As we move into 2019, I cannot help but pause to thank God for what He has done at Awaken Love. Last year was a year of God’s provision and creating community.
2018
Last Spring God surprised me with funds to create more video classes. The Engaged Class launched to help couples understand God’s design for sex before marriage. Filled with practical tips, and discussion starters, opening up conversations about sex will help couples start off on the right foot
The Men’s Edition of Awaken Love was filmed in Dec and will launch in March. Videos that parallel the women’s class, will help husbands understand their wives and move beyond just having sex to intimately connecting through sex.
My first book Awaken Love self published and already over 800 copies have sold. The book will act as a great entry point for those not ready to take a class, or as a follow up for those that want a refresher.
From the humble beginnings with 8 close friends 7 years ago, over 1400 women and 200 men have participated in Awaken Love classes. Feedback continues to confirm the importance of community for growth and transformation.
2019
As I prayed about 2019, God gave me the word Disciple. I want to be a disciple of Christ, but I also want to be a disciple of Godly sexuality. I don’t just want to help people discover God’s design for their sex life. I want to equip them to pass a healthy mindset about sex down to their kids or friends. As they enjoy an intimate sex life in their marriage, they can encourage others.
Along with focusing on Discipleship, I hope to…
- Write a book about sex specifically to help men understand their wife.
- Explore different models for Awaken Love classes – like large groups or online groups
- Develop ways to equip and disciple women that want to teach or facilitate Awaken Love
- Continue speaking to women, men, couples and even singles both locally and around the United States.
Final Thoughts
I love the community that is developing at Awaken Love. It is a place to come and learn. We encourage and support each other as we move towards God’s design for sex. Blogging will continue to help me process what happens in my personal life and in classes. This year I will update my Song of Songs posts, write about discipleship and sprinkle in respectful detailed posts about sex. I would also love to hear your ideas for topics.
But I also want to encourage you to go. To move beyond online discussions to minister to the people that you know face to face. Open up the topic of sex by hosting an Awaken Love video class. Invite me to come and speak at your moms group, or marriage ministry. Give a copy of my book to a friend or share about it on social media, or Amazon Reviews. Share with a friend about what you have learned or begin conversations with your kids.
So this year, let’s move beyond ourselves. Let’s become disciples of Godly sexuality, so that marriages all around us might be strengthened.
The Author
Ruth – I continue to feel gratitude for you and the ministry God has entrusted to you. Congratulations on such great accomplishments in 2018! I look forward to what he is already doing and preparing for 2019.
By way of encouragement to you and partially thanks to your influence, three of my close friends and I began meeting regularly in the fall to discuss marital intimacy as the pattern or metaphor for the intimacy that God wants to have with us. We are challenging each others’ thinking and stretching and growing. Perhaps we will be among the first group of men to go through your men’s video class!
Congrats for opening up the conversation of sex with your Christian friends. I pray that God shows up in powerful ways and that He multiplies what you are doing.
Thanks for your continued support and encouragement.
Ruth