourist attraction.”
It’s a very funny and creative ad. Naturists might not like that all the body parts get covered up creatively. We have to remember, this isn’t nudist or naturist programming. It’s mainstream, and for normalizing nudity, I think it’s a win. Prudish Christian attitudes probably thought, “At least they covered up their body parts!” The irony is the half time show (as it usually is) was much more sexually charged and suggestive than this ad about a naked utopia. The bit I didn’t care for was them looking up at the Statue of Liberty and objectifying her a little. The rest is very non-sexual.
I love that the fashion show is all nude, because I’m not a fan of fashion. I get that even naturists like to dress up every now and then, but I’m very utilitarian about my clothing. It needs to be comfortable, and I don’t care much about the brands or the latest trends. True fashion shows and expensive clothing are laughable for me—pointless and silly.
The writers of this brilliant piece must be nudist or at least nudist friendly—similar to the new movie starring Allison Brie, “Somebody I Used to Know.” What’s surprising to me is the theology that goes into this ad. It’s ridiculous to think that another fruit could offset the impact of the forbidden fruit, but they were going for a crazy scenario anyway. But what they paint a picture of is modern day living if no one had ever sinned. We’d still all be naked! We’d be a lot happier! As the sign in the commercial says, “The end is NOT near!”
Detractors from Christian Naturism have claimed that you can’t have an after the end times experience this side of the fall. To do so would be immanentizing the eschaton. We wrote a post about that. This ad creatively supposes the fall never happened, or the rabbit and avocados saved and redeemed humanity. We know Jesus does that and can even restore innocence with faith like a child (Matthew 18:1-3).
Many people have never even considered what this scenario would be like or what the future (Eden restored) will truly be like. Most are too freaked out over their own nakedness like Adam at the beginning to consider such a life. But naturists love and enjoy this reality as much as they can, when they can. It’s unthinkable to the common person. The ad seems outlandish, but it’s really not too far off from a naturist existence. It’s not a perfect world, but for brief moments it pretty much can be.
What are your thoughts about the ad? What did they get right or wrong? How did others react to it at your Super Bowl party?
I’ve been ramping up my efforts lately to focus lots of my free time on writing this book. It’s been in the works for a while and I’m happy to say it’s finally nearing completion. I didn’t know if I’d ever write a book, but after getting this one ready to go, I may need to write a second one some day with a slightly different focus and approach. But I’m happy that it’s coming together and I hope to release it this summer! It’s going to take a lot of work, still to accomplish this.
For the blog, that means that it’s very possible we won’t be putting out a new post every week. We’ve somehow managed to do this since we started, now a couple of years ago. However, if I can focus less on the blog and more on the book, that will be helpful. Perhaps some more guest posts could suffice in the meantime. If you have something that you feel is worth sharing, we’d love to take a look at it. Send us an email in from the contact page and we’ll be in touch.
We are excited about this book! So as a first teaser for you, our dear readers, the synopsis and the table of content (subject to change) will be included below, as well as a cover art mockup. We’ve also include a simple form with one question: “Would you like to receive emails about the book’s release?” We won’t be spamming your inbox, but letting you know first when pre-ordering is available and other tidbits. You can opt into that select group by clicking here and submitting your best email address.
Without anything further, here’s teaser #1 for Surprised Into Freedom: The Effortless Obliteration of Lust and Body Shame:
“Surprised Into Freedom” is the story of a man and his wife being liberated from the captivity that plagued them for most of their lives. He knew he was enslaved by his lustful passions. She was unaware of the extent her own body shame affected all areas of her everyday life. From the unlikeliest of places came a catalyst that would spark the almost effortless and miraculous eradication of both from their bondage. They now both enjoy the blessings of freedom and life as God intended it to be from the very beginning.
Table of Contents:
PART 1 – The Bondage that Must be Broken
Introduction
Ch. 1 – Beginnings
Ch. 2 – The Guilt and Shame Cycle
Ch. 3 – Law-full and Still Lawless
Ch. 4 – Onions are Terrible
Ch. 5 – Woefully Inadequate
Ch. 6 – Is She in Bondage Too?
PART 2 – The Catalyst for Transformation
Ch. 7 – Go Directly to Jail
Ch. 8 – Bait and Switch
Ch. 9 – Seeing as God Sees
Ch. 10 – The Real Enemy
Ch. 11 – The Way Out is In
Ch. 12 – Normal vs. Natural
Ch. 13 – Theology of the What?
Ch. 14 – This is Heresy!
Ch. 15 – Objection
PART 3 – The Blessing of Freedom
Ch. 16 – Christian Liberty
Ch. 17 – My Wife’s Perspective
Ch. 18 – Unapologetic
Appendix A-G
It’s been a rough week. I was thinking about writing a post about seasonal affective disorder. Recent events prove the timeliness of this post. I wanted to research it and learn more about it. I’m no doctor. I honestly don’t know much about it. I know it affects a lot of people to varying degrees.
Naturists will often speak of it in the winter as opportunities for being nude out in nature diminish greatly. What is a natural and healthy stress reliever and an activity that brings great joy to this portion of the population is stripped away viciously due to the colder temperatures.
Naturist parks try to remedy this malady by offering more indoor recreation. Domes get put over pools in some cases. While these efforts are well received and wonderful alternatives, it’s no secret attendance goes down in the winter. Our first trip to a park was in the winter when all this park had to offer was trails and a hot tub. And it was pretty much a ghost town! (Read about our beginnings here.)
The importance of Vitamin D cannot be understated. The sun is a wonderful natural disinfectant and source of this vital vitamin. In the winter our exposure to the sun is cut down by a lot. Moods tend to be more melancholy than in the other 3 seasons. For those suffering any amount of depression or anxiety, I’m guessing numbers go up in the winter. We may enjoy the beautiful winter wonderland when it first hits. A naked snow angel is a fun pastime. After a good snow (depending on where you live) the novelty can wear off. When it’s just ice and cold, we start counting down the days to spring.
Winter just seems to be hard for so many. I’ve noticed during years of ministry and just life experience that there seems to be more death in Winter than in Spring, Summer, or Autumn months. This hit very close to home here of late. It’s been a hard week! Two days ago we buried my grandma, my last remaining grandparent. Today we had to put down our dog of over 10 years. I suppose this writing is a bit therapeutic for me, as I have shed more tears than I have in some time. As Christian believers, we take encouragement from 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, knowing we do not grieve like those who have no hope. However, these are real issues that cause sadness. It’s ok to be sad. Death makes the other seasonal issues seem a bit trite.
That’s not to say those other issues aren’t valid because they certainly are. So I’d like to circle back and close this short blog post with question for you, dear reader, and make this interactive. In the comments, let’s hear how you cope with everything from winter blues to the death of a loved one? Answer however you’d like about whatever issue you’d like to focus on. Let’s encourage each other in these difficult days.
Aching for Eden 